Mirror Mirror on the Wall...Who's the Fairest of Them All?

Candice and I accompanied my mom today to Marie France. Just out of curiosity, we got ourselves a free body assessment and free trial treatments. So what is the verdict? I’m within my ideal body weight (yehey!) BUT (yeah there’s always the big BUT) I’m 21% over my fat percentage and some “problem areas” would have to be addressed as well…which means I would need to undergo the fat metabolic program whatever that means. Grabe, after having a talk with the head consultant, I think I’ve never felt fatter in my whole life. I must say their marketing tactics are working well. Hehe

All the treatments were relaxing. I didn’t know these kinds of machines and procedures even existed at all. I enjoyed the cold body wrap. You get wrapped up like a mummy in this very cold solution which is supposed to lower your body’s normal temperature, so that the excess fat will be used up to maintain the body’s heat. According to the therapist, this can shave off around 2000 calories which is equivalent to 2 weeks worth of exercise. Could you imagine that?! No need to work your ass off at the gym anymore. You just lie in a bed for 25 minutes and voila! There’s also this other treatment that I liked. They attach these circular patches to the different parts of your body and you’ll feel waves of electric pulses/shock in varying intensities. This one is supposed to tone your body. Twenty minutes of doing this is equivalent to at least 200 sit-ups.

I had fun doing all of the treatments. It was an interesting experience. It just made me realize the extent that some people are willing to go through for the sake of vanity. Not only do you need lots (and lots) of time and effort, you also need a fat bank account. Hehe You wouldn’t believe how much the program that they designed for me costs. I don't think so! Hehe And even if you can afford it—time, effort, and money, I don’t think people can be satisfied long enough. Perfection can never be achieved…not in this world anyway.

By Meredith Grey

"I think you should. I think we should all just go there. You know tell the truth, spit it out, go with your gut, follow your instincts." 

I Heart Russia

1. City traffic is bad, even worse than Manila. There's no specific time for their rush hour. It seems like rush hour for them lasts for almost the entire day. With at least eight lanes on both sides, I don’t understand why it is still traffic.



2. The metro (a.k.a. subway) in Moscow is the complete opposite of what a typical subway station should look like. It looks so elegant, adorned with nice chandeliers and mosaic paintings. If it weren't for the old and rusty trains, you'd think you're somewhere else.



3. Russians are blessed with good genes. Almost everybody can pass for a model. Everyone’s tall, white, and handsome. Everyone’s good looking. Unfortunately I was not able to take home some souvenir pictures with me. :(

4. Their cathedrals do not have benches or pews. Russians celebrate Mass standing, for two long hours! You won't find a chair. But it's okay, mas astig naman cathedral nila kaysa sa atin.




5. Red means beautiful in Russian. Hence, Red Square equals Beautiful Square.



6. Kremlin means fortress in Russian. Hence, the Kremlin Wall equals the Fortress.

7. The Russian royalties are obsessed with anything gold. Now people in this day and age don’t have to feel as guilty anymore knowing that people during the olden days are even more extravagant and materialistic compared to us. I can just imagine how uncomfortable it is for the women to endure banquet dinners with their tight fitting corsets.




8. Saying NO in Russian is easy to remember. Just say NYEH or NYEH-NYEH! Reminds me of this Filipino phrase we use when we want to make fun of other people, Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh-Nyeh! Yes translates to DA! or DA-DAM! in Russian.

9. The matroyshka dolls are more popular than Barbie. I've practically grown up with Ken and Barbie. So I plead my allegiance to Barbie dolls.

10. St. Petersburg has only 60 days of sunshine throughout the year. It never fails to rain every single day. So I consider myself lucky for being able to catch a glimpse of their breathtaking sunrise.

My Crush List

I'm crushing on..

