30 Days Challenge

I am getting lazier and lazier to update my blog so i'm setting myself up for a 30 day blogging challenge. I will start this April 1. I hope my busy schedule won't stop me from posting everyday. If I can't do it everyday, I promise to do it anytime I can. Anybody up for it? Here's the list. 


Day 1    A photo that makes you happy
Day 2    20 of my favorite things
Day 3    A photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 4    Something you are OCD about
Day 5    Your dream house
Day 6    A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 7    My worst habit
Day 8    What’s in my handbag/purse
Day 9    Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 10  A dream for the future
Day 11  Who can’t you live without?
Day 12  If you could wish for anything that would come true, what would you wish for?
Day 13  Have you ever had your heart broken? Have you ever broken a heart?
Day 14  What do you like most about yourself?
Day 15  What do you dislike most about yourself?
Day 16  What do people notice about you?
Day 17  What’s something you wish you could say to someone?
Day 18  Whom do you admire the most?
Day 19  What is your goal in life?
Day 20  What are the 10 most significant events in your life?
Day 21  If you died tomorrow, what’s one thing you’d regret not doing?
Day 22  What’s an inside joke you have with someone?
Day 23  Two months ago, where were you and what were you doing?
Day 24  Do you have saved text messages?  If so, who are they from and why do you still have them?
Day 25  Write 5 messages to 5 different people without using names.
Day 26  What’s something you’re really excited for?
Day 27  What do you feel guilty for doing?
Day 28  Tattoos.  If you have one, post it and its story.  If not, what do you want?
Day 29  Picture of your makeup collection
Day 30  When were the happiest days of your life?

I got this list from SuperKitty's blog.


xx,


Annie

I will act like it never happened

Like I can forget all the things that hurt overnight.

I wish our brain acts like computers, delete bad memories, save happy ones, edit some thoughts.

Somebody invent this, please?

Material Girl

Good morning It's 5 o'clock in the morning, conversation got boring, except I have no one to talk to right now. Everybody else must still be sleeping now or it's still so early to be bothering other people. I hate how I always start my posts with a very long introduction not related to what I'm supposed to write. :p Daldal ko lang. 

Remember I told you I almost always need reasons to do or get something? Read it here then. My birthday is coming up and I can't stop thinking what to get myself. I know birthdays are not supposed to be big deals but I want to get me something I really like. It doesn't have to be expensive, it should be something I really like. I feel so guilty that all the things that I want are make-up related. Why can't I just stop with what I have? I have enough. Because I'm human! And human do not get contented. They have to have something desirable for them to work harder to achieve. It's just that in my case, it's make up. I know a lot of people are materialistic. Deny if you want but... why deny anyway?

I'm guilty for denying I'm not materialistic for the longest time. It's just now that I keep lusting over make-up stuff to buy that I realize that I am materialistic. I'll share with you what I want to get myself for my birthday. A little help won't hurt though. *Ehem ehem* to my sisters who are reading my blog and to my BFF who owes me my Christmas gift yet *Ehem*

Urban Decay Naked Palettes

Naked or Naked 2 Palette, I don't mind. I just need to get my hands on one. Di ako matatahimik I swear. 

Complete Mac brush set

This is too ambitious so I'm setting down my standard, A Sigma Make Me Classy Travel kit will do. I want the brushes in black ha. I can here my sister say "Picture nga" in my mind so here they are.

Sigma Make Me Class Travel Kit $59

Look how complete this set is. I wouldn't need any other brushes.

Eyeing the small angled brush. E65. Photos from Sigma

Okay, so I admit I only need a small angled brush. I don't need a whole set anymore, I just want a small angled brush. A Mac 263 brush.

Mac 263 small angled brush

Fine. It need not to be Mac, okay? I just can't help lusting over them. I feel like it's going to help me with filling my eyebrows more beautifully. My old one is almost beat up and it doesn't help much anymore. LIE!!!! I just want a better angled brush.

