Watsons Mini Haul - August 2019

I know, it's another post on my Watsons haul.  This time it's because I needed to buy some things we need at the house.  Like what they said in most Watsons haul vlogs/blogs, you just go to Watsons to buy a number of items but when you come out, you will be carrying more items than what you have planned to buy 😀

As much as possible, I try to buy stuff from Watsons.  1st, because of the special discounts and promotions they have.  2nd, I want to earn more points, hahahha.  I still have a long way to go though before I can become an Elite member.

I wanted to wait for the 88 sale they had for August 8 but I needed some cotton puffs and buds so I cannot wait.

Super Mini Watsons Haul

1. Buy 1 Take 1 Cream Bath

Cream Bath (Buy 1 Take 1) at RM11.22 for 2 bottles

I have watched a vlog saying the cantaloupe scent is really nice so I wanted to try it out (even though I still have that Goat's milk from last time).  Then I saw the Buy 1 Take 1 tag, so I took the Green Tea Scent.  I have tried the Green Tea before and it also really smells nice especially since I am a sucker for anything green tea hahaah!

***Update (August 29, 2019)
The cream bath still did not fail me.  Currently using the Cantaloupe one and it really smells so good.  Surprisingly, it does make your skin soft after use. 😍

2. Johnson's Milk + Rice Lotion 

J&J Milk + Rice Lotion at RM13.30

A favorite of mine from way back college days I think together with the body wash.  I just took the small bottle since I just wanted to have another lotion to use interchangeably with the Watsons Yoghurt Milk lotion.  There are times I just want a non-greasy lotion to use plus this one smells so milky and nice. 😍


3. Johnson's Baby Powder (Blossoms scent)

J&J Baby Powder Blossoms at RM6.70

Max's powder is finishing so I need to get her another one.  I wanted to try this to her since she has been using the original scent for so long.  And yes, my shih tzu does have a night care routine every day before she sleeps hahahah!!!  Plus, I use this too sometimes to powder my face.  I do not use pressed powder since I feel like it irritates my skin.


4. Watsons Mosquito Repellant Patch

Watsons Repellant Patch - box (RM15.90 plus 30% off)

The patch is so cute!!!

There have been some mosquitoes in our place that is so irritating so I thought of getting this and putting it around the place.   It says it lasts for 12 hours then you have to change it again.  It smells like citronella so it really does repel mosquitoes.  Just don't stick it in your skin though.

I can't say whether it did help.  But I will use anything to bust away those mosquitoes.  And the packaging was so cute so I had to get it too, hahahah!


5.  Watsons Natural Mosquito Repellant Spray

Watsons Mosquito repellant spray (RM12.16 plus 30% off)

Same thing as above, but this one you can spray directly to your skin.  I use this when I am in the kitchen at times that there are mosquitoes.  I cannot find the Off! Lotion we have in the Philippines so I had to survive with this.

This also smells like citronella.


6.  Watsons 3-in-1 Action Toothbrush

Watsons 3-in-1 Action Toothbrush (RM6.50 plus 30% off)

It looks like a dupe of Oral B toothbrush.  It was on 30% discount and I wanted to try it.  Will update once we have used it.  We are still using those I bought from Japan last time.


7. Watsons Soft & Clean Cotton Buds

Watsons Soft & Clean Cotton Buds at RM2.10

I normally buy from Aeon Big but since I wanted to earn points and I needed these badly, so I grabbed this.  It has 200 pieces.  It's ok.  Though the stick is not really that hard but the points are good to use to clean the ears.


8.  Watsons Soft & Clean Square Puffs 

Watsons Soft & Clean Square Puffs at RM10.90

Another item me and Max shares hahahaha.  We usually get the 3 in 1 pack.  Each pack has 160 pieces + 50% free so it's about 240 puffs in 1 pack.  Not bad right?!?!?!

So that's it for my Mini-Haul in my beloved Watsons shop. 

Just a disclaimer, note that my posts on my Watsons haul are not sponsored.  It's just because I love shopping our personal stuff at Watsons because of all the perks and discounts especially when you are a member.  In the Philippines, we girls just love shopping at Watsons, and we call it Watsons haul'd-up (hold-up) because you go in saying you just need 1 or 2 items, then come out having more than that, hahahah!!!  Can you relate? 

