Something to Think About when Taking the BIG PLUNGE!

I just read this from my ever trusting planner Belle de Jour regarding on when is the right time to settle down. I must say it was something to think about since this is the time where you are surrounded by people who are planning for their wedding, going to marry and baptize their kids. It also made me realize that I need to enjoy my single-blessedness and spend some alone time. It also grants me to become independent. I used to say that before I get marry I want to make sure that I have achieved most of my goals and I have done something for myself. So just in case I'm going to commit myself into starting a new family, I have established my own self.

Here are the checklist before we girls take the BIG PLUNGE! (taken from BDJ planner)

1. Travel on your own.
Once you get married and have kids, it'll be hard to create down time for yourself. While you're still single, take pride in fact that you've managed superbly on your own and reward yourself by travelling. It may seem scary at first, but the thrill of embarking on a solo adventure will definitely boost your pride and ego. Travel to an exotic locale, go on a lone road trip, sneak off to the beach… the possibilities are endless!

2. Paint the town red
Again, with marriage comes lots of responsibilities. Relish your singlehood by going out with your amigas without having to inform anyone (except your parents perhaps?) about your whereabouts. Revel in the fact that you don't need to get permission or approval from anyone - and that you can actually talk to guys and pissingly drunk without guilt!

3. Live on your own
Most Pinay bellas only get to live "independently" when they marry. Jump the gun and have a try before getting hitched. We bet you'll be a domesticated goddess in no time, since you'll learn how to cook, clean and do your own laundry with help from a maid or parents.

4. Have a savings account that's entirely yours and yours alone.
When you get married, it's inevitable that you'll have a joint savings account with your husband. For the sake of self-preservation and self-protection, keep a savings account that solely yours. That way, money won't cause too much marital conflict. You get to share something of your own. At the very least, learn how to manage your finances before getting married, so you won't feel so shackled to or dependent on your husband for your subsistence.

5. Established a strong support system
It's true what they say: Being a married woman is vastly different from being a single sistah. You now have somebody to be accountable for and therefore, have less "me" time. That's why it is important to set up a strong circle of friends who will be there for you, for better or for worse. These friends will understand that you will have to spend less time with them once you get married. Now that's what real friendship is all about.

6. Experience a broken heart
Every gal needs to go through that heart-wrenching experience to prepare her for when she finally meets - and marries Mr. Right. It will prepare you emotionally for your next relationship, and surviving (and thriving) after a heartbreak makes you more mature than you'll ever be. Mistakes and heartbreaks truly make one stronger - and wiser.

7. Walk around the house or in your room naked (IF YOU ARE ALONE IN THE HOUSE)
That's the only moment you can do it without anyone thinking that you've lost your sanity. (Just think of the kids that will follow)

8. Know Yourself
It might sound cliché but it's true. Know what makes you happy, what keeps your sanity in check, what activities and hobbies you personally enjoy during your "me" time. Cherish all of them while you're still single. And when you get married, make sure you still have "me" time (albeit not as frequently) to keep grounded.

9. Enjoy feasting on pizza by yourself
Every bella should experience pigging out without worrying about others will think. Toss in a couple of drinks and fave DVDs and veg the night (or weekend) away!

Fully-Loaded November

No this is not related anything to KFC Fully-Loaded meal :P. My November 2010 is full during weekends. I even forgot listing down all the things I need to buy for my Christmas shopping. Most of the time I am out with friends and meeting all of them. Oh di ba daig ko ang artista? Chos!

Just to summarize all my extra-curricular activities:

1. First week of November I did meet my HS friends and stroll around Mckinley and Alabang Town Center. No matter how many times I met with my HS friends, stories continues to pour in. Parang walang kasawa-sawa sa nakaraan.

2. I also met up with my college friends. Catch up and see what's with everyone. Nakakamiss din kasi I used to remember they were my constant companions and buddies during college. They are also my drinking buddies and defense buddies. I remembered after namin gumawa ng documentation and coding for defense susundan na yan ng inuman at kwentuhan. Ang ending: Pasado naman kami :D (may konting iyakan nga lang minsan during defense :P) And one of the reasons it's always good to meet them is because there is always a regal shocker news.

