The 6 UNIMPORTANT Things That Make Me Happy

my first post since i went on vacation! :)

Frances tagged me and since i haven't done tags in a long while and of course, i super duper like this red-haired lady, here's my i'm happy-to-be-back entry.

now the rules say:

• Mention the person who tagged you
• List 6 unimportant things that make you happy
• Tag 6 blogs, state the rules and notify them with a teeny comment on their blog

comfort shoes! (picture from www.crocs.com)

1. MAKE UP. yes, i confess, i love make up! my knees go weak at the sight of creamy, dewy-looking lipstick, yummy-colored blush on, and foundation that feels and clings like second skin. but would you believe that i don't spend much on it? it's because my mother buys stuff for me most of the time and my favorite brands are relatively cheaper. i am currently into mineral make up because it makes my skin glow.

2. ONLINE SHOPPING. it is very convenient! i usually buy dresses, shoes, bags and books online and so far, i've only been disappointed twice. but it's not bad considering the number of times i have purchased items over the internet. i haven't tried buying from international sites though because i just can't afford the shipping rates, it's expensive enough to induce a heart attack. hehehe. but i do check clothes and shoes there. ogle, that's the term most likely. i know i will never be able to buy anything from there not unless i win the lotto very soon.

3. NAIL POLISH/MANICURE/PEDICURE. more specifically, nail polish that looks perfect on my toes. vanity! but it really makes me happy how light pink or green or even devil red makes my feet prettier and flip flop-worthy. i've always been thankful that i have tiny digits that at least looks decent on any footwear. manicures and pedicures have their own way of cheering me up. it's one luxury i can never give up.

4. BARGAINS/MALL SALE/UKAY UKAY. my friends M and Y cannot get over the fact that i (used to) go berserk whenever malls hold their quarterly sale. i mostly buy dresses and shoes during these mallwide sales because of course, they're so much cheaper. and gah, who doesn't love ukay ukay? maybe a handful but i bet they just haven't discovered the magic of vintage shopping. hahaha. ukay ukay for me is a winner because you get to wear classic, rare finds -- shoes, blouses, bags, skirts, dresses -- without spending even half of your salary!

5. COMFORT FOOTWEAR. there are shoes you wear to work, sandals you wear to feel sexy and elegant, and then, there are espadrilles/flipflops, etc you wear because they love your feet and makes you comfortable in every way. i call the last type of footwear as my comfort shoes, even if they're not exactly shoes. i wear my comfties when my feet feels battered from using high heels or closed shoes or even tight ballerina shoes the whole week. one example is my white loafers from carcar. i love how soft it is and how it cushions my feet from too much walking. i get cranky when my legs and footsies ache (from too much shopping sometimes) that's why i always wear my comfort shoes when i know i'd be standing and walking most of the time. it makes me, and my feet, happy and stress-free.

6. JUNK FOOD/ICE CREAM they're unhealthy, true, but they're great pick me uppers so better be happy than healthy! hahaha. cmon, i know you love junk too!

okay. now, i'm tagging IFound Me, PromdiLiving (i had coffee with both girls last week, watch out for our EB story), theGreatMaldito, Delectable Dee (who makes the best relyeno i tasted so far), Girlashness, and ProjectVanity.

On Mobile Phones, Privacy and Sense of Urgency (?)

i am not so keen about people giving out my mobile number to other people, especially those i don't know. i would appreciate it if before sharing my number, you'd ask for my permission first. just out of courtesy, you know. yes, my current number is a company number so company-related callers with official business are welcome. but still, it wouldn't hurt to let me know you have forwarded my contact details to somebody who needs to get in touch with me or my boss. i more than understand that my position entails it. nor do i mind friends giving my number to other friends or acquaintances--people whom i've actually met and shared some conversations with. i guess my point here is, i don't like people just carelessly throwing my contact number around and sharing it with people i don't really know and don't even have a business-related agenda with me. it's a little annoying.

***

i don't mind getting calls from friends as early as 7am or as late as 12mn. they're my friends, they're always welcome. but non-friends aren't. yeah, i am such a priss but i value my privacy and family time that's why it irks me when i receive calls a little later than the decent hour (that's 9pm for me). again, my phone line is open 24/7 but i'd appreciate it if people would also try to think if their need to talk to me is that urgent (matter of life and death, if beyond 9pm, i say. haha) or not. if yes, then go ahead and give me a ring. if not, then you better wish i am not in a foul mood. even my boss doesn't bother me beyond 6pm not unless it's super duper urgent and he's very apologetic everytime he calls me after office hours or on a weekend. i guess it's just a matter of respecting one's time and privacy.

***

i have a full time career, and that basically means i am occupied for at least 9.6 hours everyday. there are days when i am swamped with work i can hardly comb my hair in place and there are also days when i get bored, i'm ready to jump off from my 8F window to entertain myself. these days though, i am most often busy and can't immediately reply to text messages or answer phone calls. i shuffle from one office to another every hour or so and since both phones are not tied to my waist, i miss a few calls. so my apologies if there are times when i can't get back to you as soon as you want me too. a higher being needs my attention more. and he happens to pay my salary. hahaha. i know, i know, you understand but there are some who cannot, and i wonder why the hell not. i don't think i am ever obliged to reply to every single sms i get asap (sama sa dili pod ko obliged mag comment sa tanang blog entries na akong basahon, but again, that's just me) so it's a trifle irritating for messages like "why aren't you replying?" to litter my inbox. sometimes i am tempted to quip, "because i have a life?" hahaha.

