30 Day Song Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You Of Someone

When I was around 7 or 8 years old, we had a yaya named Berta who had a cleft palate. She was a big girl with extraordinary strength. Now that I think about it, she's somewhat like Coach Beast in Glee. Despite her speech impediment, she's very confident and liked to sing a lot. And one of her favorite songs was Eternal Flame by The Bangles.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - A Song That Makes You Sad

I'm basically not a person who easily gets sad. I like lots of sad songs like Adele's, but they don't necessarily make me sad. Anyway, if I'm in the mood for some 'emo' time, then I listen to the soundtrack of the movie Il Postino. Most specifically the album where artists read Pablo Neruda poems with the songs as background. Oh, so heartbreaking!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - A Song That Makes You Happy

Everybody needs a little Ke$ha to start their day. I don't know, but as soon as I hear the opening line "Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy" my body just starts moving to the beat. Singing and dancing to Tik Tok drives the blues away!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - Your Least Favorite Song

Okay, one song that really makes me cringe is Aking Awitin. It was originally sung by Bong Gabriel, then re-released by Side A. I mean, the song itself is ok. The lyrics talk about a guy who can't profess his love for a girl so he puts it in a song. Pretty decent, right? But when you get to the chorus, you get a stanza-full of 'Lala lala la, lala lala'. Seems like the songwriter ran out of words.

And I guess the embarrassing event of how I came to know of the song, is what really made it cringe-worthy!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 1

So I saw this challenge on Facebook, and decided to jump in on the craze. It's a great way to reminisce about stuff =)

Day 1- Your Favorite Song

I don't have just one favorite song, I have lots and lots and it depends on my current mood or state of mind. So right now, my favorite is Bruno Mars' Count On Me. I just love the song's message and I dedicate this to my one and only sister, who more often than not acts like she's older than me.

Products I Totally Swear By

I was recently looking for a good salon to have my hair colored and a colleague recommended her friend's salon. I asked her if she had her hair done there, and she sheepishly said she's never been there because the place is a bit pricey. O...kay.

I'm a bit choosy in the salons that I go to, especially when it involves cutting or coloring the hair, a manicure and pedicure. I rarely speak up when the salon person starts hurting me or cutting my hair way too short. That's why I always depend on friends' referrals before I try any new salon or any new product for that matter.

That's why I thought of listing down some of the stuff I have been using and really believe in. But let me make this clear: No, I did not hit my head and started thinking of myself as a celebrity endorser. On the contrary, because I'm just your average Jane, you know that I have not been paid to write about them. I am and have been using these products for years, and I would like to share them with you because they really work!

1. Eskinol Facial Cleanser
This has been part of my daily routine since I was probably 12.
PLUS: I have never been pimply (thank goodness!), but I noticed that whenever I get pimples, Eskinol helps get rid of them right away and even pimple scars disappear. I use it after washing my face, and with all the pollution I have to face everyday, I really feel much cleaner.
MINUS: It tends to dry the skin so I think using it once or twice a day is enough. And as usual, you need to apply moisturizer. Speaking of moisturizer...


2. Celeteque Moisturizer
I've been using this for more than 3 years now.
PLUS: I love this because it's water-based so it's not at all sticky. I hate the oil-based ones cos it feels like my skin can't breathe. I also use Celeteque's facial wash and toner, so I buy their travel pack which includes the miniature-sized trio.
MINUS: Um, can't think of any.


3. Contractubex
When I had my freaky bike accident 4 years ago, which left my face and legs scarred for life, I used this magical gel religiously until the scars are barely visible.
PLUS: It really, really works! People don't notice the scars near my eyebrow until I point them out.
MINUS: The small tube's way more expensive than a tub of Sebo de Macho.


4. Max Factor Second Skin Foundation
This was introduced to me by my gay friend, who uses more facial products than I do and spends more time in the bathroom than I do.
PLUS: It is a great cover-up for any blemish or pimple scar. It's a liquid foundation but it's not oily so your face gets that perfect matte finish. Just a few drops, you will achieve that fresh-faced look.
MINUS: The only downside, I think, is the price. A bottle costs almost a thousand bucks, so if you're the type who liberally applies stuff in your face then it will be hard on your pocket. But if you're a cheapskate like me, a bottle could last you a few months or so.


