Award Winning

I have been tagged by Misakichan. Although my recent blog entries aren't as juicy as my posts the past few years, thanks for considering this blog as one of the coolest that you know. :P

Once this award is accepted, the rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. Nominate 10 other blogs.

4. Add links to those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

I have lost most of my blogging friends ever since I abandoned this blog for a while so I cannot really fill in the 10 nominees. But I'm hoping these people will take the tag:

Dylan

Dylan

Dylan

.. hmm.. I've come to realize that I hardly have friends who are into blogging. :( As if Wu Chun would yield to my tag.

Globe Visibility

Our net server at home had been acting up the past week. With all the works that I'm trying to finish, it got so frustrating that I had to ask my hubby to get a globe visibility prepaid kit.

It is expensive, compared to the unlimited internet hours that we have with our regular web server. However, getting a back up in case internet connection gets messed up again is a necessity, with all the online jobs that got my hands on.

The first time I tried it, it was a dismay. With no 3G signal here at home, the connection was like going back to dial up era once again. It took too long to load, with frequent disconnections that translates to bigger bills since we pay P5 per 15 minute surfing time. Being disconnected before 15 minutes leaves you with P5 wasted each time.

On the positive side, I tried it at the school clinic this afternoon where there was a 3G signal. Amazingly, the connection was uber fast. I got to enjoy continuous youtube videos. Unfortunately, after 30 minutes or so, the connection just hanged and needed to be restarted. Oh well.

I hope the technology in mobile internet moves up really soon. Perhaps one day its glitches will be a thing of the past. People breathe internet these days. Myself included.

Christmas Gifts

In 22 days, it's already Christmas. I have happy memories of the season as a kid. Life was much simpler then. We used to hang stockings that were supposedly filled up with goodies from Santa Claus. I would look forward to parties, exchange gifts and noche buena (midnight meal) with the family when the clock strikes 12:00. It was time to open our presents.

Presently, I am excited about shopping for Christmas gifts. There's something about Christmas that makes you more generous. If only I had all the money to spend. But like the old saying goes, it's the thought that counts.

I am at a loss with what kids are up to these days, good thing there's shop wiki online where i could search for any toy that I hear about and browse what they look like.

My niece Xylene is fond of gundam toys. I don't really know what that is except that I saw her assembling weird looking robot figures. Caitlin is an anime freak. I might give her something that has her favorite anime characters. Chinchin is a psp addict. I could buy her a new game to install.

With this innovative idea from shop wiki, it makes it easier fo shoppers to search for any gift item they have in mind because they are guided into all possible stores that sell the stuff they want to buy. It's your portal to a convenient Christmas shopping.

Frugal Shopping, The Key to Living Rich

Despite earning extra income from online works and side jobs, I still find myself scrimping to make ends meet. What gives?

Personally, most of my expenses go to my favorite hobby- makeup. I justify my spending spree by telling myself it's an investment. The question is when will I reap the fruits of my supposedly well-invested money? Hmm.. tough to answer.

With Christmas just around the corner, I need to save up for the expenses that will surely arise during that season. I decided to list down ideas that might hopefully help me be a wiser shopper:

1. Lay off on the credit cards. With the advent of online shopping, it takes more than the usual discipline to stop oneself from hitting the buy button. Buy now, worry later. If it means making my husband tie up my hands to prevent myself from online shopping spree, then so be it.

2. Hunt for bargains. Flea market, here I come. I would love to go shopping at places like Tutuban or Divisoria but the traffic on those places can go really crazy.

3. Allot a percentage of my salary for savings. At least 10% of my earnings should go straight to my bank account.

4. Do early Christmas shopping. Last minute shopping forces you to buy whatever is there, whatever the price.

5. Have the eye for finding great stuffs at low prices. It is possible to purchase a good product without hurting your wallet. Sometimes, the mark up goes ridiculously high because of promotional expenses and middlemen.

Speaking of eyes, there's zennioptical.com, an example of an online shop that sells stylish eyeglasses without the high cost brought about by expensive advertising. Their secret to selling their goods cheap is by offering their manufactured frames direct to the customer. Reviews I have read say that most customers are pleased with their orders from them. It was even mentioned in a book called "Living Rich by Spending Smart."

By frugal living, we can actually enjoy being rich.

Gratitude Blog

I've been my usual pessimistic self in my recent posts that I forgot what I learned from watching "The Secret". Since I'm on a manic episode.. errr.. happier and relaxed state now, I decided to list the things that I am grateful for. These are simple things that made my day brighter than usual:

1. I found a new online job. I got an email today for an interview and it went well that I'm starting it on Monday. About 2 weeks ago, I applied for another job that got me excited because it was a perfect fit for my educational background. The buyer told me that she was going to hire me once her payment process is verified but I patiently waited and found out that other applicants have been hired instead. I cancelled my trip with my hubby to Manila just so I could focus on that new job, only to be left waiting for nothing. I guess this is my second wind, as another job was posted which has something to do with medicine as well. The buyer is a doctor himself, like my boss in my first online assignment who is likewise very pleasant to deal with. I trust that this will finally push through.

2. My Cargo Blu-Ray Pressed Powder arrived in the mail today. It was shipped from US and got to me in exactly 7 days, including weekends. That fast! When I tried it before heading off to work in the school clinic, it had a flawless finish that covered my skin imperfections. I couldn't keep myself from looking at the mirror every chance I could get. This product is miraculous.