3. Second week of November, I just stayed at home. Enjoy cold nights outside my room and bury myself in my bed while reading books or listening to feel-good music. Minsan senti rin while arranging my stuffs that I can't let go. :P

4. Third week of November, I was out with my office friends. I never had so much fun with them. The stories, the laugh trip and the unforgettable lines and adventure made me really smile. It was really fun to have some friends you met from the office. Grabe, in just a few months we've been constant lunch / merienda / dinner buddies and everything was changed. I never regret leaving my previous office, since I've been comfortable with my current organization and the people working inside.Despite the not-so-good news last week, I am still happy. Office friends kept me sane (or should I say insane nalang?) haha

5. Fourth week of November, still so many plans pouring in. Just last week I went out with my office friends again this time in Nuvali and Tagaytay, then attended the dedication for my graduate school friend for her baby, attended the wake of my Elementary / HS friend and lastly met with my college friends with B and her husband. I really missed B since she was working at Dubai with her husband. We were surprised that she already tied the knot but we were very happy for her. So many things to do and share and yet time is so short. What's important is that I was able to see and meet them all during weekends.

For now I would really like to travel and enjoy time with my friends. To be honest it was like a self-discovery and another realization. I discovered and realized that I am in no hurry to settle down because I am still having fun being single ( even in a relationship). I want to travel, explore and dream more. I want to make sure that if ever I bid goodbye to my single-blessedness I have already experienced at least two-thirds of my bucket list. Life is too short so I have to make most out of it.

Happy Sabado at Intramuros!

Last Saturday, I did have a blast with my office friends. I've been with my new company for a few months and I must say I feel comfortable with the people I am working with. Me and my friends started out as lunch buddies and later evolved as merienda / dinner buddies. I never knew people who share same interest like me. What I like about our new group is that everyone is so thrifty and fun to hang out.

Last Saturday, after the long planning (long daw kunwari) and discussion we decided to go out on a weekend as group and stroll around Intramuros. The day before we went for our Intramuros tour we endure the long flights of stairs while doing the fire drill. Our feet aches due from the activity but it never stopped us from doing our weekend getaway.

I never laugh so much while talking and walking with them. Grabe parang every minute puro tawanan at asaran lang ata ginawa namin. Good thing our guy buddies are so game and forgiving. After our Intramuros trip we indulge ourselves on spontaneous trip to Wensha Spa to relax and massage. Thank God the boys agreed to experience going to the spa for the first time.

First their profile, I know they would clobber and massacre me in case they accidentally read my blog posts but I can't help but laugh thinking about them with their secret initials... haha

MR (alias Marian Rivera hehehe) - isa sa mga cute ko na friends. Super thoughtful and sweet, masarap kasama. Ay naku super hilig din kumain kaya kasama ko sya lagi with our other group dahil sa merienda pag free kami. Malapit na rin ikasal kaya excited kami for her. The sad part she's going to Singapore to settle down

AM - (alias Angel m-Aquino hehe) - isa rin sa cute friends. Super bully na bata pero masayang kasama. Haha. Grabe super makwento at makulit. Imagine pumunta kami ng National Museum gusto lahat hawakan. Sigang bata. tsk tsk

JG (alias John lloyd Gruz hehe) - isa sa pinakabata sa group. Nakakatuwang kasama kasi nakakaaliw kausapin. Para tuloy akong may little brother. Grabeng kumain pero di tumataba. Ang saya din i-Q&A dahil sa mga fearless answers nya. Until now wala pa rin gf kasi ayaw daw nya ng commitment (chos)! Siguro nga wag muna kasi for sure di na sya makakasama samin dahil sa sobrang bait nya baka ma-under sya ng magiging GF nya.

RS (alias Rafael Sossell hehe) - Cynic pero artistic. Naks! Baka sapakin ako nito pag nabasa nya ito. Super aliw ang camera ng batang ito at super like nya ang photography. Impress din ako sa pagiging well-versed nya sa arts at painting kasi nag-ppaint din pala sya.

