[Project FeeTrail 2013]: Wore my trusty flats for my first out of town coverage assignment

On my first month in my new job, I got my first out of town assignment: Cover an event in the House of Representatives in Congress.

While all my photos that I took are for work, I managed to take a quick shot for my second round of Project FeeTrail for 2013, after doing the project for the whole year of 2012.

I remember a photo similar to this shot when I took my March 2012 Project FeeTrail that I wrote about last year. I was wearing my pink ballet flats while covering an event in UPLB's auditorium and realized that I want these things (covering for events and writing about it) for the long haul.

They say, when you want something, just say it to the universe and it will make it happen for you.

A year later, here I am.

Officially.

Creepy Long Distance Pillow

When you're in a bar, the way to check if someone is in a relationship/involved with someone is if they keep checking on their phone.

Or suddenly they go out to talk for like, 45 minutes after the 5 minute break from the last call. ( Hi, Chis!)

Or they talk and laugh really loud then suddenly takes a call in a low voice.

I guess it's safe to say that X number of years ago, while at a bar, while having drinks a friend noticed how I am constantly texting, in the middle of what is supposed to be fun, showing the symptoms that I've just mentioned.

"Has long distance relationship ever worked for you?" she finally asked.

It never really did. Tried it twice, never really worked out.

I saw these on the internet today and found it creepy.

According to the site:

Pillow Talk is a project aiming to connect long distance lovers. Each person has a pillow for their bed and a ring sensor which they wear to sleep at night. The sensor wirelessly communicates with the other person’s pillow; when one person goes to bed, their lover’s pillow begins to glow softly to indicate their presence. Placing your head on the pillow allows you to hear the real-time heartbeat of your loved one.

The result is an intimate interaction between two lovers, regardless of the distance between them.

Still it doesn't guarantee loyalty. It could be anyone's head that can just beat for the other right? I wish there's something like it that softly glows, then turns into a really soft machine that massages your head instead while you sleep. I also wish that the pillow will be "moon-and-sun powered" and... oh well, organic. Wishful thinking. I know.

I think it's scary with all the wireless things and sensors, the last thing that you want to get, out of being crazy in love, is to be literally crazy because of love.

What do you think?

Scott Disick and his iPhone 17

I confess. I have a guilty pleasure.

I have a thing for watching the Kardashian shows when I have the time. I remember Kuya Stew making his disgusted face when I was watching the reruns of the Kardashian shows on my laptop,but he ended up watching all the episodes with me!

I remember an ex telling me the "Car-dey-shuns" shows are stupid. Well, they're not really ideal for kids growing up the craziness but I don't care. We all have that thing.

I was surprised to like Khloe among the others, then Kourtney next. Of course, I like Bruce Jenner and his patience (how he can stay married to crazy Kris Jenner). And most of all, I was actually surprised to see Kim, the prettiest face of the clan, turned out to be the most boring member of all.

But over the past few days, I find my self googling tumblr accounts made for Scott Disick, the boyfriend of Kourtney. He was such an ass during the first season and the Miami shows, but he tuned out to be real and sweet. And boy, he can surely crack me up!

I even discovered keek because of him. Check out this hilarious video:



Dec 16, 2012 | The new Iphone 17 by ScottDisick on Keek.com

And because of that, I am now currently waiting for my new episodes to finish downloading. I think I want to have a Kardashian marathon next month.

What's your guilty pleasure?

Work your curls in 3 easy steps

Believe it or not, I learned how to work my curls from a guy. So to keep his dignity in cyberspace, let's call him SMILEY, shall we?

When I got my hair permed, he was like " I can't believe you paid for that, just to have a hair like mine!"  So he said, after seeing me trying to work my curls, " To get it working this is what you have to do..."

1. After washing your hair, do not towel dry. Make sure hair is still wet but not dripping wet.
2. Put your hair product and scrunch your way to a good curl form but not too much.
3. Let your hair down, leave it alone and do not blow dry your curls. Let it dry naturally, it may take some time in the day for it to dry but the curls will be in their full form.

Who am I to argue? He is the expert after all. See those little curly things on top of his head, that's inborn!

