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What could be better than your favorite sport + a week-long tournament? For me, it would be a week-long softball tournament out of town! I spent the whole week last week in Clark with the team that’s representing NCR in the Palarong Pambansa (which is currently on going; GO NCR!!!!). That being said, I missed the Candy Style Awards. I heard it was amazing! Congrats to the Candy team for hosting a great event!

Moving on! Despite coming from different schools and teams, I had a greeeeaaat time in Clark with them. This is definitely a summer to remember. Here are 5 things that made this week extra special 

1. My teammates
   
   Despite coming from different schools, I had such a great time with them. I had so many laughs and crazy moments with them; I wish it didn’t have to end hahaha! They even saw the May issue of Candy (GET YOUR COPY NOW IF YOU HAVEN’T YET!).
2. Card games, board games and iPhone games
   
   Before this tournament, I was oblivious to card games, knew only the well-known board games and wasn’t a big fan of iPhone games but I’m proud to say that I now know how to play Pusoy Dos (hehehe thanks twins & DL), improved my Monopoly Deal skills and got my creative juices flowing after two games of Balderdash. Plus, I got the boyfriend and cheerleading spot in the Surviving High School iPhone app! Shallow but hey, I learned something new. OH and our team is better than the other in Taboo.
3. The Walking Dead
   
   We spent the nights watching The Walking Dead on Lily’s computer. Honestly, the good parts are the parts with the zombies. When it’s just dialogue, it gets pretty boring hahaha some of us even fell asleep during these parts. We just ask someone to wake us up once the zombies arrive! But still, it was entertaining.
4. Pranks
   Hahaha too funny.
5. Softball
   
   Of course all this wouldn’t have happened if not for softball. I missed playing! Being back on the field after weeks of training felt great. The feeling when you block the impossibly fast grounder, hitting the ball and seeing it fly farther than you expected, catching the pop up or simply getting on base is priceless. Hehe I love my sport!

   

   GOOD LUCK IN PALARO GIRLS!!! Bring home the title <3
   Oh and I also did something I’ve always wanted to do..
   SAY HI TO HAILEE

   

photo credits: The Walking Dead photo from AMC, Balderdash from Amazon.com

Are you an adventurous foodie who wants to try something new? Well next time that you pass along Maginhawa, be sure to check out the Iscreamist.

This is actually chemistry. The Iscreamist makes use of liquid Nitrogen to freeze their yummy treats and bring out the best in their products.

The chemical reaction caused by the liquid Nitrogen freezes the smores and macaroons in just 15 seconds.

Thus the result is a solid frozen product that’s delectable and oh so cool.

Of course it’s best to try this with good company. Be careful though as the frozen smores can sometimes sting your tongue.

Order their bestseller Dragon’s Breath and also try their Nutella Ice Cream; the photo above by the way is me after eating their products. Isn’t it awesome?

The Iscreamist is located at 46 D Magiting Street, Teacher’s Village, East Diliman, 1101 Diliman District, Philippines
Business hours are from Mon – Sat  2:00 pm to 11:00 pm

I grew up thinking I wasn’t rich. My parents did a great job providing for me, but they would always remind me that unlike some Chinese families, I shouldn’t rely on inheriting a family business to inherit after graduating college. The inheritance they could give me are two intangible things nobody could take away from me: education and character.

photo via thesingingrunner.com

This principle taught me to study hard and dream big. As early as elementary, I viewed the hours spent studying as investments, like money used as capital by an entrepreneur. My mom always told me to study to learn, not for the grade, so while the benefits of studying were not immediate, they were investments for my future. Whatever I put into my mind are equivalent to my future food, clothes, travels, and luxuries.

With no family business for me to take over, the slate was clean for me. I had the freedom to choose who I wanted to be, what I want to take up in college, what field I wanted to enter. No limitations, no expectations to inhibit me. I remember being so excited when I looked at the list of courses that different universities offered. I could be anyone.

There was an urgency to make myself better; there was a thirst to learn. After all, that was my investment. I downloaded apps that allowed me to use MS Word on the go, I listened to audiobooks, I closely observed more experienced people in the media and writing industry, and I researched about different rakets available for me. I still fail many times like when I procrastinate and waste my time, but I really couldn’t credit my failures on circumstances but on my attitude.

I acknowledge that money can buy a lot of things: books, connections, gadgets, and trips to museums abroad. But depending on how we handle circumstances, the lack of finances may actually have benefits like independence because you know you can’t rely on a fabulous future laid out in front of you; and making a name for yourself because you have no other name to flaunt and rely on.

Maybe you’re rich, maybe you’re not well off, maybe you’re in between, but whatever circumstance you may be in, it’s no reason to doubt just how far you’d go. Dream on, Candy Girl, and live inspired! <3

Growing up I have always had a soft spot for sweets. I remember back when weight wasn’t really an issue, I used to finish up a whole pack of Mr. Keebler Soft Batch Chocolate Chip cookies all by myself. And during dinner parties, while everyone else is busy lining up for the buffet table, I was busy attacking the dessert bar.

Chocolates, ice cream, and gummy worms are just some of my go to sweets. But my favorite treat of all time has got to be cupcakes. From the luxurious Sprinkles cupcakes to Rebisco’s Cupp Keyk, you name it!

During one of the lazy Sundays of the summer, I came across an online cupcake store: The Pink Vanilla. And as soon as I saw their menu and the raves of their customers, I knew I had to try it out!  And because their menu is truly extensive, I came up with a short quiz to help you Candy Girls decide on what to try out!

Click-through for the quiz results… No Peeking!

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I find it amusing that sometimes the most relevant advice can come from the most unexpected people. Advice I tend to live by usually comes to me through some random person in a seemingly prophetic manner, almost like the universe conspiring to give me relevant information that would turn out to be an eye-opener of sorts.

Yup, you guessed it. The universe did send me two prophets this week.

The first is this guy on Youtube named LC. I don’t know why I never came across any of his videos, seeing that he was already a hit sometime late last year. But then again, fate has a way of handing me relevant advice when I need it the most. Despite how entertaining and comedic this guy is, he actually has some pretty good advice when it comes to moving on.

The second was, surprise, a former professor. It started off with him teasing me about something and eventually the conversation turned out to be a heart-to-heart of sorts. For some reason, it becomes easier to share every thought when you’re talking to someone who barely knows you. There seems to be an increased likelihood that you’ll end up getting a more objective opinion, if there is such a thing. As I see it, he was the prophet of prophets, telling me exactly what I needed to hear.

And so I’ve realized that despite the heartbreak I had gone through in the past, I’m happy that I pulled through. Love will always entail heartache but then again, nothing worth it ever comes easy. Cliche as it may sound, we all know it’s true:  What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

Now I pass this on to you, Candy Girls. Don’t let fear get in the way of you experiencing something as incredible as falling in love. I only have 19 years of experience on my side, but trust me when I say that the fall will yield results that are incredibly out of this world. <3