Tinokla Scribbles and Doodles » Whims and Wants

Pregnancy… the third time around

Tinokla — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:02:19 +0000

I am on my way to my 3rd month of pregnancy and just like my previous ones, I don’t feel anything but ordinary cravings. No morning sickness, no vomiting, no dizziness… nada… What is pretty obvious though is my extra appetite these days. I crave salads and desserts! I cannot exactly blame my pregnancy for my cravings. I attribute it more to me quitting smoking rather than pregnancy.
Sometimes I wonder if I am normal or not. I am grateful to be blessed with an uncanny ability to walk through pregnancy like a breeze… but there are also times when I wonder if all those pregnancy symptoms are really as bad as they say. Well, I guess it is OK because I cannot exactly escape the biggest and most painful dilemma of all- labor. Ugh…. the pain! I was wise enough to request for an epidural during my second pregnancy. Although it pacifies the pain a bit, you can still feel it somehow. Well I guess, the joy of seeing your offspring is absolutely worth it!
I am so wishing for a boy right now… But no matter, whatever God gives me I will embrace with open arms!

Chanel Earrings

Tinokla — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:52:42 +0000

I gotta admit, I was among the hordes of women who were dazzled by Kris Aquino’s glittery crystal studded Chanel logo earrings with dangling pearls. My materialistic persona could not help but scout for this beautiful pair, hoping to adorn myself with its enchanting beauty… and of course… when these insane and shallow cravings of mine continue to nag me, i turn to my dearest friend- ebay… my search brought me to the realm of the modest and the majestic…to the hypocritical and the genuine…. to the affordable and the insanely overpriced. ..

Like a young girl’s “when I grow up” ambition, I vowed to get myself a pair. I had a lot of considerations to make, the most pressing amongst them is financial in nature. I sought to narrow down my options to three:
1) Get the genuine Chanel- described to be silver-plated, studded with Swarovski crystals, and embellished with a nice (and probably cultured) pearl. This set costs roughly around 700$, or something like 30,000 pesos. In my opinion, buying this item is definitely ludicrous. Oh… don’t get me wrong…. I practically worship designer brands. If I were Kris Aquino, why shouldn’t I buy? But the fact remains that I am just a mere preschool teacher with a measly salary… I would definitely not buy something that has no lifetime guarantee. So, I tried to explore other possibilities and found option no.2…
2) Get a Chanel inspired set- I loved this alternative! For the same price of 30,000, I can get something made of white gold with diamonds, plus a real south sea pearl! However, having just bought a Louis Vuitton bag for myself, is it wise for me to splurge in yet another expensive endeavour? Well, after beating myself hard to wake up from my fantasy trip, I shouted, no! Not this time… I was pretty much depressed for a couple of days… even if my will was strong I could not shake the craving off… It’s like a shadow that moves as I do, a disease that is incurable, an infatuation that bugs me in my slumber. I am in love… and I want it, regardless… After many hours scouting for something to quench my abnormal yearning, I came across option no.3…
3) Option no.3 is so much like no.2, with the only differences being composition and price. Option number 3 is a Chanel inspired CC earring made of fine silver and lab created diamonds. Fine silver is purer than sterling silver, and promises to be more lustrous and elegant for practically a lifetime! The lab created diamonds also have a genuine quality… that it is difficult to tell if they are fake or not. It has also a dangling freshwater cultured pearl…overall, i think this is a good deal, especially for someone like me who doesn’t need anything fancy… just something to satisfy a pesky and irrational want. And of course, I got it and honestly, I loved it!

Uniform Free Bliss

Tinokla — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:04:25 +0000

For the first time, in my 10 years of professional experience, I am finally liberated from the daily hassles of wearing a company uniform… Though I am still bounded by the ‘smart-looking’ requirement that my new work imposes, I get super excited by the prospect of mixing and matching clothes, and of course, scouting for great buys in malls and on-line stores!

I am not exactly opposed to wearing uniforms. I believe that there is a sense behind uniformity, just as there is a need for rules and such. Company uniforms give control to how management would want their people to look and be perceived by others. In a sense, they also give some measures of equality… However, it also stifles individuality and freedom of expression. It is so unfortunate to be left without a choice- especially if you are coerced to wear something that is totally uncharacteristic of who you are as a person.

Other benefits of wearing uniforms would fall on the financial aspect of things. It is really costly to invest in a decent wardrobe without looking like you’ve been wearing the same thing over and over again. I, for one, have started to experience financial incapacitation for some time, which was, of course, brought about by my crazy splurges in fancy dresses and elegant blouses… Just like an awful addiction, I cannot help but justify my actions with silly rationalizations such as I need to look professional and smart and pretty, etc… etc…

In the long run, my sensible side took hold of things and I began to explore the possibility of mixing and matching what I have to make my outfit seemingly appear new. It’s kind of tricky but I managed. I have been successful in keeping my clothing expenses at a minimum, hence, fully appreciating the bliss of a uniform-free work life!