3. I got a parking space in a mall where it is extremely difficult to find one. Today is an exceptionally busy day in the mall because another parking lot was occupied with booths that cars had to find any space outside the mall where they can fit in. Like a blessing that fell from the skies, an empty space showed up just in time, at the covered parking lot at that.

4. No moron encounters on the road. Just the usual idiot stuffs. Ok, no negative vibes. It was a smooth driving day.

5. I found magic chips on the grocery store. Yummy!

6. My loved ones are kept safe and in good health.

7. I learned to smile again. After being gloomy and bitchy these past few days, it was almost impossible to believe that I could smile again.

8. I found time to blog again.


Thank you Lord for all the blessings despite my dwindling faith. I can be stupid sometimes but thank you for not giving up on me and for finding me reasons to feel better about myself.

Alyas Girl Topak

I was described as a girl with an artistic temperament in my high school yearbook caption. I was originally pictured to dabble in different art forms but then things got lost in revision that the art in a temper became the highlight of my character which is an eloquent way to say that I have "topak" (being slightly off kilter). It was fairly accurate but definitely not the caption I want my offsprings and grandchildren to read about me. Not that I throw tantrums in public and run amok at the slightest provocation, but I do have a bad case of mood swings. I am happy one minute and then suddenly feel the world crumbling the next time.

Sometimes I do think I have manic-depressive condition, bipolar disorder, or maybe schizophrenia. But I decided to be kind to myself and be convinced that I am normal, only with occasional lapses in emotional management. I still need to grow up, seriously.

Like a few hours ago, I was ecstatically testing the new toys in the form of makeups that I asked my hubby to buy for me while he was in Manila. I was extremely happy that my hubby is back and I get to hug my living teddy once again. But now that everyone else is asleep and I'm alone to drown in my own thoughts, I once again ask myself, "what is there to live for?" I'm supposed to be grateful to be married to an extremely wonderful guy- an exceptional one who can deal with my "topak", to have a good family, to be blessed with jobs that no longer stress the hell out of me, and the chance to enjoy doing makeup for other people. How come I still feel melancholic? It seems I have to keep a regular dose of something to excite me to keep me looking forward for the future.

Maybe this is just PMS, or the annoying street kids that wouldn't keep their hands off from washing my car despite that I signaled "no" a couple of times to them. C'mon, do they really expect me to lower my window and allow the rain to get in the car just to hand them over some coins? Or maybe it's the morons who ride motorbikes who enjoy occupying the middle of the fast lane but run 40kph in the highway and won't bother to move aside to give way to other motorists. Grrr.. Sometimes I do understand what went on Rolito Go's head when he committed his crime. But then as he realizes it too late, it was not worth it.

I hate this feeling of living just for the heck of it, without the spark that makes me look forward to the next day. Like, what is there to look forward to anyway, meet more annoying people and morons on the road? I certainly have a lot of reasons to be happy more than my reasons to be upset but I guess my fear of not being happy for a longer time is what’s making me a very reluctantly happy person now. I am imprisoned by my own fears that I no longer enjoy the moments that should be celebrated. Too many uncertainties about my health, my career path, my dreams that are making me too tensed about what lies ahead. Faith is the only thing I can hold on to but sometimes it gets difficult to get a grip when it keeps slipping off.

I need something to be passionate about. I need to get a high without being low the next moment. I need positive vibes to heal my negative energies. Blah, blah, blah. My off-kilter self has taken me over once again. Maybe all I need is a good sleep for now.

Styx Got Married

Me doing my thing- make up. Styx, my intern before as an Internal Medicine Resident til I changed gears to Radiology. She was a videoke and gimik buddy when friends my age started settling down while I still was up for night outs and fun stufs.Now, I had the privilege to do her makeup on her wedding last Saturday.

I don't normally do makeups on clients with this attire. I was one of the secondary sponsors to that should explain the get up.

They Think My Blog Sucks So They Keep Pestering Me to Remove Links

With the Summer Olympics last August, I regrettably didn't feel the olympic spirit as much as I wanted too. Reason: the TV coverage was poor. The local channel that had the exclusive rights were showing sports that weren't spectator types. Although they sometimes showed events in which the Philippine delegation was participating at, most of the coverage would pass for a cure to insomnia.

I surfed other cable channels to hopefully watch better coverage but it seems the exclusive rights were kept very exclusive only to those who can afford pay per view. I didn't get to see how Nastia Liukin nabbed the gymnastics gold and how Alicia Sacramone lost her balance and concentration except for some news bits on other local channels.

Lucky for those in the US, they can enjoy direct tv packages that can enable them not to miss their most awaited events like the NFL through the DirectTV NFL Sunday Ticket. They can have a variety of premium channels to choose from. Movies to sports channels, you name it, direct tv has them. The NFL Sunday Ticket has the widest selection of NFL matchups, with as many as 14 games every Sunday. With this NFL TV Package, they can follow their favorite game at the comfort of their own home, in HD at that.

Don't Bottle It Up

While hydration with potable water is a highly recommended habit, bottled water has become a convenient means to comply to our drinking requirements. It saved us from drinking parasite-laden tap water and taking in other microorganisms in water that threaten our health. Problem solved and we will live happily ever after.

Apparently not. Yahoo news reports a study done by an environmental advocacy group saying that bottled waters have various contaminants no different from tap water. The people from bottled water industry counters that the findings are faulty. I personally did not read the study so I cannot judge whether it is valid.

