Church Hopping this Maundy Thursday

Since most of my Holy Week trips got cancelled because of some unavoidable mishaps, I had no choice but to spend time at home. Talk about sacrifice...hum, hum..Anyway being the "gala" person, I persuaded my sister, Kris, to go Church Hopping with me.  This is the first time that she'll do Visita Iglesia so she's a bit excited.  I was not sure at first if she'll survive the "walking" (and I'll survive her "complains") but I'm really glad that she did =)

Visita Iglesia is a spanish term which means "church visit."  Traditionally, one has to visit 14 churches to represent the 14 Stations of the Cross. Since Kris and I don't know our way around Manila, we decided to visit 7 churches instead, reciting 2 Stations in each church.

Barely 30 steps from my lolo's house...Kris is already thirsty.  She made a stop in the Sari-Sari store to buy Fit and Right. In fairness, healthy drink. Wahaha!

First stop: Malate Catholic Church (Malate Manila)

Kris walking along Mabini Street on our way to our 2nd church.  But!!!! She made another stop...

...to buy...

Second Stop: Ermita Church (Ermita)

This is unbelievable!!!! Kris made another stop in one of the stores along Luneta!!! Hahaha!

But she wasn't able to buy what she wants because according to her "ang bagal ng tindera! mot-mot yun!" I wonder what "mot-mot" means?! =)

She bought mango instead...

Third Stop:  San Agustin (Intramuros). It wasn't a pleasant walk going to this church. It was really dark. I hate walking in dark alleys.

Fourth Stop: Manila Cathedral (Intramuros)

Next buy:  MAIS!!!! Hahahahaha! My sister's appetite is the BEST!

Unfortunately, this Mais fell on the ground on our way to Sta. Cruz Church. Kris was close to tears. Boo Hoo...

Fifth Stop: Sta. Cruz Church (Sta. Cruz)

As I was taking the picture of the church one boy said "Ate picturan mo naman ako!" =)

Cute huh???! May future! =)

Sixth Stop: Quiapo Church (Quiapo)

Kris made a quick stop to buy the "anting-anting" of her baby, Josef =)

Then a quick side trip to 7-11.  Bought some drinks.

Seventh Stop: San Sebastian Church (Recto). Quite a long walk from Quiapo to Recto =C But the walk was worth it as this is my favorite church =)

Done!!! 7 churches! Picture time with Kris =)

Oopsss!!! Not yet done...Last stop: JOLIBEE

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone!

Lunch with the Family

It's Sunday and me and my family went out for lunch.  We were supposed to eat at WOK INN in Malate but since the restaurant doesn't have any high-chair for Josef, we went to Robinson's Midtown to eat at Banana Leaf.

We ordered Roti...for Josef actually:)



[caption id="attachment_200" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pandan Chicken"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_201" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Malay Chicken Curry"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Beef Brisket Noodle Soup"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_203" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chili Clams"][/caption]

The overall dining experience was ok. The food is not that great.  Their dishes lack the distinct Thai taste - salty and spicy. I still love Thai in Box!



Oh! I just have to say this...I'm happy because the new yaya for Josef arrived already (the one wearing purple). I just hope she'll learn fast (it's her first time to be a yaya).

After lunch, my lolo wanted to try The White Hat yogurt :)



He ordered yogurt with peaches and walnut toppings. I think he liked it because he finished the serving by himself ;)  Hooray for White Hat!  It's for all generations:)

Human Heart Nature

I am the type of person who doesn't care much about the products that I use for my body.  I grew up using whatever there is in our bathroom since we usually buy products that can be used by the whole family.

Recently, though, I came across the Human Heart Nature Organic Products introduced to me by my friend, Kira.  I read about the benefits of using all organic products so I decided to give it a try. 

Let me tell you about the Human Heart Nature Products that I use.  I shampoo my hair with the Nourishing Shampoo with Aloevera and Mandarin which has refreshingly orangre-y sent.  I also use the Nourishing Conditioner in Mango and Peppermint. This gives a very cold feeling in your scalp when used.

