5.29.2010

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Heck Yeah Candydoll open its doors to cyberspace?

Although my Blogspot account was created on October 2007, I officially blogged here in February 2008. However, it was on March 15, 2008 when HYC published its first blog entry.

Were there any previous site names?

Yes. It was really difficult to brainstorm for a good name for my blog. Here’s the list of HYC’s former aliases:

- Confessions of A Shopaholic (February - March 15, 2008)
- Kawaii Supergirl (April - May 2008)

How did you come up with the current site name?

I’ve been on Tumblr for seven months now. For several times during my first days on my second blog, I came across the existence of the “f@ck yeah” fanblogs (ex. “f@ck yeah vintage). However, I don’t like cursing online so I changed the F word to heck instead.

How about Candydoll?

I know a lot of people here in cyberspace took the name already. However, there’s a history on how I got Candydoll. The root word of my name Candice is "candy” which is an example of sweet delicacy. Apart from that, I fancy dolls of every kind. Since little girls love toys who look sweet, and Candice is related, the name Candydoll was born.

Before HYC, did you have any blogs from other websites (LiveJournal, Typepad, etc.)?

HYC is my longest-running online journal in my four years of blogging. However, this isn’t my first one here on Blogspot. I owned Spectacular.com in February 2006 which showcased my reflections on teen issues. I was so bored with this because of lack of credibility so I switched to LiveJournal in May of the same year. Unfortunately, I didn’t blog regularly and I posted nonsense things so I took time off online. After an article on Candy Magazine featuring excellent blogging websites, I made an account in Xanga and stayed there from January - September 2007. I was in my freshman year of HS when I was very active in Xanga and I believed it was the last blog I’ll ever make. Apart from Xanga, I made a second account on Blogger but became dormant after one post. Hence, I was forced to abandon Xanga because of my school requirements. A day before the clock struck midnight to 2008, I attempted to update my new Xanga account. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. I forgot all about blogging for two months.

Can I search your old blogs on Google?

Only three of my blogs can still be found. These are:
http://confessionsofatheresian.blogspot.com
http://xanga.com/candice_shayne
http://candiceshayne.livejournal.com

Do you make your own layouts?

No. I get a premade layout on Blogskins then tweak it to whatever tickles my fancy.

What makes HYC different from all other blogs?

Instead of writing about obsessions on Jonas Brothers and Pinoy Big Brother, my topics range from Blair Waldorf to Cobra Starship. I blog about an interesting video or photo I found across the WWW, label my entries based on songs, and stories of my everyday life. Unlike most blogs these days, I NEVER CURSE OR SAY SOMETHING BS ABOUT A PERSON. Also, I don’t post content I consider inappropriate to the public. So don’t expect me to post photos of gore or scantily-clad celebs in here. Lastly, enjoy reading my blog without the seven dirty words.

You don’t have a comment box. What’s with that?

I am quite sensitive when it comes to receiving online comments. I didn’t install one because I am afraid the chatbox will be cobwebby (no messages) and I will get hate messages from anonymous people. Another reason why I disabled Formspring.

How can I promote Heck Yeah Candydoll on my site?

Right-click the image below this answer and save it to your PC. Upload it to your own photo hosting service (preferably Photobucket). Get the HTML code. Edit the URL found in the “a href” part by changing the link to “http://thecandydoll.blogspot.com”. In this way, you’ll enter the site once you click the image..

This is the promotional poster for HYC. Save this, resize it, upload to your blog.



What is your tool of the trade to spice up HYC?

Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Where did you download the images, brushes and fonts?

Dafont, Photobucket, We Heart It, Deviantart, and other websites I found on Google.

Who is your main HYC critique?

My Dad, the #1 fan of this blog.

Are you planning to get your own domain? heckyeahcandydoll.com would be great.

As much as I want my own domain, it’s very expensive.

As the site owner of HYC, how do you promote your blog?

