Travel Japan: How to apply for Japanese Tourist Visa (when staying with a friend)

Our trip to our childhood and close family friend, Kuya Benz, has been long standing since early 2013. So when we chanced upon a cheap round trip ticket, we decided to give it a go!

(Actually, it was my sister Aprille who booked first. She got her tickets for just around 8k with in flight meals, insurance and round trip baggage allowance. I got inspired while she was talking about her plans to Kuya Benz who was in the Philippines during that time, so I told myself I would grab the next one if it's on sale. I found a seat sale a week later, with a little more charge and less privileges than Aprille's ticket, but still under 10k! It must be really meant for me!)

The Baby Shower Challenge

Three weeks after our friends, Ellis and Joy's wedding, we threw a baby shower to our beloved couple. 

The venue: The couple's house

The guests: Couple's closest friends and some of their way minor kids.

The Attire: Wear any shade of Green (Because most baby boy showers are themed in blue, so make it green plus it's the mommy's favorite color)

The challenge: How to throw a baby shower with guests who don't like games and with little kids participating in the program.

To be honest, I don't really know how to organize/throw a baby shower for a friend because majority of the baby showers that I've attended, I have nothing to do with the planning. I just make an appearance, bring gifts according to the couple's wishlist . The most I've been involved with is host the party as the master of ceremony, which I've done for at least a few times.

Let's not even go to the part of hosting (which is another story but of a different party) but what makes this shower challenging is, the fact that not only it's a co-ed baby shower (most baby showers are exclusively for the women and wives because this is their venue for tip-sharing for the mom-to-be...shucks, I did not even know that!), there are also minor kiddies in the party!

But God Bless the internet, everything is highly googable from the decorations to program flow to baby shower games! 

So here it is: Decorations (banner by yours truly and the pom-poms by Shom...all labor of love!)

Decorations

More after the jump!

How to pick a Feel Good Song

Last month, during a stop over at a gas station on our way to the Beach, my friend Joy and I heard this song on the radio and she said "This song is my feel good song!"

"How can you say that it's your feel good song?" I asked.

She said that with no reason she just feels really good and it perks her up whenever she hears that song. Now that got me into thinking: "What is my feel good song?"

Source

You see, there is a big difference between a feel good song, vs your favorite song vs the current "IN" song.  A feel good song is timeless.  It is not a "current favorite", "not the happenin'" nor the "trendy".

Here's how I was able to determine mine:

1. It makes your heart skip a beat. For no reason at all and sometimes without you knowing it.
2. It literally makes you aware of the breath that you take.( Without you knowing it)
3. It warms your heart/chest. Like you had a good cup of coffee.
4. For some reason it makes you pause (whether short/long pause, it makes you take really good notice.
5. It transforms you in an instant and makes you feel good , for some inexplicable reasons.

So one time, when I had the chance to browse my iPod , out of 3027 songs ( I didn't listen to them one by one ha!) I managed to get my top feel good songs and from my target to come up with at least 10, I filtered them and came up with 7. ( I had quite a challenge of distinguishing between a favorite song vs a feel good song)

Here's my Feel Good Songs Playlist:

1. Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys
This song inspired me to come up with this post. I was at the office one day and this song came up like 3 times in that day and it made me really stop what I am doing and just listen to it. I wasn't even into The Beach Boys.

2. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani fet. Akon
I was partying in Cebu when I first heard this song. It was during my first night and I was out with my girlfriends and their friends and the moment that I heard the "Whoohooo" of Akon in the song, I had to ask my friend what's the name of this song. My favorite line is " If I could escape and recreate a place as my own world, and I could be your favorite girl, forever, perfecly together, tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet... If I could be sweet, I know I've been a real bad girl..." This song always reminds me of how really good I felt and how much fun I had in Cebu.

3. Unwritten - Natasha Beddingfield
I took a break in the middle of being stressed at work and during my 15minute break, I played this song at it instantly perked me up and recharged me.

4. You Stole My Heart Away - Big Mountain
I was with friend's car when  I heard this song and I asked her beau to turn it up. I felt really giddy upon hearing and felt like as if I am in love when I was not seeing anyone at that time. This song will make you fall in love with the idea of falling in love.

5. Sukob Na - 17:28 (Filipino/Tagalo Song)
I'm a sucker when it comes to rain and I heard this song years ago during a television station ID and it's all about having fun in the rain, cuddling, getting cozy, enjoying warm cup of coffee/hot chocolate, those things along those lines. This songs just makes me feel like staying in, sitting in the couch and just reading a good book while enjoying a hot chocolate while it rains outside.

6. Binibini - Brownman Revival (Filipino/Tagalo Song)
I was walking on my way to work when I first heard this song and I was running late. I did not have enough time to put make up on or fix my hair but when I heard this song, it made me feel like a muse. (Lakas lang maka-muse nito mga teh!)

7. Underneath it All - No Doubt
I heard it first when I watched 50 first dates song but a beach trip isn't complete without me hearing this song.


And the most important tip in picking a feel good song:
It should not make you relate to a person you are dating/in a relationship with because the "feel good vibe" will only be just because of that person. Again a feel good song is timeless and is brought upon by something inexplicable and must be really felt.

Now to put it to test, if you get yourself in a bad situation, put on your headphones and play it. If it makes you feel good despite of the negativity immersion, you will know that your playlist works!

Mine does. :)


P.S. 
My prayers were answered. My iPod is recuperating well and it's healing itself. )  Related story here 

Nice to Know

I received this email from my sister and I'd like to share it with you. There's really no clear source of the information because I think this has been circulated many times.



Ant Problem


Ants hate cucumbers.
Keep the skin of cucumbers near the place or ant hole.





To get pure and clean ice
Boil water first before freezing.



To make the mirror shine:
Clean with sprite



To remove chewing gum from clothes
Keep the cloth in the freezer for an hour.




To whiten white clothes:
Soak white clothes in hot water with
a slice of lemon for 10 minutes



To give a shine to hair :
Add one teaspoon of vinegar to hair, then wash hair.



To get maximum juice out of lemons :
Soak lemons in hot water for one hour,
and then juice them.



To avoid smell of cabbage while cooking:
Keep a piece of bread on the cabbage
in the vessel while cooking.



To avoid tears while cutting onions:
Chew gum.




To boil potatoes quickly:
Skin one potato from one side only before boiling.




To remove ink from clothes :
Put toothpaste on the ink spots generously and let it dry completely,
then wash.



To skin sweet potatoes quickly :
Soak in cold water immediately after boiling.





To get rid of mice or rats :
sprinkle black pepper in places where you find mice or rats.
They will run away.

I think it would be great if there's a DIY manual for like this... or am I just not aware?

HowTo Make Breakfast like a 7yr old

One Wednesday morning, I decided to be home alone for half of the day and just play couch potato. Seeing a loaf of sliced plain bread, I decided to play around with breakfast.

Butter or Margarine

Chocolate Drops from baker's Depot

Rainbow Sprinkles

How to sweeten it up:

1. Spread the butter/ margarine on top of the bread.

2. Add the Chocolate Drops and Rainbow Sprinkles.

3. Put it in a Oven Toaster for 3 minutes, then serve!

3 minutes is just right

Without Rainbow Sprinkles

With Rainbow Sprinkles

Ta-dah!

I wish my phone's 2.0 MP cam has Macro

Important: Make sure to have water within reach because it is really sweeeeeeet!!!