facebook google instagram linkedin
Powered by Blogger.
  • Home
  • About
  • Life Style
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health and Wellness
  • Travel
  • Printables
  • Contact

Daynadream



"I have three uncles? I never knew they existed..."

"Just come! You don't have to talk to him."

"Can I have one day... ONE DAY where you people don't stress me out." 

"OMG did you know she did that?!"

"I'm questioning his existence!"

"Do you really need that many..."

"She doesn't even like me, why do I have to be nice?"

"A KITTTTTTYYYYYYY!."

"Are you still with him? or is there someone else again?"


Ah. Christmas. Tis the season of awkward family reunions and self reflection. More like identifying your decision regrets that year and trying to explain yourself to yourself so you could forgive yourself without feeling guilty of making said regrettable decisions. 

Still with me so far?       Fantastic-o

It was quite a ride, but what else did we sign up for? It's Christmas. Not only that, it's a Filipino Christmas! Care to elaborate, Dana? Why yes of course! Filipino Christmas is basically an American family's "cliche" thanksgiving. Where we eat a crap ton of food, drink beer, go caroling, eat lumpia, play games, eat lumpia, gossip. Oh! and did I mention eating lumpia? Seeing relatives whose names you do not know or remember and discover secrets like new family members that you never knew existed and things of the sort. As we watch this event unfold into a flaming pile of awkward. 

I'm just being melodramatic. Our family reunion wasn't bad at all might I say. Very decent and friendly interactions. Minus the part where I blabbered on and on to cope up with that "meeting new person and hoping they don't think I'm a dumb-ass" social anxiety... which ended up with me, well,  looking like a dumb-ass.... 


So in light of my mistakes, here's a technique to:

I. Meeting new family members and relatives that you never knew existed 

II. Encountering relatives with names you're unsure of (because you were probably a lil bean when they last saw you).
_________________________________________________________________________


1. Smile (but don't overdo it or else they'll think you're weird and wont talk to you or question your parents' parenting skills)


I started off by smiling and standing up to shake and make beso beso (kiss kiss) they're cheeks before self introduction/ talking about anything else. This keeps things from getting awkward. No one wants to see a sour face. Even if you don't care for this relative, it may not be the same vice versa because who knows? What if they were abroad working hard for their family and just never got the chance to hang out with you so  now was their only chance? It could be precious to them. Don't ruin it with your face. 


_________________________________________________________________________


2. Regard Them as Tita or Tito


When they catch you off-guard and you don't know their name, the safest way to avoid the whole "Uh, who are you again?" painfully awkward scenario by referring to them in their Uncle and Aunt status. No need to use names! AND that buys you enough time at one point to go ask someone in your family who knows. But if even your family members don't know who this extended Tita is... Then you're kinda doomed and will refer to her as Tita for the rest of your life.


_________________________________________________________________________


3. Ask THEM the questions FIRST


Before they can start asking you about your life, job, salary, future plans,  or reminiscing about the good ol' times (which of course you don't remember because you were. Just. A little. Bean.), be the first one to ask them! Not only will it save YOU the time and energy to explain why you graduated in 5 years instead of 4 or why you're 26 and still not married or why you chose to wear that dress, but it'll make THEM feel important and that you genuinely care. Which of course you should but y'know, some of us tend to have other things on our mind...


_________________________________________________________________________


4. Be Generic


Ask generic questions that don't have any specific identification of data (WOW BIG WORDS).


Don't go saying: "How're your children?" because it could end in "Oh...I don't have kids remember? I had a vasectomy because of testicular cancer so um, i can't have kids anymore..." BOOM. now the mood is both sad AND weird. And now you gotta figure out how to get outta that situation you ingeniously placed yourself in. Try asking queries like "So what interests you these days?" then they might say: "I enjoy playing golf and riding horses."  Then you could reply with: "That's fascinating! Tell me more about horses!"  Try to stay in the present time and stay away from past history because you, for sure, will not remember anything. Those are dangerous waters you do not wish to awkwardly tread. 

_________________________________________________________________________



5. They insult you because they secretly care


"You got fat!" "You're still the same height. Awww. You look like a wittle wabbit!!" "Your brother is better looking than you." 

Yeah, those suck. No way getting out of THAT situation as it is inevitable especially coming from an Asian family. Always remind yourself that they're not doing this to spite you. They just care but don't know any other way to express it due to our non-confrontational type culture. Tough love is a very common method that I've seen when it comes to Asian families. All they want is assurance you'll be okay and to keep tabs on you without strangling you but by being passive about it. It's not the BEST method but what we can do to this situation is to understand it rather than to get all defensive and angry. Don't spoil other people's fun even if they spoiled yours. So the next time your grandma says "Get a real job! Video gaming leads to nowhere." Just remember that she grew up in a different time, a different place with a different version of societal standards.  Don't take it to heart.
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Follow these techniques so you don't end up looking like a blabbering fool during your Filipino family reunions and you'll be just fine. I hope...



