Sexy Oxford

There is no such thing as 'too many' for girls when it comes to shoes. So last night, I gave in to the temptation and bought a new pair from Primadonna. Thanks to the money my aunt gave me before she left for Australia, I was able to have this new baby.

It is easy to say that it was love at first sight. I've been wanting this style since God-knows-when, but everything I found were too expensive. That is why I was really enthralled when I found this on sale. Indeed, shopping in provincial malls really has its perks. Most items sold at regular prices in major branches are often sold here for discounted amounts. I got this for Php799.95, original price is Php1,999.95. How cool is that? Thank you SM MARILAO!

What basically drew me to it is the uniqueness of its design. It gives off the Oxford-vibe yet retains the sexy with its 5-inches chunky heels - which I find really irresistible. When I tried it on, it wasn't really cozy at first but after some steps, I immediately found comfort. With lady socks on, it's surely going to be 대박!

Health First!

인슈랜스 왔다!!! 

Just earlier this week, I submitted my application for a Maxicare Insurance and surprisingly, it was approved just a few days after. I have received the statement of account this morning through mail. 대박. I'll just have to pay my dues before the end of the month and then I can start enjoying its benefits.

If you ask me, I believe every person should apply for a medical insurance. First of all, it is the best ally against emergencies. Nothing is certain in life and anything can happen nowadays, so it would be best to always be ready. A medical insurance will serve as a guarantee that one has the immediate means to pay for the hospitalization and doctors' fees. 

And second, we all know that healthcare in the Philippines is not cheap. I could actually say that it has already become a privilege, instead of being an opportunity for everyone. If unlucky, the hospital would even act as a business rather than a facility (like what happened to us!) - and that is what a health insurance would save you from. Insurances like this may serve as cash, if you don't have it. 

There are many health insurance facilities operating in the country. I checked some of them and decided to apply for Maxicare. Aside from the fact that my best friend works there, I was convinced by the packages they offer. It's cheap, compared with others; yet it promises a wide range of benefits. Payment is quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. Should you wish to know more about it, you can visit its website at www.maxicare.com.ph. Use their quick plan computation feature to know which package is for you and how much you would have to pay at your age. 

Indeed, a medical insurance has become a necessity in the Philippines; and I suggest that all of you consider getting one. 

우리 빅토리야에게 너무 너무 고마웠죠!!!

Chivalry is Alive

This morning, I was checking my Facebook timeline when I passed by this image from Strait Times. It intrigued me because the man looked like Choi Siwon of Super Junior. I thought 'what happened?' and read on.

It turns out that the man is Choi Dae Ho, an ordinary South Korean student who's in Singapore for a Taekwondo training. In short, he's a foreigner. But he took his SG$4 slippers off and slipped it to the feet of a barefooted old woman who was in the bus with him. 

Chivalry is still alive. 

I was totally moved by what Mr. Choi said in an interview with ST. When asked (perhaps) on why he did that, he said "It was a small gesture on my part; and it was something I felt I had to do... or I would regret it."

Indeed, there's always this feeling of wanting to help. I believe everyone is capable of feeling such kind of emotions. Only, not everyone is brave enough to give in to it. You see, every heart is seeded with kindness. It's just a matter of how we let that grow. 

Mr. Choi had imbued in me a certain feeling of hope. There's still goodness to hold on to. This world still has a chance to be the 'better place' we've constantly wanting it to be. What we just have to do is to step out in the open and disregard whatever people might say, and just do what our heart tells us to do. Even if we walk barefooted so others won't, it's very rewarding. 

To be honest, I don't think Mr. Choi intended for this to go this sensational. I wouldn't want this to go on public, if I did this myself. But then, I suppose it's a rather good thing that this came out. At least, people will be motivated to follow his footsteps - and the footsteps of so many people who are doing good things despite not being in the spotlight. At least, people will know that being chivalrous and being nice towards others (especially elders) is not something to put in the back of our minds. 

And as human beings, we have the responsibilities to take care of others - even though they're not directly related to us. I hope people refrain from letting their social statuses get in the way of their desire to help. And if you are thinking that doing what others don't is an embarrassment, think again. It's not. In fact, it's one way of proving others that most times, challenging the norms is the only way to prove that there's still goodness in this world. 

For the news on Mr. Choi's chivalry, check out this article from Strait Times.

Gwiyomi Song

Lately, the Gwiyomi (귀요미) Song has been playing in my head like a plague - positive, at that. Gwiyomi is the term for 'CUTE' and I think it's a nursery song in South Korea. It has obviously gone sooooooo sensational because many idols are now performing it on stage. I think it's the next bbuing-bbuing.

