1. Use the postal service. 

Ok. I know. It’s slow, inefficient and unreliable. But when was the last time you got a letter from anyone who’s not the bank or a utility service? Some things are just more special handwritten. That’s why this year, I vow to send at least 40 postcards.

2. Book list 

Still not done with my 2012 book list but I want to read at least 75% of what I listed down (realistic, naks!).

3. Study

Some things I need to learn, others I just want to for the heck of it.

-Take a marketing and PR course

-Take a photography class

-Choose a cook book and cook all the recipes in it

-Take a make up class

4. Visit… 

Thailand again because I love that place.

Romblon with my husband and our baby (it’s my Lola Ed’s home province! And it’s beautiful!)

Just two trips. I’m a busy new mom with a screaming infant in my arms, after all. 

5. Buy a car 

Why? Well… I guess it’s because it’s about time I gave up my “OhhellnoImnotdriving” policy. What kind of car though? No idea yet since I never really had a dream car.

Here’s to hoping I spend the next months fulfilling these goals. I’ll keep you posted!

What are your new year’s resolutions?

PS. I also want to buy a ton of shoes and clothes this year from  here and here. 

Only a few weeks to go till we meet face to face. Only a few precious weeks till your father and I will hear your cry, cuddle you and marvel at how you; our lovely daughter came to be.

Even if I have not held you in my arms, I feel like I know you intimately. I know that you wake up at the sound of your mom tapping away at her computer (please forgive me that I have to work as you grow in my belly), you seem to like listening to Brahms, Les Miserables, the Smiths and Bob Marley, you are especially active when you hear your Dad and I talking (maybe you want to contribute to the conversation?) and you seem to like certain television shows and channels like Letterman, Conan, Modern Family and Al Jezeera.

I will never forget the moment I first felt you move nor the first time you made my tummy jiggle with you kicking and stretching. You are becoming heavier and more active each day. It’s a little difficult for me to move now but I don’t mind because it means that you are growing.

Gabby, I hope we don’t disappoint you when you arrive. We’re inexperienced parents and I hope you forgive us when we make mistakes with you.

We’ll try our best to raise you well–our wish is for you to become someone full of tolerance, compassion and love for others. I hope that when you are here, you will stand up for what is right; you will defend those suffering injustices and become a voice for those who have no voice.

This is not to say we’d like you to become a militant activist like us; not at all. We just don’t want you to grow up apathetic and oblivious.

The Philippines, our dear daughter, though filled with charming locales and natural resources is awash with socioeconomic problems. Deeply rooted in a semi-colonial and semi-feudal system; our problems worsen because so many Filipinos choose not to care.

So many of us choose to become mindless slaves of consumerism; so many of us are even proud to be part of an apathetic middle class. I have seen so many brilliant peers become corporate drones, self-serving artists, academics with no real social purpose or worse, numb.

Remember this, my dearest daughter, our worth can only be measured with the good we bring into this world. Don’t get suckered into compliance, do not forget the millions who have and are suffering each day because people like you and me refuse to even acknowledge them.

Someday, you will be reading this. Your Dad and I hope that this will bring you comfort and love. We hope this letter envelops you with hope.

We love you so much Gabby.We want you to grow up in a better Philippines. And it is for you and other children like you that we take to the streets. It is for your future that we express our outrage and dissent. It is for you, it is for love.

Mommy

And now, for the fourth time in a row, I am not being compensated on time for all the efforts I put into my job. On the first two occasions, our pay was late because our billing and collection was delayed. On the third time, the reason given was the long weekend prevented checks from clearing on time. In my opinion, since the long weekend was due to public holidays and not an “act of God” like storms, earthquakes and the like; THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BEING UNPREPARED FOR IT. It is simple laziness and total lack of consideration for employees on the part of our HR and account support that they consider late payrolls acceptable.

And now, it is late again. All of us have to spend the weekend and Monday grovelling for ways to meet our living expenses. And I feel disenfranchised. I feel as if the labors of the past weeks have not been enough to warrant a complete paycheck.

I am worried that this will become di rigueur; that I will have to make serious adjustments as to how I will meet my financial obligations on time (I have had to pay my rent and utilities late in the last two months because of all our payroll delays and the late charges are not fun).