I promote it by uploading posters on the description section of my Tumblr. I included HYC on my Facebook website list. Lastly, I post my bloglink on the Techie Talk board on Candymag.com’s Teentalk.

5.26.2010

In time it was seen as true

The UP dream has just begun.


Last Monday was the simulation exam at the Academic Gateway. All of us were advised to go to class at 12:30 PM, bring snacks, and other testing paraphernalia. From SM San Lazaro where I and my mom bought a pack of Mongol #2 pencils, we rode the LRT from Tayuman to Vito Cruz (the site of Academic Gateway). I arrived there at 12 NN and did what was on my priority list first. After that, I rode the elevator heading to Level 19 and headed straight to my room.

Our class was arranged by alphabetical order and I ended up sitting in the third row near the middle aisle. Other details about what happened during the UPCAT simulation will be omitted because it’s lengthy. What I’ll tell you is this: the simulation exam isn’t as difficult as I ever imagined. I then realized it wasn’t the exam for the slackers. The exam is a battle of stamina of the brightest students. In this exam, this is the door to your collegiate years. Your study habits from the four years spent in HS will reflect as you answer the test. If you pass, you win the game. If not, better luck next time.

Reading comprehension and language were easy to answer, there were lots of general science and math was very comprehensive. When I shaded the circle of the final question, I felt a sense of relief and nervousness. I was relieved because most of what I’ve studied the previous weekend came out in the simulation test. I was also nervous because I am not very confident enough to predict the results. But what I was feeling happy about is that I studied well and sacrificed my weekend activities.

When class dismissed, I ate my Pringles and waited for our turn to hop in the elevator with Kaye and Chin Chin. We chatted about almost everything. When it was our turn to use the elevator, Chin decided to play pranks there which made the three of us laugh like crazy. Ahh. Review class memories. By the time I arrived home, the back of my neck was stiff and hurt like novacaine. Don’t worry, I’m okay now.

Do you know what’s the solution to a sleepless summer night? Watch Skins on DVD. Yesterday, I watched 3 ½ episodes of Series 3 and loved each of them. However, my viewing time wasn’t healthy. I watched the DVD from 2:20 to 5:00 AM. I even got to watch the sign-on clips of ABS-CBN and GMA.

Talk about my life in the summer. On my next entry, I’ll make a revelation.

No, I think I may want to reveal it now.

I DELETED MY FRIENDSTER AND MY MULTIPLY ACCOUNT.

…To be continued.

[Fireball Ministry]

P.S. This entry is named after a song I first heard on WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2006. Total ear-candy with a kick-ass chorus. It’s also the first song I play on my iTunes (PC).

5.23.2010

I'm in the prime of my life

Do you like the V2 of my layout? The first version was the one with cotton candy stripes. I posted it on my Twitpic and I’d like to thank everyone for all the good responses. As usual, it took me about 2 hours to edit my previous layout and change everything. Let me tell you some of the changes I made:

- I changed my photos in the wishlist and profile section.- Instead of the icons with the website logos where you can access to my profiles outside Blogspot, I changed it to my custom “ads”. If you ask me where did I get the Lady Gaga brushes, I got it via Free-Brushes.com.
- I changed the top photo from my Robotmonsterheartsthunder to something I got from We Heart It.
- I replaced the old Cassie Ainsworth (my favorite Skins character) icon and quote. I got the line from Series 1.- Once again, I have a kickin’ blog background powered by Colourlovers.
- I have a new signature at the end of my post. Now this fits the “Lipstick and Dynamite” ambience of HYC.

In my previous post I told you about the comment chat story. I’ll tell it now; however, prepare your eyes for the images I screen captured. Supposedly, I’ll merge the two images into one but I guess it will be serious eyesore to all of you.

