Category: Hobbies

Categories
Art

Dollar Dollar Bills Y’all

Sobrang saya ko lang talaga kasi may mga dumating ulit akong clients. Yung isa taga Vienna. Wow sosyal. Nahanap lang daw nya yung IG art account ko sa isa pang IG account. Pag may mga ganitong nagi-inquire, hindi muna ako nae-excite kasi may tendency na hindi sila magpush through pag binigyan ko na sila ng quote. Although masaya pa din kasi naf-flatter ako. Ibig sabihin nagustuhan nila ang mga gawa ko. So etong si Vienna sausage, ang gusto nyang ipagawa is illustration ng superhero na ang cape daw ay banana. Medyo nag-alinlangan ako kasi di ko forte magdrawing especially tao. Although alam kong kakayanin ko naman, nag-doubt pa din ako. Pero in-entertain ko pa din at sinendan ko ng quote. Miraculously, nagpadala na sya ng downpayment. Amaze na amaze na naman ako at tuwang tuwa. Sa isip ko kasi, I’m not worthy. Bakit ako? Eto na nga siguro talaga yung nababasa kong imposter syndrome. Nung una skeptical pa ko dito sa syndrome na to eh pero parang totoo nga sya. Nagkaka mild anxiety ako.

After pa non, may nag-inquire ulit sakin. Actually hindi nga inquiry eh. Ang wording nya is “Magpapagawa kami sayo ng invitation.” hindi “Magkano ang pagawa ng invitation?”. Taga Australia naman. Tsk sosyalin talaga ang mga clients ko. Birthday invitation naman so medyo nasa comfort zone ko. Twice na ko nakagawa ng kiddie invitation so hindi naman masyadong kabado. After ko isend yung quote, binayaran ako agad in full. Grabe talaga sobrang nakaka-overwhelm. Kaya ngayong maghapon, eto lang ang gagawin ko. Ang saya pag ganito everyday. Mabubuhay na ko pwede na ko talaga magresign. Plus gusto ko pa yung ginagawa ko.

Konting life updates: Nakapagrecord na kami ni Nick ng episode 11. The start of season 2. Ayos naman. Tagal ko na naman nageedit. Pero kahit matagal, feeling ko hindi ko kayang ibigay kay Nick yung task ng pag-eedit. Sobrang OC ko kasi. Haha.

Bago pa i-suggest ni Nick, naisip ko na talagang gumawa ng bagong intro outro song. Natuwa naman ako sa result. Parang gusto ko syang buuin parang maging 2-3 minute song. Pero priority ko muna ‘tong commissions ko. May ipapa-ship pa pala kong orders kay Kenneth. Thank you Dany for always patronizing my work! Sya talaga ang unang nagtiwala sakin at si Reagan. Super thankful ako sa binigay nilang confidence sakin. Ngayon mas naha-handle ko na yung overwhelming feelings. Nung una kasi talagang umiyak ako. Ganun pala yun.

O sya. Tanghali na. Dami ko pang gagawin. Kelangan ko na din matapos yung binabasa kong libro para sa book club discussion sa Sunday. Hindi ko alam kung anong mga ipagsasasabi ko dun. Babayu!

Categories
Art Wellness

Recovery and Art Updates

Umo-okay okay na ko. Nakakalakad na ko ng maayos, pero medyo dahan-dahan pa din. Yung isang incision ko medyo fresh pa. Tapos may mga sumasakit pa din ng pakonti-konti kaya alalay pa sa paggalaw.

Lugaw forever. With lechon belly 😋

Dinalaw ako ni Sam kahapon. Nakakatawa ngayon lang kami nakapag-meet, lampas 1 year na kami dito sa Winnipeg. Nakakatuwa at nagi-guilty daw sya. Super okay lang naman kasi sobrang busy nya pagaasikaso ng pagiging nurse nya dito. Parang 3 years na daw nya inaasikaso yun grabe. Eh di kwentuhan lang kami ng kwentuhan. Nakakatuwa yung mga kwento nya kasi parang bumalik ako sa mundo ng ospital. Parang napa-reminisce ako ng konti pero tamang ganun na lang. Ayoko pa din mag-nurse.

