Naked Truths

Am I Back?

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:03:00 +0000

Shucks, this is awkward. I feel it has been ages since I last wrote anything on this blog. I checked the last post, it was in April. Seven months. It's been like years.

Rusty and melodramatic, I know. But I just feel emotional writing again. I'm having mixed emotions as I write these words. Not sure if I should be happy I'm back at it or sad because I feel like I lost my touch, my flair.

I still could not figure out why I stopped writing. I remember I had several drafts done but none of which I published. Sadly, I'm not sure if I'd still want to do so. What I know is a part of me is a writer, and a part of me is saying I should just keep it to myself.

Perhaps, this is a start... breaking in, I suppose...

Reflection: For A Change

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:44:00 +0000

From my April 27 Daily Kabbalah Tune Up: "A great Kabbalist once said, "When you get busy worrying about the welfare of others, the Light gets busy worrying about you." ----- The Kabbalah Centre

Lately (up until now actually), I have been bothered by a lot of things on decisions I have made and what repercussions it may bring forward. I have been having sleepless nights, listless moments, and times when I just stay still for a long time - lost in my thoughts.

I'd say that I am at a stage in my life where, after years of bliss, I am facing one of my toughest challenges and this reminder presents me a new perspective - to worry about others instead.

Tough order, but may be worth a shot. I am not 100% sold to it yet, but possibly I should leave it all up to my old man upstairs. I know he has something better for me. Things happen for a reason.

Fearless Forecast: American Idol Season 8

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:33:00 +0000

It's just four weeks to go and the new American Idol will be identified! Who would it be? Who would America choose? Who would Simon, Paula, Randy, and Kara be rooting for?

I've been loyally following this season's show. There were only two runs when I missed it, all because of work! Then I missed the replays as well, but saw the elimination shows anyway.

As of this writing, there are only five of them left - Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Alison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, and Kris Allen. I would have to agree with Randy Jackson's comment that this season has one of the best contestants in the Top 13. And they're getting better and better as well as they inch themselves to the finale.

Obviously the crowd-faves are Adam and Danny who from the onset were already evident stars in their own right. Matt and Alison has been in the show's bottom three a couple of times while Kris has never been in it and is emerging to be the "dark horse" of the group.

Adam Lambert's theatrical background and love for singing has honed his vocal skills. His falsetto is amazing. Paula even compared him to the likes of the Rolling Stones. He does not fear to be different from the rest and continues to claim his performances as his own show. Apart from this, he is also good looking, confident, and his seeming dark aura makes him very appealing to both the female and male fans. In spite his allegedly gay photos circulating on the web, he remains to be much loved by his fans. He would definitely be in the final three.

Danny Gokey is one of the contestants featured during the auditions. He auditioned with his best friend who was equally good but was eliminated during the Hollywood week. Part of what was revealed about him was his wife died and so his singing is a tribute to her. At first I found that endearing but at some point I felt he used it a bit to increase his popularity. The judges often praise him for his perfect vocals. He reaches notes that are very difficult to do so. This guy is good. So good he can be a bore, but absolutely one of the top three.

Alison Iraheta, the last woman standing from the Final 13. This 16-year old can definitely sing and how powerful and bold she could be when she does so. What I like about her is she carries herself so well she shows who she really is. She's not a typical teenager with goody-good looks. She likes to be different, she dresses and acts according to her whim. This is manifested in her rocker-like look, red hair, and overall persona. Alison will definitely be someone to watch out for. At her age, she may still improve and perhaps someday become a recording artist. But for now, I'd say she's not going to win.

Matt Giraud. The judges, in spite Simon Cowell's equally fearless forecast that he's not going to win anyway, decided to use their "one-save" when he was pitted against Lil Rounds s a few weeks ago. He started strong with his Hollywood week audition with a Ray Charles song but week after week, with lousy song choices and his often been included in the bottom three has perchance dampened his spirits. He is struggling to stand out from among the best in his group. No doubt about it, he could sing well but like Alison, he will not make it.

Kris Allen. Ah, the singer with the boy-next-door looks. He just becomes a darling when he starts singing! I'd say that Kris began with lackluster appeal and seemingly subtle confidence but with the constant judges' prodding and advises for him to look and feel certain, he indeed is coming out from his shell and is rocking! His song renditions are varied and original. His rendition of "Ain't no Sunshine" while playing the piano and acoustic version of "She works hard for the money" were two of his best performances. Let me add that these were also two of the most memorable and original ones in the show! He's a genius! Sure ball top three.

So, is it going to be Adam, Danny, or Kris?

ADAM will be the shoo-in winner. But DANNY and KRIS will be great contenders and will undeniably have recording contracts after AI 8.

P.S. I like Adam Lambert but I heart Kris Allen!!!

Photo Credits: American Idol

Review: Project Runway Season 5

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:42:00 +0000

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This is one of my two fave fashion-related shows. The other being America's Next Top Model. Project Runway has never ceased to entertain me because of the over-the-top personalities that always take advantage of the camera and most of all, like any other reality show, I love the candidness!

This season's highlights were its episodes on creating something environment-friendly (Episode 2: Grass is Always Greener), designing sports wear (Episode 4: Rings of Glory), making clothes for Brooke Shields of Lipstick Jungle (Episode 5: Welcome to the Jungle), and realizing a look based on astrological signs (Episode 9: What's your sign?). Some of the episode runs were a constant from previous seasons such as the designers creating clothes for each other, making something out of scratch, and transforming ordinary people's fashion for whatever purpose (like in this season, making over college graduates to help them enter the workforce). At one point, I felt bored and wanted to get through the judging part to know who won and who was out.

There were 16 designers who in my opinion were very talented but some of them lacked personality and pizzas. My darlings were: Kenley Collins (she's the one at the left on the photo below) for her fierce attitude, beautiful hair, and 50's-inspired creations; Stella Zotis (one in middle) for her rock style which she stubbornly integrated in all her creations; and Blayne Walsh (one at the right), who being the youngest (and gay) in the group added humor and drama on the show.

I'd say that this season's contestants were much much tame compared to previous seasons where there was Jay McCaroll (who would ever forget his no-holds-barred behavior?) of Season 1, Santino Rice (his mimickry of Tim Gunn was outrageous and he was often very outspoken during judging time) of Season 2, Jeffrey Sebelia (a friend of Santino who was equally eccentric but inspirational because of his determination to get past his previous lifestyle) of Season 3, and Christian Siriano (gay and fabulous, need I say more?) of Season 4. Oh how I loved their funny antics, tantrums, fights, and what-have-you's. They were totally amusing! I bet Project Runway gained more views in the past compared to Season 5.

On one hand, the fashion designs were contemporary, chic, and refreshing. I especially liked Leanne Marshall's (season winner) play of pastels, structure, and flow which she mentioned was inspired by water waves. She was also the only designer who showed variety by having dresses, pants, shorts, and skirts.

Kenley Collins' wedding gown was gorgeous, it was her best in her collection of 50's outfits (which by the way is her signature look). Her creations were so nice but all the judges agreed that they look like a famous designer's work, in other words, copy cat, whoah!

Korto Momolu's outfits were beautifully structured as well, but perhaps lacked some oomph. She had challenges finishing her work before the finale as she had to redo most of her gowns.

It is also notable that this was the first season to have an all-female team to have made it on the finals. That's right, the fashion week finale was dominated by women! Girl power to the max!

