Beware of the hidden ingredient at the Old Spaghetti House

Last Tuesday, we found ourselves in Paseo Sta Rosa and had dinner at The Old Spaghetti House. I'm not really a fan of the restaurant after having tried it several years ago, but my sister and her boyfriend wanted to have pasta. I let them do the ordering and we ordered their Pinoy style, Mylene's pasta.

I'm a fan of pesto and carbonara, and since this is in white sauce, I figured out there's no surprises since the menu says: contains garlic longganisa.

Read more about this WTF experience after the jump:

Consuelo de Bobo Coupons

In 2010, my professor in graduate school saw me handing out coupons to my Manila-based classmates.

Professor: What is that? 

Me: Coupons sir. 

Professor: What for? 

Me: Discounts in boutiques, coffee shops, spa, department stores. I won't be using them since I rarely frequent Manila anymore. 

Professor: Do you know that you are not actually saving money with those coupons? Those coupons are actually consuelo de bobo.

I know exactly what he meant. In US, there's this blog about the Krazy Coupon lady and a TV show about Extreme Couponing, where people are into collecting coupons and using them to save money.

Last year, I went to the Belle de Jour fair and got my self a new BDJ Planner. I went for another Viviamo planner in 2013 but I figured out, that since I am no longer in graduate school and have guiltless time to meet up friends in Manila, I might use most of them. I love BDJ because it comes with over 40,000 worth of discount coupons. I was able to enjoy mine in White hat and Ace Water Spa among the others. So I used the Revlon coupon from BDJ and went to SM Calamba and tried to use the coupon. I was declined. I was told that they've never seen it before and it's not discussed in the memo.

I figured out, maybe because SM Calamba is not as updated as SM Makati. I tried my luck the other week.

I went to SM Makati last week and was told of the same thing but with an add-on.

"We are SM Department store, these coupons are valid at Watsons."she said. 

"Aren't you Watsons too?"I asked.

"Maám Watsons store is a separate boutique aside from the one in SM Department store. We are the department store." 

"Okay. I said. Where is the nearest Watson's store?" 

"Greenbelt 1 Maám"

So all for the sake of availing this coupon, I walked. I walked for like a good 30 minutes, dragging my friend Karen with me.

When I finally reached that hidden Watsons store in Greenbelt 1, I was told:

"Maám we don't have a memo about this coupon. Another lady also tried to use this coupon but there's no memo about this. Try SM Makati."

"But I already went there!"I said. 

To make the story short, I was not able to purchase via coupon. The long walk from SM Makati to Greenbelt 1 flashed before my very eyes and remembered my Professor in 2010: Consuelo de bobo.

I am not actually going to save money from it. In fact I was encouraged/pursued/invited/hypnotized to shell out a good Php 1500 just to avail of the discount. A few days later, I found myself back in a department store and found a cheaper version of what I was trying to purchase at Revlon.

Hello! I'm finally on Facebook!

Good Morning! I'm finally on Facebook!

After years of internal debating and prodding from others, I finally have a page for my blog! No, I'm not a celebrity of any sort, but I would love to have a you as my Facebook friend.

Please click on the photo or link below to access the page:

Official Facebook URL: Facebook.com/keamistryblog

P.S.

Thank you to my friends and friends of friends who already liked my page. I promise I won't spam you with nonsense posts. Hihi!

Package for the Philippines #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014

With the recent events that happened in the country, like the Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), I couldn't imagine anyone not doing their part to at least give or share. My friends and I chipped in and donated last year and even donated clothes and those in kind but it seems like it isn't enough. We can do more, make it big, and go beyond just donation.

“If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?”

I dream big and would like to give a customized gift to the Philippines called the "Empowerment Package".

The Empowerment Package is a series of program plans designed and customized for every individual in a target community for its long-term survival and sustainability. Every community is composed of basic, important unit: The Family. The package consists of specific programs designed for each family members and since the composition and dynamics of a Filipino family has evolved through the years, the assignments are definitely not gender-specific. Below is the list of the identified typical Filipino family member and the customized empowerment program for their role in the family:

The Family leader. The Family leader is usually the one who makes the decisions/breadwinner. As the leader of the house, he/she will be the main source or one of the sources of the family income. The family leader will be given resources, materials and will be trained for livelihood projects that can make way for future income. This include, but not limited to, house building constructions, restoration, training for public service administration, production of native products, business management training, and other employment training programs, etc.

