Saturday Night Ramblings

Since cable isn't available right now, I might as well ramble tonight...

Prada
Last night, Cat and I met up in Greenbelt, and we passed by Prada, where I wanted to show her the bag I’ve been eyeing lately...

Forget the girl, focus on the bag...



I salivated as soon as I saw the bag in the shop, and I almost died of shock at how much it would cost me if I splurge again.

However, I salivated even more and went gaga upon seeing these Fall Collection handbags over the internet.

My goodness! Makes me think "Why am I getting married?" Just kidding hahaha. Well... perhaps not really. Hahahahaha! It would probably cost me both my arms and legs. Sigh. Good thing it's not yet in the shops, or else I would be in a really serious dilemma.


Gwyneth's Headband

I don't know, for some reason I gravitated towards Gwyneth's hairdo when I saw her on TV. And this infatuation was confirmed when I saw the same band again worn by Sandra in Vogue October issue. Where can I get this band?!?


Bubble Skirt
Yet again, I was tempted to buy this black bubble skirt I saw (and fit) at the mall. Last year I was tempted to get one, but resisted. But now, I'm seriously thinking of getting one. I could just imagine myself wearing it, together with my latest shoes. I have yet to find a suitable top though. But in the meantime, that purchase is on hold.


Aching teeth
I was so happy when my orthodontist told me that my teeth greatly improved. He even joked, "Now you are ready to get married." Hahaha. I stopped laughing when my braces were tightened. I just don’t want to think about the pain right now, but I can't help it. My teeth hurt like hell!


Our Home
I went to Our Home again and I was really pleased to know that the sectional sofa I wanted to buy for our first nest can be custom-made, and can be delivered after 2-3 weeks. Whoopee! It’s just sad that the sale will only be until tomorrow (Enrique told me NOT to buy anything first because he wanted us to buy our stuff together), but it's ok. I also eyed some nice curtains and blinds that will go with our Modern Asian theme. There were also some cool paintings as well. I also jotted down the style name of this bed that’s nice as well. But what I liked the most was this 4-seater round dining set. It would have been better if it had the wengue finish, but all the same, the table and especially the chairs look so fab! Enrique, please come home NOW!


Anyway, that's it for now. My cold is bugging me and it's bed time. Nighty-night!

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Age of Enlightenment

Finally, the dark age is over.

I was beginning to be really depressed as I read a book using a candle, when the main light in our staircase area switched on.

Yes! After three days of almost city-wide blackout, we are finally overcoming the effect of typhoon Milenyo. Together with uprooted big trees, toppled electrical posts and billboards, the darkness completed the eerie atmosphere that has befallen over the city. Many of us wondered when will the gods give back again the gift of light (hahaha, how poetic), and most have accepted more dark nights upon hearing the news that even our main power supplier is still having problems. Some just went to the malls to cool themselves and have another drink of cold water. A few checked in to hotels. A good part of the population went over to the Coliseum to watch the much-awaited Game 2 between UST and the Ateneo. Another good part just went to sports bars to watch the game. Hehehe.

Kidding aside, in this dark age that I call, I learned some things, one of which is that without electricity, there is time for family bonding. Seriously, so many gadgets have kept some families (including mine) from spending time together, espcially after dinner. But the other night, as we were stripped off our computers, own TVs, and play stations, over candlelight we were singing together as my brother played his guitar (our family loves music). From there we started reminiscing about the past hits, who's generation has this genre, and what songs we loved to sing back then. Of course I was the one that was teased the most, since my love for music and singing was known eversince I began singing Rainbow connection at the age of 1 1/2. My sister re-enacted the way I sang and danced to the song of Kylie Minogue (yeah, the really old hits of Kylie), told my brothers the time in the province when there are town festivities and people invite me to sing to the crowd (Yes, the Madonna days). Apparently, people found it cute that a young girl like me sings La Isla Bonita, complete with perfect Spanish lyrics. And of course, my brothers couldn't believe it. Haha!

Another thing I learned from the dark nights is that we are so caught up with our gadgets that we fail to appreciate nature. No matter how polluted city air is, for some reason, the air was cool. I don't know if this was because of the typhoon or if people just parked their vehicles and stayed at home, but the air felt fresh.The sky was clear as well, and I could see more stars than usual (yep, in our village we still see those precious stars).

