but the most apt we can think of.

I'm sure the girls and I would have enjoyed a 'Magic Mike' thing if we had more dough to spend.

Resident maldita. "Wag blur ha?"

According to my sister, part of my obligations as the Maid of Honor is to do things like these. Well, of course I have thought about it but it was more of a good reason to go to a strip club or hire a stripper than to give my sister a bridal shower. That did not happen.

I have no idea how these things are done so I just gathered the girls and asked for suggestions. We were running out of time since we're:

1. not sure of everyone's availability, 
2. the girls are scattered everywhere, so finding a common ground was also tough, 
3. the bride arrived on the 8th and the wedding's on the 13th,
4. I wasn't sure if she can make time without her knowing about it, and last but not the least, 
5. no budget.

Good thing the coordinator and I are close. Oh yeah, the groom was the coordinator.

December 8, we still haven't agreed on anything. I was losing hope that we can pull this off. Good thing Ruz suggested a clever idea: "Ate, bakit di na lang sa Jollibee Vito Cruz? Di ba dun sya nag debut?" What a brilliant thought! Nice! Perfect place. It's cheap, common to everyone, memorable to the couple, and who doesn't like Jollibee?

I've read a couple of articles about bridal showers and there were a lot of things we didn't do like giving gifts, message/advice to the bride, the mom should be there, no groom present, etcetera. But what the hell? I think it went pretty well.

We ended up eating fried chicken, sharing rice across the table, sharing endless stories, snapping a couple of pictures here and there, laughing at random jokes, imitating annoying people (or was it just one person?) on facebook, and a little bit of coffee to cap off the night.

Well Chong, if any of us would marry again (I hope not you again or me!), I'll make sure we'd go for the 'Magic Mike' show. This I promise.

Kimy and Jewel (official tanggera)

The bride with the buntis

The buntis with the Maid of Honor, me!

At Starbucks (Torre Lorenzo) Balobo, Chong, Me, Diane, Jewel, Micha, Chrisha, Ruz

Balobs, the bride, the groom, Diane, Jewel, Micha, Ruz, Ate Reeka

Ruz, Diane, Ate Reeka, Jewel, Chrisha, Micha, Arkim, Len, Balobo

Do you know any?

From a scale of 1-10 (1-worst, 10-best), I’d rate my grammar skills a 5. After grammar training, it goes down to a 4 or 3. In one training I attended, we discussed compound sentences for several hours and I still don’t know why this is correct: A staircase and a door leads to the temple, while this is incorrect: A staircase and a door lead to the temple. I think both can be correct, depending on what you’re trying describe. Anyway, it’s something I can’t resolve on my own so if you have a really good explanation to this one, I’d be so happy to hear it.

Anyway, Filipinos usually play it by ear (literally and figuratively) when it comes to speaking in English; if it sounds wrong, then it probably is. I can tell if there’s something wrong with a sentence but explaining why it’s wrong is something else. I don’t think I’m that bad but since I teach English, I’d like to be able to explain to my students how it works without giving us both a nervous breakdown.

Grammar Girl is my go-to site for, well, grammar stuff. Everything’s explained briefly and with adequate examples. Plus, she has a podcast! I was browsing her site yesterday, looking for writing tips when I came across her top ten grammar myths. What got me was item 3:

It's incorrect to answer the question "How are you?" with the statement "I'm good."

I’m pretty sure a lot of us is guilty of this one. I think I usually answer this way! But lo and behold:

Wrong! “Am” is a linking verb and linking verbs should be modified by adjectives such as “good.” Because “well” can also act as an adjective, it's also fine to answer "I'm well," but some grammarians believe "I'm well" should be used to talk about your health and not your general disposition.

Good versus well.

If you have more myths, please do share.

Because of my operation, my life has been altered permanently. Just kidding. I haven't taken a full bath since Sunday (was able to wash my hair since I got out though!). I'm eating three meals a day now, complete with milk and vitamins. No coffee or booze. And most importantly, more than 7 hours of sleep.

Anyhoo, my sister's wedding is just a couple of days away. Have you seen the timer I made at the bottom of this blog?! No?! I think the gowns for the entourage are almost done. Except for mine! Then I remembered that my gown's completely sleeveless.

Nooooooo! My right underarm's completely destroyed. Not only ugly but destroyed so there's no way I can wear the gown right.

Good thing Koo was very nice and accommodating, she made another design. Oh, not one but two! Now, my problem is: which one?!

Design by Koo Gotauco Check out her designs here!

The one on the right's currently leading the polls. Hahahahaha!

