truly asia^_^

what's it like travelling first time, out of the country for free????...my answer: HIGHNESS!!!!^_^

finally, after a month of anticipation and boredom, i really felt my prize...a supposed Shanghai trip ended in Kuala Lumpur...well, not bad...really...the fact i didn't spend a single centavo from my savings for that trip...the kuripot that i was, pinilit magkasya ang pocket money...wahaha...

regardless of some unexpected bad stuff, positive thinking lang ang lola and enjoyed to the max!!!!...just stayed for four days [certainly bitin-_-'...but dedma pa den^_^]

upon our arrival, i was amazed at KL's international airport, which is considered to be the world's best airport...why??? 1. 5 stories with boutiques and food shops [yummm^_^] 2. aerotrain - just to get your baggage [sosyal di ba?] 3. walkalator - pag tinatamad ka nang maglakad sa laki ng airport nila...haha

KL has similarities with the sosyal streets in Manila, except of the ff:

1. Kuala Lumpur has less "busy" traffic hours

2. NO SMOKE BELCHERS

3. their malls are like the ones we've got in Eastwood City, Libis [mall on the first few floors then hotels in the upper floors]

4. more Muslim-looking establishments

5. so many Indian peeps [we were there just in time for their Deepavali festival celeb...]

oh and did I fail to say that the atmosphere has a different kinda, sort of a spicy, curry smell in the air [OOPSSS...SORRY...I DIDN'T FORGET^_^]

some of our pics:

1. extending arms behind Petronas Towers

2. chow time at Times Square
3. shopped souvenirs / pasalubongs at Jalan Petaling

overall, me and my mom enjoyed the trip...finally after 2 years, my passport got stamps already...wuuuhhhooo...and as my officemates said, "naumpisahan na yan...sunud sunod na yan"...ehem...i'll keep that in mind and i'll work on it^_^

FOR NOW, CARLA HAS BEEN HERE^_^

"SALE"-phobic

some shopping malls had their 3-day midnight "whatever" sale...

well, i know that i'm not rich enough to just splurge on designer stuff, that's why "SALE" could possibly be a good thing...

but there are just some reasons that make me think, "to SALE" or "not to SALE"...^_^

1. heavy flow of traffic [needless to explain...]
2. long queues in fx terminal [another needless to explain...]
--- makes you end up getting a cab
3. congested parking spaces and hardheaded vehicle owners [should i say more?^_^]
4. less ventilation inside the malls
5. sometimes, you end up buying "NOT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT"...
--- especially, if you ended up shopping on the last day, you just get the leftovers...
6. there are LONG LINES EVERYWHERE [may it be in the fastfood stores or in the boutiques...]
7. impatient customers [due to the congestion experienced...]
8. kids getting lost [and even parents lost in sanity^_^]
9. eating meals late [ehem...madami ngang tao eh...^_^]
10. family affairs [some bring their entire clan even the ones in wheelchairs just to shop...]
11. leg pains [for walking around and so for standing long enough...]
12. pickpockets and other criminals on the loose
13. some stores don't exactly have their ITEMS ON SALE...[SOME just tag them as sale or slash prices...NOT ALL OF THEM OK???]
14. the clothes you bought from them would look exactly like the rest...
--- well, they sell those that are "LESS SELLABLE" in the market...since, the new collections will be displayed after
the sale season, you end dressing up just like the same as those who bought that day...[yaikss...unless you would
want to be a clone of someone 'ayt??!!]

END RESULT: penniless, stressed...

i know some would disagree because some benefit from this endeavor, especially if they anticipated this season to buy what they really want to have...

for those who were able to buy what they really wanted...WELL DONE

i'm not discouraging people to go for "SALE"-stuff, cause it is always better to spend less for something than to buy expensive stuff...
i just want to point out these:
1. IS IT REALLY WORTH IT???...or it could have been better that "YOU HAVE STAYED AT HOME and JUST BUY WHAT YOU NEED INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU WANT"...
and
2. WE KEEP SAYING "NAGHIHIRAP NA ANG PILIPINAS" but when it's SALE TIME..."DAIG PA ANG MAYAYAMAN"...

