canvas and rope.

espadrilles.

i'm sure you've seen them around Zara. they're casual sandals with uppers made of  canvas (or cotton fabric) and flexible soles made of rope (or rubber molded to look like rope). if you're like me, you're also probably wondering why nobody has ever gotten them yet. or at least, you've never seen anyone wearing them here. 

photo: the Sartorialist

European men have been wearing them during the summer. it actually became quite a trend. personally, i like how they're shabby and chic at the same time. undoubtedly casual, but not at all rugged. unfortunately, it's a bit too late for me to be wearing them now (unless, of course, i go to the beach or anywhere sunny) since we're currently "enjoying" the rainy season.

espadrilles at the Gucci S/S 06 runway show.

wait. familiar ba?

oh. by the way, i can't help but post this photo.

yup. that's John F. Kennedy wearing his own pair.

it actually makes me want to go on a cruise. don't you think they're perfect for the Mediterranean islands?  i can just imagine myself walking around the shores of Rondinara beach, south-east of Corsica (France), in 'em sandals.

but yeah. baby steps. perhaps sa swimming pool muna ako for now.

the sport.

most of you might not know this but i'm an extreme tennis fanatic. i watch all the matches on TV (thank you balls!) and i keep track of the ATP rankings.

i used to play when i was a lot younger. and by that, i meant my preteen years. looking back, i wish i made the most out of it. if i continued on training, i'd probably be really good by now. perhaps even good enough to compete in Wimbledon or the US Open. haha! asa.

but seriously. tennis is the only sport (golf is just a back-up) that i genuinely enjoy. since i don't play anything else (no basketball, football, etc. for me), i should've at least made an effort to be terrific at it.

Nike Air Breath Max Cage II (worn by Rafael Nadal)

that's why i plan to get myself new tennis shoes (still deciding if i should replace my old racquet or not) so i can go back to the courts. great thing my friend Lauren has promised she'd play with me every week. we still need to find two more recruits though, so we can play mixed doubles.

here's a pic of the new World's No.1 Rafael Nadal of Spain and my favorite tennis player Richard Gasquet of France. Rafa recently replaced the Swiss champion Roger Federer  on the no.1 position in the South African Airways ATP rankings. not only that, he also won gold in the Beijing Olympics. man. he's totally wicked.

however. Gasquet is still my tennis idol. he's only on the no.12 spot but i still think he's awesome. GO TEAM FRANCE! haha.