Once In My Life

I hope to visit the Holy Land. I hope to do a pilgrimage to the very place where Jesus lived his life and his passion. I envy the people in Israel because they are able to walk the road that Jesus have tread on and touch the things he might have touched. They are lucky people! The most favored!

I promised myself that we won't be travelling out of the country until we visit Israel. This is going to be a spiritual journey and not just a tourist travel because we would be joining either with Fr. Jerry Orbos or Bro. Bo Sanchez.

If the Muslims make it their ultimate goal to do a pilgrimage in Mecca at least once in their lifetime then we, Christians, should do, too. This journey is going to be expensive but it will all worth more than anything else because I'll be able to relive the journey of my salvation. May God grant me this grace. Amen.

sources:
CFC Global Mission

Joe Walsh Tour
Pilgrimages.com

Detox Foot Patch, For Real?

Days ago we went to the Singapore Expo to check what's on sale. We squeezed ourselves to the crowded hallway of the venue and after some bumps here and there we're at the Mega Expo Sale of John Little. John Little is the oldest retailer merchandise store in Singapore established in 1845. It is part of the Robinsons Group of Stores.

Right after we enter the door we saw this section with products made out of bamboo charcoal. I got intrigued so we frisked through the items and the Detox Foot Patch caught my eye the most. I've read about detox foot patch several times but not this kind of patch, though.

priced at S$12.90

The patch promised to clear out the wastes and toxins of the body to promote good metabolism, relieve tension, fatigue and give you a good night sleep. It even claimed  to get rid of your underarm and foot odor. 

To use it just put the patch at one foot or both feet for faster effect. The next morning it will turn dark as the toxins have been 'taken out' of your system. It will then become lighter as you continue to use the patch since the impurities of your body lessens. I had it put in hubby's foot (read, guinea pig.LOL)

The next morning this is the color of the patch. (Warning: this is gross!)

After the second night.

On the third night to answer our skepticism about this product, yes, I was skeptic but I bought it anyway, we made a test patch. One will be on hubby's foot the other just with water and out in the air. And this what happened the next day.

From the husband's foot.

With several drops of water.

Both patches have the same stickiness and color. So, WTH is the toxins being flushed out all about?! I should have known. What's inside the pad is charcoal so when moisture, as the case of the foot, comes in contact with it, the patch will automatically turn black. 

I know when I was thinking of buying something tells me that this is too good to be true. And it is! For some who feels some good things about this product I think it just like some medicines that give a placebo effect. It is the belief you'd feel better that your body becomes better.

I think the worst part is this is a product misrepresentation. The customers are lured to believe that this thing can do this and that. The health organizations and trade industry should be more vigilant in controlling these kind of products to protect the consumers. Now, our S$12 had gone to waste. Bummer!

Designer Brands on SALE at AVA.PH

If you want to get hold of fashion's finest brands of up to 70% off, then AVA is for you! AVA is Philippines' first invitation-only shopping community. It offers exclusive sale on brands like Longchamp, Aranaz, Rajo Laurel, Jeffrey Campbell, Melissa, Miss Sixty and other designer pieces at members-only prices of up to 70% off retail.

 credit

Just yesterday it slashed up to 41% on Le Pliage Longchamp bags and early today only two styles are left for grab. But, don't fret they promise to provide exciting deals every week. You just have to use this link to register and you can now have direct access to the most sought-after fashion goods handpicked by AVA team at discounted prices.

Happy Deepavali!

Today is Deepavali or Diwali Day also known as Festival of Lights. It is like Christmas day for our Hindu brothers and sisters. The Little India is very busy and a bit crowded.

We went to the bazaar and had myself tattooed, a Mehendi Art.It cost S$10 for an instant henna and S$ for ordinary which you need to leave for 30min and would last only for 2-3 days. For the instant henna you can just wipe it after the session and the tattoo would stay in your skin for one week.

