Back From The Dead. (?)

Hello everyone. So much time has passed. Let's be honest, I've neglected my blog and the reason is quite simple. Life happened. So much has been going on in my personal life that blogging had to take a back seat. First big thing that happened is that I finally got over a big heartbreak. Next is that I finally opened my office-kitchen for my small home based baking business, Sugar Works. Also I discovered the wonderful world of NuSkin. It's been a lot to process and I just didn't have the extra energy to blog anymore. I didn't want my posts to seem "forced" so I just "abandoned" it altogether. I admit it wasn't a proper way to say goodbye and for that I'm regretful.

Another reason I stopped blogging is because I strayed away from my first blog niche. I used to be a beauty blogger. Emphasis on the words USED TO. For a time, I dabbled in "personal" posts, some "food review" posts, and even some "lifestyle" posts but nothing really clicked. I guess I grew out of beauty blogging a bit and wanted to try out new niches but failed disastrously. Right now all I want to do is write. I'm not really sure about what but I hope that I find out eventually.

I have some posts lined up but I'm still thinking about whether I should publish them or not. The big question is, am I ready to come back to blogging? What are your thoughts about writer's block? Have you ever blogged then stopped then started blogging again? Tell me what you think.

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April & May Highlights

April & May have gone by so fast and I haven't made the time to get back to blogging because I was too busy with "life". So much is going on and I can't wait to share it with all my dear readers when the time is right... Everything is slowly falling into place & it's getting quite exciting... I'll try to be update more often, I do have several drafts to finish but for now, tata!~ <3 

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Currently V13 : April!

Hello to all my lovely readers. Are you guys still with me? I haven't been blogging much because life is just plain hectic. I'll spare you all the boring details about that and instead jump right into this "currently" post. Just something random and quirky to update you all and to say that I'm still very much alive and kickin'! Reading: No Baggage "A Tale of Love & Wandering" by Clara Bensen Writing: This "currently" post. Listening To: Boom by Simple Plan
Smelling: Soap Wearing: My pjamas because I'm getting ready to get into bed. Eating: Crackers but I'm really craving for SPAM & EGGS at 11 in the evening!!!
Thinking: About all the blessings I've received. Feeling: Insanely happy. Loving: The fact that the pieces of my life are starting to fit into place. Needing: More time to finish everything I need to finish.

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Well, February Happened

February was basically about different lipsticks, my growing collection of jewelry, succulents, cactuses & perfumes, my love for food & my baking orders... Nothing much more to say except HELLO MARCH2017!

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What's Been Happening?!

Hey everybody! It's me again. Well, I don't even know where to start. The start of 2017 has been pretty crazy what with all plans being set into motion. So much is changing (for the better!) and happening that it's been pretty difficult for me to slow down. My parents & lil sister recently left again so it's just me and the grand folks at home. I can finally start blogging little by little. I'm planning out the topics I want to start talking about in my blog. I hope you guys can bare with me as I take my time to ease back into blogging life. I really want this blog to be more than just about makeup. Maybe transitioning into a personal-lifestyle blog will be difficult since I've been a beauty blogger all these years but I think it would make my blog more "me".
That's it for now. Catch you all on my next post!

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Currently V12 : December!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry - Oh wait, it's a few more days till Christmas and I'm back for a quick update. I've been missing in action the past few weeks (okay, MONTHS!~) because I've been busy trying to get my life together (drama-rama). Let's do a quick "Currently" shall we? Some personal updates first, yes? I recently got my hair recolored. Said goodbye to my "golden" locks and went full on dark for this Christmas season because I needed a change and my hair looked too "yellow" in the sunlight. I know it was such a relief to my parents because they abhorred my blonde hair. Especially when I went full on blonde earlier this year.   Reading: Christmas eve food recipes.
Writing: This "currently" post.
Listening To:   Smelling: Burger King's whopper jr.
Wearing: My pjamas at 2 in the afternoon because I'm lazy as fuck today.
Eating: My whopper burger.
Thinking: About all the cakes I need to finish.
Feeling: A bit sleepy.
Loving: Myself. CHOS!~
Needing: More time to finish everything I need to finish.

