[Project FeeTrail July 2013]: Befriend the Unknown

This month, I met my spiritual adviser for the very first time. I never really thought I would be the "holy" type, or someone wanting a spiritual adviser. I've always wanted to talk to a shrink, but then I think I need to talk someone on another level. I decided I want a spiritual adviser whom I can really be honest with. 

I needed someone to tell me where I messed up, help me understand on a whole new level. I know I wanted to get a shrink before, but it's expensive and because, hello...this is the Philippines. But other personalities I know that do have these kind of advisers, like Kris Aquino and one of my favorite bloggers, Cecile Van Straten. I did not get one to join a bandwagon, I got one because I needed it. And you just don't get someone for the sake of having one, you have to pray for it. And I did, sincerely.

She said she wasn't supposed to take any counseling sessions but something about me told her that matches the current project she's working with. And that meeting me was meant to be. I remember the first time I texted her, she was on vacation. I just told her to let me know when she is available and then few weeks later, while I was at the mall, I got a text from her that she is back from her vacation. After a month of trying to match our schedule, we finally made our first appointment. I got a spiritual adviser.  

So this photo captures the first time I traveled alone to meet a stranger. Although it is not too far, but the driving force that I have to go there is not based on meeting a beau or an out-of-town trip to meet with friends. I went there for myself.

I know some might want to do the same, but to truly experience it to the fullest is to start acknowledging that you need help, you are doing something about it and that you will have to have an open mind and  take action steps. Most important of all, you  will really have to strip down your walls and be totally honest about it. I, the queen of walls and trust issues, stripped down my walls and spoke in all honesty, because I did not travel alone this far just to fool myself and expect to hear some kind of validation.

Happy Birthday Wilhelmina Giovanna Samantha Jones

I am incredibly lucky to have a bff like Samantha Jones. Nobody can really take that title away from her. You think she's fiction, but I have her in 4D. She's in my speed dial and a short bus ride away.

I was actually browsing Pinterest for Samantha Jones photos and I ended up laughing because most of her lines were said to me in real-life at least one point in time! I will not get into details but these brought back a lot of my favorite memories.

Next:

Why Parental Guidance is still needed when with a minor in Book Sales

I have a favorite Mother and Daughter tandem who I love rummaging book sales with. The nearest and one of  our favorite book sale store in elbi closes this July 31, 2013 for good. Probably the cheapest and most practical book that I got was from this Book Sale branch. I got a female-friendly financial book for only Php 5.00!

Anyway, there's still SM Calamba and SM San Pablo Book Sale branches that I go to, but I hate having  to drive/commute at least 30 minutes to get to the mall. I'm also not a fan when these two malls hold weekend, payday sales like last weekend at SM San Pablo:

My sister had to get something from the department store, so I figured out to drop by the Book Sale. I've talking alot about my favorite author, Jane Green, in this blog, I was very happy to find 3 books of Jane Green priced at Php50.00 each. Bad  news is, I already have them.

I remember my friend Faye's sentiments about the about-to-close Book Sale, where will we get our quick Book Sale fix? She, her now 10yrd old daughter Cheska and I frequent Book Sales, whether we are in SM Calamba, Alabang, and even in SM Naga back in summer of 2011.

Faye would give Cheska a book budget and this little lady knows how to haggle. Before we leave the book sale, she'd be carrying at least 3 books all within Faye's assigned budget. She likes to show Tita Kea her new books about animals and she'd be checking out what's on my hand.

This weekend, I saw something at SM San Pablo's Book Sale that, looks attractive to kids, packaging wise,  but Que Horror to mommies like Faye:

Another What the heck book 

I already got into trouble with new terms/idea that Cheska learned from me besides putting on make up, pool jump ala Free Willy and Tyra Banks high fashion Fierce pose and other stuff (like: Naku Cheka, if you turn into rebellious highschooler, please don't go emo or get into goth fashion ha?!) and Faye had to pay the price and agony of having to explain to her what it is when they get home.

Good thing, little lady is not with me when I saw this, or else, I am not prepared to talk impromptu about the birds and bees and all other things to her.

Maybe when she's 18?   I bet Mama Faye would join the convo with Tequila. :)

I will never complain about my job ever again

Back in 2010, I  know exactly what it felt like to drag your ass to work and look forward to nothing but payday. Then when I pursued graduate school full time for the first three semesters, I experienced what it was like not having my own money. So on my next job, I made sure that I actually like and love what I do because I am exchanging at least 8 hours of my life for it.

Today I found this on pinterest, and it made me feel good. This is a good reminder for me when I'm having those "I-just-want-to-take-a-personal-day-off-and-just-watch-Modern-Family-at-home".

Now, if you feel the same, repeat after me:

Pray, Love, Eat

I read from somewhere that if you tell everyone (maybe not literally everyone) what you want to do and you will across someone who will help you get it/achieve it. This year, as part of my 2013 checklist, I want to have a Spiritual Adviser and a Financial Adviser. I was able to have both those two in less than three months.

