abala

Pardon my absence. I've been busy playing Restaurant City at the other social networking site. 

I recently added the application on my profile to give it a try and I got hooked. Now I log in first thing in the morning, then again when I get to work. I check on my workers' energy levels every three hours to let them rest for a while. Then I log back in to make them work again. This goes on until it's time to go home at 6PM. Once we're home, I log in and do the drill until it's bedtime.

Ah, the life of online gaming addicts. I didn't know it was like this to be hooked. I know, this is child's play compared with, I dunno, Counterstrike? Ano bang bago ngayon? Haha. Obviously, I'm not aware of the recent trends in online gaming.

I'm ashamed to admit my newfound addiction to RC because I used to nag my poor husband about his Neopets-Mafia Wars-Restaurant City habits. I didn't see the point of it all. What's so exciting about it? Bakit ako magtitiyagang mag-earn ng points for that? What will I gain? Wala namang cash or medals dito. But now, oh now I know. 

There's something satisfying about earning points for the sake of. And to see your restaurant thriving! Wah, if it was only that easy in real life. The game is fun too, and kinda tickles my brain. Hey, you need strategy for this. Haha.

That's all for now dear friends. I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

another win!

My husband is crazy about lucky draws and contests. (I think it runs in the family. Just look at my SIL's winnings from online contests!) If he didn't insist on claiming our raffle entry from Harbourfront Centre, we wouldn't have won free accommodation at Angsana Bintan.

Ayan, meron na naman siyang kinarir na contest at nanalo:

Hehehe. At least libre na tickets namin sa Transformers or Harry Potter or Ice Age or UP! Hehehe. Congrats B!

***

By the way, I already claimed the voucher for Angsana Bintan at nakakairita ang dami ng restrictions! Hindi pwede ng weekend, public holiday at eve ng public holiday. In short, kailangan magleave! Tapos non-transferable pa so hindi pwede ibigay or ibenta sa iba. Oh well. We get what we don't pay for. Hehehe.

first it was brad & jen, now it's jon & kate :(

Following the Jon & Kate topics on Twitter and the updates come by the second!

I really feel sad for Jon & Kate but more so for the eight kids. Would they be happy to watch re-runs or DVDs of their show when they grow older? They were a fun family to watch pa naman.


I think the episodes in Discovery are delayed by a season so we'll still be able to see them during their good ol'days, ika nga. I think it would be weird though and maybe I'll start looking for signs that their marriage is falling apart.

But I've actually noticed some warning signs already. I noticed that Kate is a bit edgy and likes correcting Jon in front of the camera. That's a no-no! "Don't correct your partner's mistake in front of other people" is like in every secrets-to-a-happy-and-lasting-marriage guidebook!

I also noticed she likes hogging the spotlight. Or maybe it's because she talks to much! Hahaha. Whatever!

PS
So ano nang title ng show now that Jon and Kate are divorcing? Kate + Eight - Jon or Eight / Two? Or will there be weeks na Jon + Eight at Kate + Eight?

Hay. Sad. 

UPDATE: Here's a blow-by-blow of the episode, for those who are interested:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/realitycheck/blog/2009/06/jon_kate_plus_8_divorce.html

shopping at Daiso

One of the things we did while Apple was here was go to Daiso, the Japanese 2-dollar store. As chuvaness described, this place is a wasteland. Everything you have and have not imagined is here! They opened a store in Manila but instead of Daiso, it's called Saizen.

When we went there, I was resolved that I wouldn't buy anything. But Daiso being Daiso and me being me, I left with a couple of stuff I thought we needed at home. 

One of the said stuff is this:

I think it's supposed to be a calendar, kasi may kasama yang cutouts na puro numbers. My brilliant mind, however, saw it as an accessory organizer! Mwahahahaha! Now I all have my abubots hanging on my closet so I can brainstorm what to wear with which blouse/shirt/dress.

Another Daiso haul is an insulated lunchbox! 

I've been using paper carriers for my baon and when i saw this at Daiso, I knew I gotta have it. And my Lock&Locks fit perfectly. There's even space for dessert!

