Hey, faynt.

I honestly don’t know where to start. It has been about 2 years since I last blogged about anything and it feels kinda weird. I stopped blogging (and posting pictures at the same time) because I was in China. They blocked a lot of international sites like Facebook and YouTube. I had to use a VPN all the time and the speed was S-L-O-W. That’s why I got really lazy uploading stuff to my blog and updating my Facebook profile. 

But anyway, these are a few of the things that I have been doing lately:

1. Game master for NBA 2K Online PH

Since last year August, I have started working at Xplay Online games as one of the game masters of NBA 2K Online. I go by GM Faynt. (Obviously) It has been a fairly fun job so far and I hope it does continue that way.

Though there are times that it can be really stressful especially when I'm dealing with unreasonable players who get angry easily. I made a video of one of the events on my YouTube channel. You can find more there.

2. Going vegan

So lately since I have been on YouTube a lot, I’ve stumbled upon a lot of vegan YouTubers and the lifestyle instantly made sense. I first watched Cowspiracy, Forks over Knives, etc. Currently trying to maintain eating a plant-based diet but it’s been hard, haha. Though I do love the nice cream for breakfast every morning! (basically frozen bananas, blended)

This is my current favourite vegan restaurant around Tomas Morato. You can read about our review of it here.

3. Still doing commissions

So yeap! Still doing art, and I plan to do a lot more. (As I keep on saying for 2 years now, hahahaha) but yeah, I miss sketching and colouring with watercolours. So yeah, I might post stuff again in the near future! Meanwhile, you can check out my Facebook Art page. I post ALL my new artwork there.

4. MIG.ME

I recently became one of the brand ambassadors of a social networking site called MIG.ME.

You can try it out if you’re curious! It works just like Instagram/Facebook/twitter all rolled into one. I met a lot of other people and brand ambassadors through this site and I’m sure you will too. 

Vintage Botanicals.

Spring is finally just around the corner! Time flies super fast here.

I'm currently just into my 4th week of studiyng mandarin in 华侨大学 and I think I've fairly learned a lot? HAHA. We're just in basics now so I can't really say. Anyway, even if I've put my freelance job on hiatus, I'll never really go on a shopping hiatus. EVER. HAHAHA. So yeah! Here are stuff I bought these past 2 months!

Moving on...

’DRUGSTORE’ Gray Patterned Hoodie (¥55 / $8.94 / Php400)

Queen of Spades Pullover (¥40 / $6.50 / Php290)

Tartan Purple and Pink Hoodie Shirt (¥58.46 / $9.51 / Php425)<

Mickey Mouse Baseball Shirt (¥38 / $6.18 / Php275)

Now most of the next stuff I bought are in the same shop! I really like the stuff here because they have ASOS, Topshop, Forever 21 clothes! * A * hoho~

ASOS Explicit Content Shirt (¥39 / $6.34 / Php283)

STRIKE Red Tartan Boyfriend Shirt (¥55 / $6.18 / Php400)

This has got to be my most favourite one among them all! I want to buy the blue one also.

ZARA Graphic Tee (¥38 / $6.18 / Php275)

Flowery Graphic Tee (¥48 / $7.80 / Php350)

ASOS Striped Knitted Tee (¥60 / $9.76 / Php435)

Patterned Cardigan (¥53.90 / $8.76 / Php390)

School Girls Skirt with Leggings (¥28 / $4.55 / Php200)

This is actually another one of my super favourites from the haul! I bought 2 colours of these, one dark fray (picture) and one sailor blue. Also bought black of this one along with the school girl skirts! Haven’t had the chance to wear them yet tho because it’s still to cold here in Xiamen! XD Another one I didn’t include in the list was these super cute school girl leggings, which again I haven’t had the chance to wear because of the really cold weather! D:

Next are the shooooes! Just some basic ones, but still are really cute~!

