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unraveling with every word.
Two months, two quarterly tests, one Sabayang Pagbigkas, three college entrance exams, four new books, dozens of clothes, a good report card, a birthday and tons of happenings later..
I am back. Whoot, whoot!
I guess you're expecting some lame-ass explanation as to where I've been and what has happened to me since my last post but I'm going to spare you the boring details of the past two months and just satisfy myself by greeting you with the biggest smile on my face as a SIXTEEN YEAR OLD! =) Yes, three days ago (last Friday, the 26th) I celebrated my sixteenth birthday and became a lady. Haha, okay so the whole lady-like transformation probably hasn't occured yet and I'm probably pretty much the same person I was four days ago. But nevertheless, I am 16 and ready to rock the world! LOL.
Just like last year, my birthday was also Intramurals in our school. The very idea of it sounded exciting, but in reality that meant not being able to spend the whole day with your friends especially if you're all involved in events that will take place that day (swimming for me and cheering for them). But all in all, the day was great. It was a little rough around the edges, but looking back it's probably one of the happiest birthdays ever. I seriously thought it was going to suck because I was sick and everyone else was busy, but surely life has its way of turning things around. I'm thankful I didn't really crumble that day. Of course, big hugs goes out to all of my friends, Nica, Trixie, Hope, Mikka, Tin, Kassey, Kaila, Cathe (who taught me a little game involving jeepneys and your fate, haha) and all the rest.. you know who you are! It really meant a lot to me when everyone treated me extra special that day. WHEE.
Go Lilac swimmers! =) In recent news, I voted for the first time ever today! As one of the perks of being a sixteen-year-old, I have to exercise my right to vote for the Sangguniang Kabataan or SK elections. For the first time in my life, I got to experience the whole "Eleksyon sa Pilipinas" scenario, and trust me, it was as cliche as cliche can get. At first, I didn't really want to vote since I did not know WHO to vote, except for my neighbor-slash-childhood friend who will run for SK Kagawad. But because she came over here the other day together with one party-mate, they handed me a list of the candidates from their party which gave me a reason to go. Together with my parents and titas, we went to PNHS Central to get it all over with. Unsurprisingly, it was packed with people -- literally. Almost everyone I crossed paths with gave me fliers and were shouting names I couldn't even understand. The place was so noisy, crowded and dirty. As we went up to search for our precincts, people from all walks of life were there to make sure their vote counted. Since I already know where my precinct is (thanks to my candidate friend), I decided to go with my parents first. Apparently, the list got mixed up and they found their names in different rooms. Supposedly, they should go to the same room since we lived in the same street and had the same surname, and besides that was how it was last elections. My parents were able to vote, but my tita wasn't because she couldn't find her name anywhere. They practically searched the whole school but to no success. I wasn't surprised though, because isn't this how they all said the elections will go? After that, my dad accompanied me to my precinct. A part of me was excited, a part of me dreaded getting my finger inked. I checked my name on the list by the door, just so I would know how it felt to be relieved upon seeing your name. Haha. There it was, on the first page. I took a deep breath, entered the room, signed my name, left my thumbmark, wrote down the candidates, had my index finger stained by the indelibe ink, and that was it. The whole thing lasted for about five minutes or less. It was funny how everything else was so chaotic when that's just basically what you're going to do: ink, sign, write, ink. I heaved a sigh upon leaving the room, but it wasn't really one of relief knowing that I was able to exercise my right and let my vote count, rather more of a sigh that said, "I am now officially part of the crazy circus that causes too much crime and economic instability: Philippine Elections." Hooray for me -- not? Yesterday, I became the happiest girl in the world when I finally got my hands on the book I've been waiting for since the first time I heard it. We went to MOA to get myself the sixth book of The A-List (Some Like It Hot) by Zoey Dean, the series which has been my current read. I brought the five-hundred-peso birthday gift I received from one of my lolas and entered Power Books in the hope of finding the installment there. But lo and behold, my mom suddenly points out something from the display, and there it was, in all its black and hardbound beauty -- The Gossip Girl Prequel: It Had To Be You. My initial reaction was to grab it and hold it securely so that no one else can get it. After about a nanosecond, I stared at it and actually pinched myself a little to make sure I'm not dreaming because in my hands is THE book I have been waiting and looking for. And to my surprise and utter delight, it wasn't very expensive too! I eventually found the A-List book, but was actually willing to not buy that because Gossip Girl was first priority when it came to books. Haha. But because of one special reason -- ehem, Birthday Weekend -- my dad told me I can buy both (hati kami sa bayad, haha). Hooray for me! And besides, I earned it because of my good grades this quarter. So I whipped out all my money for the book. But so what? For a bookworm like me, it was sooo worth it.