My guy friend told me over lunch that his mom is getting her hair permed and colored like mine after talking to me. I love it! I remember running into her and we discussed hair woes and I told her how I finally quit getting stressed about it by getting my hair permed. I've been getting messages and email asking how to deal with the permed hair. You can read all about my reviews and other hair adventures here.

So there you go folks. That's the secret.

Dear SMILEY, thanks for the tip. My curled hair is turning two years old this year and I don't even get tired of it! :)

The Grad School Diaries: Episode 16 - Sometimes you come to a party only to be jolted back to thesis writing

Trust me. I have no problems when it comes to saying NO now to parties but when The Mother plays that "I'm-alone-I-don't-have-a-driver" card, I have no choice but to get my ass back to the driver's seat and be my mother's plus one.

I attended a Christmas party last year, thinking I'd probably amuse my self by watching the ladies shake their booties for a dance number contest where my mother is one of the judges. We came in late, sat on the table for the guest judges, when my mom's friend, a professor in the university where I study and where I am currently working, asked me across the table:

"How's your thesis going?"

"I'm data gathering, Tita". I answered. Not really. There's data, I need to gather. 

But heck, it's the holidays so let me enjoy this nice cold weather while eating M&Ms and watching Friends on DVD.

"Good" she said. "Because you're only allowed 3 residencies and a summer to work on it, that is after you've finished your thesis units. Otherwise you will receive a failing mark and will have to repeat the entire thing all over again."

And with that statement alone, in the middle of hips shaking, loud music,  people laughing... I panicked right on the spot. 

Few days after that thesis panic attack, I spent the next two days engaged in my laptop, screencapping like crazy for my thesis. Come January, I showed my data that I gathered to my adviser and received a promising go signal. "You are ready to write".

Any writer will tell you, that the hardest part of writing is the start of writing. I cannot say I can't write because, here I am blogging once again when I thought this blog is taking a back seat this year, but NO.

I've been planning to have an exercise regimen this year, but with my new job and schedule, NO.  

I'm running after a deadline. The little ADHD girl in me wants to finish my thesis and get my MS Degree so I can start on another adventure that I've been planning ages ago.

I guess this is me, again, hopefully NOT for the entire year. Unless I manage to get my guy friends who always kidnap me for a lunch/hang out  to come jog with me.

The year of filtering: What I'm letting go this year

This year I have decided to give up these 5 things and I'm just going to make it short and sweet. This 2013, I'm giving up:

1. The need to control things.
I really hate it when I organize and schedule things and it doesn't go as planned. Most of the time it's my schedule for the day ruined by sudden errands from...people. From now on, I will selectively stress out on chosen things/people.

2. The need to get it right immediately.
I'm a little hard on my self when it comes to doing things that is expected of me. This year, I will do the best I can within my scope and areas of responsibilities and not fuss and worry about the things I have no control of.

3. The need to know everything.
I discovered the beauty of not knowing everything. Sure, it's nice to be in the loop, but I've learned to segregate things that I know about: Things that matter, Things I can live without and Things that I don't have personal business with so, no, I will not bother with the last one.

4. The need to be present all the time.
I am going on a hiatus for myself. I'm one of those people who needs a time out from time to time to be alone and enjoy our personal space. I'm one of those people who can entertain our own selves. Others see it as being a loner, I call it liking my own company.

5. The need to speak up, explain and have an opinion.
Last 2011, I learned not to argue with/explain to an idiot for she/he will drag me down and beat me with experience. Learning not to argue saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress. This year I am all about listening. I learn and understand more when I listen.

So there ya go folks, how about you? Anything in mind you want to let go this 2013?

Human Nature's Cleansing Oil: A competitive Alternative

Since I really love make up and I've always wanted to be a  make up Artist, when I practice and put make up on, not only it is hard to remove mascara, but make up, in general, is really hard to remove.

I've scrubbed, foamed, washed my face thoroughly. By the time I end with a toner, there's still make up residue on the wet cotton.

I've read about  Shu Uemura's cleansing oil but I know by the brand itself, its going to burn my pocket. So I've been on the lookout for that make up remover that really clears up make up, pronto.

Then I got curious about Human Nature's Cleansing Oil.

Both products are exactly the same, the only difference is the packaging/design. I bought one because it was on sale and secretly wish that I receive the second one in the photo. You know what? I did!

