Figure skating with love

Michael Christian Martinez, the lone Filipino Olympian in Sochi

Unbeknownst to many, I actually have a very strong fascination when it comes to winter sports, (anything with ice really, *ehem*jackfrost*ehem*) but most especially when it comes to figure skating. It started when I watched Speck's movie, Blades of Glory staring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder back in 2007. After watching that movie, I started googling figure skating competitions and performances and ultimately fell in love with the sport (and the many figure skaters..Takahashi *ehem* totally my first crush haha!)

But due to college (as always), I have mostly forgotten about the sport because I couldn't afford to distract myself further (aside from keeping up with my current favorite, Yuzu's performances). Only for it to be revived again (and ruin my sleeping habits further) when it was announced last year that a Filipino figure skater was able to qualify to the Sochi Olympics! Imagine that! My excitement for Sochi intensified because not only will I see my favorite in the rink amongst all the veterans but a Filipino will be competing as well! (Can you imagine the immensity of that? He is the very first in the Philippines and the only in Southeast Asia!) For the first time, the Philippine flag will be represented in the Winter Olympics by a figure skater, 17 years of age from paranaque city (whom some people may have passed in the rink while skating leisurely. I wonder if I did? Noooo I skated like hahaha 2 times? So no.)

And alas, after 2 weeks of no sleep due to Sochi and empty stares in the hallways and random outburst of fluffy feelings and sudden cringing and dreams filled with dream interviews, an opportunity to see Martinez live was presented! And of course being the person who values experiences like this, I rushed to the Mall of Asia today for a chance to see him perform live!

The crowd. I was sort of expecting it.

my heart went "badump-badump" like WTH dude

I'm feeling resentful for my 50mm lens

He's got a seriously nice form, sponsors where art thou, let this bud blossom. Help him.

He seriously like this

<3

With or without the music (or a medal), kiddo, you gave me such a wonderful memory :)

I did not stay for the meet and greet anymore (my overflowing pride and joy for him will surely be conveyed by other people there and do I really need to do that? Hahaha no. I'm just a little regretful that I forgot to bring a flower to throw in the rink after the performance :( Dude, Dangwa is just a few streets away from my house -__-) But nonetheless, seeing him live just made my burning desire to watch the 2018 Winter Olympics live became stronger! Imagine that, peak of Martinez and Hanyu! Man, I could hardly wait!

See? This is why I don't like talking about figure skating and football, I can never be organized and formal while talking about these topics. HAHA.

See that? I was goofy like that for about an hour suddenly bursting out laughing my mom almost left me alone in shame.

Lang Leav in Manila: Day 1

Please check Fullybooked's website for more details

The experience of seeing someone I inexplicably and addictively adore will always and unfailingly give a blissful rush to my system..it sort of feels like falling in love for the first time all over again. Only, right now, I’m not taking about a guy I have a crush on, today, I YOLO-ed everything and skipped class (don’t be mad) just to see my current inspiration, Lang Leav.

Fullybooked and Ateneo organized an artist talk and book signing event with Ms. Lang, the author of the book everybody has been crazy about, Love & Misadventure.

I have been a fan of Lang Leav since her early days on Tumblr, and when I learned that she will be publishing a collection of her poems, I was beyond ecstatic that I made special orders on Fullybooked and urged them (among many others) to cater the books and bring it in the Philippines.

The opportunity to actually be up close and personal with the person whose works have been filling up a certain folder in my laptop and whose works have been giving me the push I need whenever I feel demotivated is truly a once in a lifetime chance that I just have to grab the opportunity or just sulk about it for weeks.

Another thing that made this day extra-mega-super special is the fact that I spent the day with my best friend whom I haven’t seen in such a long time. Nii and I barely have things in common, she’s the creative writer, I’m the ‘serious’ writer (journalism student), we prefer different book and movie genres, we prefer different couples and opinions about some stories, we don’t even get eating synchronized (I eat dessert first) but nonetheless we understood each other very well. One of the rare things that we have in common is our love for this poet. We were in so much awe when we met Ms. Lang. She was so beautiful (and sexy haha), she had that sweet smile that would literally force you to smile back (because it is REALLY sweet) plus we love her sort of nervousness during the talk, it makes her feel like she is truly one of us, that she indeed can feel the emotions we feel. That’s why we can really relate and fall in love with her poems. 

I looked so stressed but happy!

I had my book signed and I gave her my bookmark, one of my shots using film camera and wrote a little dedication for her on the back, “When my words are not enough, you supply the way to heal my heart. Thanks for being my inspiration!” plus I asked her to write a note on the page of my 2^nd most favorite poem of her, 'All or Nothing', (my most favorite is 'Tell Me' which wasn’t included in the book) and she wrote: “Remember, you are beautiful <3 –Lang Leav”, which is extremely sweet.

she loved my book cover! :">

<3

Now I feel loved. HAHA!

I learned so much from her and about her that I will definitely include this day on my memory jar! :D

I have this bracelet with a quote on its pendant that says, “Fortune favors the brave” and I believe that Lang Leav expressing herself to the world and sharing her works to be an inspiration to many really deserves to be recognized. It may not be as critically acclaimed as other works, but it certainly relates to the people, which is by the way, the very essence of writing, right? <3