Black Motorcycle Boots (¥99 / $16.10 / Php720)

White Korean Canvas Shoes (¥39 / $6.34 / Php285)

KEDS Salmon Pink Canvas Shoes (¥48 / $7.80 / Php350)

Ugh, these things are seriously so freaking cheap XD

——— MASON JARS (¥2.50-4.50)

I bought these mason jars so i can store my smoothies/shakes and overnight oatmeals. Hohoho. A steal for 3-4rmb each WTF * A *

aaaaand lastly a little bit random, stationary / school supplies in china are soooooo cute omg. * A *

Something random I doodled yesterday while waiting for mah friend~ :>

Just a little list I've come up with for 2014.  Kind of just a reminder for myself also :>

Earn some moolah and reach _______. I have a little goal in mind for 2014 and I'll see if I can earn that much this year! (hopefully) 

85mm f1.2 and 24-70mm f2.8 canon lenses! I have been putting this in my to-buy list but never actually earning up for it, but i will soon! Want to finally experiment on portraiture. (I also need models too but I'm sure I'll be able to find some. Heehee~

Make my own dreamcatchers! I really want to learn how to make one for that really personalised feel. 

Draw + Paint more - The goal is to be able to at least finish one full color artwork in a month since this year I haven't really been active in creating new atworks that much :c 

Learn to speak Mandarin - I did go here in Xiamen to learn the language, so I do hope i get that motivation to actually learn the language. 

Buy more native american / aztec themed things for my room! Top prio: blanket!

Go to Shanghai, Beijing or Hongkong - This is typical hehe. I also want to experience more of the outside world :>

Get into oil painting - This one I've been meaning to do for a very very long time, just never got around to actually doing it. I just hope i won't get lazy this year.

Get more fox themed stuff - Because I LOVE FOXES. If I wanted to be an animal, I'd probably be a fox. So yeah, more fox stuff <3

Finish games(Mass Effect I, II, III, DragonAge, Fable 3 (almost dooone), Halo Reach), watch TV series (Supernatural, Doctor Who), anime series (LOTS), and books (LOTS).

Portrait of an 'autumn-themed' mori girl. Inspired by cute scarves and lace-y things I keep finding on taobao. #lol

So I finally decided to go buy stuff on Taobao because I need thicker stuff (I'm practically freezing here just typing this) I guess I'm not used to cold weather yet. The temperature as of now goes from 16-19c during day time and 9-13c during night time. (So I really am constantly wrapped up in my comforter) 

I also decided to order because of the special sale (12 /12). I'm not really sure what it stands for but apparently during 11/11 or 12/12, Taobao holds a nationwide store sale, so yeah, kinda took advantage of that! 

Moving on...

1. Talens 'Petit Color' Watercolor (¥124 / $20.42 / Php905)

Upon searching for good quality watercolor, I stumbled upon this! :O Its not cheap but the quality is love! I only need to use a little bit of the color and it's really vibrant, so yes, I love love love this and I'm glad I bought it! 5/5

2. Gray Wedge-Sneakers (¥190 / $31.29 / Php1,385)

When I first saw the link I immediately clicked it because I've been searching for something like this for a long long time already. The color displayed on the shop image is a bit different to the actual. (white then beige?) but overall I really love this and it fits perfectly! 4.5/5

3. Red and Black 'retro' Pullover (¥38 / $6.26 / Php277)

As I love anything with 'aztec-like' patterns in it, I bought two colors of the same design. Fits perfectly and it's really warm, so yes, love  5/5

4. Army Green Parka with Wool Inner (¥139 / $22.89 / Php1,013)

So I've been looking for something army green for a while now and this really caught my eye! It's really warm too because of the thick wool lining, and I love parkas, so really, it's perfect! 5/5

5. Cat Pullover (¥39 / $6.42 / Php284)

Impulse buy because CATS! haha! I don't regret buying this though! It's REALLY warm. I bought this at sale price (¥39) that's why the price listed Isn't the same. 5/5

