On a roll

I guess this beading and jewelry making is kind of addicting. I just finished another necklace. The photos are not good but nevertheless here it is:


Celestial crystal bead necklace on 14K gold chain with a Saint Jude vermiel pendant.

I like it very much. Even hubby said it's nice. But then again what do boys know about jewelries, right? LOL!

Tuesday Blah

I was surprised to see that I've lost 0.6kg between yesterday and today. I didn't do anything special. Or did I?

Unlike a life insurance quote, this weight loss thing is kinda tricky. You don't always get what you want. Sometimes it gives you what you really really want. LOL!

Come to think of it, life is also like that.

When I was younger, I used to dream of having a family of my own, a loving husband and a cute and smart baby. Plus travels now and then. Guess what. I am living my dream and more!

It may not seem great to others but to me it's perfect.

Back to my weight, I think I know why I've lost a little weight.

It's because I have been eating more greens now. I eat spinach for breakfast, kangkong for lunch and pechay for dinner. LOL!

I have been committed to my exercise routine as well.

And in the afternoon, instead of munching chips, I am busy doing my beadwork.

My life is really busy these days. There's yoga, tennis, meeting with friends, blogging and beadwork. Just the way I like it.

Made by me

I started making my first "project" last night, the minute I opened my package. I would have totally skipped dinner if hubby did not tell me to stop beading.

Without further ado. Here's the result of my second attempt at a necklace.


The flower crochet is done by my friend Zarah. I owe her a big one. The flower crochet made a huge impact. Don't you agree?

I've posted this in my FB account and one friend wanted to buy it. Seriously!!!! And it made my heart swell. Somebody likes the necklace I made enough to buy it. Awwww...

I am going to make another one tonight. Hopefully it would be as nice as this one.

My package is here!

After a little drama with the customs (which FedEx took care), my package is finally here with me! I am talking about my beading supplies and tools which I ordered from Fire Mountain Gems. Seeing that my order arrived unopened and intact, I think I might just order some exterior shutters online too. LOL! So anyway, here's my package:

I was like a little kid, all so excited with the little box in front of me. I couldn't wait to open it but I took my sweet time appreciating the box. LOL!

Packed with love. Awwwww.....And here are some of what's inside the box:

A crimping tool.

Medium soft wire

Gold clasps

A heart pendant

A St. Jude pendant

It was actually almost dinner time when I opened my box. So I hurriedly made some beads. Here's the preview of what I am working on right now:

LOL! I thought it's easy but look at the loops I made. They're not exactly good. Hahaha!!! But I will practice today. After my Yoga of course. Promise!

Free Movie

Last Saturday I got to watch a free movie on our TV. No, it wasn't from HBO or Star Movies. It was from a local channel here.

This channel shows English/Hollywood movies only which is quite a surprise. The reason I love this channel is that they show more of the current films (unlike HBO or Star Movies) and the movies they show are actually the good ones.

Hubby and I were lucky to have caught "Have you heard about the Morgans?" on this channel last Saturday. I didn't know this movie even exists. LOL!

The movie stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. Not my ideal love team but surprisingly I had a good time watching the whole movie.

Hubby and I both had party invitations but we had to decline because we want to finish the movie. Shhhhhh....LOL!

The movie is a romantic comedy and it delivered. Okay maybe not on the romantic side but definitely on the comedy part. I really had a good laugh.

Thanks channel 11. LOL!

Yoga outfit

This is for you Lui. Hehehe.

My friend wanted to know what I wear to my yoga class. I usually just wear anything comfortable. A stretchable pants and always a white shirt.

Last Thursday this is what I looked like. A mess. LOL!

Those are not discount cigars I am holding, in case you're wondering if it is. Hahaha! It's my mat. The mat is actually provided in the class but I like to bring my own. I used a bandana to wrap my hair/head because I still have bangs and it gets in my eyes during yoga. I bring a bag to put in my towel and my other stuff. I don't wear shoes because we take it off anyway.

This reminds me, I need to go to Russian Market to buy some more pants. I need more pants because I am attending yoga twice a week now.

So what say you Lui? Are you gonna be joing us next time? =)

Routine off and on

I just came back from another session of Kundalini Yoga. And I am now drinking my current favorite drink - blueberry and banana smoothie. It's super yummy. I just add low fat milk and a little honey to make it sweet. Yummmmm.