PRAY

Late last May, I decided, proactively, that I needed a spiritual adviser. I approached the catholic church (literally I went to the church) and got dismayed. In respect for my religion, I will not write about it in detail.

Then a friend invited me to a Christian community gathering. When I asked what it is, he said " Sort of Alive-alive..."(referring to those church groups singing gospel songs singing Jesus is Alive forevermore). I attended just to see what it is like out other, other than the Catholicism that I grew up with. Then one day, I found myself agreeing to a bible study, and reserving a day in my week for this. I did not convert (knowing Filipinos have this need to be associated to a certain religion or church group), I know my self as spiritual and not religious. Somehow along the way, it provided me a sense of calmness, peace and balance.

Review: Simple Treats Restaurant, San Pablo City

First, the restaurant should be renamed to: Simple Taste. You know that feeling when you did not get what you paid for?

We had dinner at this place called "Simple Treats by CDC". From what it looks like on the outside, we were expecting really good dining experience. We decided to try this restaurant because it's new to us (they've been around for a year and 3 months as of this writing) and because it's my Aunt's birthday. Sad thing, they do not have proper parking areas. You have to park at your own risk.

Then, the prices are expensive. The supposedly good dish ranges from Php195.00 to almost Php 400.00. More information on this Bad Customer Service + Bland Taste Food + Expensive Prices = Bad Review, after the jump!

Travel Laguna: The Parasite Collection Center in UPLB (PCC)

This post is not for the squirmish, I tell ya. After the trip to the Museum of the National History (MNH) we went to the The Parasite Collection Center before heading to the Anatomy Museum.

Ever wondered how our pets die due to the cause of some parasites? Well, here is the place where you will see what these culprits look like:

Travel Laguna: The Anatomy Museum in UPLB

As continuation from my trip to Museum of National History, a week later we went to The Anatomy Museum of College of Veterinary Medicine in U.P. Los Banos.

It's actually my first time to visit the place so I'm really curious about what the place has to offer.

Travel Laguna: The Museum of Natural History in UPLB

The last time I went to the Museum of National History (MNH) was back when I was still in grade school. I did not know that this is the location, in UPLB College of Forestry area:

The museum is a two storey building. 

The secret is in the mousse

 Remember my last post about wanting to comb my hair?

The night after that photo was taken, I told my sister to cut my hair. And she did:

I think I wanna comb again

Someone once told me that girls do something with their hair after encountering a painful experience, most often, a break up.

I did it more than a decade ago, I decided to cut my hair and have it in a semi-boy's cut. Almost all my friends in high school was donning the 'do. It looks good on my friends Joy and Cecile. I joined the bandwagon and discovered that:

1. The haircut does not flatter me at all.

2. My hair takes forever to grow. 

Que Horror, right?

From that moment on, all haircut that I will have must be carefully considered and researched. So far, what I've been doing the following years is grow my hair long and have it straightened (for I have natural waves).

It was only in 2011 that I decided to join the waves since I couldn't beat them. I had my hair digitally permed in September 2011 and enjoyed the following:

• Had three trial colors before I finally found something I like.
• Never had to worry about waves when putting my hair up in a bun.
• Never had to comb again going after out of the bathroom.
• Low maintenance.
• Enjoyed reviewing hair mousse products.

Now, almost 2 years after, this is what it looks like, in real-life: 

(Left: Without flash; Right: With flash)

I sure did have a lot of fun having curly hair. I maintained the curls even the non-digi permed part by putting it up in a bun as contingency plan for the waves.  I even had strangers touching my hair, because they thought I'm wearing a wig. I just don't like the amount of hair fall that I've been getting for the past years, and stressing out whenever I'm running out of conditioner. And also the need to shop for curl defining mousse (though I enjoyed it) and take it with me whenever I have to spend the night over at a friends house.

I think I want to have it trimmed and want to comb again.

Bobbi Brown Travel Make up brush

One of my favorite Christmas gift that I got last year was from my friend Shom. I literally let out a little squeal when I opened it:

It's a travel make up brush set:

What is it with men and them naming their genitalia?

In all honesty, can someone please enlighten me what is with Men and their genitalia? I grew up hearing "manoy" "junior" "jun-jun" when men refer to their genitalia.

Back in 2010, a friend of mine was discussing a topic on post modernism and "naming" in front of the class that led to a topic about how men treated their genitalia. I was seated at the way back section of the room, when...

"Not only that, men also give names to their genitalia..."  I accidentally blurted out, while flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine that I was secretly browsing in class.

The room fell silent, as all eyes turned around and stared at me, as I fell silent and embarrassed that I caused a small scene. I wasn't the one reporting and here I am, genitalia-speaking at the back of the friggin' classroom.

"But...that's what they said." I continued, trying to pick up my small piece of dignity left. After all, it's my first semester back in graduate school, I was trying to be proper.

But really. I remember one of my favorite movies, How to lose a guy in 10 days, showing Kate Hudson (Andie)  in a scene with Matthew McConaughey (Ben), and Kate's character was naming Matthew's thing, with "Princess Sophia".