Facial Clay Masks

I've been experimenting on different clay masks brands and so far, I've tried 3 types:

- Kaolin (China) Clay (Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque)
- French Green Clay (Burt's Bees Pore Refining Mask)
- Bentonite Clay (Aztec Secret)

So far, my favorite is the French Green Clay Mask from Burt's Bees (and it's the most expensive). According to this site,

With its high mineral and nutrient content and micro molecules (which enhance absorption), French green clay powder is often used in skincare treatments such as facial masks and body packs at spas. Because it's very absorbent, it's especially good for oily skin. This clay tones, stimulates, and cleanses the pores.

I used to buy this from Beauty Bar but it has since been out of stock so I tried Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque from Healthy Options. I think this is best suitable for dry to normal skin as it does not remove oil as much as the french green clay. Its main ingredient on the other hand is Kaolin Clay which is,

A very mild clay that gently cleanses and exfoliates without drawing oil, making it perfect for sensitive skin types. At the same time, its astringent effect is suitable for normal to oily skin. In addition to clay masks, the fine, fluffy powder is used in body powders and deodorants, soap products, and body packs.

The cheapest of them is the Aztec Indian Healing Bentonite Clay as it's just Php 400+ from Healthy Options. My sister loves this product and I bought her one to take home to Singapore.

Also called fuller's clay, it has absorbing properties and can be used as an exfoliant as it draws out impurities from the skin.

My final verdict is to use the type of clay that best suits your skin type. My skin has since been a moody, shifting from oily to dry to normal depends on the weather so I would probably also change products depending on the mood of my face. I usually apply it once a week so it won't be too drying to the skin and I also read that it may be irritating to sensitive skin. Nonetheless, I love how refreshing it feels to the face after applying it.

For more information regarding other clay masks and their uses: http://www.frontiercoop.com/learn/claymasks.ph

Break the Loop!

I finally got to watch Looper, together with a "date" last Sunday. (Ayown eh!) We watched Skyfall and this movie. Ask me why I was so giddy to get out last weekend? Well, I just found out that my teammates at Sabre went to Dallas for training and will be in Krakow next year, barely two months after I resigned, so I wanted to chill and get my share of enjoyment for once! (Bitter mode! HAHA!)

Anyway, going back to Looper. The storyline was deserving of the positive response I've been hearing, definitely one-of-a-kind must-watch movie. I liked how the sequences of events tied up together, however still not up to par with the untouchable "Inception" on my list. The action sequences were mediocre and could have been better executed. I also thought something was lacking in the overall pacing of the movie, but still, it's really, really gooooood so nevermind my mumbling...

Sunday was a nice break from my routine \m/ and my date was nice, he told me that if I really couldn't stand staying in my old company, it's better to leave anyway, so who cares about Dallas? Anyhow, I am happy to be coding again since most of the work I had been doing at Sabre was checking log errors for the last months I was with them. I also am relieved to be working with my old pals at 77 :)

De La Salle University Professors --- Really Now?!?!

Did you really feel the need to comment about the RH bill? Please review the core values in your mission vision statement:

SERVICE (MORES)

DLSU is committed to being a resource for Church and Nation and being socially responsible in building a just, peaceful, stable and progressive Filipino nation.

If you want to comment as individuals, please do so without dragging the school's name along with it. I firmly believe for proper sanction from the school administration for these professors.

Perfect Symmetry

Keane's coming to the Philippines this October and I researched for some of their lesser known songs - and I came upon this one - I just loved the lyrics.

--------
Artist: Keane
Song: Perfect Symmetry
Lyrics:
I shake through the wreckage for signs of life
Scrolling through the paragraphs
Clicking through the photographs

I wish I could make sense of what we do
Burning down the capitols
Wisest of the animals

Who are you, what are you living for
Tooth for tooth, maybe we'll go one more

This life, is lived in perfect symmetry
What I do, that will be done to me

Write page after page of analysis
Looking for the final score
We're no closer than we were before

Who are you, what are you fighting for
Holy truth, brother I choose this mortal life
Lived in perfect symmetry

What I do, that will be done to me
As the needle, slips into the run out groove
Love, maybe you feel it too

And maybe you find, life is unkind
And over so soon
There is no golden gate
There's no heaven waiting for you

Oh boy you otta leave this town
Get out while you can
The needle's running out
The voices in the streets you love
Everything is better when you hear that shout
Woooaohhh
Woooaohhh
Woooaohhh

Spineless dreamers, hide in churches
Pieces of pieces of rush hour buses
I dream in emails, worn out phrases
Mile after mile of just empty pages

Wrap yourself around me
Wrap yourself around me

As the needle, slips into the run out groove
Maybe I'll feel it too
Maybe you'll feel it too
Maybe you'll feel it too
Maybe you'll feel it too