Situation 1: While we were entering the National Museum bawal ang DSLR ni RS
MR: Uy JG, maliit yung sayo pwede. (Ok kayo mag isip ano yung maliit na yun)

Situation 2: Me and JG while walking outside the San Agustin Church
after our museum tour
Me: Ang ganda ng gown nung una natin nakita na bride.
Super like ko
JG: Eh di sa wedding mo kulay pink yung gown mo. (Serious tone
pa yan ha)
(Grabe, debutante lang ako diba... 18th bday ko daw di wedding
:P)

Situation 3: While we were convincing RS to join us on going to Spa
MR: RS sige na sama ka na samin pa-massage tayo
RS: Ayoko ipagalaw ang katawan ko (haha. taray!)


Situation 4: While waiting for JG before
going to the massage room
Me: Ang tagal naman ng batang yun
AM: Hindi
kaya nagtampo kasi sinabihan ni MR na maliit (based on situation 1)
RS: Hindi pinag-aagawan na yun sa loob. Haha
MR: RS puntahan mo na baka kung napano yun sa loob

RS, went back to the boys locker looking for JG then comes out laughing. Kaya pala natagalan si JG kasi hindi nya alam gagawin sa sash ng robe nya na sumisilip ang kanyang upper torso. haha. Conscious pala sya.
Haha!!!

Situation 5: On our buffet table while eating
MR (asking the boys): Mag jajacuzzi kayo? (Haha, ang sagwa pakinggan)

Situation 6: While paying on the reception of the Spa
MR: Naku mali yung charge satin
Full Body Massage yung charge eh Foot Massage lang tayo
JG (first time nagpa-spa at nag enjoy): Uy, pwede tayo bumalik! Bitin yung spa eh!


Situation 7: Leaving the Spa
JG: Uy pa-picture tayo sa labas!
AM: Hindi ba magtataka Tita mo pag nakita yang picture na yan?
JG: Bakit?
AM: Eh syempre may nakalagay na 24hrs dun sa Spa, baka isipin na Tita
mo kung sang "Spa" ka galing tapos ganyan pa ang buhok mo. (JG took a shower
earlier and the gel in his hair was washed off. So he looked like bagong gising.
:))

JG makes us laugh all. :P


I'm going to ask for the great pictures taken by J, R and A.

Thanks for the great time J, R, M and A. I hope this is just the first and we will have a follow up on our gala trip!

Book List...

Since I've been out last long weekend because of HS and college get-togethers (which is worth it), the desk in my room is piled high with list of pending books that I still need to read...

The list of books I still need to read are:

1. Marley and Me by John Grogan - I already watched the movie and it made me cry. I want to read this just to check if the book is much better than the movie adaptation. I bought it at Booksale for only P80.00

2. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami - been hearing a lot of raves about this book. I'm already in Chapter 3 but I stopped reading for a while since I got bored. But I want to finish reading it. I got it at National Bookstore Yearly Sale for only P50.00

3. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - As one of an avid reader of Nick Sparks novel, this is something I don't want to miss. I already near the end of the book and I hate continuing it because I am sensing that I don't want the ending (I haven't watched the movie adaptation yet). This book is a present from a friend when she came back from the US :)

4. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series - A must read book for those people like me who sweats or gets infuriated over small or petty situations. I learned a lot from this book. I got this at Booksale for only P115.00

5. The Management Series books - Something I need to read for career growth and additional information while taking up graduate studies. I bought this last year at National Bookstore sale with my colleague.

6. The Secret Life of the Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - The book has a movie adaptation too featuring Dakota Fanning. I haven't started this one yet. I bought it at Booksale for only P45.00

7. Pants on Fire and How to be Popular by Meg Cabot - I like Meg Cabot's young adult series Princess Diaries and I am curious on the other series she'd done. I haven't started them and I bought them last June on National Bookstore for P100.00 pesos each

8. Last Book on Gossip Girl - This is not similar to the Gossip Girl series but way much more funny to read. It is also on sale that is why I grab the copy while hanging out with my friends at Nuvali last June.

