Fiesta Señor

As always, the streets and every corner of the city are flooded with people at this time of the year. The Sinulog Festivity is just around the corner. It is a grand celebration in honor of the Señor Sto. Niño which is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January. The Novena mass jump-started the celebration last January 10, 2013 and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño has been filled with devotees since then. 

Happy Days...

Happy days are the days when I'm with you... I spent literally the whole day with you today after work. No matter how tired and sleepy I was this morning, I always feel so upbeat in case you haven't notice when I'm with you. There's always something in you that makes me forget all my worries and the rest of the world. You bring out the playfulness of a child and the "mingtik" in me. And just so you know, all our short walks and chit chats along the way is one of the highlights of my day. Time truly  flies when we're together and with you, everything feels so right. I honestly don't remember the first time I felt so strongly towards anybody and I thank you for bringing back this wonderful feeling and for making me feel this happy again. Happy 5th my love! 

A Time for Change

If you are reading this blog right now, that only means the world definitely did not end in December 2012 as the Mayans predicted. It's 2013, a whole new year and a whole new opportunity to celebrate life. I bet people have already come up with their traditional new year's resolution by now. However, what I don't understand is why we have to wait for the year to end to realize what we want to change and to start something new when we can always change something that we don't like at any time. I understand a new year has always been symbolic to many but we shouldn't wait for 365 days to pass to get some things right. It is never too late, too early, nor too old,  to start from scratch and make a change today. If you don't like what's happening in your life, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and make that change. If you don't do something now, then who else will? 

How to get rid of Cough and Colds?

It's Monday and I am having a bad day because I'm sick... :( I can't go on like this, it's just the start of the week and I cannot let this affect my job which I am about to lose. Already took some medicine last night but seems like it hasn't abated the cough and colds. I resorted to surfing the net for some remedies and home treatments for the common cough and colds. Here are a few options I am considering doing today. Hope this works for me...  

1. If you find that your throat is beginning to hurt warm up water and add a spoon full of salt to it and do deep throat gargles. 

2. Before you  go to bed just rub some vicks vapor rub. Apply it on the chest, back, neck and the forehead for optimal effect.

3. Get rid of congestion by doing steam inhalation. Just heat up water till it is steaming then put a towel over your head and the bowl of water in front of you and inhale. A five minute bout is usually enough to loosen up the mucus. 

4. Pour a couple of Eucalyptus oil drops on your pillow before you sleeps since Eucalyptus oil in its concentrated form cannot be applied to your skin. This essential oil has soothing and nose unblocking properties. The smell will help keep your nose unblocked all night. You can also mix it with a regular base oil like olive oil and massage it onto your temples and throat region for relief from cold and cough.

5. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to help thin out the mucous membranes in postnasal drip.

6. Take lozenges and hot drinks. Try a menthol cough drop since it numbs the back of the throat thus decreasing the cough reflex. Drinking warm tea with honey can also soothe the throat.

7. Take a steamy shower since a hot shower can help a cough by loosening secretions in the nose. 

Sources:

http://cashmere.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-get-rid-of-a-cough
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/cough-relief-how-lose-bad-cough

Camotes Islands

Woke up early on a Sunday feeling nostalgic about some good old memories with my dear friends in some of the trips we've made. I wanted to do something out of the ordinary today like go to the beach yet I'm stuck at home with nowhere to go. In the end, I found myself scanning and browsing our old pictures with our last short vacation with my Khaville family in Camotes.

The Camotes Islands are a group of islands that form part of the province of Cebu, in the Philippines. The island group is located east of Cebu Island, southwest of Leyte Island, and north of Bohol Island. We went there about a year ago and stayed in some pretty descent resort. It was truly a very nice place and  I even wanted to go back there if only time allows. I remember the endearing white shores, the clear blue waters, the wide calm lake, and my favorite underground lake which was very inviting. I had no plans of swimming in the dark waters but the sight of it just took my breath away and just found myself in the water just in an instant. 

Here are more pictures we took during our stay... :)

 

Stay Happy!

Here is just a simple reminder that everything happens for a reason, live it, love it, learn from it, and be happy with yourself no matter what! Life is good and I have so many reasons to smile...