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Currently - V11

Well lookie here. I'm back (for now). It's been over a month since I last blogged on here. I've been busy with life in general. So many things on my plate that I have to finish up first. I've decided to come back today because today is a special day. It's my mum's birthday. She's officially 50-something. *lol* So I'm taking time off today to post another "Currently" update.
I got my mum a few gifts for her birthday this year. I got her Snowy Flowers, a gold plated name necklace, a mango entremet cake from Sweet Craft by Mitch and I baked her favorite chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. Reading: I'm currently finishing up "All The Birds in the Sky" by Charlie Jane Anders.
Writing: This blog post. *teehee*
Listening To: So 90's.    
Smelling: Strawberries because I'm currently using a face mask that's a strawberry variant. *lol*
Wearing: My favorite pair of leggings, a tee and my lovely blue polka dotted apron.
Eating: Well, I'm waiting for dinner. We're celebrating Mum's birthday with the typical pancit sotanghon and roasted chicken. It's kind of a family custom.
Thinking: Of all the cakes I need to finish this coming week.
Feeling: Sleepy. *lol*
Loving: Donuts. I've been craving donuts this entire week!
Needing: A massage. I always need a massage. *sigh*

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Currently - V10

Reading: I'm currently reading blog reviews for Colourpop Ultra Matte liquid lipsticks. I'm planning on getting a couple of tubes if the wallet permits. *lol*   Writing: This post and grocery lists.
Listening To:
Smelling: Lysol. I'm a big believer in using Lysol! *lol*
Wearing: These gray lenses from the brand Sparkle Lenses. They're the "Forever Classic" in gray which I purchased from MiAnghel shop. 
Eating: Been eating some of the following the past week... Barbecue, isaw & donuts being the usual cravings!
Thinking: Of a lot of things, and I mean a lot!
Feeling: Exhausted.
Loving: My new bedsheets.
Wanting: Those Colourpop ultra matte lipsticks! I'm really into liquid lipsticks these days.
Needing: A full body massage. Soon.

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Currently - V9

Surprise, surprise! I'm back (again!) This time I have short brunette hair with a bit of blonde highlighting going on. Like I said on my last "currently" post, I needed a haircut. Let's get back up to speed, shall we? I've been enjoying the summer a  lot. Well, except the part where my asthma's back with a vengeance... *lol* The baking business has really kicked off and my dad came home to celebrate my birthday (May12) so I've been really focusing my time with family... Here's a new "currently" post just to get things started.
Reading: The Doll's House by M. J. Arlidge "A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing - her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave. For Detective Inspector Helen Grace it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful - a predator who's killed before.And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time . . "


Writing: This blog post.
Listening To:
Smelling: Fishy. Yeahp, fishy because I just came back from the local mall with a kilo of Tilapia with me!
Wearing: Contact lenses again! These are the Forever Classic Green ones by Sparkle. I know they look gray against my medium skin tone but I swear they're green!
Thinking: About the beach although it's actually cloudy right now. I'd really like to hit the beach again soon before summer is really over.
Feeling: Emotional. A lot of things have been going on and it can be a bit confusing sorting out all these feelings that I have but I always seem to manage to make it work out in the end.
Loving: My hair. It's really low maintenance and I love the way the blonde is still peeking through making it appear as if I have highlights.
Wanting: A female french bulldog. I've been obsessing over the idea of a new pet. I'd call her Cupcake but if I get a male one, I'd call him Chip, short for chocolate chip. *love!*
Needing: A foot scrub-spa session.

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Currently - V8

Surprise, surprise! She's back! *chuckles* I've been gone for too long this time. So much has happened. (I feel like I always say this.)  This time I have a valid reason. I suffered a heartbreak and I left for Singapore. I'll be blogging more about this soon. For now let's get the ball started with another "currently" post.

Reading: All The Birds In The Sky by Charlie Jane Anders "Patricia is a witch who can communicate with animals. Laurence is a mad scientist and inventor of the two second time machine."
Writing: This blog post.
Listening To:   Awesome cover of Adele's Water Under The Bridge by Against The Current.   Another Adele song! Send My Love (To Your New Lover) covered by Bailey Pelkman
Smelling: I've really been into green tea smelling scents and this one by the brand Hype by Concept II is really refreshing with notes of lemon and amber as well. 
Wearing:   These Matte in Detail liquid lipsticks in the shade Jhen & Rhea. I love these two shades and will be blogging about them (along with several other shades) soon!
Thinking: About how I should really cancel that second postpaid bill soon.
Feeling: Tired but happy. I haven't been happy in such a long time. It's actually such a nice feeling.
Loving: My new white nails!
Wanting: More time. So many things to do, so little time.
Needing: A haircut.

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Of Choices & Life Decisions...