6. Stripe Stitch Pattern Pullover (¥35 / $5.76 / Php255)

For those lazy (and chilly) afternoons. I love it really, nothing else to say. 5/5

7. Patterned 'Retro' Pullover (¥36.80 / $6.06 / php270)

This has got to be my most favorite one! I really love the pattern and colors, and also the fit! 5/5

8. Cross Pullover (¥35 / $5.76 / Php255)

Because cross designs! I love these two because they are really versatile. I can match two these with practically anything. So yes 5/5

9. Red Parka (¥168 / $27.66 / Php1,225)

As I already stated above, I love parkas! Also, it's red too!  5/5

10. Black Cardigan (¥25 / $4.12 / Php182)

This one is probably the least I like the most. I initially got attracted to it because of the really cheap price tag, but the lower the price, usually the lower quality it is. The fabric is a bit thin for my tastes.. I guess I can use this one during the summer. Overall 4/5

11. Long Sleeved Collared Shirt with Embroidery details (¥35 / $5.76 / Php255)

Although it doesn't look really great now (so many wrinkles and stuff) but it really looks great IRL, especially great when you pair it with a high waist skater skirt! 

Wow It's been so long since I --actually-- blogged. The last time was about six months ago...! 

Quite a bit has happened since then. Mainly me graduating from college (AT LAST), very very late night outs with friends, getting quite addicted to Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies (haha), getting an ipad mini and an xbox (Dance Centralll) and moving to Xiamen, China! (XBL: HEYFAYNT, add me up!) -- the usual :)) 

I was planning to blog, but I've been way too busy for the past two weeks mainly because we're moving in to our new home at 光明东塔 near 斗西路 station and also because I was doing a project /freelance work for a friend.

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Okay so I'm not really 'moving' to china, but I am staying here (until my visa/plane ticks expires hahaha) or I finish my chinese course (because I do plan to take up mandarin) so I may be staying around here for about six months to a year.

So a little bit about my experience so far in China.. 

Philippines to China That difference. 

I just love the weather here tho. Right now it's fall - winter season, so during day time it's 17-23c then at night it gets to 10-15c, so it's pretty perfect! (I love love love cold places!)

So far since we've been really busy with the renovations, I haven't really had the time to explore (AKA SHOP) but soon tho, VERY VERY SOON, just after we move in hahaha) 

I really want to explore everything 中山路 (Chong San Lu) has to offer. During the duration of my stay so far, we only went there once, (and we didn't even shoooop XD boo~) 

中山路 during morning~

Also another thing I love here is the public transport system! (BRT system and buses) It's super convenient and I don't really feel the need to get a car at all. It isn't tiring to walk around because of the cold weather! 

I also love where we're about to stay because of the viiiew! Too bad my room doesn't have a window tho :'O

As for restaurants and cafes, there are so many food to choose from, compared to prices in Manila, they are almost the same or cheaper (if you know were to look!) I love it that their groceries are somewhat different from the Philippinies, you can find weird stuff and many cute stuff. (like really cute stuff toys from the groceries hahaha) and not to forget their wide selection of Pockys and Pejoys * A *

Also, one of the main things I like when going out, are the Uber cute cafes! You will see one in almost every street with really really cute decors! here is one I really really liked (and plan to hang out there when I start studying here)

Rila cafe <3 <3 <3 * A*

Last but not the least, the view, sceneries and sunsets * A * <3 There are lots of parks here. Xiamen is a full fledged city, but it has lots of trees so, <333

And of course, Taobao! XD But I won't be going into that for now since I haven't started my taobao shopping spree yet. hahahaha :D 

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I love it here and I wouldn't want to go back home, but it gets really lonely because all my friends are in the Philippines, so :'c I'm actually not sure where to start making friends because I'm such an awkward girl. hahahaha. Oh well, if every any of you are currently in Xiamen or living here (and don't have anything else to do, just message me here or email me or something! =)) 

Art trade with my friend, Lee!  Tried a new blocky, scratchy whatchumacallit coloring style :))