Week after week, my friends would kid na nauubusan kami ng dasal sa bahay (we would run out of prayers at home). Apart from the overflowing blessings, it’s because my brother flies to far flung places here in the Philippines. You see, everyone says that I have the best job on top of my day job (which by the way ROCKS). Being invited to events, getting samples before it hits the stores, and the like. What you don’t know is that my brother’s got my dream job. Imagine traveling the Philippines for free while doing what you do best and being paid to do it!

Twin too cute light years ago

You see, Twin got (VERY) lucky on his first full-time job. He’s the multimedia specialist of this TV show (2 words, one starts with G and the other with an N). I asked him to describe his day to day tasks and he said “anything that goes to the TV show or website that’s video and photo related goes to me.” For a guy under his mid-20s, I feel that he’s so accomplished and we couldn’t be more proud of him! :)

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Just before I announce the Nike and Listerine contest winners, I’d like to share with you why I’m dying to get a massage as I type this post in. Here’s how I manic panicked the entire week last week:

Monday: Dinner with the girls plus (wait for it) Aileen aka. Shades Of U! :)

GT vets reprezent LOL

Apart from the massively filling dinner at Sumosam, these goodies brightened up my day:

I got my signature pressed oil zapper from MAC in Medium Dark (Php 1350), Smile gave me the best smelling (White Tea brought me to bliss and back!) reed diffuser from Amber Lights Laguna, and Aileen gifted me this super pretty, sheer nude pink lippie called Water Pink from Awake. <333

Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday: work, work, work.

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Alternative album title: “how Fridays should be spent”.

1. Awesome brunch at Krispy Kreme

Pepperoni and Cheese. This. Is. So. Good.

2. Shop. Shop. Shop.

I’ve been lusting over the canvass bag above for two weeks now, more or less dating back the same day I saw this promo shot of Patty on WFTO’s Facebook page:

Part of World Fair Trade Organization Asia’s 2011 consumer campaign is to release an advocacy merchandise line that will empower consumers to support Fair Trade and at the same time raise funds for the organization. The first item that will officially be released on April is the 100% Guilt Free Shopper bag.

Each bag has a number code & whenever an individual purchases it, he/she must fill out the name tag attached on each bag. WFTO Asia will then include his/her name to a list of Fair Trade supporters. At the end of the year, WFTO Asia aims to empower 1,000,000 people across the region to support Fair Trade.

Every time you purchase a WFTO ASIA Merchandise, 80% of it will be used to fund the organization’s regional advocacies & projects and 20% will be used to raise the next penny.

It’s not the cheapest canvass bag in the market but definitely one of the chicest, sturdiest (as it appears) and roomiest (it can fit my 17″ laptop). Also, knowing that my Php 650 will go a long, long way makes me feel less guilty (pun intended) ’bout shelling that much paper. :)

The frustrated French woman in me felt that I needed the book above.

French women didn’t invent happiness. But they know a thing or two about joie de vivre–being alive to each delicious moment.

As a young girl, Jamie Cat Callan was fascinated by her French grandmother. Though she had little money, Jamie’s grand-mère ate well, dressed well, and took joy in simple, everyday pleasures. As Jamie journeyed through France as an adult, she gained more insight into the differences between French and American women. French women–whether doctors, shop owners, or housewives–don’t worry about being thin enough, young enough, or accomplished enough. They age gracefully and celebrate their bodies. They know how to balance their lives–to love food without overeating, to work hard but not too much, to relish friends and family, and still make time for themselves. Now Jamie draws on everything French women have taught her and shows you how to:

• Buy and consume less–and enjoy more
• Look like a million Euros on a few francs
• Find time to be alone
• Flirt à la française
• Rediscover your own mystery

Perfection isn’t attainable, but happiness always is. And this uplifting, revelatory book shows every woman how to embrace it–and savor it.

Quite a promising read for Php 599 eh? Oh and alas, after almost 2 years, I finally used up my Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector in 0 (Php 1280, 5ml refill). Its timing couldn’t be more perfect cause I’m wasting time earlier in BGC.

I’m Php 2599 poorer but apart from the sweet fat cat purring her heart out, these little things made me smile today. What made your Friday? :)

This is one of the reasons why still, at 28, I’m still living with my parentals (yes, these are the fruits of their labor):

spot the guava

a macopa shrub planted on soil and gravel

the biggest tree of them all having approx. 500 fruits right now

So yes, I’m still living in our good ‘ol house because of my crazy fruit diet. LOL Oh and the best feat about this arrangement? Lazy pets allowed!

My dad’s current pride & joy: his 2 hatchlings surviving Ms. Poo’s presence:

Not in the photo: Gov’s 4 African Love Birds.

Sahasrara (Sanskrit: सहस्रार, Sahasrāra) is the seventh primary chakra according to Hindu tradition.

H holding my purple ink stained locks

Sahasrara chakra symbolizes detachment from illusion; an essential element in obtaining supramental higher consciousness of the truth that one is all and all is one.

Often referred as thousand-petaled lotus, it is said to be the most subtle chakra in the system, relating to pure consciousness, and it is from this chakra that all the other chakras emanate. When a yogi is able to raise his or her kundalini, energy of consciousness, up to this point, the state of Samādhi, or union with God, is experienced.

Meditating on this point is said to bring about the siddhis, or occult powers, of transforming into the divine, and being able to do whatever one wishes.

Yes — I did it again!

1 of 2 sessions ~fin

The purpose of the violet flame is to free us of negative energies we are holding on to that are born from old karma or past negative influences. Connecting to the violet flame awakens your connection the Christ Consciousness (God Source) and transmutes negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Feelings of guilt turn into acceptance, fear of fate become desired opportunities, etc. The violet flame can be called upon through meditation and incantations.

Going with the tradition, Twin got a koi to complement his peony. Most of the details were drawn freehand by our new artist (he did most of H’s tattoos) from Makati City, James de Ramos. Prior to getting inked, Twin’s convincing me to get a koi so that we’ll match (like how our flowers do) but I told him my forearm’s too small for one and I’m saving the rest of my back for something else. When his koi was done I thought — maybe I should get one too.

angry koi + sakuras + beach waves

Exactly one year ago, I purchased this right hand ring:

I purchased it as a commitment right (to myself, no less) that I will do whatever it takes to move up career-wise and of course, as a little birthday treat. Just to let you in a little about what happened 2 days before my birthday last year — I got (professionally) dumped. I didn’t get the promotion I was working really hard for. I’m not the type of person who would take things too hard but trust me: it was that ugly, painful, and slightly traumatic.

365 days after getting dumped, I’m now addressed as Ms. Ramos (LOL) because I’m already a manager. I’ve moved out of the outsourced industry early this month and I’m now working as a distribution manager for a highly successful newsletter publishing group. I won’t lie to you — getting here was difficult but insanely fun. As a birthday special, I thought I’d write about something I believe I’m pretty good at: what it’s like to be a workaholic-slash-giving career advises (surprise!).

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