ehem...i guess i'm just "SALE-PHOBIC"

w.a.w --- what a weekend

1. nagpanggap na chef ^_^

--- from a very simple recipe i just saw on t.v., i cooked a tuna basil pasta for dinner...and it tasted good accdg to my critics [ps. alang suhol un ha...partida...haha]

2. nagsumikap na designer ^_^

--- last saturday was the "V" day...verdict day to criticize our designs before the actual making of our proposed collection...and thank God, it passed on our teacher's point of view...a few critics and corrections now i can start working on my collection [whew...partida once again wala ding suhol un sa teacher...mahirap ngang i-bribe eh...wahaha]

3. nagpigil na shopper ^_^

--- as i mentioned on my last post, due to the "crisis", one has to make efforts in saving much money as compared before...but no matter how i hate to go out on a sunday and just stay at home, i have to go out and buy the "main" item i will be using for my accessories' collection...sa kakaikot sa mall, nakita ko den un hinahanap ko...thank God!!!...afterwards, i just ate merienda and then i went home...[iwas tlga sa "SALE-HASSLE" weekend]

oh well...

what a weekend talaga...

in the coming weeks...it'll be more exciting...

yippeeee^_^

more to save, less to crave

in the past few weeks, there's been nothing in the news but "US crisis", "global crisis", price increase on commodities, mass job layoffs, protests to and fro...and honestly it's been sickening...actually, our family is soon to be affected from these series of events [actually we're feeling it a bit and working on it at the moment]...

there's no other way but to face this "crisis"...but at the moment, i know i've got to save more than spend more...and as i'm blogging my way here, i just thought of my ways to spend less than the usual...for the rainy days -_-* [they might be a thing or two handy for anyone...]

* EAT VEGGIES MORE THAN MEAT
---- for meatlovers, this ain't for you...but actually veggies are less pricey [except if you'll buy the imported kind of veggies] than ALWAYS eating meat [whether you may be buying for home consumption or for your lunch in the office]...less cost to prepare the food plus it's good for the body

* BREAD MORE THAN CHIPS
---- chips or chocolates for snacks are really costly than bread, plus to mention that chips aren't good due to artificial flavors in them

* BUY POWDERED DRINKS THAN THE ONES IN CANS / BOTTLES
---- well, a small sachet of powdered iced tea is just 10-15 pesos which can be used for at least 5-6 glasses while the bottled ones cost already 20-30 pesos depending on the brand of the iced tea...or as an alternative, just have bottled water instead...

* REUSE PAPERS
---- i do this in the office, but everywhere there's paper right??? if it's only going to be used for scribbling notes or doodling or printing something that ain't for a very important presentation, better use the other side of your printed papers...you don't just save money in buying notebooks / pad papers, you also contribute in saving for the environment...

* WALK INSTEAD OF RIDING A PUBLIC VEHICLE
---- ok, it's a matter of common sense that you won't do this if you're from Pasig going to Makati...if you're just going to nearby places, like in my case, i live near the church, instead of riding a tricycle, i'd rather walk...but hey, never forget to put into consideration, how safe and around what time should you only walk in the area you're going to...SAFETY FIRST!!!

* SHOP WISELY AND FOR VERY IMPORTANT CASES
---- well, well, well, for us women, i'm pretty sure the shopaholics will always make a good excuse to shop [e.g your pets' birthday, your breakup anniv from your exes, nd so much more...]...what i'm saying is BUY WHAT YOU REALLY JUST NEED...do u really need to buy a new pair of "Guess" jeans when you actually have a good pair of less expensive local jeans???...well, frankly speaking, the last time i bought a pair of jeans was on my birthday month as a birthday gift for myself...although i do wear jeans at the office [kase pasaway lang tlga], i don't wear them everyday...

* REUSE AND REDESIGN
---- simply saying that those clothes and accessories that weren't used for months, you could redesign them or deconstruct them and make them different...for those who weren't much born on the artistic side of things, there's always we call "friends" to help us out =)...we could also try it on our own, starting with simple designs...for beginners you can try searching in mags for patterns to follow...it will really save us in buying new items most of the time...

it is understandable for some to have difficulties in changing their lifestyles just to save...but in the long run, it will just be a "getting used to" for them...there are still a lot of ways, pretty sure about that, but for now, these will help somehow...there will always be better alternatives...at the end of the day, i will be thanking myself that at my age of 26, i was able to make little sacrifices for my "future" endeavors and comforts...it could have been earlier, but i know it ain't too late...

anticipations ^_^

"ber" months are always the most anticipated months for many Filipinos...the "merriest" months in the year...no wonder Christmas season ain't just during December but from Sept to December...

but as for me there are more to anticipate at the moment...

