ULOG 003: High Hopes by Kodaline

_{Go check out the song High Hopes by Kodaline, will you?}

STORY TIME ―

I met Kodaline in late 2016 amidst constant self-hate and daily breakdowns. It was that year that I felt the shittiest person ever, and their songs gave me the warmest consolation ― it screamed forgiveness and love and everything in between.

I started 2017 praying to heavens they'll visit Philippines for a concert. Came December and the news that they'll open Wanderland Festival 2018 put me in frenzy. Know that I was still in United Arab Emirates when I bought the concert ticket and booked a round-trip airline ticket from Cagayan de Oro (hometown) to Manila (venue) and vice versa. (Also, I cried while doing all those.)

Concert Date: March 10, 2018
Jail Time: January 8 to March 26, 2018

Yes. I was in jail while they did their concert. It was a Saturday. I remember telling my friends that I wont eat that day because I felt really bad about the whole thing, but then it is when the food in jail is good ― bland fried chicken ― so I just ate my frustrations away. Hell, food in jail is bad that I can't miss a single good food which only happens in Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The next day, Sunday, heavens showed me sympathy by playing their song Ready To Change in television, because we have television inside, which I took as a sign and a metaphor ― things will get better soon.

Fin.

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So, after I wrote this post, I went ahead and did the following:

_{Stencil of my tattoo.}

First of many small and dainty tattoos I'll get this year.

Week prior to our session, I told my tattoo artist I wanted a pencil on my right forearm, well, because I am an artist. I got the idea from Erwan's spoon tattoo being a cook himself. I only changed my decision 2 days before my birthday, but High Hopes is definitely my first option. I only got blinded by Erwan's upon chancing it in Instagram.

_{Parson, my tattoo artist, doing what he does best.}

_{That bearable pain; I miss.}

My session was seamless. Parson was clean all throughout, and made sure I was comfortable enough before starting. I took my time and breathe heavily before giving him my go signal. It wasn't painful. But of course forearm tattoos are generally less painful, than let's say, bicep tattoo placement.

My session ended real quick. I was very attentive from beginning to end, taking in every pain and process, watching every letter form from mere lines to familiar image. It hurt whenever he turn the needles in the curvaceousness of letters G, O, and S. But apart from that, it was bearable, almost nothing.

Tattoo Artist: Parson Kwago of Green Ink Tattoo.

After the session, my brother and I decided to visit a newly opened cafe. Thankfully we share the same fondness with Milktea, so it's always either Chingkeetea, our most favorite place to have Wintermelon Milktea, or to try out new cafes in the city.

We did the latter.

THE STUDIO ART CAFE opened last Monday. It is a cozy and picturesque cafe located at the 3rd floor of Marcoso Building along Corrales Avenue, just in front of Ababu. Great location because it is only a walking distance from the most prestigious school in our city ― Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan.

They offer milk teas, fruit teas, spicy ramen, frappes, pasta, just to name a few. My brother and I got Wintermelon Milk Teas, and later on added spicy ramen which I didn't regret getting.

Wintermelon Milktea (L) ― 75.00 php
Spicy Ramen ― 85.00 php

Shoutout to my brother @drewolaivar for the birthday treat!

And would you leave such place without taking artsy selfies? Of course not! Those beautiful psuedo plants made the place more lively and Instagram ready. I took photos of myself, and well, failed miserably.

_{Lavaaaann, cyst!}

The whole cafe experience was great: ambiance, milk tea, ramen, interior, music wise, and friendly staff. We will definitely go back. I will go back for their spicy ramen because it was flavorful and quite filling for 85php.

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Finally headed home at around 7:30pm because my relatives pitch in some money to buy food for my birthday. Again, I am not into birthdays, especially my birthday. I don't mind if I came home that night with regular food on the table, but then it's always the laughs and stories that matter, right?

So, yeah, that basically sums up my 25th birtday. It is by far the most meaningful and fun birthday I had. Got a surprise postcard from Nepal, World Oceans Day, my good friend @umurbo graduated, I posted my first YouTube video, got a tattoo, tried new milk tea and ramen, monetary gifts, and a whole lot of gratefulness in my heart.

To everyone who greeted me and wished me happiness, thank you. I appreciate all of you! Give me a little more of your time and check out my video, yes?

Cheers & Namaste!

And of course do watch and subscribe to @surpassinggoogle's YouTube channel as well. You're in for some inspiring words and apparent selflessness to help minnows like you and me!

_{Our Boy Terry!}

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