Any of the items you also love? Feel free to comment below.  Thank you for reading and until next time.   Salamat! 💋

Buhay OFW...Things we request from the Philippines

Being away from the Philippines (or somewhere else for that matter), will only make you realize, how much you love your own country, particularly how much you missed the food you can only buy there or the other stuff that are only sold back home.  You can also find it here in KL, particularly in Kompleks Kotaraya in Pudu since there are lots of shops there that sell Philippine goods.  You can even find small restaurants and saloons there run by Filipinos.  But of course, prices here are already almost 3x the original price from the Philippines.

Whenever I (or Neil) come back from the Philippines, or someone else comes over to visit KL, I would always buy things or ask them to buy for me stuff that can only be bought there.  When I go back home, my luggage are full of stuff from Malaysia (from coffee, to dish washing liquid, etc. because these are really cheap here in KL).  That time when I still managed to send balikbayan box (there were recent news previous years of box being opened, or tax levy so, after that I did not dare sent a box home), my luggage to Philippines will be empty.  But once I am coming back, then it will be heavy and full of goodies from back home.

So when Neil came back recently from the Philippines, our cupboards and ref (fridge) are full again of stuff from Philippines.  Mostly are food items and some of my basic necessities 😀

Pinas Haul

Let's go through it one by one.

Food Items

Champorado

1. Champorado (Chocolate Porridge)

This is one of my favorite merienda (snack) or breakfast which I always ask Mama to cook for us from scratch.  She would cook the malagkit (glutinous rice) with cocoa powder.  Once cooked, this is nice with milk on top and sugar for that sweetness.  Some pair this with tuyo (dried fish) but I just love it like this.

White King is the brand I always buy.  It's ok just to satisfy my craving.  I can also cook from scratch but I'm just lazy to do it 😋

Chicharon

2. Chicharon (Pork Crackling)

There is always a bag of Chicharon in our bag when coming bag since it is really difficult to find one here (I have not even seen one, I think).  I wanted the one with laman (meat) but it's sold out.  We just buy whatever is there in the market.

This is nice to pair with any dish, or eat it as is.  You can even dip this in vinegar with lots of chili.  But, eating it as is really nice.

Del Monte Sweet Style Spaghetti Sauce

3. Spaghetti Sauce (Sweet Style)

Philippine spaghetti are known to be sweet.   And nothing beats the original Del Monte Sweet Style Spaghetti Sauce.  So, we try to bring back some.

If we do not have stock, we just use the spaghetti sauce we can get from the grocery (like Preggo) and just add some sugar until we get that Pinoy taste.

Halo-Halo Mix

4. Halo Halo Mix

Halo Halo is similar to the Ice Kacang here in Malaysia.  Neil saw this bottle that has most of the ingredients.  We tried it and it's not bad.

It has some nata de coco, red beans, white beans, kaong, macapuno, langka.

So we just blended some ice since we do not have any ice crushers.  Then topped this mixture.  And then topped it some more with ice cream.  Ok na!!! (Note:  Our local ice cream are still the best since its creamier).

Hopia from Eng Bee Tin

5. Eng Bee Tin Hopia

Hopia is a baked goods in the Philippines which has some filling inside.  The most popular brand in the Philippines is Eng Bee Tin and can be found in most malls.  They have a new stall in Trinoma so they were able to buy it.

From top left:  We had Buko Pandan (green), Ube Pastillas (Purple/Yellow), Ube Cheese (Purple/Orange), Mongo (Red) and Ube (Purple).

My favorites are the Hopia Combi Ube Cheese and Ube.  The Ube Pastillas taste cannot be distinguished from the ordinary Ube hopia since I cannot taste the pastillas more.

Lucky Me Pancit Canton

6. Lucky Me Pancit Canton

Nothing beats our instant noodles particularly Pancit canton by Lucky Me.  Yes, they have those Indo Mee here or the Mi Sedap but still, we go back to our local Lucky Me brand.  Ansarap e :)

Bear Brand Milk and Birch Tree Choco Milk

7. Bear Brand Full Cream Milk and Birch Tree Chocolate

The bear brand was just out of a sudden request since I wanted to drink bear brand again.  I think this is a new variant, the adult milk.  My sister also gave me 2 Birch tree Chocolate drink to try.  I loved the Birch Tree full cream milk too!