It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily Von ZiegesarI'm hoping this 'return' will be for good. Though I can't promise I can update on a daily basis, hopefully I can find the time every once in a while to check you in on what's happening on my somewhat-boring-sometimes-interesting life. I just missed this blog too much, I can't imagine I survived two months without a single update! But that's how life is for me. It sucks when your busy all the time. Oh well, past is past. I can't bring back the time. I can, however, come back with a new layout. Still adhering to my virtue of simplicity, this layout was inspired by the Jack's Mannequin song, I'm Ready. It was one of those boring Saturday afternoons, I put my iPod on shuffle mode and the song just surprised me. I guess the lyrics stayed and that was a beginning of a new love affair with a song. I'm hoping to learn it on the piano, but until then here's where I placed my so-called creative juices. I hope you like the layout. The links and archives are found at the bottom of the page though, because I'm getting a bit tired of the side bar. And I also temporarily removed the tagboard, so if you want to say something to me I have one word for you: COMMENT! =) I really missed you guys. It's good to be back. Adieu.
________________________________________________________________
unraveling with every word.
Two months, two quarterly tests, one Sabayang Pagbigkas, three college entrance exams, four new books, dozens of clothes, a good report card, a birthday and tons of happenings later..
I am back. Whoot, whoot!
I guess you're expecting some lame-ass explanation as to where I've been and what has happened to me since my last post but I'm going to spare you the boring details of the past two months and just satisfy myself by greeting you with the biggest smile on my face as a SIXTEEN YEAR OLD! =) Yes, three days ago (last Friday, the 26th) I celebrated my sixteenth birthday and became a lady. Haha, okay so the whole lady-like transformation probably hasn't occured yet and I'm probably pretty much the same person I was four days ago. But nevertheless, I am 16 and ready to rock the world! LOL.
Just like last year, my birthday was also Intramurals in our school. The very idea of it sounded exciting, but in reality that meant not being able to spend the whole day with your friends especially if you're all involved in events that will take place that day (swimming for me and cheering for them). But all in all, the day was great. It was a little rough around the edges, but looking back it's probably one of the happiest birthdays ever. I seriously thought it was going to suck because I was sick and everyone else was busy, but surely life has its way of turning things around. I'm thankful I didn't really crumble that day. Of course, big hugs goes out to all of my friends, Nica, Trixie, Hope, Mikka, Tin, Kassey, Kaila, Cathe (who taught me a little game involving jeepneys and your fate, haha) and all the rest.. you know who you are! It really meant a lot to me when everyone treated me extra special that day. WHEE.