The show also had more guest judges like Brooke Shields, LL Cool J, RuPaul (hilarious episode!), etal. It was also mentioned during the finale that Jennifer Lopez was supposed to be a judge but was not able to make it. Tim Gunn replaced her on the last minute.

Generally, Season 5 was amusing especially during judging time with Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, and Heidi Klum. Of course, I won't forget the ever-poised and critical (yet sensible) Tim Gunn's visits in the designers' work room where he would often be right on when he provides his comments and suggestions to the contestants' work.

I'm definitely looking forward to Season 6, which by the way going to air on Lifetime instead of Bravo.

Photo Credits: BravoTV and Whatshaute

Review: CSI Vegas Season 9

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:37:00 +0000

Over the past months, I haven't written so much. Been busy with my online shop, my daughter's final exams review, quest for a new job, and a bunch of other things.

I'm now so back and inspired to chronicle my pending reviews. I've recently seen the following (some finished, the others initial runs): CSI Vegas Season 9, Project Runway Season 5, X-Men: Origins of Wolverine. Thanks to the long, hot, and lazy holy week break, My Love and I were able to sate our TV and DVD addiction.

Let me start with my all-time fave TV show, CSI Vegas. For CSI fans who haven't finished the series, this is a spoiler… don't read.

Watching CSI Vegas Season 9 was particularly especial for me as it brought about good memories of a show I used to regularly and consistently follow since it started up until it's 6th season. For whatever reason, I stopped watching it until I recently read reviews and saw on a talk show that Grissom was leaving. That made me interested to check the latest season and I wasn't disappointed.

Of course, adult content is still a given, Nick Stokes (George Eads) is still a hunk, Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) is becoming a cute-guy-next-door character, and new characters are added. But the story line had evolved and became, I should say nostalgic, as Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan) dies in the first episode and Grissom left on Episode 10 to be with Sara. I felt sad when Grissom (Wiliam Petersen) left but felt happy just the same as he followed his heart to be with Sara (Jorja Fox), his lover. That was just sweet.

Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) took over the CSI team as their supervisor and new characters - Riley Adams (Lauren Lee Smith) and Ray Langston (Laurence Fishburne) entered the picture as new addition to the team.

They provide a different twist to the team's existing culture. Although Langston's point of entry, in my point of view was a bit lame. For lack of way to have him join the group, CSI Vegas scriptwriters decided to make him a professor who wrote a book on his close encounter with a savage criminal and in one episode decided to have the criminal virtually get interviewed by a group of university teachers. Grissom joins the group as he was gathering lead to an existing investigation. Twist of twists, in the end, the killer Grissom was looking for was actually in the group of university teachers who was a copy-cat a.k.a. protege of Langston's criminal interviewee.

What I like about Langston's character though is the fact that he shows his vulnerability in some scenes where he learns of the in's and out's of being a CSI. And they turnout funny. Riley's character on the other hand is a fresh take from Sara, Catherine, or Sofia Curtis (Louise Lombard, who plays a detective in previous seasons). She comes in smart but low-key and clouds her personality by adding mysteriousness in her personal life. For sure, she'd eventually disclose more of who she is.

Overall, CSI Vegas Season 9 is a good watch. Funny, I never outgrow the endless killings and mystery solving… it's not like I get high watching it, I just feel like I'm one of the characters or perhaps an imaginary character. It's a dream job for me. If I would have to deal with cadavers and blood, a CSI job would be exciting!

Photo Credits: Google, CBS

Weight A Minute

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:50:00 +0000

What is it with some people? They don't see you for quiet sometime and when they do, they gush over your weight. "Wow you look so thin!!!" or "You gained weight!" Like your weight is the only thing that they notice. And I guess it is.

I've always been a victim of such *rap. Much to my displeasure, yeah, I consider my weight a frequent conversation starter with friends or former co-workers who I don't see for sometime and suddenly bump into when I least expect it. Perhaps it is because they have been a witness to my weight battles- lose here, gain there, lose again, gain again.

Just yesterday, my hubby and I were at Shopwise, Libis when we chanced upon one of our village friends (my hubby and her hubby are friends from before) and the first thing she said to me was "Parang ano ah…" (It looks like…") then looked at my well-gifted hips. I chuckled and shot back and said "Ganyan talaga pag yumayaman" (That's how it is when you're getting rich"). She smiled and said, "Oh of course!" and shifted to another topic with my hubby. I actually wanted to grab her and say, "What is it with you if I gained weight, you're not feeding me anyway!" Good thing my hubby was between us as I felt my claw-like hands were ready to inflict harm, big time.

Here's the thing, I'm sedentary - no activities, physical stuff whatsoever, and I love to eat. The last time I ever exercised was in 2005. That has been four years of eating to my heart's content and not being physically active. And now I'm overweight, unhealthy, and forlorn over my physical appearance. I find it extremely difficult to maintain being healthy. Unlike my health-buff-extraordinaire hubby who plays basketball 2-3 times a week, goes to the gym 2-3 times a week, does boxing, and sometimes golf, and a whole other alien world called sports.

I love food - noodles, crab, shrimp, beef, cakes, bread, ice cream, chips, and iced tea. When I'm happy, I celebrate. When I'm depressed I gobble food. I keep tabs on my emotions and when they're on a high, I also eat a lot. I surely do miss the days when I was able to fit in size XS clothes from Kamiseta, Bayo, Plains and Prints, YRYS. Now when I see those stores, I cringe in envy because I can't even fit in their decent large sizes.

What people don't know is I had bouts with my body who I feel has a mind of its own. Kidding aside, I am getting bothered with my self-esteem being overpowered by what I see on the weighing scale and not to mention our full- length miror at home.

Let me see, when I was a kid, I've always been slim… let me correct that, I was thin. I remember my Mom often giving me vitamins for me to gain weight, but to no avail. In high school, I noticed my appetite was also building up. Everyday, when I get home from school, I'd drink a liter of Coke together with my "kanin lamig" (cold rice) and leftover viand. I could also eat a big pack of Clover and Chippy in one sitting. All these and more, but I remained slim. After getting my first period and developed my booties and humps, that's when I started gaining weight, but still not on the heavy side.

Fast forward to landing my second job here in Manila, where I believe society dictates women be thin to fit in baby tees, slim-figured bootlegs, revealing mini-skirts, etc., I began to feel I had to be slim all the time, so I tried so many things to maintain my weight - from starving myself, taking in diet drinks, diet pills, exercising to the max, going on a diet, more and more diet, diet, diet. The more I did these things, the more that my weight yo-yo'ed. I balooned to 130 pounds when I was 22, at 4'11, you know that's over and beyond my ideal weight. After dieting, I'd slim down to 110 pounds and on extreme cases 105 pounds.

The biggest change happened when I got pregnant. I personally believed that I had to eat for two people all the time, tee-hee. My co- workers cum friends were amazed whenever we'd eat out in the Shangri-la mall. I'd eat a plate of rice and sizzling pork chop at House of Minis and still have space for a Chowking lariat on the side. I'd take a couple of Mister Donut donuts back to the office after. And have a big plate of pancit for an afternoon snack.