Okay, I'm not asking for more. This is my subtle birthday material wish list but I still want everything listed in my previous wish list. I just don't need to re-write everything. :p

After everything that I listed, I will still appreciate a non-make-up gift because it will be something I didn't expect. :) but I am not expecting any gifts either since I don't receive a lot of them anyway so I'm not expecting. So to my sisters, surprise me please!!!!! HIHI

xx,

Material Girl

Getting Inked

I've been coming up with things I want to do to myself lately and I often get myself so hyped about it. An idea crosses my mind and I get all too excited and have impulses to do it pronto! I'm afraid these decisions are mere in the moment or it's just a phase so I try to wait some time before I decide.

One example is dye-ing my hair red. I have never dye-d my hair before. Never. Late bloomer here. Why? I just don't feel like it. I don't feel the want to dye my hair. I hate seeing roots that aren't touched up, I get turned off so I don't bother to go through that hassle of having to maintain my hair color. But recently, I have this urge to want to dye my hair red and the urge just won't go away. Suddenly, I become this I-want-to-dye-my-hair-now girl. I've been pestering asking my sister for her opinion but she's the type of "if you're happy then do it" girl. She almost never objects on everything. But I'm still nervous. I don't know if I'm making the right decision. I'm a little over reacting here since this is not a life and death matter but, man, it's my first time! I don't know how I look with different hair color. Soooo... I asked my close friends' opinion on which color do they think I should dye my hair, brown or red. ALL except one said brown. The one exception doesn't even count because she said ANY. This time, I knew that I really want it red because despite everybody else's opinion, I am still sticking to what I want. I know I have to. Di matatahimik kaluluwa ko siguro if I dye my hair brown. I will still want to re-dye it siguro.  So last night, I made an appointment na with the salon for Sunday. I can't wait. I'm super excited. If the hairstylist objects for red dye, I will still insist. Kahit sabihin pa niya na panget, I don't care. I know I can pull it off. I just know. HAHAHA And if ever I can't pull off my red hair, so what?? It's just hair, I can just dye it black again. At least I now know that it doesn't look good on me. Matatahimik na ako.  My inner rocker self wants to shine. :>

Second is, hihi I'm too shy to tell. Maybe next time you'll find out if I push through with it but for now, it's a secret. My lips are sealed. I hope my friends' lips are sealed too. :p Thing is, I haven't even decided if I'll do it. LIE. I have decided but I don't know if I will do it. Tagal pa eh. Things change. So secret muna.

The last but not the least is getting inked. Okay, I wanted this long before I wanted those two I mentioned but I don't just do things because I want to. I almost always have to have a reason and if I don't then I make one. Why? Because that's who I am. I'm always the good girl who's afraid to break rules. Believe it or not but I think I am. Correct me if I'm wrong. haha I perceive myself as the goody good girl eh. Seriously. :))

Anyway, I super want one. I promised myself to get a tattoo on my hip bone/ sex cut/ bone in the hips or whatever you call it. I don't know how it's called but it's the part of your hips above your panty. But the thought of growing old with a tattoo freaks me out. What if I grow old and my skin starts to sag? A tattoo sure won't look cool by then. :( Ganyan ako kapraning. I think about things 60 years from now. This thought discourages me from getting one. As in. But I thought what the hell? Who's going to care by that time? i'm sure my grand children won't see my tattoo in my hipbone cos I sure am not going to walk around the house in a bikini or nude, right? So I made myself a quite impressive reason when I should get it. 

I will get a tattoo when I earn save my first million. Some of you might think that this is easy but for me it's not. I earn money with my regular job and I have bills to pay every month. I only get a quarter of my paycheck to save and spend. So I'm still very far. This first million should be a clean one million on my account. All the other expenses not included. Meaning if I was able to earn a million but spent half on it on luxuries like travel, gadgets, bag, clothes or make-up then it's not yet valid. It should state clearly in my passbook that I have P1,000,000.00. Ambitious, yes, but not impossible. It may take a little while but it will be worth it. As for tattoo ideas I might get "one million" inked in a beautiful script on my wrist. Just kidding. I have a lot of time to think of ideas and where to place it. I hope that the world will be in my favor to help me get the tattoo the soonest time possible. :)

xx,

Annie

More than 24 hours a day

What happened to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday? That was the first question I asked early this morning as soon as I found out it is already Thursday. Shocked, I was. In fact, I was very shocked. I can't quite believe how fast this week went by. Normally, I will not care, but sometimes, you feel like you need to get so much things done you wish there are more than just 24 hours a day or more days in a week. :s