Let me introduce to you the characters first: me and Aly, my classmate / newfound kaberks. Aly is one heck of a witty artist / actress / dancer. She’s my co-member in Dulaang Pinoy and her biggest dream is to join the STC Dance Stream. We were classmates from Grade 2 to 4 and then in junior year. It was only this year we became friends when we became part of our awesome barkada (name still pending). This summer, I wasn’t able to see my friends personally but I kept in touch with them via Facebook wall-to-wall and commenting on each other’s posts.

Last Wednesday, Aly posted a line from A Nightmare On Elm Street which I liked and commented on that night. The next day while playing Pet Society, she replied on her status. Now here’s how it happened:

Aly: Thanks Candice :)
Can: You’re welcome, Alyyy! Kelan mo napanood?
Aly: Nung Friday
Can: Nakakatakot ba? Ano pala elective mo? CWJ ako.
Aly: Suspense lang….Visual Arts ako
Can: Yes naman! Sino nga pala iyong nasa profile pic mo?
Aly: Si Barack Obama

I was surprised to see the profile photo not of Aly’s face but of Obama’s. And what was my say? See the image below.
(CLICK THE PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW)

I learned that the DP was from a FB application. Cool, huh? The chat went on for a while. We talked about Nightclub City (a game my Tita Badette is so addicted to), Pet Society, and the YM-vibe. Now the next image will show you the final part of our comment chat.

(CLICK THE IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW)


I love a moment like this with friends.

Did I tell you that this post was supposed to be published last Sunday? Nevermind the date.

Another change: I’ll remove the “Cause (artist’s name) says so” at the end of my entries. I’ll just write the artist’s name.

Lastly, I got Creative Writing and Journalism (second choice) as my elective. I am only one of two girls in IV-3 who chose this. I don’t regret being chosen here. I love writing that’s why I picked this.

[MGMT]

5.21.2010

I got all the dolls with me

I really love Sid and Cassie of Skins (First Generation) that’s why I made this as my Twitter background. Thank you, Photobucket.Thanks to When Did You Join Twitter? , I found out the first time I created my account under the name @dollgoddess.

I’ll update this weekend. I promise. On my next post, you’ll learn the epic story of my Facebook comment chat with my kaberks Aly!

[Cause The Pussycat Dolls say so.]

5.18.2010

Puricute




How do you like having your photo customized with loads of kawaiiness?

Try out Puricute and see how!

5.14.2010

Hey Soul Sister Cover



I wish I could sing and play the guitar as excellent as this talented lady. My favorite cover of one of my favorite songs!

Check Your Grammar.

It’s been a month since I last opened my now-cobwebby Formspring.me page. I wrote a few posts ago the reason why I stopped using the website where anonymous users can ask questions and leave messages. After getting a series of despicable mail by an anonymous user, I gave up Formspring for good. It’s not just the main reason why I quit. It’s something HYC-related.

Some scapegoat criticized HYC in both a constructive and destructive way.

I’ve written hundreds of short stories and essays since I was four years old. I attempted to write a novel several times already. I’ve joined literary contests. I’ve written for the news section of the school organ. I’ve been blogging for four years now (two years in HYC). It was only teachers and my parents who proofread my works. They’re the ones who know literature the best. But what if some anonymous Internet user did? That is what I experienced a month ago in the worst website in the history of the World Wide Web.

The same day I got the chain of hate mail, I got a message from a person whose identity was concealed. Whoever it was sent this:

Check your grammar. You have a lot of mistakes in your blog entries. You call yourself a writer yet you have a lot of wrong grammar? No offense.

I answered to that person, “No one’s perfect. I take your comment as a form of constructive criticism.” However, I felt deranged. My mind was saying, “How could some stranger criticize my blog and tell me I have lots of grammatical errors? Is she some kind of blogging expert? I want to check out her blog!” I felt powerless like I lost a competition I worked hard for months. I felt like I placed last in the presidential elections as I read it.

