Sharing my faith and my life one day at a time.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Lay Bare Waxing Salon

I am one of those girls who always makes sure that her body hair is always non-existent. Every month, right after my period, I always go to a professional for a thorough waxing job.

Today was one of those days. I am leaving for the United States in a couple of days and I just realized how much I will miss this affordable treatment in Manila.

I entrust this monthly hair removal process to Lay Bare Waxing Salon. I go to their branch in 2/F Citiplace Building, 8001 Abad Santos Street, Little Baguio, San Juan.

Here is the salon's price list:

Eyebrow threading - 100
Upper lip - 100
Lower lip - 100
Face - 150
Underarm - 150
Arm - 250
Chest - 250
Back - 250
Bikini - 250
Brazilian - 450
Half leg - 300
Full leg - 500
Full body - 1500

Going for full body is my preferred treatment. All customers get cozy, private rooms. The waxers are professional, thorough and gracious.

For more information, please visit their website. The salon is open daily from 9am to 9pm.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Ok I Looked at the Spoilers

The problem with watching American Idol is having to wait until 6pm Manila time watch it "live." Although it is not really live because right now it is only 9:21 in the morning and if I go to sites like rickey.org and MJ's big blog -- I really get the blow-by-blow account of the current episode.

This morning I vowed NOT TO LOOK at these websites so I can enjoy the finale tonight. But I couldn't help but look.

I am not going to say much but I will share a screen cap of David Archuleta all choked up. Thank you to Rickey Y. for sharing this picture. Makes me want to give Archie a big hug!

Monday, May 19, 2008

You Might Think This Is Gross But I Like The Idea

Chocolate covered bacon. I usually have both on waffles so I can't see why I will not like this. To know more, read here.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

I Really Do Not Like Goodbyes

We are leaving in 10 days. This past couple months have been happy crazy because of the packing, selling, dinners out, goodbyes, and tying loose ends.

Here are some highlights.

Sold clothes that I haven’t worn in years. Our sale started May 3rd and is still ongoing.

Sold the dress that I wore the night Rob said he realized that he liked me more than a friend.


The Muleta family – who are so dear to us – came by our home to check out the garage sale and had an impromptu game of Catch Phrase. It was so much fun!


Sold the skirt I wore the night I saw Rob the very first time. It was in National Sports Grill Greenbelt.


My good friend of many, many years – Irma – came by the house the weekend of our garage sale and had a good time catching up with her. She brought me delicious pizza from Sandy’s. What a thoughtful gesture! Rob loved the pepperoni and I got addicted to the tuyo flavor. Thank you Irma!


Had a lovely high tea buffet with my closest college friends – Cheya and Rhea – in Tea and Therapy in Serendra. Rhea is engaged and I am thrilled for her!


Led my last small group meeting. One of the biggest things I will miss. I am grateful to God for blessing me friendships with these awesome women.


Alex and Kelly got our friends together for dinner at their home. Kathy was just amazing preparing all that food.


Had a delicious Filipino dinner with 2 of my best girlfriends – Maricar and Charms. Dinner was “bitin” because we really can talk all night.


We are now on our last week and I just want to say that despite all the excitement that I am feeling going to the States, I know that God gave me a strong support system here – a bunch of great people who have shone me so much love all through the years… which is why I am sad.

To my good friends, I love each and everyone of you. I will miss you more than I can ever express. I can absolutely make one promise – I will be praying for all of you, I really will. May you all be blessed.

See you in 8 months!

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Best of Filipino Food

I am leaving for the United States in two weeks for an extended 8-month stay. It just hit me that I am going to miss Filipino food so much!

Now I need your help on this one. If you had two weeks left in the Philippines, which comfort Pinoy restaurant/food would you eat?

Comment and recommend!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mirapoo

The first time I heard about this product was from my husband. On his trip to Beijing, China his travel buddy/roommate had this little bottle that had some kind of miracle formula.

This "miracle" formula is dropped into the toilet whenever he had to go do the "number 2" and it instantly takes out the foul smell. Robert said it really it worked.