Reason 1: Diet

I am very looking forward for the weeks to come especially next next week because I will be going home for Holy Week. I will spend Holy week with my family in Ilocos and this is something we don't usually do as a family, family outings. Not that we are not close to each other. The reason is because we are a very big family that's why going out of town is such a hassle so we usually just stay in a hotel during the holidays. But since we are all grown ups now, it is easier to arrange something like an out of town trip. We can bring more than 1 car to fit all of us now since there more drivers in the family now. Yay! Sadly, I am included in that one additional driver. I hate driving. I loath driving. I am okay with driving but if I can do with a driver, then I will definitely pass driving. I find it really hassle especially here in Cebu where I am not familiar with the streets and the streets are so small so I drive really slowly in my fright to run over someone. Ayaw ko nga makasagasa or may mabundol. That will cause me more hassle. But driving do have pro's also! It is convenient and I can go anywhere I want to (i.e. I can go to the mall anytime, any day to watch Hunger Games. by anytime I mean, after work, when I am free). Annnnnd, that was completely out of the topic!

Going back to what I was talking about, it was such a bummer that this week went by so fastly, like a breeze. I am trying to lose weight and I think I can reach my target by the time I need my sexy body comes (insert-Bora trip on my birthday-here. I am not happy that I don't have much progress this week. Not happy at all. In fact I want you to imagine me shaking my head while saying "not happy at all". Maybe you are thinking "wtf? the week hasn't ended yet what's the fuss all about?" I want to lose as much weight before Saturday arrives because I will eat out with my sister and my friend, Val. Surely, I will gain some weight but it's okay, I will just diet again. I am running out of time to diet..... I am sure that I will gain weight in our out of town trip but I will still try to eat as healthy as I can.

Reason 2: Books to Read

I made a new year's resolution to finish 2 books in a month because I want to go back to my old love which is reading. So lately, I've been spending my idle times reading a book and I enjoy it so much now I wish we have more hours in a day and more days in a week and more weeks in a month and you know what's next. I want to read more books!!! Some of the books I read I finish faster, some books I've been reading since last year, stopped reading, read another book and never finished the books I previously read.

Reason 3: Bucket Lists to finish

Since I love making bucket lists like this one, I wish I have more time to accomplish them. I never realized how time really flies until today. I realized I set too much goals at the beggining of the year and I still haven't accomplished much yet. To me, it's still new year, until today, I realized that time is ticking and it's not going to wait for me. I have to do things now. The things I listed, which are the goals I set for this year are not going to scratch itself off off that list. Tick tock tick tock, now I fell so pressured, I feel like a chicken in a pressure cooker. I.MUST.ACT.NOW.

Reason 4: My birthday is coming, again. I'm growing old young old.

I'm growing old. :( It's an ugly truth. I know birthdays are supposed to be happy but for me it's not. I can still remember my 21st birthday like it was last week but now my 22nd birthday will be in a few weeks. I hate the fact that I can no longer run away with being a kid. No longer free from responsibilities, no more just thinking about fashion, beauty, what TV shows to watch, what make up to buy. I know that age is just a number but it's a number that comes with responsibilities. Now I can not just think about fun, I have to start thinking about life. I have to start saving up for my future. I have to reach the goals I set for myself like "get rich by 25"--no, I did not set that, but maybe someday I will or maybe, this is what I'm setting now since I came up with the idea. hihi. Anyway, I don't like the idea of me turning 22, no more happy-go-lucky-ing, no more procrastinating-since-I-have-tons-of-time-in-my-hands. Maybe I haven't fully accepted that I am now an adult, a grown up. I am in denial.

I love ranting in my posts but this is not a rant post. You may think that this is, but it's not, because this day has given me an opportunity to make realizations.

Realization 1:

Time is gold.