Now here’s my message to the person who sent it:

Dear Anonymous Formspring-er,

As much as I appreciate your honesty, you must always remember that every writer in the universe makes mistakes. Making grammatical slip-ups won’t make you less of a writer; in fact, it motivates you to improve your gift of literature. Never in my life have I heard of a perfect writer. Have you ever read a magazine with an erratum in it? This is one reason why there are editors, copywriters, proofreaders etc. so the blemishes of one’s work will be removed. I admit I was hurt with your comment especially with the thing about calling myself a writer. Each one of us has the skill to be creative with words but not all of us use it in the proper way. Whoever you are, let me tell you this: don’t judge a blog only because of the grammar. I make mistakes, yes, but I always check on my blog draft before publishing it. Sorry to say, you don’t have the right to judge my blog just by those standards. You must have seen Heck Yeah Candydoll! more than the words. My entries are full of interest, depth and reality. However, I would like to thank you for taking a glimpse to my wonderful online journal.

Sincerely yours,
C ♥

I apologize also for the mistakes I made in my blog entry about the 2010 presidential candidates. I was in a rush to post that time I forgot to proofread it. Thanks to Dad, everything’s alright now. And I was glad to hear how much he loves my blog during our small online conversations on Election Day.

“I love your blog and I don’t want to see it shut down.”

On a final note, I’ll share to you what I posted on my Twitter after receiving the comment:



P.S. My Twitter account is no longer @candiceleocadio but @itsdramaomegawd. Click on the link to follow me!

5.13.2010

Sunshine been keeping me up for days

REVISED VERSION OF THE TWEET I POSTED LAST NIGHT.
It was only this afternoon I noticed the typographical error. Don’t worry, I deleted it already. Kudos to the Tumblr user who made this empowering quote.

[Elliott Smith]

5.12.2010

Still your daughter still the same

Last Sunday was the best Mother’s Day ever. The day started with the strains of the Scream trilogy, something my mom was watching that morning. The night before, we feasted on barbeque and watched Drag Me To Hell (a very creepy movie). At lunchtime, my mom and I along with Tita Badette went to SM San Lazaro for some strolling. Tita Badette had her hair trimmed while mom and I searched for somewhere satisfying to eat. It was irritating to see crowds in all of the restaurants in the lower floors so we went upstairs to the third floor. And by some miracle, Chef d'Angelo had vacant seats there. Although we were impatient because the food took so long to arrive, we had a great time eating our meals. French fries and barbeque sauce were my savory aside from the delicious Big Bird Fried Chicken. I suggest you try drinking their iced cappuccino; it’s like a cheaper version of Starbucks’ Frappuccino but with the same great taste.

Tita Badette and mom went to the mall’s HBC outlet to buy some hair-coloring products. Before we headed off to Tutuban, I and mom had our photo taken to commemorate this year’s Mother’s Day celebration. After that, we went to Tutuban to bargain-shop. And at about 5 pm, the three of us were home.

[The Veronicas}

5.09.2010

I feel pretty enough for you

A photo of Dad and I after my Field Demonstration back in Grade 2. Don’t we look as sweet as honeybees? :>
The infamous Grade 5 ID. Last name revealed, eh? Whenever I look at this, it reminds me of how much I changed my appearance. I used to hate dressing up which I now love. I had the world’s nerdiest glasses. Well, everything has changed.

[Elliott Smith]

I'll never be the same

*This is just my view of the presidential candidates. I am not bashing them in any manner.
**Title is not related to my post but it’s based on my current LSS. =)

Tomorrow is the much-awaited national elections. Have you selected your future President, Vice-President, 12 Senators, and your local officials? In a few hours, about 10 million Filipinos will make the biggest decision of the year. I may not be able to vote yet (I’m two years younger than the voter’s age) but let me share my thoughts of each of the 9 presidentiable candidates.

What if this candidate becomes our president for six years? Let me start.

