As I mentioned in THIS ENTRY, I need to set aside my being a make-up artist for now until I have finally adjusted with my new life here. They say it is on your 3rd year of migration that you can say that you have been fully settled down and never wanting to come back from where you came from, probably just some visits but not come back and live your old life. Whoa! 3 years?! I can't wait that long! Last week, I received this email from a client who lives in the same state as where we are(click email/picture to enlarge), although it is still 3 hours drive to get to the venue of the wedding, I am very much tempted to take it. And then, yesterday a friendster message was sent to me by a highschool classmate whom I haven't seen nor speak with for more than 12 years asking me for some make-up advices and tips for her wedding. Apparently, she has been following both of my blogs and have seen pictures of my works. I feel elated with that friendster message, click picture to read the message. It dawned on me that I miss doing shoots, makeovers, wedding make-ups or chatting with my make-up artists/friends or simply conceptualizing a shoot with the creative teams I've worked with! But I am not ready to start my make-up career here just yet, not now, I am clueless with the local make-up service rates here and I left more than half of my make-ups including my traincase in Manila. All I have are cosmetics for my complexion, my precious brushes and the gazillions of falsies which I bought before I left. I was told false eyelashes are way way expensive here. Titan was supportive about this new client, (thanks mickee for the referral! truly appreciate it and thanks mama mee for telling me it's 3 hours drive away from us LOL!). Hubby and I had a lengthy discussion about it last night, he would be my driver afterall. We have decided to decline this client for now. It isn't just the right time, I am not ready yet.
With the launch of my beauty blog which I talked about HERE, at least I can express this other side of me. I will be of glad to help anyone who wants any kind of advice from me (wag lang tungkol sa pera LOL!). And to top it all, I am going to recommend a lot of new make-up artists in the Philippines. There are a lot of them whom I personally know, so brides-to-be who are still emailing me, asking for my rates etc... can decide from my list of referrals. I just hope to be able to launch the blog this week. I really hope I have enough time to do it tomorrow and thursday.
And to Shynn, my highschool classmate, I am going to reply to your message soon. Thanks for coming to me for make-up tips, I love giving tips and some skin care reminders for brides to be. I am no expert on this field. I just love what I do. It is really hard to set aside your real passion, but when you think of your family as your 1st priority, you know you are on the right track.
A lot of my friends and even relatives are asking me if I still sleep! hahaha! Of course I do, beauty sleep 1st before moolah ows! But I am just gifted with multitasking supercalifragilisticexpealidocious prowess that I could manage tons of activities with 1 head and 2 hands. Half of my day mostly in the mornings, my life is like a washing machine ahahahahah! labo labo with housechores, opps, ethan and some pa-cute on the side pa ha (read: breakfast on the lakeside with matching amoy amoy ng flowers while reading wallstreet journal). I still manage to sleep at least 5-6 hours a day. I love sleep. I just don't know how to sleep before 3am or 4 (siguro jetlagged pa rin ako after all these months LOL!). Tell me how and I'd really really try that. Before heading off to slumberland, HERE's SOMETHING that gave me a big LOLz, daliiii read it! Nytynyt. Toodles, later.
I have written an entry on my insights on blogging and it's future at my other blog. Here's the link: READ IT NOW. I want to know your insights as well.
We had a very busy weekend. Yesterday, a party was held at home to celebrate hubby's and 3 other people's birthdays in the Clan, but will blog about that on a separate entry. Last Saturday, I was saddened because for the 1st time in many weeks, hubby has to go to work. Good thing as an impromptu invitation was sent on my and my son's way. It was supposed to be just a simple mall visit and some buffet treat but it turned out to be a mini tour for me and my son. It was impromptu as we were just given 5 minutes to prepare hahaha! As in biglaan lang talaga, explains my very unplanned outfit in the photos lol! The Aunts and the Uncles heard that the newly opened mall in Williamsburg is giving out HUGE discounts, so it would be nice to give it a try and probably find some good finds particularly at JC Penney. Do you still remember my very 1st trip in Sephora at Anaheim, California after our Disney Resort trip? Here was my picture the 1st time I sat foot on my newest beauty haven in this other side of the world. I was like a little kid visiting some candy store. 
You all know how much I adore make-up so Sephora was really a must shop stop for me. However, from where we are there is no nearby Sephora, just ULTA. For one thing, I don't like ULTA as they don't carry as much brands as Sephora does and the artists are not as accomodating as Sephora's artists are. I was sooo happy to see SEPHORA inside the newest JC Penney in the nearby Williamsburg. Ahem, more frequent visits there.
After some little shopping, off we went to The Colonial Gardens of Williamsburg so they could show me the 300-yr-old houses in the famous Ghost Town. Virginia is known for it's history and culture. This is where the American Revolution started as well as the 1st Civil War. According to Wikipedia : Virginians were instrumental in writing of the United States Constitution. James Madison, considered the Father of the Constitution, drafted the Virginia Plan in 1787, and the Bill of Rights in 1789. Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788. The three-fifths compromise ensured that Virginia initially had the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, which with the Virginia dynasty of presidents gave the commonwealth national importance.[42] And one of the most famous tourist spots in America is the The Colonial Williamsburg. This place is said to be a historic district of the independent city of Williamsburg, VA. The buildings and houses here were built between the years 1699-1780 (yes that old!). It is meant of to be an interpretation of a Colonial American city, exhibiting colonial houses and the American Revolutionary War. And added info from Wikipedia states that: "It was here that Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, James Madison, George Wythe, Peyton Randolph, and dozens more helped mold democracy for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States". They restore all these buildings and houses to preserve the physical environment of the colonial period so tourists are educated about the origins of the idea of America, which was conceived during many decades before the American Revolution. So there, did I bore you of some American history? heheh! Here are some of our pics I and tito Etook. I wasn't really taking much photos as weather stops us from going further with our mini tour, after all the place is not fully operational till springtime on March21. Silver and Ethan were soooo inseperable, they were holding hands all throughout the tour.
the ghost town!
this is how they persecute people 300 years ago
the very old William and Mary university, where the civil war started
Ethan's 1st sheep encounter
holding hands forever!
