Christmas Stress

I've been stressed since the 2nd week of December came in. I thought I started early with my Christmas list and shopping to avoid the Christmas rush. Apparently, my definition of early wasn't enough.

Rai's unexpected business trip caused me to shop for two people. Helping out in organizing the 'other' company Christmas party also took a toll on me. Additionally, some of my time were spent meeting up with people for those get-togethers.

All these, plus the hassle of going home even during midnight made me sleep less and function more.

It may sound as if I'm complaining... But I'm not (my body probably is, though). I still consider this season my favorite and the most happy. Most importantly, I believe this season is all about giving - no amount of stress or burn out can compare to the fulfillment of knowing you've given your all for others.

Read more...

Serious Matter

Another acid attack occurred in Hong Kong last Saturday night at around 10 in the evening. It is the fifth case since December last year, causing 5 women and a man to be injured. The incident happened not in Mongkok, where the previous acid attacks took place, but in Causeway Bay.

Causeway Bay happens to be the location of Rai's flat currently. (He's been in Hong Kong since last week thus the lack of posts from him). It was a blessing that was in Mongkok that time the attack transpired.

I hope there won't be any more incidents that would happen in the next 3 days. Or should I say, ever again? :c

Read more...

Muji in Manila

There used to be this store in Manila back in the days that sold stuff in just black or white called Anonymous. And then it poofed.


At that time, the word Muji was alien to me.  By the time I became an avid Chuvaness reader , I learned of what Muji is. Now it seemed like the Anonymous we once had was inspired by this store.

It has now been a habit for me to drop by the Muji store in Causeway Bay everytime I get sent to Hong Kong for business trips ^^. The good news is that according to Ms. C, Muji will be opening here in Manila by next year.

Something I'm really looking forward to now. :)

Read more...

Ferrero Rondoir

My sister didn't do much shopping for apparel last time she went to Taiwan. She brought home lots of food though... including this.

For someone who doesn't like nuts in their chocolates, I favor this one 100 times more than the original Ferrero Rocher.

Read more...

Funds, Funds, Funds

That is what I really really need since I realized how much I have to have separate funds for travel, for food trips, for shopping, for personal care, and for shows I want to watch. Argh.



If this year, I was able to watch ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal, The Spelling Bee (both with Rai and office friends), The Fantasticks (with the girlfriends), and Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination Concert at MOA (with Rai and one of the girlfriends)...

for 2010, as early as now, I know I want to watch Ne-yo's concert on January, Rent on February, Avenue Q on March, and CATS on July. Have to save up now!!

Read more...

Virtual Miku Hatsune on Live Stage

If you've seen the movie S1M0NE, this'll definitely make an impression. It's a live Miku Hatsune onstage ^^.




She hails from the first series of Vocaloid2 characters released by Yamaha, it's basically a software for voice synthesizing. As of Miku's release, she can only support Japanese language, Megurine Luka however is bilingual.

Miku Hatsune is probably one of the most famous characters currently out there. She has appeared on several other products, which some of the most famous are of course toys such as the Figma, Nendoroid and PVC figures. In 2008 Super GT, one of the cars adopted her color schemes and featured her on the paint as well.

Read more...

Starbucks Planners

Like I mentioned in my earlier post, I've been collecting Starbucks stickers from December of 2005. Just about right that I make use of the planner that I get out of collecting, right?


I don't only use the planners, I tend to abuse them as well. I like listing everything I'm about to do everyday, as well as put in the things that unexpectedly happened at the end of the day. Sometimes when I'm hanging out alone, I use the planner to write my thoughts. Consequently, I made this year's planner semi-scrapbook-like (i.e. pasted photos and movie/play tickets).


Starbucks Planner 2006


Starbucks Planner 2007


Starbucks Planner 2008


Starbucks Planner 2009

Read more...

Nine's New Movie Trailer

is out! :)

“NINE” is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren). The film is directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO). The original 1982 Broadway production of “NINE,” with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical.
-from Apple's Movie Trailers site

I have no idea when will this be shown in the Philippines (most likely next year already), but I know I want to see Kate Hudson here. I didn't know she can sing and dance! :)

So anyway, maybe it's high time i watch Chicago first hehe.

Read more...

CATS Musical in Manila

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions (a UK-based group), together with the Philippines' Concertus, Inc are set to stage Cats in Manila on July 2010. (Avatar's live action movie will also be shown on July next year *yey*).  Our very own Lea Salonga will play a prominent character in this musical production as Grizabella, the "glamour cat".  She will join an international cast that will more or less come from Australia and the United Kingdom.

The musical Cats has been known as one of the longest-running in West End and Broadway history having played for 21 years and 18 years respectively.  Cats features songs composed by musical theater master Andrew Lloyd Webber (also responsible for the other musical hits such as The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar)  based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. One popular song from this musical is "Memory", originally performed by Elaine Paige, a theater veteran.

Tickets are exclusively available to Citibank card holders from November 3, 2009 to December 6, 2009 (prices as follows).  

It means from December 6 onwards, non-Citibank holders can buy their tickets.  Also for Citibank card holders, a 10% discount can be availed until December 31, 2009.  See more details here.

Read more...

Look Who's Following Me Now

Real Chuck Norris or not, this is LOL. Read more...