1. high school musical 3 --> am not a big fan of it but definitely worth the wait after one of the worst movies i've seen just last week

2. james bond movie [sponsored by the company for the employees] --> besides the fact that it's for free, i'll be in good company

3. rihanna - chris brown concert @ fort boni open field --> a bit pricey compared to the alicia keys concert...and i'm not exactly a big fan of the two, but i would certainly be able to sing out a few of their songs -- make sure lang to bring an umbrella--ella--ella-ei =)

wuhooo...cant wait...but for now...there's one thing i'm certainly anticipating cause it's certainly gonna come...

PAYDAY tomorrow....hehe =)

what a friday...

friday is now one of my most anticipated days besides saturdays...this is the only time i get to go out of work at 5:30pm...

the only day i get to hang out with friends...and speaking of hang out, me and my officemates went out for a movie

we were expecting a horror movie, so it has to be scary at least, ryt???

until we ended up in a hilarious, comedic, horror flick....ugh...

but we had a laugh okay...

we watched a movie titled "buried alive"...but we ended up feeling that this crap should be buried without a sequel ok?!

wanna try spending Php130.00 for sitting in a movie house and ending up with nothing??? check this movie...

thank God...the consolation we got is that we were still able to hang out in Seattle's Best for coffee and a few chats...

so, i guess i'll just have to anticipate "High School Musical 3"??? =)

7 things

inspired by the song from miley cyrus...except that i'm not talking about an ex...

so here it goes...

"i probably should mention the 7 things that i like...

the 7 things i like about u...

your eyes
your smile
your style
your dance moves
your wit
your good attitude
and the seventh thing i like the most that u do...
you make me like you"

whew...nasabi den^_^

transformation

being born in the 1980's made me priveleged to grow up and be familiarized with an icon in the field of music and theatre -- Lea Salonga

as if she's just growing up the same as i do, she's got so many recognitions under her belt and now she's not just a performer but a doting mother and wife too...

from being the preppy child in the 80's [during her PikPak Boom and Dear Diary days] to being prim and sophisticated in her prime years...just like the way she looks in her latest album

but just a few days ago, i saw her in the latest ish of Marie Claire for October 2008 and out of her shell...

some of my officemates are still mesmerized...but she just simply transformed...but i could certainly say, it was a good one... -- embracing her age with style and working her way to still achieve things by the day -- one thing that i'll keep in mind was what she explained on the article -- "Madonna-whore" -- i'll keep that in mind

what a transformation ^_^

wuhhooo^_^

saturdays are damn days for me cause i need to go to work, half day wherein i end up filing documents, chatting with officemates and having breakfast at either starbucks or jollibee...then at the afternoon end up being a mall rat...what a waste...hmph...

but just 2 weeks ago, i've been attending a design class i've always wanted...and seriously, i've never been this excited on Saturdays ^_^...

just last Saturday [oct 4, 2008] we were tasked to make an accessory out of materials we have at home...and from scavenging the entire week, this was what i got...

* empty spool of thread *

from just a few hours of doodling, a few discussions with our instructor, a few chats and laughs with my classmates, a few sewing and wiring...here's what i got...

* after -- brooch in pink ^_^ *

in fairness, not bad for a novice designer 'ayt???...hehe...well, more good to come, for now, i'm settled with this...

can't wait for next saturday^_^

how to walk in high heels...

what's it like to be in high heels???...what's it like to act more than just a woman in every aspect???...

i didn't grew up being too girly even if my mom was the "muse" type of gal...she's got high heels on the shoe rack but i don't use them much...i'm only pressured to do so during special occassions when i'm wearing a dress...most of the time i'm on my flats or flipflops...

during the National Bookstore's Booksale just recently, i looked for a book to buy and i came across this one...i've already read a review about this from a fashion mag so i thought of buying it to give it a shot...

