In Your eyes, I am beautiful

During the retreat, I had no access to the internet to check on facebook, youtube and blogspot.  I contemplated on what to write about when I would finally come home.  The question of whether or not cosmetics, clothes and other adornments are pleasing to God crossed my mind.  But most of the girls at the camp were wearing make up and beautiful clothes, so I felt confused if they were hypocrites because vanity IS a sin, and a capital one at that.  However, I had no right to judge them, nor anyone else, because only God can truly fathom one's desires, motives and choices.

I did the research myself and I could say it is simply a matter of respecting one's self and making the careful choices of not degrading one's self to sexual objectification.

Here is an article of a woman with similar thoughts as mine: http://powertochange.com/experience/life/cosmetic/

And here is a bold statement of arguments on what the Bible says about makeup:
http://www.whyileft.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about/what-does-the-bible-say-about-wearing-make-up/

I do not feel holy.  I just feel empowered yet vulnerable that I seek God every moment. Right now, I'm just excited to live a new life. That's what I told my best friend Kyle when she asked last night if I felt holy. I received God yesterday (yes, I got myself baptized) and I promised to commit myself to God for the rest of my life.  He is my Lord and Savior. 

Suddenly, I felt a greater direction for my blog. I will still continue to love beauty and enjoy makeup and clothes, but everything will be inspired by my desire to please Him. As long as it does not hinder my faith, and as long as it is done for His glory, I believe He will allow us to find happiness and enjoy ourselves.

May you seek God today.

Andrea

Trivial Survival: How to pack for camp or anything that is not posh

I'm going to a college retreat this weekend sponsored by CCF JZone.  Right now I'm packing my stuff and I remembered that I wanted to write about the things I learned when we went camping last summer.  Really, there's more to packing than just packing your clothes, especially if you're a girl with a lot of "concerns".

I'm not gonna go into the basic packing stuff. My tips are just the trivial and overlooked ones. hehe :)  And oh, this is not the vacationing in style kind of packing.

My philosophy: TRAVEL LIGHT

1. Invest in a spacious knapsack.  You can get yourself a camping bag that is slim and has many compartments.  But because I don't camp often, my school bag from Racini is fine.  It has a sturdy plastic handle (I used to have one that's only made of cloth and it broke easily.)  and a waist support.  The waist support is very important to prevent lordosis (too much curving of your lower back).
2. Water bottle.  I always drink water every now and then.  But I aside from that, your water bottle can do more than just carry water and survival mode.  Think: water dipper. ehem *tabo.  In a retreat house setting, you need that water bottle if you get thirsty at night.  
3. One piece swimwear. Even if swimming is not actually part of your plan, you will never know when you're gonna need a waterproof clothing. Or it actually comes in handy if there are no bathrooms and you have to shower with a lot of people.  Trust me, this happened to me at a camp.  There was a long line for the shower cubicles. And I'd always look for a way to save me from waiting idly.  I positioned myself near a drainage and a faucet, and got a water dipper.  So there I was, showering in my swimsuit beside the girls who were waiting for their turn at the shower cubicles.  Okay, if the cubicles were superbly clean, then I would have waited.  But they weren't, and the situation called for a cowgirl attitude.
4. A pair of shorts.  Preferably, board shorts because it's okay if you wet them, and they're comfortable to wear and lightweight.  Even if you're going to a cold place like Baguio or Tagaytay, you can use it if for some reason it gets hot.  At the summer camp, I was expecting a cold weather all throughout so I didn't bother bringing a pair of shorts but boy was I wrong.  The lodge we stayed at was terribly hot and I actually slept in my underwear with just a towel to cover myself up. 
5. Batik pants/pajamas.  I feel Bob Marley in my skin whenever I wear my orange batik pants I years ago in Boracay. It'll keep you from getting mosquito bites if you don't like to put on repellent before sleeping.  
6. Aquazorb towel. You'll need a fast-drying towel not just at camp but even at home.  Aquazorb is quite expensive for a towel but it's worth investing in one!  
7. Secure underwear in plastic bag.  Aren't they the most precious? Safeguard 'em kinkies.  Speaking of underwear, try to avoid cotton and use the nylon ones just because they dry easily.  And if you are as fickle-minded as I am, matching underwear is the answer. I have a thing for underwear.
8. Ziplock gadgets.  I think you already know that.
9. Put toiletries in a travel bag made of plastic.  Usually, you'll have to bring your toiletries to the shower cubicle so you better put them in a material that won't get soaked.  
10. Repack shampoo, conditioner and bath wash in small bottles. Yep, get those complimentary shampoo bottles from hotels or just buy small bottles.
11. Bring a wristbag as your "handcarry"
12. PLASTIC BAGS
13. PLASTIC BAGS
14. PLASTIC BAGS. I guess that's the most trivial and overlooked packing rule of all.  Put your soiled clothes into plastic bags so they don't mix with your unused clothes.

