Glow-in-the-dark Havaianas

Earlier last year, I said to myself that I’ll never buy a pair of Havaianas again.  It was because of the short-lived Slim pair I bought in 2007.  But then, everything deserves a second chance…

Late last month, a friend and I went to the mall looking for her Havaianas.  She was gifted with Havaianas gift certificates for Christmas so she was very excited.  She was supposed to get a Slim pair in graphite, the exact replica of my now dead slippers.

Fortunately, the store didn’t have her size for that style.  So she went looking for another style.  She wanted to get a Slim pair badly, but I talked her into NOT getting slims.  The Havs slims actually have a bad reputation when it comes to strap sturdiness.

After scouring the entire store, she (actually, we) finally settled for this glow-in-the-dark pair.  I ended up buying a pair for myself, too!  We were torn between this and a black pair with the white logo (which wasn’t a glowie).  But I was sure it was the glow-in-the-dark I wanted.  The straps are a bit loose, which is something I like.  I have wide feet and snug straps make them look swollen.  You’re not seeing double.  I just don’t have steady hands.  Hehe.  More than half a month later, I’m still loving this pair.

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Picture Perfect

One of the many challenges of being in Public Relations is the task of taking pictures.  It is not as simple as it sounds, really.  You have to know precisely when to click.  Besides that, you also have to make sure that you have the right lighting, the right angle, and steady hands to boot.  Or you lose a milestone altogether.

Our Human Resources Manager told me earlier this month that he was afraid I might not be able to take pictures effectively, which would be one of my new tasks in the PR department.   Albeit with bruised ego, I suggested that the company should send me, together with other PR staff, to a basic photography course.   He thought it was a bright idea as long as classes would not interfere with work.  So, after our conversation, I started scouting for classes on weekends.  As of this writing, the only organization I found that is offering classes on weekends is  the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation.  It offers weekend basic photography classes at an affordable price of Php 3,000 only.  Classes are held every Sunday for five consecutive weeks at the FPPF Art Center in the quaint Intramuros.  Just thinking about it makes me very excited.

The course requires each student to have an SLR or a DSLR camera.  Since the company owns three DSLRs, it won’t be a problem at all.  It is ironic, though, that the PR department doesn’t own one.  The New Projects group and the Planning department each own a Canon (don’t know which model, sorry) and the General Affairs department owns a Sony DSC F828.  I am currently using the Sony, but I am not really satisfied with the picture quality.  I have to admit, though, that I am not very knowledgeable with all its functions yet.

One of my immediate goals is to purchase a DSLR for PR department’s use.  After reading a little from here and there, I am mulling over getting a Nikon D40.

Image source: http://www.cameralabs.com

It is definitely not nouveau but I have read many good reviews about it, which makes me want to go right now to the nearest shop that has it so I can see for myself.  I read that it is still the best entry-level and the most economical DSLR in the market.  I have seen sample photos taken with it, and they are simply fantastic.  Even non-pros delivered great shots.  It is also compact and user-friendly.  Priced at around $ 400 to $ 500 only, the Nikon D40 is definitely the best buy.

With the photography classes and the Nikon D40 in mind, I am overwhelmed with much anticipation (and optimism!) as I await my formal transfer.  Click, click!

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Dreams

My first dream ever was to become a broadcast journalist.  But somehow, I wasn’t able to totally overcome my shyness.  I grew up in a small town, which probably was the reason for my naiveness.  I had a passion for writing, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be read by other people.  Only one of my two bestfriends had the privilege of seeing all my works.  He had been my mentor, editor, and critic.

After finishing high school, I thought I was determined that I wanted to be a journalist.  So I planned on taking up Journalism in college.  I promised myself that I would do my best to gain more confidence.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it because the available slots were limited.  I ended up taking a completely different course, which my mother chose for me.  I was too frustrated that I haven’t even thought of shifting to journalism.  That was really pathetic.

Anyway, I finished the completely different  course, and ended up in non-writing jobs.  In my heart, I knew I wasn’t happy.  And for a while, I have tried accepting that I would never be happy, careerwise.  Until a friend of mine filed her resignation.  She filed her resignation when I was away from the office due to my mother’s funeral.  She was with the Public Relations department.  When I returned to work a week after, her boss talked to me and offered me the postition.  I was hesitant for a while because I actually urged my friend to leave her job because she wasn’t very happy doing what she was doing.  But then she assured me that I didn’t have anything to do with her resignation.  She actually even endorsed me for the position.  To make it short, I accepted the offer.  For the longest time, I had been wanting change.  And this might be it.

The role’s relatively challenging but I am willing to take the risk.  This might be now or never.  If I don’t measure up to management standards, I’ll carry on from there.  If I do, then I would be really proud of myself for taking the plunge.

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Adios, Havaianas! Hola, Ipanema!

Last October, I bought a pair of Havaianas Slim in graphite.  It was my third Havaianas pair, the first being a lawn green Top, and the second a white Trip.  Anyway, the Slim instantly became my favorite, so I wore it everyday.  I even wore it at work when I wasn’t supposed to.  Six months later though, I almost fainted when the strap of the right pair snapped.  I couldn’t believe my eyes because I used to think that all Havaianas slippers were supposed to last at least two years.  At least, the first two pairs I owned did.

I am a slipper person in the same way Imelda Marcos is a shoe person.  Okay, that’s exaggerated.  But I am really more comfortable wearing slippers.  You see, I have wide feet.  And local shoe brands do not have width options at all.  Imported brands do have width options but the prices are too steep for me.  Not to mention that most of the comfortable styles don’t look very fashionable.

So, I still want a pair of slippers as a replacement for the Havaianas Slim.  Before going to the mall two weeks ago, I was thinking of getting another Havaianas pair (at the time, I wanted a metallic Top).  At the mall though, I saw Dupé and I had second thoughts.  Then there was Ipanema. And the rest was history.

According to the saleslady who assisted me, Ipanema slippers aren’t made of rubber.  They’re made of PVC plastic.  You know, the stuff used for making pipes.  At the time, I was convinced that it’s more durable than Havaianas.  So, I bought a pair called Anatômica.  The feel is definitely different from when I’m wearing Havaianas.  Ipanema sort of “hugs” your soles.  They have nicks that are tailored to the shape of a foot, unlike Havaianas, which are flat.

And since Ipanema also supports environmental causes, their sandals seem even more beautiful than any other brands.

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