1. Samsung's Ultra Edition 9.9 (SGH-D830)

2. 8GB iPod Nano (Black or Pink)

3. Bvlgari's Diagono

4. Young Blood's Kabuki Soft Brushes (made out of goat's hair)

5. Daphne Osena's Antique Gold Charm Necklaces

GOOD Presents: NYChildren Photography Project

Brilliant project. Very nice. I wish it was made longer though. The idea was for photographer Danny Goldfield to photograph one child from every country on Earth all living in New York City.




Note: Video may take awhile to load. Here's the direct link,
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=ae4482b5b3c41e1e8663af3630ff4020.900638&cache=1

Fight Blue and White!

Ateneo lost. We lost. It was a game well fought until the end. I was lucky to find tickets last minute. Thanks to Jean’s persistence and convincing powers. Hehe It’s been awhile since I cheered my heart out and screamed like crazy. I didn’t care if I was surrounded by a sea of people wearing yellow shirts with their matching yellow balloons, I was just too damn proud of my alma mater (yeah even if we lost). The UST people are a friendly bunch. If it were an ADMU-DLSU game, I would probably think twice about sitting with the enemy. Just kidding.

It was a good game, down to the wire until the last second. At least sulit naman. I enjoyed the game even if I don’t know all of the players’ names anymore especially those on the other teams. I lost track after Fonacier-Villanueva-Gonzales-Bugia-Tenorio went to play for the professional league. Hehe Macky Escalona is my new idol now.














(i) Ateneo Warm-Up; (ii) Amidst the yellow, I still see Blue















(iii) All Blue; (iv) Go Ateneo! Animo Ateneo!

Post-Weather Report

After three days of darkness and drought, things are slowly getting back to normal. The typhoon not only left thousands of people homeless, it also left thousands of uprooted trees all over the metro. I actually witnessed the trees literally fall off, its branches being swept off by the strong winds. Seriously, naawa talaga ako sa mga trees. Makati seems so bare now. Everywhere I go, I see fallen trees both old and new. It’s sad.


Our car also bore the brunt of the typhoon. The windshield got smashed, the whole of it totally shattered. I’m not sure though whether the typhoon should be blamed or it’s just plain carelessness of Mang Elmer. He literally drove into a tree branch. Good thing there’s insurance.



If there’s anything good that came out of it, business has been doing very good. Herds of people have been flocking to our stores to eat. Dumami sobra mga tao. I don’t know if it’s the aftereffects of the typhoon or because it was payday weekend or because electricity was not 100% up yet, it seemed like everybody wanted to go out and are eager to eat.

To-Do List

My things to-do’s for this week:

1. Worry less.
2. Think less.
3. Control less.
4. Laugh more.
5. Share more.
6. Exercise more.
7. Eat less.
8. Get in touch more.
9. Believe more.
10. Pray more.

Control

It’s nearing the end of the week again. Wasn’t it just Saturday yesterday? And we’re in the ber months already. Aaack! I wish somebody could hit the stop button. I can’t help but think I’m wasting my time on a lot of things. I always get that nagging feeling when I feel unproductive. Maybe we’re all programmed to think that we’re useless if we have all the extra time in the world, meaning we’re not busy--busy as in the “super busy-harassed with career” or the “super busy-stressed out with life” kind.

I attended a class a couple of weeks back, and the instructor taught us the importance of BEING HERE now. This phrase stuck to me like glue. There are times when I’m so preoccupied that I forget to live and be present in the moment. I always feel the need to control and take care of everything even when I know I can’t. I tire myself endlessly worrying and fixing all the little things that I forget about enjoying the moment. I need to accept the fact that there are certain things and circumstances, people included, that are beyond my control and just have to be left alone on its own. I can’t possibly do everything. Enough said.

I’m slowly learning how to let go of the things I cannot control. Taking the back seat is actually better than the driver seat. I know I can’t chase all the cars anyway. Besides I’ve discovered the ride is more enjoyable this way. It gives me more “ME time” to enjoy the peace and quiet that I need.