We also bought one of these!

Ang cute ng packaging noh? They're Caramel Corn, parang Chiz Curls pero caramel. 

This was one of the more interesting things we saw at Daiso:

Can you guess what that is? 

comfy footwear wanted!

I'm on the hunt for the most comfortable footwear there is! Wearing Havaianas have become a no-no for me since I realized that these cute tsinelas can't give me the support I need. See, my feet are flat and I need arch support or else I'll end up with painful feet, legs and hips. Since we're anticipating hours and hours of walking on our upcoming trip, I need the right footwear so I can concentrate on sightseeing/shopping. 

Flashback to our recent Hong Kong trip: I don't know why but it escaped my mind that being in Hong Kong equals being in a treadmill for 10000 hours. I knew that exploring this city entails a lot of walking and silly me only brought a pair of Charles & Keith fasyon sandals that offered zero support to my flat feet. Thus, todo sa sakit ang legs at paa ko at the end of the day (which is actually very late at night!). Buti na lang, B and I were able to buy running shoes at the adidas outlet in Tung Chung. They saved us from further pain!

But as many a fashionista have said, trainers are only for the gym (or the track) and should not be worn anywhere else. I guess the only exception is when you're about to break your hips and back or your feet are sore from all the walking you did in Hong Kong.

I plan to subscribe to that fashion rule on our next trip that's why I'm on the hunt for cute but comfy footwear. No sneakers for me because it's hot where we're going. 

The first brand that came to my mind: Birkenstock.

I got my first pair (a Madrid) back in 2002 and I'm proud to say they're still alive. I actually just recently brought them out of storage because I remembered how comfy they were (yes, after the Hong Kong trip). Unfortunately, the soles are pudpod now. I only recently discovered that Birkenstock has repair centers where you can bring your old pair so they can replace the soles. I think my pair is far from rescuing because the cork is also pudpod that's why I've decided it's time to get a new pair (and convince B to get his first pair too)!

I love the Madrid style so I'm thinking of getting one in patent purple:

The original that started it all. Known as the Birkenstock Fitness Sandal in Europe, this design tones the foot and calf muscles while improving circulation.

This timeless one strap features our famous contoured footbed, fully adjustable strap and shock absorbing EVA sole. Available in a variety of materials and colors.

• Upper material: Patent Birko-Flor™ - Made of acrylic and polyamide felt fibers, a durable fabric with a smooth high gloss finish and soft lining.
• Footbed: The original Birkenstock footbed - Featuring pronounced arch support, a deep heel cup and a roomy toe box. Covered with a suede liner. The footbed molds and shapes to your foot.
• Sole material: EVA - Flexible, durable, lightweight, shock resisting soling material.

But Bali is nice too.

Quarter-strap silhouette in a variety of materials with fully adjustable straps and shock-absorbing EVA sole.

• Upper material: Silky Suede - A smooth, velvety suede.
• Footbed: Soft footbed - A foam layer is inserted between the cork layer and the suede liner of the original Birkenstock footbed. Millions of microscopic air bubbles cushion your feet while providing moderate arch support.
• Sole material: EVA - Flexible, durable, lightweight, shock resisting soling material.

But I've also heard of FitFlop, the flip flops that work out your legs and calves while you walk. They're almost at the same price range as Birkenstocks.

I think Electra is cute:
The fastest ‘sold-out’ new sandal last summer, the fabulously feminine updated Electra now features a softer collar (stitch and turned top line) and microfiber lining, lightweight foot hugging leather and precision sequin placement for shinier shine!

The Electra is built with our patent-pending microwobbleboard™ midsole technology, which is proven to load your bottom and leg muscles more, so you get a workout while you walk.

The Walkstar III in flamingo is nice too:

An evolution of the original Walkstar, the Walkstar III features dynamic topstitching on a sporty, streamlined leather upper, a soft leather lining and a ‘stitch and turned’ top line for maximum comfort across the instep.