Geddy House
the whole clan minus hubby, the Shorts, tito jun, tita elizabeth, candace and tito edmond (taking the pics)
they were trying to look for a ghost in the small holes. time to go for some Peking buffet!
that's all folks! Chinese buffet as usual serves the best food!
You all know how much I adore make-up so Sephora was really a must shop stop for me. However, from where we are there is no nearby Sephora, just ULTA. For one thing, I don't like ULTA as they don't carry as much brands as Sephora does and the artists are not as accomodating as Sephora's artists are. I was sooo happy to see SEPHORA inside the newest JC Penney in the nearby Williamsburg. Ahem, more frequent visits there.
After some little shopping, off we went to The Colonial Gardens of Williamsburg so they could show me the 300-yr-old houses in the famous Ghost Town. Virginia is known for it's history and culture. This is where the American Revolution started as well as the 1st Civil War. According to Wikipedia : Virginians were instrumental in writing of the United States Constitution. James Madison, considered the Father of the Constitution, drafted the Virginia Plan in 1787, and the Bill of Rights in 1789. Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788. The three-fifths compromise ensured that Virginia initially had the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, which with the Virginia dynasty of presidents gave the commonwealth national importance.[42] And one of the most famous tourist spots in America is the The Colonial Williamsburg. This place is said to be a historic district of the independent city of Williamsburg, VA. The buildings and houses here were built between the years 1699-1780 (yes that old!). It is meant of to be an interpretation of a Colonial American city, exhibiting colonial houses and the American Revolutionary War. And added info from Wikipedia states that: "It was here that Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, James Madison, George Wythe, Peyton Randolph, and dozens more helped mold democracy for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States". They restore all these buildings and houses to preserve the physical environment of the colonial period so tourists are educated about the origins of the idea of America, which was conceived during many decades before the American Revolution. So there, did I bore you of some American history? heheh! Here are some of our pics I and tito Etook. I wasn't really taking much photos as weather stops us from going further with our mini tour, after all the place is not fully operational till springtime on March21. Silver and Ethan were soooo inseperable, they were holding hands all throughout the tour.
the ghost town!
this is how they persecute people 300 years ago
the very old William and Mary university, where the civil war started
Ethan's 1st sheep encounter
holding hands forever!
Geddy House
the whole clan minus hubby, the Shorts, tito jun, tita elizabeth, candace and tito edmond (taking the pics)
they were trying to look for a ghost in the small holes. time to go for some Peking buffet!
that's all folks! Chinese buffet as usual serves the best food!
I was sooo excited watching the premiere and even my son was watching with me and he kept saying the whole time "mommy, wow girls wow girls!". I was a bit disappointed at first because it was full of catfights and screaming girls! Not to mention that I find the school-theme-set-up a bit Hogwarts-imitation corny lol! But then again, as the show ended, the girls personalities get more interesting. I already have my top 3: I am booting for The girl who undergone circumsion in Somalia, the girl who graduated from an Ivy League school and a girl with the prettiest face! Let's see if I change my mind.
Here they are the ANTM Cycle 10 Winners! and oh yes, make-up does a lot of wonders! Ahem!
Here they are the ANTM Cycle 10 Winners! and oh yes, make-up does a lot of wonders! Ahem!
After bombarding you with series of paid entries, I might as well give you an update of me. Though, I still have 16 more backlog OPPS and it's just Tuesday, you know Wednesdays are for raining OPPS. I've had enough for the night as I have proudly grabbed my very 1st $50 dollar OPP! I never imagine paidblogging could be taxing at times, (lest, maintaining 2 blogs!) it has indeed become a career for me, I just turned 3 months last February 16 and I must say I did an excellent job in paidblogging. I could have started this way way earlier. But regrets are for losers. Hubby and my son learned to adjust with my so-called working hours at home. They really do.
>>>The reason for my less entries is I have been trying to sleep healthy meaning eliminating the insomniac in me. I have a recurring migraine caused by staying too late in the computer. As I have blogged HERE, I started a sleeping routine by sleeping at 9pm and waking up at 6am. But as predicted, I hate mornings and I ended up spending more hours in the bed! Sleeping early and not meeting my 0PPS requirement every night makes me cranky and doubles the migraine the following days. And so, I am back to my sleepless nights slash morphs into my insomniac being. Hence, the absence of bloghopping, but I promise to bloghop this week not later than friday!
>>>For some reasons, I have been helping hubby's Doctors-Aunts and Uncles slash our wedding godparents in their job search, they moved from Germany and Immigrated here. Unfortunately, both of them are so overqualified and they have been rejected by companies and universities for being very well-experienced surgeon and gynecologist. They have been using my laptop while I assist them in their online job hunt and this afternoon, they accidently tweaked some of the settings of my YM beta version(i think) and when I logged in, my YM just messed up. Only the YM vista is working but I just hate this version. So for everyone, who messaged me, I did not receive any. I'll try to download beta version again tomorrow. Hopefully it works!
>>>Lately, I'm just getting sick of all the networking sites, read: FRIENDSTER, MY SPACE, MULTIPLY, FACEBOOK (most especially). I don't know why, maybe nagsawa na lang ako. I feel it's very impersonal, I would still appreciate personal emails over testimonials and long conversations and hugs over looking at a friend's pictures. This Facebook is really getting into me LOL! I am thinking of cancelling my account. They have been emailing updates and friends requests, dati wala naman. Siguro dahil magdadalawang buwan na akong di nag checheck. I was hesitant to log in this morning coz I might be traumatized with the requests, and guest what, when I logged in, I got 521 requests!!!! And you have to ignore them one by one. MAJOR CHAKANESS!
>>>I so badly want to watch these 2 movies with my girlfriends back home, especially with my MG family. Movie life here sucks! boohoo! I miss all of you, sawa na ako manood ng DVD with Titan lol! I want girlfriends movie sidecomments naman and tsismisan after. Uwi na ko lol!