Have a happy day!









January 08, 2020 No comments

Hello! Welcome to Daynadream.

August 15, 2018 2 comments

Hey there, welcome to Daynadream!

It's the end of the road for us, graduates and the beginning of a new era of self growth and appreciation. I couldn't help but feel a little bit nostalgic going through my phone and looking back at the experience this world has given me. School is something I haven't had the luxury of pursuing from the age of 16 until just last year. 

It was quite the ride with the good, bad and the downright confusing but it was definitely a journey in which I do not regret taking.  Life has a way of consistently testing our faith, patience and determination. With whatever it throws us, it is best to stay rooted, stand your ground and be resilient. Eventually, all those obstacles thrown will be nothing but gentle vintage dreams flowing in the old air and exhaled as new. 

Cheers to life and whatever it brings us. To this, I say, bring it on. 


April 07, 2018 No comments

Hey there, welcome to Daynadream!


It''s graduation time (well it was, this post is a bit late) and what more than to indulge in a dish or two, maybe 3... In my experience, if you plan to indulge in such a delight, you go hard or go home. In our case, we went hard. 

Growing up as a third culture kid in another country is bound to expose you to different cultures, cuisines. Living in Beijing, China for 12 years has made me realise at just how many Korean influences there are. In terms of music, celebrities, fashion and especially (the best one of all), the food. I was much obliged with all this exposure around Korean food (given that Beijing felt like second South Korea due to the ever so "booming" Korean population). I found myself quite attracted to the cuisine and i might add that majority of the restaurants was owned and served by South Korean people meaning it was as authentic as it can be given the resources in Beijing. 

So I grew up eating this delicious spice-filled, salty, sour and sweet tasting scrumptious nom noms.  Of course i wouldn't eat it as often as the cuisine of the city but it satiated my craving when needed. So moving to the Philippines, let alone Bacolod, it was a big let down in knowing that I would not be in the centre of an inter-cultural hub like Beijing. So you might understand my delight in finding a Korean restaurant here, which I might say, is pretty darn good.

Say goodbye to wannabe Korean restaurants with below average quality food and service and say hello to 'HANOK'. 

(Photo Source: Bacolod Food Hunters)









TASTE
8.9/10

SERVING SIZE
Large (too much for 1 person)

COST RATING
$ $ 

AVERAGE COST PER PERSON
PHP 195 - 260

WHAT WE CONSUMED
-good for 3-4 pax-
Sangyupsal - w/t unli veg/sides (PHP 280) 
Duk Bog Gi - (PHP 220)
Hamul Pajeon (Kimchi Omelette) - (PHP 250)
Ginseng Tea - (PHP 30)

LOCATION
Door 12, Goldenfiled Commercial Complex, Bacolod City


For more info on HANOK visit: 
Hanok Facebook
April 05, 2018 No comments

Hey there, welcome to Daynadream!

Today I want to update on the fashion section of this blog. So I couldn't wait to share these simple yet stylish pieces that can pretty much be worn for a casual occasion where feeling ordinary just doesn't fly with you and you want a little pzazz. I wore this outfit just on a regular day going to the mall with my family and watching 'Pacific Rim Uprising' No problem at all.

I believe that living in a place that's more conservative than other cities (aka Bacolod City) shouldn't hinder your creative expression through fashion. Now that doesn't mean just go walking around half naked, but to go around walking half naked with class. Joke. 

Just be yourself with a certain parameter of respect towards others, know your limitations but don't hinder. 





What I'm wearing:

Bandeau - Tailor made (custom)

High waist shorts - Forever 21 (Sale: PHP 199)

Jacket - 888 Thrift shop His and Her (PHP 180)

Combat Boots - Dr. Martens (PHP 4500)

Waist Belt - Beijing 15CNY Thrift Store (PHP 120)

Ring - H&M (Sale: PHP 165)

Glasses - Executive Optical (PHP 999 w/t lens grade)

Choker - Forever 21 (Sale: PHP 49)


April 04, 2018 No comments
Older Posts

About me




My name is Dana Novales, a 20 year old student, Bacolod-based professional dancer and aspiring businesswoman and this is my blog where I post about lifestyle such as food, fashion, travel, wellness and the beauty of life.

Follow Us

Labels

army navy Bacolod beauty blue lagoon christmas comfort food dana novales daydream daynadream drama dulce family fashion filipino food food blog food review foodgasm graduation hanok health ilaya highland resort korean food lifestyle lifestyle blog lookbook michael soriano new year ootd performing arts philippines philosophy photography reunions self care self love smoothie recipe smoothies travel travel blog university of st. lasalle vintage fashion

recent posts

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2020 (1)
    • ▼  January (1)
      • How to Survive Filipino Family Reunions: Foolproof...
  • ►  2018 (11)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  April (3)
    • ►  March (7)

Created with by ThemeXpose