Another Bear Brand I love is the Sterilized milk.  It comes in a can.  Did not get one this round.

Nestea Iced Tea

8. Nestea Iced Tea Mix

Instant drink mix is now very expensive because of the Sin Tax law.  I remember there was a time that this was also sold in groceries here but I think they discontinued it.

One sachet is already good for 1 liter of water.

Pic-A Chips

9. Pic-a Chips by Jack 'n Jill

This is a favorite of us ever since.  And even Max likes it too but we only give her small bites since she will get allergy from it.  It's a combo of cheese flavored chips of Tostillas, Nova and Piattos.  There is also a BBQ variant but we love the cheese flavor more.  It's also a bit difficult to find this big size.  It's always sold out in the groceries.

Valda Pastilles

10. Valda Pastilles

A must for all those Titos and Titas out there.  This is similar to the Hudson's Jujubees.  I just thought of trying this again because of a vlog I watched about Watsons haul Philippines in YouTube and I have been having sore throat since I came back from Japan.  They got me the lemon flavor but I don't really taste the lemon.  So addictive!

I even saw a vlog that there is a Nin Jiom Pei Pa Kua candy in Philippines.  Ma-try nga sa sunod.

Gourmet Tuyo and Canned Tuna flakes

11. Gourmet Tuyo and Canned Tuna

I have never tried gourmet tuyo and been wanting to so it was good that Neil got one for me.  Will try this soon.  For the canned tuna, I still love the canned tuna we have in the Philippines.  They also have it hear but it's not as flavorful as we have it back home.

There are lots of brands for these two.  For the tuna, they love San Marino back home so we will try it too!

Others

12.  Others (Banana Ketchup, Tuna Afritada, Cheez Whiz)

Other items we got are banana ketchup (yes, only in Philippines we have that and it's red like a tomato ketchup), my ever favorite 555 Tuna afritada (di nakakuha ng caldereta) and Cheez Whiz Spread.

You can also see Datu Puti vinegar there which was from the last trip.  The CDO sisig was a pasalubong from our local friend here who went to Philippines.

Dried mangoes

13.  Dried Mango from Cebu

These we got as pasalubong from Cebu.  Philippines are famous for the dried mango and the original ones came from Cebu.

Both are actually addictive.  I think I managed to finish the dried mango flakes in a day or two.  The mango balls on the other hand, I am trying to just take one per meal.  I still have a few left!!!

from Con

14.  Loots from my sister (Korea Ottogi Cheese Ramen and Regent Donut Snack)

Con wanted me to try it out.  The Ottogi Cheese Ramen is definitely better than the Samyang Cheese Ramen I bought.

The Regent Donut is sweet but as she says, reminds her of those chichirya we had in our elementary and high school days.






***Updated (August 29, 2019)
Sorry, I forgot to add that I have discovered best way to bring tomato sauce from Pinas.  I now use the Mama Sita's Menudo Mix or Caldereta Mix which is really good and it is in powder so it's lighter and not as heavy as the tomato sauce in pouch.  More expensive though but it's worth it. 


Others

Cream Silk Hydra

1. Cream Silk Hydra Conditioner

Of course, since it's new, me and my sister must try it out, hahahaha.  She took the blue one (for Oily hair) and they got me the pink one (fresh and bouncy).  I have not tried it yet since I am still finishing my old Cream Silk Pink Conditioner.  Wala naman kasing Cream Silk dito.








2.  Abonne Spa Milk Salt Scrubs

I love salt scrubs and there are lots of raves about Abonne.  I tried this before but I was so lazy to include this in my routine.  But since now I have made a pledge to take care of my skin more, I asked my sister to get for me 2 of these - the original Milk salt scrub and the Spa White C salt scrubs.

I have heard there are lots of fake items too so we just buy it from Watsons Philippines.










3.  My skincare loots from Brilliant Skin Essentials and Navarro Bleach soap

Brilliant skin essentials really removed my pimples and scars and I decided to buy more from my trusted online seller.  Also, I tried other whitening soap but only Navarro live up to my expectation :)
Be careful though, there are lots of fake products so just buy from trusted sellers.