The reason I am writing about this is that my good friend Rhea gave me 2 bottles of this yesterday as a travel gift for me and Rob. It's called the Mirapoo. I think it's a very thoughtful gift and we sure could use it on our coast-to-coast road trip in the US.

Don't you love clever products like this? I looked Mirapoo online and it looks like it is sold on this person's Multiply site.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Smashbox Foundation Primer

One of my biggest makeup application secrets lies on the power of a silicone foundation primer. A foundation primer is a silky, clear liquid that you apply on your face before you put on your makeup base (it is either foundation, tinted moisturizer or cream powder or a combination of these).

Although a foundation primer is marketed as more of a luxurious addition to your makeup routine, I consider it more of a necessity. I bought it for the first time when I was getting my makeup kit ready for my wedding.

I wanted and needed an extremely smooth, flawless face on my big day. I trusted reviews on Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer has, since then, become a staple product in my makeup kit. I used to save this formula for rare, formal evenings that require serious dressing up. Today, however, I use it everytime I go out because my skin looks extra smooth when I wear it. I make sure I put it on the rough edges and lines on my face, let it completely sink in, and apply my reliable combo of MAC Studio Fix Liquid in NC40 and Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer in Fawn.

Tried other brands of foundation primers but Smashbox's performance beats the rest of 'em by a mile.

I Must See Them!


New Kids on the Block announced their U.S. tour this fall. I am going to beg my husband to get me tickets. I know, I am so baliw.

To check their tour schedule, click here.

61 Sure Fire Signs You Were a 90s Kid in the Pinas

I just had to repost this from Janelle's site.


1. Masaya ka kapag naglalaro ka ng Tex at Pog. Kadalasan ang design dito ay yung mga palabas sa TV, mga drama o kaya anime, may dialogue pa. lol.

2. May comics pa ang bazooka. Kahit di mo maintindihan yung Fortune Cookie sa huli ay
collection mo pa rin yun.

3. Uso pa yung tirador, yung gawa talaga sa sanga ng puno.

4. Ang mga babae naglalaro ng paper dolls na tigpipiso bawat isang set sa sari-sari store.

5. Kung lalake ka, siguradong may pellet gun ka.

6. Humihingi ka ng dalawang piso sa magulang mo para maglaro ng video arcade sa sari-sari store. Favorite mo yung Sonic, Mario at Street Fighter at Tetris.

7. Nagwa-watusi ka kapag New Year kahit pinapagalitan ka ng nanay mo.

8. Meron kang sapatos na umiilaw yung swelas kapag iniaapak mo. Mas sikat kung iba-iba
yung kulay.

9. Merong at least isang Chicago Bulls na shirt sa bahay nyo. Madalas number 23 pa yung
nakalagay.

10. Pinapatulog ka ng yaya/nanay mo tuwing tanghali o hapon para raw lumaki. Hindi na kasi
pinapatulog ang mga bata ngayon tuwing tanghali di tulad nung panahon natin.

11. Sinasabihan ka ng matatanda na may lalabas na pari o bigas sa sugat mo kapag hindi
nilagyan ng alcohol pero in the end, betadine lang ang magpapatahimik sa inyo.

12. Kung babae ka, nagkaroon ka ng butterfly hairclips/rings. (si Jolina ang nagpauso nito)

13. Kung medyo may pera ang pamilya nyo, nagpabili ka ng Polly Pocket.

14. Naglalagay ka ng Kisses (yung mabango) sa pencil case mo, o kaya sa isang lalagyan na may bulak, alcohol at tinutusok ng karayom para mabilis manganak.

15. May free stickers ng Disney movies sa loob ng Maggi noodles.

16. Pinapatunog mo yung takip ng Gatorade.

17. Ang mga stationeries na uso: Papemelroti, Tsukuba, Sashikibuta. Pwedeng ibenta,
pwedeng trade lang.

18. Pampalipas oras mo dati ang paglalaro ng Brick Game, at swerte yung mga may
advanced version na may tumatagos na blocks para mapuno na yung gap sa loob. Mas advanced ka kung Tamagotchi ang nilalaro mo. Pinapakain mo, pinapatulog mo, at inililibing mo kung namatay na. At kung talagang kaya nyong bumili, Game Boy ang sayo. Pero kung wala ka talaga, yung laruan na lang na may tubig sa loob tapos dapat ma-shoot mo yung mga bilog sa stick na maliit.