I woke up pretty early today to finally accomplish my resignation clearance from Ciudad Medical Zamboanga. This is also the first time (I think!) that I've mentioned the complete name of my workplace - my home for the past few years. I've been with CMZ since 2013... I started out as a trainee nurse then finished my first contract then resigned... Last February 2014 I decided to come back and work in the same area that I fell in love with. I started from the bottom again as a trainee nurse. I served for 6 months and was then promoted to a reliever nurse. I held that position for a year before I got promoted to my probationary status. A month later, I decided it was time to resign... Yes, you guys read that right. I'm officially unemployed again as of November 18, 2015. It was a really tough decision to make on my part but I took the risk to do what I love the most, and that is to bake... I'm taking Sugar Works to a whole new other level that's why I decided to really resign already. No turning back now... I meant for this post to be a much longer one but I think this pretty much sums up everything I want to share for now... Wish me luck guys, this is really it! 

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Currently - V7

Oh my gosh, it's October already?! Where did my September go? I haven't even had any decent posts last month... Well, I'm going to start the month with another currently post. I find that this is a great way of updating my blog on a personal level. I'm pretty excited and nervous about October. So much is happening in my life right now but I know that everything happens for a reason...
Currently...
Reading: This awesome recipe for liege waffles by smitten kitchen! These waffles are also called gaufre de liège. I've been obsessed about making waffles and while I wait for the perfect waffle maker to arrive I've decided to scout the internet for awesome waffle recipes!
Writing: A list of everything I need to do and accomplish before the weekend.
Listening To: Pop Rock covers of several songs by Twenty One Two on YouTube. Check this rad version of Taylor Swift's Blank Space.
Smelling: KFC's Twister in Pizza flavor because a steaming one is chilling right beside me while I type this blog post out.
Wearing: House clothes, the super comfortable kind.
Thinking: About what time I should sleep tonight so that I don't end up rushing around for tomorrow's duty at the operating room.
Feeling: Anxious and nervous because tomorrow is a big day for me... I'll be explaining more about all the anxiety I'm feeling in a different post.
Loving: Speculoos Cookie Butter. I've had the opportunity to get my hands on a bottle again. It's pretty difficult to get my hands on stuff like this because Zamboanga is super "provincial" in some aspects. I've been using the spread on my toasted cream bread... I'm planning to make cookies with this spread soon!
Wanting: A huge scoop of strawberry ice cream while I watch Grey's Anatomy reruns.
Needing: A breather. I've been overanalyzing everything that's going on in my life the past few days and I'm exhausted! It's only the first of the month!
Wishing: I knew what the hell I was doing.

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Currently - V5

It's been almost 2 weeks into September and I'm still up to my neck with all the things I need  to do! It's funny how life can be at times. I have a lot of pending posts, so please bear with me while I try to catch up with updates! *teehee* Here's another currently post (which I seem to love to do these days!)
Currently...
Reading - Absolutely nothing! I don't even have time for Wattpad stories anymore. *boo*
Writing - This currently post, in an attempt to kickstart my blog with a September post.
Listening To - Marvin Gaye by Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor
Smelling - Coffee. Yes, it's 2:15am and I'm drinking coffee because I have this insane craving for coffee right now. So I whipped myself up a good ole mug of 3-in-1 Kopiko. So pinoy, I know!
Wearing - A ratty old nursing shirt & my lil sister's navy blue ISS shorts. I was opting for a pair of pjamas, but can't seem to find my fluffy pink ones so I settled for the shorts instead.
Thinking - About how ironic life is at times. So many things have been happening recently and one "life event" shattered my OR family's hearts the other day when one of our own passed away so suddenly. It really got me thinking that life is too short to stay miserable...
Feeling - Numb.
Loving - The taste of coffee in my mouth at the moment.
Wanting - A lot of comforting hugs from my mum. *sad sigh*
Needing - A foot spa-pedi-mani session at my favorite nail salon... Soon, please!
Wishing - Her passing was just a bad dream, but it's a reality so instead I wish that the Lord grant her soul eternal rest & peace... *super sad sigh*