Clockwise: Racini backpack, wrist bag, matching underwear, Speedo one piece, boardshorts,  small bottles, batik  pants

IF for some reason, you really really need your makeup, just bring the necessary things:

1. Concealer
2. Powder
3. Lip and cheek tint
4. Eyeliner
5. Q-tips

Overall, waterproof is your bestfriend.  And don't mind re-wearing some of your clothes, besides, you just want to survive. lol
Happy camping!

Andrea

I love to argue with myself

Motion: This house believes that there should be separate blog for girly things and another for fitness issues.

I was thinking of using booksandlooks as my blog name because I wanted to write about the books I read aside from cosmetics and clothes.  When I almost settled for that, it suddenly crossed my mind that I must include my fitness interests.  But then again, I can have an entirely different blog for that which would be better because I'm OC about categorizing things.  In the long run, however, it could be difficult to manage two blogs.

Theregoesandrea is probably the solution to my dilemma.  I'm using the same name for my twitter because I think it concludes my whole personality.  What's the most superior among the aspects of my self- artist, bookworm, writer, dancer, sports enthusiast, orator, health buff- is me as a an active person.  I enjoy going out, walking around, doing all sorts of activities- may that be physical or mental.  It's also my priority to include my name to emphasize that this is first of all, a personal canvass.

I'm not expecting any readers as I don't know how I will promote this or if I will ever do so.  But in case some people decide to drop by my site, find anything useful, I wish they could navigate easily through the wide array of....

OMG...... I feel like I want to make a separate blog for fitness!!!!! goodness, help me decide ugh! lol
  

My first makeup contest inspired me to blog

I entered a contest last night put up by Kikaysimaria and bbcreamaddict (the link is at the bottom part of this entry).  I recently stumbled upon Kikaysimaria's blog while on the search for Filipina makeup gurus. Most makeup gurus I follow on YT are caucasians, but I try to look for the olive-skinned girls.  But still to my dismay, it's hard to relate to their ramblings because most brands they use are not available locally.

Kikaysimaria and bbcreamaddict are both Korean makeup junkies.  The only Korean makeup I've tried is The Face Shop's primer and it works well.  Kikaysimaria's reviews on etude house and luview sparked my curiosity in Korean makeup brands.  I'm in love with them just by reading her blog.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed in the dire hope of winning.  If I don't, nonetheless, I'm happy it inspired me to  start my own blog. :)

I wave hi to Eloisa Co!  She's been working hard on the contest!  Good job, girl!

kikaysimaria and bbcreamaddict's makeup contest!

Nerd lives a double life

This blog is going to be my escape from the very apparent nerd life of mine.  I have made great pressure on myself to do well in school and have devoted much of my time to studying.  But the thing is, I am first and foremost a girl and I love girl stuff - things that are stereotyped as anti-intelligent and superficial.

My whole plan for this blog is to include makeup, looks, fitness and literature.  I'm excited!