***

well yes, you may say i am somebody who has lots of issues and i don't deny that. and while here i am, ranting about some person's lack of ethics (because all it takes for me to spew a few not-so nice blog entries is really just one person), i am still quite patient and tolerant, if i may so myself. there are just some people who didn't pay attention to their GMRC classes.

Picture Perfect

how fast can u CTRL + C and CTRL + V this picture?

reading mai's entry about her picture made me remember one traumatizing memory when i was in college. i was a victim of one cruel prank which one of my friends said was "just for fun." but i don't think cropping girls' pictures and posting their heads on someone else's body and showing them to other people to make fun of is enjoyable, especially on the headless girl's part.

they were my friends, co-staffers in the university paper, and perhaps, if it wasn't my face on the screen, i'd find it a tad funny too, like the schoolmates who saw and giggled immediately. but since it was my 19-year old innocent smiling nawong glaring back at the four or so people clustered to see the photoshop wonder, i felt violated. and embarrased. and hurt. and betrayed. i didn't expect friends can and would do that to you. especially ones whom you've worked with for three years and more. if good friends are capable of making you a butt of their jokes, how much more strangers? or perverts who i must say are multiplying by hundreds everyday here in the internet?

my parents wanted to press charges. and they were petitioning for those students responsible to be barred from graduating. but after discussing the incident with the paper's adviser and other officials, we decided to let them graduate but they had to execute an affidavit and make a formal apology. things worked out in the end and i have forgiven them already. the picture wasn't like, spread or emailed or anything. it would've been a different story if it was circulated.

i am sharing this because as i've told mai, there are just weird-wired people out there who take advantage of today's technology. i guess we all have to be responsible internet users who should always be on the lookout. i've been telling my sisters not to post their pictures sparingly because it could be used anytime by anybody. we all just have to be careful. and alert. and ready to kick some ass when we have to. ;)

Not One of Us

when somebody asks me if i believe in supernatural beings (aswang, engkanto, and other non-human creatures said to also roam the earth), i don't readily answer "yes," though a "no" isn't in order as well.

you see, i grew up in a province where majority of the people strongly believe in these...dili ingon nato. we are civilized, yes, lest there's a question about that (haha!) but in a place where stories of tiktik being heard patrolling a pregnant woman's house gets shared from one neighbor to another almost every week, one is bound to "believe" that this world is not populated by humans and ordinary animals after all.

i have more than my fair share of engkanto and aswang stories, having had to offer several prayers and even food to dwellers of a bungsod (a small hill growing in some vacant lots, could be a kingdom of termites for all we know) where dwendes (elves, dwarves?) supposedly live. we asked them to find a home elsewhere because we're building our home in that lot. and i also had an uncle who was believed to be enchanted by an engkanta who lived in our town's college's rubber tree. he would go out at midnight every night and would be seen walking towards the infamous tree. but he didn't have any recollection of the rendezvous. when he was brought to an albularyo (witch doctor), the latter confirmed that an engkanta fell inlove with him and would want him to be his husband. the witch doctor tried then to heal him by chants and offerings and some concoction. the most amazing thing was, small bits of rock, plants, twigs and leaves fell out of my uncle's head while the albularyo was doing his "pray over."

why this eerie topic today? it's because last tuesday, neighbors were talking about an abat (i presume an aswang equivalent in our province) was felt and heard and smelled some days ago in our subdivision. according to the grapevine (this sounds so gossipy! hahaha), a huge, seemingly heavy object (could be a thief, don't you think?) fell and crashed on their roofs. i heard all those crashes too but shrugged them off because of course, what with our houses so built closely together, a neighbor's ka-blag can easily be mistaken as your own ka-blag. the story went that they knew it was an abat because right after the thumping on the roof, a disgusting, yucky smell permeated their walls. according to my officemate slash carpoolmate slash neighbor, a pregnant woman lives across them so she could be the creature's prime target. but what we're more scared of is that, evil minds might use these aswang stories to get through some houses undetected since people are afraid of the winged beings than the thieves that could break in.

nonetheless, i whisked holy water on our windows last night. as i've always said, there's nothing to lose when we try to believe in these things as long as we're also careful of more realistic perils. it might sound funny but i had developed my own "rituals" as well in trying to drive off spirits and the like. my mother has quite outgrown this too superstitious mentality of province-dwellers but she still has several tips for me. my faith is my foremost weapon against all things bad and evil. i know that as long as He is watching over us and i believe He is, nothing could go wrong.

Hair Envy

now, if only i'm not so intent in growing my hair long and straight (yeah, just like in the ads. hahaha), i'd want to chop it off to kinda look like katie holmes'.

i'm having what others call as "the shorter line" complex. you know how it seems you're always lining up for the slower cashier while the rest of the lines go faster? then as soon as you transfer counters, you end up waiting longer?

when i had a shorter 'do, i couldn't wait for it to grow so i'd have this lady-like, sunsilk hair. then now that i actually have it, i'm contemplating of having it styled shorter. but then I KNOW, as soon as the novelty of having this chic hair wears off, i'll be wanting a different one again. ppip often tells me that your life only gets complicated if you let it.

maybe i'll stick with long tresses for the meantime. anyway, i have the rest of my life to sport different hairstyles.

katie's picture courtesy of thehairstyler.com

But Of Course...

looking back, i always found it easier

to be righteous, to be judgmental, to make jokes about others because of course,
it is more fun and enjoyable than being a bigger person

we are, more often than not-
better, smarter, more composed, more fashionable, more well-brought up,
when we compare ourselves to other people

we are always doing the right thing,
even when you know, in the deep recesses of your heart,
that you can't be right all the time.

i am glad i know that i am not perfect. and that i don't have the license
to ridicule, to judge and to demean others because in fact,
pareho ra ta nagkaon kan-on. or kung nag diet, pareho ra ta maka-afford wheat bread.

