S U G A R - S E N T I M E N T S {dot} N E T

ME IN A NUTSHELL
Even the best writers find it hard to write about themselves, and I am no exception. However, here's a pretty lengthy bio that should hopefully satisfy every reader's curiosity.

I was given the name Joy Celine when I was born, but more than ten years ago, I started to prefer that I be called Yoj. Nothing special about the nickname, it just so happened that I got tired of the fact that when somebody calls out the name "Joy", there would be around three or four of us responding to it. I know that there are dozens of Yojs around the world today, but at least it's not as common as my real name.

I was born on the 30th of January, in the year 1986, which makes me an Aquarian, and an Ox in the Chinese Zodiac. Although I don't really believe in such stuff, there are still some Aquarian/Ox characteristics that I believe are true in my case.

As an Aquarian, I am unconventional, detached, intellectual, individualistic, future-oriented, friendship-oriented, spontaneous, devoted, tolerant, open-minded, unpredictable, and stubborn. As the Ox of the Chinese Zodiac, I am a born leader, dependable, patient, calm, tireless in work, systematic, possessive, logical, practical, thrifty, and articulate.

WHAT I AM
I am a twenty-something late bloomer who has just begun to discover the beautiful world outside the four corners of her room. I have lived quite a sheltered life, but I'm a bit thankful because I have kept my values intact because of it. Yes, I know no drugs, sex, and all that jazz.

Writing was my first love, and I remember dreaming about it when I was younger. That dream came into being when I became a staff writer for the school magazine in junior high school. When I was in my senior year, I was the Literary Editor of the school magazine, and the president of the writing guild. Of course, it made me want a writing career more than ever.

My parents wanted me to become a professional of some sort, perhaps an accountant like my mother. But, to their disappointment, I decided to pursue writing and took Journalism in college.

I graduated in March 2007 and started working five months later as a web copywriter. I thought I'll regret choosing a writing job over a potentially high-paying "professional" career, but I did not. Nothing is more satisfying than doing something that you like and earning from it. Of course, it's not the perfect job, and the pay is definitely lower, but I couldn't see myself doing anything else but writing. I could not imagine myself enduring computational/mental torture and counting other people's money.

After almost six months of working as a web copywriter, I decided to quit my job because of many internal problems within the company. I miss my co-writers though. So now, I'm looking for another job, hopefully I'll land on a more serious yet exciting writing career.

WHAT I LIKE
Rather than talking about the things that I loathe, I'd rather discuss things that interest me.

On a lazy or depressing day, I would either be sleeping or eating. Some of my comfort foods are sushi, pizza, siomai, anything beef, leche flan, Zagu's Creme Brulee, and Quickly's Lychee Ice. Yes, I know they're good at ruining that sexy figure.

Speaking of eating, Japanese food is like manna from heaven for me. I can eat sushi and slurp miso soup my entire life. Someday, I want to be able to make onigiri and sushi and eat them everyday.

Coffee is one of my staple beverages, but I don't like the idea of wasting money over a cup or glass of Starbucks coffee. Sometimes I have Starbucks with friends, but I don't treat coffee as a status symbol. I've been drinking the cheap coffee you can buy in the supermarket even before Starbucks was born, and it looks like it's going to stay that way.

For me, a life without books is boring and meaningless. My mom told me that after I learned how to read on my own, I would read all sorts of books and encyclopedias all day, even if I don't really understand them. When I was in grade school, I remember running straight to the library during breaks to read anything about Greek/Roman Mythology, Archaeology, and anything else that caught my attention (one of them was a book on Philippine Folklore and Monsters). You can ask my elementary classmates about that.

I am currently into Japanese-authored novels (in English, of course), mystery/detective novels, historical fictions, and romance but not too cheesy novels (like Coelho's, yeah). Horror manga, like Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Ju-On, Gyo, and Uzumaki are also on my bookshelf. I would also read anything interesting and intellectually appealling.