Apart from bacteria, chemicals were said to be detected from the tested samples, including acetaminophen, caffeine, fertilizer, solvents, radioactive element strontium and by products from plastic. Some are believed to come from the tap water used in the process while others are believed to have leached from plastic bottles.

I bring bottled with me everyday to work to keep up with my ideal hydration status. Plastic bottles are more convenient to carry around than a glass that could break in my bag or a metallic cup that would spil its contents. Caring for the environment could get tough if their are no better alternatives around.

So does this mean we have to stop drinking water? Tap water is contaminated. Bottled water has chemicals. Which is which? Sometimes it gets difficult to decide which is the better option or if we have a choice at all.

Suit Yourself

I noticed that men's clothings are more difficult to choose than women's clothes. Not that I'm planning to sashay in men's clothings anytime soon, but I learned that picking stuffs for my hubby is more complicated than shopping for whatever is on the rack. Men are generally more choosy with their wardrobes.

For classy tailor-made suits, there are clothing measurements, style and garment type to consider. Single-button, Six-button double-breasted, ticket pocket, lapel, side vents, dark, medium or light fabrics.Whew! To make life less complicated, there's an NY- based online shop for custom suit. They have been around for 40 years as makers of quality men's suit.

Sleek-looking outfits need not be limited to the Hollywood carpet. An Angelina Jolie needs a Brad Pitt so have your hubby set an appointment online at Mysuit for measurements. Styling and choosing garments would come easier as the next steps with the help of expert people from the shop. It's important the the person wearing the clothes must be comfortable with the design, so his inputs will matter. A touch of his personal flair for fashion must reflect in his suit.

The turn around time is around 2 weeks. The price of these quality suits would start at $495.

Custom-made suits at off-the rack prices, anyone? With a few clicks on the mouse, your man is all set to looking the debonair that he is.

The Enelyx Kids

This caricature was drawn by my artistic niece Caitlin. She creates comic strips with her and her sisters in it. Reading those elicits laughter from me. I didn't realize the magnitude of their imagination.

This is them, animated as their caricature version. Xylene, Caitlin and Chinchin.

Jobs in Alberta, Canada

It was announced in the news yesterday that Alberta, Canada is opening its doors to more overseas Filipino workers. Doctors are included in the list of jobs to fill in.

Now my friend Mama Fe is excited once again about the new opportunity. She'd try anything just to get away from this country. She fears the political situation come 2010 and the falling US economy that might affect us as well. I can't blame her really. It's an act of self preservation. When you're a health worker in this country, you can't help but look for other options to reap the hard work and money you've invested for years to get to where you are now.

She's been pushing me to submit my resume to all possible agencies to try my luck as well. Honestly, I don't know if I really want to work abroad. Although I continue to lose hope in my country through everyday driving, by analyzing the lack of discipline and the mentality of people living here and all, still this is home for me. As much as I want to live in a better place where I have easy access to all the makeups that will not cost me an arm and leg for international shipping, I don't want to be away from my comfort zone. With my health condition, why would foreign employers hire me anyway?

Maybe I am still hopeful that things will change and that my place will prove to be the better option to live in. I don't know how that will happen but I want to believe in miracles.

Abdominal Wall Problem

I think I may be suffering from a nerve entrapment syndrome, if not myofascial irritation. Something has been unusually wrong with my tummy that I've been in pain for one week now.
I have no changes in my eating habits or bowel function. No palpable mass. I've been twisting my brains trying to diagnose my own condition.

The pain is triggered by light touch but disappears on deep palpation. Sudden movements make me want to scream in pain. Driving along rocky roads pushes the pain button further. The pain was initially pricking in character, which became crampy later. For a while I wanted to believe in "barang" since I could not grasp its manifestations. Then it occurred to me that this is something along the abdominal wall . There is hyperalgesia is somewhere along the lateral margins of the left rectus abdominis muscles radiating to the left lower ribs.

I took all possible medications from Dolfenal to Celebrex to Motilium to Lyrica which got me swirling in dizziness. I didn't realize that the latter's side effects are of that magnitude to prevent me from going to work today. All medications offered little or no relief.

Until now, the hyperalgesia is still there but manageable than yesterday. I badly need an acupuncture but I can't find anyone who practices it here. Sometimes I do want to seriously study acupuncture because I believe in it so much. I just don't know where and how.

For now I can only pray that this is nothing serious and I can go on with life as normal as possible.

Boredom Strikes

It's been a long while since I logged in to this blog. As if anybody cares. But for the heck of keeping this alive, here I am again updating myself in case I'll wish to look back on my entries a few years from now.

Here are some reasons why my blog is empty these past few weeks:

1.Each time I logged in to blogger, it gave me a page load error which I got tired of, and hence did not bother repeating the process.

2. I found a prime time TV show that got me hooked: "I Love Betty La Fea." That's the pinoy version of the international TV series "Betty La Fea" or "Ugly Betty". I didn't watch the American nor original Colombian version because I don't really enjoy watching people on TV that aren't pleasant to the eyes. The Pinoy version is played by a very pretty actress in Bea Alonzo who gets covered up with prosthetics and acts really dorky to fit the role. I dunno but I actually enjoy this show!

3. Things happened that I'm not blogging about and I don't wanna dwell on. I trust that God will find a way.

4. My mind is on a hiatus. I cannot think clearly and I'm too tired to write anything to spark my own interest. Sheesh.

5. Speaking to myself is not only silly but boring.

Lassitude

In a few months, I will let go of my position as a school physician. It's pretty hard to reconcile being a doctor and a make up artist. Local people still view the MUA as someone who works in a beauty salon and not as a person who practices art.