[caption id="attachment_187" align="aligncenter" width="336" caption="Nourishing Shampoo in Aloevera & Mandarin"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_188" align="aligncenter" width="287" caption="Nourishing Conditioner in Mango & Peppermint"][/caption]

I'm a super fan of their Facial Wash with Calendula and Seaweed.  I actually ordered my 2nd bottle already :) I love its scent plus the feel of my skin after washing.  Kira mentioned in her blog the benefits of seaweeds to our skin.  You may check this link for more information :)(http://earthlydelights.multiply.com/journal/item/99

[caption id="attachment_189" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Facial Wash with Calendula and Seaweed"][/caption]

I exfoliate my skin using Cocoa Butter and Brown Rice Facial Scrub.  I love this because it doesn't give my skin the dry/rough feeling after use.

[caption id="attachment_190" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Cocoa Butter & Brown Rice Facial Scrub"][/caption]

Of course if there's a scrub for my face, I also have one for my body :) What I love about this scrub is the lemongrass scent.

[caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="499" caption="Luxurious Body Scrub"][/caption]

The new addition to my Human Heart Nature skin regimen is my Tomato and Mandarin Toner.   I read that it cleans the face without drying it.   :)

[caption id="attachment_192" align="aligncenter" width="171" caption="Tomato & Mandarin Toner"][/caption]

 So there you go...I heart Human Heart Nature!!!

For more information about these wonderful products (and more!) visit

http://earthlydelights.multiply.com/

YOGURT EXPERIENCE

THE WHITE HAT (Italian Frozen Yogurt)

(Rob Midtown, MOA, Trinoma)

Taste it to find out what everyone is raving about!

I have (at this moment) this so-called addiction to Yogurt.  My friend, Kira, introduced me to this healthy dessert.

After trying the infamous "yog-yog" in Greenmeadows Bazaar, I thought that all yogurt tastes like that :) I didn't like it that much so when Kira told me to try out White Hat (Rob, Midtown) I didn't dare anymore. haha!!!

But when i tried it (first time with Kira and Mark), it's LOVE!

Its a guilt-free dessert and I really like its tangy taste.  PLUS... White Hat's homemade cheescake is the BEST!!! :)

RED MANGO (Authentic Frozen Yogurt)

(Trinoma)

This is another yogurt house that my other friend, Irene, recommended. It's in Trinoma. Quite far from my place.  But again, Kira and I met there so I found this the perfect opportunity for me to taste Red Mango's yogurt. Hmmm.. Will it be LOVE also just like with The White Hat?

Do we love it??? Check out Kira's pic to know the answer ;)

Our yogurt - peach and strawberry toppings.

Kira - "White Hat, White Hat!!!" :)

Actually, it's not that bad. We just feel that it's lacking something....Kira said the "yogurty" taste...For me, the sweetness and the "overload" toppings..tsk, tsk :)

What about you? Are you a White Hat lover? or "Red Mango?" ;)

josef..nine months after

do you remember my blog post about josef, my nephew? well, i want to share what he looks like now...nine months after...

so adorable and cute! love your own! haha! :) he'll be one year old soon. as early as now we are thinking of how to celebrate his birthday. n need to be a big bash. we want it to be special. exciting. but of course something that will fit our budget. any suggestions? :)

last song syndrome...

have you ever experienced having the "last song sydrome" wherein you keep on repeating the last song you've heard? it's really  a big question why this happens.  there are times when i detest the songs played in the bus (alam mo na yan station...) for i fear that i wil be singing lines of these songs until the end of the day. haha!

but...today is different.  i was preparing for work when i heard "i'm yours" by jason mraz. i'm a fan actually because of his cool songs, reggae-type  songs for easy listening.  i was humming along but i really can't get the lyrics right. my friends said that i'm quite good with lyrics but not this time...

i was still singing parts of it until i've reached my work place. i really like it :) so i searched for its lyrics and here it goes...

I'M YOURS by Jason Mraz

Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment babay sing with me
We're just one big family
And It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Scooch on over closer dear
And i will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
Please don't, please don't, please don't
There's no need to complicate
Cause our time is short
This oh this this is out fate, I'm yours!