September Lists

September's Everything Good List

-being in a happy bubble that's "unburstable" (I know there isn't such a word. Hehe)
-a good workout at the gym
-Body Shop's body butter (strawberry and almond please)
-Crepes and Cream's Cappuchoco and Hazelnut Banana ice cream crepes
-UCC's classic ensaymada (toasted...yummy!)
-meeting and getting to know new friends
-old friends (I love 'em dearly!)
-another round of new Prison Break episodes (season 3 na!)
-another round of new Grey's Anatomy episodes (season 3 na rin!)
-finding comfort in silence
-eat all you can foie gras
-being able to accept things and situations for what they are
-Din Tai Fung's hot taro buns
-no 430am wakeup calls
-spa massages
-newly waxed legs, brows, and arms (feels so freakingly clean)
-Mcdo's McShaker sour cream fries
-Mcdo's chocolate shake
-MSN's daily horoscopes (I swear it's accurate)
-new clothes and new shoes :)

Since I've been religiously doing the Everything Good list, I'll have the opposite list just this once. I promise to keep it short. I dislike:

-having to wake up early (especially if it's cold and raining)
-looooooooooong days
-having a bad clothes day, meaning every piece of clothing that you own seems to be unsuitable for wearing
-desperately wanting to sleep but you can't because your mind is running through a million of thoughts
-not being able to eat my comfort foods. Strict diet daw kasi. (Yeah right! Hehe)
-ending a good relaxing weekend
-worrying for nothing
-disappointments
-awkward situations (though I'm learning to appreciate it slowly. It's a part of life that you can't run away from.)
-being stuck in traffic especially when you're in a hurry
-being on the bad side of Murphy's Law

My 7 Dimensions of Personality (Part One)

I took a test online which is supposed to give me insights on certain aspects--of how I look at the world and those around me. I don't know if it is reliable. But I have to say it's pretty darn accurate (not all though, mostly lang).

Dimension #1: Modern versus Traditional
People who are more traditional tend to carry those feelings over into their search for love. For example, traditional types tend to believe that when a man and a woman go on a date, the man should pay. They're also likely to feel that red roses are the perfect gift for a first date and that idealistic weddings are the only way to go. For someone who is traditional, tried-and-true rituals are important to uphold.

Your score shows that you're more traditional. This means that in love, you're more inclined to follow time-tested dating patterns, especially at the beginning of a relationship. You may even come from a long line of daters who've taught you the many "rules" of courtship - both explicit and implicit. These kinds of dating traditions dictate what a man is supposed to do in a relationship and what a woman is supposed to do.

Dimension #2: Independent versus Connected
People who are highly connected tend to make their relationships with others a priority. They keep in close touch with family and friends when they can and are usually softhearted, empathic people.

Your score weighed more heavily on the connected end of the scale. This means that when a friend or a family member is in need, you're probably front and center doing whatever you can to help. This goes double when you're in a relationship. You seem to value the special bond that can be created when two people become involved and you'll likely go to great lengths to preserve it. Being connected creates a kind of warmth that naturally emanates from you. Others are apt to spot this caring nature and be drawn to you because of it.

Dimension #3: Easygoing versus Particular
Highly particular people tend to strive for perfection in whatever they do. They also tend to have refined, and at times expensive, tastes. Appearance can be important to particular types, so taking care of themselves is often a high priority.

In your case, you scored on the more particular end of the continuum. This indicates that you're one of those people who knows what you like. As a result, you're likely to have more discerning tastes than many people around you do. When you see something you want - whether it's a new car, a new coat, or even a new love - it can be hard to accept second best. You'd usually rather keep striving. That's what makes you particular. Because you like to be your best, you typically like to look your best too. In fact, you've probably received more than your share of compliments you on your put-together looks or great outfits. Being particular means you're apt to be more talented than most people are when it comes to self-care, style, and grooming. In this way, people like you tend to make a great first impression.