I did this everyday and became a walking balloon before giving birth. I was 180 pounds on my ninth month! I felt like my OB-Gyne didn't want me to eat anymore on my third trimester as I was alarmingly gaining a lot of weight, but I couldn't stop myself, LOL! Oh well, I lost 40 pounds after the delivery and went on plateau at 140 pounds for more than a year and gained weight up to 150 pounds after. I weighed more than Manny Pacquiao, darn!

I got inspired to go back to my slim weight in 2004 when I worked with a call center and bullies were every where. Co-workers picked on my being chubby. And because I want to prove them wrong that I could lose it, I enrolled in a gym near our place. I attended aerobic classes 7-8 times a week. I also asked a nutritionist to provide me a list of recipes I can use to keep my appetite healthy. I restrained myself from my fave foods, though I had cheat days as well but I turned conservatively timid towards food. This paid off I guess as I lost a total of 48 pounds . I reached a 102 pounds and oh yes, I turned into a different person altogether!

This was the most extreme I've become and oh how I loved myself. If not for my new job and not being able to go the gym as I used to, perhaps I would have lost more pounds and achieved size zero. But I would have been paper thin then.

Sigh. Now, I'm back to my only-God-knows-how-heavy-I-am weight. And I feel stressed and in dire need to lose weight. What with the pressure from media and my personal ambition to look and feel better, again. I need to find a way to put some skin in the game and start taking care of myself. I know it's a whole lot of work, and admitting I have a problem with it is a start.

The Journey

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:30:00 +0000

It was my birthday on March 24. I celebrated it at home, with my family. Had crabs and shrimps for lunch and my fave pancit for merienda. Despite the humid weather, I decided to lounge and just be lazy at home. To pass the time, I watched all 13 episodes of Project Runway 5. I started at around Noon and ended at 9:30 in the evening. It was fun!

I'm 35. And it's sweet to look back and say to myself that I've come a long and way -- nine years happily married to my best friend, enjoying life with my eight-year old daughter, worked with five good companies, halfway-through my MBA, etcetera… the journey has been worthwhile.

In the next few weeks I'm embarking on another journey… I've resigned from my job in the hope of another encounter, hopefully better. And I'm anxious. Though I haven't found another career home yet, I know I will soon. Thanks to all my loved ones who continuously support and pray that I get the best. I thought it would never happen but I did it, I let go of something familiar, something comfortable, something I thought I would be with for a long time. Maybe it's just me, I stand by my values and beliefs. I refuse to be swayed with what I know I'd never be happy with. This is the main reason I've come to a decision to leave the company I am with now. It sure is sad but that's just the way it is.

I've learned a lot of lessons in five-year stay with "the company" -- some hard, some even harder. I have many good memories of events, people, friendships, arguments, challenges, celebrations, and I'll bring them along with me and use them as ammo in my next "life project". I'm on my way to making it happen again… this time even better.

Catching Up!

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:48:00 +0000

It was almost the end of January when I started writing this, and now it's already the second week of the second calendar month! A lot have happened along the way. As in A LOT have HAPPENED and I'm catching my breath.

For one, business is generally good. My new partners have been very happy with our sales. We just need to dispose whatever products are left so our projected revenues may be reached. Nah! Not a tall order but just a personal goal to have all our items sold. On the other hand, one of my businesses is on the "50-50" side. Still ironing things out and hopefully everything will turn out well, SOON...

Family-wise, I couldn't ask for more. All is GOOD. My Love Nald is forever supporting me in every way he can. Our daughter has done well in school last term and we're continuously working with her. Mom has been feeling better, void of new ailments, rid some of her old ones.

Anyway, I'm working on the following to be finished soon:

Second article for HerWord of Business World Online (see an update below)
Review articles for: ANTM Cycle 10 and 11, The Celebrity Apprentice, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Unit Season 4, Slumdog Millionaire
A thesis project on an IT-related business

Of course, add to this my daily routine, work, and house stuff. To relieve stress, I indulge my PSP addiction. Since I got hold of our PSP Slim, I've finished the following games:

Brave Story: Nice plot, great fight scenes
Scooby Doo Who's Watching Who?: Super easy, but very entertaining
Diner Dash: Challenging! There are some parts which I need to improve on, tee-hee!
Virtual Tennis: What can I say, I'm number 1!
Fight NIght: Again, I'm a grand slam winner!

I'm currently playing Neopets Pet Adventure, Wall-E, and B-Boy. Reviews will be shared soon.

Just late last week, I got word from Melody, HerWord.com's web mistress, that my second article contribution is up! Read it here. Or just read on below:

Embracing my child-like ways
Published on http://www.HerWord.com (owned and operated by the BusinessWorld Corporation)
February 6, 2009

I’ve been listening to the Twilight soundtrack for more than two months now. Day in and day out, whenever I am in front of my laptop, I automatically play the movie’s OST. It’s part of my routine already. I don’t mind listening to it more than eight hours a day. Even my ring tone assigned to my hubby’s call is Twilight’s Supermassive Black Hole by Muse. I’ve been freaking out about Twilight, Stephenie Meyer, Bella, and, of course, Edward Cullen. I guess I’ve also been smitten… and bitten (and not minding it at all)… by the Twilight phenomena.

I’m turning 35 in March and because of this obsession, I’ve realized how not-so 30-ish I’ve been acting. I’ve read all of Stephenie Meyer’s books (including Meyer’s Midnight Sundraft) in less than a week, in spite of the fever and flu I had before Christmas. Part of my morning habit is to research and browse through almost all of the most popular Twilight sites in the internet. I practically am all over Edward Cullen everyday. I’ve also changed my blog site’s layout to make it darker, more mysterious, more Twilight-er. In a few months or years, I may end up laughing at how silly I am about it.

I wonder why a lot of people do not act their age. Perhaps all of us would be mature, and logical, and boring if this would happen. Case in point, my hubby has not lost his child-like self in him—he plays and watches a lot of basketball and other shows with “balls,” he also likes toys like RC cars, pocket bikes, and PSPs, he often finds something funny in any situation.

He’s like a 10-year old boy but I love him nevertheless, and I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else, not even Edward Cullen!

In Brad Pitt’s latest movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it was a different take on ageing or should I say "dis-aging." What the movie was trying to say was, one must act his age. Take things in stride, enjoy the moments with our loved ones, and accept people for what they are. I believe that in a way we always keep the child-like (positive) or childishness (negative) in ALL of us. And it’s something that we can’t do away with, whether we like it or not. It helps keep ourselves grounded and realistic.

In many instances in my life, after stressful situations, I find myself goofing around or if I’m too irate to do so, someone or something makes me. And I find it a relief. Soon after a bout of laughter with co-workers or my family, I’m ready for life’s battles again.

This leads me to how I interact and rear my eight-year old daughter. My hubby said that this year moving forward, his request is for me to be more patient with our child. Yes, I’m guilty. I find it so challenging to bring up our daughter. I must admit, I’m not so fond of kids. Unlike most of my friends who find their chatter music to their ears, I’m not amused. Not until I gave birth to my daughter. Sure I have not been changed 100 per cent, but I’m getting there.

I would probably credit this somehow to how I was raised. I grew up with not so many kids around. My brother is eight years my senior and I have always been a sickly child. My cousins, and there are not many of them my age, lived no where near our place. I’ve always been kept indoors because of my primary complex, asthma, and heart murmur.