If Noynoy becomes president… I voted for him during the STC Mock Elections last January. When the results were announced, it was unanimous - almost the whole HS department voted for him. Long before his mother (President Cory) passed away, he was known only as a senator and Kris’ only brother. Now the Mother of Philippine Democracy died and Noynoy stepped out of his parents’ shadows. He ran for President and led various presidential surveys. However, his political record is a bit stale compared to the other candidates (he hasn’t created a law during his senatorial tenure). But with the will to continue the family legacy, Noynoy is surely the top card of the race.

If Villar becomes president… Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura? I hardly heard of a Filipino who wasn’t familiar with this line of Villar’s infamous TV ad. Like me, Villar grew up in Tondo. Many years later, he’s one of the richest men in the Philippines. He owns a lot of companies and has a net worth of staggering billions. Before Noynoy came along, Villar led the presidential surveys. Fast forward to April, the former Senate President used almost everyone in his wing (including his mom) to appear on TV in his stand. He was accused of black propaganda several times. But did all of these controversies put him down? No. Maybe if Villar becomes president, I guess we will never swim in Pasig River anymore.

If Gibo becomes president… If not with his connection with the current administration, he might top the presidential race. One striking quality of Gibo is his genuine intelligence. He graduated at Harvard Law School, topped the National Bar Exams, is a licensed pilot, and has an array of achievements. Every citizen lists the ability to think wisely as a quality for the perfect president; Gibo fits the description. We don’t want a dumb president, right?

Commercial break: I saw him last Friday on the way home from Academic Gateway in his car. I was waiting for my mom in the lobby when a lady screamed “Si Gibo!”. There he was, inside the car with the window open, waving to the public. And as the others say, he do looks better in person. (Don’t laugh at me!)


If Erap becomes president… his term as President failed as he was ousted half of his national service in 2001. He was granted pardon by soon-to-be ex-president GMA three years ago and now running again with a lot of ambitions in his hope chest. If Erap is given a second chance by the Philippine community, he should learn from his mistakes almost a decade ago.

If Gordon becomes president… the most experienced of all presidentiables and with the most amusing name (you get the idea?). It is sad to know his performance in the surveys are sub-par although he truly deserves the position. I think he may be the most underrated candidate of the bunch because his works hardly get any peep from the citizens. If only he was given more exposure by the media and his ads were a lot more, then Gordon might win.

If Bro. Eddie becomes president… he ran for president in 2004 in a defeated manner. We all know him for being one of the principal heads of Jesus Is Lord, owner of ZOE 11 (now merged with GMA-7’s Q channel), and the most spiritual among the nine candidates. In my opinion, we will be closer to the Lord and JIL will expand all throughout the country if his presidency comes to a head. Another plus is that we will be corrupt-free for six years. Sounds like the Filipino Dream to me.

If Delos Reyes becomes president… apart from his relation to Sen. Gordon (uncle), not much is known about the councilor of Olongapo. At first, I thought he was a televangelist because of his party name (Ang Kapatiran) and his name itself. Like his uncle, more media exposure will help in his bid for presidency. Unfortunately, I cannot predict JC as the president as he is virtually unknown to the world of politics. Maybe we’ll have the first-ever President who was never Congressman / Senator if luck strikes on him.

If Perlas becomes president… he loves nature. That’s all we know about this man. He has a very slim chance of winning because like Delos Reyes, he’s virtually unknown to the public. Now if ever Perlas wins, we will all campaign for Save The Earth and possibly go vegetarian.

I forgot one. Have you heard of the disqualified candidate? Well, what if….

Acosta (KBL) wasn’t disqualified and remained an official candidate?… I don’t know. He doesn’t have political experience and none of his party-mates know his physicality. This statement leaves us hanging.

Make the right decision as it will change the course of our country for the next six years. MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT!

[Katy Perry and Timbaland]

5.08.2010

Happy Mother's Day!

Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, let me share you some things that made our mother-daughter relationship special. First of all, she’s 38 years old but young at heart. She’s the coolest mom in the world. She’s my best friend when it comes to shopping and advice.She defends me from all the mean people who put me down. She always tells me how beautiful and intelligent I am. Not everyone in the world knows how wonderful my mom is, that’s why I’m showing to all of you her greatness in a simple way.

