One Sunday at Starbucks.

Last Sunday, before going to work, I decided to drop by Starbucks to get my usual coffee fix. Like always, Caramel Macchiato, hot. As I wait on the line I looked at the time and another more minute, I'm going late. But I don't care.. :)

Then here goes Mr. Barista..
-even before he could open his mouth and say anything, I hasten to say "Caramel Macchiato, hot".. kasi nga late na ako diba, kaya inunahan ko na..but this guy started me with some kind of a small talk..hay, o sige na nga, habang ginagawa yung kape ko...

Barista: "Maam, parang kilala kita.."
Karla: (medyo kinabahan ako..) "Talaga?..hmm.."
Barista: "Sa Libis po..around 3 years ago."
Karla: (((edi lalo naman akong kinabahan.. Libis?.. anong nangyari sa Libis?)))

I was a bit looking awkwardly because I cannot remember anything!

Barista: "Ako yung nasa Country Style dati. Dun ka laging nagbbreakfast after work"
Karla: "Ahhh.. oo nga.." (Then I suddenly remembered him as the guy who works in country style.. way back before when I was at IBM)

I kind of laughed at myself deep inside. Kabahan daw ba? Hehe.. But seriously, I was amazed with this guy. Really. Super Memory. As he gave me my coffee, I remembered he never asked for my name..(to put on the cup, of course) I just saw it right there, written: Carla. Wrong spelling, pero pwede na.. haha. In all fairness he even remembers my name!

Tsk,tsk.. pumapapak yata 'to ng Memo Plus Gold... :) I waved goodbye as I head out and he said, "Have a good day, Carla/Karla" -whichever.

Naks, nice accent.. pang call center si kuya.. hehe.

Heather Feather will be in my Heart Forever..

A few days from now, 8 days to be exact, Heather will go back to Utah and live her life just the way it was 2 months ago before she left and work temporarily here in the Philippines. I don't even want to think about her leaving. :( But days pass so fast, we hardly can tell and the only time we realize it's over is when it is -over.

Now I believe that friendship is really something that can change someone's heart. Before I met Heather, I always have this "weirdness" inside of me that I kept holding back because I know that no one will ever understand. In the meantime maybe, some may pretend that they do, but in the end of everything, they might always think that I am "not normal".

Not with Heather. We have the same wavelength. She taught me to care less of what others will think or say as long as I'm not doing anything wrong. I love my Filipino culture and I love my race. And I would love it even more if some of us will try to learn that there are things that we should stop giving attention to.. -like living a life from a set of standards created by people with a dogmatic rather than a conservative point of view.

I love her so much. It breaks my heart thinking I'll be coming to work but won't be seeing her pink mug elsewhere. I'll miss having lunch with her, as she would always ask "What's that?" or "What is this?", pertaining to the food usually served at the pantry. Oh how I'll miss her voice telling me how stupid I am not to take care of my escalations.. :) I will miss her to pieces. *sigh*

It's not right to have a heavy heart at this time. I have to make her last week of stay as happy as it could be. For I'll never know when will I get to see her again. How I wish to work my butt off like crazy so I'll be able to visit her someday there in her far away land and meet Dill and her grandma.

....let me end this one now before I even start crying.. :(

Taking a Deep Breath..

It's not "us" anymore. I admit, my heart is still aching thinking I have hurt him like I never imagined I could.

But everything will be better now. I know everything will be better.

Attitude Problem

Today, on a Sunday morning, I have an attitude problem. Well, I can't talk about what problem that is about my attitude for I am just too lazy to type and discuss how unpleasant I am to deal with today. Sometimes you really wake up at the wrong side of the bed and the next thing you'll know is that you piss off each and every person you are with. I don't know. I am not going to eat till I figure out and fix what's wrong with me.

Taylor Swift - Breathe ft. Colbie Caillat [Video]

I am loving this song right now... I don't know, I can't stop listening to this.. Everybody calls me the Dakilang Emo as of the moment but I simply don't care. This is such a very very beautiful song in my opinion.

