A Mom's "Me" Time :)

Weekend --> I'm so craving for you.

Saturday night and I'm done with everything that needs to be done by a Mom like me. Just right in time, I confirmed my appointment at Elite Nails Spa through a dear friend Joie, who owns the spa. I told her I'll be at her nook by 7 pm.

                                                                                         

Since Robin wants to go with me, I wasn’t able to leave at the time I planned. I have to wait for Jun to bring Robin somewhere so he couldn't go with me at the Spa, I left home 15 minutes before 8 pm. When I reached Elite Nails Spa, again I wasn’t able to have my pampering session immediately started. Joie and I had some sweet talks first over krispy kreme doughnuts, I told her she should have served me coffee too hahah.

Joie is a dear friend since high school, one of my wacky girlfriends too :). We've been thru a lot of heartaches, were there for each other during our juvenile rebellion days and never back-off whenever someone is having occasional tantrums, we're there for each other to understand. We have embraced the fact that despite our personal differences, we've managed to stay strong and I'm proud my friendship with her and all the other casts are celebrating its 16th year of wonderful friendship this 2011 and counting.

Anyways since I know that they close before 10 pm, I immediately called Camille, one of the nail techs to give me foot spa. I took the menu and chose Lavender Mint Spa among the list. I'm happy when I saw lavender colors for my foot indulgence composed of a recipe for soak, scrub, oils and cream arranged in a wood tray for my very tired feet.

I'm happy with Camille, I know she's one efficient nail tech at Elite Nails Spa that's why I'm happy she's serving me again. I like the way she exfoliates my feet after a warm soak then applied a relaxing massage with the lavender cream. When she proceeds to have my foot filed, she asked the other nail tech to have my manicure done because it's 9pm already. To kill time, Camille handed me one of their magazines to read, I got a view of newly purchased set of magazines too at the couch beside me, wow they really got updated copies of Yes Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Candy and FHM among others.

 

 

 

My manicure is just a basic but I'm happy with the work after. The nail tech  (I'm not sure if its "Chin" her name) asked me first if I want my cuticles removed and would check on me from time to time if I'm hurting as she continues prettifying my nails. I love how she filed my finger nails - perfectly squared :).

 

Here I chose one from Orly's Cosmix Collection for my polish :). I was about to get the Orly bottle in hot 
 pink but just decided to have one that has glitters heheh.

 

My mani is done, Camille still working on my callus lol, I bet she'll be working overtime. It's been a while since the last time I cared for my feet this much. I always consider my schedule (plus budget) to have this service a regular thing.  I've been indulging to jars of petroleum jelly at home so I always have a reason to miss a spa visit but since the past days have been raining and my poor feet always get soaked aside from occasional running whenever I missed to bring an umbrella, I badly need to be in this place to reward this part of my body. I'm also bothered because I'm kind of gaining weight again and I know it won't be nice for my feet so here I'm treating the ever supportive and ever patient part of my lower extremities.

Camille did the cleaning of my toe nails perfectly; she didn't even rush herself that's why we're finished at 10pm already. I did feel some ouchy pain in my deep ingrones when she removed some dry skins but I'm surprised because the day after and the next, my toes are not even swelled (unlike the manicurist who visits me at home) my toes would always suffer one way or another.  Thanks Camille for taking care of my feet. :)

Thank you too Elite Nails Spa, Joie & Victor Pacheco, I'll see you again this week for a waxing session :).

Pinoy Dragon Boat Warriors won their first gold in IDBF 10th World Dragon Boat Championship!

It is indeed great news for all of us Filipinos especially those who believed to what our proud team of paddlers can deliver to this prestigious competition.

Once again, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation team bagged their third world title by winning the Premier 1000m event (small boat) in Tampa Bay Florida. This is also their first gold medal in this year's competition.

The photo below was uploaded in Facebook earlier, a video was also recorded in the page, congratulations to everyone in the team. 

