Going green

Having a green thumb is a gift. Not everyone could plant a tree and make them grow. There are some who take planting and gardening seriously that they built greenhouses. There are wooden planter boxes lining their gardens which for me is a space saver. I just love to look at how plants were beautifully groomed and grown. Plants and any form of greeneries are really pleasing to the eyes.

Just a dream

I have been thinking about learning how to play the guitar. I want to channel the inner rockstar or popstar in me. I feel inspired watching bands or solo performers strum their guitars as if they make personal connection with their instrument. I know I do not have to enrol myself to music school, I could learn it online. There lots of tutorials on YouTube and there are even Ableton Software available online.

The balance, pH that is.

It is past 12:00 midnight already and I am still up. I should be sleeping right now so I could get up at 2:00 to prepare for our unit outing. Unfortunately, sleep is very elusive. I have popped Benadryl already but I have lost count of sheep jumping over the fence and I am still wide awake. I decided to just browse the internet and chanced upon these ph meters. I cannot believe that they are now available and they are cheap.

A tail's tale

Finally, after the long wait for my hair to reach its first anniversary of being rebonded (straightened) I get to have the same treatment again using the voucher I availed in December through ensogo.com.
It was priced at around P5000 plus that include hair rebonding, keratin treatment and hair cut.
I had an appointment and thinking that I will be sitting in for the treatment for approximately six hours, I packed some power food (read: super lunch).
My hair was ironed out first and then the trained staff put on some hair treatment batch by batch. After about 20 minutes my hair was washed, dried out and then ironed out one again. Another hair treatment was put on my hair and after another 20 minutes, it was rinsed out. It was dried out and ironed out for the last time. The procedure seems easy as I described it but what makes it long and pain staking is that my hair was too thick that ironing it out requires approximately 2 hours. Some snipping were made to make my hair’s length even.
I was asked, note asked not offered, to buy the special organic shampoo and hair mask/conditioner worth P800.exclusively made for the salon. I did not argue since I already declined their suggestion to have hair cellophane treatment worth P900. I should say that my trip at Studio One salon was satisfying as compared to my first visit there. Maybe because the owner who rejected to have my hair treated in February was not there.

Sustaining success

I admire my cousin who has been working as a CPA in Canada. He started his career here in the Philippines and supported himself through college. When he became a CPA, he decided to pursue a corporate career and teach at a university at the same time. His being “in-demand” has never mellowed as he still continues to soar in the cpa network abroad. I wish that I have the talent and luck as he does.

168 revisited

It’s been a while since I last visited Tutuban and 168 malls. These house great bargains from China and Thailand. I really wanted to go back and for the lack of time and energy, it took me 2 years to hit the road and squeeze myself into the sea of shoppers and vendors.
I met my friend there who already began her bargain hunting while waiting for me. I was at awe seeing the collections there. They are a bit pricey compared to the outfits I scored in Singapore. We managed to get some China-made satchels for P200 and P300 each.
I saw a beautiful leather satchel at Accessorize in SG and it was roughly around 2500 in Philippine peso. I learned from my niece who was with me in SG then that there is a same store in Manila and the price is just the same. So while I am saving up for the high price tag (for my salary grade) of the satchel, I convinced myself to contain (myself) to a knock off.
We went straight to 168 mall and along the sidewalk, we saw beautiful cocktail rings which sold a 3 pieces for P100. I was so glad that I did not give in to the call of impulsive buying at H & M in SG otherwise I will forever sorry for my credit card. I got to score turquoise, red, purple and everything I could lay my hands on.
In we went to 168 and we were amazed by the choices awaited us. Shoes, clothes and more accessories, it was indeed feast for our eyes.
We got a full cardio workout walking through the hallways and we did not rest until we felt our stomach complaining of hunger around 3:00 pm. With little of what is left of glucose in our bloodstream, we headed to the foodcourt. I am amazed to see that most of the food stalls there serve authentic Chinese dishes. They are actually owned and ran by Filipino-Chinese. My friend told me that our colleague highly recommends Mitzi’s and coming from a pure-blooded Chinese I felt obliged to try the store’s menu. I chose siomai and with a little instruction from the owner, the store attendant gave me a value meal. Authenticate and sumptuous 4-piece large siomai and a cup of rice for P69 was all worth it.
After less than 30 minutes of tummy filling, we decided to go on with our shopping spree. Our final destination was a store selling Korean clothes that I usually online. I and my colleague get our matching lace shorts and salmon pink blouses for P500. The shorts was originally priced at P300 but since we are getting each a set, we bargained to get the matching blouse for less.
Looking at Lookbook.nu I felt to accomplished getting the same look without draining our banks.
Too bad I was not able to buy the mustard laced up flat shoes but I think will come back and just get the grey ones. A maxi dress also caught my attention but the P2500 budget I got was not enough.

Perfect bonding time

What is enjoyable during summer is that it allows us to do gardening. I enjoy helping out my grandmother taking care of her beautiful plants. I volunteered getting rid of knee-high grass using our push mowers. It is really fun watering the plants and sipping tea in the afternoon after the long yet fun activity with granny. I wish it is summer always.

Hello Summer!

We just welcomed my niece and her boyfriend from Canada. They will be spending their spring break here and what they initially and excitedly asked us what to go swimming. It turned out that they do not get to enjoy swimming in Canada because the water is too cold and pools there require electric swimming pool heaters otherwise they will freeze to death. I am excited to go swimming with them as I really love dipping in the cold water but not too cold though.

Engaging the core

So I am addicted to core exercises already that I wish it is held everyday in the gym. I honestly, I do not have the drive to them on my own. I want a trainer howling at me and I want to be surrounded by gym addicts like me. I missed the classes in the past two weeks and I was shocked to learn that they have advanced the lesson already. We were asked to use the core board and it was really freaking hard to balance. The main point of the core board is to do exercises that will strengthen the core. The routines that were taught to us felt like prenatal exercise. It was a killer workout but it feels good.