Anyway I decided to make my yoga class biweekly now. I used to attend every Thursday only but I need to make up for my missed classes. I missed two weeks of yoga which is actually just two classes. But if I don't attend biweekly now, I will forever miss those. It's nonrefundable. And besides I really think I need the discipline of yoga. I have been uninspired to work out lately.

Here's my plan:

Monday - workout at home for an hour
Tuesday - Kundalini yoga for 1.5 hours
Wednesday - workout at home for 30 minutes
Thursday - Kundalini yoga for 1.5 hours
Friday - workout at home for an hour
Saturday - tennis with hubby

I had so many routines already and I couldn't keep or maintain it for a long time. I'm like a KVM switch. I turn myself on then turn it off. LOL!

I blame the current travels we had. It broke my routine and once it's broken I couldn't go back to it again.

Hopefully this new routine will last longer than my previous ones.

Dear Josiet

I have been receiving emails from God for the past couple of months now. That's right.

It's actually pretty awesome. The letters are directly addressed to me. It makes me feel so special.

Here are the latest emails I have received:





I discovered this from one of the blogs I read. If you want to receive emails like these, just go to Godwhispersclub.com and sign up.

It's free and it's totally hassle free.

I've signed up to receive emails biweekly and I always look forward to these emails now. It's feels like my very own blue light therapy. LOL!

Seriously though, it serves as little reminders for me each day to strive to be better, to love more and to believe in myself.

The need to resist

Oh I know. I talk a lot about dieting and exercising. Sometimes I do what I say but sometimes I don't.

Example 1: I walk into a coffee shop. I promise not to order more than coffee. But guess what happens next? I am eating a calorie-laden muffin and sipping a frappuccino instead of a cappuccino.

By the way, this picture somehow reminds me of my favorite coffee shop, it's made more warm and beautiful by the addition of wall sconce.

Example 2: I go into a buffet restaurant. I promise not to eat more than I should. Guess you know what happens next right? LOL!

If only there's a pill for discipline.

Or maybe a zero calorie food that's yummy and filling. LOL!

Spell happy

I haven't been this excited for quite a while. Buying a new bag suddenly seems less exciting than this. Honestly!

My friend gave me a link to an online beading supplies store. I checked it anticipating a disappointment. The last online store I saw said they ship internationally but when I was about to checkout, Cambodia is not included in their list.

But this new site Fire Mountain Gems do ship here! I couldn't believe it!

For the next hour and a half I was busy adding items to my "cart". Finally, I am going to start making jewelries. Oh my gosh, I am sooo excited.

The shipping fee isn't so bad at all. For Fedex (2-4 business days) the cost of delivery here is only $37.00.

Today is Monday, that means I will have my order on Friday at the latest. It's gonna be a busy weekend for me. Yay!!!

This is definitely better than any best wrinkle treatments I could ever find. I mean it's making me happy, excited and tickled. There'll be no wrinkles from me for sure. LOL!

It's so nice to be happy...la la la...HAPPY!

Somebody Save Me

I used to watch Smallville back in the Philippines. I think it was aired on Channel 23. Then I moved to Maldives and became busy with work. I have totally forgotten Clark Kent.

But before we left Maldives, somebody gave us DVD copies of Smallville episodes 1 -6. I was hooked again. I think I watched the entire thing for less than a month. That was a feat considering I was busy taking care of my son.

I was in heaven everytime EJ naps for more than an hour. It was an opportunity for me to watch an entire episode. And at night time, hubby and I would watch it together. On weekends we would stay late and watch it until early mornings.

Then we moved to Malaysia. Somehow, I have lost interest with Smallville. But hubby was still updated. He bought DVDs.

Now that we're here in Cambodia I find myself with a lot more time in my hands than before.

When hubby put on a Smallville DVD yesterday I found myself watching along. I had so many questions because I haven't seen an entire 7th season. Hubby gladly answered all of it. So I am back in the game.

I would have watched the entire season 8 yesterday but EJ wanted to watch his Mickey Mouse instead. Tonight though, I plan to stay up late and watch an episode or more.

Somebody save me......lala la la la...

Workout Sunday

I used to think that to tone my abs, I only have to do either sit ups or crunches. But not anymore. I found out that there are a wide array of workouts to choose from. I am loving all these finds from Self.com

Isolator


Speed Skater

Click on the photos to enlarge and read the instructions.