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Currently - V4

Here's another "currently" post, the first for August. It's been a pretty slow & long month. I'm going through a lot of things and I'm just barely hanging on but I'm grateful for the family & friends that are still with me through it all. Like I always tell people, there are two sides to me and you're lucky if I introduce you to both...
Reading : Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire I am a huge #Potterhead and I always go back to the books when I feel that my life is lacking in the "imagination" department. This particular book in the series is my ultimate favorite even if there's a bit of a tragedy in the end. I'm currently on the 14th chapter - The Unforgivable Curses. Can anyone say Avada Kedav--...
Writing :  This "currently" post as well as another beauty related post regarding some L.A. Girl lipsticks.
Listening To: Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye It's a pretty sad song if you really read into the lyrics. I've been listening to a lot of sad and sappy songs the past few days. This particular one is for all the friends I thought I had but lost. Check out this particular playlist that's on repeat. It's called Breakup Songs. Let's be clear that I'm in no way going through any breakup, I'm just really liking most of the songs in this particular playlist. Smelling : Palmolive Naturals "Healthy & Smooth" shampoo & conditioner because I just finished with a quick evening shower. Wearing : My pink pajama set made of soft flannel cloth. The woolen type that's sometimes used for those uber cute and comforting baby blankets. *teehee*
Thinking : About what to do first... I have a lot of stuff to accomplish that sometimes I wish I was an octopus so I have the extra arms to be able to multitask.
Feeling : A bit lost, to be perfectly honest.
Loving : The Colorfy app. It's kinda stressful yet relaxing at the same time. I've only recently started using it and already I'm in love!
Wanting : A vacation to somewhere I can immerse myself in nature and food for a bit. I'm itching for that Cebu trip to push through next year. So many plans... Crossing my fingers!
Needing : A massage. A mani-pedi-footspa session. A hug.
Wishing : For answers to all the questions running through my mind.

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Hello, August!

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I sailed through July like it didn't even happen! August is finally here and before we know it it'll be the start of the "ber" months already... There's definitely been a change in the air. Mornings are a wee bit cooler and so are the evenings too. That's probably why I don't mind the power blackouts (normal thing in Zamboanga!) in the evenings because the air is a bit cooler than usual.

I have a pretty full August schedule. I'm glancing at my planner-calendar while I'm typing away on the iMac and seeing all the sticky notes posted everyone and the scribbles is making me a bit dizzy. I have a ton of cake orders due the upcoming days and I feel so lucky to be able to have this kind of sideline to help me along financially while I'm still just a reliever nurse (no work, no pay y'all!)

I know I haven't been such a good blogger but right now I've been channeling all my energy into my "real life" work, baking & personal family matters. There are so many things I need to do and yet I feel that 24 hours per day isn't enough. Time and again, I've said that I wish I were an octopus so I can get multiple things done with all those extra hands!

Anyway, I'll try to schedule several posts so that I can at least keep a decent flow of activity on the blog. Watch out for changes in  the layout very soon as I transition to more of a lifestyle-personal type of blog. *winks*

Ciao for now!

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Currently - V3

July is proving to be a rainy month for lil ole me in Zamboanga!

I've been gone for almost a month and it feels a bit awkward typing this out. I know a lot of my readers have been wondering where I've been again. Well to cut the story short, my family came home and I always put family first. So anyway, to kickstart my July, here's another one of my "currently" posts...

CURRENTLY...

Reading :

The Cellar by NatashaPreston on Wattpad
Here's a quick "trailer" so you guys get a gist of what it is about.

Writing : I should be writing updated chapters for Love,Daisy but I've put that on hold temporarily while I look for more inspiration and research a bit more for a better storyline for my characters. I'd really appreciate if you'd take a look into the story and give me suggestions! Listening To : Paramore's Still Into You. The lyrics just get me every single time. "Some things just, some things just make sense and one of those is you & I."  Smelling : Rain. It's actually a very comforting scent. It's been raining for days in Zamboanga and as much as I hate getting wet in the rain, there's something about cuddling with your blanket in bed while it rains outside that comforts me deep down. Wearing : A black shirt and my pink pajamas. I'm still in my sleepwear as I type this out. I've been up since 5am and it's now 7 in the morning. Everything is just starting to wake up, including my dog Dexter who is looking at me from the window. *chuckles* Eating : Breakfast which is basically a combination of my Herbalife products. Yes, I've been Herbalife-ing since May 2015 and I've lost about 7-8kgs. I need to get myself back to the center  for another weight monitoring activity. *haha* Breakfast at the moment is my strawberry flavored meal replacement shake. Yummmmm! (Not really.) Thinking : About work. I'm currently on an on-call shift at the hospital and I'm wondering what surgeries will be there to attend to later. Feeling :  A bit sad. It's that quiet kind of sadness that creeps up on you. Loving : Ombre rosette cakes! I've been baking and decorating a lot of these babies the past few days and I find them super cute! Head on over to Sugar Works on Facebook to check out my other baking goods. Wanting : A vacation... One with friends... One where I can explore someplace new and be awestruck by the intensity of Mother Nature. One where I can chill and relax and leave my worries behind in Zamboanga for a bit.... Needing : Help! Especially with the piling dirty laundry in my hamper. Wishing : Things were easier.

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#OhHaiDer April!

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It's finally April and I'm uninspired. *boohoo~*

I don't want to sound all depressed and sh*t but the heat hitting Zamboanga these days is terrible. I've  been dealing with power blackouts, extreme water rationing and bouts of insomnia the past few weeks that the only thing keeping me half sane is A., baking & late night food shows on TLC.