This experience also made me think about how dependent we have become on our own achievements and inventions. Earlier, I said I was beginning to be depressed, not only because of the seemingly sorry state I was in, but also because I missed my usual doses of electricity-is-needed activities. In felt that my day wasn't complete without me watching my favorite soap, CSI, Lifestyle Network, and featured films. I felt uncertain when it came to the numbered minutes of my mobile phone before it runs out of battery. But on the other side, I also appreciated how far we've come. Certainly our great ancestors never thought we would have achieved such technological advances, which is awesome really, except that these advances are also abused and put to use to the detriment of humanity.

Whew... that was some reflection. Hahaha.

But anyway, I am glad that there is electricity again. Now we can go back to our busy lifestyle. But honestly, I will keep these thoughts and my experiences with me. So the next time there will be another blackout, these are what I will tell over my own family bonding.

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Typhoon Milenyo

Right now there is a typhoon called Milenyo, and where am I?

Here at work of course. I didn't know that office was suspended. I wanted to just stay at home because I might get stuck later in flash floods, but I decided to just go ahead and report for work... we have one seafarer leaving tonight and I know (and hope!) my staff will be here at the office.

As expected, it was just me who arrived here on time, but my boss arrived around twenty minutes later. One of my staff came as well. So now we are around 6 people in our department. My boss told us that we will close shop early, but then the seafarers just kept coming in and of course we need to attend to them. Hopefully we will be officially off before lunch time.

Heck, I don't know why I'm like this. I had the option to just stay at home, but I get worried about work more than what I wanted. Well, maybe if Enrique was here things will be so much different. Priorities, priorities, hehehe.

But anyway, I also hope that the typhoon will be on its way out sooner and with minimal damage than expected.

And I gotta go home. Because my brother told me last night, rain or storm, the UAAP Junior and Senior Finals (where Ateneo is on the run for both championships) will still push through. Hehehe.

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Can't Beat The Black and Blue

I read an article in Philstar.com about our beloved Ateneo's win against UST, and I felt again that sweet moment I felt upon seeing the awesome shot of Doug Kramer.... And UST thought they bagged it. They were all cheering and dancing "Go USTe, Go USTe!" There was even a banner by UST that read... "OUST ATENEO!" But there was that one second.

One second. It all made the difference. Wohoooo!

Now I can't wait to see game 2. Although that first game would have been sooo much sweeter if it's a deciding game between Ateneo and La Salle. Like what my friend Liv said, what's the use of winning if La Salle isn't the opponent. Hehehe. Any which way, I'm still proud of our Blue Eagles for pulling off a wonderful Game 1. And kudos to Coach Black, that was one heck of a play! For a full story click on the blue eagle!

UST is indeed a worthy opponent, and it would be too early to say that we have bagged the championship. But still....

Can't Beat the Black and Blue!

Blue Eagle Spelling!


B-L-U-E E-A-G-L-E


Blue eagle, blue eagle, blue eagle... The King!

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Autumn Fashion

Fall... Autumn....

I love this season, not only because this is the theme of our wedding (in fact, this is why I chose an Autumn theme, I love this season), but because fashion-wise, this is the time for dressier outfits with really rich hues, including black. This is also my time of the year to semi-haul my wardrobe. Excuses excuses!

I envy our North-Western Hemisphere counterparts because they get to experience this season and because they have every right to wear those lovely, rich, and fashionable pieces, without being given those "looks" by onlookers. Anyway, I checked out Style.com, my daily bible for everything about fashion, and I just can't help but feel so sad that I can't wear those lovely outfits (aside from the fact that those clothes are sooo expensive)!

I especially liked the F/W 2006 Collections of Prada and Marc Jacobs...



I really love this season's looks: layering, plaid, and those bubble skirts. And knee-high boots. *Sigh*

Oh well, I will just settle for what is appropriate to wear here in my beloved country. But maybe I'll just incorporate some of the key looks into my wardrobe. Colors perhaps. Oh, and plaid. And that bubble silhouette. I may not be able to afford those pieces by Prada, but heck, there's Zara and Tyler anyway. And of course, there are so many good designers here should I opt to have some pieces custom-made. :D

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Total Effects+

After years of using couture skin care products, I have decided to put to an end this little madness of mine and start using less expensive alternatives. My past power potions have served me well anyway. It was such a blessing good timing when Olay Total Effects+ Cream was being advertised fiercely. Believe me, the ads were enticing enough that when the product was launched it was sold out! Lucky for me, I was able to grab one. I was so excited to try it, and after my first application, I was in love. My face felt so supple and smooth! The cream had a scent, but it was forgivable.