HOW TO's of anything for a girl -- from how to exactly wear and walk in high heels, to learning eating alone in a resto [which i do at times^_^], to sewing stuff and decorating a Christmas tree, to mending a broken heart...it's really a must have book for every girl...although some of the detailed stuff are based in UK ways of living, still women like me would be able to relate...

there are actually follow-ups already of this book, but for now, i'm just savoring it...hopefully, when i've got girls of my own, i'll let them know about this...slowly but surely, i'm working on them, my way at my pace -- one by one...

a book worth purchased...^_^

archives before i dispose mah other blog ^_^

i don't want to stuck so much blogsites so i'll just end up havin 2 on my list...one of them is this...so before i finally dispose my wordpress account...here is a complete set of archives from it...^_^

{October 2, 2008} one proud daughter ^_^
this very same day…54 years ago…the not so typical Libran was born…a “pasaway” day started…they say Librans are smart, level headed and quiet in nature…but she is street smart, normal level headed and gay in nature…^_^
named after the islands of the Philippines, she grew up working herself to draw crowd attention…i grew up differently from her cause she used to be the school’s muse while i was always on the sidelines as the school’s writer…
but growing up with her influenced me to be acquainted with fashion and socializing with other people, “at my own pace”…malls and tiangges have been her mecca; her clothes and shoes [more than 50 pairs as of today^_^] occupied most of our closet spaces…but at the end of the day, we get to use her stuff ^_^

she believes in wearing chinese stuff during special celebrations to bring good luck [good luck tlga di ba??..hehe]; she wants her stuff in the places they were left at [kaya pag kalat na sya...kalat na sya forever...hehe]; she learned household chores and cooking meals for us when i was 7 yrs old [kung ndi pa lumayas si yaya...haha =)]; she’ll laugh at the top of her lungs or react as if she’s involved at whatever she sees on tv; she’s a certified Kapuso so don’t talk to her about any Kapamilya show — waste of your precious time and effort

she made us see that we can never trust and please everybody…that we have to fight for what we believe in and not just let ourselves be opressed by other people [i remember when she went to the principal's office to report the students who took my sisters fonekard...musta naman un di ba???...hehe]…she may not have given me proverbial advices but she helped us realized that it’s ok to cry…but at the end of the day, we have to keep movin forward and enjoy what’s left in life…she keeps asking me nowadays, “carla, kelan ka ba ulet magkakaboyfriend at ipapakilala mo dito sa bahay???” or “carla, un iba mong classmates nun high school mag-aasawa na”…[pressure ba ito???^_^] but after a few talks, she’ll end up saying, “ok lang yan, darating den un nararapat para syo” [o di ba ang gulo...hehe]
she never asked for so much…she never expected so much from us, her kids…
i may not have been her perfect daughter and she may not have been my perfect mom…but it’s such joy to be a part of her, who came out from her womb…
to my one and only mother, Luzviminda Ayuman-Reyes…
Happy Birthday!!! thanks beyond words ‘nd cheers to your special day…

oops…that’s not with my dad ok?!…that’s the gracious alfred vargas with my mom at market market for an event sponsored by Nokia and Globe ^_^
luv ya mom…Happy Birthday again^_^

{September 29, 2008} unique Blahnik
i’ve been reading a book i bought over the weekend, “How to Walk in High Heels” by Camilla Morton…and from browsing came across a familiar name, “Manolo Blahnik”…unfortunately, my knowledge in fashion ain’t enough…so i browsed through the net just hours ago…
a very popular Spanish shoe designer who specializes in stilettos ‘nd high-heeled shoes…ehem…no wonder i’m not conscious enough to have known him before…i’m always on flats…^_^
browsing on his designs, here are just some of them [for our viewing pleasure ^_^]

geniaba - gray

spart - bronze

but since i’m not really into high heeled shoes ‘nd sandals…these are what really caught my eyes…

Blahnik has got so much designs and each one is artistically made…how i wish could even just have a pair of his creations…which i could buy either in HK, Sing or Korea…ok gud luck…ipon muna ng todo…hehe
at present…my eyes are extremely satisfied…so now back to the pages of the book^_^
[photos: courtesy of http://www.shoestyle.com/]