Dimension #4: Emotional versus Rational
Those who scored high on the rational scale are people who can usually take a step back during a heated situation in order to think out how best to respond. When provoked, their level-headedness makes them more likely to step back from an argument rather than fan the flames. Rational types are also typically strong thinkers who enjoy working through challenging problems to find a solution.

Your results indicate that you're more rational. This means that you're someone who is quite capable when it comes to logical reasoning. In fact, it's likely that you apply this valuable ability in a variety of situations, both personal and professional. You have a talent for observing what's happening in your own life. By being witness to events and your reactions to them, you can make more conscious choices for yourself. Not everyone has this ability. So be happy you have a good head on your shoulders. Being the voice of reason can be an attractive quality. It can also make you more compatible with the many people who'll come into your life.

See post below for con't. Part Two

My 7 Dimensions of Personality (Part Two)

Dimension #5: Humble versus Self-possessed

People who score highly on being self-possessed are generally confident types who believe strongly in their abilities. This feeling may translate into a sense of pride in their level of physical fitness, a sense of assurance about their intellectual abilities, or a high regard for their sexual prowess. Highly self-possessed people often have a charisma and energy that makes them the center of attention.

You scored on the more confident end of the continuum. (I'm not so sure about this. I see myself more on the other end of the spectrum.) This means that you possess a confidence that can energize your life so that each day becomes an adventure. When you see a new challenge, you're the kind of person who's likely to go after it with gusto, knowing that you have what it takes to make good things happen. This faith in your abilities can make you more willing to take risks than other people are. This trait can bode well for you in love. Feeling like hot stuff can give you the courage you need to approach an attractive person you'd like to meet, rather than letting the opportunity pass you by. You're also likely to keep yourself fairly socially active because you are usually comfortable interacting with others.

Dimension #6: Down-to-earth versus Dreamy

Individuals high on the dreamy scale include those people who would choose the bubbles of champagne over a glass of wine simply because it seemed a more romantic gesture. Highly dreamy people tend to see the magic in life. They may also actively seek out ways to make their love relationships special so that each day becomes an occasion.

People who are more down-to earth prefer life's everyday moments to grand gestures that seem over-the-top. They are realists who aren't easily swayed by styling or symbolism. For the most part, down-to-earth people would rather avoid glossy exteriors to get closer to what's on the inside. This tendency typically holds true across the board - in their friendships, in professional life, and in love.

Your score weighed more heavily on the down-to-earth end of the scale. This result indicates that you're the kind who realizes that although romance can be nice, it takes more than hearts and flowers to keep the world turning. Rather than focus your attention on fairytale dreams, you usually like to live in the here-and-now of reality. As a result, you often find happiness in the small pleasures present in everyday life: a good cup of coffee, a solid night's sleep, or a sunny day. These are things that others might overlook, but you can truly appreciate them. This easy sense of satisfaction with life can come across to others in a very engaging way, particularly in love. Those around you likely recognize the value you place in little things and appreciate your willingness to accept situations and people as they are. This kind, genuine nature is sure to draw others to you in life and in love.

Dimension #7: Pampered versus Rugged

Individuals who are more pampered include people who appreciate the many creature comforts associated with civilization. Pampered types typically prefer that their recreation be of the indoor variety.

You fall on the more pampered side of the line. (Nah, I'd like to believe I'm in the middle of both.) This suggests that while you probably aren't opposed to a little fresh air and sunshine, you tend to prefer the kind of relaxation that only indoor activities can offer. Whether you're shopping in a mall, sitting in a theatre, or relaxing at home with a good book, you appreciate the ease of being inside. Pampered types like you will take a massage and a good meal over a hike and campfire almost any day of the week. Facing the elements typically isn't your idea of a good time. In love, it will be important to find a partner who also likes this brand of leisure. If not on the same level as you, at least enough so you can share the kinds of experiences that you value.