Sports are entertaining, but the fans can make you love or hate it.

Real talk: I’d love to see a different Stanley Cup champion this year. The TB Lightning (Bolts) isn’t even my number one team (Penguins) but they’ve impressed me so much in the playoffs. Like I said before, the Hawks are a great team but they have some of the most arrogant fans I’ve ever seen in social media. It would be great for the Bolts to win it all this year just to show that they’re just as good as the Hawks, and for the latter team’s fanbase to realize that they can’t win everything all the time.

If you’re a Penguins fan complaining about everything with no logical reason, seriously be thankful at least Sid, Geno, Flower and Tanger gave you a Cup at least once when other teams never did.

Oh, and tomorrow I’ll find out whether I graduate with honors or a participation ribbon. Toodles!

What Have You Done for Me Lately? #2

I’m down with a slight fever and colds, so bear with me if I won’t be posting any photos because I feel a little off right now. But it’s a good thing I have plenty of time to rest so yay for…home rejuvenation!

Anyways here are some stuff about life lately: 

• I started watching The Flash two weeks ago thanks to Shaun when she replied to my tweet while I was watching Game 7 of the Rangers-Caps series that has totally nothing to do with Barry Allen and Co. The convo went like this: 
  

@candiceleocands: PLEASE TWITTER DON’T GIVE ME SPOILERS

Shaun: Spoilers for what?? =))

@candiceleocands: Haha I’m watching a hockey game  =))

Shaun: Do you watch The Flash? I’ve been raving about it for a few weeks now!

@candiceleocands: I’m finishing Gotham pa so I’ll check it out soon! Is it nice ba?

Shaun: Yessss! BTW I miss you!

@candiceleocands: I miss you too!

Fourteen episodes later, all I could say is that The Flash is must-see TV. 

• Che, my friend who left for London after our grade school graduation, is currently in Manila for a vacation until mid-June! It’s a good thing she’ll still be in the country by the time my family arrives home from Singapore for my graduation. The moment I heard of the good news, we already planned to meet before she leaves on the 19th so hooray for reuniting with old friends! I always love it when I catch up with people I haven’t seen in a long time. 
  
• Meanwhile on a Facebook convo between my college girlfriends, Pat told us she’ll be in Manila until June 6th and she wants us to meet up. Too bad I won’t be back by then *sobface* :( 
• The Bangkok family vacation last May 20-23 could be described in a single word: SPECTACULAR. Great food all around, beautiful attractions, dozens of cheap thrills, and riding the tuktuk was kickass even with the super hot weather we endured all four days. It would have to be the best adventure I’ve had with my parents so far, hope we get to return there soon or hop to another destination like Hong Kong because Disneyland LOL. More details in a separate post!
• Three days to go before the graduates list comes out online! Fingers crossed…
• Whiplash is a movie that will shoot you right in the feels. The acting was superb, the scoring was something you’d love to listen over and over again, and the story was emotionally wrenching. True enough, it deserves all the accolades it has received. 
• Needless to say, I’ve been updated with friends as I have been more active on Facebook and Instagram lately - liking more posts, following more friends who use the mobile app. I could vividly recall those days in late 2010 and 2011 when I barely responded to other people’s messages, comments, posts…you get the idea. I can’t believe I was a huge lurker on social media back then to the point some complained how come I never replied back to tweets and left their friend requests pending for a month (I did that once and it was awful), Things really do change; i’m glad I kicked that stupid habit out of my system by being more involved.
• Last but not the least, I have a new phone! That is all.

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“God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas but for scars.” ― Elbert Hubbard

What you’re seeing in the picture above is the product of all the sleepless nights, the times I had to work harder than I should to avoid the possibility of failing a subject, the criticisms I endured, the countless readings as to learn more about a certain topic, the ups and downs of teamwork, disappointments, expectations, triumphs and all the sacrifices I made in my four years of college. 

Even before thesis term rolled around, I always said to myself that doing this undergraduate requirement without a partner would be one tough challenge. Many times did I ever think twice about my decision upon hearing those horror stories about students who went solo and went on to fail the thesis proposal stage more than thrice as the panelists expected more of them. Nevertheless, I overcame those fears and doubts and instead just did my best in my thesis. the road may have been rocky but it was worth it in the end. My defense was a success, my grade was good enough for my work to be archived in the University library and my legacy as a Communication Arts student has been cemented forever. 