Items were bought from Philippines in Robinsons, Landmark in Trinoma and Watsons in SM North.


That's all for now.  Next time ulit!!!

Watsons Haul July 2019

I have been a Watsons shopper even when I was back in the Philippines.  Even now that I am in KL, I love watching Watsons haul vlog in Youtube and from there I get the ideas on what to buy next when I am back in Philippines or when someone goes back.

I am not really a vlogger so I thought, why not create a Watsons haul (KL Edition) to revive my dying blog 😃

So here it goes.....

After gym and buying stuff from the grocery, I went to Watsons in Endah Parade since I needed to buy some stuff esp. since I have been adding items in my Watsons online app.  They have promotions ongoing for members (I think 25% off).  The store is small but just alright to buy some necessities.

I managed to get some freebies since my bill was around RM 150.  I had a flamingo-watermelon pink transparent case, a Safi Balqis mask, sample sanitary pads from Laurier (I was actually using this when I was in Japan), and sample shampoo from Ryo, a famous Korean brand endorsed by Memories of Alhambra's Emma - Park Shin-hye.

Freebies!!!

Pretty in pink flamingo case

Got 2 free Ryo shampoo sachets

Here are the items I bought in Watsons:

1) Naturals by Watsons Argan Conditioner, 490 ML (SRP: RM 24.90, I bought it for RM 14.90)

Naturals by Watsons Argan Conditioner

 I have not tried this yet but I have heard raves about this.  I was using the Anti-frizz Treatment Conditioner by Watsons and it is finishing soon so I might as well grab this to try especially since it is on sale!

According to Watsons website:

Naturals by Watsons Argan Hair range is formulated with Moroccan Argan Oil to nourish and revitalise hair. Known as "liquid gold", this precious oil improves hair elasticity for more resilience. This conditioner contains essential nutrients to repair damage and replenish moisture to keep hair soft and supple.

And it's free from Paraben, Mineral Oil, Silicones, Colourants, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), Soap, Isothiazolinon (MIT, CMIT, BIT).

You can find more info about it here and will try to add a review about it soon.


2) PUREDERM Cucumber Eye Pads 24's (SRP: RM 19.90, I bought it for RM 15.92)

Purederm Cucumber Eye Pads

I bought this since my eyes has been tired lately.  I have not tried this yet and I am excited to use this, maybe tonight.  I have put it in the refrigerator to make it cooler, and it says in the direction put in there for maximum refreshment.

It comes in cucumber slice shapes, like the one in the picture.

It says it will help soothe tired and stressed eyes, help reduce puffiness, and the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.  One use and you will feel your eyes refreshed.  Can't wait to try it.

(I just saw from Watsons site that the price even went down now to RM 13.93).

Purederm Cucumber eye pads details.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
I was using this Purederm almost every week (if I am lazy) and it really feels so good on the eyes.  It soothes tired eyes and after using it, you'll feel your eyes are refreshed.  A good item to include in your home spa day routine 😍

3) Watsons Goat Milk Scented Cream Bath, 1 Liter (SRP RM 11.22, I bought it for RM 6.73)

I have been addicted to milk lotions and milk bath recently.  And saw from a vlog that this smells really like milk so I said I will try it and its on sale!

I have tried Watsons Green Tea Scented Cream Bath before and I loved the smell and the size goes a long way.   Let's see if this will be the same.

4) Lactacyd Intimate Feminine Hygiene All Day Fresh 60ml (SRP RM 11.00, I bough it for RM 9.35)

Lactacyd All Day Fresh Feminine Wash

I have been using a local Philippine brand (Brilliant Skin Feminine Wash) which I love but since I am in KL, I want to find a fem wash that I can buy from here.  My sister swears by this so I tried it.

It smells fresh and what the product claims that it is will give you an 'All day fresh' feeling, is true!  Of course, it is not as foamy as others but still it works.

It's a bit pricey thought but you just have to put a thump size amount in your palm and lather it there to make you feel fresh all day, everyday.