TWILIGHT EXPERIENCE

you can say that i'm one of the thousands who went "gaga" over this saga.

november is i guess my busiest month. with christmas fast approaching - accessory orders, work load, exam week of my tutees (i tutor :), life is chaotic! i'll be joining two bazaars (SIlver Sparks Online Bazaar in UP Diliman and of course US Girls Bazaar in Eastwood) this month, tons of orders to finish, the christening of my nephew, Josef - i'll be making his invitations and souvenirs and parent confrence in school where i work.  most of the time i just stare blankly into space, not knowing which one to attend to first.

but inspite my super eratic schedule, it's really funny, that i still had the time to read "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer.  

actually, i heard a lot of buzz about this book. 1st - that it's a best-seller, 2nd - the sountrack is number 1 in the billboards, 3rd - robert pattinson (edward cullen) is the cutest (in a vampire way) and 4th - the whole world is anticipating the shoing of the movie this month.

so, when i was in national book store, i decided to buy my copy. little did i know that this will be a very exciting experience for me. i was hooked on it, never wanted to stop until i finish the entire book (i detached myself from my beads!). i love it because it's not too "bloody" and of course the love story of belle and edward. i totally love them! :)

eager to get hold of the 2nd book and conitnue the love story of the two - i called powerbooks and national bookstore; but their copies are sold out. it's a good thing i'm very persistent when it comes to something that i want...i asked fully booked, my last hope and wow!!!! they have the complete set! so i bought all the books, afraid that stocks will soon be gone especially after the showing of the movie. i was so happy last night when i got home. i felt like a child again, so eager to read my favorite storybook :)

i felt so sad when the movie showing was moved to november 26 fomr november 21. i looked forward to its showing the whole week so when i found out that it was moved (after asking my friends to watch with me!) i was so devastated.

it will be shown tomorrow and i can't wait. i'm so excited!!! :)

A Very Special Love

i don't know why i wanted to see this film. maybe some will say 'baduy' or 'corny'....i was never a sarah nor john lloyd's fan. not naman that i don't like them. it's just that i don't follow their career path. but when abs began to show the teaser for this movie, i got so interested. maybe it was the song. i love the song esp the line "i was deceived by love, i've never had much luck with lovers before..." haha! swak na swak!

i asked my friends, edna and sheryll to watch with me. i even told them that i'll treat them so just they wacth it with me. haha! pathetic. haha!

anyway, i watched it na awhile ago. and my gosh! was i a teenager again inside the movie house, shrieking every chance i could get especially when john lloyd's in the screen! haha! actually, 90% of the population inside the moviehouse were girls so can you just imagine how noisy we were? haha!

it was a typical love story. simple plot. but very heartwarming. very real. goes through one's heart. well, i felt the movie. it moved me. hmmm. i've always been a sucker for tear-jerker, love stories, kilig movies. hehe. laida (sarah) loved miguel (lloydie) even before they met. she was the only one who believed in him, stood by him, even when everyone didn't understand him. this made miguel a changed man. as what he said in the movie, "something has changed. and that change came as a surprise." but of course, some twists and turns...made the movie more exciting! haha! i won't tell na. just watch it :D

now, let me talk about the characters: sarah's acting was really good considering that she's not really an actress but a singer.  i commend her for she acted so natural, it's as if the role was really made for her.  john lloyd, on the other hand, was at his element. he was really good. aside from his being handsome on screen, gosh!  his acting ever surpassed those who came before him in the industry. he made me cry with some of his lines especially his scenes with his dad (dante rivero).  their friends - matet, gio, joross and the 2 other girls, were so nakakaliw! matet's line "ang ganda mo!" made moviegoers laugh to death! :D

over-all the movie is worth the A rating that it got from the movie board.  it really suits the taste of the pinoy movigoers. of course, what's a movie without my favorite line - favorite line from laida? well, when she said 'never kong naramdaman ang napagod na mahalin ka. ngayon lang." wow! i can relate! super! :D

of course, nothing beats the kilig moments. not in the obvious, pa-cute sort of way ha. very natural. but very true. that's what i like about the 2 actors. they're real. or they made it look like it's real. haha! watch na lang para you know what i'm talking about. basta watch for the scene where miguel got sick plus the ending! haha! the sun dance was the best!

hay. im still not a fan ha. just someone who appreciates a feel-good movie. oh, by the way, rowell santiago is in the movie too. haha. nice come-back :D

i hope there'll be more movies like this. feel-good. something that can make each one of us sing after watching it. hmmm. love. "i found a very special love in you...."

