Hair Talk Part I

After the finishing my post last night, I realized that on one of the questions, about what is my brand of shampoos I honestly have quite a few. Oh our bathroom closet's cluttered of just mostly my products for my face, for the body and a lot for the hair. Right now I have three different kinds of shampoos and conditioners all of them I'm using.. How can that be?! I am not blessed with soft, silky, straight hair (that I always wanted), so I have to put in extra effort to make it look good. And practically I have to do it every single day, Monday-Friday since I don't want my dry frizzy hair to show up with me at work! Hehe. For me a bad hair day can perfectly ruin a perfectly nice event and I am really trying not to be caught off guard!

I am still in search for the best hair products just for everyday use. Something cheap and available in just about any stores. So for those also in search, I'll let you take a peek on the products I've used and still using. And I also hope you can help me out with this quest!

tHe BRAND tAg

I think I'll have fun on this..Thanks sis!

1) What’s the brand of your wristwatch? DKNY and TechnoMarine

2) What’s the brand of your bracelet? charms and crystals made by my sis

3) What’s the brand of your cell phone? Apple iPhone and Samsung

4) What’s the brand of your computer? Toshiba

5) What’s the brand of your bags? as in bagS with S ha!! mostly Ralph Lauren.. a few Kenneth Cole and some Coach also

6) What’s the brand of your undies? Victoria's Secret

7) What’s the brand of your flip-flops? Havaianas

8) What’s the brand of your shoes? Nine West, Ralph Lauren and some on sale at Target

9) What’s the brand of your wallet? Guess

10) What’s the brand of your shirts? Hollister, Roxy, Billabong, Ralph Lauren, Bebe

11) What’s the brand of your TV? hmm.. Panasonic yata

12) What’s the brand of your cars? car lang.. Volkswagen Jetta

13) What’s the brand of your mp3 player? iPod nano

14) What’s the brand of your make up? Bare Minerals forever for life!!!!!

15) What’s the brand of your shampoo and conditioner? Frederick Fekkai, Burt's Bees and Matrix.. all for dry and damaged hair!! haha

16) What’s the brand of your jeans? i only have four jeans: Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Express and Seven

17) What’s the brand of your laundry soap? sorry don't know.. (my mom does the laundry!)

18) What’s the brand of your lotion? Bath and Body Works

19) What’s the brand of your toothpaste? Colgate and Aquafresh

20) What’s the brand of your ballpen? I have like 6 Hello Kitty pens at work

See I really did have fun. It's a nice way to unwind after a whole week's work.

Great weekend everyone!

Another Day..Another Morning

Sunday.. Another gloomy day, good thing the rain already stop since its been pouring all night. So, I'm thinking what can I do today.. Maybe today I can finally hit the malls and do a little shopping, if its not gonna rain anymore. Oh boy, I really did have a bad Saturday, that it did put me in a bad mood the whole day.

But I did woke up a nice morning, mom was able to left something for breakfast (and for lunch too!) before she left for work. The weather is not that bad, though there is still a bit of fog but no news of rain for today. I surely hope this day will turn out better than yesterday. But hey, I think that part is all up to me! Have a wonderful day!

My Quote For the Day:

"Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I have a new blog

hey guys! i have another blog that I just started today! Hope you find the time to link it! It's my usual stuff and I didn't even now what I was thinking putting up one again! But its more about me being here, away from the life I used to have! so hope you come by and visit my new blog!

talk about (poor) customer service..

I am so pumped up to get up and leave today just according to what I have originally planned. But nah, not gonna happen! Yesterday, we were expecting somebody from LBC to pick up our balikbayan box, since we called them up to say that its ready for pick up. and guess what?! Nobody showed up! My mom called the office several times to verify what time the courier will be here and to my dismay, I cannot believe that they told my mom that she can call the courier personally on his cellphone to ask! WTF!! We waited and waited cancelling our Friday night plans all for just nothing!