>>>and lastly, I have re-watched the reruns of ANTM Cycles 1-9 to get ready for the Cycle 10 which will premiere on Wednesday, February 20 woohoo!!! I missed my photoshoots everytime I watch ANTM. Hay naku! Senti senti. Read more as I blog it HERE!
>>>The reason for my less entries is I have been trying to sleep healthy meaning eliminating the insomniac in me. I have a recurring migraine caused by staying too late in the computer. As I have blogged HERE, I started a sleeping routine by sleeping at 9pm and waking up at 6am. But as predicted, I hate mornings and I ended up spending more hours in the bed! Sleeping early and not meeting my 0PPS requirement every night makes me cranky and doubles the migraine the following days. And so, I am back to my sleepless nights slash morphs into my insomniac being. Hence, the absence of bloghopping, but I promise to bloghop this week not later than friday!
>>>For some reasons, I have been helping hubby's Doctors-Aunts and Uncles slash our wedding godparents in their job search, they moved from Germany and Immigrated here. Unfortunately, both of them are so overqualified and they have been rejected by companies and universities for being very well-experienced surgeon and gynecologist. They have been using my laptop while I assist them in their online job hunt and this afternoon, they accidently tweaked some of the settings of my YM beta version(i think) and when I logged in, my YM just messed up. Only the YM vista is working but I just hate this version. So for everyone, who messaged me, I did not receive any. I'll try to download beta version again tomorrow. Hopefully it works!
>>>Lately, I'm just getting sick of all the networking sites, read: FRIENDSTER, MY SPACE, MULTIPLY, FACEBOOK (most especially). I don't know why, maybe nagsawa na lang ako. I feel it's very impersonal, I would still appreciate personal emails over testimonials and long conversations and hugs over looking at a friend's pictures. This Facebook is really getting into me LOL! I am thinking of cancelling my account. They have been emailing updates and friends requests, dati wala naman. Siguro dahil magdadalawang buwan na akong di nag checheck. I was hesitant to log in this morning coz I might be traumatized with the requests, and guest what, when I logged in, I got 521 requests!!!! And you have to ignore them one by one. MAJOR CHAKANESS!
>>>I so badly want to watch these 2 movies with my girlfriends back home, especially with my MG family. Movie life here sucks! boohoo! I miss all of you, sawa na ako manood ng DVD with Titan lol! I want girlfriends movie sidecomments naman and tsismisan after. Uwi na ko lol!
>>>and lastly, I have re-watched the reruns of ANTM Cycles 1-9 to get ready for the Cycle 10 which will premiere on Wednesday, February 20 woohoo!!! I missed my photoshoots everytime I watch ANTM. Hay naku! Senti senti. Read more as I blog it HERE!
I was tagged by Cheryll. Your task is to find a photo showing your other side, an angry being! Unfortunately, my old photos are still back home in my old PC and I can't find any Galit photo in my new set of photos because I was always excited with my new environment that a smile is always plastered on my face! I searched my friendster photos and this is the closest I could get. So here's how I Iook like when I'm galit or galit-galitan lol! This was taken during my photoshoot hahah! Terence Sy, the photographer was pissing me off as he wants a photo of me that looks mataray, sobrang smiley daw kasi ako. So there you go, snag this tag if you feel like galit.
While hubby was watching discovery channel and it was about scubadiving, I was saddened. I badly miss scubadiving. I badly miss being under the water. I badly miss being in a complete solitude. I badly miss giggling all by myself after watching a funny creature crashed to another funny looking sea creature. And I regret not scubadiving with my closest friends Harold and Ging. Kelan kaya ako makakascubadive ulit? Some pictures of me under the water:
I was tagged by Jane. It's so hard to think of only 8 things to be grateful for as there are a lot I can think of. But I'll try to narrow them down to the top 8 things that popped in my head:
1.) First off, I'm grateful for Jane for tagging me into this. Because like her, I tend to overlook some of my blessings and gets whiny most of the time hahah! How ungrateful! This tag would somehow remind me of how lucky I am now, to start counting my blessings and just stop complaining and worrying.
2.) I'm grateful for my family, my mom, my dad and my two brothers, my loving in-laws, husband and son. I know I can always count on them when everything else turn down on me. I'm really really grateful for such loving and beautiful family.
3.) I'd like to cite my husband solely. I am grateful for him coming into my life. He has given me sooo many things and made me happy all the time. Despite my lack of maturity, he has always been patient of me. He thinks of me more than himself and more than anyone and anything else. Eventhough he's tired from work, I am the one who gets to be pampered at night with massage and the likes. Spoiled to death talaga ako.
4.) I am grateful for my friends. They keep me both insane and sane. I'm blessed with a big circle of real good friends. My bestfriend Tetet and Joanne, my MG family with 3 adorable gay friends whom I spent 7 happy and crazy years at the Canadian Embassy (chingkee, mia, val, mishel, flery, ging, harold, jasper and mother michelle), my ultimate chikadora friends (wifespeakers), my gorgeous highschool friends (farah, stelz, lei, jetjet, cheche, etc... they're just too many to mention), my fab college friends (chelle, may and all those whom I still keep in touch), closest friends whom I can talk anything and everything under the sun(like joy, cheryl, irma, kathy, icee friends), my hubby's buddies (kirl, gio, rommel, jeno, andeng, etc...), all my other friends whom I cannot include in any of the categories mentioned, and my blogging buddies, you know who you are, you make blogging sooo muh fun!
5.) I am grateful for having able to indulge in one extreme hobby, that of scubadiving and for the places I've seen and travelled (Hongkong, China, Thailand, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Bacolod, Anilao, Subic, Bicol, Mount Banahaw, L.A., Napa Valley, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Philly, Virginia, Washington D.C. etc...). I'm still looking forward to spending some time with my bestfriend, Tetet in Canada, a 2nd honeymoon with my hubby in Europe, a shopping adventure with my MG family in Vietnam and Singapore and backpack with them in Palawan, skinny dip in Maldives with all my crazy friends I've mentioned in #4, Surprising my Son and his future sibling by bringing him to all the Disneylands in the World before he turns 12, Explore Japan, Australia, Johannesburg, South Africa and Alaska with my folks and brothers.