And most importantly, I am disappointed in my firm. I have put so much faith in it; I have stuck with it despite the many other (more lucrative) opportunities that have come my way and I have tried my hardest to see the “big picture”, see beyond the petty employee angst that many of us go through. I have looked past my frustrations: the inconsistent policies, the disregard for manpower capacity in order to please clients and the “yes man” attitude that puts employee welfare in the back burner. I have even used my own resources: my own equipment (laptop, internet hub, camera, etc.) just to be able to meet deadlines and do my job well; all free of charge. I’ve forgone charging transportation expenses because of all the flack I get from our HR and account support about “riding a bus instead of a taxi” to get to my meetings. But all of these efforts are for naught.

Now excuse me as I force my brain to work. Excuse me as I cut my rant short in order to let my creativity, my energy and my time be thanklessly utilized by a firm who thinks all these are worthless. With apologies to the Eels, I have “taken wooden nickels when I sold my soul”.

“We need our feet for almost everything we do but often overlook their care. And one way to care for our feet is by wearing shoes that fit well,” shares Karrots Nazareno, Creative Director of Anthology Shoes. “Our pleased customers affirm our belief that shoes can be comfortable as they look and feel fabulous.”

Anthology Shoes’ collections satisfy any fashionista. Whether you fall in love with the classic and versatile strap sandals of the Bea collection or the sleek and oh-so-cool tan and black brogues of the London collection , you can be confident of ease in every stride you make.

It is therefore no surprise that pairs from the Paradiso collection, with its quirky hues, and the Noelle collection, with its amazingly elegant quilts, are great bringers of comfort that would make you last the day.

“Each pair imbues the feel good, fashion friendly philosophy of the brand,” explains Karrots. “Every collection is meticulously designed, hand-crafted and tested to ensure that customers’ get the best experience possible when they wear our products.” All Anthology Shoes use the softest genuine imported leathers, flexible rubber soles and a soft cushioned foot bed.

Other styles that have made customers pledge with Anthology Shoes are the zany zebra-printed Johannesburg; Cape Town, square-toed banana flats in leopard print; the ostrich stamped genuine leather of the Brussels collection, and the back-to-basics Moderna collection.

Looking to inject the “oomph” in your wardrobe? The sleek and metallic Shanghai collection, the Tokyo collection with its oversized bows and metal studs and the rich sheepskin leather and grosgrain lace of the Verona collection are sure standouts in style.

Gliding in comfort and supreme confidence is as easy with the choices offered by Anthology Shoes.

If relaxed and effortless is undoubtedly more your thing, try the Rio de Janiero boat shoes in nubuck leather or suede. These über laid back boat shoes come in Marigold (tan), Prussian (blue) and Scarlet (red orange).

Anthology Shoes are sold at Anthem stores in Greenbelt 5, Powerplant and Shangri-La Plaza; Analog Soul at Trinoma; The Flat Shop at Greenhills and at The Ramp in Glorietta, and Shangri-La Plaza

You can also get your Anthology Shoes outside Metro Manila: Spruce at LimKet Kai in Cagayan de Oro; Catalogue at Gaisano Mall in Davao and Blackmarket No.2 at Orchard Central, Singapore. You can also shop online at anthologyshoes.com.

According to Jay Paris, Head of Sales for Victoria de Manila 2, the condominium projects are the company’s response to the growing need for better student accommodations. “Ensuring the safety and comfort of residents is always a prime concern. Both projects are a stone’s throw away from the nation’s top colleges and universities,” says Paris. “Victoria de Manila 1 and 2 as well as Victoria de Morato are both near malls, churches and hospitals.”

All within the Students’ Reach

Victoria de Manila 1 and 2 offer its dwellers 2 floors of commercial and service facilities. It is a walk away from universities such as the University of the Philippines, St. Paul College, Philippine Christian University and Philippine Women’s University. It is also five minutes away from Robinson’s Place Ermita, the Philippine General Hospital and from the Pedro Gil station of the LRT. It is also a ride away from the University Belt and a 20-minute ride away from Makati’s Central Business District.

Manny Estrella, Head of Sales for Victoria de Morato, points to easy accessibility of Victoria de Morato which is located at the heart of Quezon City along distinctive Tomas Morato Avenue.