Then when my dad came home for lunch, he told me that the courier will come by and pick it up today, but I don't know what time, since lately punctuality and professionalism are not included in the services they offer.. So basically, all my plans of shopping will definitely have to be put aside, guess I have to stay at home and wait for someone that might not even show up!

Am I lashing out on LBC??! Hell yeah!! Considering they're a big corporation known worldwide by Filipinos living abroad, I cannot believe on how things like this can happen. Oh and this is not the first time.. This balikbyan box is the second we have in less than a month, the first one that we shipped out at the end of october wasn't also picked up on the scheduled date. The reason they said was that the van had problems and the driver failed to notify the office and the customers as well. And that one is fine with us, I mean mechanical problems is something way out of our hands but this time around they better come up with a much better excuse! And when my mom called, they have the nerve to tell my mom, that we should understand them this time because they were having problems with the delivery schedule! hello?? Then why did they even set up this pick-up date if they're not gonna be able to accomodate us?! They could have said right then and there, that the date we chose for pick up is not available since they are shorthanded in their staff right now.

The only reason we choose LBC is because we have to admit that they're known for Filipinos around the world when it comes to remittance and delivery. We've been here for four years and just imagine how many times we have used their services. I mean, we will always get reward points just on remittance alone that is why we get a free shipment of a balikbayan box. And I do know that glitches can happen, and that the offices that they have here in Stockton are not really huge ones, they probably just have a staff of five or six. But still if you are in a service type business, I think you have to make sure that you will be able to accommodate people in a manner where your business will not be an inconvenience to your customer. And this months are the busiest months for shipments and packages, so why not get your schedules straighten up and don't list more that what you can pick up!!

Ugh! I am so frustrated! Definitely do not mess with me especially if it's gonna go in between me and my shopping! I will make sure to convince my mom and dad to find another remittance service and another courier too. Something more efficient with their customer service and more punctual I guess?

wHat to Do on a 3-dAy WeEkeNd

Yup.. yup.. yup!! Its a three-day weekend! (it's because of Veteran's Day) With the stress at work lately taking its toll on me, I think I really need this break. Hmmm, but I have to admit, there's really not much to do around here, well except to shop.. And rain is expected today, so bummer! I have to get ready and see what I can do starting today up until Monday. I went online to browse and see if anything might be of help. And by that I mean, if anything is on sale. So I guess I really have to start thinking.. Let's see:

1. BARE MINERALS SPECIAL ON QVC!! -Actually in 45 minutes, it will be aired on qvc. I better hurry to catch up the 2 hr special. There will be three shows for today! Woohoo! Nope, but I;m not gonna buy anything, I just ordered a 10 pc kit thing, that I think they're launching today at the show.. I can talk all day and night about this make-up because it really works for me. Check this out on the qvc website.

2. Newly-opened store here in Stockton- Burlington Coat Factory just opened here last week, and I heard that it was so packed and there were no parking space available. It was on the site of the old Wal-Mart we have here. So imagine, if it was a spot of a Wal-Mart, then it's really big. I am planning to check out this place, wouldn't hurt to buy a coat (or two!) since I have to start gearing up for the winter season.

3. Mall Hopping- every time there's a holiday, there will always be a sale! so I just have to be a smart shopper today. Here's a few that I think definitely needs to be checked out: Old Navy's Outerwear Sale, I saw this one on a TV ad, 40 % off, not bad. I am thinking of buying a new pair of shoes for work so I'll probably check out Marshalls for that. Then of course I have to check out my favorite stores: Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body Works, Disney Store (not for me but for my nephews and nieces!) and Gap.

4. Blog Galore! - I'll just probably blog about anything and everything.. Actually I am thinking about having a new one which will be just all about make-up. Since I figure I like it a lot. But I'm still thinking. Who knows?

5. Fall Cleaning- I need to start packing my spring clothes and its time to take out my winter ones again. It is starting to get cold, and I don't want to get sick, still wearing my usual tops at work, that I got when I was in Manila. So it's definitely not for winter! Maybe I will start cleaning my closet, my make-up brushes need their weekly bath, do a little laundry.. So I guess that will make me busy.