The last thing I wanna hear from a patient is his/her asking about my rates as an MUA or tips on how to shape the eyebrows when I'm seriously discussing the pathophysiology of his/her sickness. I make sure to separate my function as a doctor and as a makeup artist. I don't offer my services as an MUA to my patients. I think both careers are suffering if I put them together. One has to go.

Does this mean I'll be going fulltime as a makeup artist after I resign? Maybe not. The beauty industry is a cut-throat business that has a lot of issues I'd rather not delve into. No pressure for me. I just wanna enjoy the art even if it does not pay. Once I make a living out of it, that's when stress arises. It's not like medicine where we swear by the Hippocratic oath to abide by our work ethics. Jealousy, bad talks, politics and stealing of clients are things I don't wanna deal with, if I pursue being a full time MUA.

I might still practice my career as a physician in some company where the crowd is more mature to know the difference between Ma'am and Doc, where the halls are not packed with rowdy young people, and where pedestrians move to the side when a car is passing.

Maybe I'll take writing more seriously or simply enjoy my life as a housewife. Or move to another country with my husband where people don't know my medical credentials and live happily as a make up artist or a writer. I don't know. For the nth time, I'm at a loss.

Don't Give Me That Look

Flipping the hair, biting the lips, giving the "look" will surely win you points getting the attention of your dreamboat. But how do you do it without being mistaken for a whore on the hunt for a customer?

Don't ask me that, I don't even know how I sparked up my hubby's interest in me. Flirting is a skill that comes natural for most but can take a lifetime to learn by prudish people like those of my kind. It can backfire if the timing is off and if you appear to try too hard. Reading glossy magazines can serve as your manual for mastery of the art:"Pull your hair loose from a ponytail holder or clip so he can watch your touchable tresses fall around your face," mentions a famous women's magazine on how make the moves that no man can resist.

To do that, you will need gorgeous locks to disarm your object of obsession..err affection. Well, my hubby did say that it was my long hair caught his attention, which is exactly the reason I'm growing it back.

Extreme Style by VO5 is holding the Ultimate Flirting Championship. If you're up for the challenge then go straight ahead and play the game. See if you got the victory hair to nail the title.

To Be a Doctor

I browsed through my niece's yearbook and noticed in the pages of the kindergarten grads that most of them listed "to be a doctor" as their ambition in life.

Charging it to their innocence, they probably don't know what they wanna get themselves into. I didn't realize martyrdom is an attractive career option. Getting measly salary as a training resident, telling patients to take care of themselves when you, yourself can't even have a decent sleep or eat on time, spending holidays in the hospital while the rest of the world are celebrating, doing hospital rounds on Sundays, being on call 24/7, 365 days a year, missing out on the fun things that normal people do, being addressed as "'Inday" or "Miss" even if the MD letters are emblazoned on your white coat, are among the reasons why I have partially turned my back on the field that took me in.

Well, those are jaded views from a residency training dropout, 2x in a row. Maybe it's because I crave for other things in life that have nothing to do with Medicine. I quit my trainings because I feel they were limiting me to explore the other wonders of living. I am relieved that I am out of the 4 corners of the hospital and presently enjoying the liberty to express my art forms.

I am still thankful that I still get to practice my medical profession and enjoy life at the same time. But I don't see myself working 24 hr hospital duties, letting work control my life, doing heroic acts all over again, at the expense of my health.

Doctors are viewed as heroes by some, that's probably why the idea appeals to kids. But unless they are genuinely interested in helping people, ready to make big sacrifices and get a kick out of staying awake all night, they could look for other options before they find themselves taking nursing or caregiving courses after securing a license as a physician.

Reviving Makeup Artist In Scrubs

The last few days got me preoccupied with my beauty blog. It caught a bug in blogger which made the dreaded server 404 error appear everytime i tried to view it.

My other blog that was supposedly made for breast cancer awareness could not be opened either, because of the gmail bug that disabled the email I used for that blog. Blogger and gmail seem to be infested with bugs lately.

While others troubled by the error are still patiently waiting for the problem to be fixed, I decided to transfer my site to a new domain. I had to take action to revive it before it drowns into oblivion. I now have to start from scratch and build readership all over again butI am consoled by the fact that I love how it looks now. I chose a magazine-like template for wider space and easy readability.

I wonder if how the number 404 would fare in suertres lotto. Would it be yield the opposite effect or would it be just as infuriating?

Eating Healthy Does Not Come Cheap

My alternative medicine docs advised me to shift into a healthier diet consisting of organic products including rice and veggies.Problem with organic food is they turn out to be pricier than their mainstream counterparts which leaves us reaching out for the cheaper alternatives.

The unpolished rice I eat costs more than the premium quality rice in the market. According to my hubby, the rice is reminiscent of the nutribun goodies distributed for free in schools before. Now, it's marketed for the health conscious who can pay for the higher price. I still find Japanese rice yummier but my body seriously needs the nourishment from the organic variety.

Another problem I see with sticking to healthy food is that they are not readily available. When outside the house, it is easier to grab a fast food hamburger than look for a filling healthy meal. It's a good thing that there are fruit juice stalls where I can order a glass of carrot juice or fresh fruit juices without much sugar. "Thirsty" and "All That Juice" have them at our local malls. But we need something to munch while drinking the juice.