I dream in emails, worn out phrases
Mile after mile of just empty pages

Desigual

I am fascinated with prints these days and I saw this brand Desigual while browsing in FB. They sell these nice printed dresses... I just wanted to post :)

Untold Pinoy Stories

I chanced upon this blog and been reading some interesting stories of Pinoy celebrities, heroes, and politicians. Loved his writing style, also the intrigues and histories behind some of the most famous names in show business! Must read for all tsismosos and tsismosas out there! :)

Robin Scherbatsky and I

I've just finished the whole seven seasons of How I Met Your Mother and I think a lot would kill me for this, but I love Robin Scherbatsky! Somehow I find myself relating to her character, aside from being absolutely gorgeous (jk!), we share a common insight on parenting: we don't like to have children.

I will be judged when I say this, but I don't like my parents. I love them, but I don't like them. They provided me everything that I needed growing up. However, they also think they own me and they never hesitated to make that a known fact - that parents own their children and they can do whatever they want with them. Robin shared the same history, with her dad naming her as his "junior" despite obviously being a girl.

Thinking about it, I know where Robin's fear of having children stems from:
- the idea that she herself would become the controlling parent that her father is;
- that her father would also claim ownership to her son/daughter, being the "root" of the tree;
- that her tomboyish nature won't ever fit as a maternal figure; and
- that she never felt that having a family was her source of her happiness.

Of course, there's the whole idea of taking care of another one's life and being responsible for it, knowing that she herself cannot put herself together well enough, which, I also think is caused by her parent's disapproval of her.

During the past seven seasons though, a lot of other ideas came to play for Robin: Lily and Marshall's new family, Ted's determination to find "the one", and her undeniable chemistry with Barney. All her life, she knew she didn't want to have a family yet when she found out that she can't have children, she just wasn't as sure anymore. J.K. Rowling once said in her speech, "There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you." and here is where Robin is having a hard time with. The thought of turning her life around is tempting, but she's scared that she won't make it work and is having second thoughts about leaving her past ideals behind.

Anyway, I am looking forward to how this series would end, it captures a lot of informative twenty-first century psychoanalysis for the mid-20's and early 30's working class and how they cope up with relationship, career, and societal issues in their lives. And yeah, I love Barney, he's Awesome! :D

P.S. Yep, nag-away nanaman kame ng nanay ko, thus, this blog entry.. XD

Diosdado "Dado" Banatao, Father of Semiconductor

Been reading and researching about Diosdado "Dado" Banatao since watching his Bottomline interview with Boy Abunda last Saturday. He's said to be the Father of Semiconductor and the Filipino Bill Gates, a multi-billionaire Filipino technopreneur in Silicon Valley. Despite of his low profile, he's rumored to be even richer than Henry Sy or Lucio Tan. His life story and philosophy is really inspiring, having described working for Meralco "not exciting enough" and "didn't pay much" for a hard job as an engineer when he was offered a job there as a newly grad in Mapua. What I loved most was his dedication to learning and humility to serve and help the poor. He says that education is the key to poverty eradication, and because of that, one of his philanthropic efforts is to send poor engineering students to college. Indeed, he's a true Filipino we should all be proud of. :)

Cute looks from HauteLook..

Another website I've been checking out is http://www.hautelook.com. Whenever I'm buying a new dress for a wedding, I find myself sticking to the same styles over and over. I found some nice looks that might give me more ideas on what to look for next time:

I just love the first look, it's at $98.00 $245, from Eva Franco, her designs are just divine. This is from her Summer 2011 collection. Check out at http://shop.evafranco.com. I wonder if it would fit me well? Hmm..

... is that the same dress?!?.. maybe it's the first model, not the dress, I like after all.. XD

Some cute dresses from Pixie Market I want to have.....

Cute print & design. Darn, I also want the shoes! Can you make them my size?

They call this "Tulip dress". Nice silhouette, isn't it?

I've been wanting to have an asymmetrical or mullet type skirt, thinking if I could pull this one off.. hmm

For more dresses, visit http://www.pixiemarket.com

Just one thing, I think their models are way too thin.. and a lot of dresses seems to just look good because they are the ones wearing them! hahaha. But I like their designs. I've been seeing some ads on facebook and I can't help but to browse them from time to time. I wish I can buy some new dresses from there, if they just weren't so expensive.. sigh. :-|

Holy Week Silent Retreat at Tahilan Study Center

So I attended a silent retreat at Tahilan Study Center last April 5 to 7 and guess what? I've had my first communion, meaning I have to make myself to do confessions every month! :P I am such a crybaby these days, I cried during the mass, I dunno why :'( just too many frustrations in my life right now, I guess. I'm blaming all the 2012 wedding celebrations! LOL.