6. Movie/TV Marathon- I love going to Target to shop for movie and tv dvds on sale. Ratatouille is now available and I really wanted to see it. Then I'll catch up on Heroes episode that I miss out and Survivor too..

7. Chat to the max! - definitely more time to web chat with my friends and sisters at home! this will give me more time to plan things out with my sister regarding an "event" for May.

Think I'll be busy for three days! If not there's always the classic options: EAT & SLEEP!

Have a FUN and SAFE Weekend!

words of wisdom

I love reading quotations from books, from cards, and from friends' text messages of course! I guess its because on times when I really nedd to do a lot of thinking or there is something I have in my mind reading quotes enlightens me. So here's some:

(And the last one.. It's my favorite! HeHe!)

Addicted To Heroes..

When the first season of Heroes started, I wasn't really into it, the Connie from my work, told me to try to watch it, but then I have to see it from the start in order to understand the whole storyline. So one boring weekend I did a marathon of Heroes episodes watching it on my laptop. And next thing I knew I was hooked to it. I love on how exciting the story gets, and tuesday mornings, while making coffee, Connie and I will spend minutes talking about what happened and what do we think is going to happen. And I do have my favorite characters from the show. I like Hiro Nakamura played by Masi Oka and of course Peter Petrelli played by the handsome Milo Ventimiglia

I have to be honest, this post is really not about Heroes, but its about Peter though! Haha! It's just that lately I find the episodes a bit boring and on two incidents I kinda fall asleep. Just like night I did fall asleep while waiting for it. But then when I open my eyes.. Wow! Milo Ventimiglia!! He was being hosed down for decontamination! I mean when the second season started they've been showing "more" of Peter than the usual exposures he had.

Gosh! It really woke me up! So I tried looking it up today on the internet and found this pics.. And so more! The website I think have a frame by frame shot of this scene. And what's funny is afterwards I fell asleep again and never got the chance to finish the show. But I am catching up, I'm gonna watch it online tonight. I guess I just didn't realized how handsome he is on the first season but now they're putting more scenes of him and wow what a guy! Hope you guys try to watch Heroes too.. No not just for this reason, but it is really a good show..

Who knew Work is this Hard

Four years ago, I was a happy-go-lucky college girl, living the life in Manila.. Weekend parties and long hours on the phone! Wow I definitely missed that! Then I moved here to California, and the next thing I knew.. THE PARTY IS TOTALLY OVER!! Ugh I hate it! I remember the first thing I had to do was to find a job.. And FYI: I have never worked in my entire life! I did get a part time job though, a week after I got here. Never even got the chance to be a tourist a for a while, I wasn't able to see places since people were very eager for me to work. Although I did learn things on my first job I wouldn't consider it a hard one. Not until a little over two years ago, when I was hired to work as a teller in a bank. I did have my share of mistakes but there were opportunities for improvement and I was blessed that in three months I got the chance to do something different, like wire transfers and foreign exchange and the good part is I'm only a back-up teller! Thank goodness, because sometimes the teller job is not that easy especially if you're dealing with large amounts of cash. Last July I was once again blessed to be offered a new position and this time around I am totally not a teller anymore! And just when I thought the stress was over I am totally wrong..

I still work at the Operations Department, which I think is really stressful, I helped out the tellers and I have my own reports to do. But lately, one of my office mate tends to be so hard on himself, and I have to admit that it is kinda taking a toll on everyone. For whatever reason, I tend to overworked myself (or I guess that's how they see it), I just wanted to get things done, sort of a Filipino thing huh? LoL! But today Oh My! I just wanted to scream, get out and leave! It is hard when you don't know where to put yourself in a situation wherein people are just in a bad mood! It's like walking on eggshells and I just literally don't know what to do and where to go. I wanted to yell at my co-worker to stop the pity party and start working on finding his mistakes because its dragging everyone down. When I'm stressing, rashes will start appearing on my neck, and it will be so red and hot that I have to calm down and relax myself.