Pacquiao vs Cotto Fight In A Few Hours

Later today, it would not come as a surprise if roads will be clear around town. No traffic since almost every Filipino will be inside their houses or stuck in some place to watch and support our own boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao, in his match against the Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto.

The fight which is called:  Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will be shown here in the Philippines at around 9 in the morning.  But in this time and age, fans need not settle on local TV stations to witness this fight (it means, there's no need to be tortured seeing TVC's over and over again every 5 minutes).  Different establishments provide pay per view option as seen in this list.  If you don't have the budget for this, another list of venues is available wherein viewers can watch for free.  If in case you still prefer to watch this highly anticipated WBO Welterweight championship, you can catch it on GMA-7 at around 11a.m. (fyi: this is a delayed telecast). In which case, no matter where you catch this match, I'm sure you'll just be one with everyone rooting for Pacman.

I am no boxing expert. I would not even pass for a boxing fan as well.  All I know is that here's a Filipino bringing pride to our country who deserves our prayers so that he hopefully wins this fight.

Read more...

7 Days, 2 Cards, and 15 Stickers

My "wish" for a Starbucks 2010 Planner...


... came true early this morning.



Snow and Ken inspecting the planner's coupons inside pages

Read more...

Singapore Trip Day 4 Part 3 - See You Again Merlion

The coming of nightfall signals the end of this journey. It's uncertain when we shall see our friends or Singapore again, but we have no regrets as we made the most out of this trip. Thanks to TC for planning this trip, Ji who made the draft for our itinerary, our hospitable friends who went out of their way to accomodate us and the Singaporeans for making Singapore the way it is today. ^^


It was 8pm of July 26, 2009 when we left Akashi after a delicious dinner courtesy of Che and Mon to rejoin my folks...
The Departure
It was a cinch to get back to Clarke Quay from Vivo City via MRT, in about 45 minutes we were back at Novotel to get on the cab. There were still a lot of time, but we had to stop by the customs to refund our tourist tax at the GST Refund counter. Of course, we were back at the budget terminal.

Selected items can avail Tax Refund for tourists. Ask the merchants before purchasing, of course, you need to keep the receipts ;).


A sign in the airport - Male Toilet, or for kids who aren't potty trained *snicker*.
Our parting meal... Double Wasabi Fish Fillet :9, now this trip has gone full circle.

Here's the security, the lounge area, and the gate to the plane. You can buy last minute pasalubong at the duty free stalls, or you can sit in one of their comfortable couches. There's even a couple of massage chairs that simulate hand massage for the legs popularized by Osim, not sure what brands these are though.



Love this shot ^^!


We have arrived at our destination, thank you for flying Cebu Pacific :)
My Loot
Here's some preview of each notable item I brought back from the trip.

Zumreed Headphones
Cute and functional as advertised. This is also my first set of headphones, it's worth every penny ♥.

Western Digital MyBook External Harddisk (1Tb)
This purchase was really planned and it is serving its purpose as secondary storage aside from my laptop's limited space. At S$179.00 you can't go wrong with this. (note: There was a Seagate 1.5Tb that has more value per money, but Ji was more biased towards MyBook :p)

Bossini Shirt
Ji and I bought a pair of shirts that complement each other, hopefully this one's not available in the Philippines. The exclusivity gives it more value lolz.

Saint Seiya Figures
Mission accomplished! I was able to get the just released Andromeda God Cloth priced at around S$85, which I was really aiming for since it's going to cost a lot more than it should if I get it shipped or from a local store. Now, hopefully I'd also have opportunities to get my hands on the 3 remaining God Cloths of the other bronze saints (Dragon, Cygnus and Phoenix).

God Cloth Andromeda Shun will go nicely beside God Cloth Pegasus Seiya!
I'm NOT sorry I spent more than I should've :D 'cause I bought two more figures... The Pisces Gold Cloth and Virgo Gold Cloth! Hooray! The two remaining Gold Cloths from the 12 zodiacs I'm searching for a decent price, especially since the Pisces was particularly hard to find by this time, now this set is finally complete.

Pisces Aphrodite, the beautiful saint. Virgo Shaka, the one closest to god.
Ok, I lied, there's one more figure :p and it's the stalwart of Hades' army, Pandora! She comes with a huge harp. This is a premium figure in Japan and the only way to get her there is by sending in purchase coupons from other figures. This one is a bit more expensive than I was hoping for since it's a consignment item.

Extra generic Canon digicam battery
This should come in handy, though the IXUS 990 SD is very efficient in terms of battery usage, taking videos on it drains it relatively fast.

Novotel Hotel Card
Oops! I have no intention of taking this back as a souvenir... honest! -_-'

Plum Liquer?
This one is from JR :D I've tried it and it actually packs a punch!

Recap
A lot of sleep was sacrificed in order to make the most out of this trip but it couldn't be helped, and all that continuous walking with deprived rest caused a strain on my lower back for at least a week (;_;)... I've met most of the people I know in Singapore, got to see a lot of sites, chowed on some of the most delicious food, fulfilled my shopping list, and spent time with some of the most important people in my life ^_^ I couldn't ask for more. Admittedly, it's tiring to recall and compose these articles of our travelogue but I surely enjoyed it and hope you also enjoyed reading. However, I know that there's still a lot left to be experienced in Singapore, heck I'd want to revisit most of these places as well. While it's uncertain when we'll get the chance to visit again, we'll be sure to share the experience with you ;).

Read more...