Nicocosity: NicDoesThings

Something I should consistently do on a yearly thing is collate the artworks I did for the year. Aside from it will be easier for me to look back on what I did, it’s also easier for me to see how I have improved on and give myself a pat in the back.

Recently, I’ve been toying on the idea of reviving Class Act Ph and learn how to edit & make videos in my spare time- by spare time meaning I’ll be lessening my social media scroll time for more productive moments! Who knows, I might even start posting in this blog every week this year 🥹😂

Anyhoooo, let me present all the artworks I have created in 2023 ~~in no particular order because Blogger doesn’t want me to post my photos in the order I want 🥴~~

1. THE MARNI

Ok, quick story on this artwork: When I posed this in my Instagram account I immediately received a message from an email claiming to be from Marni that they even end up sending me a ‘contract’ for their influencer campaign hahaha! After reading it I immediately deleted it and blocked the email address. It’s simply to good to be true to fall for it, y’know 🥹 But hey, who knows perhaps someday we’ll be able to work with the real team behind my favorite brand *manifesting* ✨

2. PURPLE SKY

3. AUTUMN IN TOKYO

Something I would love to experience once again is spending autumn in Tokyo, Japan! Well, come to think of it I just want to spend all year in Japan- and yes that includes their scorching summer season ☀️

4. NYC FALL

As inspired by the pumpkin spice girlies out there, I created an artwork reimagining a corporate girly out for a quick pumpkin spice latté run in between meetings in New York City. I don’t understand the buzz with pumpkin spice, though because it tastes so much like a dish and not complimentary to coffee- wait, are pumpkin spice lattés infused with coffee or just milk???

5. DALAGANG PILIPINA

Modern Filipina in Filipino colors. I was supposed to draw a Neil Felipp Minauderie bag, but I got lazy lol.

6. YOR IN ACTION

The first of many SpyxFamily artworks I did this year, most of them still stuck in the drafts folder 🥲

7. ALICIA

8. SUMMER IN OSAKA

As I have mentioned above, I would love to spend the a whole year in Japan even during the hottest and wettest time of the year: August. I imagined my dream outfit during Summer there to look like this, and yes complete with a Loewe x Studio Ghibli collab puzzle bag 🫰🏻Once again *manifesting* ✨

9. JUST WANNA SAY HELLO 🖐🏻

It’s been years since I have last drawn a guy! Before my peg for the guy was Daniel Radcliffe as Hrry Potter, complete with the glasses and sweater hahaha! Times have changed hence now the peg is a generic white model in Uniqlo 🥹🤣

10. THE WEDDING

My first foray into drawing a wedding dress 👰🏻‍♀️ I used a couple of different brushes to create that glittery glow look, then used a couple of layers to do the veil.

11. SEEING DOUBLE

A little POP look. I drew this while I was waiting for Ken while he was shooting the premiere for Ant-Man in SM Aura last Feb. 14, I also remember earlier that day I briefly spent time with Aiza and Trizia after sending our requirements for South Korean visa- Luckily we got the visas and we’re able to have our trip their last March.

12. SLOW DANCE

Drawing a dream bag = *manifesting* hahaha! I have been into Danse Lante Phoebe bags since 2021, and was able to acquire 5 bags already! The next one I want is in this blue and white colorway ☁️. Also, I remember drawing this thinking of what I would have worn if I was able to nab those highly coveted Taylor Swift Eras tour in Japan in Feb. Unfortunately, after so many attempts, the universe did not let me win this time… oh well 🥹🥹🥹

13. BUKAS NA LANG

Back then I remember how I would love to do typography and calligraphy once I have acquired an iPad Pro, lo and behold I was able to do one after 2 years of owning my unit! Also, I did this after a stressful day at work hahaha! What a motivation 🤷🏻‍♀️

14.PETIT BRIDE

As we grow old our preferences also change, and that includes the type of wedding gown I want. When I was younger, I really want a gorgeous princess ball-type gown with all the sparkly beads ✨ But nowadays, considering how expensive weddings tend to be, and how I don’t want to spend much on a wedding dress, I’m more into short chic dresses that feels more retro than regal.

15. YOR IN 21ST CENTURY

What Yor Briar would have looked like if she’s the same femme fatale in 2023.

16. OLIVIA

17. GINNY

18. AIRE

One of the fun things I have done this year was aerial hoop, and it was a pain in the ass, literally. Similarly, aerial silk is an activity that will leave you with bruises! I have also tried aerial silk once in Beast House here in Kapitolyo, despite how difficult it is to balance and lift yourself with a fluid material, it’s a challenge I would like to revisit this year- If I have extra funds 🫡

19. CRYBABY USAGI

20. APOLLO SKIN

One of my milestones in 2023 was the Apollo Wellness Camp Event last April, where we invited some influencers to a day of fun and wellness with Apollo Skin Solutions! Supposedly, I wanted to design a set of stickers to be given away during the event, but I wasn’t able to manage my time and only able to make one only.