So while frustrated on how this guy at work was acting, I was telling myself: Why do I even need to stress myself this much and try to finish everything at the end of the day, when here you have somebody that will just give up if a mistake was made?! When I was in college, I didn't even wanted to work. But here I adapted their culture of being workaholic. I tend to work a lot so that at the end of the day, I will be so tired that when I get home all I wanted to do is sleep..It kinda eases the boredom though!

I just never thought working is this hard, especially for me who works in a totally different environment with a totally crazy work dynamics. I am glad I was able to cope up with it considering I was never exposed to this kind of set-up. And for two years I am still here, working with the same group of people which I consider my second family. I guess I just never imagined that when you're thrown out to the real world, its not all parties and funs.. It's not all fantasy and ideals.. There's differences: cultural, personal, environmental..And other factors that I may not want to like but I am left with no choice but to deal with it! Yeah it does suck! But what eases the stress is knowing that you work with people that will always have your back, and that will help you every step of the way. I just hope that my office mate will get to realize this before we ruin the pleasant work environment we have right now. Believe me, I do love working with this people, we may have one of the most stressful departments since we deal directly with the customers, but what makes the work light is working with the people you like. But on times when I feel like I'm stressing out or working too hard, I probably should stop and re-think: Do I really need to work this hard?

Let it Go..

Special thanks to Sophiagurl!! Well I guess I've just been tagged.. After posting a very emotional one, I probably need to shake it up a bit or else I'll be "tagging" along this feeling the whole day.

I have to name three things that I cannot let go of.. Hmm.. I'm thinking of twisting this up a little bit.. I don't want to be all serious about this.. So I'll have my top three THINGS that I can not literally let go, meaning I my everyday must-haves! ..

Ok here it is... I can't let go of:

1. My iPhone - the question is..Why would I? Right?! This is really one of a kind, being able to chat with my sisters and friends back at home, anytime, anyday! (sometimes even when I'm already at work!) Am I starting to sound like one of those iPhone testimonial ads that they have? LoL

2. My Plastics- I cant' go anywhere without my Debit and Credit cards! Since I'm not really into carrying cash with me.. Visa and Mastercard are my new bestfriends! Being able to buy anything right on the spot without even re-thinking?!! PRICELESS!!

3. My BEs- meaning my entire Bare Minerals collection! I wouldn't let anybody see me without even a buff of it on my face.. I guess I can't be bare without my BARE!!

Again thanks Sophiagurl..I wanted it to be really personal, but I my emotions are still too high form my previous post, that I'm still trying to catch up and breathe before I drown myself into an emotional overdrive.. Many thanks, since I used this to be some kind of a breaker!

For A True Friend that I miss so much..

My last pic with Mia: April 2007 with her baby girl, Bea.

(i guess by far this is the hardest post i have to make.. i already had this on my multiply site, but still nothing can make this easier.. sorry if its a bit late, i started the draft three days ago but never seem to finish it. but i owe you this one Ya, since I can't be there to visit you.)

When I was in Manila, we always celebrate All Saint's and All Soul's Day, remembering the people we love and lost. I remember getting up in the morning every first of November to go to the cemetery. We will spend the whole day, everyone's present and then we say a prayer.

Last May, I've lost a friend whom I loved so dearly and losing here so sudden really caught me by surprise. Nobody said that it will be easier, but we never thought it will be this hard as well. I guess it's just the spirit of Holiday Season kicking in, that we realized that things will never be the same for us. We will never get to spend a day with Mia again. And going back next year for my vacation, our usual dinner will never be the same. It may take longer to finally be over the grief, the sorrow and the pain. But I know that when the time comes that we can finally move on and finally accepted the fact that you're gone, you will not here any cries of sorrow from us anymore.. It will be all laughs and tears of joy.. Reminiscing all the memories we've had in the past seven years of our friendship..

A couple of days after losing her, I always play this song because it basically say everything I wanted to tell her, but never got a chance to..

