JULY 29

I had an amazing day today at EDSA Shang Ri-La hotel. My orgmates and I attended this free *but per-invite* forum by Accenture. I learned a lot today (horaaah). The speaker was a professor from MIT and he was really smart and funny. In a way, I wanted to shift from my course to computer science (which was originally one of my dream courses next to the arts). The world is so digital today that you can find everything and anything you need online. That also explains my online job. (If you haven't read about it, you can read it here!) Anyways, Accenture also had an exhibit of one the cutting-edge technologies. One of the coolest gadgets that were on display, was the google glass. (picture on the left: Me wearing the google glass). I'm not gonna tell you how cool it was cause I'm pretty sure you know it already but can you just imagine how hi-tech our generation and world will be in the future? I can. And it's gonna be pretty exciting. Thank you Accenture for this opportunity for learning even outside our classroom. :)

Although recently I saw a post of this blogger saying she was disappointed with the macarons she bought in Tous Les Jours, I wasn't. I don't like my macarons - or anything else - to be too sweet. I think these we're just right and heavenly. And I now understand why macarons are so expensive. They're describe to be the one of the hardest pastries to make. And then you'd probably ask yourself, what is the hype all about? What are macarons and why are they so popular? 

A lot of people have been asking me lately how can they learn to speak in English. I, for one, couldn't answer that question because I was born into an English speaking family. I don't think I had a hard time learning the English language. So I thought about it again... and again.. and again. Finally, it hit me! I've come to realize that it doesn't depend on what language one is trying to learn. I thought about this because I personally had and still have a hard time speaking in Filipino (which is supposed to be our main language). I can't even count from 1 to 20 in Filipino. But eventually, I had to learn or else I wouldn't have survived high school. I'm in the university now and I continuously learn more about the language. I can say that I was better in speaking Filipino than I was before. 

So what did I do? Well, I read Filipino books especially those with pronunciation guides. They were very helpful. Other than that, I would have an English- Filipino translator on my phone. Also, I tried to learn 10 new words a week. Of course, my friends and family taught me too. (Thank you! Hihi). Thus, to answer the question of how one can learn to speak in English - let's take baby steps first. Let's first learn new English words together. 

With that, I bring you.... WORD OF THE DAY! Through research google, I was able to come up with a list of uncommonly used English words. To make it more fun, I will put them in creative (well, I try) images. Read the word, remember or just be familiar with what it means and try using it when conversing today. It proved to be helpful to me, so you can do it! Now let me present to you, today's word:

(word source)

Any thoughts? Comment below! :) 

Aloha! Today, I finally got my TIN number. For those who are not familiar with what a TIN is, well:

To be honest, it wasn't easy. It took me almost 4 hours to complete the filing of the documents. I'm not even finished - I have to go back tomorrow for briefing (since I'm new) and to get my official ID or something like that. Most of the time, I was also clueless with what to do. Seriously, no one told me it was that hard. :( Anyways, when I got home I decided to do a blog post about this because why not and it was so tiring for someone who isn't as familiar. 

I wrote this only from what I remember so if I miss a few steps or details - sorry about that!  - I still do hope these tips will be helpful to you. If you do have any questions, I suggest contacting the BIR themselves. I promise you, I am still as clueless even after today. 

In relation to the modern Rapunzel:

Too much of some things are bad, but too much of Tangled? Non-sense! I watched Tangled for n-times now. I even memorized all their songs. And occasionally, when I do paint - I paint Tangled-related art works. I guess it's safe to say I have fallen in love with Disney's Tangled. And to show my love (lol) - here are some of my Tangled paintings.

[P.S. I do not own any of the designs. I just drew and painted them.]

[watercolour on water-colour paper]

I find it really funny that some of my students keep telling me I look Japanese. Filipinos would tell me the same but to be told be a Japanese, himself - I found it really (woah and) funny. And just for entertainment, here is a compilation of the funniest and best things some of students told me. 

1. *sees each other for the first time* Wow. You look Japanese.

2. *student messaged me after class* I'm sorry. Today I feel bad. I notice why i feel bad. First, my English is bad. Second, I'm falling love you a little bit, because you are very beautiful and kind girl. So I couldn't think you teacher.

Oh my god. Haha. So I know. I decide that I left you. Never mind. I just want to say that you are beautiful. Good bye! I will never give up learning English.

3. Do you have a Japanese blood?

4. I think you will look like artist if you go to Japan. You are very pretty.

5. *ME: Do you have any questions?* Yes, but it is not related to the topic. *ME: Oh, okay.* Do you have a boyfriend? *ME: Yes* *he laughs* *ME: Anymore questions?* None... my heart is aching.

6. My heart is aching you have a boyfriend. :(

7. I want you and boyfriend to be over. *ME: Oh no, that cannot be* Oh okay. Then I will also be your boyfriend.

8. *after explaining to him I cannot be his boyfriend* Okay, let's go back to the lesson and stop our confirmation of love (I was like.... WHAT HAHA) 

9. Wow. You are a very pretty when you go to Japan.

10. Even in absence of Melissa teacher glasses, it was very cute!

But seriously? Do I even look a little Japanese? :) How about you? Have you had any funny experiences lately? Leave me comment in the box below!