Fashion21 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Ever since I started to learn how to put on make-up, I knew early as I should that an eyeliner makes such a big difference in eye make-up. Especially for "chinitas" like me. :) and sometimes on lazy days that I find it so lethargic on putting an eyeshadow, an eyeliner is fairly enough to enhance my eyes.

I have tried some liquid eyeliners available but none ever compared to the satisfaction that Fashion21 gives me.. --well, given the fact that this only costs around 150PHP.

Two thumbs up for:

*** The Consistency. I don't know for others, but I want my liquid eyeliner to be of thin consistency.

*** The Staying Power. Goodness! This eyeliner lasts on your lids in as long as you'd want it to. It won't even come off with soap and water so I remove this using Human Heart Nature Sunflower Seed Oil.

*** It doesn't smudge or create a crease in the lids and it dries up fast upon application.

*** It comes in a glass tube and that's a good thing because It won't dry up inside unlike the ones that come in plastic tubes.

Overall, I can't find anything I don't like with this eyeliner. This is simply my eye's bestfriend. :)

A Metaphor: The Pencilcase

Yesterday, I was able to see the old pencilcase that I have loved when I was 10 years old. It never changed to my surprise, and I realized that I liked it more now than I ever did before. After long 15 years, I never imagined I'd be able to see it again and that I'll be able to hold it again. I am just so happy, very very happy.. :)

Between You and Me

This is for you. If there's a perfect time for you to prove something, then do it now. It has been long and I guess we're just looking for things we need to grow up. I don't want to give up, but please give me more reasons -to not give up. I love you, and I certainly know that you do love me too. If there's one thing I hate doing, that is to ever hurt your feelings. So I'm trying hard. You better start thinking now because time is running so fast. So fast that we barely could see if there's still something left for us.

Cheap Thrills: Divi Buds (Ear buds bought from Divisoria)

What you see is a pack of ear buds (aka Q-tips) that I got from a trip to Divisoria. This costs only 10 pesos for two packs, way so much cheaper than Q-tips from Watsons. The difference is, the cotton tips come off easily from the stem, so NEVER use this for ear cleaning... ironic, but true, unless you want to have a bank of cotton tips inside your head.. :) For ear cleaning, I suggest Q-tips of higher quality, which of course you could get from drugstores.

So why the heck I ever bought these cheap buds?! Well, I can make use of these for a lot of reasons. I cut these into half and put them on a small jar making a couple of single ended buds that I use for:

SCOOPING PRODUCTS ON TUBS
My lip balm, moisturizer, and even the cold rub that I use does not always come on swivel packs or pump bottles. And since that I have longer nails (which I love to paint with nail color like crazy), it's always hard to get balms on tubs with bare hands without having the product get stuck under your fingernails. And using a "spatula" is also a hassle for me coz I'd have to clean it and wash it after every use, which I find a little time consuming for me. With these buds, all I'd have to do is toss it on the bin after using.

REMOVING NAIL POLISH STREAKS
I am not a pro in painting my nails. And more often that I get polish streaks at the sides of my fingers. I soak the tips on nail polish remover and carefully work my way on the streaks.

MAKE-UP AIDE
This is a must-have for every make-up enthusiast like me. :) These buds are a lot of help in perfecting eyeshadow applications, spot concealing, and many more. I find these in handy especially when I do make-up for my friends who get teary eyed when I "waterline" them. A bud near the tear duct solves the problem.

PET CARE
I have three dogs (creatures that I love to pieces!). And sometimes, like us humans, they wake up in the morning with what else?! -morning glory. Hehe... I use the buds to take those out. Yucky but cute.. :)

There are more than a hundred ways I could think of what use these buds can come up to. And for those hundred ways, I am just so glad that cheap cotton buds exist and in that case I won't have to think about the pain of spending more only for these little personal and household needs.

but then again.. NEVER USE THESE ON YOUR EARS. :) :) :)

NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Tone

This is my very first eyeshadow base. Right before getting this, I have been using an ordinary concealer to make my eyeshadow last a little longer. Since this is my first eyeshadow base, I really can't compare it to the others like UDPP or TFSI (which are super expensive in terms of moolah).