MISSING YOU

by Brandy w/ Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan

CHORUS

Though I'm missing you(Although I'm missing you)

I'll find a way to get through(I'll find a way to get through)
Living without you'

Cause you were my sister, my strength, and my pride

Only God may know why, still i will get by

Verse:

Who would have known that you had to go

So suddenly, so fast

And how could it be, all the sweet memories

Would be all, all that we'd have left

Now that you're gone, everyday I go on(I go on)

But life's just not the same.(life's just not the same baby)

I'm so empty inside , and my tears I can't hide

But I'll try, I'll try to face the pain

(Chorus)

Verse:

Oh, there were so many things

That we could have shared(uh-huh)

If time was on our side(Time was on our side)

Ooh,yeah

Now that you're gone, I can still feel you near

So I'll smile with every tear I cry

Chorus

Bridge:

How sweet, were the closest of friends.

But I'll wait for the day,

When I'll see you again,

I'll see you again

I'm missing you....

** For those times that I feel how unfair and hard life can be.. for those moments that i don't even want to fight back and get up after every fall. I promise you this Ya, if a day comes (and lately it does) that i feel like i can't keep up on what's life been throwing at me, I'll still get up every morning, give my best shot and live my life to the fullest.. at least if not for me.. I'll be doing it for you.. because i know that given the chance that i still have in life, you wouldn't waste any second of it.. your going to make sure that everything will turn out best for you and your family.. We still miss you terribly Mia, your smiles, your loud laughs, you always shoving me everytime we see something funny while walking, your forever stories about your favorite teleseryes, our out of nowhere road trips because were bored, I miss just about everything..But I know that we'll see each other again.. when that time comes, it's as if you never left... I LOVE YOU GIRL!!

Howdy.. Cowboy

( A special thanks first to my sis for doing this digi-layout for us! I guess she's into digital scrapbooking lately!)

So here it is!! The pictures of our Halloween celebration. Just like what I've said, we decided on a Western- inspired setting. And oh my, we always go all out every halloween.. I guess we're really a bunch of crazy, funny and "great looking" people! I liked this much better than last year, because I get to wear jeans at work! The only condition is that you really have to dress as a cowboy if you wanted to wear jeans (so basically that means no tennis shoes or flats to go with it!) but I guess this is still a fine choice. I posted all my pics on my multiply site, but here's some of it that I think looks funny..

It's the same picture but just on different layouts.. These are my closest friends at work, and here in the US in general. ( L-R : Benita: she's dressed as Dolly Parton: Lily: my first and one and only friend here! LoL; Connie: our Operations Supervisor and Me: I'm dressed as posh cowboy! that's why the scarf was sideways and not just on the front..hehe)

I really don't want to wear a cowboy hat, two reasons: I'm not really into hats and I don't want to mess my hair! So I only wore it on a couple of pics. I'm here with "Dolly" and our School Marm, Lynette (she's the bare minerals addict! totally different story..)

After finishing all my morning reports, I've decided to go back t taking pictures! God I am so vain!! Haha.. Well actually I was really having fun. Every Halloween we have so much goodies, chocolates of course! and the bank will buy us lunch.. and everybody is just pretty relax and a good mood this day! It's like a semi day-off at work! It was just all fun and craziness the whole day. Although I have to be honest my feet hurt so much from wearing that semi-boots. I guess its way too far from my usual flats and mary janes. Here's some more funny pictures:

Aside from the hay bales and the "whisky" bottles we even have ropes! Too bad we didn't have a dummy donkey! Here's Benita trying to Rope It Up! Caught anything?

Sure she did!! And with the Sheriff waiting.. He goes straight to jail!!

Aren't we crazy?!! We work hard, I'll say we are a great team.. We're like a family.. And we take really good pictures!!

Hope your Halloween is fun too!

tRiCk or TrEat

I guess its that time of year... Halloween!!! Our bank goes all out celebrating this, probably much more than any other holidays/ events.. This is the first of the few. The Central Services building decided to have a pumpkin carving contest.. And so here I am, the girl born and raised in Manila, with no knowledge at all about what to expect. I mean back home, halloween is not a big thing, the Trick or Treat is not something you can see in every morning. So pumpkin carving? I have no idea at all what to expect! (to be honest I thought they're just going to carve one and put a candle or any kind of light inside! Lol!)