19. Bago magsimula ang klase, nakikilaro ka muna sa 10-20, jackstone, langit lupa, ice water, taguan, dr. quack quack, tumbang preso, pepsi seven up at agawan base. Di bale nang madumi na ang uniform mo pagpasok ng classroom.

20. Sinasabi mo sa kaklase mo na "Liars go to hell" kapag tingin mo nagsisinungaling sya. "Cross my heart, hope to die" kapag nangangako ka. "Period no erase" kapag gusto mo walang kumontra sayo. Kaya lang wala kang lusot kapag sinabi ng kaklase mo na "Akin yung factory ng pambura".

21. Sikat ka pag ang pencil case mo nabubuksan sa dalawang side tapos maraming
attachments like magnifying lens, book stand, compartments na maliliit tapos push button
pa. Minsan sa ibabaw ng pencil case meron pang maze, may maliit na silver na bola tapos
itatagilid mo yung pencil case para gumulong yun, hanggang sa matapos yung maze.

22. Di ka baduy kung ang notebook mo nung elementary ay may mukha ng artista.

23. Sa coolman mo inilalagay ang tubig na baon mo sa school.

24. Nagpabili ka ng Baby-G sa magulang mo.

25. Elementary ka nung nauso ang pager. Yun pa ang pinapangarap ng mga bata, hindi pa
cell phone.

26. Meron ka pa rin ng pinakamalaking cell phone na nakatago na ngayon sa mga kahon.

27. Wala pang PS/PS2, XBox, Wii, atbp. noon. Family Computer pa lang, yung cartridge yung bala. Usong laro ang Mario Bros., Battle City at Rambo.

28. Meron ka ng isa sa mga ito: Family Computer, Nintendo, Sega, roller blades, brick game, Tamagochi, Swatch Watch w/ matching guard, Troll collection.

29. Alam mo ang mga linyang ito sa mga kanta: "Natatawa ako, hi hi hi hi", "Anong paki mo
sa long hair ko", "Dahil sa bawal na gamot", "Mga kababayan ko, bilib ako sa kulay ko".

30. Isa dito ay theme song mo: "I Swear" by All 4 One, "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes (And I say, Hey ey ey ey ey ey. I said hey, What's goin on!), "Zombie" by Cranberries.

31. Sumasayaw ka ng Macarena.

32. Alam mo ang kanta ng Spice Girls at may favorite ka sa kanila. Kung fan ka talaga, may
poster ka pa at casette tape ka pa nila.

33. Malamang ay naging fanatic ka ng isa sa mga sumikat na boy bands.

34. Ang tinutugtog lagi sa radyo ay mga kanta ng mga banda gaya ng Eraserheads, Parokya
ni Edgar nung nagpapalda pa lang sila, Alamid, Rivermaya, True Faith, The Youth,
Afterimage at kung anu-ano pang pinoy bands.

35. Tape pa ang uso, di CD or MP3 players. Pag gusto mo yung kanta kailangan tantyahin
mo kung ilang seconds i-rewind yun para mabilis paulit-ulitin.

36. Kinakanta nyo dati sa school yung "Heal the World", "Tell the World of His Love", "Jubilee
Song", etc.

37. Nanonood ka dati ng Power Rangers, Captain Planet o Ninja Turtles. Nagkukunyari pa
kayo ng mga kaibigan mo na kayo yun at nagkakasipaan kayo.

38. Di ka papagalitan ng magulang kahit magbabad ka sa TV, basta ang pinapanood mo ay
Hiraya Manawari, Bayani at Sine Skwela, kung saan nakilala mo sila Teacher Waki, Ugat
Puno, Palikpik, at ang buong barkada nila lalo na kapag nakasakay sila sa space ship o sa jeep na lumilipad.