My vivid memories of my childhood contemporaries are not so pleasant. They’ve often labeled me negatively and they didn’t want to play with me because they thought I or my family was not at their "level." Talk about discrimination among six-year olds. Thus I succumbed to being alone, playing alone, and appreciating that in the process. This went on for years. When I went to school, I was also a favorite bully target. Funny that when my daughter would ask me if I had a best friend way back, I couldn’t name anyone. That is because I didn’t have one. I was more at peace being by myself.

Sure I had friends when I was growing up, but I couldn’t enumerate names of those I’d consider as individuals I grew up with. This changed in so many ways when I started working, I realized that I had to do something about it. I reached out and had close friends. I found it wonderful and it opened my eyes to appreciating how it is to be child-like and enjoy it.

Again, I have a lot of blessings to be thankful for, like my hubby—he is my greatest adviser and most of all my best friend. My daughter—for accepting me for what I am, even if it means keeping up with me, my crankiness, and my funkiness. Because of them, I’m becoming a better person. They continue to show and let me feel unconditional love, they’ve accepted me for who I am, my child-like ways, my being.

Best of 2008: The Year That Was

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:38:00 +0000

There are many blessings, challenges, opportunities, things, situations, and individuals I'm very thankful for in 2008. And I'm taking this time out to let the world know how colorful the year that was for me.

First, I'd like to thank the beautiful people who've helped, gave inspiration, unconditionally loved, critiqued, and disliked me for they've made me a better person:

My Love Nald, my forever confidante, best friend, adviser, my rock. I love you so much for accepting and keeping with all my quirks!
My Daughter Aleks who is one little feisty, funny, smart, curious, and lovable kid. You keep me grounded. Love you forever, Naneng!
My Mom, my inspiration. I dedicate my being to you who've given me life. I will forever me indebted to you, Mommy. I love you!
Nanay and Juday, thanks for taking GREAT care of us.
Our dogs Bugsy (our THEN 8-year old Rottweiler) and King (our NOW 7-month old Bullmastiff), you make life extra especial.
For my very few AND very good REAL friends: OO, Quellay, Jae, Krissy, Heather, Dimples, and Alexish for the especial moments and care we've shared and continue to do so in many more years!
My Business Partners: Lea B., Tessa L., Pam O., Grace V., Kat L., Jae L., and Gabby DS.. We're a team and our success is unstoppable!
Other business suppliers I've dealt with: Lea O., Rona E. for trusting me with your businesses.
My AGSB groups, professors, and classmates for all the learning you've shared.
The many people I've met in my line of work who've also shown me what it takes to be more successful.
My The DROPShop Online clients who bought my products. Thanks for all the trust and loyalty. =)
My hecklers (you know who you are) for all the challenges and opportunities you've opened for me and the realizations I've had. Without you, life won't be so exciting!

Second, I'm also very much blessed to have accomplished all these and more:

2-bedroom condominium unit purchase at the East of Galleria in Ortigas, Pasig City " Four finished subjects in The Ateneo Graduate School of Business (Seven more to go and can't wait to enroll for the next term!)
Successful IELTS Review and IELTS Exam (c/o Quellay E.) where I got a score of 7.5 (the highest score is 9)
The DROPShop online launch (through Multiply): revamped and upgraded my site to Premium status
The DROPShop online domain registration " Expanded The DROPShop clientele base to more than 150 people to-date
First published article in HerWord, an internet gazette managed by Business World Online
First public talk at the First Nursing Expo at the SM Megamall, again through my great friend, Quellay
Second public talk at the Belle de Jour exclusive gathering in Rustans, Makati
Travel journeys for work to Cebu three times and in Bacolod once
Big sale of an Iloilo franchise (though not yet signed) at the office
And the ICING on my cake: Purchases of the following: SAMSUNG smart phone, MAC 13-inch 2nd Gen laptop, LG KP500 Cookie touch phone, lots of clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, food, and what-have-you's

Lastly, what I am very much thankful for to my old man up there are not just all these things he provided me but MOST ESPECIALLY the small and often times ignored BLESSINGS that happen everyday:

Waking up in the morning and knowing I'm still alive
Our family's daily morning bonding routine - eating breakfast together, riding together and listening and singing to music on our way to the office and school
The convenience of having my office located in the back of my daughter's school, so I get to bring and pick her up everyday
The flexibility of my job to accommodate my school and personal schedules
The comforts of our small yet very cozy home
Being able to eat and drink any food I want
Having the many talents and skills to do many things such as write articles, sell products, speak in front of many people, laugh at my mistakes and boo-boos, make people happy...

Overall, 2008 was very good in spite what others may say if they start talking about recession, economy, politics, and all other *rap. Sure I have a say on those things, too. But for now, there are just so many things to be grateful about. Period.

Happiness Strikes!

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:33:00 +0000

I'm ecstatic! First of all, last week, I got all my STEPHENIE MEYER TWILIGHT series books from Fully Booked; my daughter had her first communion on the 6th; the company I work with provided two cash bonuses to everyone -- I'm in a roll!

And that's not it, there's more! Just today, I received feedback from Melody of HerWord.com that my contributed article has been published on their site! I'm so overwhelmed because it's my first! And I'm going to make it a START -- my goal is to write one article per week and farm them out to broadsheets, magazines, or online venues.

Now 'nuf said about it, enjoy my article. You may opt to read it on HerWord through this link. Or you may read it below.

On being who we are meant to be
Published on http://www.HerWord.com (owned and operated by the BusinessWorld Corporation)
December 15, 2008

As I write this, I am in Cebu on a business trip for three days. My job entails me to travel to key cities in the Philippines like Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Baguio, Pampanga, etcetera. But that’s not what my write-up is all about.

Let me start by introducing myself, I am Miami Alciso-Cabansay, a cool Mom, a ravishing wife, a small business entrepreneur, and a project manager by profession. I am a proud Baguio girl – born, raised, and schooled there.
My first real job (I worked as a crew with a famous fastfood restaurant) was with a telco company then I was given an opportunity to work for a competitor in Manila. And this started my so-called Manila life.

I always take pride in sharing my story about how I got myself living independently and achieving remarkable milestones in life. I reminisced all these again today and I got inspired to write about it when I received the email invite from Herword.

Shiela, a former colleague and a friend of mine picked me up at the Cebu airport and we had lunch together after.
She’s such a darling she does this all the time, in spite her very busy schedule. On our way to a restaurant, we started talking about a lot of things and we discovered that we had so much in common. After her stint at our office, she decided she wanted to have another career. She came to a realization that she had a lot of goals she’d like to achieve and she had to do something about it.

The last time our other friends heard about her after she left is she got employed with a pharmaceutical company. We all were flabbergasted about it as it was very unlikely of her, much more that she was going to be assigned in Cebu after her gruesome training. We were kidding that she may end up coming back after just a few months or weeks even. She was not the type who would be left alone and do things all by herself. She was pampered by her family, she had everything laid out before her.

She carried on with the challenges of her job as a medical representative, learned the dialect, established very good professional relationships with doctors, adjusted to a different culture and a different set of colleagues. In many instances, she proved to every one and most especially to herself that she is capable of doing more, doing great, and doing it all by herself.