With all the diseases stemming from bad diets, the trend now is leaning towards more natural, healthier options. I am hoping that they will be more available in cheaper and more palatable ways. For now, home grown veggies and fruits are my best bets.

Pushing My Luck

Why am I posting this visualization check on my blog? To attract abundance, what else? See, when I wrote about my ideal man and the elusive qualities I was looking for in guy a few years back, it came to life in the person of my husband who's just as cute. Like the atenean dream guy, my hubby was also a class validectorian in high school. I found the most wonderful husband in the world who loves me for just being me.



When I posted about wanting a dslr camera the first time, I got a point and shoot canon. Not bad. The second time around, a spanking new Nikon D40 became my latest acquisition in two days after the post. Yeah, I now own a dslr! Yipee!!!!

So I thought about taking the law of attraction a step further by posting this check on my blog. Hmm.. If I publish it for the world to see then maybe the universe will conspire to grant my wishes, just like how I found my husband and the dslr. Thing is, if this becomes a reality, you won't catch me blogging about it. But you can take the hint when I start posting my travel pics in Europe, me strutting in Manolo Blahniks, or running my own franchise of MAC cosmetics.

Conversations

Battle of The Passions

I'm in a confused state right now. I'm arguing with myself whether I should get a dlsr camera or buy additional makeup to my stash.

Both are expensive hobbies but the thing with makeup is that you can slowly build your collection and find cheaper alternatives. But computing the total cost 0f my kit should afford me a nice dslr camera.

Film Photography was my passion in college. I haven't heard of photoshop back then. I resorted to cutting newspaper prints and pasted them on my photos to make it look like an ad. Sometimes, I would cut a model's body and replaced her head with one of my friends' faces. Then I would end up laughing at the sight.

These days, I could land on billboards in a very realistic fashion, using photoshop or cool websites like photofunia. Digital photography has come a long way and I haven't taken the first step to keep up with it. I do own a point and shoot digital camera (canon ixus 55) but it's too limited to fully explore the wonders of photography.

The last time I used it on my niece's graduation, I was appalled by the blurry or dark images my camera produced when I tried taking shots during my niece's validectory address speech. I was already close to the stage and set the ISO to 400, with flash and all I got were dark or grainy pictures. Even photoshop couldn't save the dismal photos. A dslr should have been around for that very special moment. Presently, a good dslr is cheaper than the price I paid for my digital cam.


If I do get a DSLR and get hooked into it, it could be a very expensive endeavor. Passions can leave one broke. It would be another area that would get me excited and consume my time and money. Unlike makeup where I can earn from it, photography will just be a hobby to keep creative juices flowing.

My makeup stash wouldn't fit in my traincases anymore but I still crave a few more high end items for looks I'm planning on. It's far more affordable than a dslr camera.

Maybe if I had the money for both, that would be a no-brainer. For now, life is teaching me the value of sacrifice by choosing just one passion.. for the meantime, that is.

Archie is #1

David Archuleta's single "Crush" was released for digital download yesterday and it's currently occupying the top spot in the itunes charts.

The song can be downloaded through :

itunes
amazon

Go, Archie!

Perfect Lie

When you're a kid with a perfect voice but with an uneven teeth, you're not allowed to show your face before the world.

That's really mean, bordering on evil.

The kid who sang at the opening of the olympics (right) turns out to be a front. She lip synched to the voice of the girl who officials believed was not pretty enough to represent China (left).

For them, the poor girl's uneven teeth were potentially damaging to the international image of their country. So does that make faking a good way to uplift a nation's reputation?

I think the girl with the golden voice is cute enough. Her teeth are bound to be replaced by a nicer set when she grows up. I am bothered at how they mercilessly crushed the kid's self esteem and taught the other kid to cheat to protect a nation's interest. I feel for both girls.

It's a strange, cruel world.

Cooling Down

Wanna test your patience? Try driving. It can be one of the most stressful daily activities leading you to unintentionally blurt out profanities. All the more if your car air conditioning system is acting up. In the heat of the summer, this could put your temper to a boiling point.

Save yourself from your violent propensities and your face from premature wrinkles brought about by a faulty air conditioning system. Once it shows signs of deterioration (the air con, not your face), scout immediately for a good a/c compressor. You need not waste your gas roaming the city for it. I got two words for you: browse online.

Yes, the power of the internet got almost everything you need at the tip of your fingers. The best part is you can get them cheaper buying the parts directly. Driving a Honda Civic? A Mercedes or a posh BMW? The hunt for a bmw a/c compressor should be worry-free because the catalog gives you the ease of use browsing the match to your specifications.

If technicalities on air conditioning compressors are making your head bleed, be sure to check out the automotive a/c learning center for dummies, err, for easy reading on how it works. Learning something new each day won't hurt.

Taming The Beasts

Come to think of it, the movies have depicted the ugly as the underdog, meek and ultimate temple of kindness. Whereas the pretty one is stereotyped as an airhead, with the tendency to persecute those not of her kind.

This may be true for a few but I noticed, most nasty people look the part. Their ugly characters manifest in their physical appearances. These people have issues stemming from childhood who allowed their insecurities get the better of them. They are wrapped with negative perceptions of life that they think the world owes them what they lack. Instead of striving to be better, they derive satisfaction from putting other people down. That way, they feel they are somehow superior.

In all fairness, the pretty airheads do exist. They got too preoccupied with their beauty that they forgot to develop other substantial aspects in their lives. They think the world revolves around them and that they carry a license to bitch. While they are admired for their appearances, they have unresolved personal issues and struggles which their looks cannot compensate. We have a bunch of actresses as sample cases.