*** Ain't it cute?? a witchy pumpkin and a pirate one!! ***

I go to this building (well, almost every hour) for our works and mail run.. This time around I stayed longer than the usual because I enjoyed looking at the entries and of course.. The Goodies!! Chocolates, cookies and cakes overflowing!! I just can't resist!! Well, here are the rest of the carvings:

*** the CSIs are in town!! They won 2nd place***

*** This is my personal favorite.. Its called "Dying to work Here".. Haha.. And it even has an crumpled application form on its hand.. Its so funny, because this one is just right on the side of the door.. Poor thing, died before working with us!! LoL!***

*** This entry from our couriers won the first place.. And to be honest, it freaked me out when I saw it!! There was even smoke coming out of the month during the judging.. It was the chopped out leg that gives me the creeps!! ***

I told you were really all-out huh?? Well then I guess you have to wait for my Halloween costume party pictures.. Our department decided we'll dressed-up on a Western theme.. And everyone's pretty ready!! Happy Hallows!!

Tagged by My Sissy..

I'm basically not doing anything so might as well answer this
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night? Benita, we were plating CatchPhrase while having some drinks
2. What were you doing at 0800? Still at Benita's place, since I spent the night there.. I'm probably trying to find a signal for my fone!
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Nothing, just browsing
4. What happened to you in 2006? Hmmm.. I think Mama (my grandma) died March that year and thankfully I got the chance to go home.. Sad event but at least I was there
5. What was the last thing you said out loud? Mommy, hot water pa!! Freakin' cramps.. LoL
6. How many beverages did you have today? I've been drinking diet green tea the whole day, cguro mga 4 glasses na
7. What color is your hairbrush? white
8. What was the last thing you paid for? Hmm.. Let's see, since I didn't go shopping today.. (yeah you read it right!) It was the M&M x'mas house for Ms. Robin and RL denim jacket for my halloween costume!
9. Where were you last night? benita's ranch at Tracy, trying to finish up a whole botlle of vodka!! hehe
10. What color is your front door? brown
11. Where do you keep your change? if they have a tip can I just leave them, if not I tossed it inside my purse
12. What’s the weather like today? a bit cold during early AM, afterwards i don't know I was in bed the whole day
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor? im into the classic mocha
14. What excites you? - one word: SHOPPING
15. Do you want to cut your hair? I just had one like a month ago,
16. Are you over the age of 25? nope but i'll be 25 next month!
17. Do you talk a lot? at work yes.. at home not really..
18. Do you watch the O.C.? it already ended right like last season?
19. Do you know anyone named Steven? Yup.. How did you know?!! haha.. ( poging model/ law firm guy na lagi ngppnta sa bank!)LoL!
20. Do you make up your own words? Dati sa manila, but now hirap ha english!! nosebleed ito!21. Are you a jealous person? not really, deadma ako
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’. - Ana Mia
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’. - hmm.. mapaisip ba?? c Kat (kathleen) friend ko from Holy
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list? first? di ko alam e
25. What does the last text message you received say? - Thanks and see u monday ; it was from benita
26. Do you chew on your straw? nope
27. Do you have curly hair? wavy i should say..
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to? - i don't know
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life? umm i can't think of one right now
30. What was the last thing you ate? pancit for dinner
31. Will you get married in the future? hmmm.. who knows
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks? I got a dvd of The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, I think its nice
33. Is there anyone you like right now? maybe you should just ask if there's ANYTHING I like right now, then I might be able to give you a straight answer!!
34. When was the last time you did the dishes? just tonight, you have to wash your own after dinner! Welcome to the life in America!! hehe
35. Are you currently depressed? I think so!! hehe.. Nah not really, Im just having really bad cramps beacuse its that "time" of the month.
36. Did you cry today? Nope!
37. Why did you answer and post this? I just wanted to try for a change! plus I got this from my sis
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey: I'll try, but I can't promise.. My friends are too busy that they're not really into blogging...