Hubby said my hand looked like a man's. :(

We walked around in the hot bazaar tent.
Woman doing finishing touches on saree.

Hindu statues

We were waiting for the night and to pass the time we had our snack cum dinner at a vegan restaurant.

This is the only thing I enjoyed so I won't be posting the rest of our order here. Greek salad. But it lacks the sourness of the vinaigrette dressing.

Then we visited the Hindu temple.

Here a Hindu priest, archaka or pujaris, puts ashes on the worshipers' forehead. While they put their hands on the fire then to their face or chest.

After praying and before they leave the temple some would ring the bells to declare their departure.

I am amazed with the rich and colorful of Hindu and Indian culture. Now, the sun as finally set and the lights are on. Happy Deepavali!

Being a SAHW, Stay At Home Wife

Leaving the corporate life was all I wanted. I have come to the point that stress and politics can never sink into my skin anymore. I don't want to rub it on me until I become the stress and the politics I hated. My career didn't start that way, looking back. I loved what I was doing. I try to give the best that I could to deliver what is expected of me. I exhausted whatever I can get of myself. I often catch myself eating two hours past meal time or having my lunch at dinner time. My work would even catch me while I'm asleep which fortunately don't end in a nightmare. Years passed and burn out consumed me. 10 years in a fast-paced environment I told myself I had enough.

Now, I am here for the past 7 months as a SAHW, Stay At Home Wife which, I hope to change into SAHM, a MOM! But, that's a different story. I have often told the husband that I would not cook him any meal, dinner, breakfast or lunch, while I am still working. I feel it's kind of unfair that we both work but I still do the house chores, right? Equality! Yes to that! Haha! I have now what I wanted which I didn't expect would be sooner. I have come to feel these feelings which I hope to look back and be able to say that I have come to terms with it.

I feel guilty.

There are times when I feel guilty that he has to work his ass out while I stay at home doing what I love to do, blog, scour the overwhelming world of the web and start an online retail business. 

To ease out this guilt I would make a great effort to serve the best dinner that I could. I don't let him do the dishes, which he sometimes insist because he's just sweet. I make sure that I would prepare him filling breakfast and send him to the door with a kiss. But, he spoils me because sometime he won't wake me up when he sees that I am sunk in my sleep.

I feel insecure

When I used to work I am always in attendance on mall sales and would be home with several paper bags. I justify it by saying that it is my money anyway. His money is our money and my money is my money. Women rule! Now, it goes without saying that I cannot splurge anymore as a SAHW because even if I have his ATM card I still have to give a great deal of the money he painstakingly earned. I've seen him how stressed he was in his first company so I can't just spend it unscrupulously.

Depending on someone totally, is hard for me. But, this has brought something more wonderful than I have imagined. I have come to appreciate him more for giving me even the smallest things. He would bring home treats and trinkets that never fails to brighten up my day. And, the entrepreneural spirit in me is slowly but steadily growing. I am starting my retail business back home with the help of my sister. So while I am here I am still earning. Online job is also on my list. I have registered on Odesk which I hope to start anytime soon. We also make sure that we invest in mutual funds and stocks to have sources of passive income.

Am I wasting my time?

I seldom go out maybe because I have outgrown following the calls of my itchy feet. I prefer to be at home doing things that I have not done while I was working. Bring out my so-called creativity in coming out with dishes that won't be the same thing as last week. It's quite a fit in thinking of the weekly menu, mind you! It also warms my heart when the husband appreciates me for a good meal served, lifting up his spirit after a long and tiring day and push him to be the best.

Now, more than ever, I am able to talk with my friends and families (via the net, that is). I am able to ease my parents' homesickness through the net. Among my siblings I was the one who was with my parents during the time our family was in a very difficult situation when father has to go through a triple by-pass heart operation. Some friends who are in need of someone to talk to would drop messages and pm which I am in turn able to respond and give advice at the time they needed it.