Bottom line is, personal issues not handled well may result to life-long personality scars that can hurt relationships and become a societal concern. Unfortunately, we cannot exorcise the demons lurking in their pathologic personalities. We can only hope that in time, they will see things on a more positive note and give rest to their bullying tendencies.

Moral lesson: if you look and act like a beast, you probably are. If you're a beauty who acts like a beast, you're a beautiful beast but a beast, nonetheless.

Don't mind me. Just rambling.

David Archuleta's "Crush"

Dang it, I missed it for over a week. David Archuleta's fans are all raving on his single, "Crush". Archie has just released his debut single which has been hitting the airwaves since August 1st. A teaser to keep us excited for what's to come in his most awaited first solo album.

His album is scheduled to be out in the market on November 2008 but pre-orders are available through amazon.com at $9.99.

I listened to the song from davidarchuletafans.com audio player and I must say the melody is catchy and the lyrics, swoon-worthy. With all the girls professing their crush on Archie, finding it on top of the charts won't come as a surprise. Oh well, it ranked #1 in the latest interactive 9@9 Countdown Results. Way to go, David!

"Crush" is written byJess Cates, Dave Hodges and Emanuel Kiriakou. The digital download of the track is due for release on August 12, 2008. Get it from amazon it for $0.99.

"CRUSH" LYRICS:

I hung up the phone tonight, something happened for the first time, deep inside
It was a rush, what a rush
Cause the possibility that you would ever feel the same way about me
It's just too much, just too much
Why do I keep running from the truth, all I ever think about is you
You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized, and I just got to know

Do you ever think, when you're all alone, all that we can be, where this thing can go
Am I crazy or falling in love, is it really just another crush
Do you catch a breath, when I look at you, are you holding back, like the way I do
Cause I'm tryin', tryin' to walk away
But I know this crush ain't goin' away, goin' away

Has it ever crossed your mind when we're hanging, spending time girl, are we just friends
Is there more, is there more
See, it's just a chance we've gotta take, cause I believe that we can make this into something that will last, last forever, forever

Do you ever think, when you're all alone, all that we can be, where this thing can go
Am I crazy or falling in love, is it really just another crush
Do you catch a breath, when I look at you, are you holding back, like the way I do
Cause I'm tryin', tryin' to walk away
But I know this crush ain't goin' away, goin' away

Why do I keep running from the truth, all I ever think about is you
You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized, all I just got to know

Do you ever think, when you're all alone, all that we can be, where this thing can go
Am I crazy or falling in love, is it really just another crush
Do you catch a breath, when I look at you, are you holding back, like the way I do
Cause I'm tryin', tryin' to walk away
But I know this crush ain't goin' away, goin' away

No More Nadia Comaneci Moment?

The chase for the elusive perfect 10 is a thing of the past. Try16 or 17. Olympic gymnastics scoring has been changed after the controversial judging flaws encountered in the Athens games 4 years ago.

Ten used to be the perfect score in gymnastics, a feat which Romanian Nadia Comaneci will be remembered for, in the 1976 Montreal games. Following Nadia with the perfect 10, were Mary Lou Retton and Tim Dagett, among others, but no one came close to the record of 7 perfect 10's as Nadia did, in a single olympic year. It is a figure waiting for a reprise in Olympic history but that won't be happening again, apparently.

The coaches and gymnasts aren't too happy with the new scoring method. It's a little complicated, that reading greek or chinese characters will be easier to comprehend, according to gymnastics pundits.

Spin Your Life With Cisco

Working on my beauty blog lately, I spent a lot of time tweaking the template and transferring the site to my own domain. It consumed several hours of my precious time figuring out how to do it right which could have been no sweat if I had a background in IT.

I have no regrets finishing med school (uh.. don't I?) but sometimes I do wonder what could have happened if I took an IT course to make use of my tireless internet hours. I'd probably be earning big bucks, as it is an in-demand job these days. My cousin in the IT industry was sent abroad to train further, with his allowance bigger than what I make as a doctor. Imagine how much he'd be earning after the training. But nah, I don't have plans of going back to school anytime soon. It might put me on nosebleed learning the ropes of the technology at this point in my life.

However, if IT is your thing and you want soar in this field, Cisco certification may be the answer to your dreams. I have heard stories of how much this is valued for career advancements. From landing a lucrative job to getting promoted, a cisco credential was their passport to it. It puts you a cut above the rest. You can check out the their website for the modules and certifications they offer.Whether you are a newbie or an expert, they have programs to match your level.

At your own home and own pace, you can be recognized globally and earn a ticket to a 6 digit income. Sounds cool? Darn, I might have to eat my words. It isn't too late to learn, right?

Young Angie and Shiloh

Will Shiloh grow up to be as gorgeous as her mommy Angie? Highly likely. Little Shiloh has striking similarities with her mom. Maybe Vivienne Marchelline, too. We'll see when she grows up a little from being the cute bundle of joy that she is. Big sis Shiloh will be taking care of her and their baby boy, Knox Leonne.

Dressing Up Your Little Girl

I was browsing through old pictures and noticed my fashion style when I was little. My mom was always updated with the latest. Knee-high socks, denim all overs, big shades (which is making a comeback), tubes, etc. I was amused at how my mom dolled me up, which is probably how I developed a flair for fashion.