I shared with her that I could relate to what she has gone and is going through now. I was also in such and many other situations when I first set foot in Manila. For someone who was all set and comfortably living in Baguio City, Manila was a totally new world for me. I got to learn a lot of things on my own – from commuting to different and many places, working with different types of people, learning the who’s who in the political and social arena (which I previously only got to learn about through the media), and a whole lot more. There were so many times when I thought I wanted to go back home but my innate fighting spirit which I most likely got from being partly an Igorota held me back as if saying “Hey woman, you gotta keep it together, you’ve still got a long way to go!” And so I did.

Three companies and 13 years later, I’m married to a very supportive and not to mention a hunk-of-a-guy husband and best friend; We have a very smart and very pretty daughter; I am an executive in a stable and booming industry; I have a small business; and I’m about to finish graduate school next year!

Suffice to say that I have “arrived”. My experiences in life range from missing work opportunities, getting fired, dealing with ultra-difficult people, knowing one’s real friends in unexpected situations, adjusting to married life, and making life decisions for another human being (my daughter).

One may say, but that’s what life is all about! Oh yeah, most definitely, but nowadays, when the world we live in is doubly fast-paced, everything is turning digital, there are Starbucks everywhere – recognizing and acknowledging life milestones which I call “lifestones” are not common anymore. People get frustrated easily, they lose the meaning of being who one is meant to be by going through the many facets of life.

I am saddened that very few people celebrate small personal achievements anymore. We sometimes tend to forget that after all, we’re human beings and we are here in this world to make the most out of our borrowed lives, to make ourselves better persons and that we need to continue to grow but then we also need to enjoy life and look at small things as part of the big picture. Without them, life is not exciting!

Being who we are meant to be is a process. Most of the time life throws us bits and pieces of what-have-yous but we just need to embrace all of it and take it in stride. Just like my fave movie character, Forrest Gump says “Life is like a box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you’ll get!”

Review: Twilight

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:41:00 +0000

I am a Twilight fan, oh let me correct that, I'm an EDWARD CULLEN-of-the-Twilight-movie fan.

I've heard about the movie since second or third quarter of this year. I have also seen its movie posters at Eastwood Cinema for the longest time. But I didn't pay attention then, I thought it was just an ordinary, not to mention, nonsense horror movie. I've even seen so many online social networks that sold "Team Edward" and "Team Jacob" tees. I thought to myself, "Who the h**l was Edward?!"

One time, Jaelette, a good friend, asked me to help her look for the Twilight books for her niece. Apparently at that time (oops until now actually), all NBS, FB, and PB branches did not have stocks, the books were sold out! Luckily she found them at FB in Gateway, Cubao. Then one time, My Love Nald and our Princess Aleks saw a movie where they saw the trailer and they excitedly told me about it. I realized then at that time that it was just to obvious to ignore. Twilight was a must-see movie.

With great anticipation, after my three-day trip to Cebu, My Love, Princess, and I planned to see the movie at the Promenade in Greenhills. First screening hour. With popcorn and drinks in hand, we gobbled and feasted not only on the food but on the movie as well.

We were amazed, enthralled, and left thirsty for more. Oh well, I may just be speaking for myself. But I was so amused that it made me want to own all the four books by Stephenie Meyer ==> Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. I want to read all of them. I want to know what will happen next to Edward and Bella's love story. In fact, we went to five bookstores in Greenhills and Robinsons Galleria on a quest to find them. But to no avail. They were all out-of-stock of the Stephenie Meyer books!!!

Anyway, going back to the story, yes, it is actually a love story and not the gory-type of horror movie. It is like the gothic version of Romeo and Juliet. Love that can never be.

It's plot is simplistic but the thought of putting together old-school vampire theories in modern day times, much less in a school setting, with teen characters, and in a love story setting is apt and realistic. Almost anyone may relate to it, and that probably explains the millions of fans, especially girls who have been going ga-ga over Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen), Kristen Stewart (Isabella Swan), and the rest of the Twilight cast.

Though I felt that the movie could have given more substance on things like explaining more what each of the Cullen family's relationships and powers were, as well as establishing Bella's and Edward's characters. Nevertheless, I must say that with the very few good movies that are released internationally and most especially locally, this one's a hot one and a unique watch!

Right now, I'm awaiting feedback from FB and NBS if my books are already available. I cannot wait.

Review: Quantum of Solace

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:16:00 +0000

I heart Daniel Craig.

In his latest 007 movie, he was at his action best again, as in. From beginning to end, the movie was action-packed.

My Love Nald and I grew up watching 007 movies through the influence of our parents. And we thank them for it, because our appreciation for James Bond films or any movie for that matter is more than skin-deep.

Anyway, My Love Nald likes Roger Moore, I on the other hand, love Sean Connery as THE James Bond. However, we see eye-to-eye and both agree that Daniel Craig is the most believable and REAL James Bonds ever.

You know what I mean when I say "real". Previous James Bonds always looked pristine, slick,and clean, even during the most action of actions in their films. But not Daniel Craig as James Bond. His hair gets messy when he fights, he gets bruised, and most of all he gets emotional. It is also perhaps of the people behind the film thinking that it would be crappy to follow suit of previous James Bond movies where he is invincible, untouchable, almost un-real.

Nevertheless, Quantum of Solace is still very much like any other James Bond movie -- there are rich ugly villains; sexy and intriguing ladies; lavish parties; air, water, and land action scenes. The film revolved around Bond's mission to infiltrate and unearth underground activities of the story's villains in places in South America. Timely global issues such as water scarcity, graft, political manipulation, environment abuse were very abundant in Quantum of Solace's plot.

To add some human touch in the story, James Bond's emotions were played upon, which was actually used to further fuel the action and complicate the simplistic plot! Add to this, a beautiful lady named Olga Kurylenko who's sexy piercing eyes and stunts both matched those of Daniel's. They were quiet a pair, indeed!

Well, in general, Quantum of Solace deserves one's full attention, a MUST-SEE film, and My Love Nald and I are definitely looking forward to the next Craig Bond, ooops James Bond movie.

Miami's Goals Q4 2008 and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:02:00 +0000

A lot of people, including myself, believe that it is anyone's right to DREAM, and since it is free, one might as well DREAM big. In addition to this belief, one must affirm them and work passionately to achieve whatever those dreams are.

I'm writing this blog not just to list all my "wishes" but to actually affirm that I will achieve all of them. I am a big advocate of setting goals because it makes life more defined with purpose and meaning.

Now, let's see, I have a lot of dreams in mind from my family, career, business, down to my personal ones.

MY FAMILY GOALS

Finish paying off our EOG (East of Galleria) condominium unit which My Love Nald and I purchased January this year.
Invest in a lot in our existing village and put-up our dream house.
Invest in two more condominium units >> one in The Fort and another one elsewhere.
Invest in a house and lot in my dear hometown in Baguio City where my Mom can just simply relax and enjoy her retirement days.
Completely and consistently remit my payments for my Manulife and Prulink investments (all for My Princess Aleksis' future education needs).
Travel with my family to different places outside Metro Manila/Philippines on a yearly basis. A goal My Love and I share especially help our Princess' grow as a well-rounded individual.

MY CAREER GOALS

Be part of a company that has the same ideals, values, and vision as mine. This may be a feat, but it could be done.
Focus on specific areas such as Business Intelligence, Research and Development, and Organizational Development.
Achieve senior executive post or a general manager (why not!) in the next 3-5 years time.

