"...And Jill Came Tumbling After" (Lessons from Falling)

Yesterday was the first day this week that I went to work. I was in the mood to dress up, so instead of just wearing jeans and a Messiah shirt, I decided to wear a blouse with a pair of skinny jeans. I also replaced the usual pearl studs with dirty-gold dangling earrings, and ditched my flats and put on a pair of peep-toe shoes instead. I was very much aware of the fact that I was going to be doing a lot of walking and moving around throughout the day, but for the sake of fashion, yes, I wore heels.

Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Stacey: Not to Be Taken Too Seriously

No, I'm not going to talk about the band with the same name (yes, there's a band named Boy Crazy Stacey, but I didn't know that until I googled it).  This is not an entry about the blonde sophisticated girl from New York from The Baby-Sitters Club, either. And no, I'm not going to talk about my heartbreaks.

Or maybe I am.

Confidence...or the Lack Thereof

The first statement in my "About Me" section (on the right-hand side of this page) says, "I am a fan of reading, free writing, and being confident." I'm not sure any of you who've been reading my stuff have noticed that before. Probably not. And so I'm taking this time to draw your attention to that one phrase..."being confident."

Two-Oh-11: A Year-Ender

"The end depends upon the beginning. The END. DEPENDS UPON. The Beginning."
--The Emperor's Club

I began this year with the hope of turning over a new leaf. I was looking forward to a new chapter in my life. I was hoping to launch myself into the world, confident and courageous.

I overcame fears. I crossed boundaries that I have set for myself and discovered that I could do much if I set my heart on it. I failed some and exceeded some expectations others had of me, and whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on the kind of expectations those were.

I struggled about a lot of things. I had my heart broken a million times more than I could ever remember in the last 20 years of my life, by more people than I can count with my two hands. I grew older, and for the most part, wiser and keener for the little things and the big things that affect me in big and small ways, perhaps respectively.

In sum, 2011 has been a wacky rollercoaster ride, but one that I don't want to get in line for again. I do believe I will get off and walk away with my head spinning.

30 Photos Challenge: Photo #1

Photo 1)
A picture of yourself with ten facts.

Yes, this is me. And I am taking on the 30-day photo challenge. Here goes. :D

Fact #1: I am DeAnne Kerstin Lino Leones. My name DeAnne was coined from my parents' names, Dean and Ann. No kidding. I recently learned, though, that I don't have a unique name or even a unique backstory for that name after all. But oh well, I am special in God's eyes!
DeAnne is a variant of Deanna, which is an Old English word meaning "valley/church leader." Kerstin is a Latin / Schandinavan word (daw), a variant of Kristen, that means "Follower of Christ." I'm glad that I am living up to my name, by God's grace! :)

Fact #2: The main reason I took up AB Psychology, if I be honest enough to admit it, is to help understand myself better so that I can help young people like me deal with themselves. I really hope I could do that. Understand myself better, that is. :P

Fact #3: I learned to commute by myself only when I was in college. I took the bus to school everyday since the third week of my freshman year. I was forced to do it.

Fact #4: I am a thinker-relater. People think I'm a snob or my head is in the clouds, but honestly, that depends on my mood. And I am quite moody. (Go ask my best friends!) So if I'm meeting you for the first time, don't expect me to talk much. But you can talk all you want, I'll just listen. :)

Fact #5: Most people say my smile is what draws them to me. I win people's hearts with it. I can't believe that I have that kind of charm, but I guess I just have to accept it as true if a LOT of people say that about me. So I guess I can call it my asset. :P

Fact #6: My passion is arts. I live music. I live writing. I am not the best in either, but I think I can go places if I apply myself to the craft. I like to think of myself as kind of a free spirit. A kind, I say, kasi nga, thinker ako. I am naturally apprehensive, generally. But when it comes to my passion, hindi masyado.


Fact #7: I've worn glasses since I was 13. But I guess my eyesight had gone bad way before that.


Fact #8: If I were ever to hold a grudge against you, it would take an extra long time for me to get over it. I can be unreasonable when I am upset, but all it takes is a lot of time. Give me enough to think things through. Don't rush me, or else I'll snap at you. I don't like confrontations, but I'm learning to face it when I know I should. I have a handful of people whom I wish not to see or hear about again.

Fact #9: I started singing when I was three. I was a child wonder. But, alas, I grew up and became a has-been. (I'm not bitter. :P) LOL.


Fact #10: I am so random but so into this that it took at least 45 minutes for me to type all these words. I wasn't stopping. :))


THANKS FOR READING! More soon!