Sound so cliche but we all know it's true. It is so important to live each life to the fullest. Do what you love, do what's important, do what makes you happy even if it's not important. Just do not waste your time sitting around regretting things you've done wrong over and over again. Sure you can be sad for a day or two but please don't waste your time being sad all the time. Find things that makes you happy. Remember, there are just 12 months in a year, don't allow yourself to waste one precious month or even a day.

Realization 2: 

The clock is ticking and life is moving forwards not backwards.

We can never go back to yesterday so live wisely each day. I can never go back to yesterday and not eat those extra crackers that made me gain weight today. I'm under pressure so there are no time to waste. Make every decision wisely. 

Realization 3:

Live life to the fullest. 

No matter how much I rant and plead on how 24 hours is not enough in a day, I can not do anything about it. It's life, we have to accept it. What we can do is to live my life to the fullest. And you should too! Live it to your fullest potential. Push yourself to do more. I wish I knew this earlier, I could have done more things back in college when I had more time to do things rather than sleeping and eating. I regret not achieving more, not learning more but what's the use crying over spilled milk, right? After all, the world is our playground, we can try as many new things as we want. It's okay to make mistakes because we learn so much from it.

xx,

Annie

Binge-ing is BAD

If there is one thing I want you to know about diet it will be that, Binge-ing is bad. It is the mortal enemy of diet. If we are only wiser than our own appetite and our minds that directs us what to do when we feel like binge-ing then we now live in a world full of sexy people. ;) It is so good while you're at it but the moment you try to stop, you will notice how hard it is for you to actually stop and when you do, you feel so bad after it. Like suck-y bad.

And that's actually how I feel right now. Sucky bad. 

xx,

Annie

Deal or No Deal

Don't you just love deal sites? They give you very good deals in a very low price most of them ranging from 50%-70% off. Some but not all of the deals are not true. They give you a price that is so high and slash 50% off to make it look like a great deal but when you check to their site, you don't get these discount at all. So the trick is to know how to get a good score.

Today, I found the deal that I will definitely enjoy. I can say that "IT'S A SCORE!!"

Secret Recipe P199 unlimited cakes deal on Cash cash pinoy

I am super tempted to buy this coupon. If and only if I am not miles away. Sad though that you can only avail this promo at The Fort and Shangri-la mall. I love cakes! I love sweets! I love desserts! I love eating. The deal said that the original unlimited cake deal costs P950 and is on 80% off so it's now P199. I don't know if this is true because I haven't seen any unlimited cake offers yet but who cares? P199 is already a good deal. I will buy even if I din't know how much it costs before. This is love! I get to eat different varieties of cakes for just P199. :p Not that I can finish a lot but choices are always good. 

Now the question is, is it a deal or no deal?

What's your favorite deal? 

See the deal here.

xx,


Annie

Sephora Haul

I have been meaning to make this post for such a long time now and here it is! TADA!

I'm in no way a shopaholic. I dread shopping so much because I hate trying on clothes. More often than not, I find clothes too expensive so I don't shop for them very often. I leave that part to my mom. My mom's always in charge shopping for my clothes. She's always updated with fashion so I get updated through her. Now that I am away from my mom, my wardrobe don't get updated that much too. That is a sad true story.

One thing I don't feel much guilty buying are make up. I know it's not practical to buy a lot of make up but I don't mind that much. I love spending on make up more than on clothes. The reason behind is unknown but I'm crazy like that. Being the kuripot that I am, I don't just go crazy shopping for make up also. I do this in moderation. I still have my limits. I try to think what I like most before I go buy it.

Recently, I went make up shopping at Sephora Singapore and after much thought, these were what I purchased.

Mac, Urban Decay, Sephora

Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Dark

I wanted a matte bronzer for the longest time. I swear. The only reason that kept me from buying a matte bronzer is that because I already have The Body Shop Shimmer Wave Bronzer so I stuck with that. I used it last summer to give me that bronze-y glow. I liked it, it served it's purpose but I stopped using it when summer was over. It's shimmer was a bit too much for everyday use.

