Notes for November (A Wishlist)

The calendar says it’s already the 9th of October, which means it’s less than a month to my birthday. I haven’t actually come up with a plan yet, just a wishlist like the good old days.

1. Books

This has been a default every year since gawdknowswhentime. Somehow I’d just like to wish for more time so I can finish all my bedside reads. But again, there are still titles I lust for. Roland Barthes’ A Lover’s Discourse is on top of my list – because it’s my favorite theorist discussing love (will he incorporate art here?). Astrid Van Royen’s Awake Monique comes in close second and to impossibility so I’m adding it here. FYI, I was named after the author and I’m dying to get a copy since I have torn and eaten pages when I was still a little baby. I should’ve known the worth of scarcity of a 1950 something book then. The only remaining copies are available on ebay which shipping fee is actually higher than the book itself. I’m open for second hand copies too. So there.

2. Instax/Polaroid

I used to always bring a point and shoot camera with me. Sadly, I’m no longer in that phase. My camera died and I don’t want to tote a bulky DSLR all of the time. I don’t know if I’ve justified enough, but bottomline, I’d like instant prints. Snap and print and stick to wherever. This is in no way connected to my patience (or lack of), or maybe it is.

3. Informal bag

I work in a retail company that offers high end bags. And I feel like I’m the only at the office not raving about it. I guess it’s because I’m not the type toting around n-grand worth of bucks, I’d rather spend the entire amount on food. So for bag, I just want Gola Redfords which could accommodate a 14 inch Macbook Pro. Also, a Fluid Surf backpack would do. (I guess that’s even better but I do hope it has a laptop sleeve.) Again, as long as my 14-inch Macbook pro fits.

4. High cut sneakers

The boyfriends recently got new sneaks from Pony and I want one too! Though I want mine high cut and light colored. My sneakers are on the verge of breaking down, you know.

5. King and I passes

Dear friend working in Resorts World Manila,

I don’t write for a living, but I’d write for free passes. Thank you.

PS. I’m counting on you.

6. Hand-written letters

I hate Facebook posting birthdays everybody’s dashboard. People just get into a routine of clicking and typing “Happy Birthday :D” to everyone like everyday. People don’t actually remember anymore and it’s not the sweetest kind of greeting there is. I’d like to think people will leave me handwritten letters or notes on my desk or send it via snail mail. Post cards will be great too! And then I dream.

7. Trip to UkayUkay

For two reasons: I miss Baguio and Cubao and I’m still a sucker for dirt cheap things. And yes, finding a time for this would be a bonus!

8. Trip to my Favorite Place

It’s been 2 years since the last time I went to my heart’s home and my soul’s sanctuary. Failed trips during the last 2 years had me upset and I’m counting on it this time.

9. Picnic

Think baskets and gingham mats and parasols and delectable snacks. Yes, I can already imagine Sunken Garden.

* List will be updated because this is a collection of random bullets. Well, obviously I slashed off “going far places” this time. I can’t avail this yet, I still have no leave credits for work. Duh, I’m a loser.

Also, don’t judge me yet. World peace and abstract ideas (patience) are included in my wishlist, like always and forever.

The Good Stuff for November may be The Same Good Stuff for December (A Wishlist)

It has been a yearly activity for me to write about what I want for my birthday and for Christmas. Luckily, my friends take heed of my subtle “get me this” proposal of sorts.  Last year, a friend gave me a charm necklace symbolic of my little frustrations and wants in life aka photography, matryoshka dolls, bike, and dragonfly. I also received a painted Little Prince espadrilles and a compilation of Art History DVDs from a friend and Love, Stargirl book from my sister.

A friend mentioned in her blog that it doesn’t hurt to make a wishlist ahead of time. In fact, she has a whole year round wishlist which she updates every so often. I must say it is pretty effective since she received a number of books last year without any given special occasion.

And guess it wouldn’t as much pain as I list down what I would like to receive for my birthday and for Christmas. Yes, they usually come in a package since they’re not even four weeks apart. Here goes:

1. Books

Books are like friends. You don’t invest too much money on them and you find them in the most unexpected places. I do not really spend much on books. Honestly, I go for dirt-cheap, second hand, surplus stuff found at thrift shops and book sale outlets. And that makes them amazing and valuable to me. Receiving books from friends however, makes them a lot more special. This year, I have trimmed down my book requests since I still have a set of books piled beside my bed. The list of three starts with Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World for a dose of growing up Philosophy, Benjamin Hoff’s Tao of Pooh for a comical and lighter approach to Philosophy (yet again) and Alain de Botton’s Architecture of Happiness so an art form may be included in the list (I was joking ok). I accept second hand books anyway, as long as spine is intact and pages are complete.

2. Colored pens

For my doodling activities, for writing anyone and everyone notes. To put color in my handwritten love letters.

3. Colorful Flats

Because my pink flats have already gone tired and I would like to assume that by next year, I am going to be in a pretty formal environment. I might be giving my sneakers and slippers a rest, and might be wearing heels most of the time and donning flats during downtime. I won’t be opting for safe colors though. Loud and juicy colors seems to be more relative to my name.

4. DVDs

Because Mr Snooze and I are in love with movies. He has the mainstream aka Hollywood taste while I am into Indie and Art Films. Yes, I still hoping to receive an Akira Kurosawa compilation, a Sound of Music my mother can borrow, The Red Violin for artistic madness, the Name of the Rose where I can drool over Christian Slater and of course, Audrey Tautou movies. On a hushed note, they need not be original. 😛

5. Mix tape/Mix CD

This is simply because I want to be romanticized via music like that. No, you don’t need to explain and elaborate. The words and melody shall make me feel so.

6. Hand-written letters

Beautifully written letters inscribed upon whatever type of paper, folded in which ever weird way, sent via snail mail or hand delivery. Just because im sucker of neat paper folding and words gracefully strewn together.

7. Anything Little Prince

Here’s a toast to my fondness of the stars and unknown places and strangers and early philosophy and the joy found in the littlest of things.

8. Cinnamon 

Hot and fresh from the oven kind of swirls, or flat and frozen discs.

9. A journal

Need not be anything too fancy or special but as long as it can work as a history, sketch, and prose and poetry repository, that’s fine.

10. An Ukay-Ukay Shopping Spree

Because I love vintage and I am a sucker for cheap cheap cheap thrills and real unique pieces.

11. Travel

I believe I need not post this anymore since someone has already granted me this nine months prior to my birthday. But my heart says I should add this anyway, since I still long for Sagada so I can look up the stars and fall in love again. Yes dear, I want to fall in love all over again with you. I have been thinking of hitting the bus after the plane.