Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Yesterday I was craving for a "tikoy"(Nian Gao or Chines New Year cake) and I think that craving didn't go away as I longingly look on the pictures on the web. How come the shops that sells good quality Chinese delicacies are far from my place? Ugh!

Anyways, to get my mind off the tikoy I bought myself 4 coupons of this:

The deal will end by 12nn today! Good thing I saw this on my email and I can redeem the coupons in Makati where my work location is.Bubble tea drinks became huge last year (as far as I know). A brief introduction about Chatime (adapted from their FB page):


CHATIME was founded in Taiwan in 2005, and aims to be the most loved and respected tea company in the world.


Since its founding in 2005, ChaTime has become one of the biggest international bubble tea brands today, as well as being the only publicly listed beverage provider in the Taiwan stock exchange. As of September 2010, we have over 480 stores worldwide in Taiwan, Malaysia, China, USA, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Australia, plus new stores opening soon in Korea, Japan and the Philippines!

Unlike other bubble tea stores, CHATIME tea is fresh and brewed on site with real tea leaves. Fresh tea is not only more aromatic, but also healthier. Together with this, we infuse different natural flavors to make CHATIME the best bubble tea drink store in town!

I've taken a sip of Serenitea (Passion Fruit Iced Tea) and would love to try this one. I'm still dodging away from milk tea variants as I'm a lactose intolerant. So my best bet will be the fruit flavored drinks that they have. Hope I have the time to redeem the first coupon this week.

Coming Soon....

During the first week of January while I was busy blog hopping, I saw a blog entry announcing then Yellow Sale of Bath and Body Works. Of course, the shopper in me can't resist to take a peek on their website.

Up to 75% off! Ohhhh! So I browse through the items that are on sale and found a Japanese Cherry Blossom gift set that has a perfume, a body gel (if I'm not mistaken) and a lotion. Costs is $18.25. Then there's a threesome lotion (or is it perfume?) known as Tropical Carnival  which is only $3 for the 3 lotions (59 ml each). And lastly they have the Anti-bacterial Pocket Bac which is 5 for $5!

I checked Johnny Air and asked a few friends on how does it work if you're ordering from the US and shipping it to Manila. Some says that the shipping is expensive while others says it's cheap. Cheap like Php 1k+ per shipping. Uh-oh! A thousand or more for a single shipping? Technically it's cheap since it's international shipping but my thriftiness kicks in so I sum all my courage and forget the word "shyness" and asked my friend whose in Dallas if she could purchase these items for me. She will be visiting Manila on April so it's a perfect timing though I have to wait 3 more months  but that's okay since I'm not in a rush.

Last January 9, she sent me a twit pic of this:

(L-R: Tropical Carnival Lotion Trio, Japanese Cherry Blossom Gift Set, Anti-bacterial Pocket bac)

Yes! She finally got the items that I specifically asked! I thought that she will never get the Cherry Blossom gift set since she told me that in BBW store (the one in Dallas) they are sold out. She's refraining from purchasing online due to the delivery charges and tax but I guess situation like this can't be helped. After all it's a big sale!

I can't wait for April to arrive. Aside from a Holy week which means no work for me, I will finally get my hands on these items. If only I have a relative in the States I can make a business out of these store sales in the US.

Before I forgot, some items are still on sale in Bath and Body Works so do check their website.

NCAA Tickets and More

It's basketball season again! There's PBA (local professioanl basketball league here in Manila), NBA (which is the professional US basketball league and by far the most popular in the world) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association. It is obvious on the name itself that it is composed of different colleges and universities in US and Canada).

I'm not that much familiar in NCAA since I'm into NBA. I have a few friends in the States who are a fan of this league. They even gushed how Ticketamerica.com has tickets for NCAA teams like the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Maryland Terrapins and seating charts for Miami Hurricanes maps, directions, and more. They even gave me these links to get me all hype up:
georgia tech yellow jackets mens basketball tickets
maryland terrapins mens basketball tickets
miami hurricanes mens basketball tickets

Too bad my heart is still set in NBA. I'm a huge fan of Chicago Bulls during Jordan era then LA Lakers because of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Now, I'm swayed by Miami Heat because of their coach who is a Fil-Am.

Something's Brewing.....

Pardon me but I will be mysterious on this post. So mysterious that I will only leave you a quote...

CHOICES, CHANCES and CHANGES are the basic reminders in life....

We need to make a choice to take a chance or else our life will never change.

Apple's Red Friday Sale

Hear ye! Hear ye! Today, January 6, 2012 Apple online stores will have a one-day sale dubbed as RED FRIDAY. This is to celebrate the Year of the Dragon so Apple customers in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines can enjoy the amazing deals on Apple products and accessories being sold online.

As to how much is the discount, that I don't know but feel free to check out their website and see it for yourself :)

I'm going to pass on this one though since I have other priorities for this year and owning an Apple gadget is not on the list. But for those who wants to reward themselves for being a good girl and boy last year, this is an answered prayer.

I've Been Charmed!

I forgot to share this since holidays can be so hectic especially if you have a lot of things to accomplished like the shopping list, the parties, the reunions, the gimmicks, etc.

I'm just so proud to share that my Christmas wishlist in our exchange gift in the office was given to me. I'm lucky that my "Santa" has been a friend of mine in the short span of knowing her (a  month to be specific).

thanks girl! you have no idea how happy I am that you've granted my wish

So what's inside that small paper bag....here it is:

Charm Pocket Brush Set

I saw this lovely set in Flair Candy's blog and I told myself that I need to have one! I'm a late bloomer when it comes to make-up so only in my late twenties that I appreciate cosmetics and vanity...hehehehe.