What is the fuzz about this moisturizer anyway? Well Olay claims that Total Effects+ fights the seven signs of aging, something that makes some women shudder just by the thought of that word. Olay claims to do the following:



1. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
2. Smoothes skin texture
3. Evens skin tone for younger-looking, more balanced color
4. Improves surface dullness, giving skin a radiant healthy glow
5. Minimizes the appearance of pores
6. Reduces the appearance of blotches and age spots
7. Soothes dry skin, hydrating with Olay moisture


Olay also claims that results will be visible in three weeks. I hope this is true, and I hope all the more that the results will be good!

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Love-Hate

Love it. Hate it.

This is my current relationship with my job.

The week that was and this week were two terrible weeks when it comes to my work stuff, and I came this close to quitting my precious job and be content with being a housewife to be. So many challenges faced our fleet, and these had to do with being compassionate with our seafarers' personal requests. I just wonder if other shipping companies are like this to their own seafarers. But anyway, satisfaction was there when the jobs were completed, and we breathed a little easier yesterday.

However, knowing I'm the type of person who thinks and believes that stress causes cancer cells to form, I am still in doubt whether all these stress-inducing scenarios are still worth it. And I know for sure that these incidents will occur over and over again in different forms and gravity, I'm suddenly feeling insecure, that maybe I won't be able to handle things properly in the future, when my patience to my work runs out. Part of me wants to let go of this job, but another part of me doesn't want. Why? 1) I still want to earn my own keep 2) I don't want to rely on Enrique that much 3) I want to help with our finances 4) my job is a "noble" job.

Yep. When I think about it, my job is indeed a noble job. I get satisfied and happy because I know that by doing my job and doing it well, I help in securing work (ergo finance) to our fellow Filipino seafarers. It pains me whenever one crew failed his medical examination thus cannot be hired. It pains me when a crew has to go home because of family problems. It hurts when somebody gets injured and has to be repatriated back home. These things pain me because I know that most likely they are the breadwinners of their families, and without work times will be hard for most of them.

At least I know that somehow I am living up to the "Man for Others" principle taught in college.

Heck. Now I am starting to like my job again. I intended to write something to justify why I should quit my job. But now, I remember again the reasons why in the first place I accepted this work when I was psyched to become a housewife.

Oh well.

Again...

Love it. Hate it.

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French Mediterranean or Modern Asian?

Enrique and I dreamed of having a Modern Asian themed house of our own. However, I am beginning to like the look of the French Mediterranean / Old Spanish theme as well. We have both looked at South Forbes which showcased these two options before he left last March, and we both liked it, though we leaned towards the Modern Asian theme. But now that I'm thinking about our house plans again, I'm a little torn...

Modern Asian












French Mediterranean / Old Spanish

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What Kind of Baby Am I?

I got an email from my friend and it listed what kind of baby a person is according to the month one is born.

Here's my result.

Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High-spirited.

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What Filipino Food Am I?

Got this from Jen's blog. This was my result...

Which Filipino Food Are You?

Sisig: Diced meats seasoned with spices and served on a sizzling hot platter

Take this quiz!

Quizilla Join Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code

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All About Food

I got this from Liv's blog, so now I'm answering the q's:

How do you like your eggs?: Scrambled. Sometimes with cheese.

How do you take your coffee/tea: Coffee - with cream; Tea - w/ just hot water.

Favorite breakfast foods: Though I rarely eat breakfast, my fave food to eat varies. Sometimes Beef tapa and longganisa. Sometimes just moist scrambled eggs and rice. Sometimes danggit or daing and rice. Sometimes, croissant and jam. I like quiches too.

Peanut butter: Crunchy!

What kind of dressing on your salad?: Preferably vinaigrette. Sometimes just olive oil and lemon.

Coke or Pepsi?: Both. I fancy Pepsi Twist though!

You’re feeling lazy. What do you make?: Scrambled eggs

You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order?: Cheezy Volcano from Pizza Hut! Yellow Cab pepperoni pizza. Or Sbarro's white cheese pizza.