Anyway, I attended several talks during the retreat. One of which is about the nine human virtues, or good habits that builds character in us. Is it just me or I haven't heard of these before?
[1. Prudence
2. Justice
3. Temperance
4. Fortitude]*
5. Fraternity
6. Loyalty
7. Cheerfulness
8. Order
9. Poverty

*four Cardinal virtues

I listed down four virtues I really have to work on. (1) Temperance; (2) Fortitude; (3) Order; (4) Cheerfulness. Sometimes I feel my job brings out the worst in my virtues. Sigh, Or is it just me again? Hmm..

Looking at the things I jot down in my journal during the retreat:
(1) To contain my temper when I feel like shouting/ don't know what to do with my tasks;
(2) Less facebook time, study when I have time and learn more about technologies to be more up to date;
(3) To organize my time, money, and relationships better; and
(4) Be happy even with setbacks.

I cannot help but lack concentration :( My mind is fixated on some things I couldn't fix, and it's ridiculous :/ Can't help but just try new things that might get focus back. :/

Btw, I enrolled in swimming lessons at Ace Water Spa! :D I do hope I learn to swim. I'm excited!

EDIT: my daily message from God, how coincidental, right ;)

Just Ain't Gonna Work Out

.. been listening to this since yesterday (c/o Vince's recommendation Mayer Hawthorne, ganda ng falsetto noh?).. now that's a nice song to sing when you want to break up with your bf/gf. haha :)

Brands I Love

Shopping is every woman's therapy after a week-long battle at the office. We all want to pamper ourselves, and with all the products out there to help us to solve our simple problems ranging from personal to household must-haves, being brand-conscious up to a certain degree is a prerequisite to being a smart shopper.

I personally just got into shopping a few years back when I got to earn my own money to spend. In fact, I only had my Body Shop, Healthy Options, and SM advantage card last year. In line with that, I just want to share some of the products I find these days that I just cannot live without:

Skincare:
- Cetaphil mild cleanser
- Jason tea tree oil, shampoo and conditioner (from Healthy Options)
- Burt Bee's pore minimizing green clay mask (from Beauty Bar)
- S.O.S. Clindamycin Phosphate for pimples
- Body Shop shower gel
- Modess Cottony Soft sanitary napkins
- VMV powder & foundation
- Bioessence rejuvenating toner, scar reducing cream, and sunblock gel
- Gatsby oil control film

Clothes (Big sizes)
- ForMe pants (fits well for my size)
- Wacoal or Marks & Spencer underwear
- Payless shoes & socks (the ONLY place I can buy shoes my size)

Services:
- Freshaire salon for my hair dyeing needs (allows me to color only the regrowth of my hair)

My shopping philosophy is to splurge on the basics for skincare, healthcare and food and do away with the unnecesarry expenses like movies, bags, accessories, and trinkets. Maybe if I earn more and if ever I live on my own the next few years, I'll add some household and kitchen brands on this list as well :)

Centennial Bonus

So, I only got my first pay for my teaching stint and guess what? I have a centennial bonus! I haven't been given ANY bonus by ANY company I've been with so this has made me really happy! Php 5,000, no sweat, would you believe it? Just my luck, out of all the semesters I chanced to work for La Salle, I get to work during the centennial celebration!

Wow, this could be a good sign I should continue on my teaching....

ODesk..

Working from home these past few days made me think if I can do well as a freelancer? Hmm.. I really want to have more sources of income.. https://www.odesk.com/

Btw, is that Maja Salvador in the oDesk website?

Valentine's Activity at Sabre

I just received an email.. it reads:

---

Hi All,

In behalf of GTT, I would like to seek for your volunteering hearts to participate on our valentines activity this coming Monday, 13th of February. The mechanics of the activity is as follows,

1. Each pair is given a money box which they will use to collect votes from others.
2. P1 is equivalent to 1 vote.
3. The highest earner will win a prize c/o GTT.
4. The lowest is given a consequence which will only be announce on the date of activity.

Please use the voting buttons above to give your consent. The pairings are chosen/voted by your co-employee and does not imply any romantic affair.

Take note that the proceeds of this activity will be given to Sabre’s chosen charity.

---

Okay. Ipapartner n lang ako, dun pa sa may asawa! Basta lang makakita ng matangkad! At ayus, may pangongonsensya pa sa dulo. :P Hays.. anlapit lng ng gus2 kong ipartner sken noh...!! hahaha XD

EDIT: Mr & Ms. Valentine teaser:

Scribe Writing Essentials, Eastwood Mall

I saw this really nice craft store at eastwood mall that sells calligraphy pens! My problem is that I was already eyeing at Speedball. >.< They have these "cheap" calligraphy pens for ~Php 1,500 with 3-4 different type of nibs. Wala lang ngang instructions kagaya ng Speedball. I even saw chinese painting brushes :P~ There were also some antique-looking expensive ones. ganda! but.. i might go back if I don't see what I'm looking for :)