Chocolate Lurve!

discovered samba chocolates a year (or two, i can't remember) ago. i love 'em. and they're cheap! as in P31.50-for-a-box-of-8pcs cheap! only watson's had them before. now rustan's sells them as well.

now if only i don't have this weight issue to settle. tee hee.

On Sensitivity and Dressing Up Appropriately

a good friend from manila visited this week and last night, we had dinner at one of the restos in the beautiful ayala terraces. now this friend has been trying to get pregnant since i've known her, which is almost two years now. and everytime she'd come and meet with our other friends, one of the main topics of our discussion would always be pregnancy and childbirth.

last night wasn't so different. we, the mothers, blabbed about how scary and hard giving birth is and how more difficult it is to raise these kids. the limelight was more focused on our other friend and while everyone's talking, i found myself observing hoping-to-be-a-mother-soon friend.

i don't know, looking at W and thinking of the way our conversations always went with her made me think if we had been a little insensitive to her feelings. yes, perhaps dishing out advices and maybe theories, on how to finally get that stomach round and happy with a baby is helpful and sweet. and also, orienting her on both the wonderful and not-so wonderful (i am saying sleepless nights, painful and hurting boobs during breastfeeding, etc, you, mothers i know can relate) aspects of motherhood, as well as the challenges of raising children, just goes to show how much we care for her. of course, we're all rooting for her to have that bouncing little boy or girl soonest! but then, she comes here to cebu twice a year. and in those two nights per year that we'd get together over good food and drinks, we hardly talk about anything else but her efforts and our bliss of being mothers. don't you think she might be a little tired about the issue? and that she'd want us to talk about something else?

i don't know. again, it's just me. because perhaps, i am a little worried that we're adding to her pressure of having a baby. yes, we know that she wants that little of bundle of joy and they're doing everything to make it happen but i reckon she can only take so much of the egging and the teasing? that she might just suddenly burst from all the things we tell her to do to help her get pregnant. hehehe. well yeah, she enjoys these baby discussions but i am afraid we might be getting...overly concerned.

i wish the next time she'd visit, aside from the good news of being at last pregnant, we'd share stories about other things. like maybe work, make up, even chismis and clothes or what we'd do with the money if we'd win the lotto. hahaha. and if she's still not with child, we'd promise to pray more for her, and move on.

***

now, now. i am afraid i'll be getting stoned for this but it has bothered and distracted me so much lately that i just have to take this off my chest. i feel a little sick whenever i see women in their 40s and 50s sporting tube tops, or short skirts, or leggings or any outfit that allows them to flaunt their not-so flawless skin, complete with headband and other horrendous, unmatched accessories. i'm always for "dress up" or "flaunt it if you've got it" fashion slogan but in this case when they obviously don't have it and let's face it, they're too old for whatever fad they're trying to follow, i'd gladly accept the job of being a fashion police and arrest them. hahaha.

don't get me wrong. i've always thought that age or status or motherhood shouldn't hinder you from wearing clothes that you feel comfortable in, or make you feel good. i don't have any problem looking at 40ish grandmas wearing short dresses and cute slip ons if they can carry it well. it's not an issue with me as well if you're in your 30s already yet can still pull off a casual short shorts and a baby tee with gladiator sandals. but if you're a lola already, wrinkled, with sagging, dark skin that badly needs exfoliation, i won't suggest going out in short shorts, a venus pink, striped blouse (with matching one shoulder exposed) and a pair of 3-inch sandals. while those who have all the K (karapatan) to bare a little skin, cloth themselves in demure plains and prints and flat shoes.

again, it's just me. i think the way you dress and carry yourself in public reflects so much of your personality. this is a free country, anyone can go out in the outfit they want to but i'm hoping they'd think hard first before deciding on donning something that's a little out of their league. it's hard to take somebody seriously who doesn't even put the effort to dress appropriately.

***

i swear, this is pms.

El Nino

this picture is of course, not related to what im blabbering about.
i just feel like posting raf's picture here. taken by mai, 02/22/09

for some unknown reason, i can't think of anything to write about. and it's making me frustrated! maybe i can write about sarah and john lloyd's film, which made me laugh and cry like some lunatic last saturday night, but making a film review isn't really my thing. yeah, i think it's better than their first film just because this one kept up with the laugh-emote-laugh cycle. i didn't get bored, in fairness. you changed my life held my attention for the 2 hours and so it ran. and john lloyd didn't even look that hot there. his character suffered major stress because of work so of course, he had to look that part. tao din sya na pumapangit kapag masyado ng demanding ang work and ang lovelife. hahaha. but still, i love him there. there's just something about that boy that makes me smile whenever i think of him. hahaha.

but apart from the movie, i don't know what else to discuss to make your visit here in my blog worthwhile. it's like being on a date with a guy you really, really like and suddenly, your tongue quits on you. then perhaps, this is the time to just shut up and hold each other's hands?

maybe you, yes, you, loyal reader and maybe even you, random stranger who just got my link in another blogger's site, can help me end this drought. why don't you leave a comment and let me know what you think kaithuninterrupted should feature. but uh, no, "just let this blog die because nobody reads you anyway" isn't allowed. hahaha.

happy monday all! :)

Random Wednesday Update

i'd give up cakes for the rest of my life just to have john lloyd look at me like that

as you may have noticed, i change layouts often. and yes, since i am no techie, i have to manually encode and put up my blog list everytime i change my template. i am quite patient like that. hahaha. i change layouts as often as possible because i get bored easily. and when i get bored, i can come up with a multitude of reasons why i need a different scenery. but surprisingly, i am not fickle-minded, which i think is a good thing because i know of several people who can't tolerate fickle-mindedness. hehehe.

now, i don't exactly know where this entry is leading to. all i know is that i need to write an update, because lately, i've only been posting 1 entry per week and my blog's getting lonely. it's not that i have a loyal following who peeks into kaithuninterrupted everyday but it's mainly for kaithuninterrupted itself, so it maintains its updated, perky, always-on-the-go image (charos!). however, life hasn't been that exciting as well, save for S and N's wedding last week where i volunteered my services as coordinator. the pictures aren't ready yet so i don't have anything to post. then yes, the previous entry saw my and chin's photoshoot (feeling model-modelan. haha) after little charlie's baptism.

so let's take another shot at it.

