"Bah! Humbug!"

The end of the year hasn't been very good, and I'm not in the festive mood.

I've started nurturing a philosophy in 2012. Basically it is summarized as Eliminate Materialism; Counterculture. But since I'm incrementally embracing the philosophy and lifestyle, my former paradigm is being shaken, got me torn on which path to take - which seemed to be transpiring one after another. I'm in the process of taking risks; in the many facets of my life. All the limbo feeling has got me edgy. I don't know what will happen next. The philosophy is the only reason the waves haven't had me going ballistic yet.

All this apathy... and getting pissed off. You know how they say never underestimate someone's feelings? I could use some of that right now. No one knows how's anyone has suffered really. Some people hide it better than others. When that happen to other people, I just leave them alone and don't bombard them with accusations. I don't tell them they're fucked up and that they're overreacting. I just let them be and sort their shit out (though sorting your shit out publicly - eherm... in facebook, all details included - is a different thing; by doing so you are making your shit available for public consumption; thus undersolicited advice and ridicule).

I have something to say. Though I chose not to tell anyone of you. I'd rather shut up and be stoic about it. I don't need anyone to listen and empathize either, I know I alone can figure it out, resolve it. I won't give you details or hints. I don't need to apologize if I don't feel like celebrating like the rest of you. So yeah! Bah! Humbug to you.

Bad News

This year can't get any crazier. From my last post to today, bad news and negativity churn out one after another. I guess adulthood is finally sinking in. I hope it gets better next year. No more bad news.

Hello there, December

It's the last month of the year. 2012 was a crazy year. Ups and downs, flips, peaks, valleys and plateaus. The year is ending, let's wish for enough.

WIW: Spring Boots

Some of you might have known about Bella - my winter boots, but I just bought spring boots (lakas maka-four-seasons sa 'Pinas). I don't have a name for her yet, maybe I should call her Saab (after Saab Magalona who like wearing 'em boots as well). I've been looking for DMs combat boots for the longest time but just find it abso-fuckin-lutely pricey, so when I saw this rip-off-slash-look4less version in Janilyn, I didn't think much and just bought it.

Outbreak Zombie Run T-shirt, denim cut-offs, Janilyn DMs-rip-offs in blue floral,  Jansport travel tote and Absolute drinking water

Original Doc Marten's: PhP 7,000 (+/-)
THESE: PhP 1,695

I can buy 4 pairs (which happened to be the number of designs these boots actually have) with the price of one Original DMs pair. Booyeah. Or I can just buy one of it and spend the rest on Christmas gifts... ;P

Dropbox

I used Dropbox before mainly for work, but since I just bought a tablet, which I plan to use to watch movies, TV shows and check my personal and work files on the go, I have decided to create a personal Dropbox account which shall sync my laptop, office desktop, my phone and my tablet. I also plan to use it to share the TV shows and movies with my friends. :)

Three

I've been monitoring a lump in my left breast for roughly 4 years now. Every 6 months or so, I got get a breast ultrasound procedure to check changes and additional growths, if ever. I felt my first lump around 2008, it is in the 8 o'clock position of my left breast.

I had an ultrasound and mammogram last 23rd of October in the Medicard Lifestyle Center in Paseo de Roxas Makati after seeing my Facebook feed with THIS.

Anywho, I just got the results today because I am a lazy sloth when it comes to going out of the house.

The mammogram said that I had extremely dense breast parenchymae. That translates to my breasts are made up of useful tissues, glands and muscles and not useless fats, but it also mean that I have higher risk of breast cancer. Yes, apparently, non-saggy breasts = cancer risk. I can  look so pretty in dresses but I might be really rotting inside (forgive my morbid sense of humor, I'm not scared, I just find the irony in things hilarious).

There are now two lumps, another was found in the 9 o'clock position of my left breast. The mammogram did not spot this, the ultrasound did. The lumps are benign though, the ultrasound suggests.