The Walkstar III is built with our patent-pending microwobbleboard™ midsole technology, which is proven to load your bottom and leg muscles more, so you get a workout while you walk.

I tried a pair on at a nearby shoe store during lunch time and they were super super comfy! Parang tinutulak nila yung paa ko so parang effortless maglakad. My only problem is that they're too bulky. I feel they wouldn't be as flexible fasyon-wise versus the cuter and can-be-worn-with-anything Birkenstocks. I would seriously consider getting a pair though for harabas days in Singapore, after I've retired my Havaianas and Ipanemas, which is soon!

Dear Multiply friends, do you know any other brand we should consider? Please don't suggest Crocs even if they're ultra comfy. I've sort of made my mind up about them. Hehe.

___
Description and pics from Birkenstock USA and the FitFlop Official Site

awesome!

Lia forwarded this to me and only got to watch it now. This girl is awesome! 

Watch and listen to her beatbox! 

I love Roger Federer...

because he wouldn't say anything like this:

"He didn't surprise me because I know how he plays and how dangerous he can be. I didn't play my best. I played very short and I couldn't attack. I made it easy for him to play at his level."

--Rafael Nadal on why Soderling defeated him in the French open

So condescending.

the end of husbandry [economy]

That's what my band's first album is called.

And my band's called Cold Hearted. Haha. Cool. 

Album cover photo from Julia Lee

This is for a meme circulating in Facebook. But I'm a Multiply-er so I'm posting it here. I tag whoever may find this interesting enough to do. 

Here are the rules:

1. Go to Wikipedia then click on Random Article. The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2. Go to Quotationspage.com then click on Random Quotes. The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3. Go to flickr and click on the last seven days. Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use Photoshop or any photo editing software to put it all together. 

5. Post wherever and tag others.

LV = low vadget

While I was educating myself about Louis Vuitton bags, I found these!

The Scuba GM

Terno sa wedding namin! Hehehe.

From the LV site:
Made from Monogram embossed neoprene, Scuba GM is an oversized tote from the Cruise collection by Marc Jacobs, with clean lines and sharp detailing. It includes an ID tag, a Louis Vuitton plaque and a dock clip to change the bag's shape.

Price: $2,580.00

I just want to clarify that I don't have plans of buying one at all. I'm not going to pay a tumataginting na hundred thousand pesoses for glamorized synthetic rubber. Na-uh. Besides, I'd rather have something in leather.

Do they have these kaya in Greenhills? Hehehe.

mommy and daddy

Can barely do justice to mommy's avatar. Wala kasing dimples feature.

Mas madali talaga gayahin ang guys. Hehehe.

nakikijoin

Ito ang aming manga, by me. Hehehehe.

if I were crazy enough to wear high heels

Then I'd probably buy a pair or two of Louboutins. The famed shoe designer will be opening a store here in Singapore after all.

And, while I'm dreaming, I'd buy myself a couple of Manolo Blahniks, too.

In reality, however, I can't wear heels. I don't have a high arch (I'm actually flat-footed) and wearing high heels will hurt me terribly. I can only walk on flats and if I convince myself to sacrifice for a while, I can wear kitten heels or wedges. I'll choose comfort over style anytime.

If this was not the case, however, I think these would really go well with my wardrobe:

Louboutin Very Prive Patent Pump


Louboutin Rolando Hidden-Platform Pump


Blahnik Buckled d'Orsay


Blahnik Gossado Eyelet d'Orsay


Blahnik Ankle-Wrap Leopard Sandal


Blahnik Snakeskin Pointed-Toe Mary Jane (in turquoise; coz a pop of color is always nice)


Have a great week y'all!

SERIES: if i were crazy enough to...

This week: If I were crazy enough to buy a Coach bag.

Buying a Coach bag (when it's not even on sale) is crazy for me because it costs so much money--money you can actually use for travelling or eating or you know, experiencing things. I'm not saying I won't buy a Coach bag ever. Pretty things are really hard to resist.