You feel like cooking. What do you make?: Any recipe from Nigella or Giada. but I will make multiple courses: appetizer (seared tuna perhaps), soup, pasta, meat, salad. I'll prepare cheese and fruit. Dessert, hmm.. probably will just buy something hehehe. And definitely I will serve champagne or wine. :D

Do any foods bring back good memories?: Crabs from Dampa. I miss our crabfest!

Do any foods remind you of someone?: Chicken feet, Sisig - Enrique loves these. And any food will remind me of Enrik. Again, i miss our food fests.

Is there a food you refuse to eat?: Ampalaya, okra. And those exotic stuff. No way.

What was your favorite food as a child? Tuna sashimi.

Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? None!

Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? None I guess.

Favorite fruit & vegetable: Fruits: strawberries! Vegetables: broccolli, lettuce spinach, anything that can be used for salads.

Favorite junk food: Chips and dip. :D

Favorite between meal snack: I rarely snack, but when I do... hmm... anything I crave for?

Do you have any weird food habits: When I'm sick, I always want to have hot and sour soup. When I'm almost well, I order tuna sashimi or any kind of maki. Oh, even though they're ripe, I still sprinkle some salt on mangos (which I cut into squares).

You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? I don't diet.

How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Moderate to hot!

Can I get you a drink? Champagne Please! Or water, S. Pellegrino. Tehehehe.

Red wine or white? Red preferred, though it depends on the food.

We only have beer: No, thanks.

Favorite dessert? Creme Brulee. Cheesecake.

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If the Shoe Fits

It is quite rare that a pair of shoes from Nine West fit me (my feet are too small they don't fit a size 5M), and it is even much rarer that half a size higher than my usual shoe size. And so I succumbed to another shoe calling...

I love my new pair of shoes! Though there were three colors to choose from, I chose the brown one so it would fit in my planned wardrobe overhaul to reflect the Autumn season. I know, I know, I live in a tropical country, so there is no such thing as Autumn or winter or spring. Anyway, I totally love this new addition to my rack (hmmm, I think I already said that). I found this pair a week ago, but I was a bit squirmish about the fact that it is 1/2 size bigger, though it fit me quite ok. So a week passed by without me doing nothing. But then my sister asked me to go to Nine West, and as I looked at the pairs, I felt saddened because I the size of the displayed shoe is Size 7. I have reserved it but of course, there is only a holding period of 3 days. But lo and behold! The attendant told me that she hasn't released my reservation, and this, for me, is a "sign" that the shoe is meant for him. hahaha, I know, justifying and all.

But anyway, I am as happy as a clam because of my recent purchase. I showed it to my friend who just came from Manchester, and she digged it as well. So I guesss whatever my next clothign purchases will be, they would have to revolve around my current fave shoe, just like how my purchases before revolved around my bag. Hahaha.

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Ceasefire!

Finally!

After more than a month of constant arguments about wedding preparations, clash of personalities, accusations of not being able to understand and of being unaffectationate towards the other, Enrique and I had a really long talk that that didn't end in ugly terms. Sure, there was a bit of the usual arguing about certain opinions, but at least this time, we have acknowledged that when these petty debates happen, we don't just shut each other out and stop the conversation. That's what we did before. Result? Anger that resulted in threats to call of the wedding (on my part only, he didn't agree hahaha).

Enrique told me that he wants to strike out August 2006 from his memory. I told him he (or we) shouldn't, because the past month gave us an experience and different view of our relationship and who we really are. Many issues were raised and we saw our opinions and perceptions, our similarities and differences. At least we get a glimpse of each other's beliefs that we will probably never know had the situations last month didn't happen. Or probably we would see these, but it would be too late.

After our long phone conversation, I slept really well. Then my morning started with Enrique calling me and waking me up. *Sigh* I really hope that the last remaning days of being apart will be this peaceful. We both missed the "Us," the madly in love couple that we were. Of course, we are still madly in love, but back then everything was all rosy and all pleasant. I'm not expecting the next days of our lives to be all rosy and pleasant, but at least some issues and concerns between us have been cleared. Did our love for the other lessen because of the disappointments that we had? Not at all. In fact, it was even more confirmed that our love is strong, and grew even stronger than before.

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French Women Don't Get Fat

French Women Don't Get Fat"
by Mireille Guiliano

This book by Mr. Guiliano is a lovely little read to those who want to know the ultimate secret not only in getting and staying thin and healthy, but to know and practice the (lost) art of eating with pleasure.