Initially I thought of buying it once I got my first salary but good thing we have an exchange gift in the office and you can write down your wishlist. Problem solved. 

To purchase it, you need to visit this online shop -> Beauty and Minerals. The set costs Php 500 and it's free shipping anywhere in the Philippines.

(picture borrowed from Beauty and Minerals website)

Featuring five basic brushes that has dual functions :

(1) Powder Brush - can be used as powder brush, and blush brush

(2) Big Eyeshadow Brush - can be used as eyeshadow applicator or concealer brush for undereyes

(3) Angled Eyeliner Brush - can be used to shade and shape the eyebrows and apply eyeliner

(4) Lip Brush - can be used to apply lipstick or be used to spot conceal blemishes

(5) Brow Comb - allows you to sweep your brows in one, uniform direction as you need to have neat brows all of the time! It also lets you blend your eyebrow color.

~brushes description from Beauty and Minerals ~

My take:
So far I've only used the Powder Brush and the Big Eyeshadow Brush but I loved how the brushes glide in my skin. It's soft and non-irritating. And the best part, it does the work like other make-up brushes. Mineral powder looks good on my face and so does the blush powder (I'm using the big eyeshadow brush for my blush...hehehehe.) It's amazing and unbelievable. Other reviews about this pocket brush set are right, it is small (compact) but terrible in a good way.

I've tried a brush that comes with a mineral powder from a known brand and it's scratchy against my face. After I've used the brush I can feel my skin getting tingly that I'm fighting the urge to scratch it to avoid redness in my face.

I'm so going to treasure this set. For make-up lovers out there, you won't regret getting this as part of your vanity/ girly (kikay) stash.

Testing

I'm not sure if this will work since this is my first time blogging on my Blackberry. It would be a relief if this post will appear on my blog then it means that I can be able to update and post entries while I'm at work. Cool! I didn't dare tried blogging using the office laptop as I'm afraid that they will be able to view my blog and it will be registered in their servers. That will be scary!

After this trial post I'm going to ask a friend of mine to view my blog and check with her if she can see this ;)

Let's see now....

UPDATE:
It's working! I can finally blog using my BB! Yehey! Now I can update this blog just like before (2008-2009). My blog will be pleased with me.

Thanks to my dear friend Jazzy for taking the time to check my blog. Good thing she's at home and on vacation. Adore her to bits! Mwah!

Year of the Water Dragon

2012 is here!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you had a wonderful time celebrating this occasion with your friends and loved ones. As for me, I always spend the new year with my family with occasional visits to hubby's relatives.

2011 has been a roller coaster ride and there are some unfortunate circumstances that tested my patience and how to handle them. It was a tough year that I almost gave up but with the help of my reliable friends and family I was able to get through so I'm hoping that this year will be a good start for me or should I say for all of us.

It doesn't hurt to know what the chinese horoscope say about my fate for this year so pardon me if i'm going to post this:

For Monkey, the year 2012 will be very productive, he will gladly flow into the high pace of work, and will feel at ease in the most intense affairs of 2012. Monkey skillfully using problems as a chance to show all his talents, will show himself in a team. He is optimistic, never discouraged, and even after defeat when other zodiac signs may retreat before difficulties, the Monkey will feel fine, and break forward, despite defeat. 

The year 2012 of the Black Water Dragon will be good for learning, Monkey can take a specialization, or start learning a new profession. A representative of this zodiac sign should always learn something new. An interest in something unknown and unusual will lead him the way even more than ambitious intentions or ambitions. Impulsiveness, a desire to jump through many things at once can hinder Monkey in business because under such activities, he may not see a lot of problems and his own mistakes. The Monkey will not do anything if he doesn't see personal benefits in it, but in 2012 he should also think about those people who work with him. Charity, feasible assistance to the needy will not only melt his proud heart but also help him to communicate with others. Having received good social connections and authority, Monkey may achieve much more in life, and even enter into a better, new orbit of his life, much more successful and faster than the rest of the zodiac signs. Due to the fact that with all impulsiveness, Monkey is still quite cautious, and would not let go of one branch until he grabs another more solid one. His status and financial well-being will not be exposed to all-out risk, his wisdom and foresight will not allow him stake and lose everything. In early 2012, Monkey will work to lifting his strength, he would have to correct all past mistakes and problems. In the first months of 2012, Monkey should demand for a new, well-deserved position and salary increase, and if he wants - even change his job. In the spring of 2012, a representative of this zodiac sign should be more attentive to their surroundings, not provoke conflict and tension in the team. Now, there is no need to force things, he needs to be patient and perform even the most boring and routine work. This is an instructive time, which would give much for Monkey's future, and most importantly - not lose interest to work. In summer, Monkey will establish new partnerships, conclude contracts and conduct negotiations. This is quite an intense period of time, and a representative of this zodiac sign will be able to show his best side at work. In autumn 2012, Monkey can begin serious work on launching new projects, this is no time for rest and relaxation - great affairs lie ahead, and so, he should concentrate on the main things, be focused at work and become more serious. 


Source: http://www.gotohoroscope.com/2012/chinese-2012-horoscope-monkey.html

I still believe that our fate lies in our hands so I made a vow this year that I will make myself better and take action to secure myself and my family a better future.