I'm spending Holy Week at home, in between the sheets while on my phone reading off Wattpad or online trying to find something funny on Buzzfeed. I'm not really the religious type that goes out doing the Visita Iglesia or the hike up to the big ole cross, go figure. There's nothing wrong with doing any of that but it just isn't for me. I "celebrate" Holy Week my own way...

I'll try to update a bit more this month...

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Currently - V1

I've been seeing this kinds of posts everywhere but my first encounter was over at Ate Krissy's blog.

I find that it's a very easy way to keep my blog updated while sharing a bit of everything that's going on in my life at the moment. Needless to say, I'm very excited for my first "CURRENTLY" post. Let's get the ball rolling, shall we?

Currently...

Reading:

Cupcakes & Muffins with recipes by Spoom Plus Inc. I purchased this booklet at Kinokuniya for $5.50 when I was in Singapore last month. Its filled with fun recipes that I'm looking forward to trying out. I have my eye on the chocolate cream cheese cupcake recipe!

Writing:
Blog posts... Lots and lots of blog posts to keep me busy and help my mind focus more.

Listening To:

Smelling:
Like freshly baked double chocolate chunk cookies which I baked earlier. I sneaked a piece and can I just say, they were divine! I must bake another batch for the family soon. It's times like this that I love being a baker.

Wearing:
Comfortable pajamas and a tee shirt... I'm bumming out at home so I don't really feel the need to dress up. I know for a fact that I'm in what most people would call "pambahay".

Eating (something I added):

Myrna's Bakeshop's take on the chocolate dulce de leche cake. Moist chocolate coated with a lovely cream frosting topped with dulce de leche. Exquisite (and fattening!) mouthful after mouthful but wait! I couldn't finish it. I still have more than half left because after a few mouthfuls, it can get a bit "nakakaumay"! Boo! Does this mean my sweet tooth is falling off slowly but surely?!  

Thinking:
About what other items to add for sale because I recently opened my old online shop called Unicorn Delight. I'm also thinking about adding carrot cake to my menu for Sugar Works. I'm thinking of so may ideas that I have to make long lists of it all!

Feeling:
Anxious and I don't even know why.

Loving:
My skin because it has improved so much. I'm sharing my skincare routine soon so watch out for it. It doesn't involve any high end brands!

Wanting:
A deep body massage. Maybe a swedish one at one of the local massage places in Zamboanga. A lot of people have been encouraging me to try out Nuat Thai located at Garden Orchid Hotel. I might try it out one of these days just to see if the raves are true.

Needing:
Inspiration! For a lot of things going on in my life right now. I need inspiration to come up with fresh recipes for my baking and also meals for my grand folks. I need inspiration to write more meaningful posts on this blog other than my very enthusiastic makeup reviews. I need inspiration!!!

Wishing:
I could finally land a really stable job. Be it Philippine-based or abroad. It would be nice to finally be confident enough that I have "sweldo" every 15th & 30th of the month. If this wish comes true soon, I can finally start putting aside money for my #lifegoals ...

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Oh Hello February!

Hello my awesome readers! It's been quite some time since my last blog post. As some of you may already know, I'm on a short vacation in the Merlion City! Singapore is a second home to me because my family happens to be based here. I left the Philippines last Janaury 24 and I'm heading back home to the PI on February 07. That's tomorrow.
I decided to take time off from the shopping & food tripping I've been doing here to update everyone on what you guys can look forward to on my blog this coming weeks. First I'll be having a Feb-Ibig Love Month giveaway which will be posted tomorrow night! So watch out for that. Next, I'll be having some Singapore posts as well to share with you guys my adventures over here. Lastly I'll be updating you guys regarding my weight, diet & also how much I've saved since I started with the 52 week money challenge!
For now, head on over to my IG account ( @jannielogy ) to check out some public posts of my trip to Singapore! Feel free to follow me as I post ion a semi-regular basis over at IG. It's definitely a fun app to have and explore!

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Hello May.

**photo from Tumblr

I always look forward to the month of May because I'm a proud May baby. Being a Taurus has its ups & downs but I'm pretty used to it by this time. *chuckles* They say you should never ask a lady her age, but I'm quite proud of how old I am turning...
On May 12 I'll be turning 23 years old. It is a bit intimidating that I'm getting older each year but at the same time it's exciting because it means I'm a year wiser and there are more opportunities for me at 23 years old.
Last year, I celebrated my birthday with my OR workmates, family & friends. This year I'm celebrating it with the same OR workmates, co-trainees, family, friends as well as new friends and A. It's going to be a blast! I can feel it in my bones...

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