6.) I am grateful for my skill and self-taught talent in Make-Up, I find ultimate joy enhancing people's features and showing my artistic side at photoshoots.
7.) I am grateful for this opportunity to live in a different country. It was a big risk and the transition was hard, we are still on the process of being fully stable but I am glad to be at this state now. I have learned so much from this move and my small young family has never been this close and strong. Ika nga ni KC Concepcion on her From Paris to Pinas show, never ever allow yourself to be too comfortable at one place, because when you forego of all the conveniences in your life, that's when you challenge yourself, you mature, you grow, you improve, and that's where you learn who you truly are. Keep moving, keep improving. Change is always good. When things and place become very convenient for you, there is definitely no room for growth.
8.) I am grateful for my faith. I am glad that I was brought up to believe on heaven and hell. I am extremely blessed for the big man up there who gave us an adorable son and for always being there for me 24/7.
I am tagging meeya, jen, ela, joy, juliet, cynch, cata, cez, jacqui, weng, and denoy.
- vista:
blessed...very.
I received this in my inbox today followed by a missed call and 1 text message regarding a bridal make-up inquiry from a very persistent client. (I am on an intl roaming) I have been receiving SMS inquiries but not really replying to them coz texting back is a bit big bucks!
Dear Ms. Em,
I've seen your works and I really want to have my trial with you. I love the way you put make-up on your brides and I have heard good reviews about you. Can you send me your most recent package and will you be available next saturday for a trial session? Here are my contact information:
____________
For some reason, I don't miss photoshoots, bridal make-up, dior make-over gigs etc... It's been almost 3 months since I've last touched my brushes and traincase. The closest thing to putting make-up is on myself whenever I go out, where concealer, blush, and mascara are staple to me. I was chatting to a stylist whom I've closely worked with last week and I told him that I don't miss make-up nor get kilig whenever I see photoshoots and print ads layout by my make-up artist friends, which I used to. I really don't know why, I have been concentrating on something in my chosen career path lately. Or maybe because I have been overwhelmed with the house chores and a terrible toddler that I forget my alone time. I rarely think of Ulta or Sephora but loves to stroll around Cosco, Walmart, Toys R Us and the likes. Hmmm. I know this is a bit of a random entry and I don't know how to end this. I just need something to get back that passion alive in me agan. Am I losing the make-up artist in me?
Dear Ms. Em,
I've seen your works and I really want to have my trial with you. I love the way you put make-up on your brides and I have heard good reviews about you. Can you send me your most recent package and will you be available next saturday for a trial session? Here are my contact information:
____________
For some reason, I don't miss photoshoots, bridal make-up, dior make-over gigs etc... It's been almost 3 months since I've last touched my brushes and traincase. The closest thing to putting make-up is on myself whenever I go out, where concealer, blush, and mascara are staple to me. I was chatting to a stylist whom I've closely worked with last week and I told him that I don't miss make-up nor get kilig whenever I see photoshoots and print ads layout by my make-up artist friends, which I used to. I really don't know why, I have been concentrating on something in my chosen career path lately. Or maybe because I have been overwhelmed with the house chores and a terrible toddler that I forget my alone time. I rarely think of Ulta or Sephora but loves to stroll around Cosco, Walmart, Toys R Us and the likes. Hmmm. I know this is a bit of a random entry and I don't know how to end this. I just need something to get back that passion alive in me agan. Am I losing the make-up artist in me?
Hay naku! Finally my toefl test is registered. They say this is an easy peasy type of exam though lengthy. But the booking process was really stressful. Both my husband and I consumed sleepless nights in booking my test date as there were no earlier test dates available and the toefl website was having system problems for several days. I'm just glad i'm over it, I used their phone-in registration instead. And guess where my test location is: "THE" Virginia Tech in Blacksburgh, haha! It's the only test location that has earlier test date which will be on Jan18. I guess it will also be a little trip for the whole family because it would be like 3 hours drive from where we are. Oh well, wish me luck.
(a week before christmas)
Where was I all these time? This will be the 1st of my (usual) backtracking entries.
What really really kept me busy all these time is... tada! I am going back to school! Oh yes I am, I can't believe it as well hohoho! I have decided to take a Master's Degree in Public Administration. It was a big toss between getting a more advanced training on Make-Up and Styling but it turned out it is more expensive. I still believe that artistic skills are pure talent and only a little bit of training right? Remember the veterans and experts on make-up doesn't even have proper schooling. Well anyway, going back why Public Ad? I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies and I have been really wanting to frikin' get a spot in UN headquarters or WorldBank or WorldHealth or other international funding organizations. My exposure with the Embassy of Canada and an environmental NGO since graduating from school(and also after watching Angelina Jolie in Beyond Borders), lead me to choose a career path that would touch a change in the world. Something worthwhile, hindi puro sweldo lang. Naks, pang miss universe na sagot LOL! But more than anything else, I wanted to have socialization, so I am going back to school whether I would be able to finish this or not, I am determined and excited to go back to school. I have attended the open house in the university and they immediately accepted me with my credentials, and actually waived my GMAT because of my work experience. Buti na lang coz I have been hearing that GMAT is really really hard. I have yet to take TOEFL because it is a U.S. government pre-requisite, which I am really having a hard time scheduling my test date online. (will somebody help me pls?) I still have a lot of paper works to do before they could officially change my status to student. School starts by April 2008 and I'm not taking full load as to have time with Ethan. But I am really really excited about being back to school with completely different kind of environment.
So anyways, Titan went with me during the University Open House and we left Ethan with one of his Grandmas here. I was worried the entire time, but surprisingly he wasn't a handful with them. Hmmm, bakit kaya? That was Titan's day off so we took advantage of the time and had picture taking with Santa. It was a good family time. Here's sharing some of the photos we had on that rare day. (I am not posting our family pic with Santa as we look flat and fat, pinareho ba naman kay Santa, kenes! ang mahal pa naman ng bayad LOL!)
Where was I all these time? This will be the 1st of my (usual) backtracking entries.