I also have my Benefit 10 box contour and highlight kit which I am so in love with. Yes! If I can marry it, I will. I kid. I use this almost everyday to contour my cheeks so I didn't feel the need to buy a bronzer ASAP.

I love contouring my cheeks so I decided that I need to buy a matte bronzer since I don't have one. I was so torn between this one and Benefit Hoola. I love love love love Benefit products so for a while, I was supposed to get the Hoola but I ended up getting this Mac MSF because Benefit's packaging is too bulky for on-the-go make up kits. I would have to carry 3 boxes with me because I was also planning to buy Benefit Coralista. 

Anyway, I chose Mac instead because it was easier to carry around.

Mac blush in Pink O' Peach

The only reason I got this Mac Pink O' Peach is because my BFF is using this color and I'm inggitera like that. No, seriously, I love how this blush give her face a nice flush without looking like she has so much going on on her cheeks. So I was convinced that I was going to get the same blush and I did not make a mistake. I love how it applies to my cheeks. The blush is matte so I still apply highlighter over it. I love a little highlight. It really doesn't matter, it's just a personal prerogative. ;)

Note to self: Next blush on purchase would have to be one with a little shimmer. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette has long been in my wish list and they released a Naked 2 palette. I was supposed to get that except it was out of stock in the Sephora I went to so I got the Urban Decay Sustainable Eye shadow Box instead. 

This palette did not disappoint. There were numerous palettes to choose from but I chose this because I feel that it has the most variety of eye shadow colors and all of them are wearable. They are so pigmented  love using them.

Urban Decay Sustainable eyeshadow box. It comes with a mini sample of UD primer potion and an eyeshadow brush.

I will not let this trip pass without getting myself a nice lipstick. I love lipsticks. I don't have a lot but they're one of my faves. They make me look alive. 

I did not get any more Mac products since the price is not cheaper compared here. It actually costs more there but considering the 7% GST refund that I will get, I still bought stuff. So I got something that I cannot buy here, Sephora matte lipstick in baby pink. I realized I didn't have much pink lipsticks so I want to stock on them. It's a bit too matte, it feels too dry on your lips but you get used to it after a while and it stays long on your lips so for me, it's an okay lipstick. I don't see why I won't get Sephora lippies again. :)

I also picked up a body scrub on my way to the check out but I still have yet to try this product! I bet it's good in moisturizing your skin because my BFF loves this. She got one and told me it moisturizes her skin very well. 

This was the last thing I purchased. I even purchased it in a different Sephora branch because they were out of stock in the Ion Orchard branch. I wanted to try these out since they were only SGD12.00. I even bought two! 

Sephora make up brush cleanser

My thoughts with this make up brush cleanser is that it's not worth the money. It may cost less than the mac cleanser but it's also because it's smaller. It doesn't perform as well. I have to spray so much product in my brush before it cleans my brush. I am not satisfied. I want to throw these away because they annoy me. But oh well, maybe I'll just give one bottle away and deal with the first one I opened.

I may have not bought a lot but they were enough to make me a happy shopper! Simple things make me happy and I am glad that they do. I don't need to spend to much to please myself. :)


xx,


Annie

Singapore I

Last February 6 to 11, I went to Singapore for a business trip. It was a nice opportunity for me and I loved that I learned so much from that trip.

I've been to Singapore summer of 2011 with my best friend, Mallow. Even when I went back for the second time, I can say that I had 2 very different experiences.

In the plane to Singapore

The first trip with my best friend was more of a fun, pleasure trip. It was the first time I travel out of the country without my family. I was really excited. Since we are not familiar with the place, we had an itinerary of the places to go and what to do and of course, shopping.

On the way to Wee Nam Kee

Wee Nam Kee!! YAY!

We did not let the trip pass without eating the famous Hainanese chicken. We went to Wee Nam Kee. Their hainanese chicken and rice were amazing!! We also ordered cereal prawns and right then and there, I fell in love.

Mouth watering Cereal Prawns, The best I had tasted yet. I swear my photography didn't give justice to how delish this dish was. I want to eat this everyday for a week! 