39. Sinubaybayan mo ang Ghost Fighter at ang Dragon Ball. Naging favorite mo si Eugene at
si Goku.

40. Niloloko mo yung theme song ng Voltes V kasi di mo maintindihan yung theme song:
"Tato ni Ara Mina malaking cobra...", "Boltes Payb lima sila, pumunta sa kubeta...",
"...Kontra Bulate!"

41. Napanood mo din yung ibang anime tulad ng Shaider, Sailormoon, Daimos at Maskman.
Saulo mo pa nga yung kanta dun: "Oh maskuman kayo ang pag-asa.. Iligtas kami sa
marahas na kadiliman... Kami inyong ipaglaban! Sugod, sugod laban maskuman, ipaglaban nyo ang katarungan.. Sige, sige laban maskuman.."

42. Sinubaybayan mo ang Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa, Julio at Julia, at Cedi. Pinanood mo
pa nga yung movie version ng Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa with Camille Prats.

43. Alam mo din yung "Ang Pulubi at ang Prinsesa" with Camille Prats and Angelica
Panganiban.

44. Gusto mong sumali sa ANG TV. Pero alam mong hindi na pwede. kaya kuntento ka na
lang sa panonood nito tuwing 4:30 ng hapon.

45. Batibot ang usong palabas. Akala mo nga mag-dyowa o mag-asawa sina Kuya Bodjie at Ate Sheena.

46. Alam mo yung tono ng pinausong kanta ng show na "ATBP.": Isa.. dalawa-tatlo..
apat-lima.. anim-pito-walo.. syam-sampu... labingisa-labingdalawa... labingtatlo...
labingapat-labinglima...

47. Napanood mo ang Batang X.

48. Sabay kayo nanonood ng yaya mo ng Marimar.

49. Nanonood ka ng kahit alin dito: "Okay Ka Fairy Ko", "Oki Doki Doc", "Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata", "Palibhasa Lalake", "Ober da Bakod", at "Home Along Da Riles".

50. Galit ka kay Clara kasi sobra naman talaga sya mang-api kay Mara.

51. Pinanood mo din yung "Villa Quintana", "Esperanza", "Anakarenina" atbp.

52. Mga love teams na nagpakilig sayo: Juday and Wowie. Jolina and Marvin.

53. Alam mo yung commercial ng Tender Juicy hotdog na ganito: "Dear diary, Carlo sat beside me today. He's so cute! Sabi niya I'm pretty kaya lang I'm fat."

54. Kinakanta mo yung "Thank God it's Sabado, pati na rin Linggo..." at "Isa pa, isa pa, isa pang Chicken Joy".

55. Nasa channel 2 pa ang Eat Bulaga at ang Mel and Jay.

56. Nakikita mo sa balita na may mga kultong nagtatago na sa kweba, kasi magugunaw na ang mundo sa year 2000, at yung mga computer daw bigla na lang mag-shu-shut down at mawawala na daw ang technology.

57. Chinese variety shows ang palabas tuwing umaga ng linggo.

58. Matapang ka kung napanood mo lahat ng Shake, Rattle and Roll movies.

59. Narinig mong i-announce sa radyo yung death ni Princess Diana. Biglang nauso yung kanta ni Elton John na "Goodbye, England's Rose."

60. Nasa VHS yung mga movies na pinapanood ninyo sa bahay.

61. Kung babae ka, naging crush mo si Leonardo di Caprio dahil sa Titanic. Kaya nga lang, bawal ka pa tumingin sa kissing scenes nina Jack at Rose.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Labor Day Barbecue @ The Albanos

May 1st is Labor Day holiday here in the Philippines. Banjo and Sarah Albano decided to take advantage of a rare non-working week day (no Manila traffic!) and host a family-style barbecue/swimming party in their backyard.

We arrived really late because we spent the day getting ready for our weekend garage sale. But we had an awesome time. There was so much food, conversation and games.

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