The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner

Tinokla — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:17 +0000

If you’d take a peek into my overflowing cosmetics bag, you’d right away conclude that I have no loyalty to a certain brand. However, I do have my personal preferences- among them is my Body Shop brown liquid eyeliner.

The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner is a must have especially for young professionals who only have a few minutes to spare for make-up. It is easy to use and quick to apply. Its long-wearing feature is an added benefit more so for women like me, who only puts on make-up before going to work. Plus, soap and water are enough to remove it from the face…
I thought all liquid eyeliners are somewhat closer to this one. Just recently, I got one from Rimmel. I was disappointed because it took a lot of fine motor effort from me to get it into shape. The brush is too long and the tip is so thin that it gets in the way of my eyelashes when I put it on. With that experience, I decided to stick to the Body Shop and stop experimenting with other brands. For a little over (or less?) Php1000… you can enjoy better looking eyes…

HD Mini 2140- A Part-time Blogger’s BFF

Tinokla — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:51:05 +0000

Nobody gives me the loudest and most pervasive motivation to blog than my husband. His all-out support and encouragement inspire me to write down my thoughts and share them to the world. And, as an expression of his growing fanaticism to keep me writing, he bought me a true blogger’s bestfriend- my very first netbook, an HP Mini 2140. Now, I can write virtually everywhere! This, coupled with my Sony Ericsson cameraphone, are essentially everything I need in this part-time blogging career of mine! Thank you Paulo!

Why an HP? Well, I am not so keen about the many technicalities surrounding these awesome gadgets but my husband says, that it is one of the best netbooks in the market! And now, as I type my first blog using its almost ordinary sized and sleek keypad, I must agree that I do not even feel that I am using a computer that can fit in any ordinary bag of mine… Oh I so love it! If you’d want to know more about the geeky stuff behind the HP mini V2140, check out my husband’s blog site- blog.lopau.com. Ciao!

A Certified Coffee Addict

Tinokla — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:02:45 +0000

Upon writing this article, I am enjoying the comforts of my 5th cup for the day… and it is barely midday. Yes, I confess, I am a certified coffee addict. Coffee perks me up in the morning and sustains my enthusiasm and energy through out the day. Coffee keeps my mind alert and active- allowing me to think straight, maintaining the flow of creative juices. Or so I think… It is important to note here that my thoughts about coffee rationalize my habit of excessively consuming it. However, as I enter the world of old age, I begin to wonder of the probable harm that it would do to my deteriorating cells and organs. A coffee commercial asserts that coffee has anti-oxidants that delay the aging process. That is good news… But, for people like me, who literally substitutes coffee for water, what does fate hold for me?
Harvard Women’s Health Watch claims that moderate drinking of coffee is safe. For a few cups a day (How many is few?), there are even possible benefits from coffee drinking. Let me enumerate the supposedly benefits of consuming coffee in a moderate basis.

lowers risk for type 2 diabetes
reduces risk of developing gallstones
discourages the development of colon cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease
improves cognitive functioning
improves endurance in strenuous physical activities
keeps you alert

However, as the article claims, it also has its downside. Thankfully (… or sadly), its negative effects are associated with its excessive consumption (… or abuse?). Here are some disadvantages as narrated in the article.

caffeine in coffee is a mild addictive stimulant, withdrawal might result to irritability
coffee consumption results to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and irregular heart beat
negative effects of coffee consumption is associated with excessive drinking

So I guess I should follow the ideas of these researchers. Anyway, they are not suggesting that I quit drinking. The key here is moderation. For starters, I might just have 5 glasses spread through out the day. But when the need arises, such as in cases when it is necessary for me to be up all night, I will allow myself the pleasure of an extra cup or two. However, in my line of work, the ‘necessary to be up’ days are actually synonymous to everyday… What a sad, sad, fact…

Reference:
Coffee Health Risks: For the moderate drinker, coffee is safe says Harvard Women’s Health Watch

https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_risk.htm

Missing the MacBook

Tinokla — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:08:13 +0000

It has been months since my last sensible blog. Many factors can be attributed to this decline. For one, my day job has eaten my spirits away- with all the work load and Christmas prep, I have only little time left to do other things. Another very painful occurance is the bugging down of the Apple MacBook Pro that I so so love. I woke up one day and it refused to start-up. I was confident that my techie spouse could whip up his computer wizardry and make it work but alas, it was not as simple as that.