Happy Mother’s Day, mom! Love you very much. ♥♥♥

Dear Booksale,


Can you please have a copy of this issue in your store? I WANT THIS.

Sincerely yours, C.

Sorry for crossing out the Ted’s face. I just despise that guy.

I haven't posted something about Cody for a long time.


It’s official: I’ll watch Smackdown! for one reason. Cody Rhodes is THERE.

Screw DiBiase DiBarbie - I don’t care about his Million Dollar Championship.

And yes, I miss the Legacy (except for that Marine guy).

5.05.2010

It's a quarter after one

Review classes for college entrance exams are, without a doubt, very complicated in a teenager’s state of mind. There are always two options: one, take the class seriously as you’re in your own classroom and understand the concepts. Or, take it but you procrastinate your review schedule and cram a week before the big exams.

These options came into my mind as I registered for Academic Gateway (Taft Avenue branch) two months ago. As April came by, I only did five things in a circular series of events: shop, eat, surf the Internet, sleep, read. If you’re working or studying, these things seem like non-sickening forms of recreation. But in my case, doing it all over and over again makes me sick to the stomach. Who would enjoy checking Facebook every six hours daily with a few recent updates? I admit I get bored when I look at my live feed with the same old news I’ve seen four hours earlier.

Last Monday, I entered my first of twelve review sessions at the Gateway. Since there were many enrollees, we were assigned into three sections, namely A, B and C. I was assigned to section B located at the 19th floor. Aside from having made friends with some of my review-mates, my classmate Kaye was also there. When the first session was over, I met up with Kaye and chatted with her. I think it was a good thing a schoolmate (especially someone in my section) took the same class as mine.

Today was a brain-scattering but fun review session. Our instructor in language proficiency asked us to say our names before reading out to the class a designated question and our answer. In that way, we all had an idea of who’s who in the class. But before that, I was in the elevator with a group of girls from section C and a Chinese-looking man who turned out later to be the instructor in language proficiency. Anyways, he’s very approachable and comical.

Math gave me the headaches today. The instructor was a UP Diliman graduate with a major in Architecture. Although my mind was lazy to produce algebraic thoughts, he was giving us tricks to easier solutions. When I arrived home at around 6 pm, I immediately plunged into my bed and slept until 8 pm. One valid reason why I’m blogging at midnight.

A quick HYC plug-in: please vote for The Stellar Parallax in the 2010 Candy Teen Blog Awards! It is a highly-recommendable read with an array of eye-popping photography.

As for Twitter, I gained a celebrity follower. It was an honor for me to be followed by one of the most iconic beauty queens in the country. Do you tweet? Then follow @miriamq. I only learned about this tonight as I was checking my follower requests. She even sent a direct message thanking me for being one of her followers.

Twitter is a small world after all.

[Lady Antebellum]


5.01.2010

Blow my speakers up

Better check this out, this is credited to the creator of this parody from her Tumblr page.

Tik Tok (Noynoy Aquino version)
by spacedoll

Wake up in the morning thinking of Shalani


Grab my glasses, I’m out the door, I’m gonna hit the rally

Before I leave, pick a shirt that’s yellow and black

Cuz when I leave for the night I ain’t comin back

I’m talking, leading in all the polls, polls

Trying out yellow clothes, clothes

Media blowin up my phones, phones

Drop toppin’, scolding my sister’s baby

For cryin out Manny V, V

Tryin to get some popularity

Don’t stop, make it pop

Voters vote Aquino up

Tonight, Laban sign

Till the yellow sunrise

Tik tok, on the clock

But the rally don’t stop, no

Noy noy no-oy, Noy noy no-oy

Nine days before the big 2010 Presidential Elections. Who are you going to vote?

Choose wisely. If you do, Philippines will have the chance to be invulnerable from corruption for the next six years.

[Ke$ha]