My Love Affair with Fashion

I AM A FASHION ADDICT...uhmmm....actually bag, shoes and clothes aficionado! haha! my love affair with my closet started when i was in college.  i left my baggy pants, over-sized shirts and L.A Gear high cut rubber shoes and 16-hole boots in my high school. can't even imagine how i looked like back then - short girl, chubby cheeks, straight, limp hair wearing hideous clothing. actually there was no problem with the clothes, it was more of "there was a problem with me" :D 

When i started college, i began to be more concious of how i look. maybe because i was obliged to dress up in school.  i can't be seen with the same clothes over and over again and my rule was to 'repeat clothes after a month" so therefore, i had to buy clothes all the time to update my wardrobe :D the opposite sex started noticing me, i was invited to gimmicks almost everyday, org meetings.  i became a member of the sports organization - rowing team - so there were more parties, more get-togethers, more encounter with the boys. tsk...tsk...i started buying shirts and pants (straight cut was the 'in' thing that time and also low-rise jeans).  then i lost a lot of weight so i became more confident to wear sleeveless, skirts and nice dresses.  My collection grew and grew and without me noticing, i was buying clothes and shoes almost every week.  my boyfriend then was also very concious of the clothes he wears so maybe that helped too in my ever growing addiction to clothes :D

I have a monthly subscription of magazines to help me determine what's hot in fashion! I read every article there is about clothes and shoes and best-dressed people.  I developed my own style in dressing and realized what clothes suit me, looks good in me.  Without me realizing, I have started a collection - my treasure :D

10 years after college, here i am, with almost 2 full closets of clothes (i have to dig in everytime i plan what to wear for the week), almost 50 pairs of shoes (not that many huh, i would love to have some more though...) and my bags, all hidden in plastic baskets and cartons. hay...i live in a very small space - a studio which i call 'the box' and i swear, everywhere you look, you can see a bag hanging - in my door knob, at the back of the door, on top of my bed, under my computer table, behind the door of my CR, in the side of my bed, inside my closet...urgh!  Since i started my own accessory business, schedule became more hectic, and I don't have the time to fix my closet anymore -which by the way, I did every weekend for the past 10 years.  I love looking at my clothes but now I don't have the time anymore, so everything is disorganized! haha!

maybe you're thinking that i am complaining already about my things. actually i am. haha! don't get me wrong. i love them. i will continue to buy for i am a sucker for nice things.  but something in me is different now. maybe this happens when you become older. 

i am more concious now on what to buy. beofre it was 'quantity more than quality' but now i am more after the quality and timeless pieces.  i like a more simple approach to things.  i used to choose and plan clothes to wear for at least 3 hours - which is a lot of wasted time.  Getting dressed was stressful! But now, I am learning to be more practical but of course, still maintaining a style that will keep me confident and at ease with myself. 

i also noticed that i hardly use some of my clothes and most of them look brand new so a question popped in my head "why do i keep on buying clothes if i don't even get to wear everything that is in my closet right now?" haha! because of this thought, I  made a habit of taking out one item in my closet every week and give it to a friend - who is so happy by the way - and i am happy too (sharing is really a great therapy!)

as i've said earlier, i will still continue to buy clothes, shoes and bags. that's me. i like paying myself with nice things since i work really hard every single day. im not much into travelling, i don't fancy going out at night, spending money in gimmicks.  i will be forever proud of what is inside my closet for everything is from my hard-earned money but now, i know what is important in life. i am more focused on what i really want.  aside from clothes, shoes and bags,i realized that i want other things as well -  i want to be surrounded by nice things (of course) and people i love.

JOSEF...NOW...AFTER 2 MONTHS :D

It's been awhile since i last wrote an entry in my blog. i've been so busy with work, beads, bags, broken heart, and of course with my nephew josef.  he's 2 months now, very perky. very 'matakaw', very cute. i never thought that it will be like this.  i look forward to visiting my sister and josef every other day, MWF (since TTH i finish tutoring around 9pm).  I also spend time with them saturday if i have time -- since weekend is my only time for business. i try to squeeze them in my sched. having a baby is super magastos too! i'm always broke! haha! but worth it.

here are some of his new pics. enjoy!





isn't he adorable! can't deny it. haha! :D