Yep, that's a tub. With planks on the side. And large empty mineral water bottles underneath. It's great that I don't have to find out how this is used in real life.

Too lazy to google or to ask around about who are part of the entourage. Here are the designs anyway.

Maid of Honor Me!

What do you think of my gown?!

*This is a very long introduction.


Without the influence (prodding, harassment, etc.) from my parents (mostly just my mom), I would have not gotten myself involved in sports or any physical (tiring) activities. I was very frail when I was young and I lacked the power or strength (for the most part, will) to do anything and yet I played judo all my life. 

My judo career wasn't stellar. I lost more matches than I have won, I'm not good at throwing techniques and I'm particulary bad at grappling, but I look snappy in a judo uniform and I do rollings (summer saults, slams, cart wheel, the works) like a gymnast (I was one before). I can't say we're famous, but because of my parents' awesome track record, all of us (my siblings and I) were known as "Anak ni Tetet" or "Anak ni Tony".

"Pork breast?", I asked myself. So I looked closer and voila!

I didn't bother taking photos of the dish as it will cause more depression.

Braised: verb (used with object), braised, brais·ing.

to cook (meat, fish, or vegetables) by sautéeing in fat and then simmeringslowly in very little liquid.

Our new laptop table from my Dad. Awesomeness!

Narra wood. Specs? Haven't asked him yet.

(Another long due post. I've posted this photo in facebook and thanks to all those who liked it and posted some nice stuff, too.)

I know that my cousin Freagn is into beauty stuff but I never thought she'd be so serious about it (she's taking make-up classes!). Anyway, she came over to our place last Sunday to introduce me to some good stuff.

She started with cleansing my face, moisturizing after, trimmed my brows, scrubbed my hands, then a mini-makeover!

Let's not bore you with what she used (not yet because I'll have to try them first if they really work wonders) but here's the finished product:

I took photos right after she finished doing the make-up but the photos' quality wasn't that nice so this is me--oil, sweat, and all-- after we went to SM (and played virtual bowling at Tom's word with Julian).

I loved the products right away! The moisturizer was really light and non-greasy. She used a matte liquid foundation (we have the same shade!) which blended just right with my skin tone and it wasn't heavy on the face. The concealer was nice (a bit like what I'm using from Maybelline). It wasn't too heavy on the eyes 'cause that's where I usually put it and it doesn't cake up. I'm not a fan of Mascaras as they're such a pain to remove at night. The eyeliner stick wasn't too impressive. I prefer the felt-pen type from Maybelline that's like a cross between a stick and a liquid liner, doesn't smudge and easy to apply.

The best part of it would be what she did to my brows! She painted me new brows! It's the one thing I can't do myself and I felt like a totally different person after she's done. I'll definitely learn that.

It was a nice to see her again after a long while and I think we both enjoyed our "kikay" time. Plus she convinced me to buy some of the products she's selling. So excited!

What do you think?

I hope my pinyin's correct. It means, "happy new year!"

Starting my "new year" right.

Porky / Phone / Sweet stuff!

Aj and I went to Festival Mall last Sunday to finish some stuff:

1. We had to cancel our Wimax application with Globe. We're surrounded by tall trees so the technicians couldn't get a spot where there's a good signal. They climbed up the roof but to no avail. Anyway, Aj figured that maybe I should just get a phone line after cancelling our net application and that's what I did! So now I have a new phone!

2. Because of #1, we had to apply for a net connection with a different provider, Smart. There were a lot of people in line when we got there so it took us a while before we finally got our turn (everybody's applying for an iPhone 4S!). The transaction was pretty quick though. We were gone in about ten minutes after we sat at the counter.

3. Get Julian's gameboy fixed. We bought a gameboy for Julian as a present last Christmas, but after a few weeks, the power switch wouldn't stay put so you can't open the console easily.

4. Change Aj's watch's battery. I can't recall when we bought our watches but I'm pretty sure it's within the last three months. His already stopped working so we thought maybe the battery's busted. When we got to the store, they said it's a machine problem so we'll get his watch back after 1 or 2 months. Great!

We were done at around 6 PM. I went home with a box of delicious donuts from Krispy Kreme, a new (and working!) phone, and Porky!

P.S. Porky's like those stress balls? Only nicer because his eyes pops out (they're actually call popeye's). I forgot the name of the store where we got it but it's at the ground floor, along the train. It's the same store that sells samurai umbrellas, ceramic cups, cool clocks, cute usbs, etc.

Jinkee Pacquio on Mega cover [From Pinoyhalo]

Just saw Jinkee's photos from her cover for Mega.

