What we should know about those annoying free mobile telecom ads

I've blogged before that a little birdie at Globe Telecom told me a probably an internal information about subscribers getting ads from globe numbers.

 Today I saw this on the news: 

Because I was in the middle of preparing to go to work, I was only able to get a few important details, such as:

1. It is prohibited by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
2. Some of these "free" text ads consume subscribers load (if you are on prepaid)
3. The fine is Php200.00 per text (and Atty. Gabby Concepcion, went like, '200?!' eh it's a million peso industry! What is 200 to these companies).
4. There are only specific time of the day where these texts should be sent to subscribers. Meaning, we should not get these pesky ads in the wee hours of the morning. 

But what about companies that "sells" subscribers numbers to companies? There's never a week that I haven't received random texts like these:

Dear Globe, please stop selling our numbers to your tie up companies.

Cool and crazy fun Halloween group costumes!

I am a huge, huge fan of Halloween! I remember my first Halloween party when I was still living in Manila and when I dragged my friends to go a group costume party last 2010.

It was so much fun! I am glad that we did it again back when we were still considered in our mid twenties, otherwise it would be a little bit weird to donning those crazy costumes when almost half of us are either married, with a kid, or engaged.

Anyway, I was cooking something in mind about a celebration, that I came across these photos from pinterest. If you are in your twenties and have crazy fun, up-for-it kind of friends, coming as a group for Halloween is a fun thing to do...and a happy story to tell your kids...and grandkids. Here are some cool, crazy, fun costumes as inspirations:

1. Come as a roller coaster!

2. Bring out the Pacman game

3. Make every one assemble the Human Tetris

4. Come Trick or treating as a BLT sandwich

5. Join your artist friends and come as crayons

6. And my recent find...Loofas ( Paging @laiahdear, @Augustjam, @eisenbernar @paupauzamora, get ready for the #KEAoke #ComingSoon)

And more!

And I also know someone other than Heidi Klum who's also crazy about Halloween, right Frankie? :)

I can never be as lazy as Justin Bieber

Source

I admit to being a lazy girl, trashing my old apartment when I am alone and expecting no visitors. My sister, the ever-reliable, cleanliness-freak and my complete opposite, loves cleaning it for me. I admit to procrastinating personal chores, errands, cleaning the apartment, even laundry but I am most prompt at paying bills.

I admit to not being the most reliable person when it comes to doing household work. My family calls me lazy and I can't even get my self to clean the car, that (this is embarrassing,really, but I am not going to sugar coat) a family member  had to always clean it for me. I like my mornings nice and slow (not the usher kind), I like comfortable, laid back silence in the morning, and I like my vacations with the freedom to take things slow and more room for DIY exploration. I prefer flexible itineraries and agree to go on scheduled tours for the sake of convenience but I must, I really must have a day off for my own vacation style.

But I can never be as lazy as Justin Bieber. What exactly is he doing up there? Instagramming while being carried on his bodyguards' shoulders?
 

Someone's got to mentor this kid not to turn into a douche.


POST SCRIPT:

My sister, who's actually been to the Great Wall of China just few months ago told me that it is really hard to climb the Great Wall of China. She felt that she could also use the help.

She also shared that she couldn't complain how hard it is to climb because the elderly Chinese people climbs it without complaints and some even go barefoot.

BUT...Justin could've not posted it if he needed the help.  Because people (like me) can take this the wrong way. #justsaying

The Grad School Diaries: Episode 20 - I almost got Mark Joseph Solis-ed [plagiarized] in Graduate School

In 2011, I ALMOST got Mark Joseph Solis-ed.

On my second semester as a graduate student, I wrote a paper on the topic of Los Baños traffic, which is not even a good paper considering I was still a newbie and working my way around graduate school. We were in our public policy class, and about 20 students with foreign students from Southeast Asia and most probably, funded scholars.

We were required to pitch our topic. My topic had to be in line with my MS thesis, so I asked my classmate Sarah, if I can take off from her previous paper Cyber bullying. But in my case, instead of Cyber bullying, it is the non-reportage of Cyber bullying among high school students. One Saturday morning, a classmate of mine named Janus (yes, I am name dropping here) came prepared with the presentation of his topic.

He opened his presentation with a "Good Morning" greeting translated to different native language of our foreigner classmates, much to their delight.

Then he said: The title of my policy paper is 'A Grove-y kind of Road'.

