The Search For Something More

I feel like my blog posts always start with apologies for having been gone a long time -- but I assure you, the latest excuse for my absence is totally valid. Around 5 months ago, I moved to Sydney, Australia to take my post graduate degree. I wasn't really planning to move just yet since I had just found a great internship and planned to continue working there until I could find a paying job, but my mom had been nagging me for quite some time to apply for grad school already. In late 2012, I was planning to move to the US, but changed my plans as the steps for grad school here in the US were way too tedious for my lazy self to put up with. Australia on the other hand, provided a swift and easy process.

somewhere in the city

More than just pursuing higher studies, I intended on leaving Manila to have a new life. Manila, although a bustling metro, can feel constricting at times.. It's the same crowd you see everyday, same places you hang out in, same parties, and just really too much unwanted familiarity. Although I have to admit, this familiarity is comforting in a way, I somehow felt like I was not growing.  Besides, at that time, I was nursing a broken heart, and a getaway seemed perfect. 

bondi beach during winter

somewhere along campbell parade, bondi

the usual suspects

As you can see in the photo above, we have the mainstays of my life -- the people who make familiarity bearable and enjoyable. I think this was the hardest part about leaving.. being separated from friends whom I've grown to love and care for as my family. Life was gonna go on for them in Manila -- what with their boyfriends, families, jobs, school.. and they would all have each other to cling on to should anything come up. But here I was, leaving this great support system behind to venture a part of the world on my own. But you know what?? I was extremely lucky, because no matter how far away I was, they remained to be a text message away. Funny how technology has the power to make home a few clicks away -- the distance doesn't hurt as bad that way..

at ikea tempe

panoramic shot of circular quay

manly beach

sydney harbour bridge

museum station

Moving to a new city, no less a new country, more so a country you have never been to is challenging. I didn't know anyone, didn't know anything about the place, didn't understand the transport system, didn't feel comfortable.. Sydney was worse than familiarity, it was totally alien to me -- and to make matters worse, I had arrived right in the middle of a rainy winter day.. I wondered about the warm Sydney sun I had seen in photographs.. the Sydney that greeted me was bitter and cold. 

downing centre

random hotel in surry hills

sydney alley

flatiron building look-a-like

central station

illustrated man tattoo shop

central station

passion pit concert at enmore theatre

There's a lot you learn about yourself from being alone.. As for me, I am your typical extrovert. I am always out with friends and I feel offended when I ask someone to hangout and they don't want to.. I've never understood why people liked taking time apart from the world and just enjoying their own company. However, upon moving to a place where there was no one to ask out.. I took it onto myself to still have a good time -- even if it meant doing fun things alone. Below, you can see me attending a concert alone for the first time ever.. Now I have to warn you, this was a pretty radical move -- and although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at that concert, I wouldn't really recommend you guys trying it. Some things are really done better with the company of friends..

front row at the passion pit concert

concert set up

best concert everrrr

sydney opera house

Sydney was so beautiful and cold at the same time. She reminded me of the girls who so nonchalantly flip their hair but know that men nearby are looking closely. Sydney honestly felt like a bitch the first few days. The city won my heart, but it didn't love me back just yet..

sydney opera house shot from a moving ferry

my fave fastfood joint

an empty bondi beach

by the opera house

along george st. i think

view of the sydney harbour bridge by the opera house

sydney harbour bridge

selfie by asb (australian school of business UNSW)

Aside from all the personal realizations I gained by living alone, that was beside the point of going to Sydney. I went there to study... and study is exactly what I did. 5 difficult months of being immersed in a totally different world faced with not only with cultural but even more, intellectual challenges, but it was also 5 months of making new friends that I can keep for life. I'll try and look for a photo of all of us that I can share with you all.. I've learned so much.. not only about my course but about myself, how strong I can be, how determined I am, about life, people, hard work, and the value of a dollar. 

w/ ruchi during the ncv sydney tour

with da provider/number 1 fan/stage mom

along UNSW's main walkway

aaaaand a photo of a guy unbuttoning his girlfriend's top at school

My First Music Fest (with tips & tricks)! ♡

I'll admit, I wasn't really a fan of the bands playing at Wanderland -- but the easily swayed girl that I am, I jumped on the bandwagon and gave myself an excuse to dress like a hipster for one day. Unexpectedly though, Wanderland was a blast! I enjoyed every bit of it and am looking forward to attending more music festivals in the future.

There's something about the sun, (faux) grass, blaring music, good company, and (expensive) mediocre booze that makes for an amazing time. I spent my first music festival with a couple of my kabarkadas, and we saw some of our friends there too. I've put together some photos that the amazing Angel Castillo of plethoricnonsense.blogspot.com took :) 

A couple of reminders for those of you out there planning to attend events of the same sort:

1. Wear sunscreen! It is extremely hot at events like this and you have to protect your skin from the harsh sunlight. Try something that's SPF 40 or higher :)

2. Bring an umbrella. You'll need it whether the weather's dry or wet, and especially if you attend a music fest in the afternoon the umbrella will come in handy when you're standing up or just lounging around.

3. Bring a mat. The grass in Circuit Makati was really itchy! We assumed it was fake grass, and had we not brought our own mat our butts would have had rashes! Regardless if the grass is fake or not, bring a mat so you can lie on the ground freely and so you can put your stuff on a clean surface.

4. Pack lightly but bring a big bag. Don't bring too much stuff cause that will make it extremely hard for you to walk around with! If I were you I'd bring my compact powder, sunscreen, perfume, an extra shirt, small towel, and a hair tie. The big bag will be useful if you decide to buy souvenirs from the event like posters, shirts, and CDs. :)

5. Don't wear too much makeup. The heat will only melt it all off :p Wear a light powder instead and definitely bring some blotting sheets :P

6. Wear comfy clothes. As much as you wanna bring out your uber fashionista outfits, try to stick to something more comfy as you'll be exposed to intense heat and dirt the whole day. You can only enjoy the festival if you're into it totally and don't let your outfit hinder you from doing so.

7. Document the special day! Bring your digi cam, your phones, Instax's and what not and make sure you document this immensely fun and memorable event :) When Coachella and EDC Las Vegas were going on in the US, I kept checking my Instagram for photos of these events and obsessed over them! The pictures were so fun to look at and made me want to go to my next music fest even more. :)

If you have any questions like outfit ideas and makeup tips to ask for events like this, feel free to send me a question on ask.fm/justaskcarla :) I'd be happy to help xx 

Pre Wanderland 2013 ☼

Disclaimer: I know most people love Sweet Disposition. I want you all to know I hate it.

Goodbye For Now

Hello loves :) Just wanna inform you I'll be gone from social media for awhile. I closed down my twitter temporarily, until I feel like my tweets won't be of me constantly bickering about things going on in my life.. :) On ask.fm, I'll still be answering your questions, but no more personal ones anymore. That was a mistake hehe, it made me look too vulnerable. For Instagram, I won't be the one updating it, I've asked my friend to upload things for me and stuff, so if you guys comment, I'm sorry if I won't get to answer them ASAP. The only thing I'll be updating personally will be this blog and my part on Les Maquillage Babes :)

Hope you guys understand. I'm going through a rough patch right now, and I feel like distancing myself from people is the best thing to do.. I'll be back, I promise. Hopefully by then I'll be better. I love you all. Thank you for always inspiring me, encouraging me, and making me feel loved. :) I'm gonna miss talking to a lot of you, but this hiatus is much needed. See you all on a better day. 

xx

Carla

Carla on Instagram (Part 1)

If you're not following me on Instagram, here's what you're missing out on!