For those who can't read Hangul, here's the romanization:

il deohagi ireun gwiyomi

i deohagi ineun gwiyomi

sam deohagi sameun gwiyomi

sa deohagi saneun gwiyomi

o deohagi odeun gwiyomi

yuk deohagi yukdeun..

*kiss fingers six times*

GWIYOMI!

For translation, click on read more.

Seeing Things on HD

I guess even fate is really taking the 'RESTART' thing for February seriously. Tina broke my old pair of eyeglasses so I was forced to get a new one. It was admittedly annoying considering that I had to spend money again, but I eventually realized that perhaps, it was fate's one way of telling me that to start again, I should be able to see things clearly. 

This pair of new eyeglasses become a metaphor to me then. You see, life has been terrifyingly blurred for me during the past month and if not for my faith, I would have literally lost it. Thus, it's time to see things the way it is now. No more haziness. No more blindness. 

It's time to see the truth, and drift away from the blurry images. It's time to look at things on a bigger and clearer perspective to not hurt anymore. I'm no longer in the position to cry over petty things, and it is thus necessary to emancipate myself from all these senseless emotions. As what my friend had pointed out, I don't deserve this. 

And I'll make sure I get what I deserve. Wearing my new pair of eyeglasses, I'll start seeing life in HD.

Dotted

1. J. Crew Polka-Dot Sequin Top

2. J. Crew Circle-print Chambray Popover

3. Green Polka Dot Sequins Collar Fluffy Jumpy Sweater

4. "Polka Dots" White Shirt

5. J. Crew Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot

I was browsing through Polyvore when I came across these polka-dot pieces.

I know it doesn't seem obvious but I've always been a huge fan of this design.

To me, it has this effect - similar to stripes - which hypnotizes people into looking at it.

Attention-grabber, it has always been. 

Plus, the Filipinos have always believed that polka-dots bring good luck.

I think we got it from the Chinese.

Among the choices above, the green polka-dot sweater is my favorite.

I love the shade of green used and the texture.

Plus the sequins on the collar, it looks like lace which is basically a great addition.

Hopefully, I'll find designs similar to these here.

A Love Month Treat from PixelFish

So it's the Love Month! And to celebrate it, PixelFish Concept is holding an extra ordinary Valentine treat! If you wish to have a FREE PRE-NUPTIAL PHOTO AND VIDEO COVERAGE for your forthcoming wedding, I cordially invite you to take part on LOVESTRUCK: A PixelFish Valentine Treat.

PixelFish Concept is a group of talented individuals who are greatly experienced in the field of productions. I can tell because I am friends with them and we've worked on a lot of events when we were in college. Professionally, they already covered lots of weddings and events, including the recent wedding of Mariz Umali and Raffy Tima. So there is no point in thinking twice about joining the fun. It's gonna be worth it. 

The procedure is specified in the image and it's really pretty easy for a prize as extravagant as this. So if you are planning to get married soon and is wishing to cut on the budget by finding free stuffs, join and make your pre-nuptial shoot a lot more memorable. :)

I think this is open for Philippine residents only. hihi.

Restart

The month of FAITH has been tough. The sacrifices from December carried over to January and it drove me half-mad. Perhaps, fate intended me to really name my first month as such because it indeed tested me. Luckily, I have managed to work on my faith in God, myself, and others. 

There are a lot of things I have learned. But let me summarize it in three sentences: 

1. Just let God's will be done. 
2. The trust I put in myself is the most integral basis of my personality.
3. I need to have faith in other people because friends are often way better than family. 

Now, February has come; and I decided to name it 'RESTART'. I'm going back to square one. I'm going to start again from scratch. I'm going to begin anew - fully equipped with the long-lost faith I've managed to regain on January. 

Perhaps, it's quite a drastic decision to restart my life. However, it's better done today than later. Today, I have less things to change than if I do it next month. Things will be easier.

I don't know how to begin this, to be honest. I just want to work on rebuilding relationships with people I have set aside for the past years. I have to work on regaining the trusts of those I intend to make parts of my life forever. There aren't many. I guess this will not be that much of a difficult task.

Most importantly, I want to restart myself. It's never too late to change and I just want to begin now. I need to change a lot of things in my life and I want to be someone new. This will surely take a lot of moving on - and that's basically what I dread the most - but if I'm not gonna leave the past and move on to the present and future, where would I find myself soon?

Restarting my life doesn't mean chucking out everything I've held dear to me for the past years. Restarting may mean working on a new and better relationships with them, and pruning off the bad and hurtful memories in my world. 

I'm gonna own February as well. Things will be okay. I'll be starting again.