I was seated three seats from the front, and I thought it sounds familiar because I'd written a similar topic just last semester. I didn't even get an impressive grade out of it, but I still listened.

He flashed the first photo:

I whispered to my friend Aya (who is also my classmate at that time): "That photo looks familiar, I have just one like that, taken on the similar topic last semester."

Then he flashed the next photo:

I said: " Oh my gosh, Aya, I think that photo is mine! If he flashes another photo with arrows on it, I am interrupting this presentation. I did that circle thing with the paint program only!"

Then this photo confirmed it:

I interrupted Janus, raised my hand and asked: "Excuse, where did you get those photos?"

He said confidently: "Oh I got it from the internet." In fairness he did not claim it as his own.

Then I said: "Yeah. Because those photos are from my blog, and your topic is my policy paper last semester."

The entire room, all 20+ of my classmate fell silent. I even heard hushes in the background. It was awkward alright. Even my professor, who is a lawyer by profession, was shocked.

Then for the lack of a follow up thing to say, I told Janus: " You may continue".

And he did, with ALL of my photos from that blog post and not one did he get it from another source.

He came to me after his presentation, to ask about the topic but I don't think he apologized. (Did he, Aya?) I entertained his questions politely. Later, before the class was dismissed, our professor warned us not to plagiarize.

Why I am I telling you this two years later? Well, although I already posted it before, my gradschool friends and I were talking the other day and we got into talking about Mark Joseph Solis, that it was the photographer who took the photos found out that his photos were stolen, that led to my photos getting stolen too and presented it in the same class where I was attending.  Word got around and some said that I should have filed a case. The only difference between Mark Joseph Solis and Janus, Janus did not claim that it was his. Maybe that's the reason I was polite, he did not claim it that it was his. I would have reacted very differently, had he claimed that it was his.

So what happened after?

He skipped the rest of the semester and did not show up on the Finals day. I do not know what else happened to him, but I heard, on that same semester, he was also asking for my friend's paper.

Review: Revlon Foundation Brush

Remember my strange love affair with make up brushes?

This is the Revlon brush that I waited long enough to blog about. I got this online at Target again, although I was not really looking to replace my trusty Marionnaud foundation brush that I got early this year.

I love that it's very light weight and red in color.

I have thing for bristles, as you can see. 

When this photo was taken, I haven't used this yet. But last Sunday, I was able to use this brand new Revlon foundation brush, because I left my trusty Marionnaud brush at the office for my emergency make up kit. I was asked to do the make up of a debutant (my friend's sister) and I was more than happy to do it! Too bad, I totally forgot to take photos of the before and after, because everyone got busy and I was surrounded by kids (I'm talking about  kids aged 4, 7, 10, and 14 years old ) while putting on make up.

Now, one may think that it's really good judging from the brand REVLON alone, but it didn't do much difference from the performance of the Marionaud foundation brush. In fact, I think I prefer the Marionnaud foundation brush than this. I like the performance of the Marionnaud bristles better than Revlon's. There's something about how the bristles of this Revlon foundation picked up the liquid foundation while I was applying it on my muse.Also, I was also a little bit bothered with the way the strands part from one another. I think the Marionnaud bristles was able to hold it (liquid foundation) better.

[Project FeeTrail September 2013]: Skip at Sonya's, Step at Splendido

I didn't think I would have a new photo for my Project FeeTrail this month because we were supposed to go to Tagaytay for my mom's birthday but plans got cancelled, so when my wedding florist sister asked if I can join her for her for an ocular inspection in Taal for her two clients, I did not think twice and gave it a go! I've been itching for a quick little trip out of town, since my schedule is so hectic for the rest of the year, so this quick little trip excites me.

One of the fun things about working in the wedding industry is we get to check out places for an ocular inspection. We went to Sonya's Garden first, then to Splendido Taal Golf Club. We went on a cold, rainy, foggy Saturday and marveled at the location. Never mind that there is a new habagat that's on its way. Never mind that perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to go to Tagaytay that we can hear the whistle of the strong wind at the veranda of Yellow Cab restaurant where we had our stop over for dinner. Not only I was happy to make this quick little trip out of town, I also learned that Sonya's garden and Splendido Taal Golf Club is NOT in Tagaytay, contrary to search suggestions of the most reliable information site nowadays: Google.