I cannot undermine the beauty of being a housewife nor the exciting life of a career wife. They are both equaly great on their own. But, for now, I want to enjoy the opportunity to be with my husband any time he needs me, take care of him and give him a cozy haven from the world because not everybody, no matter how much they wanted, is able to chose between being a career wife and a stay-at-home-wife.

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Throwable Panoramic Camera

Check this out!


I would want to have this as this gives you a 360 degrees view of the place you want to capture. A camera that won't need a boom to fasten your camera with.

This is still patent pending and the genius is still looking for company that would help them finance the product. I do hope it would come in 10megapixels at the least. Making it less bulky would be really great.

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My last post was a promise that I won't be going to the Mitju sale but I feet found its way to the warehouse sale. I gave hubby the idea to go to Cold Stone to satisfy his craving for ice cream. And the nearest Cold Stone is in Orchard. And the sale is in Orchard. Haha!

We foung The Scape at Orchard 2 and found that there is a rummage sale in the area. I didn't bother checking out the stalls as my main objective is Mitju!

My instincts were right, it's inside the The Scape mall. We found it and boy, were we surprised with the long line.

After 15min or so we're finally in.

I controlled my saleholic me and bought just two pairs.

I got this for SGD8! Purple blue velvet doll shoes.

And this for SGD15. Another flat, brogue inspired.

Then we're ought to go to Joo Chiat but it was kind of late so we had our dinner at Raffles and tried Grandma's, a local restaurant inspired by the Nasi Lemak of KL.

Nasi Lemak is Grandma's specialty but since there is no breast part option for the chicken he opted for Nasi Bukhari. You see, for the husband it's chicken breast or nothing.

He really enjoyed it. No, he loved it!

As for me, Char Kway Teow. A rice noodle with stir fried chicken fillet, shrimp, squid (i think), in soy sauce or something. It was good on the first few takes but when I was half way through the noodles seemed want to stock in my throat. So I was not able to finish it all.

I am really not into Malaysian food or noodles for that matter but I tried it since it's their specialty and I want to try something that is not in my comfort zone.

All in all the price is very reasonable and since the husband was so satisfied with his meal I'm pretty sure we'd be going for another treat on this place.

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Mitju Sale, Phone Bill and iOS5

I am supposed to go to Mitju sale yesterday which I promised I would check out in my previous post. But a lot of things came my way. When I was preparing to leave for Orchard I saw my phone bill at the dining table. And as I browsed through it I was not prepared for the surprise and I almost choked. 

Say what?! SGD120.16!!! But, as I went through the details they have already included my data charge for Nov 7. I don't know if it's good or what. In the Philippines we call phone line service as postpaid service, you use the service then you are billed after for a month's cycle. In addition, incoming calls are not charged. But wait there's more! There's also an unlimited call service for certain promo subscription. Here, it's totally different but at least the service is good. The data service is fast and reliable. You can't really complain.

Then came the iOS 5 upgrade. It took me an hour to complete the download but more than 2 hours for my iPad to update. Then I have to do it again for my iTouch. For hubby's iPhone, I might do it tonight. Boy, was I so glad to upgrade to version 5! I like the iCloud idea because you don't have to update all of your devices individually. Once you made a purchase or downloaded an application or even your pictures and music to one device you can update the other devices through iCloud via wireless network, that is if you are using the same Apple ID account for all your devices. And the coolest?! The iMessage! It's like BBM of blackberry. I tested it sending messages to my friend in the Philippines and I was like woah! This will cripple the international sms eventually. I learned from my flatmate that for iPhone users the phone automatically detects if the phone you're sending to is already on iOS5 then it will send your message via iMessage already. Amazing, right?! Now, it will impact the sms usage of mobile operators. Steve Jobs, you are really awesome!

So yeah, with the time I spent to upgrade my devices to iOS5 and more importantly the phone bill I am going to pay, I have to say next time to Mitju. First things first. Hehe...