To resolve the concern, we browsed through apple sites and forums and searched for related problems. We found one that enumerated the same symptoms that our MacBook was experiencing. We were disheartened to find out that in order for us to address the problem, we have to shell out at least Php50,000 to purchase an important hardware. My goodness, it was as if buying a whole new unit again! So naturally, we have to plan this out first and see how we can squeeze it in our finances.

Now I am back to using my dear old Compaq Presario 2100. From being totally disregarded for the past several months, we now see it to be a durable and reliable piece of machine. I would want to one day own a Sony Vaio for a change but in the meantime, I do not see any harm in settling for my dependable and sturdy laptop.

What really bugs me is that I had 100% faith over Apple and all its products. For me, an Apple shutting down and refusing to start up is way impossible. I mean, isn’t Apple the best? Isn’t Apple top-of-the-line? I am not computer geek. I am simply expressing my sentiments. Regardless, I am still hopeful that the MacBook will soon be repaired and start running again. Even with my experience, I am still relying on the fact that the laptop is still an MacBook and so it will be revived again. In a way, I am also to be blamed for its temporary demise. I mean, I am not the most careful person in the world… Well then, if given a second chance I will surely be more cautious- I will really give the MacBook the care and concern that it deserves… Anyway, my blogging need not be curtailed as I have my durable Compaq at my disposal.

Long wearing Blush

Tinokla — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:40:30 +0000

Make-up is not really my thing. Actually, it took me a long time before finally accepting the fact that I need to look good every time I go to work. For the past years, I have grown to love the process of putting make-up on my face. Because of my fear of allergies and blemishes, I sought to purchase only the best brands in the market. For today, let me talk about blush-ons.

The best blush that I have used so far is Revlon’s swirl blush (this was probably 2006). During that time, it was Halle Berry who was the model for Revlon. I was fascinated with the way it looks, pink blush with swirls of darker pink. Also, it was probably one of the first blush-ons that had that shimmery effect on your face. Most importantly, even with a relatively higher price compared to others, it was a good buy because I was able to use it for more than a year! However, by the time I went out to buy another, I was told that they phased-out the product already… sad… And so I shifted to other Revlon blush-ons. However, nothing can beat my swirl blush!

I remained loyal to Revlon. Just recently, I bought their newest product- colorstay mineral blush. The packaging was good- it kind of has a 3D effect with the blush protruding out of its socket. Anyway, the Revlon girl claimed that it was long wearing. And so she said that for an expensive price of Php898- it was a great buy. When it comes to beauty products, I admit that I am not an expert. So, I trusted her and bought one.

I admit that the color was good on my face. It also gave my face a nice shimmer which I liked. However, it was not as long wearing as I have expected. One day, I was surprised that I have already consumed the whole thing! After 3 months, I needed to buy a new blush-on! Disappointed, I went to Watsons and sought to find another brand.

In2it is one of the make-up brands that I really don’t give much attention to when I am in the cosmetics section. Usually, I settle for Revlon, Maybelline, and Max Factor. This time, I gave it a closer look… I then realized that it was a good find!

For one, it was very affordable! At Php379, I already have a dual blush which was also long wearing according to the sales lady. And what’s best is that the applicator is so soft and easy to use.

Because I found it to be so cheap, I decided to buy something else. I heard from a friend that blush-ons look good if you blend it with a highlighter- more like a white blush if you’d ask me. I discovered that in2it has a nice product like this and so I bought one. Since I do not know how to use it, I asked the sales lady to give me a short demo. True enough, it gave my face a beautiful and shimmery glow. My friends and I were so excited to try it out and we had fun putting make-up on each other. It is really a must-by for ladies!

Friendster or Facebook?

Tinokla — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:24:13 +0000

I have been a Friendster member for quite a long time now, probably about 3 years already. I am quite picky when it comes to approving friend requests- I make sure that I really know the person prior to my approval. Maybe that explains why I have only about 150 friends. Some people kind of get the impression that it is all about quantity. Well, it is different for me. I want to make sure that the people who can view my profile are really my friends.
Just recently, I have been introduced to Facebook. According to my husband, Facebook is popular worldwide. Friendster, on the other hand, is mostly known in the Philippines and probably, in some Asian countries. Anyway, with my brief orientation to this social networking site, I already started to enjoy being a member of Facebook. Right after signing up, Facebook already prompted me to add my friends from high school. So I got instant friends right there and then. Of course, with my great experience with Facebook, I started promoting it to my friends. Sadly, most of them are hard-core Friendster loyalists. Out of the few friends that I have, I only managed to convince one (she also happens to be my sister). For this post, I tried to come up with a crude comparison between these two well-liked social networking sites…

In terms of site design, Friendster appears to be more colorful and easy to navigate. Facebook is, in my opinion, more formal looking. For a not-so internet savvy person like me, it took a while before I learned the in’s and out’s of this site.