Now let me lecture you about the BIRADS system. BI-RADS = breast imaging reporting and data system. The BIRADS system is rated from 0-6 and I was classified as tier 3 in it, and that means:

Category 3. Probably Benign

With BI-RADS category 3, a follow-up of 6 months is usually recommended. On the breast cancer screening mammogram there may be a finding of some kind, but the lesion is non-palpable. Findings typical of this category include:Clusters of tiny calcifications if round or oval Non-calcified solid nodules (no size limitation but non palpable), round, ovoid, well-defined,Selected focal asymmetric areas of fibroglandular density (not palpable): This might include concave-outward defined margins, interspersed with fat and without central increased fibular density on two projections.Miscellaneous focal findings, such as a dilated duct, or post biopsy architectural distortion without central densityGeneralized distribution in both breasts. For example, multiple similar lesions with tiny calcifications or nodules distributed randomly In some scenerios a percutaneous biopsy might be considered,even with category 3. For example, extreme patient anxiety, or plans for pregnancy, plans for breast augmentation or reduction surgery, or if synchronous carcinoma is present.

http://www.breast-cancer.ca/screening/bi-rads.htm   

So yeah, I'm in the midscale. One tier higher and the next will suggest suspicious finding, for biopsy, malignancy considered. Two tiers and it's cancer.

Some of you might send out prayers and messages of hope with this news, allow me to stop you from doing so. I am not scared of it. I am not dying. I am just aware.

It's good that I take precautionary check ups like this. It's weird to hear women my age who are surprised to know that I've been getting routine procedures for female health concerns since I was 21. I am glad I've been exposed to shit like this earlier than the rest, while this might scare the hell out of some people, I'm informed way earlier than them. Awareness and education makes me feel empowered. Visit an OB GYN or any medical practitioner (if you are feeling discomfort and/or having problems in other areas of your health) you can get your hands on.

I hope other women will do the same too. YES TO RH BILL.Women need to take care of their bodies.

My Free Firmoo Eyeglasses

I blogged about Firmoo a few days ago and how I like their virtual eyeglasses fitting tool and have plans of ordering one online. They have finally arrived! So yeah, to anyone who's still skeptical: this is not a drill, it's for realz. They arrived yesterday via EMS shipping, it is a Chinese shipping company.

To ensure its members that their online optical store is not a scam, you can track the status of your order and package online. You can see your order being processed to shipping in your Firmoo account.

And when they're done shipping, you can track your package in the EMS website.

It took exactly 9 days from the day I ordered for me to receive the package. 4 days were spent with Firmoo making sure I get the correct product and the next 5 days transporting it from China to our house. The first item you purchase is on them, so I just paid for the shipping fee which is roughly PhP800 (I used the coupon code FIRMOOFREE). When the EMS delivery man arrived at our doorstep, he asked for PhP40 for taxes/postal fee and what not, which my dad happily paid for me.

Here's some pictures of the eyeglasses I bought.

In the package: black hard case, duffel case, tiny screw driver...

...extra pair of screws, eyeglasses and a lens-cleaner cloth.

I love the fact that they're thoughtful enough to include in the tiny screwdriver and screws because repair for lost screws are mighty jacked up here in Manila. Why pay when you can do it yourself?! I also have a history of improvising and replacing lost screwdrivers with needles and sealing it shut on both ends with clear nail polish. So for the DIY buff that I am, this is good.

The eyeglasses I ordered is product number SD2266. I ordered one without prescription because the cost of the photochromic lens (add-on fee, only the basic frame and basic Rx or non-Rx lens free) I wanted to get is a little higher for them versus EO prices (about PhP100 higher, plus I'm afraid that if the price of the item I ordered will be higher, then the customs/postal tax/fee - which I assumed is computed in percentage of the item purchased, will be higher too) and I don't know how to ensure that I get the correct prescription with all my vision abnormalities, just don't wanna deal with returning the package to them to have it corrected if I ordered the wrong prescription and wait again for the exchanged product. BTW, yes they do refunds and exchanges within 3 days upon receipt of package.