But then I can say that this just very similar to using plain concealer. I don't have oily lids so staying power is good. My eyeshadow lasts the whole day, and the colors show up better than using shadows alone. For P380, I can say that this will do the job for people with "normal" lids, not for the oily ones.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Still holding on...

I think I'm in one of the most uncertain points in my life where all I could wish for is a miracle. I know miracles are true and I just need to witness one now. Right before my very eyes.. I am perfectly fine but I feel sick.. and tired. Tired like never before.

But I'm not losing hope.. I am still believing.

Chocolate Bronzer?!!! Say what?!!

This is so perfect for those make-up enthusiast/chocolate lovers out there. Lets say, this can be an escape to the traditional make-up ways we do in everyday of our lives. I know what you're thinking of, coz that's exactly what I also first thought of.. Chocolate for bronzing?!! You gotta be kidding..

Well, as I try to shoo my boredom away in this laaazzzyyyyy holiday, I came to check the video blogs of Michelle Phan and here's what surprised me. Her attempt of trying out Swiss Miss as bronzer. I haven't tried this myself yet but mind you, I really am so interested... :) Bet ya Swiss Miss' gonna be in the top of my list once I get myself to the grocery..

I know, I know.. it's like "yuck.. this is going to be sticky I guess"... but according to Michelle, she tried to wear this bronzer/chocolate the whole day and -- no stickiness!! and best of all, those who have allergy issues about make-up components can finally wear chocolate!.. i mean.. bronzer.. :) One thing more, it wears out as a very subtle and natural shade you can wear during the day. But then I believe this may fail for night make-up looks which require a more dramatic finish.. well, let's find out...

Try checking her out and see her complete video and see what I'm actually trying to say here.. :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/MichellePhan?feature=chclk#p/u/5/4oGwBmV5w1Y

Laaazzzzzyyyyy Holiday

Walang pasok ngayon at talaga namang nakakatamad kumilos. Hmmm.. parang ang sarap matulog ng buong araw, sarap humilata at bawiin lahat ng mga nawalang pahinga.

Inuutusan ako ni mommy na pumunta ng bangko ngayon. Oo, sa ilalim ng napakinit na araw. Hay. As if may choice naman akong tumanggi diba.. pero talagang tinatamad ako.. aalis nalang ako pagkatapos kong magkape (at oo, ulit, kape sa napakainit na panahon). ganyan na nga siguro ako ka-adik sa kape.. nagkakape ako sa paniniwalang mababawasan nito ang katamaran kong kumilos ngayon. Hmp.

Winning The Battle Over Pimples

photo credit: www.kojiesan.com

I think September last year, I started to have pimples on my face. They started to show up one by one, making me worried day after day for I was never a pimple person even through the critical adolescent stage years and years ago. The only culprit I could remember was the mistake of trying to use a sunblock that was soooo incompatible with my face. That was the time I first experienced having what they call "cystic" pimples, those big, red and plump annoying bumps looking more like volcanoes around my face.

I am a natural soap convert from head to toe come early 2009, and up to now, I'm so loving the benefits I get with using natural soaps. But then with those pimples lurking in my face, I couldn't stand facing the mirror for long and I even started using mineral foundations just to cover up what seems to be the most annoying thing that ever happened to my face. I knew I needed something to stop the pimples from transforming my face into a devastated jack fruit, whether it may be natural or not, I just needed something to stop it.

I tried those pimple gels I've read and heard about, but goodness gracious! how I hoped I never bothered to. Yes, they were good at drying out pimples, but boy they have this common denominator of leaving you scar faced with the marks as remnants of your doomed face. What else to be happy about? Losing a pimple in exchange of a dark scar? Bummer.

Until one day I remember walking through Watson's and saw this soap. DEFENSIL ANTI PIMPLE SOAP. I have seen this soap long time ago on some magazine pages but I cared less for I never needed an anti-pimple before. But then having the heavy heart of seeing my face each time, I'd grasp whatever I see that comes with the "anti-pimple" promise.