{September 26, 2008} one big hurrah…in blue & white =)
finally, after 6 years of cheering for them to be champions once again, it absolutely paid off…and through an archrival game…it is definitely worth the wait…
for one year, it is definitely a “BLUE & WHITE” year till the next championship…
too bad i wasn’t able to watch game#2 yesterday ’cause i was at work, i’m pretty sure it was exciting to see it live…but getting this morning’s paper with their pictures on it would be enough…
some of my friends wonder at times, why am i a big Ateneo Blue Eagles fan where as i graduated from an engineering school like Mapua???…the answer: regardless if they are rookies or veterans, they just attract fans to admire them playing & they play clean…some may not agree with me here, but by the looks of it, they do…i have been their ultimate fan since year 2001. it was still at the time when my ex and i used to fight with watching an Ateneo ball game over his Chi-novela / anime shows. and i could still absolutely remember, when they won 6 years ago over De La Salle in 2002…a few days later my grandma died…
i simply cant help having a connection with them…to the Ateneo community & Ateneo Blue Eagles fans…so whether you like it or not…it is OUR YEAR…



one big HURRAH!!!!…one BIG fight!!!!…congrats Ateneo - 2008 UAAP Men’s Basketball Champs…
**[photo: courtesy of Inquirer.net]

{September 23, 2008} ang “spoiled”
what’s it like to have a yaya [babysitter in english terms] around in every move???
what’s it like to take care of a spoiled brat???
put them together in a friday night on tv and you get…”ang spoiled”…
brainchild of the longest running gag show on a friday night from gma7…with two of the most possible to transform into females…
michael v as the ever battered yaya [who is such a loser...haha]
and ogie alcasid as the ever spoiled angeline…
dahil sa sobrang anticipation ko pag friday nights to watch this…ndi ko napigilang i-video to share with u guys…pls bare the laughs on the background [that was me...hehe]
just click on this link:::
ang_spoiled…_episode_dated_sept_19_2008

{September 15, 2008} mah new bebe…
ok guys…before u say finally i met my match…think again…hehe
i’m not much of a techie addict…so i am not completely aware of what’s in and phased out nowadays…
i just took a break of myself and headed to my destination…
yippeee…my first ever sony ericsson phone…yahoooo^_^
ps. kundi pa nasira ang cellphone ndi tlga bibili ng kapalit…wahaha…^_^

{September 12, 2008} rainy days…
born july 1 makes me a part of the rainy season…but for some strange and ironic reasons that some people may not understand, i hate rain…

why??? hmm…let me see here…
1. the need for coverups [e.g jackets] to be able to roam outside…
2. no excuses to leave your umbrella at home…added bulk in the bag…ugh -_-’
3. here in Manila, when it rains…it floods…there’s traffic…so where do u wanna go???
4. the need to heat up water in taking a bath…hayyzzz…
5. can’t have my fave frapp cause it’s cold…arrrgghh…[absolute annoyance na 'to...-_-]
6. prone to brownouts and hardknock cellphone signals…
7. getting caught in the rain would make me end up physically sick…
and above all…
8. the sight of a gloomy weather is something i simply can’t stand…
but it’s always been said a gazillion times that things happen for a reason…and that we have to see the positive things from anything that’s negative…
rainy days maybe absolute annoyance for me but it’s beneficial in more ways than one…farmers need rain for their crops…rain can be converted to the water that we keep drinking, out of technology of course…it provides opportunities for other people for instant money for sustainance…it still can be an opportunity to fashion with less skin exposure…
and of course, after the rain, the sun will still appear…i just have to wait for it…^_^
[photo with compliments c/o cuporobots.com^_^]

{September 9, 2008} where i’m headin?
i only texted once…an unexpected announcement last Sunday…a call of confirmation yesterday…
and in two weeks time, to embark my very first trip out of the country…
no nega vibes…just positivity…
so where am i headin??? take a guess…comments are absolutely welcome^_^