Meanwhile, I have yet to hold my breath until June 1 to see if I officially qualify for honorable mention because I met the CGPA requirement (> 3.000 for ID 111 students) plus I have never failed a subject in my entire stay. I haven’t announced whether I’ll be graduating with honors on social media because nothing’s official until the school registrar posts the graduates list on the said date. Either way, I’m satisfied with my grades for my last term ever. Don’t expect anything = good results.

I’d like to thank everyone who supported me all throughout the making of my screenplay: my wonderful thesis mentor Sir Doy, CAM coursemates, friends, parents, family, professors and the Almighty God himself. I would not have completed my thesis in just four months without your guidance. 

One last thing: hours before my flight, I had a short conversation with Direk Joey as I left my hardbound copy of my work inside the Comm Department. He asked me about my thesis defense and I replied that the panelists chuckled at my screenplay. The advice I got from him inspired me so much because I could tell from his aura that he has faith in my capabilities. He said, “Nothing can stop you, even your panelists, from doing what you love. Just continue developing your gift.” 

Word. 

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What Have You Done For Me Lately? #1

Starting with this post, I will be labeling photosets of everything happening in my life as “What Have You Done for Me Lately” - just because :)

1. On the day before I left Manila to spend summer with my parents (April 27), I went to school with the initial intention to meet with Sir Doy and learn whether my thesis is eligible for bookbinding since you need to have a final grade of 2.5 and above to do so. But what was supposed to be a half-day meeting turned out to be a whole-day affair with my friends. I helped out April and Monzie in editing their thesis for their DVD, waited for Sir Doy to arrive at around 3PM, chilled in the library, freaked out over our thesis and practicum grades in the Communication Department website and went to Mcdo before going home. I had fries as an appetizer then dinner at home since I was SO BROKE from printing my screenplay and thesis proposal plus the bookbinding price was expensive. My last full day as a college student was just fantastic, and it wouldn’t have been such without my friends, thesis mentor, the thesis that will soon be archived in the library, and the good grades I got! #blessed (Photos from Monzie, collage made by yours truly)

2. On the day of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, my family was strolling around Bedok Mall when we encountered Ilaoilao Frozen Yogurt right in the corner. My mom and I didn’t hesitate to order a tall one, and it was one of the best decisions we’ve made! The one we ordered had apples, bananas, Chips Ahoy bits, and caramelized cookies with the froyo on top. Grade A dessert that should open a branch in Manila soon! 

3. Also on the same day as the Ilaoilao froyo, we had lunch at Popeye’s aka one of our favorite fastfood chains. Their chicken is a top three of mine (the other two are KFC and Texas) not just because of it’s irresistible taste but it doesn’t ooze a lot of oil that will make you ick. My mom took this photo of dad and I as a proof of how much we love their food. 

4 and 5. Yesterday was Mother’s Day so we had lunch at Lenas in Tampines One. Their grilled chicken with cheddar cheese was fantastic, but what made it even more fantastic was spending that special day with my one and only queen <3

6. Ladies and gents, I present to you the first nine photos I uploaded on Instagram. What the heck was I thinking when I uploaded all of these? I didn’t have VSCO Cam and Afterlight back then so I compensated for it by using Camera 360 and Pixlr-o-Matic for my photos. Sheesh. I always appreciate new followers and I post stuff about my life in there, so go press the “Follow” button @candiceleocands (same as my Twitter handle)! 

P.S. I promised I would blog about my thesis earlier but I haven’t done it yet :( I SHALL MAKE IT THE SUBJECT OF MY NEXT BLOG ENTRY.

P.S.S. I haven’t officially graduated from college yet but I’ve been job hunting on LinkedIn, Jobstreet and other websites the past two weeks. So far, I received an email today from the managing editor of Juice.ph saying she will be forwarding my CV and writing samples to her colleagues as I applied for the position of online editor in the website. Fingers crossed! 