A gift for a very dear husband

Dear husband would always make “parinig” on me that he’s motorcycle service for work which has served him well for the past 4years are showing signs of giving up, thus he may require to buy one very soon.  I know and I fully understand his needs for a new ride but I would always reiterate that the budget plan cannot accommodate it just yet until April 2012. You see, some bank and salary loans need to be fully paid before such “needs” can be considered.

So since I’m getting tired of his complains, I told him I’ll have his new bike delivered tomorrow, fresh! Of course he didn’t believe but I did give him something on the day as promised.

I told him “Pwede na ba sayo itong brand new DUCATI to use pang-service sa work?” (“Is this brand new Ducati ride okay with you to use as your work’s service ride?”) “Ingatan mo yan ha, milyones ang ginastos ko dyan.” (“Please take care of that, it costs a million!”)

I then handed him the below photo:

Good thing I was prepared because he could have hit my head if I’m not lucky and fast :).

Just a note: I’m willing to buy even two pieces of this million-worth bike which is known for taking the rider’s speed to the next level, if I can afford it, that must be the condition first right? Because a husband like him deserves such a grand gift like that.

Who wouldn’t turn a head when you meet Ducati bikes along the road, the style and aesthetics of Ducati rides really boast awesome performance on the road, the motorists really get shy and give-way to this bike hailed as the king of the road. I know because I have experienced that during our road trips before when I was bothered because Jun suddenly stopped and so are his friends. They took a moment to appreciate a group of Ducati riders who were also heading to the same point we are going to then. You would see a bit of jealousy in their eyes wishing they could also drive a Ducati someday.

Well aside from women, I also get jealous whenever my crazy husband would check Ducati’s in the internet and when he found some, he would touch the screen and almost kiss the photo, men and their fascination, and often times are way expensive and unbearable.

Dream on for now, who knows, thru this blog, Ducati will donate their out-dated model vehicles; a wife here is very much willing to accommodate just to let you know:).

Surprise! Surprise

My little kid love surprises! Most of the time we (DH and I) are pressured to always have something for him because he would really asks for it.  In my case, I make sure to always pass by any grocery store after work and buy some treats while DH would really make an effort to buy for toys. Sometimes he would also picks for instant bangketa toys if he lacks the time to frequent the mall, because it really matters to not to fail on our little boy’s anticipation. And yeah, these serve as our “pambawi” whenever the poor boy is left with our family and we’re both at work.

Today, I decided to buy him the black dark chocolates from Goya. He loves the one with raisins; I just hope he’ll be okay with almonds too.

“Close your eyes first, open your hands..” which my son graciously comply. I just can’t help but smile so I grabbed the camera and still my boy patiently waits and never opened his eyes until I placed the chocolate in his hands. 

And there’s his smile that makes me wanna buy the whole grocery store and give him surprises every hour. I love you baby!

A team of Dragon Boat Champions need support to win 3rd World Title

Enough of the Azkals for now, let's give support to this team of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, all pure-Filipino athletes who happened to be champions in the World's Dragon Boat Federation competition for two consecutive.

Watch this video, I bet you'll be having goosebumps too...


Kruzxx by clarkkent705

(If the video is having error loading, kindly go to this link to watch).

Now, what the team wants from us is support and assistance as they compete on Aug 3-7 in Florida USA to defend their back-to-back world titles in dragon boat racing. And of course, they need our prayers more than everything else.

Please if you have a blog, please share a space for them or you may also post the press release below so that more people will be aware of their condition. Or call for support in your facebook, twitter, google plus and other social media networking sites for this team.

Press Release:

2-TIME WORLD CHAMPS PHILIPPINE DRAGON BOAT FEDERATION AIM TO SET NEW WORLD RECORDS IN FLORIDA, USA

Cobra Energy Drink, Official Partner of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), together with Philippine Airlines, Official Carrier of the PDBF to the 10th International Dragon Boat World Championships, held a send-off press con luncheon at Capone’s A Venue to rally support for the back-to-back world champs. 

