Distraction: Looklet

When you have something really important and urgent to do, that's when distractions show up. This is something that I have learned in my life (so far).

So in the course of the past few months, as I was exploring this whole new world of postgraduate schooling, a lot of distractions have cropped up.

These distractions can actually be deadly for me: if losing focus on a normal week can already have dreadful effects, then just imagine being distracted on an exam week! It can lead me to a definite breakdown. It has happened at least once already.

Even now, typing this blog entry, is a distraction in itself. It's a way for me to fool myself that I am not simply lying around doing nothing, when in fact it's pretty much the same as doing nothing since I am evading the tasks that I am supposed to do.

As the title suggests, one of these distractions is Looklet. Don't know what Looklet is? Well, as my friend put it (and I totally agree), it's like playing paper dolls. It's just online, which means more dress choices, model choices, and even background and effects choices! And just to get it out of the way: I LOVED playing with paper dolls.

Which makes it unsurprising, that I'm hooked. Really. Even if I'm not that much of a fashionista, it's still fun to play dress up. And since I love make believe stuff, it helps my imagination work. And well, I'm a girl. I love clothes, even if it doesn't show in real life. Haha!

If it still isn't obvious why it's a distraction, well, when you keep Looklet open, you see clothes, and sooner or later you'll get struck by an inspiration or a look that you just have to achieve somehow. Whether it's through randomly surfing through the stuff, or just a spark of inspiration, when you get to actually trying to achieve that look, it might take some time. Hence, it's a full-blown distraction. Really dangerous.

What's the catch for me? Well, if you look at my sample "looks", they're not really much to look at. I'm not good at creative stuff, and it shows. But my idea of creating looks is something that I'd want to wear, so I don't really experiment. Still, I get to create looks that will probably never be put together or worn by me in real life. So really, it's a playground for me.

And here are some of the "looks" that I've created (I like them, but I probably won't do this in real life, especially the second one! Hahaha):

For some reason, I really like this look. Although, does it seem gloomy? Hahaha

If I'd somehow get a pair, I'd wear the boots, but the dress? I highly doubt it. But it looks nice, right? 

I know you can do better than this, so why don't you get distracted on this site too? Unleash the fashionista in you! It's at http://www.looklet.com! Enjoy!

Oh, and of course, this post won't be complete until I thank my dear friend Cielo for introducing me to this distraction. It's deadly, but it's fun! Thanks love! :P

And with that, I go and slave away over work I've put off for much, much too long. Too long for my own good. Ah, Looklet, you kill me. With those killer boots. Tsk.

Impoverished Bookworm

I love books. Really. I don't know when it started, but ever since I was young, I enjoyed reading. I love imagining the things I read about, which is probably why even now I'm still partial to the fantasy genre. It's a bit escapist, but hey, to each his/her own, right?

One would think that with me being a booklover and a voracious reader ever since childhood, I would have a lot of books. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I went to a classmate's house once, a classmate who I know has interests in art and what not, but not that much in reading. However, when I looked around their living area, I saw books--a whole lot of them. Cue envy.

Well, the answer's simple, right? If you want books so badly, go buy them. However, I didn't grow up that way.

When I was younger, I wanted a lot of things, books included. My striking memory regarding that matter, though, was my mom asking me if the books I wanted to buy were relevant for school. And since they were pretty much fiction books that have no direct relevance to my schoolwork, I said no, and then that's that. No books. Hence, I grew up only asking for things when I have a good argument regarding their necessity. When I asked my dad to give me a laptop when I graduated from high school, I emailed him about it and cited my academic achievement plus the fact that it would be necessary for schoolwork as grounds for him to get me the said gadget.

I've only recently learned (and by recently, I meant sometime during college) that I can actually ask for something just because I want to, and nobody will give me hell about it. Unless it's completely ridiculous, of course.

So, the problem should be solved by now, right? I can just ask for books. The thing is, the realization that I can ask for stuff I want came when I actually have the capacity and should learn how to budget, and do certain things independently and responsibly. That includes my hobbies, unfortunately. That's a shame, since I think I would have quite the collection by now if I was more of a spoiled brat (more than I am already) back then. But that's in the past already.

Now, the problem is that I'm a college student who has a lot of requirements that entail spending money (readings and a whole lot more) and who is more aware regarding difficulties in earning money and the ailing economy. Which means I can't be oblivious to the fact that we have a lot of necessities to spend on, unlike the younger me, who can claim innocence. Oh, the joys of childhood.

This brings us back to the title of this entry, which is also a description of me: an impoverished bookworm. I think it is quite a tragedy that you have this craving for books, and it's actually a good thing, since it helps with your intellect and what not, and yet not have the money to indulge. And there are those who have the money, yet spend it on vile vices. The cruelty of it all!

On the brighter side (yes there is one), I suppose it is better for me not to have that big collection of books right now. Especially since I don't have a proper place where to put those books. Some books that I have bought so far are actually misplaced. Dear me, why is our house so miniscule! And so disorganized, too. I really hope that in the future, I get to have a pretty house with my very own library. That is a part of my happy dream.

At the end of the day, I'm still a bookworm. I'm not gonna stop reading. And I'm gonna buy those books someday!

Well, how about you? Is there a hobby you're frustrated about but can't indulge in because of economic constraints?