"French Women Don’t Get Fat" tells the readers about this art that they have probably known all along (depending on how one was raised), but due to the changing times, the complexity of life, and other priorities, was set aside, left to be forgotten. It gives simple, logical, and practical tips, not gruesome strict regimes, on how to lose weight and be on a diet, without actually dieting. Sounds paradoxical right? Maybe at first, but in a deeper level, not so, because after reading the last page, this so-called French paradox is probably one of the most rational and practical way of thinking and being.

The book said, and to which I fully agree, that food is not the enemy here. It's how we view eating, our attitude towards food, what we eat (quality vs. junk) and the way we handle it that makes the difference. It further tells the reader that it is boredom that makes us consume more food, and that this probably is one of our real enemies. I do not want to divulge much on the full content of the book, but in summary, here are the major points:

- 3 weeks observing and jotting down everything you eat
- Re-casting: rounding up the usual suspects, adjusting what you eat, changing how you eat
- Ritual preparation: use all the senses when planning meals. Mind the seasons and seasonings used.
- Ritual Eating
- Variety: boredom leads to overeating
- Portion Control
- Water!
- Movement, breathing, posture
- Balance.

One should see, feel, and sense, experience, and enjoy the pleasure of eating, rather than eating merely to fill our stomachs and satisfy our hunger. Which is why I totally abhor what people often call lunch meetings. For me it is utter disrespect towards the bounty and blessings served in front of us. I mean, how can you concentrate on eating when you are talking business, or vice versa? Sure, good company and good conversation further enhances your eating experience. But really, do topics and agendas for the meeting count as good conversation topics?

All my life I have been pleasantly (but to some unpleasant) slim, and it is just now that I am experiencing weight gain (Major contributor? Being in love I guess). Still, quite a lot consider me as underweight - I am currently 100 lbs., and at 5'3 that may be so. I correct them though that I may be under the "normal" figures, but I am definitely not undernourished. My friends can attest to that; they are amazed (and finally accepted so they are no longer surprised) as to how much I eat (the "right" kinds of food), and eat with gusto. One even commented that she didn’t like eating next to me, because whenever she sees me eat with so much satisfaction, she gets carried away and eats more than what she originally intended to. Well, they just don't know that I compensate in other ways – I adjust my food intake after a big gastronomic exercise. I am also not too keen on anything sweet with lots of sugar and I am not a big eater of junk food either so that is probably one balancing factor. Plus, I only eat when I am hungry, so that is on the average 3 times a day. A "bad" practice though is not eating breakfast, just drinking water in the morning. I know, it is the most important meal of the day, but I just couldn't take food in the morning, and I don’t want to force myself. It's just not right (for me at least). But I am trying gently.

I also connected with the book when I read the part on exercising. I did try to go to the gym, but after a month of going there once or twice a week, it still wasn't my cup of tea. Maximum effort, minimal pleasure. I don't think so. My form of exercise was and still is walking… at the mall, or walking in nature parks, and sometimes, yoga. Lately though I tried to go back to the gym, but on a smaller scale - our office gym. I however focus more on the treadmill and doing yoga poses. My colleagues are amazed and actually laughed when after "exercising" I ate. "What’s the use of exercising when afterwards you eat?" of which my answer was, "I exercise to keep my body moving and to be in tip top shape and toned, not to lose weight."

Again, it goes back to attitude - towards food, eating, movement, body, self. More importantly, it goes back to our attitude towards life.

If Mireille’s book truly gives us the secrets of the French as to why they are not fat, then I must be French. But no, I am proudly Filipino. And Filipinos do love eating, and when it comes to life, have a fairly positive outlook and disposition. How else can we explain our national greeting "Mabuhay," which roughly means"full of life?" The French may probably be just more known when it comes their gastronomic pleasures and their constant pursuit of la joie de vivre. However, anyone can, like others say, "be like the French." But going back to the simple (not!) topic on food. I repeat once again that it is our attitude towards eating and food that makes the difference between being fat and unhealthy and being thin, but still healthy.

The next time you eat, anticipate pleasure. Smell the aroma of your food; feast your eyes on how it was presented. Savor each and every bite you take. And at the end, acknowledge the satisfaction you get from each and every meal you take. Gain a few pounds? If it matters, then round up the usual suspects and do a little adjusting. If it doesn’t matter, then so what right? As long as you are comfortable with your self... that is what matters.

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