• i am still trying to lose weight, i am currently 106 lbs barefoot (must be all the eat outs i've been having for the past week, grrr). i know it's not good to take the easy way out but i am too lazy to diet and exercise. i think i'd die before turning 50 from all the calories and sugar i am feeding myself.

• i am excited to go tile-shopping. we found reasonably-priced tiles at some hardware in mambaling and i hope they still have enough stocks of the ones we want. i've been dishing out home improvement and care tips to a friend, sounding like an expert and laughing out loud because really, when you look at our house, you'd hardly believe anything i'd say.

• i've discovered cool, cute and easy-to-the-eyes blogs (read: they don't use high-faluting words to get their message across. it's just plain, straight english. mwehehe) and they're the ones i am stalking lately. there's this quirky young lady that i like simply because she dishes out practical make up advices like how to get rid of ugly undereye circles or how to make your skin flawless. plus, the brands she uses can be found here in the philippines and they're not that expensive as well.

• i have finally finished book 1 (Outlander) of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. i am on the 2nd book already (Dragonfly in Amber) and the thrill is unending. one of my good friends, Y, is in the US now and i've asked her if she can get the last 3 books in the series for me since i doubt any of the bookstores here carry her books. i tried searching for them in ebay.ph but my sukis don't have them either. my books definitely would have a part in my last will and testament. i'd hate for them to rot in a boring and forgotten bookshelf somewhere.

• i'll be a (fairy) godmother again this saturday, and this time, to my cute two-month old niece, ysabelle. she's my second cousin's daughter. it's funny because this cousin, who's a lawyer here in cebu and shares the same last name with me (my maiden name, that is), has been in the city for 10 years. and in the five years that i've been here, our paths never, ever crossed. we've only met when his mom, upon learning that i am here in cebu, asked for my number and contacted me. the last time we've seen each other was i guess, 16 or more years ago. i am glad we've reunited, and of course, to know that i have a family here.
  

• i can't wait for saturday really. that day will change my life. hahaha.
  

Contingency

now i know why these shoes are sitting patiently under my office desk...

...because yes, accidents do happen

Happy 1st Monthsary East West!

to those who don't know it yet, east west has opened at IT park last january 10. mimi and i were so excited when we learned that it has been resurrected because really, their mango sushi crepe is to die for! we were among those who have grieved when their ayala branch closed because east west has always been one of our favorite hang outs.

the store's still on "settling down" mode. they're still finalizing their menus - deciding which dishes to revive, which ones need to be added, etc. aside from the crepe, i've always loved their potato joes with the ceasar's dip and strawberry shake. mimi and i visited them yesterday and we had, guess what, spaghetti bolognese, sisig, hungarian nibblers and mango sushi crepe. we were so full we can hardly stand! hahaha. we also had fun talking with F and F, as they were very open to ideas and suggestions. i just hope they bring back my PJ's ceasar's dip!

visit east west at the ground floor of the walk, IT park, right beside casa verde.

p.s.: this is not a paid ad. :)

Lovin' Ukay

okay.  so i didn't exactly shop less as i have mentioned in one of my first posts for the year but i actually saved more.  how come, you ask?  it's because i've been buying stuff from thrift shops aka ukay ukay shops!  yes, i actually do wear ukay ukay items, believe it or not.  hahaha.  my love for these "vintage" treasures started when my mother bought several blouses and pants for me.  she has this friend who visits her and brings pre-selected and washed ukay items - blouses, pants, skirts, jackets and even children's clothes.  what amazed me was the quality of these clothes.  they look almost brand new and even prettier than those found in some shops in the mall.  plus, wala kay kapareho!  hahaha. it's such a nightmare to walk around the mall or in the office and bump into somebody who wears the same blouse, in the same color! 

since i didn't buy anything last december, i was planning to buy at least 3 blouses or dresses for officewear for the 1st quarter.  call it an excuse but my work demands that i wear something presentable everyday, even if i am in jeans.  i don't really do the slacks and blazer combo but i'm more of the just-blouse-and-jeans or just-dress-paired-with-flats girl.  i wear skirts and high heels at least once a week though.  i know of various ukay shops uptown but lately, i've only visited two stores and they're in raintree. on my first trip there two weeks ago, i found three blouses - one priced at P150 and two at P80.00.  and believe me, you wouldn't know those stuff were ukay-bought.  hahaha.  

i wasn't planning to go back until march or april but yesterday, out of boredom, i asked my tita who's here in cebu to get some docs from PRC, if she'd want to do ukay ukay.  of course she wanted to!  so we trooped to raintree and went out with 3 plastic bagful of stuff.  i bought blouses for my nanay and sisters and four items for me.  all items were priced either P150 or P180, kinda expensive by ukay ukay standards, but all were "new arrivals" and i reckon we were among the first ones to browse through the stuff because there were lots of pretty good ones.  the next time i'd go vintage clothes-buying, i'm thinking of visiting this shop across cebu doc. a friend says they have good items as well.  

i guess it's not bad to spend P500 on 5 or 6 or 7 blouses, is it?  i used to spend P1000 on one blouse or skirt alone!  maybe when you have the money to spend, it's all right to splurge on branded clothes.  but if you're dirt poor like me yet still wants to don fashionable outfits, the ukay ukay shop is the best place to go to. 