Go Lilac swimmers! =) In recent news, I voted for the first time ever today! As one of the perks of being a sixteen-year-old, I have to exercise my right to vote for the Sangguniang Kabataan or SK elections. For the first time in my life, I got to experience the whole "Eleksyon sa Pilipinas" scenario, and trust me, it was as cliche as cliche can get. At first, I didn't really want to vote since I did not know WHO to vote, except for my neighbor-slash-childhood friend who will run for SK Kagawad. But because she came over here the other day together with one party-mate, they handed me a list of the candidates from their party which gave me a reason to go. Together with my parents and titas, we went to PNHS Central to get it all over with. Unsurprisingly, it was packed with people -- literally. Almost everyone I crossed paths with gave me fliers and were shouting names I couldn't even understand. The place was so noisy, crowded and dirty. As we went up to search for our precincts, people from all walks of life were there to make sure their vote counted. Since I already know where my precinct is (thanks to my candidate friend), I decided to go with my parents first. Apparently, the list got mixed up and they found their names in different rooms. Supposedly, they should go to the same room since we lived in the same street and had the same surname, and besides that was how it was last elections. My parents were able to vote, but my tita wasn't because she couldn't find her name anywhere. They practically searched the whole school but to no success. I wasn't surprised though, because isn't this how they all said the elections will go? After that, my dad accompanied me to my precinct. A part of me was excited, a part of me dreaded getting my finger inked. I checked my name on the list by the door, just so I would know how it felt to be relieved upon seeing your name. Haha. There it was, on the first page. I took a deep breath, entered the room, signed my name, left my thumbmark, wrote down the candidates, had my index finger stained by the indelibe ink, and that was it. The whole thing lasted for about five minutes or less. It was funny how everything else was so chaotic when that's just basically what you're going to do: ink, sign, write, ink. I heaved a sigh upon leaving the room, but it wasn't really one of relief knowing that I was able to exercise my right and let my vote count, rather more of a sigh that said, "I am now officially part of the crazy circus that causes too much crime and economic instability: Philippine Elections." Hooray for me -- not? Yesterday, I became the happiest girl in the world when I finally got my hands on the book I've been waiting for since the first time I heard it. We went to MOA to get myself the sixth book of The A-List (Some Like It Hot) by Zoey Dean, the series which has been my current read. I brought the five-hundred-peso birthday gift I received from one of my lolas and entered Power Books in the hope of finding the installment there. But lo and behold, my mom suddenly points out something from the display, and there it was, in all its black and hardbound beauty -- The Gossip Girl Prequel: It Had To Be You. My initial reaction was to grab it and hold it securely so that no one else can get it. After about a nanosecond, I stared at it and actually pinched myself a little to make sure I'm not dreaming because in my hands is THE book I have been waiting and looking for. And to my surprise and utter delight, it wasn't very expensive too! I eventually found the A-List book, but was actually willing to not buy that because Gossip Girl was first priority when it came to books. Haha. But because of one special reason -- ehem, Birthday Weekend -- my dad told me I can buy both (hati kami sa bayad, haha). Hooray for me! And besides, I earned it because of my good grades this quarter. So I whipped out all my money for the book. But so what? For a bookworm like me, it was sooo worth it.
It Had To Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily Von ZiegesarI'm hoping this 'return' will be for good. Though I can't promise I can update on a daily basis, hopefully I can find the time every once in a while to check you in on what's happening on my somewhat-boring-sometimes-interesting life. I just missed this blog too much, I can't imagine I survived two months without a single update! But that's how life is for me. It sucks when your busy all the time. Oh well, past is past. I can't bring back the time. I can, however, come back with a new layout. Still adhering to my virtue of simplicity, this layout was inspired by the Jack's Mannequin song, I'm Ready. It was one of those boring Saturday afternoons, I put my iPod on shuffle mode and the song just surprised me. I guess the lyrics stayed and that was a beginning of a new love affair with a song. I'm hoping to learn it on the piano, but until then here's where I placed my so-called creative juices. I hope you like the layout. The links and archives are found at the bottom of the page though, because I'm getting a bit tired of the side bar. And I also temporarily removed the tagboard, so if you want to say something to me I have one word for you: COMMENT! =) I really missed you guys. It's good to be back. Adieu.
________________________________________________________________
She's a modern lover; it's an exploration, she's made of outer space
Hello, I'm Karla Bernardo. If you Google my name, you will find the Wikipedia entry of a Canadian serial-killer (and trust me, you do not want
to read about that - but I'm sure you will because now you're curious), which is why I suggest you type Bombastarr instead so you can stalk me better.
I spent eight-and-a-half years of my life in the University of the Philippines, where I graduated with degrees in Creative Writing and Juris Doctor. It is also where I learned how to speak a bit of Italian, got a taste of the best tapsilog, and took striptease for PE.
I love telling stories, as much as I enjoy finding them.