Smurftastic

I thought today was just another day with you... We ate breakfast together and strolled around the same place we've been a hundredth times. Amazing how we haven't grown tired of the usual stuff and the familiar things and food we eat most of the time. Spent the whole morning with our usual chit-chats and sweet nothings while passing time until to my surprise you got me a big and soft smurf stuffed toy from that whatever you call machine. You did make my day a smurftastic one! thank you my love, you never fail to amaze me... :) 

Smurf along the road 

 Smurf on the bed

Smurf solo :)

Once Upon a Time with Shrek

I bet every woman dreams to find a handsome prince charming in their lifetime... and once upon a time, I was one of them! Funny, I thought for a moment. I practically grew up with the Disney Princesses from Cinderalla, to Snow White, to Sleeping Beauty, and the rest of the Disney characters. I think I'd probably sue Walt Disney himself for I was led to believe that every girl will someday find their handsome prince who will sweep her off her feet and carry her away to his castle.

For the longest time, I thought I already found my prince though not that handsome, but someone who would be there for me to love and to hold untill I get old. Sadly, it turned out he was just another slimy bullfrog whom I was kissing the whole time. I should've learned my lesson the the first time I saw one.

Just when I was about to give up with finding my prince, I met Shrek along the way. He smiled at me and made me feel comfortable being with him. We talked often untill such time that I found myself looking forward to being with him and talking to him again and again about things I was never accustomed to. I grew fond of the friendship he has offered me. Little did I know I was slowly falling for this wondrous green ogre who I never thought I would fall in love with. But he is simply adorable, sweet, and caring, and everything I ever wanted my prince would be.

It just dawned on me, I don't really need a pretentious prince in my life and that there is no perfect guy who trully exist. Yet, there is always this one guy who is perfect for me who will love me and take care of me with all of his heart -- My lovely Shrek, and he's all I need!

And so we lived happily ever after... :)

Christmas Sweet Treats

November is almost over and December is just right around the corner. With the holiday season, here are delightful treats for you and your loved ones that are easy to prepare. I'm no kitchen buddy... I don't have the talent to cook but I eat a lot and with these few easy steps to follow, you'd probably find me often in the kitchen now... :) 

a.) YUMMY MANGO FLOAT

INGREDIENTS:

        Mangoes (sliced)
        Graham crackers and crumbs
        All-purpose cream
        Condensed milk (sweetened)
        Crushed graham crackers

STEPS:

1.   Prepare the bowl. 
2.   Combine the cream and condensed milk. chill it for about 30 minute then mix it well.
3.   Slice the mangoes into thin and small slices.
4.   Put a layer of graham crackers at the bottom.
5.   Spread a layer of the cream.
6.   Put a layer of mango slices.
7.   Repeat the last three steps up to the desired thickness.
8.   Add a final layer of cream.
9.   Crush graham crackers and put them on the top.
10. Put it in the freezer or refrigerator.
11. Make sure it is cold when served.
12. Enjoy!

b.)  Brownies

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (no baking needed)

1.  Combine the sugar and butter together. Stir well until it's creamy.
2.  Add the eggs and vanilla to the sugar and butter mixture.
3.  Stir together the flour and cocoa in a separate bowl then combine it with the egg mixture
4.  Grease the inside of a microwave-safe glass cooking container with cooking spray and coat the greased inside of the container with granulated sugar.
5.  Pour brownie mixture into the glass container.

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1.   Place the glass cooking container in the microwave oven. Cook for 4-5 mins.
2.  Allow brownies to sit and cool for 5-10 mins. 
3.  Cut and Serve.
4.  Enjoy! 