She looked pretty. Too pretty. Why would you want to look too pretty that people would think you're from the Surrogates movie of Bruce Willis?

Pre Mega photos [From Showbiznest]

Don't get me wrong. I love Jinkee! She was the woman who loved Manny before he became The Manny Pacquiao. She never rode Manny's fame (entered showbiz and call herself an 'actress'). She took care of her kids (I was so happy she sent them to IS). She didn't act crazy over all the MP issues (Krista Ranillo and baby issues). I love that she shopped for bags and shoes! Lots of them!

There's nothing wrong in wanting to become better but with her recent photo shoot she looked liked a very different person. I didn't even notice that it was her.

Of course my opinion don't matter. Well, I'm not trying to give Jinkee one. My point?
1. Movies are coming to life! [Surrogates? by Bruce Willis? Seriously? You haven't seen it? Search!]
2. If I had Jinkee's (or Manny's) money, can I look like my favorite celebrity? Oh, I don't have a favorite celebrity.
3. Has Krista seen these photos of Jinkee?
4. Krist Bansuelo, do you also do bridal make-up? My sister's getting married December this year and you did an awesome job on Jinkee. Not that we need the same kind of 'magic' but we want you.
5. Is Jinkee going to enter showbiz? Will she star in her own telenovela? Oh! Maybe Manny can buy their own TV network!

Here's the photo shoot video.

Well, I can't cut my hair really short like I wanted. I've tried curls before. I have bangs now. Layered, straight, boring, etc. I always dye my hair brown or light brown but I want something new this year. So I thought I was out of "hair ideas". Until...

Red hair.

Me gusta!

	Jane Aldrige. She is so pretty! [From Sea Of Shoes]

Just Ariel with her Dingglehopper! [From 9gag]

COMDDAP, the Philippines’s leading computer and technology trade association, holds its biggest IT sale yet, with prices on a wide range of products slashed by up to 70 percent.

More than 30 exhibitors will participate in Got I.T.!, the 28th edition of COMDDAP Expo Manila, to be held from December 9-11 2011 at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. COMDDAP EXPO Manila 2011 is open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Hall 1.

Details here

Design-your-own-Christmas-tree project at work.

From all of us.

Better late than never!

McDo or Starbucks some time. For the mean time, enjoy the instant cappuccino! See you around!

As much as I want to deny the popularity of Zombies, it's just all over the place! With the Halloween over just yesterday, I don't know why I'm surprised that the internet is still full of the dead and the scary.

Got this image but the link to the page is broken

I'm never stressed out about Christmas until this year. Since the ber months kicked in, there was never a time I didn't think about it; decors, gifts, parties, etc. To make things worse for me I'm a) low on budget (thanks to the other unimportant holidays) and b) lack of skills in the baking and creative department.

However, I'm not completely doomed after all! I found these amazing simple baked treats and DIY crafts online for gifts and give-aways.

Have you got any suggestions? Share it with people like me so we can all have a merry Christmas.

* Crafts, recipes, home decor ideas at Delia Creates. How I wish creativity and sewing skills can be bought.
* Simple recipes: peanut butter cups and cupcake frosting (peanut butter and cream cheese).

Photo from Origami Fun

P.S. Just learned how to make origami boxes with cover and dividers too!

Unrelated note: I just spent two hours looking for a post I wrote three days ago. Apparently, I overwrote it. I feel so defeated.

First of, I don't get to read newspapers and I have not researched well if there really is a plan or discussion of creating above mentioned group. Do we need a national bloggers association in the Philippines?

Those who are in favor of this idea argue that it's time that bloggers in the country be united through common objectives and principles to benefit members and avoid controversies like the "Big bad blogger".Whether this national association will benefit me or not, I don't like it. More than the possible restrictions, I don't like the idea of an It group in the world of bloggers.  Also, it would be next to impossible for would-be members to agree on a lot of stuff (click here for interesting views of bloggers and non-bloggers) just like in any other organization.

I don't make money out of blogging like others do. I write online not because I want to publicize my life, thoughts, or what not, but because it's a good place to keep something you don't want to be erased in case your hard drive crashes or your journal got burned. It's convenient, efficient, cheap, and flexible. You can make several back-ups and access it anywhere as long as you're connected to the web. Do I want all these good stuff gone? Of course not.

I believe the blogging community in the Philippines is doing okay. I don't think there are any real problems so a 'solution' is not necessary. Bloggers need to run free. Sure there are disadvantages of lack of regulations but like what others have said, there's an unwritten code of ethics among bloggers. if you're a jerk who writes lousy stuff, people are not that stupid to even bother looking at your stuff.

Hello Queen B!