Living Inside My Head

After days of pondering, I have finally decided to chop off my curls. Although I was kind of heavy-hearted to part from my two-year-old curly hairstyle, I think it would suit me better to change my hairstyle. What made me decide to go ahead and chop off my curls? First and foremost, it's because of the weather. The weather is getting humid and hotter nowadays; hardly surprising because we are already entering the summer months. My hair has gotten really thick and unruly. Furthermore, I did not like to color of it anymore, and it has become dry because of perming. So today, I went to a salon recommended to me by my cousin. She also had her hair done on that salon and I like the result, so I called up my cousin and ask her if she could accompany me. She was more than happy to say yes, and so there we go. I had my hair straighten but before starting with the procedure, I talked to the stylist first about the condition of my hair. After that, we went ahead with the procedure, and after

My favorite flowers: white lilies.

Pavlovsk Palace, one of Russia's most sumptuous palaces. 

January 23, 2012: This is my first time to spend Chinese New Year in Chinatown. This is actually my bf's idea. Since the 27th (today) is his birthday, we decided to have an advance celebration. Good thing the 23rd is also our monthsary, so it's a pretty good timing to celebrate two events in one day. I can say that the weather was on our side that day. Yes, it was sunny, but not humid, so I was quite surprised. In this tropical country, weather is changeable, so it is a good thing that this January is a pretty good-weathered month. Anyway, my bf and I met at the bus station at around 9:30am. Took the jeepney for a 5-minute ride going to Binondo. As expected, I can already see throng of people, many of them wearing red shirts as a sign of good fortune, going through the arch which serves as the 'gate' to Chinatown. There were so many vendors, selling different kinds of lucky charms (bracelets, dragon statues, fortune plants, etc.) Amateur and professional photog

A painting depicting the ill-fated Queen Anne Boleyn in the Tower of London right before her execution, by Edouard Cibot.

Portrait of Catherine Cornaro,  Queen of Cyprus

Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy

One of the most beautiful and famous castles in the world, Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria. He paid for the construction of this romantic castle with his own personal fortune. This is the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.  Some pictures of  Neuschwanstein Castle.

I got this beautiful illustration from the a book about the Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Painting by Charles Gates Sheldon

Painting by Stephen Darbishire

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

The pink topaz parure of the Swedish Royal Family. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful jewellery I have ever seen. Such quality of pink topaz is quite rare. The parure was created for Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia, on the occasion of her wedding to the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. (The Romanovs certainly had an eye for stunning jewels, and they have the Siberian mines at their disposal.) It eventually passed down to the Swedish royal familiy through her great-granddaughter, Queen Victoria of Sweden. The current owner of this magnificent piece of jewellery is Queen Silvia of Sweden. 

I have read numerous poems by different poets throughout history, but nothing touches me very deeply than Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. This poem has been my guiding principle in life. Desiderata  (by Max Ehrmann) Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many