A five minute ride to Quezon Avenue and EDSA, this condominium is commute-friendly. Universities like the Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, Diliman and Miriam College are just a short ride away. Malls like the Trinoma and SM North EDSA are also easily accessible from Victoria de Morato.

Of course, students need leisure as well. This is why Victoria de Manila 2 offers students, a sports center where they can get fit and relax. The sports complex houses basketball, badminton and tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, billiard tables, a bowling lane and even its own spa. It is perfect for students who like to spend their free time enjoying sports.

Those who are attracted to Victoria de Morato are assured of easy distance from sports clubs and centers, aside from having access to its own pools and gym. For information log on to www.nsjbi.net.

Bed weather calls for a great book and a yummy snack to go with it.

It may be cold out but that won't stop me from having a healthy cup of frozen yogurt with granola, bananas topped with almond slivers.

Check out the Yoh-gurt Froz site for more yummy details.

Someone to snuggle with:

Pork calamansi sinigang

And watching TalkTV.

What do you do on rainy days?

I usually use a light SPF 15 moisturizer and I try to avoid creamier moisturizers or heavy duty sunblock because these usually end up in a gooey mess 2 hours into my work day.  However, since lately I could feel the heat burning into my face I was forced to rethink my choice of moisturizer.

Last month, I set out to find a facial moisturizer that was cheap (so I could apply liberal amounts), mild and fragrance free (again, so I could apply liberal amounts), lightweight and had an SPF of at least 25.

After scouring the beauty counters and finding mostly “great for a day at the beach” stuff, I stumbled onto Hortaleza MD Skingent Protective Day Cream.  Now, I do love their hair color and things but since their more popular skin care line are a bunch of exfoliants that (kinda) burn; I was skeptical about the moisturizer.

I bought a small bottle for around 100 pesos and gingerly tried it at home.

Result: yey, didn’t burn! :p

I put on small amount of product (pea-sized amount)and was surprised that it had a bit of a tint in it (a great alternative for days when it’s too hot to put on foundation!).

My skin felt velvety and soft six hours after I applied it. I’ve been using the product for two weeks now and I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin’s elasticity as well.

I’ve been so impressed by the product, I want to get the whole Skingent set now.

His name is Jerzon Senador and he hung a puppy out to dry (literally) took pictures and posted the pictures on his Facebook account.

Is there anything funny about these pictures, Mr. Senador? If you find these amusing, then I suggest you see a therapist because you might be a psychopath.

Here’s a message I sent him:

Hi Jerzon,

I saw pictures of your puppy posted on your Facebook page. A lot of people are appalled by how you “hung the puppy out to dry”. Dogs are loyal, lovely animals and they do not deserve to be treated as such.

You should be ashamed of yourself, hurting an innocent puppy like that. You’re a cruel and ignorant person and you deserve to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.

We’re reporting you to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.

Sincerely,

Tish Martinez

I looked it up before I used it and organicwearmakeup.com gave me this information about the product:

• The finest Italian powder delivers a buildable natural tan glow.
• Two shades blend together for the most natural finish.
• A 100% natural origin bronzer, formulated with 15% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil and corn starch to moisturize and mattify the skin.
• 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals. 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives. 100% Free of Parabens. 100% Free of GMO’s. 100% Free of Synthetic Colors. 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Cruelty Free.

I decided to try it out since bronzers are supposed to work well with my recently tanned skin. The result was better than expected. I got lots of compliments for the healthy glow I was sporting, my features looked more chiseled and the product didn’t rub off despite the summer heat. I think the key to the even, golden glow I got was in the easy to blend palette of the product. And best of all, it had enough pigments, making application a breeze. Swipe it on each cheek and you’re done!
Image from organicwearmakeup.com

Not a very impressive list. I’m sure most people juggle more things. But for someone who’s constantly beset with the lazies, it’s enough. If you notice, blogging isn’t part of my commitment list (example: please see the Women’s Month challenge that I forgot to do. Sorry!).

I have to change this. Also, because I’ve recently turned 25, I’ve made three new promises to myself:

1. Brush up on photography skills by attending at least one seminar per quarter.

2. Finally get myself to enroll in a PR course.

3.  Buy more furniture.

Oh, and blog more frequently.