The PDBF are slated to compete in the 10th IDBF World Championships from August 3-7 at Tampa, Florida, USA. Headed by Team Captain Usman Anterola, the 25 champion paddlers are a mix of Philippine Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guards personnel, and reinforced by the best civilian women paddlers.

Despite lack of funding and numerous setbacks, the PDBF have been garnering numerous accolades worldwide since 2003 when they were formally organized in order to give autonomy to various private dragon boat clubs in the country.

The PDBF is a founding member of the IDBF. Per IDBF and Sports Accord, PDBF is the only recognized governing body for dragon boat racing in the Philippines. The IDBF is the world governing authority for dragon boat racing as a sport. 

The PDBF is also a Founding Member of the Asian Dragon Boat Federation (ADBF), South East Asian Traditional Boat Association (SEATBA).

The IDBF World Championship is held every 2 years. In 2007, the PDBF won the Gold for Men’s 200 meters in Sydney, Australia and set a then world record of 42.16 seconds. 

In 2009, the PDBF successfully defended its world title and set a new world record of 40.02 seconds at the World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. The Philippines doubled its gold medal haul as it also won the Mixed Division. 

In the ADBF Championships, the PDBF won 2 Golds in Penang, Malaysia in 2008 and 1 Gold in Mianyang, China in 2004. 

Early this year, the PDBF were officially invited by the IDBF Tampa Organizers to defend their title in the Premier Mens and Mixed competition classes. Pressed for funds, the chances were slim for the PDBF to fly abroad. 

In support of the PDBF’s cause, Official Carrier, Philippine Airlines stepped up to make it possible for the dragon boat world champs to vie for their third consecutive World Titles.

The US Dragon Boat Team’s Head Coach, Bob McNamara said, “The PDBF team are winning and setting world records with athletes of the finest character and well-respected by their competitors from across the globe. They have represented the Philippine nation in an outstanding fashion, in my opinion.”

Official Partner Cobra Energy Drink fully supports the PDBF and the advancement of Dragon Boat as a sport because of their shared values in the embodiment of true strength through perseverance, determination and the will to succeed. Cobra is also Official Sponsor of the ongoing, “Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta 2011”, which is run by the PDBF in Manila Bay.

PRESS RELEASE: AXN Hits The High Note With The Voice

For Immediate Release

AXN Hits The High Note With The Voice

Hottest New Show in the US set for Asian premiere this August

Singapore, 13 July 2011 – Her voice soared tremulously as she sang, her eyes fixated on the back of four big swiveling chairs, willing the judges to hit the red button and turn, just so she can get a coveted spot on the show. Such is the innovative format of The Voice where contestants are judged solely on their vocal talent, coming first and exclusively to AXN this August.

Hosted by Carson Daly (Last Call with Carson Daly, Jimmy Kimmel’s Live!), The Voice boasts a cast of four A-list celebrity judges – Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, rapper-crooner Cee Lo Green, R&B diva Christina Aguilera and country singer Blake Shelton who have sold more than 70 million albums combined – fronting the show as coaches. They must each pick a team of eight singers from the blind auditions (where if more than one coach spins around, the contestant gets to pick) and personally mentor each of them, before whittling the 32 singers down to 16 for the battle rounds. Each coach has a high stake in the game, with bragging rights accorded to whoever has the overall winner in their team. The battle rounds is also when voting opens up to the viewers, where each iTunes purchase counts as a vote for the contestant. The emerging victor receives US$100,000 and a record deal.

M5.9 Earthquake at Luzon, Philippines today, July 26

I got paranoid earlier when my cube moved, I leaned on my left to stop my colleague who was shaking his legs (mannerisms). But just after a minute, it moved again and he quickly said "It's not me anymore!" I stood and look around the office and everyone seems to noticed the after shock of the earthquake. Gosh, it wasn't really him.

I guess the eartquake last for 2 minutes and it was confirmed with magnitude 5.9 which hit Luzon, Philippines at around 1:15 A.M.

Hope everyone is safe.

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