Most of the songs on my playlists are Japanese songs. L'Arc En Ciel, YUI, Aqua Timez, Utada Hikaru, Monkey Majik, and Ikimono Gakari are my current favorite Japanese artists. I don't care if some people think I'm a weirdo or something for listening to songs in foreign language. I appreciate real music, and I pity those who worship disgusting beats rich in dirty rhymes and cussing.

Why, it wouldn't be surprising to say that I like Japanese guys too! L'Arc En Ciel's vocalist, Hyde, and bassist, Tetsu, will always be on the top of my crush list. Younger hotties Shun Oguri and Hideaki Takizawa aren't far behind.

When I'm not listening to Japanese music, it would probably be either Reggae, Rock, or Alternative Music. Oh, I like some sweet oldies too.

Photography is something that I've always been interested in, and I'm aware that it's a demanding and expensive hobby if you take it seriously. Nevertheless, I'm still planning to buy a nice digital SLR camera. Hopefully, soon.

Despite being a "tweener" (a play on twenty-something and teener), I'm one of those kids at heart. I love video games, ice cream and candies for comfort, stuffed toys and plushies, and kawaii characters and stuff, especially Hello Kitty.

WHAT I'M UP TO
Well, if all that still doesn't satisfy your curiosity, why don't you take a peek at the stuff that are currently keeping me busy?

101 Things to do in 1001 Days // Peek at the things I'm planning to accomplish within 1001 days.

Project 365 // The objective of this project is to take a picture everyday for a year. Cool, ne? I had to quit this project because of work. *sigh* I guess I'll be looking for a more flexible Photography project then. Perhaps once I have my first Lomo cam. Har har.

Friday Five // Something interesting that I came across on LiveJournal. Every Friday starting February 22, I'm going to answer five questions posted on community.livejournal.com/thefridayfive.

My Quilting Bee Quilt // Of course, any pixel maker wouldn't want to miss out on Quilting Bee! See my QBee Quilt here!

Or, would you like to read further for some random stuff about me that perhaps I haven't mentioned yet?

* My middle name is Rivera.
* My favorite place second to my room is Caleruega in Batangas.
* My earliest childhood memory was celebrating my 4th (I think) birthday in Laguna. It was a swimming party, and I remember being afraid to ride the floating water toys.
* My Daddy and Sephy are the most important men in my life.
*My first Hollywood crush was Brad Pitt in Interview with the Vampire .
* My favorite stores include Booksale, Powerbooks, Fully Booked, Bench, Cinderella, and Kamiseta.
* I don't have much happy childhood memories.
* I don't believe in love at first sight.
* I don't forget easily.
* I want to publish my own book someday.
* I'm 85% geek, minus the glasses.
* I'm moody, mataray, and semi-violent.
* I'm paranoid.
* I'm the eldest child.
* I'm Daddy's little girl.
* I'm recently one of the boys, but when I was younger, I used to hate boys.
* I'm semi-nocturnal.
* I love the number 13.
* I love rootbeer.
* I am 50% Kikay (which is, in my opinion, the normal level. LOL.).
* I was the president of the writing club when I was in senior high.
* I write almost anything whenever I feel like it.
* I read stuff ranging from novels to bathroom graffiti.
* I dream a lot (and those dreams are most of the time, very bizarre).
* I learned how to play the guitar on my own.
* I learned web design and coding on my own too.
* I love kisses on the forehead. ^_^
* I hate the feeling of being alone.
* I leave the television on and set it to sleep mode before I sleep.
* I wanted to become an astronaut when I was a kid.
* I starred as Eve in a school play when I was in Kindergarten.
* I won second place in the Bible Quiz when I was in elementary.
* I love the night sky.
* I think the moon is my favorite thing in the sky.
* Writing was my first love.
* City of Angels was the first movie to ever make me cry.
* The Three Musketeers was the first book that I ever stayed up late for.