Tapos sobrang na-motivate akong ituloy yung pag-apply ko sa Graphic Design program. Eto yung full-time student na talaga ko. Hindi yung kinuha ko na part-time program lang. Pag full time, talagang kelangan magre-resign ako tapos 2 years akong estudyante. Recently kasi nagdadalwang isip ako kung itutuloy ko pa ba. Kasi nga insufficient funds (bigla kong naalala yung Red Alert). Pero nung nakausap ko si Sam, dun ko ulit na-realize na kaya naman talaga. May student loan naman tsaka pwedeng suportahan ng government. Although naisip ko pala baka hindi ako ma-approve dun sa loan kasi yung program, iisipin nila na arts arts lang. Pero bahala na. Push ko na talaga. Magpapa-schedule na ko ng CANTest next week. Sana makapasa ako! Kase pag hindi, hindi ako makakapag-apply dun sa program. So yun na lang muna ang first step. Pag di ako nakapasa, no choice. Next intake na lang ulit.

My sister, Tricia. I-drawing ko daw sya.

Netong nakaraang week. May pinanood akong class about digital illustration. So nasa mood akong mag-drawing drawing. Hindi pa ko fully satisfied sa mga ginawa ko pero hayaan na. Hindi naman siguro sobrang pangit.

Reading
First attempt

Proud din naman ako kasi hindi ko inexpect na kaya kong mag-drawing ng ganyang cartoon-ish tapos walang gayahan. Fan na ko ng hindi perfectly shaped na tao. Yung tipong hindi talaga match yung proportions. I-eexplore ko pa yung ganung style. Eto yung mga recent inspirations ko: @dianaillustrates at @jaromvogel.

Gusto ko pang mag-drawing kaso kelangan ko nang matapos yung book namin for this month (The Stand by Stephen King). May discussion yung book club namin next week. Kelangan ko nang humabol kasi mga tapos na sila. Babayu!

Categories
Art

Sleep is Magic

When I sleep, I sing songs I’ve never heard before. I see places and things so bizarre that it would make a great art piece. My creativity flourishes. But then I’d wake up. And all I’m left with is my boring, conscious thoughts.

Categories
Art Life

Slowmo

Minsan hindi ko talaga mapigilan maisip kung anong mangyayari sa art venture ko. Gusto kong isipin na ginagawa ko lang sya for fun. As a creative outlet kasi talagang meron akong satisfaction na nararamdaman pag nakaka-create ako ng something na matino. Kaso pag may nakikita ako na super successful sa creative business nila, gusto ko din maging ganun. So parang nap-pressure ako. Hanggang sa hindi na sya nagiging fun. Lagi akong naghahanap ng validation at nagiisip ng iba-ibang ways para masabi kong “I made it!”

Since wala akong magawa ngayon kahit nasa office ako at kelangan kong magtrabaho, nagbabasa-basa ako ng articles. Tapos may nabasa ako about sa “the gig economy”. About sa mga solo entrepreneurs. May na-mention about people na nagsimula sa hobby lang tapos super successful na ngayon. Bigla kong na-imagine kung pano kaya kung ako yun. Tapos di ako natuwa dun sa thought. Parang na-imagine ko na super busy ko tapos hindi na ako nag-eenjoy sa ginagawa ko kasi para sa clients lang lahat ng ginagawa ko. Imbis na ma-motivate ako dun sa article, parang nagka-urge ako na magslow down. Na wag i-pressure ang sarili ko na maging successful. Na truly i-enjoy ko na lang tong creative side ko. Yung impulses ko na “Sana dumami ang clients ko!” is nag-fade. Tingin ko good thing to sakin. Kase minsan yung utak ko hindi ko na ma-control parang and dami masyadong iniisip na hindi naman ganun ka-importante. Kaya siguro gustong gusto ko laging madistract kase kung hindi parang mababaliw ako. Non-stop kasi talaga ang utak ko sobrang sobrang dami kong iniisip mapa-past, present or future. Ang dami kong opinyon sa mga bagay-bagay at ang dami ko masyadong feelings. Overthinking to the max talaga. Kelangan ko na siguro talaga ng meditation.