9. The Zahir by Paulo Coelho (Spanish version) - my one project for this year is to learn how to speak Spanish Language and tried reading a book written in Spanish Language. I just saw the copy at sale table in National Bookstore and bought it for only P20.00. I promised my dad to learn Spanish since he is already fluently speaking (one of the major advantage of being assigned in South American country)

10. Working Smarter Not Harder - Something I read related to career growth and development. I bought this copy at Booksale for P70.00 while having a browsing books date with my significant other (who is also a bookworm like me)

11. Naked in the Boardroom - career related book also which I also bought along with my Working Smarter Not Harder copy

12. Milan Guidebook - part of my curiosity on one of my dream destination is check out what can be seen in Milan. As usual the copy is bought on sale :)

13. Romantic Poems - medieval and famous poems written in a special paper

14. Nice Girls don't Get Rich - another self-development book I bought at Booksale almost 70% off compared to the same hardcover copies sold at National Bookstore.

15. Lightning Thief by Percy Jackson - this copy is the same person who gave me my Dear John book. I haven't started this one yet but I heard from a lot of friends that the book is also good.

Ilog Maria Products

Last July I went with my office friends to stroll and chillout at Tagaytay. Part of our itinerary is to visit the Ilog Maria Bee Farm which produces organic soaps, shampoos, body scrubs, etc. Since I am a self-confessed vain when it comes on bath products I almost bought most of their soaps, shampoo and massage oil (kaya nga umabot ng 600++ yung bill ko dahil sa kaartehan ko!). But I really did like their products since it is made from honey and all other natural products. What's good that it feels invigorating after taking a warm bath with their soap and the scent of the soap is really fresh and lasting.

I've been to Tagaytay plenty of times and this is the first time I visited the Ilog Maria Bee Farm. Thanks to R (who is a guy) for recommending us this good place to buy organic products at an affordable price.

Below is some of the snapshots we had during our visit to their store:

The Honeybees

The Farm

Their Assorted Soaps - I tried the Spearmint (the green ones)

Their Lavender Soap - which I tried too

Their other selection of products

Note: I would also like to thank S for the pictures :)

Btw, Ilog Maria Bee Farm is located near Pink Sister's chapel. It can be confusing when going there since the farm is quite far from the main road. Just make sure to look on the left side when you're coming from the Rotonda part of Tagaytay city. You wouldn't miss their sign board.

Another thing is my friend who is a resident of Tagaytay told me that Ilog Maria soaps are also used by Sonya's Garden bed and breakfast :)

Another Non-Sense Post

I recently updated my blog layout and make sure it fits the description of my blog. Then I realized for almost one year of writing here I haven't posted or had a follow up on my shopaholic nature... Well I will try my best to put some of my kikay side here.

For now I would like to post my favorite high-heels I used to wear in my previous office. :)


My J-Lo pink lace shoes I bought last May at Rustan's Fire Sale. Who would have thought it was only P480.00 pesos ;) I got lucky that day!

Spontaneous Trip

Last long weekend was a fun one, though I never planned any vacation (Undas pa naman). I was looking forward on sleeping my favorite room and counting the list of books I want to read during vacation when my HS friend texted me she wanted to go out with us due to pressure from work. I was gladly to accept her invitation with our other friend. My friend wanted us to have an spontaneous trip. Be it in Cebu, Dumaguete, Subic, Baguio… anywhere as long as far from their house. But since it's a long weekend and "Undas" season we couldn't even pass-by from the horrendous traffic in the SLEX. All flights are fully-booked and the next date available is November 2 (Kamusta naman yun). We tried checking bus reservations going to North (Ayun kamusta rin naman yun). We ended up pigging out at Stackers Mckinley. Akala ko naman kung anong meron sa Mckinley because I heard a lot of nice things na it’s a nice place to hang-out yun pala wala lang. As in WALA! Much better pa if we went to Eastwood or spend the day at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, there we can rent a boat and have fun plus drown ourselves to coffee and pastries. :P

Part of our itinerary in Mckinley is to visit the creepy museum entitled "Myth of the Human Body" but since we didn't know the direction (partida may sasakyan pa yan!) and we end up again to another horrendous traffic along Fort Bonifacio area. Since it will be a long line of traffic and already 7:00PM we decided to go to Alabang Town Center for a stroll and coffee. It would have been fun if we reached the museum because it would be fit for the season of Halloween :)

When we reached Alabang Town Center, we ended up doing window shopping. Unexpectedly, we end up buying expensive tsinelas from All Flip-Flops because of sale (minsan lang mangyari every year) and proceed to our ATC goal to drink coffee and have a long chat.