Two Five from Facebook

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it is because I want to know more about you.

To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on you profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type 25 random things, tag 25 people in right corner of app, then click publish.

im posting here what i have posted in my facebook account. yes, kaith has invaded facebook already. =p

***

1. i have a very volatile temper. although these days, it takes so much to get me all worked up. this temper i got from my mother who, despite her sweetness and motherly candor, turns into a raging madwoman (i swear!) whenever we irk her. i don't like myself when i am mad, and neither would you. i tear and throw and lash at anything and anyone who gets in my way. i once tore a whole book to release my anger.

2. i never mastered the art of drawing and sewing. it makes me frustrated, being unable to come up even with a decent stick man when i have to but i guess, my other skills have compensated for this inability.

3. my parents wanted me to take up accountancy as my pre-law course. i never had the heart to tell them i just hate numbers so what i did, i flunked the math subject and aced the english part in my entrance exams at one of the universities in the province. then i explained to them that you know, i don't want to take up a course where my intelligence (kintahay), skills and abilities would be compromised. that's how i ended taking up masscom instead. hehehe.

4. i earned my masscom degree from silliman university. my mother was at first hesitant to let me go there but with the help of my godmother and godsiblings, she said "yes" and even accompanied me on my first trip to dumaguete.

5. when i got in dumaguete, the only bisaya words i know were "asa" and "unsa."

6. i am sociable but i kinda filter the people who i allow into my circle. sure, i've lots of acquaintances but they're just that - acquaintances.

7. i never liked barbie dolls. the ones my father bought for me were just displayed in a glass shelf. however, i used to have this rag doll whom i named lyka. i don't know what happened to her but all i can remember was she got lost or something and i kept crying and looking for her.

8. i still get stage fright until now, countless declamation and oratorical and extemporaneous speeches after.

9. i never had a playmate growing up which maybe explains my atrocious and amazing superiority complex in my younger years (i told you, it all boils down to childhood).

10. speaking of superiority complex, i even cried once after losing in an essay writing contest (and it was my first loss so really, how painful can it get?) not only because i lost, but because i lost to somebody who i never thought could win against me (she was from another smaller public school). me and my huge ego. hahaha.

11. somebody very close to me has proven that not all good-looking guys are dumb. hahaha.

12. i can say that i am very patient and tolerant with my friends and family but once puno na ang salop, don't expect any niceties from me. i can be evil as well.

13. some people don't like me because i can get too loud, too flambouyant, too mean for them. well, they're too boring for me. hahaha.

14. my right eye is bigger than my left. one of my younger sisters also have the same oddity.

15. i don't have straight legs. it seems that a pound of muscle protrudes from the sides of my knees. the only thing i guess that distracts anybody from noticing it is that i have fairly slim calves.

16. i love bathrooms! except for those dingy and yucky ones of course. i clean our bathroom myself every week. i scrub, disinfect and wipe every tile and corner. i don't like feetmarks on the floor so i am thinking of getting a rubber mat for the dry portion of our bathroom, where the toilet is located. we'll be having our own bathroom in the master's bedroom of our house where i'll put my walk in closet and maybe, a tub. i just like the feeling of being in a bathroom. it's usually cooler there and uh, more serene? hahaha. i guess, this "bathroom fetish" also stems from the fact that i love taking baths as well.

17. i don't have any interior decorating talent and that makes my mother frustrated. i hate it when we have to spend hours in the furnishing and housewares section of the mall so she can buy stuff and other whatchacamaliits to adorn our home.

18. i loooove eating! most of my bonding time with friends almost always include sumptuous overflowing food.

19. i am more known as alveel to elementary and high school friends and schoolmates. i am kaith or kikay to family and close and online friends.

20. when people ask for my favorite color, the default answer would have to be purple. then pink. on uncreative days, i'd say white. but really, i stopped having a favorite color when i reached college.

21. when i arrive in the office, the first thing i open as soon as my computer starts is my business email. then my personal email. then my favorite persons' blogs. i start replying to my business emails when i'm done reading blogs. ssssh...

22. i'd want to lose 10 pounds before i turn 27. and i'd especially want to reduce my waistline to at least 25. i am nearing size 29 now. isn't it tragic?

23. i'm getting better at budgeting but i know i still have a lot to learn, especially on the restraining part. hahaha.

24. one day i'd want to have a library slash entertainment space at home, as big as our space would allow. then i'd put in a couch or a sofa bed in there so it will be our exclusive space when we want to read or just relax. but of course, it's either you go for the books or you go for the dvds. no watching movies in there while i am reading!

25. i am very blessed. it's just that sometimes, i fail to be grateful. but i am working on it.

there, 25 somethings about me. it took me 6 hours to finish this list! whew!