Categories
Art Canada Career Life

My Lucky Streak

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I just noticed (my aunt and uncle noticed it too), during these past few months in Canada, that I had been quite lucky. Here’s a couple of lucky things that happened:

  • We went to the casino and I won $100 playing Blackjack. I had gambling issues and used to go to casinos all by myself. But that was before and I stopped gambling ultimately when I had my losing streak. So when we went to this casino, I was playing just for fun. I wasn’t even playing my own money. My uncle gave us $20 each. When I won $10, I was planning on stopping. But I decided to just continue and didn’t care if I lose. But then I didn’t. 😉
FullSizeRender 2
Kept this as a souvenir
  • We were shopping in this store and I bought some stuff and this nice (pricey) wrap-around jacket that’s perfect for fall. Only I didn’t buy it. When I checked the receipt, the salesperson didn’t scan the tag on the jacket so I got it for free. I know that wasn’t the right thing to do; but I am jobless and a person who sometimes gets tempted so…
  • After just a month here, I already got a job. It was only a 2-month placement so it isn’t really something that’s permanent but still, that was pretty lucky. Unfortunately, I was having some health issues and I’m sorry, no disrespect, but I just loathe the job. I will certainly miss the residents and most of them are sweet but that’s just isn’t enough for me to stay.
  • So after working there for 2 weeks, I quit and hope that I will immediately find another job. And luckily, after a couple of weeks, I received several interview invitations. Then I got interviewed for this certain position (which is kind of similar to my previous job back home) and got an offer a few days after the interview. I was sooo happy and was jumping for joy nonstop. But that’s not it! It was a double entendre because not only I got hired, they hired me for a higher position! Which means higher salary! I can’t help but smile thinking about it.
  • Over to Dust Designs news (my graphic art business), I just got a client who needed some tags and things for her wedding. So I am currently working on it and like how things are going.
Their two options
  • I almost forgot the iPad. It wasn’t totally free because the bank let me chose if I’d want to have free monthly banking fees for a year or I’ll pay the monthly fees but I’ll get an iPad. I chose the latter because I’m planning to get an iPad anyway so it’s like I’m paying it in installments. Apparently, “24-month installment for zero interest!” is not a thing here. So that worked out. Also, the bank manager offered us free monthly fees for the first 2 months. So it’s like I got a discounted, 10 months to pay iPad. Yes!

  • Also, I get to experience snow. I consider that lucky because not everyone has the chance to experience snow. 😊

And that was it! I should be happy but… No wait, I am happy. But I am also worried. I’m worried that something unlucky will happen because of all these lucky-ness. I will be watching out.

Categories
Art Canada Career

Almost 3 Months in Winnipeg

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It always crosses my mind to make a blog post whenever I’m doing something I don’t really do in the Philippines. Or when I see something new or unusual. I will always think, “I will write this on my blog.” But here I am, finally giving some time to blog and I can’t recall all of those things that I wanted to write. But I will try.

DEER LODGE CENTRE

I got a job placement as a Health Care Aide in Deer Lodge Centre two weeks ago. It’s a rehab facility for the elderly (we call them residents). We wash them, feed them, and just take care of them in general. I will really miss some of the residents (especially Henny, Isabella and Garth) ‘cos I already quit yesterday. 😅

Even though I’m not fond of the job (it was my first time to wipe someone else’s ass), I was really planning on finishing my 2-month contract. Because how lucky am I to get a job that I didn’t even apply to, no interviews whatsoever, and considering that I’ve been here for just a month? Really lucky. They just told us to be there at this date, wear scrubs, and start working already (thanks to Manitoba Start – a government funded organization). And then if Deer Lodge likes me, I will be directly employed with them and get an $18 hourly pay (that’s quite plenty because the minimum hourly wage here is $11).