Hubby and some friends say I have a flat tummy. No, I don't have. But to be honest, I may be big but my tummy is not big (but not flat either!) And I credit this to having a varied exercise which helps me tone my tummy a bit.

I may sound like an agent of Self.com, which I am not, but I really love the workouts I got from their site.

They even have exercises to eliminate tensions and pains, sort of like a natural joint pain relief exercises.

Gotta go. Have to do the above workouts now =)

Getting serious

Or maybe not.

I finally bought the jewelry-making book today. I have been eyeing this for a couple of weeks now but I always think it's a little expensive.

Today I have been thinking, I really like doing something with my hands. I know and I admit that I am not a creative person but maybe with a little inspiration and a lot of training, I can possibly make something good.

So today I bought the book to get acquianted with the beading and jewelry world.

I browsed the book and I love how the instructions come with pictures. There are projects inside the book and they teach you how to do it.

I am excited. Maybe I'd find an online supplier who would ship beading supplies to Cambodia.

On American Idol

Lacey Brown is out of American Idol. That made me sad a little. I would have preferred Paige to be out.

I remember, there was a time when Asian voters were allowed to vote on AI. I think it was around 4 seasons ago. But I understand why they took it out. It's American Idol after all and not World Idol. LOL!

Having said that, if I could vote, I would definitely vote for Siobhan and Lee.

I think Idol is not just about a singing contest. It is, but it's also about a popularity contest. I wouldn't vote for somebody who I have no connection at all. I am just saying.

It's like looking at carinsurancelist.com. Choosing an insurance is never just about who's got the best policy. It's also about having a connection or a nice feeling about that particular insurance. At least that's how I feel.

Anyway, I am looking forward to next week's performance and elimination. Who would be out next? I am sure it wouldn't be Siobhan nor Lee. I am pretty confident. LOL!

Busy Hands

I have been itching to do something with my hands other than cook our dinner daily. Hehehe. And today I finally found something to make my two hands busy.

My friends and I found this small beading shop right here in PP. They sell the beads and you try to make a necklace or a bracelet out of it. The tools and strings are free.

I was not born a creative person but I tried and I had a lot of fun. I could do this again and again. Here's my first attempt at creativity: a necklace!

It's not so bad, right? LOL! I know it's amateurish at best but who cares? I made it myself and for myself. I designed it myself for myself. That makes me a happy bee.

I am now seriously thinking of learning how to bead and make jewelries. Who knows I might just earn something out of this! LOL!

Smoothie

After having slacked off for more than a week, being sick and all, I exercised again today. I only lasted thirty minutes!

I am still not 100% percent okay so I am taking it easy. I was thinking I should cut back on my calorie intake because I couldn't exercise more. My plan is to eat fruits only for dinner. I don't know if this would work. I don't know if I could last 1 night with only fruits for dinner.

However, I just bought a new blender and I am excited to make low fat smoothies. LOL!

I made a blueberry smoothie today. Here's the ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberry
1 banana
1/2 cup low fat milk
1/2 cup pineapple juice
3 ice cubes

I'll tell you, it is sooo yummy!! As long as the smoothie tastes as good as this, I think I will survive the night with just a smoothie.

Next time I should blend foods that burn fat. That way I will be hitting two birds at the same time.

When I grow up

I want to be a

.......a good wife
.......a good mother
.......a good daughter
.......a good sister
.......a good friend.

But more importantly, I just want to be a good person.

Moving on

I don't like to dwell on things...especially the negative kind. I am the kind who mopes a little and then move on right away.

With the recent events in my life I have done just that. Mope a little. And then with one final touch, I move on quite beautifully.

And guess what? I feel free. There's no looking back, not even at promotional calenders. LOL!

I guess the reason why I am doing okay so fast is that I have a good support system. First, I have a loving husband. I can totally depend on my husband to dispense absolutely logical and pragmatic advices. He lets me rant and doesn't turn away even if sound like a broken record already. And second, I have a beautiful set of friends right here in PP. They're the best!

Everybody's familiar with this saying "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."

For my sake, I hope it's not true.

Shocker

Alex Lambert is not in the top 12 of American Idol. Unbelievable!

I was so sure Alex would be in the top 12. Why? Because he has a great voice. A distinct great voice. Yes, he's shy, he lacks confidence but I actually thought that's part of his charm. And with time and experience he'll blossom into a great artist.