21. WE DON’T LIKE BULLIES.

22. I PLAY TO WIN 🐰

Yes, Overwatch 2 sucks but I still can’t get enough of playing it hahaha! I have tried Valorant several months ago, but it doesn’t entertain me as much hahaha! I have yet to try APEX and see if it’ll be a game I’ll add in between my rotation of Sims 4 and Overwatch 😂🫠

23. WILLOW

I started drawing this piece since 2021, and only in 2023 when I have gained the motivation to actually finish it. I had quite a hard time coloring the wood details, I even wanted to opt using a wooden finish brush, but it just feels wrong.

One thing I could probably do next are Taylor Swift artworks based on her numerous Eras- I am looking at you Red Era hehe ❤️♥️

24. GRATEFUL HEART

24 artworks in 2023! I am proud to finish 24 artworks in a year considering how jampacked the year was.

So what’s next? Aside from plans of finishing a lot of drawings in my drafts, doing more Taylor Swift Eras-inspired artworks, and do more calligraphy, I want to relearn the basics in terms of drawing in different perspectives, right shadow placement, and proportions, and then eventually be able to create more vivid backgrounds to fully create a story instead of just a look 🫰🏻

It was a fun-filled creative 2023, and hopefully more inspiration and opportunities come our way this 2024 ✨

Love Always,

Nicole

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A foreword: This isn't about ambition and stuff like that just good ol' dreams.

Ever since, I have really vivid dreams, and I suppose I am lucky to always remember as much as 70-80% of my dreams even after 5 minutes after waking up. Since then, I've been such a sucker for things like kokology, and basically tests that try to uncover your truest self -naks-

The more you're disappointed of yourself ahahahhahaha awuw

After that foreword, I want to share what I have dreamt about. Let's just begin!

My dream was pretty simple to be honest. In my dream I am a student once again, and I was running late for a class. I had to go to the building, but in order to go there you have to climb the stairs to the main door.

Here's a drawing of how the front looks, I know my drawing is fantastic hahahah!

I remember in my dreams I was so pissed at the people who are going down in the left side, when people are supposed to go down on the right side. While climbing the stairs I was struggling with my bag, which looks like this:

So mature, I know.

Hahaha no shit, this is how my bag looks like in my dreams! Anyhoo, I had such a hard time carrying this bag, even accidentally dropped it several steps below! But after trying my best to carry, I was able to reach the door at the top floor- yup the tinier one! I see a couple of children easily get in it, but when I tried to go through it, I find the door too small, or too narrow for me to fit in. I figured I don't want to force myself in fear of tearing a part of my dress, so I decided to just enter the lower floor door, which is a standard sized door.

Once inside I passed through the hallway, and get to be in the foyer where I noticed that time has passed, from it being around 4 PM, it turned into 6 PM where the sun is about to go down. One thing I noticed about the place is it has SOOOOO many huge windows without glass, and a bunch of plants, particularly ones with vines cascading on the walls.

Imagine x10 of these everywhere! HAHAHA!

After running around like a headless chicken, I heard an authoritative woman calling out my last name, and by following the sound I ended up on the tables part, where I finally see my classmates, one of which is my real-life best friend, Zai. Once I was able to plop down to my seat next to her, she told me they have started coloring, and the subject of our artworks is focused on fashion illustrations wth dynamic hair poses. As I take out my watercolor papers, I realized I wasn't able to bring any watercolor palette, which to be honest is so uncharacteristic of me since I always bring one (The Prima one to be exact, because it's so handy), but good thing Zai has one and she shared it with me.... and that's when my dream ended.

Probably. There are so many theories why we dream, but no one really have an answer why, and what's the purpose of this. I have always had this notion that our dreams are like leftover thoughts of things we are thinking about before we fall asleep, because I did have A LOT of dreams that was influenced by the things I was thinking of before going to sleep, which usually translated into nightmares of escaping from zombies.

So really, do dreams mean anything? A lot of philososphers and psychologist on this matter, some well-known distinguished people like professor and psychologist, G. Domhoff Wilholm. who concludes that:

Dreaming likely serves no adaptive function in an evolutionary sense

While Sigmund Freud actually sees it as the "royal road" which could actually tell you a thing or two about who you really are deep down... WOW hahaha! So if this is the case, things in my dreams must have meant something, like the door must have symbolize opportunities, or something.

ANYHOOOOOOO I just really want to share this weird dream because I've started writing my dreams in a journal hahaha!

Love always,

Nicole 🖤

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Despite being 26 already, my age doesn't really affect my affinity for children's parties-or basically anything for kids, because in reality I am just a 5 year old trapped inside a 26 year old woman's body hahahaha 👯🙆 soooo, imagine my delight when we were invited to my godson's birthday party, and how that delight turned into excitement when we found out we are heading to Kidzania!!!

Me. Dis me

Although I have been to Kidzania, and actually tried out the activities before (as an amazing perk from work), I will never say no to an opportunity to go back-yeah, even if it meant that I will be Julianna's babysitter for the day 💁

Anyway, let me narrate this blogpost in an advice-ish format already para wala ng paligoy-ligoy pa.

Need to check-in!

ADVICE #1: Go Early!