Seeing kids these days dressed like miniature adults can get annoying to the point of being whore-ific. Kids are supposed to be cute, not sexy. I don't get the point why they are made to wear heels when it puts them at risk of spraining their ankles. Heels should be for the adults who can sacrifice comfort for fashion and don't run around in them. Let kids be kids.

If I'm going to have my kids in the future, I want at least 1 girl that I could dress up and prettify. For sure, her closet will be full of pinks, from jammies to jackets, dresses, shoes, socks, to hats. Buying branded items like Gymboree will not be a problem as by that time, I have a feeling I'll be richer by then. :) I hope that won't be too far from now. But then browsing at the online shops for kids' clothes, they aren't as expensive as I thought. My makeups are far more pricey than a $3 Gymboree floral sundress.

I guess if you just know where to shop for affordable kids' clothes without compromising style and quality, your kid will still be in fashion. I can have my little girl flashing her signature grin in a $30 Ralph Lauren mesh polo dress which is cheaper than my Mac brush. If it's not available in one store I can always browse for another, with lower price and better deals, which is made easier by shopwiki.

Hmm.. sometimes I am tempted to click the buy button. Perhaps the kids will follow soon enough, eh?

Silver Linings 2008

After the success of Silver Linings in Shangrila Hotel in Manila last September 2005, I Can Serve is bringing it back, in Cebu this time.

Silver linings is a homecoming of cancer survivors organized by the breast cancer support group, I Can Serve. Simultaneous educational forums dealing on the updates on breast cancer, steps after medical treatment, support for loved ones and improving one's self esteem even through illness, will be conducted.

During the last Silver linings, the topic that got me excited was "look good, feel good," a makeup tutorial by Abbygale Arenas. Yes, I was just diagnosed with cancer that time but nothing stopped me from learning how to primp up despite my condition. I think it's important not to look the part when you're sick because that would be an added downer.

Of course, I learned valuable updates from medical doctors who talked about the latest developments of the disease. I was warned about soya and ginseng which are healthy foods but may have some estrogen mimicking effects that is not good for breast cancer.

The brave survivors delivered their testimonies and one of them was my kind surgeon, Doc Frankie (RIP). She invited me to the event and even tried looking for a sponsor to foot my airfare bills as a fellow doctor. Unfortunately, drug companies were apparently scrimping. But I went, anyway. My mom came with me for support.

Celebrities were all around the place, as resource persons or as loved ones who had to cope with having a family member struck with cancer. This year, it will be hosted by Pinky Marquez with forum moderators Karen Davila, Melissa de Leon, etc. Bituin Escalante will also be singing.

Cancer survivors are encouraged to attend, not exclusive to those with breast cancer. The event will be on September 6, 2008 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu. The registration fee is very minimal, at P100.

For pre-registration and inquiries, contact: 6332.2439370 (Cebu) 632.6873942 (Manila) or write to silverlinings2008@gmail.com.

A Very Special Laugh

I finally got to watch John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo's flick, " A Very Special Love." The trailer seemed corny but I was glad to give it a chance as I had fun watching the movie.

Every few minute intervals, I couldn't help giggling from the scenes of the prudish Sarah scoring attention from her long time dreamboat, John Lloyd. The "kilig" factor is up, despite that John Lloyd is not with his box- office tested screen partner, Bea Alonzo.

Sarah is one of those pop stars who has great potential in the acting arena. She portrays the role of a giddy admirer of the publishing boss played by John Lloyd in a cute but non overacting way. Just the right blend to get the audience tickled. I can see her doing more light dramas and even comedy roles. She may not be the stereotypical picture of beauty but her charm will get her going places. Her supposedly "love-struck" hair-do didn't flatter her. Apart from that, Sarah brought the house down.

Image Source: sarahgeronimo.com
I have always regarded John Lloyd's acting as one of the best in his generation. From "Tabing-Ilog " days, I find his natural style very pleasant to watch. He has an effective way of pinching your heart til it cries along with him. I applaud how he sensitively essayed the role of a son aching for acceptance from his family. As a heartthrob and the grouchy boss who terrorizes his employees, he delivers.

Matet, although playing a support role is noteworthy. After all, she grew up acting from her supertot days. All the actors including Gio Alvarez, Joross Gamboa, Al Tantay, etc fit their roles to a tee. Director Cathy Garcia-Molina should be commended for the job well done.

Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, I, in behalf of the viewers who laughed their guts out and squirmed in "kilig" from their seats, am definitely not surprised why.

Christina Applegate Faces Breast Cancer

Another addition to the unfortunately growing list of breast cancer patients is star of "Married.. With Children" and "Samantha Who," Christina Applegate.

The 36 year old actress was found to have the disease during a routine MRI. She is currently under treatment and is expected to recover soon. She has been an advocate for cancer research, as her mother fought both breast and cervical cancer. Christina is one of the celebrities scheduled to appear in the TV fund raiser, "Stand Up To Cancer."

Just about a month ago, her boyfriend Lee Grivas was found dead in his apartment.

Here's wishing Christina the strength that she needs to surpass this difficult time of her life. May she get well soon.

Cancer, when will you stop bitching around?

Cookies For The Hungry Soul

Did I just hear your tummy grumble? Can't blame you. Seeing these gastronomic delights will push your stomach to a hungry mode. Even I can't help drooling as I write this. It's a feel good food perfect for those nursing a broken heart and replenishing drenched up spirits. Give your tongue a break from licking your wounds and give in to your cravings for these yummy gourmet cookies.