My bad representation of the Hainanese Chicken, rice, soup, sauce and our honey drink.

Wee Nam Kee is located at Novena Ville in Novena.

After that, we went for some shopping. Although I'm not really into shopping so I only shopped a little.

We also met up with Jill, we went to Universal Studios together and ate dinner at Marche after. Marche looks like this eat-all-you-can restaurants here in the Philippines but it's not. It's a buffet style set-up where you can order at different counters and you pay for every item you get. It was super yummy. I don't know why but everything in Singapore was super yummy. I love Singaporean food which makes me want to live there.  I super do! There's this noodle house near our hotel which serves good noodles too. Even their street food tastes so good! Makes me want to go back soon. UGH.

Steak and Potato Rosti at Marche

Aside from Hainanese chicken, cereal prawns and chili crab, one food I liked so much during this trip was Ba Kut Teh. I loved it so much. I love Song Fa Ba Kut Teh. Period. I love how there were so many spices and herbs in one bowl of hot spareribs soup. Being a heavy soup drinker, it was a major plus that they give unlimited soup refills. Every bak kut teh restaurant have unlimited soup refills. :) I love drinking soup!!! I drank at least 3 bowls. :p

Song Fa Ba Kut Teh, intestines and Kailan Veggie

My first Singapore trip was so fun. Mallow and I kept fighting before the trip and during the trip but I am sure that we are more bonded than ever after the trip. I love travelling with friends because I get to budget my money. No mommy, no money. :p

Second Singapore trip post to follow.

xx,


Annie

Reducing Weight Gaining Genes

Daily walk can reduce weight gaining genes.

Click the link. Read it then come back to me.

How cool is that? I always blame genes for my insecurities about my body. I'm always on the fat side. I always feel guilty eating. Always do. ALWAYS.I cannot emphasize more but you get it. I know people will tell me to just exercise but it's not easy. You know it is not. Being lazy is always easier than going to the gym or running around but this article is an eye opener. I do believe that this is true.

I remember I always think how fat I am back in high school and in college. I never got contented with how I look. I always complain how I have extra bulges and people tell me it's fine because I am tall but I never felt it's okay. I'm just not comfortable with my body but that does not make me any less of a person.

Now, after reading this article, I guess it's calling for a lifestyle change. I hate how I live such a sedentary life and I guess I should start moving around more. Perhaps I'll bike while watching Walang Hanggan, my favorite tv show and the only one I watch. Maybe I can go to the gym and do some cardio or go to IT park and have an hour of brisk walk.

This is so exciting! I feel more mature now. I feel like I am able to make wiser decisions and choices now. Not really. HEHE!

Summer Bucket List

Remember my birthday wish list post and how I mentioned I love making lists of things to do? Here's another one!

I figured that listing down the things I want to do and achieve makes it more possible to happen. Plus, I'm reminded every now and then to check back on the list and actually do it rather than just thinking about it.

• Make a DIY  cropped shirt
• Buy a nice denim short
• Lose 10 lbs 
• Go to the beach at least 3 times
• Take really cool pictures
• Cut and color my hair
• Make Pumpkin Leche Flan March 17, 2012

What's on your list?


xx,



Annie

Sacrificing Sacrifices

Is there such thing as sacrificing sacrifices for a greater sacrifice? Or is it just my crazy self? Oh well.

As part of my Lent sacrifice, I gave up eating rice, bread and dessert. I also promised to blog about every cheat I make so here it is. 

Last Saturday, March 10, was my sister's BFF's birthday party. I went with her to the party and the food served was SO goooood! Everything was so good especially the roast beef which I can't get enough of. I had to stop myself from getting more to stop over eating. 

Best roast beef ever tasted.

My plate of happiness and sin. Why does good things always have to be bad for you?

Oh well, here's the thing, I am not allowed to eat rice but I tried their Paella. :( It didn't taste as good as i thought it would be. So that was one sacrifice wasted. 

We ordered another lechon for Sunday lunch and it was not good at all we weren't satisfied so my sister and I wanted to eat something that will satisfy our appetites. I suggested East, West since I was really craving for mango sushi crepe. :(  

East, West Mango Sushi crepe, nachos + iced coffee

The mango sushi crepe was very worth the cheat! I will never get tired of eating this desert.  Nachos were very good also. I loved the beans in the sauce.