Just to be clear, not 5 a.m. early wag kang exagg! Kidzania opens its doors at 10:00 a.m. and closes at around 5 p.m. daily; Although at times they have activities like an adults' only day, which usually happens like 6-10 p.m., but this is pretty rare.

Anyway, why the need to go early? Well, there are lots of activities to try out, and if you go early there is a big chance of being able to try the most liked activities without the loooong lines, for example is the Cebu Pacific Airline's simulation, where your kids (or you, during Adults' night) can be a pilot for 15 minutes, and fly a simulation of a Cebu Pacific aircraft going to NAIA 3 for a landing.

Every kid is given their own BPI card, which they will need to activate inside the BPI Kidzania branch.

ADVICE #2: Take Care of Your KidZos and BPI Card.

Once activated, the card will be used to get the kids' earnings per activity, so it is a must to take care of it- basically, treat it like how you would around your payroll account. The KidZos (their currency) can be used to purchase stuff from the Toy Kingdom store inside Kidzania 🛍

Even adults are recquired to wear this. As much as I want to pilfer mine, these are taken off before you leave the premises.

Looks like an angel, but moves like a Tasmanian devil 👿😂

"Nic, picturan mo ko dito dali" (Claudine Barraquias, 2019)

ADVICE # 3: The Kidzanian Passport Seems Like A Good Deal!
Just like buying actual citizenship, I think this one's a bang for your buck. You can be a Kidzanian by signing up for a passport worth Php 250, where you get perks like extra 2 KidZos, and discounts to stores inside Kidzania. But of course this is only a good deal if you plan to go back-which I think you MUST ☝☝☝

ADVICE #4: Activate Your BPI Kidzania ATM

As I have mentioned before, this should be activated before your kids try out activities and hand it out before they get their hard-earned pay. Just like in real life, Kidzania is also inching towards paper-less transactions, hence the power of the ATM card 👌

Ohh BTW, just an FYI when you activate the card, the adults are not allowed to line up wih the kids, and talk to the bankers. The only contribution you can do as an adult is to fill up their details such as their name and birthday, afer that they will do the legwork.

I remember at first Julianna didn't want to line up and talk to the bankers alone, so it was a good thing that our cousin, Marla, was there to help her out, because Marla is still a kid 🤗🖒

ADVICE #5: Kidzania is Open For Kids As Young As 4 to 17 Years Old

I kid you not! Yep, until 17 years old, because I saw some signs back then where it says 'activities are allowed to kids ages 4 to 17 years old only.' How I wish I am 17 again... Zac Efron, isdatchu?

The Devil wears Osh Kosh.

Who needs The Voice Kids anyway?

I wanted to try this 😣😢

Sleepy?

Julianna thought I was taking a boomerang, hence the reason why she's the only one blurred here hahaha 😂😂😂😂

Happy babyyyyyy 👶

ADVICE #6: Activities At The Upper Floor Are More 5 Years-Old-And-Below-Friendly.
Since most of the activities at the 2nd floor are more into industrial jobs, kids 5 and below are more welcome since activities there won't require them to read. Unlike activities downstairs like the Metro Publishing House (where they get to create their own magazine article), or Star Music (where they read off the lyrics of the song they'll be singing), the one upstairs are more into 'handy' jobs. Activities upstairs include making hotdogs, pizzas, and even a bottle of Coca Cola 🍕🌭🍷

ADVICE #7: Best To Bring More Kids With You

Ok, this doesn't mean you snatch a random kid to tag along, but more of if you have a kid and they have cousins, it's best to go here to get them along and treat this as a group outing. I have noticed with my niece, Julianna, even if she's not a shy kid she still have moments where she doesn't like to participate if she doesn't know anyone. Good thing her cousin Kate joined her along, and with that we did see improvement on how she become more active when participating in activities with other kids.

ADVICE #8: Check Out Establishments Where Adults Can Also Play

Yes, you don't have to wait for adult's night to try out the activities! But of course, unlike adult's night, your participation as an adult in a normal day in Kidzania is minimal to none. Also just to note, not all establishments has this wonderful perk, so don't expect that you can just waltz inside any establishment and play with your kid.

ADVICE #9: Watch Out For These

Always look out for this! Not all establishments and activities let inside kids of any ages; Some activities are too technical for toddlers, while some activities are too easy peasy for bigger kids. Also, each activity has a maximum number of kids, in this way the quality of activities are uphold, and kids have adequate space to try out some stuff,

Like this activity!

ADVICE #10: Wear Comfortable Apparel

Basically you'll be running around chasing your little offspring, and clearly your 4-inch Valentino Rockstuds won't be of any help. Aside from wearing comfy shoes, wear comfy clothes that won't restrict you from outstretching your arms to have a quick grasp of your kid who's about to enter the Cebu Pacific establishment without queueing.

Anddddd that's it, I suppose 😂 Kidzania is an amazing place where kids and even adults can learn and have fun. To be honest, I do feel sad that this wonderful haven was not available when I was a kid 😖😩😭 Oh and lastly, entrance fee to Kidzania can be a little steep, so I strongly suggest to go early to get the bang from your buck 🤗

look at my lovely mama

Love always,

Nicole 🤩

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