But then voters in America had other things in mind.

I am sad for Lily as well. She did not make it to top 12. But I do think she deserves a spot in the top 12.

Oh well.

At least, Siobhan and Lee made it. I hope they'd do well in the next round.

Under the weather

The recent trip to Bangkok has done more harm than good. I got sick and I spent more than I should. Double ouch!

I am stuck at home looking at lsat prep for no reason whatsoever. LOL! I will miss a trip to a resort in Kampot this weekend. I have been looking forward to this trip and I am sad I can't make it.

I hate being sick.

On the brighter side, I can surf all day long, which is what I have been doing since early this morning because I couldn't sleep. LOL!

So maybe I don't hate being sick that much.

My favorite BKK mall

I have been to Bangkok three times and on those three times I have only visited Siam Paragon, Central World and Gaysorn. Of the three, I've got to say Siam Paragon and Central World are my favorites.

I love Siam Paragon because they have a big food court. The food choices is just amazing. I get lost whenever I go there. There's this Thai food stall that we always go to whenever we're here in Bangkok. The food is unbelievably delicious, they serve fast and most importantly the price is very affordable. I just always forget to take a picture of this stall. And of course, there's the Royce Nama Chocolate stall as well. I bought two boxes this time.

Another reason I love Siam Paragon is because the designer bags are located there: Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, etc, etc...I get to window shop every time I'm there. And it's already enough for me. LOL!

I love Central World because all of my favorite clothing stores are there: Zara, GAP, Promod, Mango, etc. And since it's a huge mall, every corner is a surprise. One minute I am in the women's clothing area, the next minute I am looking at stone sink. And I get to exercise just by going around the place. It's also not too crowded. I love it.

Maybe next time, I'd explore MBK and Emporium Mall.

Mad about

After the previous night's drama in my life, I feel like somebody else. I am and have always been a pleaser. I try to be nice to everybody. And I try to think the best of everyone. That's who I am. But I think I need to stop doing it. I need to be nice to myself. I need to surround myself with something good.

Yesterday I had a "me" time. My son was sleeping on the stroller and I had a leisurely walk around the mall. I checked the LCD TV on sale, I window-shopped endlessly and after about 2 hours of walking inside the mall, I stopped to have a "power" juice.

While sipping my oh-so-yummy juice, I wrote some little reminders for myself. I wrote my plans and my goals in the future.

It was nice.

Vulnerable

Cried a bucket of tears today.

I shouldn't be affected but I am.

I felt betrayed, sad, and disappointed.

Didn't see it coming.

Who knew?

I should be okay soon.

But for now, I am hurting.

It's deep.

Profound.

I am not being dramatic.

Just being honest.

Time heals all wounds.

I hope it's true.

But in the meantime,

I shall indulge in a little shopping therapy.

I just saw a great bag earlier.

=)

New bag

I don't know what took me so long to buy a Longchamp bag. I always like it.

So on our last trip to Bangkok, I finally bought one for myself. A black and brown combination.

And I totally love it. It's become my everyday bag lately. It's easy to pair with the clothes in my closet and the size is just perfect for my everyday use.

P.S.

This is my blog and I can parade my purchases whenever I like it. So suck it =)

Toxins

I am confused....but maybe I shouldn't.

Birds of the same feather flock together.

A pathetic person will always associate with pathetic people.

Thank goodness I am of different species. LOL!

Do you wanna be rich?

I am currently reading Secret of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. I have to say that this yearning to be financially free or in layman's term rich or millionaire is back big time.

I know some people think that money is evil and wanting more money is doubly evil. Well, I coudn't care less.

All I know is that money makes life easier. It affords you many of life's conveniences and maybe luxuries. It may not necessarily make one happy but I am sure being broke doesn't make one happy either.

Lately I have been contemplating on buying another condominium unit as an added investment. Currently we have three condo units (bragging alert, bragging alert!!!) in Manila and two are income generating. The other one is yet to be turned over next year.

Hubby is against the idea. He said the mortgage rates aren't too tempting.

But I really, really want to add one more investment. We have been wasting money, shopping and travelling. We are even planning to go to Singapore next month just to shop. And I am thinking, instead of going to Singapore we could use the money to pay for the downpayment of a 1-bedroom condo unit.

We just came back from a shopping trip anyway.....

Instant gratification versus delayed gratification. What should you choose?