What really really kept me busy all these time is... tada! I am going back to school! Oh yes I am, I can't believe it as well hohoho! I have decided to take a Master's Degree in Public Administration. It was a big toss between getting a more advanced training on Make-Up and Styling but it turned out it is more expensive. I still believe that artistic skills are pure talent and only a little bit of training right? Remember the veterans and experts on make-up doesn't even have proper schooling. Well anyway, going back why Public Ad? I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in International Studies and I have been really wanting to frikin' get a spot in UN headquarters or WorldBank or WorldHealth or other international funding organizations. My exposure with the Embassy of Canada and an environmental NGO since graduating from school
So anyways, Titan went with me during the University Open House and we left Ethan with one of his Grandmas here. I was worried the entire time, but surprisingly he wasn't a handful with them. Hmmm, bakit kaya? That was Titan's day off so we took advantage of the time and had picture taking with Santa. It was a good family time. Here's sharing some of the photos we had on that rare day. (I am not posting our family pic with Santa as we look flat and fat, pinareho ba naman kay Santa, kenes! ang mahal pa naman ng bayad LOL!)
Due to insistent public demand for paidblogging, LOL! I made a detour HERE. If you're bored reading about my personal life in this site, you can direct yourself in my new detour blogsite. Although this site will still be my main blog, the detour site will be a totally different blog, a different approach. I made some cross-postings and will made more cross-postings for important entries, but basically THIS DETOUR will be more about good finds both in the net and mall shopping, my make-up passion what-have-yous, gadgets obsessions, awesome inventions and memes, tags and awards will all be posted there, and there will be no entry about my life and my family. Nothing really personal, all for the sake of making a blog with random discoveries. See you all there and don't leave me here as well. toodles!
4 wonderful things happened to me today:
1st, I received my very 1st Christmas Card from none other than my bossom friend, Mia. Thanks dearie lalo ko namiss ang MG family hay naku! I was sooo delighted to see my name in the mailbox. At this time of the year, I remembered shopping endlessly in Makati after every working day for gifts to my embassy officemates, lahat iyan wala akong pinapalampas, from the Program Manager to the cleaners. Kahit simple lang just a simple token of appreciation and for making work sooo much fun.
2nd, I withdrew and deposited my 1st few paidblogging earnings! Yipee yipee! I'm sooo proud of what I've earned here.
3rd, I finished the 1st step in reaching what I call "my life-changing career", so help me pray about it. Surprise muna, baka maudlot. All of you will be the 1st to know. So for now, help me pray for whatever it is and I'll continue to cross my fingers.
and Lastly, 4th, I got my very 1st p--c----- from my part-time j-- which I talk about HERE.
happy happy. joy joy.
1st, I received my very 1st Christmas Card from none other than my bossom friend, Mia. Thanks dearie lalo ko namiss ang MG family hay naku! I was sooo delighted to see my name in the mailbox. At this time of the year, I remembered shopping endlessly in Makati after every working day for gifts to my embassy officemates, lahat iyan wala akong pinapalampas, from the Program Manager to the cleaners. Kahit simple lang just a simple token of appreciation and for making work sooo much fun.
2nd, I withdrew and deposited my 1st few paidblogging earnings! Yipee yipee! I'm sooo proud of what I've earned here.
3rd, I finished the 1st step in reaching what I call "my life-changing career", so help me pray about it. Surprise muna, baka maudlot. All of you will be the 1st to know. So for now, help me pray for whatever it is and I'll continue to cross my fingers.
and Lastly, 4th, I got my very 1st p--c----- from my part-time j-- which I talk about HERE.
happy happy. joy joy.
I've got the sweetest husband who is now in regrets after giving me my own laptop LOL! Eversince the installation of internet and the rest of the software were completed, I've had sleepless nights and more than half of my time are spent with my newest baby, HP Pavilion DV6000 Entertainment Notebook. Titan and his cousins started lining up in the nearest Best Buy after Thanksgiving celebration on thursday at 9pm and they were part of the 1st 100 people who lined up for the BIG BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Would you believe that? They were there for almost 12 hours! It even rained but was all worth it. They had to line up that early as sales here in Virginia for stores like Bestbuy, Circuit City etc... are really horrible. And they have very limited stocks! I wanted to go and camped out with them but who would have to take care of Ethan? So, I was left at home impatiently waiting for my new gadget to lay before my eyes! Of course I slept, and at 7am the following day, I was awaken with a peck on the forehead and a tired cold hubby LOL! But that didn't put him to sleep, we started playing the stuff he bought for me. Take a look at the inside of my 1st Big Black Friday Sale lootbag courtesy of my hubby (thanks baby! looking forward to next year's!): With all the stuff he bought plus a couple of Xbox joysticks gifts for his cousin, I tell you, the total price was really cheap! The cold, the no-sleep, the rain were all worth it!
A Black Hewlett-Packard Pavilion DV6000 Entertainment Notebook PC with remote control, sleek design (i love the floral twirl design on top), very light and handy! The speakers are from Altec Lansing and Ethan has been watching DVDs here, hay naku! Mas gusto na niya dito manood kesa sa DVD player.
A Black Hewlett-Packard Pavilion DV6000 Entertainment Notebook PC with remote control, sleek design (i love the floral twirl design on top), very light and handy! The speakers are from Altec Lansing and Ethan has been watching DVDs here, hay naku! Mas gusto na niya dito manood kesa sa DVD player.
A 160gb Red WD Passport Portable Hard drive, Microsoft Optical Wireless Mouse, Epson All-In-One CX440 and Linksys Wireless Broadband Router.
You might all be wondering why I named almost all of my sites, Something Purple. Well this name has become my Pseudonym eversince college. It started out when I was so much into business, I put up a boutique in Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights and joined almost every bazaars during christmas. My boutique sold only all items with shades of purple and the idea attracted costumers even not purple-lovers. Since I was looking for a business name to register, a friend suggested naming it, "Something Purple" and this name has been associated with me eversince. I started putting up this business at the end of college but since I had to work fulltime, I continued this by putting up an online shop which site used to be somethingpurple.tk (courtesy of my cousin, leah). My clients were having a hard time purchasing online the stuff I used to sell since I don't have a shopping cart software, all they did was contact me and meet me somewhere for deliveries. But the problem was all their orders were not delivered efficiently because I just manually listed them and there were items I missed out.
