A Day Planned to Find a Daily Planner

I have been complaining to my husband that I have been looking for a daily planner for so long (see blue route in below image), but all I found were bulky leather organizers. I was only looking for a daily planner that could fit my purse and of course, light weight. Something you could buy for less than fifteen pesos in Manila.

It was a 4-day weekend. The military declared Friday (22 May) family day and it was Memorial Day yesterday (Monday - 25 May). So come Friday, we decided to allot the whole day looking for my daily planner. I tell you, we searched all possible shops in the whole island.

Starting from Point A – Home.

To Point B = Guam Premier Outlets, Ross and Bestseller bookstore.

Guam Premier Outlets (GPO) is the biggest (and I think only) premier outlet store here.

Ross – my favorite department store when it comes to finding best buys.

Bestseller bookstore – I believe is the biggest bookstore in the island. We did find a perfect and oh so gorgeous planner here, only, it had a catch – the planner dates starts on September 2009. Uhm, hmmm.

We then went to Point C – Ben Franklin’s Crafts Store. We figured, since it is the biggest crafts gallery in Guam, it might have something like a planner in it or something I can use to make them. Well, still negative.

Point D – the naval base. It has a bigger department store/mall compared to the Air Force base so I was kind of hoping we could find something there. Well, I was wrong.

Point E – K-mart. They did not even have any school supplies there. Booo!

Times like these, I really miss National Bookstore. Second to any Home Department shops, I could stay in National Bookstore all day and not complain about it. I can just browse through all the craft materials there (not so much of a book person though) and think of a lot of projects I can do. Painting, stationery, cards, gifts, pens, notebooks, notepads, etc etc etc etc. Owning a National Bookstore franchise remains one of my greatest dreams. Hehehe.

Well, as they say, if you can’t find them, make them!

So I did! Since I always design and print and bind my own notepads, why don’t I make my own planner too? I printed using plain white bond papers, cut them, then used a spare checkbook case as cover. A customized planner fit for my needs without the cost.

Ahhh… the products of creativity and desperation. ;)

My Very Own Mug Shot Collection

I always dread the days when I have to fall in line to have someone take a photo of me for some ID card. My mom saved some of my school IDs since kindergarten and I wish I have saved a copy of all the IDs I've had since then, including those company IDs that you have to surrender after resignation. I've never looked great in any of my insta-photos (like Photo Me AKA Gulat Me!). I even have one from 3rd year highschool where my school ID had a bunch of hair in the middle of my face because the photographer took the shot along our corridor in a very windy day, and he is not known for counting before clicking. He didn't even take another shot. Even early on, I've accepted the fact I am not a model-material.

Thus, here are some of my very own 'mug shots' collection. Such work of art. Hehehe.

Philippine Driver's License.

I do look too happy, drunk happy, don't I? I have never met anyone who looked sane in their Philippine Driver's License. How could you look "good" when they had you wait at least 2 hours sitting under the oh-so-hot tin roofed waiting area in LTO then have you stand by a blue board not knowing the actual photo was taken a few seconds ago already.

US Visa

This one isn't really a mug shotsince it wasn't taken on the spot. It however deserves a spot on this category because it can actually win Best Mug Shot ever. This picture was a photo I submitted together with my Visa application. I remember walking out of my Makati office during high noon, no lunch taken yet, then hurriedly asked the photo station to take my picture for the US visa. No hanky nor a tissue, no comb, no kikay kit with me. The photo personnel said smiling is not allowed (but I later found out, you actually can). They even required me to have a collared coat, but I don't have one. Good thing a friend of mine accompanied me there so I took her coat and wore it for 10 seconds, click! Done.

Military Dependent's ID

This one made me compile all these mug shots. It actually looks like a mug shot taken from a DUI violation but it is actually from my military dependent's ID card. The camera they used was about 60 degrees above your eye level so that means composition-wise, your forehead will be the actual focal point of the photo. Hehehe. This is the photo ID card I'd present everytime I enter any military base. It doesn't really bother me (anymore) because I know almost everybody in the military would have a similar photo as mine.

Guam Driver's License

Yes, the Guam DMV is reminiscent of the LTO experience. They would ask you to sit by a white wood and 3...2...1... click! Voila! Done. He didn't even let me see how I looked like. It was one take, final take kind of shoot. To think on this one I actually prepared for, I have eyeliners on, pink blush, I combed, made sure my blouse color is okay, etc. Well I guess normal make up doesn't show in mug shots. Better use the Santacruzan-inspired make up next time to show some color.

US Employment Authorization Card

For this one, I'd like to blame the computers who are producing the IDs. For some reason it shrunk the photo vertically. With their distortion effects, I have Jollibee-cheeks and droopy eyes. Not to mention the 'oh-so-lively' color.

US Government ID

Fresh from the oven! This was just taken today. This is the same camera that was used for my military dependent's ID. I'd like to believe this one looks better but of course, the forehead is still the focus. I just hope they would decrease the contrast. I'd like to be someone who has a nose bridge and full eyebrows. Hahaha.

Click!

With this, let me acknowledge everyone who are in love with Photography. We are making the world a better place you know? We deserve an award. Hihihihi.