Smart vs Pretty

i found this cool, feel-good book in fully booked - smart vs pretty. i just wasn't able to buy it because i am quite below the poverty line these days. hehe. growing up, i wondered how it feels to be you know, pretty. or beautiful. or even just plain attractive. those were never adjectives you'd use to describe me some 12 years ago. i was dark-skinned, with boring hair and boring facial features. it didn't help that i always had this snooty look on my face. boys never flocked to me to ask for my name or phone number. they'd come to me to ask for academic help. for the longest time, i wished i was popular because of my long hair or long eyelashes or very pretty face instead of being the editor of the school paper or being one of the top three in our batch. hahaha.

i know, i know! intelligence is still more important than say, gorgeous-ness, but it was only later in college when the term, intelligence is sexy, has been coined. before, being a smart-ass doesn't make boys fall on your feet. well, geeky ones would but really, i never wanted a nerd for a boyfriend. hahaha. your crush might know and admire you for your amazing speed in solving calculus problems but he'd never want a girlfriend smarter than his basketball-dreaming brains.

a lot has changed since college and it's not because i have at least looked human. hahaha. more than one person has observed that i am quite a headturner whenever we'd roam the malls and it's funny how i still had suitors when i was bursting with my first pregnancy. looking back now, i am glad i did well in both academics and extra curricular activities. people give you something more than a pretty face allows. they actually give you respect because you are well, smart. people look up to you because you have something in between your ears and it's not just a seductive pair of eyes. sometimes i get too smug knowing that yes, i have the face and the brains to match. it still amuses me that some get taken aback when i spew sensible sentences and ideas. i reckon they don't usually get that from halter- and short skirt-wearing barbie dolls. hahaha.

now i know better. there's always a cure for plain looking-ness. but there's almost no remedy for being uh, stupid. ang law-ay, may chance pa mag-gwapa. ang ma-ngo, wala na tsansa mag alam. :)

That Dreaded Feb 14 and other stories

my sister sent me this hilarious valentine's day message the other day and so i was again reminded that my not-so favorite (since i got married) date is just around the corner. okay, so maybe i am bitter that my husband isn't into the V-day when i, this hopeless romantic, always itch to join the throng of lovers out there crowding every fastfood and fine dining restaurant in the city. yes, valentine's day these days spell nothing but commercialization so kill me if i still feel like celebrating it. hahaha.

i checked the calendar and surprise surprise, the 14th falls on a saturday! so i thought of several ways to spend this ordinary saturday extraordinary.

• cook a special meal (pasta, karne frita or korean beef steak, and mango float for dessert)
• yes, go out, watch a movie and have some drinks afterward (provided raf lets his parents chill out for a night)
• buy several dvds the day before, cook pasta, sleep the whole day and do a movie marathon in the evening
• take raf out for some playtime and just spend on lunch
• sleep the whole morning and pretend it is indeed just another saturday

if i'd let my husband decide, we'd probably go for the last option because he has work the night before and there's nothing he'd want to do but sleep and rest the next day. i know, he is becoming boring as his long hair.

MEANWHILE

i have been following the death of one 24-year old MEPZ worker who was believed to have been raped and killed by her "textmate." according to reports, she has met this textmate through a radio station program designed for single, loveless and even those who just-want-to-meet-new friends, ladies and gents. it was supposedly their second meeting with the sole agenda of reclaiming her cellphone after the male textmate reportedly swapped phones with her on their first "date." her body was discovered in a grassy area behind a gasoline station a few days after the body of a slain call center agent was also found in a hotel. two horrifying murders in a week. there's no getting used to this. everytime you read and hear something as scary and unbelievable as this, you get the same reaction as the first time you realize these killings are possible and real - goosebumps all over your arms and the rapid beating of your heart.

i have listened to these radio programs a number of times. thanks to taxi drivers and even company drivers who seem to get a kick out of eavesdropping to some 20-year old girl discuss her vitat stats with a 25-year old out of school guy. the girl and guy, who i think call the radio station and wait for their turn to be on air, share personal information not only to each other but to a hundred or so listeners who never fail to tune in on time. in fairness, there are several ladies who don't answer very personal questions (like where exactly do you live, etc) and would only give their numbers off the air. when some callers sound hesitant, shy or just plain uninteresting, the djs egg and prod them on. the djs would try to take control of the conversation so the callers don't waste precious airtime. then after a few minutes, the two parties should have exchanged contact numbers and decided on an "eyeball" date and time for the call to be considered successful. at least, that's what i think it is.

the battle on which radio station gains the widest coverage and listenership (if ever there's a term) is fierce so of course, you can't blame the radio stations for coming up with this seemingly harmless and fun program with the single and unmarried population as its target. i bet they haven't seen this murder coming. and who would've thought that somebody would use this as a way to lure some victim into his liar? that is, if it's indeed proven that it was the victim's textmate who did this gruesome crime to her. police are looking into another angle citing it could be that while waiting for her textmate, another group of people with bad intent (it was established that more than one person could have abducted and killed her) got to her even before she met this textmate.

i hope justice would be given to both victims. it's a tiny way to compensate for their families' loss and grief.

Qualification: Impeccable Customer Service

friday nights are usually reserved for dinner and nightout with friends. whenever i have to go out, i often ask if we can have it on a friday so i don't have to be a killjoy when i need to leave by 9pm since there's work the next day.

last friday was booked for K, C and M. dinner was at banana leaf, as agreed with K. it was my second time and though my first one was a disaster, to say the least, i was willing to give the new restaurant another chance. banana leaf is among the several new restaurants that opened at the ayala terraces. cuisine is asian fusion and though a bit on the pricey side, their food is yum yum. but customer service is horrible.

the first time i was there, the rotti, which is an appetizer, was served during dessert. and we had to wait for 30 minutes (after the first batch of food was served) for two of our dishes. their waitresses were not alert to refill our drinks and most of the staff weren't friendly. when i subtlely raised my concern, i was assured by one of their friendlier waitresses that it was only that day when their kitchen staff's a little slow. "karon ra gyd ni mam," was what she told me. i jokingly said that their chef might be having a bad day. we let it go because it was their first week anyway and well, there's always room for improvement.