Ashop Commerce is an award winning shopping cart software. All the features of a best shopping cart software is included in this. Once installed, your online clients would not have any difficulty shopping on your online stores because of this easy to use and customer-friendly shopping cart. They also have the right pricing plan that suits your business strategies. Their technical support and customer service are there 24/7 to help you in every step plus, you could try their test drive by clicking on the demo and take full control of their demo stores.
Had I known about this ecommerce software, I wouldn't have closed down my online shop but I know it's never too late. I might start one again next year and since I'm based in US, this shopping cart software would be the best help when I recreate my online shop.
here's an old photo of my very 1st time to join in a christmas bazaar in Ateneo, helping me out are my college friends, maymay and chelle
Ashop Commerce is an award winning shopping cart software. All the features of a best shopping cart software is included in this. Once installed, your online clients would not have any difficulty shopping on your online stores because of this easy to use and customer-friendly shopping cart. They also have the right pricing plan that suits your business strategies. Their technical support and customer service are there 24/7 to help you in every step plus, you could try their test drive by clicking on the demo and take full control of their demo stores.
Had I known about this ecommerce software, I wouldn't have closed down my online shop but I know it's never too late. I might start one again next year and since I'm based in US, this shopping cart software would be the best help when I recreate my online shop.
here's an old photo of my very 1st time to join in a christmas bazaar in Ateneo, helping me out are my college friends, maymay and chelle
You might be wondering why I have been posting more than 3 entries a day for the past 2 days. It is because I have been catching up on my blog and of course on paid blogging since I can no longer stay late at night blogging because Yesterday, I started work officially. I'm no longer a bum-mum LOL!. If you personally know me, I'm not the type of woman who's fond of asking money from anyone, I'm really good at earning my own money (tawag nila sa akin rakista!), but hubby insists on giving me allowances, paying my bills and credit cards, eh di pagbigyan, recently na lang ako natutong magpabili sa kanya, hence my laptop. But I still find ultimate joy and fullfilment in earning my own money, ewan ko ba ganon lang talaga ako. So when this job opportunity came, I never had a 2nd thought even if it means bringing with me at work the most malikot toddler I know, my son. It really is no biggie work since I get to work only 3-4 days a week (schedule depends on me), 9-6pm. Titan's family has a corporation of dry cleaning, bridal and alterations business here in Virginia and my job is to man one of their satellite shops in the more urban location, the City Center. As in sosyal ang mga kliyente, they said even the Mayor and some commissioners are clients of that specific shop. All I have to do is receive the orders and handle some complaints LOL! (i managed 2 complaints on my 1st day)They have a full staff who are doing the actual job and the branch that is assign to me is not that busy, I had about 6-8 clients yesterday.
So on my 1st day, yesterday, I woke up early, dressed up, put on my make-up (i so miss this part in my life!), decided to wear boots or flats and packed Ethan's Hi-C juice, Nutella Sandwich, Fish and Chips, and Nutter Butter Cookies. I was all set and excited! The 1st thing I did, while still being oriented by Tito Vernon, I checked if there is a wifi spot in the store, luckily there is hahaha! I can continue paid blogging there, double racket! Then I checked out the nearby shops and the facade of the store, aba sosyal talaga, people are all dressed up! Ethan, as usual was a handful and I looked like a shipwreck at the end of the day not because of work but because of him, but I know he'll get used to the place and he'll be back to his own self. As for me, I'm not touching a single penny of what I will earn from that new job (oowwws!), really, I promised myself to really save this time.
It's been 9 months since I resigned from my Embassy job and I really do miss getting up early and dressing up for work. I can't wait for winter to officially set in so I could dress up hahaha! Here are some photos I took of my and my son's 2nd home.
the interior of the shop with ethan playing and eating at the same time =P
door entrance
front of the shop and a park 10 steps away
the building where the shop is located, the facade and me still blogging while working
So on my 1st day, yesterday, I woke up early, dressed up, put on my make-up (i so miss this part in my life!), decided to wear boots or flats and packed Ethan's Hi-C juice, Nutella Sandwich, Fish and Chips, and Nutter Butter Cookies. I was all set and excited! The 1st thing I did, while still being oriented by Tito Vernon, I checked if there is a wifi spot in the store, luckily there is hahaha! I can continue paid blogging there, double racket! Then I checked out the nearby shops and the facade of the store, aba sosyal talaga, people are all dressed up! Ethan, as usual was a handful and I looked like a shipwreck at the end of the day not because of work but because of him, but I know he'll get used to the place and he'll be back to his own self. As for me, I'm not touching a single penny of what I will earn from that new job (oowwws!), really, I promised myself to really save this time.
It's been 9 months since I resigned from my Embassy job and I really do miss getting up early and dressing up for work. I can't wait for winter to officially set in so I could dress up hahaha! Here are some photos I took of my and my son's 2nd home.
the interior of the shop with ethan playing and eating at the same time =P
door entrance
front of the shop and a park 10 steps away
the building where the shop is located, the facade and me still blogging while working
I'm getting the hang of Paidblogging, it actually is a stress reliever for me, I get to be paid with what I love doing, blogging it is! Thanks to Jane for introducing PayPerPost. Some of my online buddies said that PPP approves blog applications for more than 2 weeks, but I got my approval in exactly 10 days! I am now with PPP and I'm one of their happiest newbie posties! Yahoo!!!
What's nice about PPP is you get to choose the opportunities, meaning you'll only blog about the things you love, no sweat! They do have a lot of opportunities to choose from and I can't wait to start posting mine and eventually earning the bucks that I will use for our future travels or probably save this blogging income for some luxury bag and make-up shopping spree hahaha!