MY BUSINESS GOALS

Launch my business website by end of 2008 if not first quarter of 2009. I've already enhanced my s ocial network site and I'd want it up a notch higher this time.
Continue to find unique products to distribute in the Philippines or ways of marketing existing products.
Don't want to be so mainstream. =)
Set-up an association/organization for online entrepreneurs with the goal of legitimizing biz transactions, registering them, educating online entrepreneurs, etc. An idea I came up with and My Love Nald said that it's a bright one!
Put up my own company that will showcase my skills and talents as a corporate diva. I have the core idea in a nutshell; I just need to start with the business plan to flesh out the details.

MY PERSONAL GOALS

Finish by end of 2009 or early 2010 my graduate school studies in Ateneo.
Organize our houses (yes, houses!) combining neatness and functionality. I'm such an OC-OC, I'd like to organize things a lot!
And now, my so-called "Desserts" (yummmm!):

2nd Gen 13-Inch MACBook: Been drooling over this for the past two months, and it will soon be mine!!!

LV Damier Neverfull MM: I used to obsess with their Speedy line but I figured I need more room for a lot of my stuff.

Philip Stein Harmony watch in brown strap: A nice girl needs a nice watch, don't we!

My Passport Essential 250GB Portable Hard Drive: I'm currently using My Love Nald's EHD and he's been saying I need to get one of my own, LOL!

A 3-day Stay in The Farm, San Benito: I'd like to pamper myself with the following: Purification Treatment, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, and Colon Hydrotherapy. Why I chose these, for detoxification of accumulated stuff inside and outside my body!

Love it! Now, off to achieving all these and more!!!

October-Fest The Best

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:21:00 +0000

Lately, I've been slacking myself off, if there's such a term, LOL! Well, I'm referring to the professional aspect of my life here. Since many things have changed at the ORC's place, not to mention close and real people leaving, Orcs taking over the haven, and many other mind-boggling stuff occurring, it has been bleh and blah. That's why I've resorted to doing what I do best, my side businesses.

My Multiply site theme design was recently finished. Thanks to Nuni Meneses of Project Prettify, she revamped, fabulous-ized, and put more 'oomph' to my little online store. Coincidentally, The DROPShop Online store is doing so well with all my gadgets on installment, bags, accessories, and other items I offer. I sure am feeling the Christmas season and I'm not complaining, tee-hee!

Oh well, on a different note, I've managed to see two movies recently, the latest being HS Musical 3 (with of course my Love and my Princess) and sometime two or three weeks ago, Body of Lies.

Let's see. I sooooooo love Leonardo Dicaprio. He has greatly evolved as an actor in Body of Lies. Though some of the movie's scenes and plots were very Filipino film-like (so predictable, another character comes in just in time before the hero gets sliced into pieces, the villain-so it seemed- kidnaps the hero's girlfriend, etc.),

I still heart this movie because of Leo, LOL! Seriously, I liked this film because of the different way America was portrayed. Believable.

Highschool Musical 3 on the the other hand was an amazing teeny-boppy film treat. The kids have grown!!! And it looks like they're turning into very good-looking and talented ladies and men. My fave character, in spite her being the "bad" girl in the movie, is Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale). For me, she is such a girl! Her clothes are cute and elegant, her ways are sometimes dumb but funny, and lastly, she is a total performer.

Tsk, tsk, the movie reminded me of highschool (minus the boys as I studied in an all-girls highschool) when I was a theater freak - I perfomed in a lot of plays and was labeled as one helluva comedian by the school. I'm such a natural, I miss those days.

Reality Check. In a few weeks, another colleague and a good friend will bid goodbye to the Orc's place. Hate to see you go, Jaelette _ig_ette, LOL! But I admire your courage to leave, just because. I'm sure we're not going to miss each other because we're going to do a lot of business together, ha-ha! Now I'm just going to figure out who I'm going to be with most of the time now that Melamine is not based in the office, har-har! I will survive, nevertheless.

Sigh! Life's a ____. I'd like a Heneiken beer, please.

My New Gadget Baby: Samsung i780

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:45:00 +0000

It will be a month tomorrow since I got my Samsung i780 and well, I'm okay with it. Not ultra-happy but not mega-dissatisfied.

I primarily got this phone, contrary to what I've been advocating about to use function-type phones, because I want a Smart phone. A phone that would be able to push my emails, view Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files on my phone, and surf the net. This is of course, apart from its standard features of text, call, take pictures, play music, etc.

The standard features are okay, except for some quality issues in regard to network signal. For whatever reason, my i780 baby seems to capture minute signals from my Globe network. Either that or Globe's signal is really deteriorating (peace!).

Anyway, going back, the Smart features aren't really that smart. One, the internet function is just bonkers, I cannot download games and music from the Globe WAP portal. I already referred this to both Globe Platinum's and Samsung's customer service but to no avail.

Second, the only provider that pushes my email - incoming and outgoing is Windows Live or my Hotmail. Both my Yahoo emails may only receive and worst of all, my work email cannot receive or send any messages. Sigh!

As for aesthetics, I love the touch and stylus attributes, the big screen, and the quality sound. The qwerty keypad could use some enhancement though, I don't exactly have chubby fingers but they can't seem to jive with the keypad!

Ahhh, I think I may need to consider another phone... oh noh!

Photo credit: www.gsmarena.com

To A Dear Friend, OO

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:26:00 +0000

No amount of words is enough to express how thankful I am to you for being the many things you are to me – mentor, trainer, and most of all a very good friend. I’ve been meaning to draft this blog to share to my network and luckily, I found time to finish it today.

For those who’re reading this post, I’m referring to my friend and former colleague, Ofel Orcales, better known to many in our industry as OO. Some weeks back she left the company we’re both working for since 2004. OO and I started wayback, when the company was just about to launch. She was the first employee of the training department and I was the second.

Working with OO as my immediate superior was different from among the many bosses I had and heard of, not because she has become a good friend of mine, but because she is professional, objective, and smart. Those are but a few of her many positive characteristics, that is. In the four years we’ve worked together I learned a lot of things from her – related to training, HR, managing people, etc. and most especially valuing FRIENDSHIP in its real sense. This I must say is what I will always cherish. We still often communicate with each other but it’s definitely different now that we’re no longer co-workers.

I look back and realize how many things have changed. I’ve achieved a lot of things professionally and personally. And I attribute my success to my family (especially My Love Nald) and few friends like OO who’ve unselfishly supported me in my endeavors. In the past four years with my current company, I’ve been promoted twice and have handled three departments. All of these great milestones because of my skills and talents which OO helped enhance.

I’d often refer to her as ‘Gabriela Silang’ because she may also be tough as a dragon when needed. Yes, she is a professional through and through but she knows what to stand up for, she doesn’t say YES all the time, and most of all, she always keeps in mind what’s best for everyone. I applaud her ways how she can be the most composed individual in spite the hell that people or situations present her. I still have to master that skill, which OO has … naturally. LOL! Sometimes I just can’t help myself but just be outrageously feisty. Thanks to OO, I’m learning the art of CONTROL or in other words, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE!

OO, thank you again for everything, for the four years we’ve worked together. Let’s always keep in touch – our lunch and breakfast dates together with MysTERI!!! Who knows we’ll be working together again, right?!!!!