fast forward to last friday, a month or so after my first visit, i was aghast to discovered that they still have the same unfriendly and uber slow service. we ordered three dishes. the first two, grilled squid and kangkong, were served a little after 15 minutes. we started eating because C, K's husband, still has work. 20 minutes later, we made a follow up on the third dish, clams in chili sauce, if i remember it right. we were told it would be ready in 2 minutes. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 minutes after, there's still no clams in chili sauce on our table. we then decided to cancel the order and ask for our bill. para tagam ba. K did all the talking because she was the braver one. hahaha.

the waitress appeared on our table after we called out to another staff that we want our bill. she asked if we'd cancel the order and we said, "yes." that was when she started her monologue. she requested if we can just cancel our "cancellation" and bring the dish home instead since the cost of it would be deducted from her salary. softhearted as we are, we looked at one another and tried considering our decision but medyo lisod na. we said, "no, we're done eating. we don't want it anymore."

we can sense her fear when she left our table. then she came back, with the manager in tow. the manager reiterated the request if we can just bring home the order instead of cancelling it because the waitress would have to pay for it. we were like, "what the?" K explained that we understand that it's not the waitress' fault but it's not ours, either. they didn't serve the order on time and there wasn't even an apology for it. we were expecting the manager to apologize for the service but instead, he was asking us to pay for the food we didn't, and don't want to eat anymore! the waitress almost begged, "mam, sir, please give me a chance." i was heartbroken because i understood her situation, she didn't have control over the kitchen but our point is, it's the restaurant or the management's problem. eventually we gave in and had the dish wrapped and ready for take out.

before we left, K gave the manager a big piece of her mind. you see, it wasn't the first time. and we eat out often enough to know that not all restaurants have the same lousy service as banana leaf offers to their customers. i was irritated at how the manager handled the situation. other restos would profusely apologize for the inconvenience and would even offer to give the food for free. but what did this banana leaf manager do? helped his waitress beg for us to take out the food, no explanation whatsoever. i don't think he knows the responsibility his position entails.

i don't know if i'd ever go back there. yes, the food is delicious but eating there stresses me so much. and you know what they say, that even if you serve the most tempting cuisine yet your service sucks, you're bound to go down the drain. so i say, good luck banana leaf.

trying to forget the dinner fiasco, we trooped to coffee bean and tea leaf for our nightcap. i am not allowed to have coffee but i drink decaf fraps. my absolute fave is starbucks' decaf caramel frap. i asked the CBTL's cashier upon ordering if they do decaf for their ice blended drinks. he said, "yes" so i ordered one decaf caramel ice blended drink. when i claimed my order, i double checked if it's indeed decaf. the staff answered, "ay mam sorry, we don't have decaf for the ice blended drinks." what the?? are you gonna kill me? and he didn't even sound sorry.

i took a deep breath, counted 1 to 5 and said, "okay, you should've told me earlier. the cashier said you do decaf but anyway, it's all right." i wasn't about to lose my cool on a P135 drink. but it took so much for me to resist the urge of saying something not so nice to the cashier. so i drank the coffee but knowing how much i'm gonna suffer later, i only finished 1/4 of it. i had palpitations until saturday afternoon.

establishments like banana leaf and CBTL (but it was the first time i had a bad experience there so maybe i can still forgive them) should really start working on improving their service. nowadays, people are more aware that they deserve good customer service than anything else. i used to let things like these pass by but lately, i have been more outspoken and more aggressive. we are paying customers, we deserve nothing less than impeccable service. and if you can't give us that, then we're heading off to the next restaurant. and i bet, the food there is way, way better than yours.

Sinulog at Tabunok

i started the sinulog frenzy by watching poohkwang at the waterfront with M and Z. needless to say, i had fun! some jokes were recycled but the two comedians did very well in delivering them flawlessly so i still laughed my guts out. it's amazing how the hotel's grand ballroom was jampacked (as in there were countless people standing at the back) as if it was sharon cuneta or uh, britney spears?, performing. we were seated at the back (we couldn't afford the P2500 seats. although if i had money, i'd pay P2500 if that means having the chance to kiss john lloyd!) and it didn't help that i am only 5' and some people were too inconsiderate as to keep on walking back and forth, looking for better seats, even when the show already started. i had to casually rebuke some overdressed teeners who stacked at least 3 chairs so they can see better. hello, we all paid the same amount so you can't do that! hehehe.

i was just disappointed that we weren't able to go backstage to have our pictures taken with john lloyd. my friend, who was working as a crew for the event, said they're too busy and that security's really tight so he would have a hard time ushering us in. oh well, i only gorged on east west's (btw, they're now open at the IT park, right beside casa verde) mango sushi crepe to relieve my frustration. hahaha.

early saturday morning, raf was asking to go to ayala or sm so he can play in the playroom and go window shopping. we decided we'd go to sm late in the afternoon to have dinner and to also watch the pyrofest. traffic's a little bad on the way to the mall but nevertheless, we arrived in a little less than one hour. every restaurant was full and the waiting list took on forever. although i must say, the crowd's not that maddening. yes, the mall was teeming with people but it's not like you couldn't breathe already. i haven't tried going inside the shops though, especially inside the department store. the raket only started when the first fireworks show lit the sky. everyone was running around, trying to catch a glimpse of the amazing skyshow. sm's elevators weren't very efficient that night so we have to run 5 sets of stairs to reach the roofdeck where the view's the best. it was instant exercise for me. hahaha. we waited for all six fireworks entries to make the trip to the city sulit. hahaha. we didn't wait for the winner to be called though because we don't want to be caught in the stampede. i try to avoid crowds as much as possible. i am not claustrophobic but i always get scared when people start shoving and pushing already. it was a good thing my taxi driver suki was covering the streets that night. he fetched us at sm and we were able to get a ride while a hundred (i am not kidding!) or so were stranded, with no jeepneys or taxis in sight.