The Home maker. The Home maker is  the one in charge of the household as the one who usually makes the decision in the house. The home makers will be given basic tools to start up. For example, for the house makers, they will be given kitchen appliances, and other tools to help the family. They will also undergo seminars and training which very much useful for families like budgeting, making use of available resources, first aid, and other activities to complement the Family leaders' program.

The Contributor/Believer - The Contributors are usually family members that may have graduated from school or have reached that age where they can now help out their families. The Believers are usually our grand parent/s whose wisdom have guided the family. Family members that fall under this category may have the option to join the Homemakers and Family Leader so that the roles, responsibilities and contribution of a member does not fall on one shoulder alone. The contributor/believer's role is to keep the ball rolling.

The Learner -The Learners are the youth who would like start or continue their education beyond the limitations of the physical walls of a classroom. Telecom giant, Globe Telecoms, did a great job with Bangon Pinoy movement and recently with Globe's projectwonderful where they made early Christmas happen for the children in Leyte. Globe can set up virtual classrooms with facilities and internet connections for free to be used for communication with relatives in other parts of the country or abroad, and establish distance learning programs in cooperation with Globe's project wonderful volunteers.

The Wonderer - The wonderers are infants to children in pre-school (those who are too young to go to formal schooling yet). They will be assigned together in a make shift day care center or pre-school (built by project wonderful volunteers and donors)to undergo counseling or debriefing by volunteers and participate in enjoyable learning activities for them to make the most of their childhood. They also get to mingle with other children their age, while their parents/relatives are at the same time involved in their respective programs in the Empowerment Package.

Recognizing the important roles and efforts of volunteers and donors, all the resources gathered would be categorized according to need and would be distributed according to the program for the members of the family. For example, donated money may be used to buy materials for house building projects, restoration and other materials. Donations in kind like clothes, food, medical kits, among the many others would be carefully segregated and distributed by Globe Project wonderful volunteers and would be endorsed to the Homemakers and the Believers. The books and toys would both be enjoyed by the Learners and the Wonderers.

It is called the Empowerment package because every family is a "package" to be empowered. Every member of the family is included in the rehabilitation project, everyone is involved from infants to senior citizens! Absolutely no one is left out! 

The Empowerment Package is designed for long-term sustainability of each families in a community and at the same time provide support, boost self-esteem and confidence for each individual affected. The best thing about the Empowerment Package is it is not only it is implementable to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), it is also applicable and may also be adopted by other communities in our country, including those who are residing in the city but happened to be living in depressed areas. In short it does not cater only to one affected area alone, it is implementable in the entire Philippines!

The Empowerment Package is by Filipinos, for every Filipino.


How about you? What would you like to give to the Philippines?  #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 

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Get a chance to win an iPad mini 2 simply by sharing what you would like to give to the Philippines. Please use the comment form below and one lucky reader's gift to the Philippines comment will be chosen by Globe and Nuffnang Philippines!

I'm excited to read your thoughts below!

[Project FeeTrail January 2014]: Making it in Marikina

January 11, 2014 is the day I traveled South to North (and vice versa) on all kinds of land

 transportation in the Philippines except riding the pedicab and railroad trolley.

I left at 8:30 am at our house and took the tricycle to take me to the nearest bus stop.

I got off at Magallanes to take the MRT (train) to go and meet Karen in Glorietta.

We took the MRT again to go to Cubao to go to reach Marikina.

We took the FX to reach the main city.

Then took the jeep to get to  the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish Church, in San Roque Marikina City. 

Just in time for Karen and me to perform our ceremonial "cross across the baby's forehead"as god mothers of our friends' first born daughter, Madison Brigh.

We were able to sneak in a little time for this documentation, because I told Karen I really want to have a feet shot at that "walk of fame-ish"park that they have and since it's my first time in Marikina.