So the reason why I quit this job is because my eczema (which has been going on for 10 years now) is worsening. Some may think that it’s a lousy reason to quit but I’ll tell them to have an eczema first and tell me about it. I’m okay with the dryness and itchy feeling because I have my super effective ointment to relieve the itchiness. But when it starts to cause open wounds (due to frequent hand washing and sanitizing), I really needed to think about it. Exposing the wounds to even just water really hurt. What more if it’s exposed to soap or alcohol. Harsh chemicals are a no-no for eczema. That’s why I always use gloves even when I take a bath because exposure to shampoo and conditioner causes the flare-ups too. I tried using organic products but to no avail.

And so I quit. I was not happy about it because I really wanted to earn money right away (and I’m planning to get the iPhone XS 😂). But why should I stay in a job that: 1. I don’t like and 2. worsens my already worse eczema? I say, don’t. Manitoba Start was okay with it and said they’ll try to find another placement for me. They were all really nice. It turns out I didn’t even need reason #2 to finally decide that I won’t finish the contract. I learned that it wouldn’t be a problem if I just say that I feel like I’m not a fit for the job and that I changed my interests.

And then I also had the okay from my uncle and aunt (whom we’re living with) and said that I should just find an office job. They were all really kind and supportive. I can’t really express how thankful we are to them. I love them so much!

Impromptu photo shoot. Ang lamig!

RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)

This is our bank here. Here in Winnipeg (or maybe across Canada), there is no maintaining balance. We opened a bank account with zero dollars on hand (because we didn’t have our money at that time). The manager was also a Filipino so it was a pleasant experience.

The most exciting part was their ongoing promo. They are giving away free iPads (the latest one) to newly opened accounts. What’s so great about this is, for months I was really planning on getting an iPad Pro for my graphic business. iPad Pro because it’s compatible with the Apple Pencil. But what’s even more great is that the latest iPad (the one RBC is giving away) is already compatible with the Apple Pencil. So yay! I don’t need to get an iPad Pro anymore! Yehey yehey!

Zero $$$

The iPad will arrive next week! I’m so excited.

I think this is it for now. This post is getting too long already. I think I’ll blog more frequent now since I don’t have a job anymore anyways.

PS: It was already snowing yesterday!!! Sobrang bano ako 😂

Categories
Art Career Life

Why Are You Doing This?

I’ve just encountered a great video on Youtube about photography but it actually applies to everything that I am trying to learn nowadays:

 

 

The phrase that struck me most is, “Learn and understand why you are doing this particular thing, and not just how to do them.” Aannnd I’ll leave it at that.

Categories
Art Career

9-5 Job VS Graphic Artist

Ang ayoko sa office work ko, alam ko na kung anong gagawin ko from start to finish. It’s a matter of gano ko lang sya katagal matatapos. Parang nagsisimula pa lang ako, gusto ko na mag-fast forward sa finish line. Atat na atat na kong matapos para petix na ko. Pero ang gusto ko sa graphic artist side job ko, once mag-start ako, hindi ko alam pano sya tatapusin. Wala akong idea kung anong magiging final result. Parang masusurprise na lang ako sa huli kung ok ba or kulang pa. Ang bawat minuto ay discovery and experimentation. At pag tumigil ako, pwedeng tapos na or bukas ko na lang ulit ipagpapatuloy. At kahit nakakapuyat, masaya ako. Basta bayad. ðŸ˜…

Categories
Art

Calligra-stories

Nakakatuwa lang. Bigla ko naisip yung past na ako pag naniningin ako ng IG feed ko tapos nakikita ko yung mga post ng magagaling na calligraphers tapos ang gamit nila eh  oblique pen holder. Like diz:

oblique_launch
Photo not mine. Kay Google.