{September 4, 2008} out of n.f.w.
d.n.d…L.o.L…
and now there’s n.f.w…
ah ehem..it just simply tells you that i’m “Not Feeling Well”…i woke up this morning with a terrible headache, colds and a slight sore throat…of course, being the paranoid-with-illness that i am, i already drank medicines [which is leading me now to some typical "high" feeling...whoa*_*]
so speaking of getting high, we’ve been stuck in internet browsing minus the “friendster” stuff for days…this actually lead me to looking for other blogsites that suit my fancy…call me a “SUPER LATE” bloomer…but because of reading the latest ish of PREVIEW mag…i got to browse thru this blogsite
http://chuvaness.com
** blogsite of Cecile Zamora-Van Straten, a writer who blogs on almost anything. in fact, the latest that caught my attention was her comment / review on KC and Richard’s latest movie…satirical but informative and unique in my opinion…
another that caught my attention was bianca gonzalez’ blogsite —
http://superbianca.blogspot.com [the diary of a supergirl wannabe]
** what’s cool about her blogsite is letting the readers see her personal side — beneath the tv host and personality that she is…i can personally relate in a thing or two from her blogs and i must say she’s simple and true yet still “super”…
this blog searching and reading gave me avenues to discover other people of their true worth and thoughts…amazingly, i may NOT be FEELING WELL, but it got me blog hooked…

{August 28, 2008} starting over…
it has been said a thousand times…”all good things come to an end. starting over is the hardest part”…
but then again, some things don’t last, continuity will only occur if we embrace the end of something for a “new” beginning…
1. My months of sweat and grooves in the gym will have to end in 4 days from today. Well, surely, having enough exercise will have to be a normal routine. It’s just that my usual routines after office and Sundays will have to end. The Thursday hiphop class routines I used to have will be missed. From the usual three, it will only have to be Rayme and Rhea once again…

Another new beginning for the two, but stopping from gym routines would give way to start taking up a class that I’ve always wanted to pursue in years…I just hope it’ll work…

2. Friends come and go, but true friends stick to your memory. In a span of a month, 2 of my good friends already left. When the friendship started to form the five of us, 3 were left. Whatever their reasons may have been, it is a lonely sight…Tami is already in Singapore and Abie resigned just a week ago (which was actually the culprit of my busy late nights…hehe)

*with eyna and abie at starbucks - 6750*

*dinner at gilligan’s - ayala branch*

*lunch with purchasing 1 dept @ shanghai bistro - paseo*

It may be the end of those usual good times together, but starting over of thinking thoughts and working on other matters that are needed the most. Another new beginning of focusing now on what are essential in the other aspects of my life…to stay or to leave???…

3. In order to achieve the things that we love or the things we ought to have, it takes sacrifice. We have to take out one thing at a time in our system to replace it with new things to look forward to…
YOCASOCI leadership just ended with an election. My church services are put on hold for the meantime to start working on little steps towards my goals.
At my solitude, I get to discover the things I need, and more little things about me.
At my own solace, I hum at my own thoughts from a song (guess from what song is it^_^)…
“why do i keep running from the truth?…”
“you got me hypnotized, so mesmerized and i just got to know…”
“cause i try and try to walk away…”
but then again,,,i shouldn’t be swayed with too much emotions…in starting over…
calai @ 7:13 am [filed under Uncategorized No Comments »



{June 5, 2008} worth it
it’s been 4 days ago when all our hardwork and sleepless, worrisome nights ended…
am still recuperating to get ample enough of sleep, which i doubt i would only get by monday — due to the non-working holiday…yipeee!!
despite…
the extended hours at the church due to the paalay, badge-making, meetings, sermons for the “pasaway” moments of my members,
the long walks we had for solicitations, sponsors & follow-ups
the late night sleeps caused by the souvenir layouts, final church touch-ups
the early morning jitters for our sta. clara devotion & lola pitang’s breakfast talks during sundays
the cut-throat, mixed-up emotional and physical stresses
the yocasoci 2008 - presidenta experience was definitely worth it…
no wonder that day, june 1, 2008…i was definitely relieved and absolutely overwhelmed on how people appreciated the event…and no wonder, this was how we looked…

–> by the way, im the one in white (3rd from the right) <– and before i called it “exactly” a night,,,

i think the only pain i felt was leg pain…from the long procession mission accomplished!!! now i can hum to tune of this very famous line @ present… “this is the time to be more than a name, a face in the crowd, this is the time, this is the time of my life” this is the time of my life… for everyone who made this day and this year 2008 memorable for me…. a million thanks… it’s all worth it…^_^ calai @ 4:06 am [filed under Uncategorized tagged patapos 2008, yocasoci No Comments »