After the ceremony, we hitched a ride at Mike's car to get to the reception.

Took the jeepney again back to Cubao - Edsa.

And finally reached (actually brisked walked like crazy) to get to the bus station.

At 10pm, I was home.

It was my first time going commute to this bus stop in Cubao. Karen was giving me directions about which way to go, which is Aurora, which is Edsa, and I just stared at her dumbly. Maybe because, it's already evening and I am in the middle of Cubao at night and still have a long way to go. I lived in the city for a decade and still a little que horror with directions.

I was almost tempted to hail a cab, like I used to, but then I just decided to suck it up and do the best that I can with Karen's instructions. I did it, yey!

To tab or not to tab: That, seriously, is the question.

I blame my friend Poch for the triggering this, well, mini obsession. He brought his iPad3 at Joy's party last weekend and I borrowed it and discovered a game called iSlash.

When I got home I had back aches from all leaning and slashing across the iPad and also from all the screaming. Yes, I am embarrassing to play with especially when it comes to exciting games. I'm not really a games fan. I don't even know how to play Plants vs Zombies. I downloaded iSlash and played it on my mother's ipad until she demanded her iPad back. Then that got me thinking, maybe I should get one? I'm the only one in the family who doesn't have a touchscreen apple product, but I feel guilty to only use it with just games. I keep converting the cost versus the other things to get (like travel, conference membership, other forms of financial freedom plans, etc.) and ends up with nah! Luxury! 

I was lying in bed trying to catch up on my reading when I suddenly had the urge to BBM Frankie, an Apple fan and technology savvy friend, who I know recently got the Apple's iPad air. Last 2012, he got an a ipad and...

See Frankie's review after the jump!

Chit chat with a six year old

Part of my vision board includes: "Make New Friends". or at least try.

So yesterday, I made one...with a 6 year old.

I was at the car wash, waiting, and honestly grateful with the errand so I can kill time by writing in my gratitude diary and read up on my books that I got last Christmas.

This little girl, who happens to be the daughter of the owner of the car wash and resort walked up to me and asked:

"What's your name?"

"Kristine. How about you?"

"My name is Thea."

She asked me what am I doing, I told her I'm reading a book while waiting for my car. It just so happen that I still have the loot bag from a children's party that I attended the night before, so I gave her the bubble jar I'm playing with previously and it also happen that I found a princess ring in the car seat. I also gave it to her.

She was obviously delighted. She asked me:

"Are you rich?"

"No I'm not"

Then she said: "We're rich. You should go to our house so we can give you money so you can be rich too!"

(For the protection of this rich kid, I am just posting a photo of her hand with the princess ring that I gave her.)

We got into talking. Actually, she did most of the talking. Part of my new year's resolution is to be a really good listener. 

She told me about her school and she will be transferring schools next school year. She told me she likes to talk and make friends with strangers. She even pointed out the house of her uncle (they live in a big compound where there is a resort, a badminton court, and a day care center). Sometimes I get nervous when talking to kids. They tell you the truth, sometimes things you don't want to know or hear, and most of the time, because you already know. Then she asked:

"Are you a mommy or a daughter?"

"What do you think?"

"You're a daughter!"

Whew. That was close!

She must have realized that she's been talking way too much so she said: "Are you nervous?"

"No, I'm not" ( I'm really amused)

"If you're nervous, just breathe in and out."

"Really? How do you breathe in and out?"

And she took a deep breath and released a giant exhale. 

The attendant told me that the car is ready. As I was getting my things, she asked again:

"How old are you?"

I pushed my luck. "Make a wild guess."

"Forty."

Que horror! 

Alright! That's it! I'm gulping that 12 glasses of water a day that this article claimed to have shed 10 years off a woman's age!

The Universe has no favorites (You can make your vision board happen!)

Happy New Year!  As I always say every start of the year, Tis the season of resolutions and vision boards!

And speaking of vision boards, during the holidays, I've posted some photos on Instagram to support my first post for 2014.



Instead of the usual highlights of 2013, or what I learned in 2013, I'm going to write about vision boards instead. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for 2013. It has been very kind and helped me and my family bounce back.

More about vision boards after the jump!