So there, whatyawaitinfor? If you're bordering blindness like me, or just think wearing eyeglasses is all the rage because of all the geek-chic hysteria, go to Firmoo now.

Lomo: 121112

Took these shots using FujiChrome 64T loaded on La Sardina. My first slide film attempt. Pretty cool, I say. I'm definitely buying more slide films, so much fun working with it.

I bought the tungsten film from Snapnook, together with the cable release which I used in the longX shots of Edsa.Out of all the Lomo-sellers Ive contacted, Snapnook has got to be the fastest to deal with, expect answers to inquiries within hours, and your products in your doorstep the very next day when the order is placed. I love that shop. Apart from Lomo-related-stuff, they also sell vinyls, and just confirmed turntables when I inquired on their multiply shop. I am looking to getting a turntable soon too.

Anywhoo, without further adieu, here's my 64T shots.

Tungsten burn

Yeti feet

Two-headed Myk monster

C5 at 7AM

Edsa at night

Cars, trains and road lighsthow

Pepsi Pogi, the Hulk

Gurlfriends

Chips and booze

Gas prices

Sevuhn eluhvihn

Gurrrlllsss

Shyn. Adey.

Plane

KIDS: Kassy, Kevin and Karlo

Valle Verde

Munchkins

Skydome ceiling on face paint

And oh, let me leave you with THIS, my peg home.

WIW: 121109

Wearing a dress I got from Chic de Soleil  (which is my classmate's sister's online shop) for PhP300 and red ballet flats which I got from SM Department store for 2 for PhP399 (which makes it PhP200 apiece). El cheapo. Watch me do cutesy-patootsey in 3, 2...

Hey girl, whatchadoiiin? Hey girl, where ya goiinn?

I don't accesorize because my sweat can turn gold and silver to coal, and I end up looking like I cut my wrists and neck. Eyeglasses are Rx for my less-than-pefect vision, -150, -175 with astigmatism among others.

Slathered on my face is Fashion21 Perfect Stick in Milk Tea to cover the luggages, NYX HD Grinding Blush in Georgia Peach to create that fake virginal blush, EOS Sphere Balm in Tangerine under NYX Round Lipstick in Snow White for the rouge puckers, NYX Eyebrow Poweder in Ash, Maybelline Cat Eyes Mascara and NYX Waterproof Eyeliner in Black Sparkle for the Bambi eyes; and Johnson's pressed powder to finish (so far, only pressed powder that doesn't cause breakouts),

Wore this to the office. Ultra-comfy. I rarely do this so I'm not sure what else do I need to say to make this post-pseudo-fashion-slash-beauty-blog-ish. Watebs. That's just pretty much it. Ktnxbye.

Pet Peeve: 121109

Liking your own status update or picture... and saying "Thanks" to literally everyone who liked it too.

and... 'Friends' who like each other's posts as if it is an obligation (I mean EVERY.FUCKIN.POST) and even remind each other to like each other's post.

What's up with that?! Ohmylourddd!

¡Viva España!

I've always been fond of cooking shows even back in grade school. I remember watching the Del Monte Kitchenomics segment in Eat Bulaga with Toni Rose Gayda and Chef Sandy Daza, then when we had cable, I was all about Rachel Ray's 30-Minute Meals and Giada DeLaurenti's Everyday Italian.

I started cooking around college, and boosted when I got married. Too bad there are some ingredients that are just difficult to find, even in large and 'posh' supermarkets like Rustan's. So when I saw a super rustic Spanish food-slash-market-place just behind my office building, I was ecstatic. The place is called Terry's Selection Gourmet Store. Apparently, apart from the deli, there's a restaurant upstairs. A friend brought me there and I just had to take pictures with jars upon jars upon jars of preserves, herbs, salsa and what-not. There were cheeses that I have been searching for so, prime meat cuts, wines kept in wine-cellar-shelvings, sardines in vintage-looking sardine cans. Oooh, it was heaven.