In terms of applications, I guess both sites have enough applications available to spice-up an account. However, I feel like Facebook is heavy with advertisements.

In terms of social networking features, I think Facebook is the best! Honestly, I do not give much attention to the network updates of Friendster. In the case of Facebook, it is actually fun checking out the updates about my friends. Their simple What are you doing now? Feature is enough for me to somehow get in touch with what is going on in my good friends’ lives. Also, as I have mentioned a while ago, it is easy to generate ‘real’ friends in Facebook. Thanks to this feature that automatically links you with old-time friends.

But of course, generally speaking, I am thankful for the presence of these two wonderful sites. Another good thing is that we do not need to choose between the two. In fact, they complement each other! Hence, there is no harm in signing up for accounts in both sites.

So that’s about it for now… feel free to add in your ideas and opinions!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Snow World at Star City

Tinokla — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:25:02 +0000

Last Sunday, me and my family went to manila to visit the much-talked about new attraction in Star City, the Snow World. We saw it on TV and so we set out to witness it ourselves. Since we are based in Angeles, we left really early, like 7am, because we wanted to avoid the long lines. We’ve been to Star City before and we knew how long the queues can be. We arrived by 11 am, only to find out that the place was still closed and opening time was 2pm. We decided to kill time in MOA and have our lunch there (which is a practical idea considering how expensive the food is inside Star City). We would have wanted to leave after lunch but there was a sudden downpour which prompted us to stay in the mall some more… then finally, we headed right back to Star City.

It was just like a quarter to two and the line was pretty long already. After much waiting, we got the tickets which I believe to be about Php 200 each… but I’m not sure because it was my sister who paid for us. Anyway, our tickets had VIP printed on them and so we need not pay the Php100 entrance fee in Snow world. I was bringing my 1 and 4 months old daughter with me… We paid for her entrance fee only to find out that her trip was essentially useless because she can’t ride anything except for those japanese-made cars that give you a gentle shake once you feed them with 2 tokens (which is like Php12 each, 100% more expensive than Tom’s world in SM). Along the way to our destination, we tried out some rides. I was particularly enticed to try out the rodeo thing. I was pretty sure that it would be easy for me to handle the bull considering that I am a dancer and all… but lo and behold, after a few turns, the bull effortlessly threw me out.. That was an exciting adventure. Next time, I know I can do better (maybe stay on the bull for 5 seconds more). Anyway, my 5’10″ husband who had a background in horse-back riding did pretty well!

Finally, we neared the entrance for Snow World. That particular area was cooler than most and so we can’t help but be really excited to see what is inside. As I was entering, they asked me how old my Amber was… I wanted to lie and say that she was 2 years old but my conscience got the better of me. And as expected, they said that she could not enter because young toddlers like her will not be able to endure the super cold temperature. I wanted to protest and say that I brought her entire wardrobe just to bundle her up but decided not to. I assumed they were saying the truth and I do not want to risk my baby’s life. Me and my family agreed to go by batches. My mom, dad, brother, sister, and eldest daughter went in first. Me, Amber, and my husband, and another sister waited outside. Surprisingly, after about 10 to 15 minutes, we saw them down the exit already… They said it was so cold that it was impossible to last longer than that!

We were so excited to go but the line to the entrance was longer now. Thankfully, the turnover was fast and so waiting in line did not take much time. There were no cell phones, videocams, and other electronic gadgets allowed inside the area. They like issue these plastic bags and insert your phones there. However, they let you naman bring the plastic bags. In the line, there were all sorts of cold weather gear being sold at relatively high prices. We started to make do with the jackets or coats that they were freely supplying to us. Before they opened the door, they gave directions as to how we should behave inside… Anyway, it was finally time to enter…

SNOW WORLD

Snow world is literally a snowy and super duper cold place. There were plenty of ice carvings, the walls, slides, etc. were made of ice. There were signs everywhere warning you not to touch any sculpture, otherwise, you’d pay for them if you break them (Php5000). It was so foggy and so below freezing point cold that I was glad I was sensible enough to wear a bonnet and a jacket. We walked and of course, tried out the slides. The slides were so fun! For the bigger and longer slide, they gave us chopping board like things to sit on, probably to speed up the sliding process. We spent a longer time there…and we enjoyed it a lot. What I particularly did not like is the smell of some chemical that they use, apparently, to keep the ice formations solid. It was so stinky that I felt a sudden surge of head ache. Anyway, overall, it was a fun adventure….Too bad, I did not avail of the photography services… Now, we do not have any souvenir of our short stint in Snow world… Below is a picture of this very cool place which I took from ourawesomeplanet.com… just to show you how nice the place was…