So why did I let myself cheat again? I'm calling this my "sacrificing sacrifices for a greater sacrifice". Since I'm getting kinda desperate in losing the weight I can't lose no matter what I do, I made a bet with my sister. I will do this really strict diet and if I deviate from my diet, I promise to pay her 2,000 pesos each day I attempt and cheat. This is the only way I can stick to my diet because I tend to think it's okay to eat some chips or biscuits because I eat less of everything anyway. So I end up just eating more junk. 

I'm on my second day of my diet now. So far, so good but is it too early to judge? Yes! I'm crossing my fingers. Good luck to me and to all of you who are challenging themselves for whatever it is! :) We can do this!!

xx,

Annie

My Cyma Experience

I had a bad case of PMS last week and I went to cheer myself up by dating myself to Cyma. I went to Ayala, Cebu. I swear they have the best service. I love how friendly their waiters are. I did not feel sad at all eating there alone. The servers were all attentive and they all had smiling faces. I felt so at home and that kind of lifted up my spirits also.


Since I was craving for Roka Salata, their ever famous Greek rocket salad, I went and gave in to my cravings. I never tasted something so light and so refreshing. It has romaine lettuce, chopped arugula, candied walnut (my favorite!! I wish they'd put more of this rather than loads of sun dried tomatoes), sun dried tomatoes topped with shaved parmesan and Greek vinaigrette.  

Cyma's Roka Salata

A solo plate costs 330 pesos which for me is good for sharing for 2 people on a diet. ;) 

Since I do not get contented with one type of food, I ordered for chicken gyro which is also one of my favorite. I had them split it into 2 so it's easier to eat. I do not like the feeling of having to put the big chunk of gyro into my mouth. Another reason is I can't finish an order of it. I also ordered a side order of greek potatoes.

Chicken Gyro P160 + Greek potatoes P100

Yummy hot sauce!

Hotter than hot! Chili oil

About to have my first bite!

I really loved my dinner alone and I wouldn't have it any other way. It gave me the chance to relax and enjoy my own company. I didn't have to bother about other people (anti-social here, not!). 

If you are wondering if I finished everything by myself, well i didn't. I ate half of what I ordered and took home the other half. 

These are my left overs!

Can't wait to go back!

xx,

Annie

Equality

The truth hurts and we have to face the reality. No matter how idealistic we can get at times, we should always know what the truth is.


Sometimes we believe in ourselves too much we  tend to sugar coat everything to our desire we get so selfish.  There's no such thing as fairy tales so don't live in a fantasy. In this world, everybody thinks their special and unique. That's how I think of myself too until I read in an article that we are special. Yes we are,  but not to the whole world, maybe in somebody's world but not to the whole world.


I may be special to some people but I am not special to everybody. I am not trying to put myself down or anything, I just don't think I'm better than anybody and I don't think that anybody is better than anybody. You may be better at dancing than your classmates or she may be better in English, Math, Science but that doesn't make her any better than you.


Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to stop from thinking you are special. I am not stopping you from reaching your dreams. Nothing is impossible and that's just how it goes with everybody. Everybody has the capability to reach for their dreams given that they stick their mind to it but that doesn't make you any more special than the rest who tried and still haven't succeeded yet. You may have succeeded earlier but that doesn't make you better than them.


Your talents make you unique, you may be better in one way or another but that doesn't make you a better person than anybody. Everybody is just as unique as everybody else so don't think too high of yourself. Sure, you can reach for your goals, believe that you can do it but never step on anybody to reach success or self contentment.

Ironically, empathy for others will actually help you succeed more than believing in yourself.  -Lindsay Loyn

 xx,


Annie

Birthday Wish List

My birthday is about two months away yet here I am, daydreaming about the things I want to get myself/receive for my birthday. Although this post is in no way my way of asking you to send me gifts for my birthday. It is just a birthday wish list. I love making lists of the things I want to do, places I want to go, what I want to buy, read, eat, the list is endless. You can even make a list of lists you want to do.