How does paid blogging works? At 1st my husband was in doubt with my new venture but after I have explained it to him, he bought me a new laptop (will post about this in my thanksgiving entry) and is really very supportive about this. He would let our son sleep at night so I could spend more time blogging and eventually make money for my shopping LOL! So if you still don't understand how paid blogging works, here it is: Blogs have been proven to be a medium for companies to promote and market their products with less marketing monetary effect. PPP is one of the most popular who provides bridge to bloggers and advertisers. So, to all my blogging buddies, join us in PPP and be one of their happy new posties like me.
What's nice about PPP is you get to choose the opportunities, meaning you'll only blog about the things you love, no sweat! They do have a lot of opportunities to choose from and I can't wait to start posting mine and eventually earning the bucks that I will use for our future travels or probably save this blogging income for some luxury bag and make-up shopping spree hahaha!
How does paid blogging works? At 1st my husband was in doubt with my new venture but after I have explained it to him, he bought me a new laptop (will post about this in my thanksgiving entry) and is really very supportive about this. He would let our son sleep at night so I could spend more time blogging and eventually make money for my shopping LOL! So if you still don't understand how paid blogging works, here it is: Blogs have been proven to be a medium for companies to promote and market their products with less marketing monetary effect. PPP is one of the most popular who provides bridge to bloggers and advertisers. So, to all my blogging buddies, join us in PPP and be one of their happy new posties like me.
(October 24-25)
After the downtown SFO tour, we spent the night at my friend's, Mickee very very GORGEOUS home! It was in the American Canyon, a few minutes drive from the Pinoy Community of Vallejo and 'THE' Napa Valley.
Welcome to Napa Valley with Ditse
Since this would be Ethan's 1st halloween in the US, she advised us to bring him to Larry's Produce, a nearby pumpkin patch before we head for some wine tasting in Napa Valley. Ethan had fun posing in the pumpkin patches.
We passed by Vallejo community and stopped at the famous Seafood Market for some grocery (since we were enticed to buy some longaniza after tasting them at Mickee's breakfast handa), para lang kaming namimili sa Alabang's makati supermarket haha! Everything was there even the mena, chingchunsu stuff, etc...LOL! kaaliw! Everyone said their HELLOs and HIs to each other, I chatted with a few pinoy elderly also.(machika talaga ako kasi =P))
We were all excited to taste the famous wines of Napa so our grocery stop was cut-short. After more than a dozen of wines tasted at V. Sattui Winery (the most famous winery in Napa), my brother was convinced to purchase a couple of bottles of wines then we head off home.
St. Helena Winery
V. Sattui Wine Tasting
What's nice about SFO is the weather is better than LA and nature is just around the corner, just drive about 15-20 minutes and you're off to some sightseeing in Napa Valley and the American Canyon. Plus it's like the little New York of the west coast, you can see that it really is a fashion and technology hub when you stroll in the downtown, people are well-dressed. Ang laki ng Sephora! They don't have the busy subways of NY but they do have the fun rides of Cable cars.
Thanks to Mickee for letting us stay in your home and I will surely miss you girl. And to my brother for letting me see the other side of California. Again, more photos over HERE!
Mickee, Reg, Khail, Ethan, Me and Ditse
Baby Khail and Kuya Ethan
After the downtown SFO tour, we spent the night at my friend's, Mickee very very GORGEOUS home! It was in the American Canyon, a few minutes drive from the Pinoy Community of Vallejo and 'THE' Napa Valley.
Welcome to Napa Valley with Ditse
Since this would be Ethan's 1st halloween in the US, she advised us to bring him to Larry's Produce, a nearby pumpkin patch before we head for some wine tasting in Napa Valley. Ethan had fun posing in the pumpkin patches.
We passed by Vallejo community and stopped at the famous Seafood Market for some grocery (since we were enticed to buy some longaniza after tasting them at Mickee's breakfast handa), para lang kaming namimili sa Alabang's makati supermarket haha! Everything was there even the mena, chingchunsu stuff, etc...LOL! kaaliw! Everyone said their HELLOs and HIs to each other, I chatted with a few pinoy elderly also.(machika talaga ako kasi =P))
We were all excited to taste the famous wines of Napa so our grocery stop was cut-short. After more than a dozen of wines tasted at V. Sattui Winery (the most famous winery in Napa), my brother was convinced to purchase a couple of bottles of wines then we head off home.
St. Helena Winery
V. Sattui Wine Tasting
What's nice about SFO is the weather is better than LA and nature is just around the corner, just drive about 15-20 minutes and you're off to some sightseeing in Napa Valley and the American Canyon. Plus it's like the little New York of the west coast, you can see that it really is a fashion and technology hub when you stroll in the downtown, people are well-dressed. Ang laki ng Sephora! They don't have the busy subways of NY but they do have the fun rides of Cable cars.
Thanks to Mickee for letting us stay in your home and I will surely miss you girl. And to my brother for letting me see the other side of California. Again, more photos over HERE!
Mickee, Reg, Khail, Ethan, Me and Ditse
Baby Khail and Kuya Ethan
- chants:LAST entry for cali-vegas vacay: VEGAS!!!
(October 24-25)
It's true what they say when you set foot in the big SFO! You'll leave your heart there, I experienced it and it was hard for me leaving the city even if I was there only for 2 days.
If there's one city that I would like to relocate in Cali, it would be this city or the American Canyon or better yet if we can afford, Napa Valley, why not? =P. Though, it's a different story now that I'm loving Virginia lol.
I wanted to visit a dear friend, Mickee who lives in the American Canyon that's why I bugged my brother to bring me there and besides I might as well maximize my time in the West Coast. To my delight, my kuya obliged willingly even if it was a gruelling 5-6 hours drive from Bakersfield for him.
We left the house early with a fully-packed itinerary as we were already advised by Mickee how to maximize our time. As soon as we reached the Bay bridge, I know I'm gonna like this city even if I saw the 1st homeless American there!
Golden Gate Bridge, 4th Mason
Enjoying the Sun!
Palace of Fine Arts
Alcatraz at the Back
Spectacular Scenery
Lombard's Crooked Street
I've noticed that from among the places I've visited, I have the most number of photos in SFO and Napa Valley eventhough we were only here for 2 days. Hmmm, seems like I not only enjoyed this mini vacation but also enjoyed taking photos. 