A little weird at first because it's oil, but here's how to use it:

1. Wash hands
2. Use 2-3 pumps of Human nature Cleansing Oil (in my case, 2 will do).
3. Lather and massage on the entire face like a facial wash. Do it for like a minute (depends on you)
4. Use a moist tissue/wet wipes (or if you prefer a towel or facial tissue) to wipe of oil from face.
5. Wash with a facial wash/foam/mild soap (in my case, Ii used Nivea Visage Whitening facial foam for Large Pores)
6. Tap face dry with a towel.
7. See the difference.

I am very pleased with the outcome. I waited for a week to see how consistent it works (and it just so happen that I have different events that I attended so wearing make up is on the menu).

I wear liquid foundation almost everyday so I know how make up sinks in to my pores, but after using it, here's what I think the Human Nature's Cleansing Oil does:

• The oil melts the make up on the face by melting the hard components and sucking it out of your facial pores.
• When you wipe the oil off your face, the oil takes the make up with it.
• The facial foam washes the excess oil from face to reveal a fresh bare face.

I'm really amazed by this product and this is the best alternative to Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil. The best part of this product: It's 100% Natural!

I've seen Human nature products being sold at local department stores in the Philippines like LandMark, but if you happen to know a Human Nature Product dealer ( I am one too, I signed up because I love their mineral make up line!) you can order this straight or check their website. 

* NOT a sponsored post. 

That one regret

Before you jump into conclusions,  It's a career regret.

It takes courage to quit your job. But it takes more courage to go after your passion.

I've always wanted to be a make up artist but never had formal training. Since my sister and I have an artist blood, when I was young, I had painting lessons and had an exhibit with other artist children. I know I will always know how to paint but when I grew up, during my teenage years, I wanted to paint on people's faces that I did the make up of some of my sister's friends for their gimmick nights and some prom/debut events. But I never really had formal training.

Few years ago, my sister gifted me with a Bobbi Brown Make Up manual which I love and bring with me whenever I have a make up gig. For my birthday last 2011, my Kuya Stew gifted me with Body Shop's travel make up brushes, and his sister Chimayne, gifted me with a face brush when she came home to the Philippines for a visit. This year, I squealed in delight when my friend, Shom, gifted me with Bobbi Brown Travel make up brushes for Christmas and my sister gave me money to buy whatever I want and I saw a new make up manual at Powerbooks that sells for a very affordable price and it's on its last piece.

The sight of a make up palette relaxes me. I cannot go to the mall without dropping by a bookstore and the make up section. I don't always buy, I just really like to...well, ogle.

I used to live 5 minutes from SLIMS fashion school, walking distance from LaSalle College International and a short cab ride away from Frank Provost Make Up School. These schools offer Make Up Courses. My career regret is that I did not enroll myself in a Make Up school when I am still very near the schools I have mentioned and have the means and resources. I remember myself inquiring at LaSalle College International and Slims, I already inquired and have the school brochures, requirements list, rates and the schedule of the semester to enroll in. I even have contracted my friends to pose as my make up models for my portfolio, but during the end of my career in BPO,  I became tired from literally dragging myself to work and I'm tired and stressed most of the time. I couldn't find the time. Before I knew it, I lost my work-life balance, hit quarter-life crisis, moved back home and enrolled myself in Graduate School... which eventually, I see it now, 2 years later that my going back home had an important life-changing purpose.

But still, the thought of me making people's faces pretty never left me.

The Suesh Make Up Workshop

To jump start my year 2013, I signed up for Suesh Make Up workshop before 2012 ended.

I've known Suesh just when they were just starting out. They started in multiply as an online store for affordable make up brush sets and now they have stores. For more information, check our their official site.

A New Year and a bunch of "News"

First, "Happy News" Year.

New Job


Jan 2 is my first work day for the year 2013 and I don't want to ruin it by being late. For what seemed like a very long time, I was on time, on the dot, on the spot, as soon as the University Siren rang at 8 in the morning today. Never mind that most people are still on vacation, never mind that I am the second most punctual person in my new office that day. I have to admit I really am excited going to a new workplace.

During our oath taking

Perks of my new office:

• No more short distance commute.
• House is only 5 minutes away.
• Office is 3 minutes from the bank.
• I get to work and concentrate on my passion and interest: The internet and social media