Good morning, America!

Today marks my first year in this "sliver of an island that is the center of everything," in the words of my friend, Oliver—who, turns out, is currently immersed in the pages of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.

I still remember the first time I'd picked up The Fountainhead, also by the author. At nineteen, and in the middle of college, I had just moved out from living with relatives and I'd popped by my dad's office to let him know I would be occupying his unused room in the apartment he shared with his sister.

"Buy this book, it has everything you need to know," he said, referring to the thick novel I'd seen around growing up, but never really bothered to pick up because, well, it was... quite hefty. But when I got past the first 100 pages, I knew why my dad had purposefully written its name on a little sheet of paper and sent me to the nearest National Bookstore to make the purchase (with his money, presumably).

True enough, the two books above have helped shape the way I've lived my life for the last 10 years—personally and most importantly, professionally. It's hard to explain in just one entry the philosophy behind these novels. Basically, they herald one's performing in full capacity, getting the job done silently, passionately, and being a good citizen/employee/friend, minus the hooplah and drama.

Ayn Rand is famous for this philosophy of "objectivism." But what makes her work in Fountainhead and Atlas groundbreaking is that she was able to integrate the complicated philosophical musings into intricate, entertaining stories—with richly-drawn characters you either aspire to be or cringe to be. In recent months, I have been amazed at how she was able to put into words certain observations I've made personally from living in the U.S.

So now I am onto rereading these books, and hopefully, be inspired and motivated once more by what they represent. These, along with a steadfast faith in God and a strong belief that life is good, life is abundant, I know I'll be looking forward to more happy anniversaries in the future.

Playing Office

On my first official day as a full-fledged freelancer, this is how my kitchen looked like. And now I have time to blog and get my online life in order.

My last day aboard the mother ship was quite serene and uneventful. Perhaps because I feel that I will still be a frequent passenger anyway. After all, I am not one to say goodbye to a hearty, savory bowl of Ocean Don. No, no, no.

Meanwhile, I have a beckoning to-do list. Between beating procrastination and battling paralyzing fear (i.e. Will I make the rent? Will I get enough projects to sustain my Whole Foods addiction habit? Will I finally meet Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson?) I am tackling tasks as well as planning for the future.

It's time to heed my own advice.

July felt like a theme park ride—dizzying, exciting, and at times, disorienting.

Okay, I know I haven't been blogging as often as... well, what cyberspace deems of its bloggers in this age of quick links and live feeds.

So there is my requisite oh-no-I-haven't-blogged intro. Anyway, here are my updates so far:

• Met the Patrimonio sisters (teen tennis players) and their mom for an interview. We met up at David Burke, a chi-chi cafe at the side of Bloomingdales. Overpriced, but cute. [See photo.] My feature is out today in the Inquirer.

• Former Preview fashion editor, Anne, is back in Manila now, but not before having a blast at Dante's Fourth of July Barbecue Bash. My friends and I had invited ourselves to an unwitting Dante, who ended up grilling steak on the deck of his lovely townhouse in Jersey City. I am finally enjoying Facebook, as I've successfully uploaded our pics there.

• Saw Hilary Roda, Gwyneth Paltrow, Elizabeth Hurley, and Carolyn Murphy at Estée Lauder's Sensous fragrance launch at Bloomies.

• What else? Sorry for this cryptic entry, my creative juices are being directed elsewhere at the moment, while I try to beat procrastination. Meanwhile, I'll let these pictures do the talking:

Murakami exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.
Doing the whole floral thing with Anne.
Brunch at Serafina. This photo is priceless. But I won't say why ;)
Green day. Oh dear, that's so corny. Uploading more photos later!

Hello, Cosmo!

When I first saw the cover of this month's issue with Judy Ann Santos on the cover, I was blown away! I am so proud to have been part of this amazing team that puts out such a wonderful, dynamic read, month after month.

This issue is special, too, because one, my On My Mind piece on leaving one's comfort zone is in it, ("The Comfort Clause" p.176) and two, my Neighbor, Frances [far right in photo], looks gorgeous in one of the features ("Full Speed Ahead" p. 148). I was just raving yesterday about how her hair is so nice, and her skin, so fine (and exfoliated!). Galing!

Please grab a copy while you still can.

Cover photographed by Dix Perez
Dress: BCBG
Accessories: Monet, D!, and Cru
Makeup: Steven Doloso
Hair: Raymond Santiago for L'Oréal Professionnel
Fashion editor: Katrina Dy

Hot, Hot Housewarming

Little morsels of bliss: salmon, cream cheese, and caviar crostini.

Doing some catching up here. Click on the photo for more fun pics from Dave and Louie's happy housewarming party last May 31, where I won a Chi by Carlos Falchi handbag! The evening's theme was "Runway" and everyone showed up decked to the nines. (As for moi, I whipped out the false lashes and tubs of bronzer.)