I've been very choosy with my food lately that I have to avoid disease-causing ingredients. I'm loading up on vegetables and shying away from animal products. Living in a health conscious era, even these treats heed the call to a healthier living. Choose the all natural cookies with healthy ingredients like organic whole wheat pastry flour and dairy, heart-beneficial oats and organic butter. Feed your body right.

If you're looking for gifts for your loved ones or wanna cheer up a friend, these should liven up their spirits in no time. Accentuate these with dainty ribbons and you're good to go.

If you're the boss everyone would love to have, think of ways to keep your people enamored. These delights would make excellent giveaways as corporate gifts cookies. Give your employees a pat in the back by rewarding them with unforgettably delicious premium grade goodies.

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Not me. But I definitely want to get my hands on the jar as long as they're healthy.

Olympic Gymnastics

With only 6 days to go before the opening of the Beijing Olympics, the sport I anticipate the most is gymnastics, especially the women's artistic division.

I grew up watching Bea Lucero in the Milo TV ad and followed her career til she won an olympic medal in another sport, Tae Kwon Do in the Barcelona olympics. It was a demo sport back then. She failed to join the Philippine olympic team as a gymnast due to politics but she will always be remembered as the girl who inspired other Filipino kids into gymnastics.

Gymnastics is much more than just somersaults, flexibility and grace. It provides one of the most breathtaking spectacles to sports viewers, in an olympic level at that. Will someone surpass the record achieved by Nadia Comeneci of Romania? We will be looking for perfect 10's in this year's delegates.

Strongest bets are from the USA, China, Italy, Romania, Brazil and Russia. Shawn Johnson, from the USA, won the women's all around individual title in Stuttgart, Germany for the World Championship last year.

Million Dollar Babies

Being born to famous parents translates to millions of moolah. Reuters report that the exclusive rights to the first photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins born last July 12, 2008 are sold to People and Hello magazines.

Knox Leonne and Vivienne Marchelline, the million dollar twins, their parents and 4 other siblings already had a photo session, according to Getty Images. The exact amount paid was not known but it was speculated to be around $11 million.

The twin cuties must be proud to know that in less than 1 month of age, they are already doing an act of goodwill, following the footsteps of their benevolent parents, just by flashing their toothless grins to the cameras. Oh yeah, they can't smile yet but the charitable institutions will. Their parents and Getty images agreed that the proceeds will go to charity. Fabulous babies!

Shopping With Humor

One of my favorite hobbies is shopping online. Bad for my credit card's health but there are too many stuff not available within my reach, hence I have to resort to long distance shopping from various countries.

I check out reviews of items on the net before buying them. Some will confuse you as one product may work for some, but may be a nightmare material to others. Looking for reviews may find you lurking in this unusual blog on the overlooked items on shopwiki. Who would've thought there was a "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul?" After being ridiculed in front of worldwide audience, this should help rebuild the hopefuls' ripped up self esteem and bounce back from Simon Cowell's notorious remarks.

Do you splurge up on cocaine? No, not the abused substance that could pass for an underarm deodorant. It's an unusual brand name of an energy drink selling for $1.99 per can. Controversial? Hell, yeah. The Overlooked blog provides an insightful background to this product.

You will be loaded with information and humor on products that you never knew existed. Their regular "Hunk Friday" feature is worth checking out too. Take this alternative shopping route along the information superhighway and have a good laugh checking out the goods.

Rick Astley and Roderick Paulate

The 80's icon Rick Astley is in the Philippines for his concert "Here and Now" at the Araneta this Friday, August 1, 2008. For some reason, Roderick Paulate comes to my mind when I hear the name of Rick Astley.

Watching Rick on the news today momentarily flashes me back to Roderick singing "Never Gonna Give You Up" in promotion of his movies in the 80's like "Ako Si Kiko, Ako Si Kikay" and in his show with Carmi Martin, "Dick and Carmi." He was linked to Jackie Aquino back then. Darn, my age is showing. In fairness, Roderick can sing and his voice was often compared to Rick. It's just that being in the Philippines, I see Roderick more often than Rick that listening to Astley songs brings Roderick dancing his way to the picture.

By the way, don't believe the rumors that Bo Derek's surname is Paulate.

Propa-GANDAH!

Here are the promotional campaign materials for my beauty blog:

My fans

Being a Head Turner

Front Page

Mall-wide promo

Angelina Jolie is now my fan?

Lol.. You don't need to be famous or a master of the photoshop to land on billboards. Just check out Photofunia.com to fulfill your vanity wishes. Got this idea from fellow GT blogger Miemiemie.
Enjoy! :)

David Cook And Other Hollywood Biggies Support Cancer Cause

David Cook, Meryll Streep, Charlize Theron and sports hero Lance Armstrong are among those who pledged to help bust the big C in the upcoming TV fundraiser, called " Stand Up To Cancer".

The show will air commercial-free simultaneously on 3 US TV networks: ABC, CBS, NBC on primetime which is rare on television history.

Being a cancer patient myself, I am happy that influential people are taking part in important causes such as this.

Almost everyone today knows someone inflicted with cancer that it becomes a personal battle to hep find ways of stopping it. It is no longer limited to people with genetic predispositions. Anyone can be afflicted with it. It is not only a physically and emotionally distressing disease but financially draining, as well. So please, if you can find ways to help, please do.

Other celebrities expected to appear are Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek and Sally Field. Mark your calendars on September 5, 2008, 8 PM.