Which happened to be the best thing I ever did for my case. From the first week of using Defensil, my pimples diminished in size and with continous usage, it completely healed my face. Just in time for my cousin's wedding last December, I bet no one would ever guess I had a battle with annoying pimples. Now I no longer have pimples on my face, not even a single one. I believe Defensil also helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads that leads to future breakouts thus, goodbye pimples for me! :)

I still continue my forever favorite natural soap in the morning and Defensil at night. This has been my simple face routine and I am happy to say I am now pimple-free.

(wasn't paid for, this is simply based on personal experience)

Moment ko 'to walang kokontra..

"Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you?
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me...


You belong with me
Have you ever thought just maybe
You belong with me?"

-taken from "You belong with me" by Taylor Swift

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!!! :)

Kung Hei Fat Choi!!! :) Today is Chinese New Year, and the Chinese Blood in me wants to greet you a very very very prosperous New Year!! May we all start everything with so much positivity and beauty! :)

Let's all roar for the year of the Tiger!

Most things are nicest when they are NEW..

Wow. I still have to let it sink in me that it's already 2010. In times like this, I really get so emotional that every puff of multicolored, enormous, beautiful display of firework could let me sob and cry. Cry because of mixed emotions. Emotions I could not even determine which is which. But I know I am more than happy embracing the new year together with my family.

I did not even bother to make a set of new year's resolution because I know I'd be cheating on it in one way or another. I just wanted to put my mind in perfect shape so I could start this year off the way I wanted to. I like this feeling. The feeling of having a new slate to start over with. It's like having a sense of renewal deep within. It's a challenge for me I'd say. Because 2010 is my "deadline". I really have to finish that thing now and all I know is that I'll do anything, whatever it takes, I just have to meet that deadline now. NOW. Not now in it's literal sense but soon. As soon as possible.

Anyway, I know I am not so much of a believer for Chinese Astrology (though I have Chinese blood in my system), but I always find it a bit of entertaining knowing what the "stars" have to say. So what I did was I searched for what's in store for my sign, and here's what I got:

From: http://www.horoscopezodiacsigns.com/chinese-horoscope/rat/index.html

"Many people may have the misconception that when the year 2010 has the same animal sign as Rat are, most likely their luck is going to be worse than usual. This is not the case for Rat this year. This year is going to be filled with good news and opportunities. This is a great time for Rat to transform their dreams into reality - to pursue the dream job, the dream position, the dream salary, the dream business etc. Do not feel that their dreams are out of reach as Rat will get the support, meet the right people and find the appropriate resources that can bring Rat to their goal. Keep their heart and mind open. Remember that no matter how good the stars align for Rat, Rat still have to do their part in order to reap the best out of it. On the other hand, there will be more disputes, arguments, betrayals and misunderstandings than usual in this year. Try to be humble, keep theirself calm and objective at all times. Things will turn out well. Avoid being too stressed out. Watch out for being hospitalized and having surgery and being involved in accidents."


Sound good, eh? :) Okay, I don't claim here as one who really believes in this kind of stuff. Let me clear myself of that. But then, I think it won't be so bad to use this as a motivation, right? Honestly, after reading that I felt even more excited! As if adrenalin rushed through me making me more eager to give that "reading by the stars" something better than what they saw.. :) I bet I'm really gonna hit and meet that deadline with a bang! :) hehe..

I know I'll make it. I'm sure of that. My faith in the Lord is far bigger than any other can see or read. Faith moves mountains, it can even part oceans. And a handful of faith goes a gazillion times more than what "they have read from the stars". As long as I know that I have these feet walking with Him, I have nothing to worry about. I have a big God. And here's what I really am holding on to, here's what I really have in my heart and in my mind:

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Now that's something I can keep like a key in my pocket. That verse is my gasoline, it's one of His greatest promises I've been clinging to. And for my family, I've been pushing through my limits to give them the "extra" they deserve. Extra love, Extra care, Extra everything.

The whole place is very quiet now. Opposite of what it was hours ago. Celebration may now be over, eyes may be shut for sleeping. But inside me, I am just about to start exploding. The excitement is just so enormous, the drive so moving. :) I just know this year's going to be a re-introduction. A re-introduction of something that had been long waiting.