Well, despite the fact that our original plan did not push through I still had lots of fun with my HS friends. I love talking with them and have the best time. I always miss them. Being in mid-20's is difficult (not to mention the dreaded quarter life crisis) but having friends like them made me want to thank our Lord. They are the source of my joy and the one who knew most of my plans. Kung wala sila for sure windang ang pagkatao ko. I remembered I suggested to my HS friend na itago nalang natin sa letrang L, I want to work in abroad in due time. Ito sinabi ang mga nya na natawa ako:

Me: Gusto ko magwork sa abroad. Mas malaki sweldo dun
L: Gaga, hwag! Paano kita tatawagan at pupuntahan kung nasa ibang lupalop ka na! Mahal ang long-distance!
Me: Hello pag andun naman ako libre accomodation nyo pag nagbakasyon kayo. O di ba trip to abroad! Haha
L: Wala ako pakialam noh! Isa pa pano kita susugurin sa bahay nyo kung MIA ka. Bruha ibang level ang saya pag kumpleto tayong tatlo.

So there I came to think that when I leave, they are one of those persons close to me that I will miss badly.

To my HS friends L and I, you are one of my most treasured friends.

Random Crazy Thoughts

1. Looking for a job as a travel show host… I'm always drooling while watching National Geographic and Discovery channels on travel episodes

2. Wants to move abroad… Iceland, New Zealand, Sweden (asa ka pa!), Norway, Scotland, Finland. Places that nobody knew me and nobody does even care. It's nice to get some place where you can start without all the pakialameros in life!

3. Sometimes I want to color my hair RED and have it curled :P

4. If I had huge money, I will go try backpacking trip in Europe…

5. If I had the power to be invisible, I want to try it for a week and see how it feels

6. For once, I would like to pull the fire alarm for no apparent reason

7. I want to shop till I drop for one whole day without thinking the price tags

8. Want to try that bungee drop at Danao Forest Park in Bohol… (I dunno how I'm going to manage it since I freaked out in incredulous heights

9. Play hooky for a day… go to a beach and have fun not thinking about tomorrow or future

10. Sometimes I want to put hex on those people who irritated me most… (but of course this is just a cheap talk and I have no guts to do it since I am scared of KARMA)

11. I want to buy blue and red contact lens and wear them

12. Chocolate and potato chips bingeing! (Hello UTI, Diabetes and Obesity!)

13. Travel some place (beach, city, historical monument) on my own without anybody knowing it

14. Travel the whole NCR using the trains as the only mean of transportation. Hello MRT and LRT

15. Plan my dream wedding even though I'm not yet engaged… How about those brochure packages outside the country??? Teehee!

My All Saint's Day Short Story

This is kinda late post since All Saint's Day and All Souls day had already passed. I just want to share a piece of story…

During November 1 and 2, people are busy going to cemeteries to visit their dead loved-ones and relatives. When in cemetery people are cleaning, weeding and painting the graves of their departed loved-ones. We also do the same minus the part where people are having a blast by partying, drinking and feasting on the graves during All Saint's day. People remember November 1 and 2 as the day of the dead and the day to commemorate the memories of the departed ones.

My Lolo Dolfo never fails to visit the grave of my Lola Laling (his wife) during All Saint's Day. My Lola passed away due to diabetes complication and left us March of 1999. But since then my Lolo never fails to visit my Lola's grave. My Lolo regularly visit my Lola's grave from the day after we buried her to the present, everyday for eleven years. Few absences of my Lolo's attendance to the cemetery is because from his illness but other than that, every afternoon my Lolo is already carrying few candles to light and the flowers my Lola likes when she was alive. One distant memory I remembered was when I went to cemetery with him on one balmy afternoon (that was May 2006, more than 3years since my last vacation), my Lolo was so animated and talking to my Lola's grave that he was proud that I am already a grown-up. My Lolo also said that if Lola was still here she would be proud of me too.

If other people are squeezing themselves on visiting their dead loved-ones on November 1, my Lolo has other ideas. He believes that commemorating my Lola's memories doesn't happen on one specific date or day, it should happen everyday.


What's the summary of my story? I witness true love from my Lolo's great gesture of true love to my Lola even she left us eleven years ago.

My Lolo and Lola who I loved so dearly