5. Dimetapp Decongestant
I use the syrup kind, and not the tablet one. Until just recently, I can't swallow medicine tablets or capsules because I feel like I'm gonna choke or something. So I still drink my medicine using a spoon. =)
PLUS: Kiss your sniffles away after just a few hours of drinking. You will really feel your nasal cavity slowly clear up.
MINUS: It makes you really drowsy. Which is good, because you need to have that restful sleep. But if you were planning for an all-nighter then forget it cos this will really knock you out. Good thing though, is you will feel very much refreshed when you wake up.


These are just some of the products I really believe in. Will post more as I remember them. But for now, maybe you can share with me some of yours?

The 5 People You Meet in Commuter Hell

One of the things I hate most in the world is taking the public transportation. I mean, what's to love about pollution and absence of personal space? But ever since I got here, I had no choice but join the rest of the commuting public. To make my daily sacrifice bearable, I've resorted to (if not daydreaming) observing the people around me and I've noticed that almost everyone belongs to these 5 types:


1. Noddy

Noddy is that toy with springy neck so he looks like he's always nodding. If you don't know him, think animal toy with a wiggly head propped on a taxicab's dashboard.

Noddy's that passenger who immediately nods off to sleep as soon as he settles in his seat oblivious to everything that's going around him. But the amazing thing is, Noddys exactly know when to wake up. I think they have developed this sensor that alerts them when their stop is near.

There are worse kinds- the Leaning Towers and the Droolers- but thank goodness I've never sat beside them!


2. The Juicer

The jeepney or tricycle's full. The Juicer comes in, inserts between you and another passenger, and squeezes the life out of you. You try to scoot a few more inches lest he/she sits on your lap, and you're forced to sit half-assed in a very awkward position.

I mean c'mon, it's bad enough that you're sharing a cramped space with strangers early in the morning, and someone decides to squeeze in and leave you breathless, hanging onto dear life.


3. Mad Max

Dance or rock music's blaring from the speakers way too early in the morning. It's chest-thumpingly loud that I'm afraid that my heart might get confused with the different rhythm and it literally skips a beat.

And bad news for you if the jeepney doesn't have that string or button to signal the driver to stop and pull over. Then you'd have to resort to wild waving, beating your chest and shouting "Para!" at the top of your lungs just like Tarzan.

Worse yet, if the driver thinks he's in the Indy 500 and feels like racing against any vehicle on the road. It's particularly infuriating when they start driving off (at a maddening pace, mind you) before your ass even touches the seat or before you've properly alighted.


4. Deadma

Originating from the term 'patay (dead) malisya', the word means ignoring someone or something. These are the rude people who pretend they're busy or deaf or whatever, that won't even make an effort to turn around and reach out to pass your fare to the driver. I mean, how hard is it to raise your arm a bit and do something nice for a fellow human being? Those flabby arms need a little exercise every now and then, you know.


5. The Bulldozer

Or you can also call them bump cars. Whether you're walking on the right side of the walkway or just standing aside, they have no qualms in ramming down anyone blocking their crooked path.

Suffice to say, all these people have not made commuting for me any easier. But they definitely make my daily trips more 'interesting'.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I'm writing this at home, on the third day of crappy stormy weather. Our village has been flooded- submerged in at least 12 inches of murky water.

I called in sick today but I couldn't really relax and get some rest because the non-stop raining is making me nervous. I get up every few minutes and check the water level outside. Good thing we're staying on the third floor so we're basically safe. But the images of destruction that Typhoon Ondoy caused two years ago, keep me feeling restless. And worse, that typhoon pretty much had the area I'm living in now, looking like the ancient city of Atlantis.

Although I was not yet here when it happened, but the horror stories of the victims and images in the news are enough to leave one scared of unrelenting heavy rains. The government's weather bureau kept reassuring everyone that Typhoon Falcon won't be another Ondoy. Still, one can't help but be praning.

The news reports that a lot of families have already evacuated their homes to seek higher (and safer) ground and more are still stranded in the streets. I just hope everyone keeps safe and that this God-awful rain goes away real soon and never to come back again.

Soundtrack Sunday - Adele

I first heard Adele singing "Chasing Pavements" and I have loved her since then. There's a certain sadness to her lyrics, and the way she sings them conveys that sadness very well. Her voice has that quality that grips at the heart and reminds you of past hurts.

Or maybe that's just me. Anyway...

Her album 21 was definitely not a letdown. If anything, it showcased her talent even more and you can hear that her voice has matured a lot, making the songs even more heart-breaking.

Of course, the most popular song there is "Rolling In The Deep" but my current favorite is "Someone Like You". Relate much? Haha, not really.