Our New Bundle of Joy

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:08:00 +0000

It's been almost four weeks since we got a new baby… yes a baby DOG that is! It’s our family’s second dog since Bugsy (our Rottweiler) who left us in December last year. Now, we have a baby Bullmastiff by the name of KING.
He was two months old when we got him and he was UBER cute and small then, but now he’s a humongous puppy who’s very, very, very playful and stubbornly lovable.

From history, Bullmastiffs are known to be courageous, loyal, calm, and loving with those it knows. It has a very strong protective instinct and will defend its owners against anything it perceives as a threat. However, it does not normally attack to protect. Instead, it knocks the intruder over with its massive size and pins them to the ground, or, will simply stand in front of the stranger/intruder and refuse to let them pass. Bullmastiffs become intensely attached to their families and do best when they can live inside with them. Their protective instinct combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers means that early socialization is a must. The Bullmastiff may or may not get along well with other dogs. (Wikipedia; accessed on August 27, 2008).

Adult male Bullmastiffs may grow from 25 to 27 inches tall (63.5 to 68.5 cm) at the withers and 110 to 135 pounds (50 to 60 kg). Females typically reach 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm) at the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds (45 to 55 kg). So this means, by the time KING is a full-grown adult dog, he’d be taller and bigger than me when he’s stretched, LOL!

Right now, I’m enjoying taking care of him, he considers me as his playmate, so whenever I arrive, he gets funky and excited. My Love Nald on the other hand, is his authority. KING gets serious and attentive (most of the time, that is) with him.

Making A Difference

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:30:00 +0000

Some of the many things My Love Nald and I want instilled in our daughter are the ability to share blessings with other people and appreciate what we currently have. We reinforced this big time, during her birthday celebration this month.

Since she’s our only daughter, Aleksis has had the chance to celebrate her previous birthdays the way a typical kid would – fast food restaurants, in school, at home, etc. She also gets to have the toys and other stuff she would request for. At the same time, she is also aware that she may not have everything she wants just because. She has limitations as we’re not filthy rich to provide them for her. We’re just able and capable.

Our family celebrated her 8th birthday on Saturday at the ASILO de SAN VICENTE de PAUL at UN Avenue, Paco, Metro Manila. ASILO is a crisis center where people, mostly kids, and sometimes their other family members take refuge from certain situations they’ve encountered.

The center offers four services for various sectors of the society namely: Child Welfare and Development Program, Youth Welfare and Development, Family Welfare and Community Development, and Lakbay-Kapatid Program. All of these programs aim to help support and guide Filipino children and youth (usually orphans, neglected, and abandoned children) become better individuals. Social workers, Sisters of the Daughters of Charity, Lay Mission Partners, and volunteers sustain the organization.

For a fraction of the cost we normally spend during her birthday celebrations in the past, we were able to share to more than 60 kids in the center. We had lunch, played games (with My Love Nald as the host), and watched them showcase their talents. Mind you, they’re very good singers and dancers!

With this experience, all of us in our family – My Love Nald, Princess Aleksis, our Nanay Niknik, and I, were humbled. We all felt at peace after. With the several hours we spent with the kids, we were able to make them happy.

Let me share with you what one of the kids said towards the end of our stay: “Maraming salamat sa oras at sa lahat ng bagay na ibinigay ninyo sa amin. Alam namin na maraming tao ay busy at nagpapasalamat kami at nandito kayo. Di man namin masusuklian ang lahat ng ito pero ipagdadasal namin na sana mas maging mabuti pa ang buhay ng pamilya ninyo.” I still feel a lump on my throat whenever I remember her words. It hits me right in the heart every time. How beautiful their hearts are, how simple they could be, how uncomplicated, how wonderful. I’m wishful thinking that all of us would have pure hearts like theirs.

Our family have sworn to doing this again. In our own little ways, we are able to do a lot for other people.

Serendipity perhaps, again, our old man upstairs led the way for me to realize a lot of things I’m supposed to be thankful for… For more information about ASILO, click on the photo below.

Review: Miami Ink

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:55:00 +0000

My Love Nald and I are addicted to this show now, we're both loving it so much (I soooo like AMI JAMES!!!) that we want to have our tattoos done by them, LOL! MIAMI INK is a unique reality show on tattoos and whatnots set in South Beach, a district in Miami, Florida. What's so unique about it is it features real people getting their tattoos and sharing their stories on why they're having them. Most of those we've seen so far are people who've gotten their tattoos inspired by things, situations, or people they've encountered.

Get a sneak peak here.

My Love Nald and I have been contemplating on getting our tattoos for several years already and I guess we'll see it come to life soon. Though we won't be able to have it done by the MIAMI INK Pro's, we'll settle with a local -- GENE TESTA who've earned his mark in the Philippine league of highly revered and not to mention sought-after tattoo artists. I'll definitely keep you guys posted when I get mine done!!!

Review: Men's Health Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Maybe you're wondering what a men's magazine is doing on my blog. Well, I do my best to be diverse and ensure that I'm able to comprehend a wide-range of things around me. No, it's not what you're thinking of! I do not want to be a man, I so love my being a woman, LOL!

Anyway, going back to Men's Health Magazine. There was a time in my life when I was into local magazines - Cosmopolitan, Preview, Good House Keeping, Marie Claire, etc. Then I gained weight. I stopped reading those magazines because every time I turn its pages, I felt like I wanted to be in a 'killing-spree' frenzy because of the thin models they use for their articles and products shots. Well, I don't feel that way anymore, but that's another story.

Over the years, My love, in spite of my deliberate loss of appetite for magazines has continued buying his own collection - FHM, Digital Photographer, T3, and Men's Health.

I discovered Men's Health last year when I wanted to read the newspaper but there wasn't one so I ended up with it. After flipping through the pages, I was amazed to discover a lot of interesting articles! The articles were not just meant for men, they were also very informative and palatable for women! I couldn't help myself but read it from cover to cover.

I changed my views about My Love's choice of magazines since then, specifically with Men's Health. There's a lot sense in it, not just a hoola-baloo of women in kinky outfit, legs open wide, and what-not spread on all its pages.
Well, there are a couple of them in every issue but hey, it's a MEN's magazine, d'uh! I especially like their bulletins on health, sex, nutrition, and weight loss. Their AlphaMale "Time Off" and "Words To The Wise" are also worth the read.

Though the magazine contains typical male interests - their bodies, women, sex, and cars, Men's Health has added a different dimension to it by having female contributors as part of their roster of genius writers. Men's Health continuously improve every issue and keeps their article topics updated. Overall, they're doing a very good job!

Kudos to Men's Health Magazine, you rock!

March Arch: Madness

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Third month of the year...

I turned 34 this March. I celebrated it intimately with my family - My Love, My Princess, and our Nanay. It was good timing because it was the Holy Week before my birthday so I took a much needed rest for six full days. Ah, how wonderful to be away from the corporate jungle. Not to mention the dinosaurs, dementors, and what-have-you's on the side out of sight! LOL! Seriously, I used the time to reflect on what I want to do next with my career. And I guess the answers are slowly showin' itself. Maybe in the next few days it will fully manifest and I'm positively hopeful.

I'm not exactly sure if you would call it mid-life crisis but there's this longing for wanting to be whole and not getting it from where or what I feel I should be getting it from somehow frustrates me. I don't know, I have been feeling sluggish, perhaps distracted, that I can't focus on the usual things I used to be so passionate about. I guess this is because things aren’t meant to happen. I know I'm sounding vague here. Oh well, I have other more important things to allot my energy on, so I guess I really need to move forward. 'Nuf said.