Anywho, let me leave you with this...

Lakas maka-España,no?

Badet even had to wrap a scarf for the Euro-vibe.

Terry's selection is in Karivin Plaza, Bldg. B, 2316 Pasong Tamo Ext.

Pet Peeve: 121105

People who, out of nowhere - suddenly, becomes clingy, compliment-y, giggly and chatty with you. I don't do charity kindness and ass kissing. Puh-leese.

My eyes just get big and round... and can't wait to get out of that scenario, pronto.

Eyeglasses? Get it FREE

I've been exposed to Firmoo because of a schoolmate who blogged about it. Firmoo first invited bloggers to get free Firmoo eye/sunglasses. I joined a contest on her blog - which I did not win :(

Now, months after that certain blog giveaway, I am looking at getting new prescription glasses. Honestly, I am having a really bad time looking for frames that I love. So I thought of googling Firmoo, remembering how they have a virtual app that can fit different frames to your face (believe me, fitting frames in an optical store can get reallllllyyyyyy frustrating), I did the fitting before but I was just not interested in buying yet so I just decided to forget about it.  But now that I really need it, I am putting it to good use.

Here's a screencap of the virtual eyeglass fitting.

Which looks good?

You may observe my fondness for Wayfarer and Clubmaster. Then I saw an announcement that Firmoo will send you your first pair of eyeglasses for free by redeeming the FIRMOOFREE coupon (Yes, EVEN in the Philippines). How amazeballs is that? So I did. I ordered and I just needed to pay for the shipping fee. You can give them your prescription and all and have your eyeglass done specifically based on your Rx. If you want polarized lens, photochrome, etc., you can request for that for additional fee (only the basic frame and lens are free).

Since I have a really messed up vision, I just ordered the glasses with the non-Rx lens and will just bring the frame to the local optical store to have it fitted specifically to my needs with transition lenses.

Wanna go get your hands on free eyeglasses too? Go to Firmoo!

Pet Peeve: 121101

I hate people who claim that something (e.g. expression, slang-term, idea) is theirs when you know for a fact, as you were there when it was coined/brainstormed/researched/discovered, that it is NOT theirs; worse, it's yours -- and you have shitload of proof that it's yours.

Major eyeroll.

Pet Peeve: 121031

I've decided that I will post any random pet peeve to record everything that I hate or annoy the living hell outta me.

For today: I hate people who post religious-praise-worship shit online.

Copies

There's something about writing effective status updates. I don't know what it is. Perhaps, conviction. But whatever that is, someone seemed not to have it... and I really wish she's got it so she can express her love for her child more effectively to the public. It's just so painful to read her posts. Ohmylourd, make it stop.

Facebook is your personal ad, make it snappy.

Lomo: 121031

Pics taken using La Sardina on Expired DNP Centuria ASA 400 Film.

The whole 3D thing

Bardagul <3 Potchie

Doppelgänger

Aeroplane track

Morning

Guitarman

Sun

Two Bardies

Ma

Sikreto

May gusto akong itanong sa'yo... anong nangyari? Ang saya natin nuon. Ang kyut natin. Akala nila, tayo, o kung hindi man, magiging tayo in time. Ok ka naman, mga kartada ocho yung buong pagkatao mo.

Hinihintay kita nuon. Bilang babae, sabi ko, may hangganan ang kaya kong gawin, yung iba ikaw na dapat ang kumilos. Kaso, ang bagal mo, o baka, hindi mo naman talaga ako gusto. E hindi ko alam pero nagmamadali ako nuon. Bumagsak tuloy ako sa gago. Iniyakan pa kita nung nagkahiwalay kami. Nakinig ka, nagbigay ng payo. Pero sa gitna ng pag-iyak ko, iniisip ko noon, ikaw kasi... kung me ginawa ka agad, edi hindi ka naunahan, edi sana di kita tinatawagan para umiyak. Edi sana masaya tayong dalawa.