Sobrang sobrang naa-amaze ako sa kanila. Una ko agad naisip, “Never ko to magagawa. Sobrang hirap nyan hindi ko yan ita-try.” Pero ngayon minamani ko na lang. Wahaha! Minamani daw ulul! Ok yung totoo, ngayon eh kaya ko na. Tamang kaya lang. Pero hindi pa ko magaling. Pero nagagawa ko sya. Kaya ang lesson dun, bago mo sabihin na hindi mo kaya, i-try mo muna ng mga three times. Kase sa case ko yung una kong try, nakaka-frustrate. Pero nung umattend ako ng workshop, kaya naman pala. Kelangan mo lang matuto from the expert para ma-practice mo yung tamang way. Same thing nung nag-try ako ng watercolor and drawing. May tamang way pala talaga sya. Kaya worth it naman yung mga pera kong pinambayad sa mga workshops na yan.

At ngayon, sana worth it din ang pagbili ko ng MacBook Pro. Haha! Graphic design naman ang trip ko ngayon. Magkaka-connect pa din naman. Pero mejo lito pa din ako kung ano ba mamasterin ko. Ok lang. Mafi-figure out ko na din yun along the way. Nag-apply na nga ako sa mga companies na kailangan ng mga graphic artists. So far, merong isang nagkamaling company na gusto akong interview-hin. Haha. Pero mejo parang ang engot ko kasi nagdadalwang isip pa ko. Choosy pa. Makati kasi ang layo. Pero nag-try ako magpa-resched para lang ma-experience ko pano ba sila mag-interview ng graphic artist applicants. Ngayon na kasi yung interview eh nahihiya pa ko mag-leave kasi bago pa yung boss ko and kaka-approve lang nung super requested ko na shift (mid shift). So sana pumayag sila na i-move. Mag sick leave na lang ako if ever.

Valentine’s Day kahapon (mga 3 hours ago). Super sweet and thoughtful nung gift ni Kennetski. Art related kasi. Isa na to sa mga pinaka-favorite kong gift kasi wala ako idea tapos related pa sa art-art ko. Usually kasi pag magreregalo yun magtatanong sakin ano gusto ko tapos ako pa mismo yung bibili. Kaya medyo once in a blue moon tong nangyari. Tapos sabi pa nya kanina saka na daw yung mga susunod. Aba may susunod pa?? Wow talaga. Eto pinagpractice-an ko na agad. Ang gandaaa.

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Yung black na calligraphy pad yung gift nya. Kung eto ang pangunang bilang, excited na ko sa mga susunod! Hahaha.
Categories
Life TV

Weird Stuff and Other Stuff

I’m reading quite a lot now ever since I got my new Kindle. It’s my Christmas gift to myself. I’m so in love with it. It’s easy on the eyes and the battery lasts for weeks. I’m (still) currently reading A Storm of Swords. The Red Wedding just happened. Catelyn’s death was quite different from the series. In the book, her face was attacked by ravens and she was laughing. Weird.

I just finished a new series called The End of the F***ing World. It was weird as well but very entertaining. I even shed a few tears on a couple of episodes. I love weird characters. They’re very interesting to watch and they make you think a lot. I feel like painting Alyssa. The girl protagonist. So the series is about an angsty teenage girl (Alyssa) who has this idea of potentially falling in love with this another weird kid in school after saying to his face that he’s a shitty skater (an odd way to start a relationship). And a psychopathic teenage boy who wants to upgrade from killing animals to killing people. And his first target? Alyssa. Twisted, I know. A romantic black comedy. I love it.

I started having diet meals delivered to me again. One, because I want to eat healthy. And two, because I’m lazy. It’s quite expensive but it’s healthy, delicious, and worry-free.

My head hurts. I got super annoyed earlier then I felt pain at the back of my head. I need to be more insensitive.

Days ago, I figured something about myself that I do not like. It’s either I think too far ahead or I dwell too much in the past. It’s like I’m forgetting to live in the present which makes me out of focus. I want to change that.

My head is hurting a bit more now. Bye.

PS:

I drew Alyssa but it doesn’t look like her.