Feeling Anne Hathaway sa Princess diaries LOL!
SFO's Cable Car
More photos HERE!
It's true what they say when you set foot in the big SFO! You'll leave your heart there, I experienced it and it was hard for me leaving the city even if I was there only for 2 days.
If there's one city that I would like to relocate in Cali, it would be this city or the American Canyon or better yet if we can afford, Napa Valley, why not? =P. Though, it's a different story now that I'm loving Virginia lol.
I wanted to visit a dear friend, Mickee who lives in the American Canyon that's why I bugged my brother to bring me there and besides I might as well maximize my time in the West Coast. To my delight, my kuya obliged willingly even if it was a gruelling 5-6 hours drive from Bakersfield for him.
We left the house early with a fully-packed itinerary as we were already advised by Mickee how to maximize our time. As soon as we reached the Bay bridge, I know I'm gonna like this city even if I saw the 1st homeless American there!
Golden Gate Bridge, 4th Mason
Enjoying the Sun!
Palace of Fine Arts
Alcatraz at the Back
Spectacular Scenery
Lombard's Crooked Street
I've noticed that from among the places I've visited, I have the most number of photos in SFO and Napa Valley eventhough we were only here for 2 days. Hmmm, seems like I not only enjoyed this mini vacation but also enjoyed taking photos.
Feeling Anne Hathaway sa Princess diaries LOL!
SFO's Cable Car
More photos HERE!
(October 21)
I spent a day with my bestfriend since pre-school days, Joanne. I only see her whenever she visits pinas and we both missed attending each other's wedding days. So you can imagine, how much catching up we have to do. She brought Ethan and me to Pretty Woman's famous spots, Rodeo Drive and Regent Beverly Willshire Hotel, and the famous Hollywood mountain and lake, Beverly Hills and West LA, NBA's Staples Center and of course who would miss Santa Monica Beach.
After a day filled with photo ops, we went to her newly owned house, it was chic! And watched her wedding video while Ethan of course is doing his usual terrible 2's menaces! =P
Then suddenly all this noise coming from fire trucks brought us out of the house, we saw a huge fire and drove around! It was the California Forest Wild Fire. I brought a camera and Gilbert (joanne's hubby) took some shots, grabe it was really huge! Joanne and her other sibling, Ryan were asked to evacuate their homes since it's very near the mountain. So we all spent another night at Tita Ninang Yvette's house. I was sooo tired and had no energy to make chit-chat. I even forgot to give them a mini-make-up session. But all is good, the fire was contained after a few days, nothing happened to their houses. I had a fun day and I will miss this girl again went I head to the East. You know the drill, rest of the photos HERE!
infront of Pretty Woman's Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel
along Rodeo Drive and Beverly
Santa Monica Beach and Bubba Gump Santa Monica
NBA's Staple Center
Hollywood, the real thing =P
Joanne's Crib
The Wild Forest Fire
(October 20)
After a good day at the Disneyland Resort, off we went to LA. My 1st outlet to visit was CITADEL, I was a good girl here and left the place with no shopping bag as in nada! Then we went to the busy tourist spot, THE Hollywood blvd. Ang dumi pala dun LOL! and I can't imagine how they would turn the Kodak Theater into some red-carpet worthy of paparazzi! Ang mga mascot, naku hindi wholesome, they were speaking bad slang words! Good thing though, we bumped into Barney, Elmo, Tiger, Spongebob and a sneaky Superman, kahit payatot, madudumi and kelangan magbigay ng 1 dollar para magpapicture, happy na rin si Ethan.
I spent a couple of nights with my tita ninang Yvette in Santa Clarita, our family friend and my bestfriend's mom. The whole family were there and prepared a dinner for us. Ethan was happy to see other kids but oh boy when he did start the wrestling and roll over game! Naku riot talaga! In the end, Nate and Ethan were arguing that both of them actually won. Hahha boys talaga!
A little later my kuya and ditse leni left and I continued chatting with my titas including tita judith who spent the night there too just so we could make chit-chat aaawww! She has to leave the next day as early as 5am for work in downtown LA. I had a good sleep after, not mentioning that I cried after Ethan's disastrous tantrums. Getting used to this yaya-less set-up.
Oh and by the way, feeling ko nasa pinas ako, the Narvaez Clan are TFC addicts LOL and all their in-laws and soon-to-be-in-laws are Filipinos. Ang saya! Again, more photos HERE!
CITADEL OUTLET
After a good day at the Disneyland Resort, off we went to LA. My 1st outlet to visit was CITADEL, I was a good girl here and left the place with no shopping bag as in nada! Then we went to the busy tourist spot, THE Hollywood blvd. Ang dumi pala dun LOL! and I can't imagine how they would turn the Kodak Theater into some red-carpet worthy of paparazzi! Ang mga mascot, naku hindi wholesome, they were speaking bad slang words! Good thing though, we bumped into Barney, Elmo, Tiger, Spongebob and a sneaky Superman, kahit payatot, madudumi and kelangan magbigay ng 1 dollar para magpapicture, happy na rin si Ethan.
I spent a couple of nights with my tita ninang Yvette in Santa Clarita, our family friend and my bestfriend's mom. The whole family were there and prepared a dinner for us. Ethan was happy to see other kids but oh boy when he did start the wrestling and roll over game! Naku riot talaga! In the end, Nate and Ethan were arguing that both of them actually won. Hahha boys talaga!
A little later my kuya and ditse leni left and I continued chatting with my titas including tita judith who spent the night there too just so we could make chit-chat aaawww! She has to leave the next day as early as 5am for work in downtown LA. I had a good sleep after, not mentioning that I cried after Ethan's disastrous tantrums. Getting used to this yaya-less set-up.
Oh and by the way, feeling ko nasa pinas ako, the Narvaez Clan are TFC addicts LOL and all their in-laws and soon-to-be-in-laws are Filipinos. Ang saya! Again, more photos HERE!
CITADEL OUTLET