To make the long story short, here it is.


My Birthday Wish List


Electronics

Sony Vaio Laptop in Hot Pink
The color of this laptop attracts me so much because I like pink too much.

iPhone 4S

I want a new decent cellphone as my Blackberry has given up on me. I'm pretty sure my iPhone 3gs will also give up anytime soon. I want a new phone that will help me take high quality pictures because I love using my cellphone camera to take pictures of the food I eat, places I go, etc.

iTouch

I need a music player which I can plug into my car without having to interrupt my singing every time I receive a call while driving. 

Olympus Pen E-PL3 

Photo from here

I don't really need a camera but as a part of my challenge to become a better me, I do need a decent camera to help me reach my personal goals. 

Canon Powershot SX220

My friend Nica has this camera and I instantly fell in love with how good the quality of the photos it takes.

Tripod

Photo credits here

I want a tripod because I want to try to take a video of myself. I want to see how it looks like when I film myself making make up tutorials or vlogging. Not that I want to do that, I just want to see how I will look like. So this is not so important. I don't know if I will have time for those anyway. :)

Make Up
Are you even surprised to see this on my list? I guess not. I listed some of the things that looks appealing to me but just about any make up is highly appreciated.

Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 Palettes

I've been wanting to get my hands on these palettes. The colors are just fantabolous and I love urban decay shadows, they are so pigmented and they are not chalky. 

Benefit Dandelion, Sugar bomb and Big Beautiful Eyes Palette

Any Benefit products will be much appreciated because their packaging is just too cute for words. They have really great products too! I'm in love with their 10 box and I want more products from them although they would be too cute to use. I still have a "Finding Mr. Bright" palette which I rarely use because they are just too cute. :( 

Mac 138 

Mac brushes. I want all of them but this one is the one I like the most. 

Face Products

Khiel's Rare Earth Set.
Photo credits from here.


This is my favorite face product line of all time. I used to have breakouts every two weeks which always leave ugly pimple marks on my face until I use this. My face have cleared so much. I'm running out of my stock so any products from this set will be greatly appreciated. This is a need and a want at the same time. 


Vacation

Boracay with friends


If I have to choose between all the things I have listed above, I will have to choose this. There's nothing I want more than to go to Boracay.I want to escape from all the pressures of work and life. I want to go some place unfamiliar yet safe. 

Above all the things mentioned, these are what I really want for my birthday. 

Materials things will only give us joy and satisfaction the moment we receive them. When things get too familiar and when they get old, we tend to forget how we wanted them SO MUCH once in our lives. How they were a part of our wish lists and how we worked hard to buy and get them. 


I know that when I get anything I listed above, they will make me so happy only for a period of time but what I really want for my birthday are the things that will last.  Sure a good camera or cellphone will last me a long time but I'm not talking of material things here anymore. 


A lot of times I get discouraged with what I do. Being a fresh grad, jumping into something big like managing a company is not easy for me to do. I realized how big my responsibility really is a little too late to back out from what I got myself into. 


I was always the easy go lucky type of person and honestly, when I first said yes to the offer, I wasn't really thinking of my responsibilities, What was I thinking anyway?? I left everything in Manila. My family, my friends, my life and move here to Cebu where I do not know anyone but my sister's family. What was I thinking?


I don't know what I was thinking but I am thankful anyway. I am thankful that I did not think too much because if I did, I wouldn't have come. I can't say that I like it here more but I can't say that I don't like it here either. I love how I am given the chance to grow in what I do now and that is what I wish for. I wish for growth as a person. 


I ask for encouragement. A lot of times I get discouraged and I cry to make myself feel better. I do feel better afterwards. I love how God created everything. I love how He works. He really is there. God listens. God cares.


I thank Him for giving me everything I asked for. He has His ways and I know this is His way of answering my prayers. i may be far away from my family and friends but this is His way of answering all that I wished for and that is for me to grow as a person and to become independent.


Lastly, I pray for passion. Passion for work. Passion for love. Passion for life.


xx,


Annie