Pero kung naging tayo, magiging kami kaya. Kami na ngayon, mahal na mahal ko sya. Sobrang saya ko sa kanya. Lumamang lang sya sayo ng bahagya sa muka, sa tikas ng katawan at sa kakayahang magpasensya sa'kin.. Pero aaminin ko, lamang ka talaga sa talino.

Wag mong isipin na mahal kita. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung minahal kita nuon o kinilig lang ako kasi ikaw lang ang lalaki (na pwede) na kilala ko, o kung nagustuhan mo man lang din ba ako o guni-guni lang yun ng birhen na utak ko. Pero hanggang ngayon, iniisip ko kung ano kaya kung nagpadala ako at nagbigay ng motibo, e lagi na naman kitang kasama nuon. Sumo-solo-time tayo. Maraming pwedeng mangyari kung gago talaga tayo. Pero napahanga mo din ako, kasi sa kabila ng dami ng pagkakataon na magkasama tayong dalawa lang, hindi ka nagsamantala. Ni-respeto mo ako, hanggang siko lang ang hawak mo pag tumatawid tayo sa malalapad na kalsada, at di maikakailang kinikilig ako sa mahigpit mong akbay pag sukob tayo sa payong.

Pero hanggang dun na lang talaga. Tuwing magkakausap tayo, gusto kong banggitin sayo, tanungin ka. Nagustuhan mo ba ako nuon? Kasi sinabi sakin ng kaibigan mo, gusto mo daw ako, ang verbatim nga "madly inlove". Konteng tulak na lang ba, aakapin mo na ako nung panahong inosenteng magkatabi tayo sa kama. Kund dumikit pa ng konte yung muka mo sa muka ko, hahalikan mo ba ako? O ako lang ang mejo patay na patay sa'yo?

Yun lang. Hindi ko mapigilan isipin kahit hanggang ngayon. Yung ano kaya kung ganun ang nangyari.

Lomo: 121024

When you live in Taguig and you wanna snap pics, you tend to think of BGC - it's our Central Park. Here's that one time I went to BHS for some lomo. Here's what happened...

Sky burn

Sky and palm trees in MX

Chicharones MX

The girl with LOTS of tattoo

Doggies

Hanging out with ze wolves

Trees, buildings, shadows, MX

My husband playing dead in the grass

Shots using La Sardina with Expired DNP Centuria ASA 400.

Kikay Loot: 121019

I bought make-up again. So addicting. Bought them from Digital Traincase again. After getting them, I played with them. Long story short, see photos below.

EOS sphere lipbalm in Tangerine and NYX waterproof eyeliner in Black Sparkle

I used these products to create this look, my halloween makeup idea, Black Swan.
Used the black sparkle eyeliner to create the black swan eyes with the help of brown eyeshadow. Lippie is NYX Round Lipstick in Fig, under which is EOS lipbalm

Kikay Loot: 121012

My NYX eyebrow cake powder in Dark Brown must retire so I went to my go-to-online-makeup-shop to check on new products. I also happened to be running low on blusher so I checked that as well. So I got these from Digital Traincase...

NYX HD Grinding Blush in Georgia Peach NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash (both bought from Digital Traincase) and Fashion 21 Perfect Stick in Milk Tea (bought from DepStore a week before)

I ordered the items Wednesday afternoon and by the time I went home Thursday (around 5 pm), my package were there already. Yes, that fast!

Look how nice the Grinding Blush is... it's like a pepper-grinder! You need to grind it so that fresh blushers come out when you need it and the rest isn't contaminated... :) And I love the Georgia Peach color, a good shift from my usual  hot-pink-tints.

Today, I have decided that I won't buy Nivea Fruity Shine nor Chapstick anymore and went to DT again and went hunting for lip balm... Just ordered today, hope to get it agad tomorrow :)

Post-Wedding Mileage 2

We were featured in the Pia Gladys Perey fan page. Woohoo.