If I ever reach that level of insanity, these will be my top picks. I like big bags because I always have to bring all my things--payong, kikay kit, a book or magazine, my planner, pens, mp3 player and phone. Dapat may malagay pa akong extra like food! Hahaha. I also prefer leather over fabric, and solid colors over signature prints.

Anyway, here they are.

Large Carly in black

Legacy in amethyst

Multicolor Legacy (for harabas)

Peyton in fuschia


Lindsay vintage leather shopper in teal

Signature stripe denim patent multifunction tote

Till next week!

glorious Olympics

B and I have been watching the Olympics and it's just amazing to see all the atheletes from around the world strut their stuff and kick butt!


Last weekend we watched Usain Bolt of Jamaica make history as he broke the world record of 9.7 seconds in the 100m sprint. His time: 9.69! Ang bilis talaga niya tumakbo! He is also a fantastic showman. Nagsayaw pa talaga at umikot sa buong stadium after he won. Asteeg!

Then on Monday we watched the men's 3,000m steeplechase final. It was so fun to watch dahil may tubig sa isang hurdle. We were also very amazed at how these men can jump the hurdles. Parang ang dali lang sa kanila ano? Kenya's Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the gold, while his teammate Richard Kipkemboi Mateelong won bronze. France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-B. won silver.


On the same night, we watched the women's pole vault final. Ang astig ng mga babaeng kalahok dito. It's amazing how they can grab that pole and use it to jump. Galing! Russia's Elena Isinbaeva won gold while the American Jennifer Stuczynski earned silver. Apparently may intriga pang namagitan sa dalawa dahil sa trash talk na binitiwan ni Stuczynski before the competition.


Last night we were able to catch the women's balance beam final. Shawn Johnson of the US won the gold while Nastia Liukin won silver. China's Cheng Fei won bronze. We watched Shawn and Nastia on the beam and they were really graceful and beautiful. It was art. Sayang we were not able to watch Cheng Fei's performance.

We also saw the men's high bar final. China's Zou Kai won gold, while Jonathan Horton of the US won silver. The bronze went to Germany's Fabian Hambuechen. Hambuchen and Zou's performance were both awesome but I was really impressed by Horton.

Kasi earlier in the competition, Epke Zonderland of The Netherlands fell from the bar while doing his routine, which started off really, really well. Sayang nga eh. After that, the two Japanese atheletes who followed him seemed to hold back. Ang bababa nga ng scores dahil ang baba ng difficulty. Pero si Horton, he gave it his all. He took risks and threw in stunts that the others were too scared to do.

Sabi nga ni Dawn Fraser, isang Australian swimmer, "the Olympics remain the most compelling search for excellence that exists in sport, and maybe in life itself." And I agree with her. These atheletes give us lessons that are more than just the usual "live well, eat healthy and exercise." They show us what it means to rise above challenges and the importance of always doing your best and focusing on what you have to do.

Hang fayat ko fa! Waaah!

Look at these!

This one was taken January 2006:


While this was taken February 2007:

Desiderata (desired things)

I learned about the Desiderata from the wall-hanging on my Lola's house. I think it belonged to one of my aunts. The poem is so simple that I understood it even when I was young. It had a profound influence on how I think and how I relate to people.

Here is the poem by Max Ehrmann.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly,
and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be

greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

I need a new do

Kailangan ko nang magpagupit pero di ko alam kung ano. Dahil sa boredom napagtrippan ko ipatong ang mukha ko sa mukha ni Kate Winslet at Drew Barrymore dahil bilugan din ang mga face nila gaya ko. Ano kaya ang pinakaokay?

Ang panget ng pagaka-photoshop noh? Hehehehe. Oh well, pag wala akong mapili, patrim ko na lang ang dulo ng buhok ko.

Amazing Race

Sayang at hindi nanalo ang aming favorite team na sina Mark at Rovilson. Nakakahinayang pero ok na din. At least nasa top three sila. =)

sorry

Sorry dear contacts for flooding your Multiply inbox!

Nagdecide ako na iimport ang blogger ko to multiply since mas masipag akong magmultiply kesa magblog. Siguro sisipagin din ako magblog if nasa multiply na lang siya.