P.S.S.S. I honestly don’t know who to root between the Rangers and Caps now they’re going to a Game 7 on Thursday morning since the friggin’ Caps just blew a 3-1 series lead AGAIN. Either way I would love to see a new Cup champ this year. But anyways, I hope Canada wins the gold in Worlds although I don’t get to watch their games since they stream late at night :( 

P.S.S.S.S. I finished the second season of Orange is The New Black in six days, and now I may want to start with Fresh Off The Boat because my other Tumblr’s dash is filled with GIFs from the newest sitcom. Gahhhh I need to find a new show to love!

No offense but...

the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year sucked after the first round (minus Lightning vs. Canadiens). Heck, I just either check on what’s happening with the World Championships or read stuff or watch TV shows or spend quality time with my family.

I don’t really rant about sports in this blog but this might be the first time I’ll talk about some of my thoughts about hockey in general. Not a lot of you watch it anyway but that’s okay because we all have our own interests and I respect that. So here we go…

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I approve. 

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paulmartinamericanhero:

x

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Me and My Lappy

Back when we owned a desktop computer in my house, I’d always consult Google for tips on how to transform Windows XP into something similar to Mac’s Snow Leopard OSX even without going through the complicated process of patching. My problem was somehow solved when I downloaded those Mac skins off Deviantart, the mecca of all art and techie resources, and my fascination for Apple’s operating system grew fonder by the day ever since.

My dad asked me to choose between a 13″ Macbook Pro and Sony Vaio Y as his Christmas gift when I became a first honors dean’s lister for the first time in December 2011. I chose the latter, so my dreams of owning a Mac was put on hold for the meantime. My Vaio was my baby through all the paperworks, Internet troubles, random screenshots, bad battery life, and decreasing memory in my hard drive. It was also the very laptop that summarized all four years of my college into one unforgettable chapter of my life. 

But as the old folks would always say, things come and go. I always knew there would be a time when I have no choice but to let go of the things I loved dearly. This was the case for me and my Vaio when the battery started acting like an annoying robot in June 2014. I would charge it for two hours only to have it drained within thirty minutes. Four months later, my laptop was struggling so bad I always had the urgency to find an electrical outlet since it won’t turn on without plugging in the charger. The struggle is real, right? This was one valid reason as to why I needed a new laptop. 

Another factor that played in the decision whether to buy a new laptop or not was my necessities not just as a Comm Arts student but as someone who wants to pursue a career in media particularly production. I’m the type of person who’s more than willing to spend time working on magazine layouts, photo manipulation, writing and video post-production. With my Vaio, everything was fine except for the post-production because I couldn’t edit videos without surviving those lengthy rendering times and app crashes. I tried Adobe Premiere Pro, Corel Video Studio and Sony Vegas but neither worked well with my laptop which was frustrating for someone who wants to practice her editing skills. 

With all those reasons mentioned above, I asked my parents if I could have a new laptop as a Christmas gift last year but they told me it would be best if I could wait until after graduation for that. This idea gave me more motivation to finish my thesis and do better in my schoolworks.

Then one April evening, I checked my iPad to see an iMessage from my mom with an attached photo of some mystery item in it.

I shrieked the moment I opened the message. 

IT WAS A 13″ MACBOOK AIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM AND DAD! <3

**This is a photo I took of my brand new laptop! I don’t have the photo my mom sent me on iMessage since my iPad was left back home. 

No more Mac skins off Deviantart, no more swirly eyes whenever I pass by an Apple store - all because I finally have the real thing. Transferring files from my Vaio to Mac might have been tough but it’s all worth it. Hope to get an external hard drive (500 GB or 1TB is enough for me TBH) for my movies and TV shows soon! 

Dreams do come true, eh? I am more than thankful for blessings like this one since it came on the right time :”>

Late Night Thoughts

Before summer officially kicked off, I always told myself I would binge watch as I have to keep up with all the TV shows and films popping out of nowhere the past few months. True to my word, I finished six episodes of Gotham a week before my thesis defense. On the other hand, I’m currently blogging and watching Season 2 of The Inbetweeners at the same time. Definitely this won’t be the last time I’ll binge and blog during the entire summer aside from traveling and reading and catching up with my loved ones. 

Is this what a bum life feels like, thinking of sunshines rather than schoolbooks? The movies and TV shows on your bucket list rather than deadlines for papers? Hmmm.

One final news: I’m finally done with thesis! Gonna write more about it in my next post :)