That Dark Chocolate

A lot of studies have shown that aside from being aphrodisiacs, chocolates, specifically dark, helps in lowering blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots and therefore minimizes the risk of heart attack.

But, this is what surprised me. ABC News featured the study made by International Headache Congress that dark chocolates, which should be at least 60% cocoa, has healing effects on migraine headaches. Unrefined dark chocolates can be great sources of bioflavonoids which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. And this anti-inflammatory properties is what could help in reducing migraine headaches, which is an inflammatory disease.

I suffer from what is called menstrual headache. Before or during my period I have migraine attacks. It can last from a day or two. And I noticed that the only way to get rid of it is to pop up a paracetamol which I think is better because when I was in college I have to take up to 500mg of mefenamic. Now, I know that this should not be an excuse for me to binge because of the chemicals on it during the processing. But, what if it is organic?!

I was so happy when I found out that there really is an organic dark chocolate! The Dagoba Organic Chocolate.

It was founded by Frederick Shilling in 2001 with a mission to create an organic chocolate that would benefit the people and the environment. Full Circle Sustainability is what drives his company. High standards in Quality, Ecology, Equity and Community.

They have a wide varieties of blends. From the common milk, dark, hazelnut, to lavender, lime, roseberry and spices.

Yes, they have Twilight inspired flavors. Eclipse and New Moon, being the more popular flavor together with Lavender.

It can be ordered online, here. But, sadly they don't ship internationally as they want to preserve the quality of their products. I hope somehow I can find a way.

Seoul Korea, Day 4, Everland

I know that if you want to make the most of your stay in a theme or amusement park it would take you the whole day. So we headed to the Seoul Station as early as 930am because the trip would take about more than an hour to Gyeonggi-do province where Everland is located.

Bus stops in front of Seoul Station.

Taking the bus is the long route and scary since you wouldn't know whether you're at your stop or not. Luckily the people are really kind and helpful so we survived. At past 12noon we were at Everland and met some Pinoys on a break due to the holiday.

Everland is a huge theme park that would test your endurance for long walks and patience for the long lines. It is ranked as top 4th theme park in the world.

After the long travel we were both dying to eat.

The food was so so but for any hungry souls these are all heaven.

Halloween themed.

The polar bear is what I'm all excited about. But they seem agitated as they kept walking back and forth.

Aesop's Village.

Safari World.
Urgh! Can't this get any longer?

Who needs to go to Africa, ei?!

Bird Sanctuary. You can feed the birds at a price.

The famous T Express. The world's steepest wooden roller coaster that would give you the most exhilarating experience at a speed of 104kph! Only the brave and crazy will be able to do this!

Hubby and I loved going to 3D or 4D theaters. We would check out if there's any 3D or 4D show that would beat Hong Kong Disneyland's Mickey's PhilharMagic, which for us is the best.

Pororo 3D Adventure.
The kids will love this. But for us no. The 3D is not so 3D and there's no English translation. Even the bus driver cum tour guide in the Safari World didn't speak in English so we're kind of out of place. English translation is important if you really value your tourists.
An intro to Pororo 3D Adventure

By 530pm we headed to the bus terminal back to the city. We found out that the better way to Everland is via bus 5002 at Gangnam station. 5002 route is direct to and from Everland/Gangnam. But, there's a new station that is about to be finished that will stop at Everland. By then going to the park will just be a breeze!

Since we came hubby have been telling me that we will hoard Lotte goodies. So we looked for a Lotte mart and accidentally found Lotte Mall but unfortunately was closed as it is holiday but luckily found something under the mall.
Star Avenue. Avenue of Korean Stars.

This made me happy!

Then came our usual problem, where to eat. We had our dinner at a burger chain, again.

Some Tips:
1. Take the bus 5002 at Gangnam station going to Everland. Or you can take a tour bus to save time and effort.
2. Self-busing is a practice in every food court, food chain and self-service restaurant in Korea.
3. Check the website of Everland for the tourist coupon to get ticket discount.

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