TRAVELS IN FILM

Baguio, Philippines;

Singapore, Singapore;

Guam, USA;

Wanderlust is a word which here means the desire to travel, and see the world-- the longing to explore places that we've never been to, and bask in their overwhelming beauty. It irks me sometimes knowing that while I'm waiting for the bus, or copying notes from class lectures, or helplessly trying to solve a Pre-Calculus problem, paradise is out there waiting for me. I'm pretty sure that the Great Perhaps isn't within the four corners of any classroom, or chemistry lab; wherever it is, it's out there somewhere, and it's waiting for you, and me, and everyone else; all we have to do is muster enough courage and search for it.

BAMBI

named after the gorgeous Australian model, Bambi Northwood-Blyth;

A few shots that I had taken;

Correct me if I'm wrong, but some of the things that we treasure in life the most aren't actually things. And one of those invaluable treasures that we keep closest to our slowly-beating hearts in the dead of night as we try our best and escape into sleep from the reality of tomorrow, or in the early morning as we wake up unexpectedly to the vicious sound of birds chirping on a tree right beside your window, are memories-- fragments of both good days, and bad days, and boring days, and happy and sad days, that our minds cannot help but remembering. We may not be able to (physically) see or touch these memories, but they can be as personally powerful as power itself. They are the reason why we start to tear up one afternoon, lying in bed, and staring at the ceiling; they are responsible for that small smile that gradually creeps on our lips as we make our way to our next class; and they can ignite a change of heart just by suddenly flashing before our very eyes. They conjure up, and make us relive the visceral feelings of the days, and moments of the past that are never ever going to come back. These memories, these fragments of light, are the reason why some of us still choose to keep breathing because they are the only things that we have left to hold on to. 

CITY OF PINES

The cool mountain air, and the sudden scent of pine that whips at your nose when you roll the windows down as the vehicle passes through the twists and turns on the road-- these are the things I miss the most about Baguio. You're in the woods with the grass and the earth beneath your your feet, you look up, and you see the sunlight filtering in through the trees stitched with the patches of blue from the sky, and you start to realize that what's meant to be will be no matter how you try and change it. I don't know, I guess maybe that's just me. I've sort of always had an attachment to that place-- you can feel the presence of tranquility even in the midst of the bustling crowds; it's the feeling of being on top of a mountain, being above the greater chaos. Those photos above were taken from a couple of weeks back, and just eleven hours ago one year went up in flames, and another was born from the ashes. It is incredibly surprising sometimes how fast time can be. Maybe one day, without really noticing it, the lives we live at this very moment will become nostalgic to us.

Oftentimes I find myself choking in the hands of my current situation. Unbearable is the word I'm searching for, I think. My lungs gasp for air as I suffocate on the indefinite sadness that lurks inside of me; the kind of sadness that's always even just a tad bit traceable no matter how hard you try to flush it out of your bloodstream. I've got to breakaway, I know. It's always been in the back of my mind. But that day's got to wait. For now, all I need to do is be patient, to nurture and let my strength grow. "One day", I keep whispering to myself, "one day"; those words reverberate through the shards of hope embedded within my soul that keep the flame from going out. Though somehow, at times, it might seem to me that I've got everything planned out, the truth is that only the beloved can truly tell. Only those who our eyes cannot see know of my true fate. The best I can do is prepare.

All of that aside, three-hundred-and-sixty-five days back was when I first settled into this place. It did take a little getting used to, but I think I'm quite at-home now here. Honestly, it completely surprises me that a full year has already gone by since I started blogging here, and I just want to thank you who is reading this right now for the support that you have given just by paying this blog a visit. Happy Holidays, and cheers to (hopefully) another year of Sartorial Lungs!

THE LION CITY

It was just a few weeks back when I had the pleasure to be amongst the clouds, and closer to the sun, on a plane to Singapore. The trip didn't come without nostalgia, as I'd already been there before. There was a certain familiarity in being there, and I liked it-- the familiar heat, the familiar rush that goes with crossing the busy streets, and of course, the familiar sights. Somehow it sort of didn't feel like I was a tourist anymore. Rather, it simply felt as if I'd bumped into a good friend that I haven't seen in a while, and we just picked up where we left off. You realize that nothing much has really changed, and that they're still the person that you knew a year before.

HAUL No. 6 (SINGAPORE)

Knits from H&M;

Skinny Carrot Denim Jeans from Topman;

Fox-print Shirt from Topman (Manila), Red Sweatshirt from Topman;

Burgundy-colored Chinos from H&M;

Printed Tees from Topman (Manila);

A beautiful pair of swim shorts from H&M;

Leopard-print T-Shirt and Floral-print Polo Shirt from Topman;

There's something about having new clothes that I'm sure every one of us experiences. It rushes through our heads, and bloodstreams as we stand at the counter of the store; the delight that overcomes us helplessly translating onto our faces even as we try and hold it back. A wisp of a smile plays on our lips because in our heart of hearts we know that we got exactly what we wanted. Well, I guess that's how I somehow felt a week ago as I was walking up and down Orchard Road, shopping with my mum. We took step after step, carrying a couple of plastic bags in our hands with the heat of the Singapore sun beaming from above. Yes, we grew hot, and tired, and our feet hurt, but we those things didn't faze us. It was great to be back. Though I missed quite a bit of schoolwork because of the trip (which I'll have to pay for this term break), it was definitely worth every second.

NEW LEATHER