we didn't have definite plans for sunday but we were thinking of going to the city to join the festivities. i ordered lexmark sinulog shirts for raf and me in case we'd go out and shout "pit senyor!" it was 1:30PM when we kinda said, "nah, let's stay at home instead." channel 3 featured aerial shots of the city's main roads and when i saw how srp was congested with cars and vans and taxis waiting to swarm fuente and mango, the more i resolved not to go out. i mean, i just couldn't risk raf out there. i knew how the crowd can be pretty rough and the weather's also not promising. for once, i let my primadonna self took over.

so what did we do instead? we went to gaisano tabunok amidst the husband's protests ("mag-unsa man ta sa tabunok??" hahaha) and ate pizza and browsed booksale's super discounted books. raf found an old "curious george" book and i bought two novels as well. before we headed home, i bought some chocolate caramel cake and a half kilo of shrimp for dinner. ppip cooked the shrimp in his secret mix and well, it beats any restaurant-concocted dish anytime!

maybe next sinulog we'd go out, maybe we won't. maybe we would live near the city so it would be easier for us to join the festivities. or maybe we'd have our own car so commuting wouldn't be such a bitch. hehehe. but surely, sinulog would always be a family affair.

Pit Senyor!

it really is friday already! and in a few hours, i'll be seeing john lloyd in the flesh! hahaha. yes, M, Z and i will be watching the poohkwang show at the waterfront and joining the rated A comedians are john lloyd and the coverboys. i am trying not to be too excited, i might faint if ever i'd have the chance to kiss john lloyd. let's just forget i am married for a while, shall we? hahaha.

raf and i have made plans for sinulog. we're gonna dance, he said. i have two friends coming over and i am thinking of meeting them up tomorrow for sm's pyrofest in case we won't make it on sunday. i am still having second thoughts about coming here to the city for the grand parade. sure, it would be fun to watch the contingents and take in the splendor of the celebration but i am kinda wary of the big crowd that would surely flood the streets. it would be fine if it's only me and ppip but if you have a three-year old, it's another story. and sinulog would be no fun if raf can't go with us. it's amazing how raf has grown up to be this... this, kid. he talks sensibly and he has reasons and excuses for everything. and he now gets embarrassed! hahaha.

oh well anyway, let's see how the weekend would go. i am planning to sleep the whole morning tomorrow so i'd have enough strength in case we'd decide to do some saturday night partying.

pit senyor everyone! :D

photo grabbed from our sinulog ad

For the Love of Make Up

the colors of love. hahaha. that's me and my tattered sleeping outfit on the mirror.

i love make up! and had i not known one friend who doesn't like make up (at all!), i would say, "what girl doesn't?" but then yes. there's actually one person, and a lady at that, who doesn't get excited over lip gloss, cheek stain and the miracle that is concealer. i was really shocked when she said she's not into it. and that she doesn't even apply powder nor lipgloss when she goes to work. perhaps a little bit of baby powder to remove traces of oil but not pressed powder, blush on and lipstick. well, i am not saying every girl should be a fan of nars, body shop or mac. it just feels weird to know (or maybe it's just really me) that this particular girl hasn't even bought a tube of lipgloss ever since.

my fascination with make up started when i was in high school though i haven't started wearing them until senior college. i just started with the pressed powder and lipgloss combo and my high school best friend always made fun of me. then in college, i had more freedom to use cheek stain and masscara but i have never been the eyeshadow/eyecolor type of girl. i always end up smudging the colors on my eyelids because i have this weird mannerism of touching my eyes and lashes every now and then.

i don't wear much make up to work - just foundation, pressed powder, cheek stain, and lipstick. but when i am home, my face is devoid of anything. i just slather moisturizer all over my face to keep it supple. i rarely go out without at least a hint of lipgloss on my lips or else, i'd look sickly and pale. hahaha. i believe you don't have to go for the more expensive brands, what's more important is that you are hiyang with the product. what's the use of donning the high end products if you're allergic to it? over the years, i have discovered the perfect make up brands for my type of skin and i must say, they don't really create a big dent on my budget. i only have three lipstick tubes in my kikay kit and these are the ones that don't make my lips chappy and dry.

finding the tumpak make up shade and brand is just half of the story. looking for and finding that somebody who can memorize and glamorize every contour of your face is the other half. i am talking about having your make up soulmate - the make up artist who can turn you into a goddess, not the goddess' clown. i, admittedly, don't know how to prettify myself for a major ball or event that's why i am in this constant search for good make up people who won't terrorize my face. thankfully, it seems i have found him/her and that's big thanks to my friend M, who recommended S to me. i am also proud to have the great aileen siroy work her wonders on me during my cousin's wedding in tagaytay last year.

if i have enough time and money, i'd love to learn how to do make up. not really professional make up but at least, higher-than-the-basic-level make up. i know it would be fun and of course, i can save myself, and my friends, money when we need to go somewhere posh and fab. i can blab about make up the whole day and not get tired of it. hahaha. what inspired this entry? it's this amazing make up set given by my boss and his wife as their christmas present to me (picture above). they gave me my first "mini suitcase" two years ago and most of the contents of that suitcase are with my mother already because the colors and texture don't really blend well with my skin. now this second one is just perfect. i love, love the colors. ppip asked me what am i gonna do with all of it and well, a girl just couldn't have enough make up, could she? ;)