My Idea of a Happy Diet

Whenever I feel weary and upset about something, rather than mope around and linger on the not-so-good day to day life scenarios, I often find myself guilty of binge eating. Yes, you can call me a glutton for I over-indulge and over-consume food at times, but then it's just my way of making myself feel better. Ironically, I have a strong desire of loosing weight and yet I eat voraciously these days. I can't imagine how much lbs I would gain especially now that Christmas Season is fast approaching and mouth-watering food is just about  everywhere. I don't mind the calories anymore for as long as they make me happy, I would continue to eat, drink and be merry. Chocolates, cakes, sweets, and other treats, yum yum... I simply can't resist! ^_^

 

A taste of Singapore

I have always wanted to visit and go out of the country when I was little... Alas, time came when I finally got my chance of visiting a foreign place with one of my best high school chum. I was excited to see a whole new world for the first time in my 25 years on this green planet. In truth, though i tried to hide it, I was looking forward to the whole trip the whole time since we booked the flight months before the travel date. As the days grew near I lost interest with work and other usual stuff that normally amuses me since I can't take Singapore off my mind. 

We left for Singapore on a Saturday, November 10, 2012 full of excitement in our eyes. The high travel taxes and terminal fee from the local airport in Mactan Cebu did not change whatever we felt that night. We arrived in Singapore around 11 in the evening but never felt sleepy at this wee hour. We wandered a bit and was really glad with the hotel where we stayed because of the Filipino folks who worked there. The next day was spent strolling about with our dear friend who's already working there. We went shopping and picture taking here and there and was amazed at how beautiful and clean the entire country was and how disciplined the citizens were. I had sore feet that night but then again, it was all worth it. Our last day was then spent for the city tour which I believe was kinda late to be scheduled since we already saw almost the entirety of the city thanks to our good friend who was our tour guide and photographer. My best memory of Singapore was spent at the Universal Studios where I felt like I was a kid again. We watched all shows from water world, donkey live, to monster rock, and then tried several rides, the best of which was the cyclone vs human roller coaster ride. Indeed, it was the best ride ever in my whole damn life! weeee... ^_^

Here are some photos we took during our short yet memorable vacation  :)

The Travelator in Changi Airport

 Marina Bay View

 Shrek & Fiona

Universal Studios

To the One Amazing Man

Happy 3rd my love...

it's amazing how time flies. i can't even remember how i was 3 months and 2 weeks ago, when i was in such a chaotic, tumultuous, and turbulent state of mind and was in one of the lowest point of my life -- which i never imagined i would be in the last 7 yrs and 10 months of my entirety with mr-right-turned-wrong-ex-boyfriend. however, with all those trying times,  you managed to turn my life around. you made things a lot easier for me to move on and get another good shot at life. you were always there and you've never failed to lighten up my mood from the small chit-chats we shared to all the intellectual talks, and life-changing-lessons you've repeatedly taught me. i asked you once, "how on earth did you ever come up with that!?!" and you told me, you've been through a lot yourself and it was mere experience that made you think and look at things in a way way different perspective than i do. you gained my trust and admiration... in truth, i was in awe in all those times that you started opening your mouth for another interesting and well thought explanations about how things are and why we're here. since then, i've always looked up to that mature, amazing, and brilliant person that you are who's making my heart beat even faster now and happier than it should... as i get to know you more and more i can't help myself but smile and be grateful  for all that you are... and for everything that you've done, thank you... :)

That Feeling When You Finally Move On...

I didn't see it coming. I was full of hopes and plans of living a life with you. I wanted to grow old and have a family with you but everything vanished in thin air when you told me you have had enough and you fell out of love. I tried to hold on and win you back but I can't force myself to someone who doesn't want me anymore. The more I tried the more we grew apart. I know I had my own share of why you turned out to be someone you're not when I caused you so much pain 3 years ago. I did everything for you to make up for the things I did and yet it wasn't enough. All the while I thought we were okay but you we're just pretending and when you got tired you snapped and left me hanging. Yes it hurts, 7 years and 10 months is really something. I gave you my life and my everything. You can't just say they're just numbers coz all those times I spent with you was my whole damn life. All these years I have learned to live with you by my side to watch my back, and now it's difficult for me to live on my own again.  You used to be my number 1 fan and my best pal however I don't regret any of it. I know it's sad coz it ended yet I'm happy to have known u and still thankful for the love you've given me.  I felt it and it was the best feeling I have ever felt. I just want to say thank you for the memories. I loved u once, I love u still, and I guess I will always will. We never really stop loving a person, we just learn to live without them and after all that's said and done, I'm ready to move on and start a new chapter… :)