Quick Review: That new Korean Restaurant called Seoul Kitchen

It is all because of this Instagram review that we got curious about Seoul Kitchen:

Kidding!

But finally, last night  I had that impromptu dinner-coffee date with Aya, Eisen and Frankie. We went to Seoul Kitchen, a new Korean Restaurant located at F.O.Santos. 

 

I love the cute interiors, the on-pupose-mismatched-chairs, the cozy, private feel.

Aya was already telling us her disclaimer because I keep quoting her instagram review that got us all here in the first place. :) So, let the ordering begin!

I like the cute details on the utensils:

And finally, I ordered what Aya recommended. The soy garlic chicken (Php 115): 

Honestly, I find the chicken too dry, that I requested for an extra sauce for the chicken.

When I called the lady to ask for it if there is a possibility to ask for extra sauce, she started shaking her head (like as if it's in a semi-frantic way) "NO". She said they don't do that and they only have chili sauce (WTF?!)

All this while standing from the counter and did not go to our table.  Rating for Ate's customer service? 2 out of 5.

Eisen ordered the Bibimbap for Php 140. He's not impressed either. (And considering we are both hungry because we made sure to get the full experience of this resto.)

While Frankie ordered the... Beef Bulgogi (Php155). As per Frankie, it is acceptable as food. But then, nothing spectacular.

And also this funny-sounding dish: Lappoki. (Too spicy for my taste though). It's like pancit canton, with a pasta like material topped with cheese that should've been placed on a hamburger. All that while those noodles are swimming in chili sauce.

After we sat down, we got engrossed so much in catching up that I did not really bothered so much about blogging, and because there wasn't much raving about the food, I tell you. I also did not bother taking more photos, but here's a cute blurred photo of us courtesy of Frankie:

BUT STILL, Thank you AYA for the instagram post, at least we experienced something new! Keri na yan, teh!  :)

Now, for the Quick review:

Place: F.O. Santos Corner

Price: A little expensive compared to the regular affordable price range of elbi standards. BUT, the serving size is good enough.  (size-wise)

Purchase again?

Maybe. I have a very simple taste palette but I was not impressed. The place just looks too cute to pass up. But I prefer the chicken of Spice Jar compared to this, plus it's more affordable. Spice jar's just got to do something with it's ambiance and facilities.

That one thing

I don't really have a bucket list, to be honest. I just have "a list".

I realized that I am in my late twenties and I try to use this term as much as possible because, let's face it, I am now about to turn to thirty soon. I didn't really find it so scary, until, well, people my age started making such big deal about it.

I did have a list, like in my twenties. I wanted to do this, do that, I pretty much did majority of those things but most of them were pretty safe. I think the scariest thing I did, was... (hold on to your horses)...was fell madly, crazily, drunk in love. So stupid so scary, that if I would be asked to throw my independent life in the city, migrate, and be domesticated, I'll do it!

But life has other plans for me. I realized that since 2005, I've been madly doodling that I wanted to go back to school... and little did I know, I had quarter-life crisis then... ta-dah! I'm in Graduate School.

I remember before moving back that I did try so hard to remain in the city. I applied for a day job, in one of the industry that I am so passionate about. I didn't get a call during my allotted time frame, then one day, I got a call from them asking to report for work but I had to decline right then and there because I have decided to pursue graduate school as a full time student. I remember saying, (after hanging up):

 "This better be worth it."

And it was. Because last year was a tough one because I have lost a parent and it made me re-think my life. I've been watching my life diligently that this year I have decided I'm going to get both a spiritual and financial advisers and got them both in one month. By this time and age I have realized that majority of what my life turned out was at one point or another, what I have wanted. A lot of people may disagree with me, but there are so many things I am embarrassed to share/blog because it doesn't fit/conform to what society expects from someone like me. I am so not born out of a cookie cutter.

Few days ago, I heard a story of someone's life who so looks good on the outside, but she feels so unhappy (like on a crying level!) on the inside. ( It's Facebook's fault!) A lot of people wanted to have what she has but at the end of the day, it really boils down to what makes us happy. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, guys.

I found my self agreeing and making unsolicited comments like : " I feel for her, in fact, I still have that feeling of what my career would be had it been...."

Then I came across this from Mark Twain:

I told you I don't really have a bucket list, but even though I am shit scared, I've always wanted to know what it feels like to do what Elizabeth Gilbert did.

To travel solo.