____Want more?
Featured Works
Stargirl ( Cover story for Nadine Lustre, Scout, January-February 2017)
Surreal / So Real (at Scout)
Ode to a Great Love's 17-year-old Self ( Love.Life, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Postcard from Diliman
( Youngblood, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Writer for Philippine Law Register
A Call to Arms (January 2017)
Expecting the Expected (March 2016)
Former Writer for Stache Magazine
The Hero's Journey (June 2013)
The 8 People You Become In Your Youth (June 2013)
The Best Bad Idea That Is Argo (April 2013)
Mike Ross Remembers Everything You Don't (August 2012)
Style Between the Riffs (August 2012)
Book Lovers Never Sleep Alone (June 2012)
A Spectrum of Change (December 2011)
Digital Art (October 2011)
Elements of Style (June 2011)
In Her White Dress (All-Art April 2011 issue)
Morning After Pill ( Fervore: Literary Folio 2013, UP Portia Sorority)
How To Make a Blueberry Cheesecake ( Kalas: Kalasag Literary Folio 2011, UP College of Arts and Letters)
January 14th ( 100: The Hundreds Project, UP Writer's Club)
An Ode to The
Pillow Book (at New-Slang)
Introductions (at TeenInk)
One by One (at TeenInk)
Ask, and you shall be answered
Got a comment, question, violent reaction, love letter, or random piece of information you want to share with me? Just fire away. I don't bite.
(I changed my form and went back to Freedback because Ask.fm's being a bitch, requiring people to sign up for accounts before asking questions. Because I love you guys, I tweaked my ask box a bit, so that the questions will now go directly to my e-mail, but I'll be posting the answers still on my Ask.fm for convenience. TL;DR - I'll still be getting your questions so no worries. You're still free to harass me / send me your love.)
Answers
Most Frequently Asked QuestionAre you a pornstar?No, I am not a pornstar, stripper, or your friendly neighborhood call girl. It's just a fancy pseudonym with a long history, and two R's. Rawr.
Bombastarr.com
Bombastarr is my personal blog and my little corner in the Internet since 2005. Yes, I started writing here when I was 13 years old (aka when I was very angsty, hormonal, and always gushing at the littlest things) -- ergo, you'd have to forgive me if you come across an old post that reeks of immaturity and slightly unpolished grammar. I did a lot of growing up here, and from the looks of it, there's still a lot of growing up to do, so I don't think I'll be leaving this place any time soon.
The domain, Bombastarr.com, was purchased on June 2014 and
launched on July 2014, on the blog's ninth year (and fifth month, to be exact).
It's crazy to think that this blog is now thirteen years old, because (1) that seems like an eternity in internet years, and (2) that means if my blog were a kid, it's a teenager! That's insane.
Here's to more tales, explosive and otherwise.
So, why Bombastarr?
If you've been living under a rock and think I'm a threat to world peace or an object of covetousness, sorry to disappoint you, folks: it's just a fancy pseudonym.
As in most things, it started in high school. It began as a joke between me and a couple of friends during our freshman year. We were practicing for a field demonstration dance which involved the use of shawls, and being the crazy-always-trying-to-be-funny person that I was (or I always attempted to be) I started doing poses with the garment. Someone started taking my picture using my phone, and one shot looked like I was posing for those B-list movies (or should it be R-list, as in R-rated?) of the vegetable-nomenclature variety. #IKYWIM. Hence, the word, "Bombastarr." Yes, very cheeky, I know, but for a 13-year-old, it was quirky enough to figure as a username. That was 2005, right around the time I trying to decide on a URL for a new blog. It's been a lot of years since, and what started as a joke became something I've eventually embraced as an identity.
Despite the many other chances I've gotten to permanently move (to Multiply, Livejournal, Tumblr, Wordpress; to a bigger platform where I can earn or use the blog as a venue for commerce), I've come to realize that Bombastarr is something I can never truly leave behind. It is a place I've grown to appreciate and love because it is a place I can call my own. It's a venue for my rants, my views, my writing. It is home, and it is who I am.
Bombastarr is a glimpse of my life: the thoughts, ideas, and stories that shape it into what it is, and what it will still become. This journal has been with me for all my crazy, often embarrassing adventures, but I'm sure there will be more anecdotes and feelings and people to write about. Which is something I'm really looking forward to. After all, you know what they say about the greatest stories - sometimes, there's still a lot that's left unwritten.
Credits and thank you's
This blog is hosted by PhilHosting.net, and powered by Blogger. The layout is coded entirely by me.
Photo hosting: TinyPic, Photobucket
Question box: EmailMeForm, Ask.fm
Copyright © BOMBASTARR
Elsewhere, she wanders
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