I have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, my very supportive, loving, and not-to-mention hunk-of-a-guy hubby, Nald.

Through the thick and thin of things (that includes me, tee-hee!), he's always beside me, guiding me along the way.

I'm not the easiest person to live with, I have my quirks, my radical ideals, and my innate stubbornness and I applaud Nald for taking it all in stride. I love you more, My love. I also thank My Princess daughter, Aleksis Rae, I have been discovering and learning a lot of things from her even if she's just seven. I'm not the perfect Mom to her but she loves me unconditionally, sigh! Mwah, mwah! And lastly, for being my ultimate inspiration and strength, I thank my Mom.

March was also a discovery month. I've learned that some people are not who they seem they are and through situations that happened in the past, I'm glad their true colors surfaced. That's why I cherish the friendship I have with the following: OO (the best professional mentor and sincerest friend), Quellay (first and closest friend I had since I got here in Manila), and The Lemonaders (Krissy, Heather, Dimples, and Alexish). I maintain only the fewest friends in my inner circle, but damn they're the best!

Another year of lease in life... I am determined to make things better -- guide My Princess in her course through learning and enjoying life; be a more caring and supportive wife and partner to My Love; reach out and spend time with my Mom and Dad (I feel so guilty about this...); discover my true passion & calling in my profession and pursue it; best of all, achieve to be whole -- spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. I can't believe I said that, I sounded like a looney, LOL!

I received my Weekly Kabbalah Inspiration email the other day and part of the message was this:

“If there is pain and struggle in your life, then remind yourself of the picture puzzle. Remember the Light is there, perfect, and that you asked for the sweat on your brow simply so that you could feel the satisfaction of being a Creator. And know that whatever you are struggling with will have a positive result. It might take all week, all month, all year - or as long as your karmic process requires - but if you keep applying what you are learning, you will eventually see - in all its perfection - the picture that is your precious life.”

Well, what do you know! The guy upstairs has answered my question... very aptly, indeed.

Review: America's Next Top Model: Cycle 9

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Yesterday morning, I finished watching all the 14 episodes of this cycle. Oh well, I actually started Wednesday night, right after American Idol, but my powers were so weak that I was only able to finish nine episodes.

Anyway, ANTM is one of my few favorite shows. I especially like the part where Tyra and her group of eccentric judges critique the models' pictures. My fondness of this show probably stems from a childhood dream to be a model... yes, yes, I suppose being one is a popular little girls' wishful thinking. Except that, I am literally a little girl!!! LOL!!!

This cycle's promotional tagline was "The Future Of Fashion". Each of the 13 finalists had a different type of beauty and personality. My only comment is the girls weren't as fiercely stunning as the previous seasons.

My personal faves were Victoria Marsham (the Yale graduate) and Heather Kuzmich (the one who has Asperger's Syndrome). Both are beautiful and have have quirks as well. Sadly, they both got booted out from the show - Victoria on the 4th episode and Heather on the 11th.

Some of the episodes were a bit boring. I was kinda' waiting for some exciting and different situation to happen.

Except for the episode where Ebony quit, some of the things that happened were usual -- the cat fights (Bianca vs. Shaleisa, Ebony vs. Bianca, Bianca vs. Chantal); the boobs flash (Sarah); and surprise celeb guests (Enrique Iglesias, Tyson Beckford).

I'd reco this to those who love ANTM (I still do because I love Tyra Banks), those who want to veer away from their usual telenovela shows or nothing-but-bad news, or those who simply want to chill out.

Earth Hour: Let's Do Our Share

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

On March 29, 2008 the Philippines will join countries around the world as we literally "turn the lights out" for EARTH HOUR - an event that will fuel awareness on climate change and prove that when the people of the world work together, they can make a difference in the fight against global warming.

EARTH HOUR will take place throughout the Philippines from 8 to 9 in the evening on Saturday night, 29 March
2008. WWF invites you to participate by shutting off lights for 60 minutes, organizing your own "lights-out" event or by forwarding this message to your friends, co-workers, and family.

Launched in Australia on the 31st of March 2007, EARTH HOUR moved 2.2 million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. This massive collective effort reduced the city's energy consumption by
10.2% for one hour. With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining EARTH HOUR in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.

YOUR participation will go a long way in spreading the message that we, as individual droplets working collectively – can create an impetus far more powerful than the mightiest of rivers. For more information, log on to the WWF EARTH HOUR page at www.earthhour.org.

If you want to learn more about how else you can help make EARTH HOUR in the Philippines a success, contact Teena G. Santiago, Marketing Manager of WWF-Philippines / Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas at tsantiago@wwf.org.ph or (632) 920-7931, (632) 920-7923, or (632)920-7926.

The February Leap

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:47:00 +0000

Today marks the end of February. Not just the usual February with 28 days, it has an extra day because 2008 is a leap year! So-called 'leap' years occur every four years, as a way of getting the solar calendar to sync up with our numeric one. And perhaps this has got to do with the many things that happened this month.

My Retail Business: I'm happy that it has expanded in January and this month I felt ultra-high that I was able to tap some of my former co-workers to become my resellers I've also met new suppliers and friends whose products and services I'm endorsing.

IELTS Project: I've reviewed and tested for the IELTS (International English Assessment Testing System) and just this afternoon, I received my results ---- I got an Overall band score of 7.5 (highest score one may get is 9). I received an 8 in Listening and 7.5 across Reading, Writing, and Speaking. I know I may have done better, but heck I'm very proud of it, considering that I enrolled in a crash review course and took the exam the day after I completed it! I'm now working on the training program for IELTS review, a project my good friend offered me to do.
I'll be conducting it to IELTS reviewers soon!

Graduate School: Major hectic. My Managerial Accounting class final exams on the first week of February was tiring but fulfilling! I got a 3.5 final grade (95 to 97 or Superior), yipeeee!!! I'm now enrolled in Management Dynamics and my goal is to get a great grade as well. Running for a gold medal, tee-hee!!!

Health-Wise: I've lost a total of eight pounds already!!! Yes, yes, I'm gradually getting my groove back and it feels wonderful! 'Lotta sacrifice and discipline, oh yeah!

Overall, February had its highs and lows. The last two weeks has been particularly stressful --- my little princess got sick, work was major toxic, and I've been thinking of a lot of things about what to improve in my career, etc.

Oh well, life must go on! Looking forward to March, my birthday month!

Help A Child Live Better

noreply@blogger.com (miamirocks) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:08:00 +0000

My friend Claire sent me this through email.

To quote her message: "Last night, I attended a talk sponsored by World Vision. It was truly inspiring; its premise was simple...that all it takes is for good people to do nothing for evil to prevail in the world. Not exactly a new concept, but it really struck a cord just the same.

The speaker said that if each person does a small act of heroism, the world would be a much better place. So there, I'm appealing to you guys to sponsor a child because right now there are 11.6 million out-of-school youths in our country. Of those, only 120,000 are receiving some sort of help from World Vision.

Let's do our fair share. It's just PhP 450 a month. Please, please, please. All you have to do is log on to this site.

In addition to Claire's appeal for everyone's kindness, this is one of the best ways for us to give back to the society for all the blessings we are receiving. Pay it forward.