You can use soap since fem wash are expensive.  Soap works fine but sometimes it gets itchy coz that area is sensitive.  So if you got extra $$$, you can go for feminine wash in the market.  And I think this will be my go-to fem wash now.


***Update (August 29, 2019)
I like how it makes me feel fresh and even dry all day and a little goes along the way.  😍


5) Watsons Nylon Body Puff Soothe Me Right (SRP RM 4.82, I bought it for RM 3.61 - not sure about the price, I thought I captured the picture clearly, it was blurred 😭)

Watsons Body Puff

I use body puffs in the evening together with my bath wash (now, using Watsons Brightening Milk Bath) when I take a bath before my whitening soap and the one in the bathroom is almost out of shape already so I bought a replacement.

Will see if this is good and make my bathing time enjoyable as always 😌.

6) Olay Total Effects Night Facial Cream (SRP RM 43.50, I bought it for RM 30.45)

Olay Total Effects Night Facial Cream

The cream I am using for my neck is almost finished so I was looking for a night cream to use.  I swear by how Olay reduces wrinkles since my mother looks younger than she looks.  I cannot use any other creams on my face since I break down fast and I am using local Philippine brands (Brilliant Skin set, but now trying out RYX Skincerity).  But I need something to use for my neck.  One must not neglect our neck part.  You can see a lot of women's face that are wirnkle-free but the neck is neglected.










7) Panadol Extra 12's (SRP RM 11.78)

Panadol Extra

This is our go-to over the counter medicine for headaches and migraines and it really works fast.  It says in the description to use 2 caplets each time but we just use 1 caplet.  In Philippines, we usually just use 1 medicine each time.

Neil took with him our stock here so I had to go buy another box in case we need it coz for sure he is leaving it there again.









8) Sofy Cooling Fresh Pantyliner 15mm 28's (SRP 8.53, I bought it for RM 7.90)

Sofy Cooling Fresh Pantyliners

And like the name itself, this is a cooling pantyliner and it really makes you feel fresh.  I love trying out pantyliners and I don't feel clean when I am not using one in daytime or at night time esp. when my period is near.  This is good for those hot and humid days.


It will feel weird at first, but if you have tried using feminine wash that has cooling effect, then it's similar to that but it's longer.  It will subside after some time but you will still fresh.

Just make sure to change your liners often as well to make it clean down under 😄





9) Vaseline Healthy White Fresh & Fair UV Lotion, 350 ml (SRP RM24.90, I bought it for RM 18.68)

Vaseline Healthy White Fresh & Fair

This is Vaseline's new lotion, in gel type and it smells so good, like their Aloe Vera variant.  It has a cooling effect after putting it on and it's really non sticky and you'll doubt if you really put on a lotion or not.  That's how non sticky it feels.  This is good for those who hates the sticky feeling lotions give you.

Lotions are one of my must-haves in my skin routine and me taking a bath is not complete without sealing it off with a body lotion.  Sticky or not, I will always use it since we need to moisturize our skin.

See how dry my skin was after gym 

It says gel lotion but the consistency is still like their normal lotion.  The difference will be when you apply it on your skin.  It's easily absorbed by the skin and it will keep you fresh.

It reminds me of the Nivea Gel Lotion I used in Japan when it's summer time.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
I am not really a huge fan.  I still prefer the normal lotion.  After applying it, it feels weird like a sticky feeling but then it will go off when it dries.  Smells like aloe gel though and really refreshing.



10) Colgate Plax Peppermint Fresh Mouth Wash, 250 ml (SRP RM 9.60, I bought it for RM 8.64)

Colgate Plax Peppermint Fresh

I have been using Listerine Green Tea and it's almost finished and I wanted to try this one.  I have seen this in most vlogs from Watsons Haul Philippines so I thought of trying this out as well.

I just bought the smaller size to try it out first.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
It's really non stinging but the cap feels off to use. 







I did not really buy much since I was already carrying 1 heavy bag from the grocery and I had a restricted budget, heheheh.

Watsons in Malaysia is not as extravagant as how we have back in Philippines.  We have more brand options there but when it comes to member discounts, it is consistent.  That is one thing I love when shopping in Watsons, the discounts and the freebies when you hit a certain amount.  All I know is I just love Watsons 💖

Shop online or download their apps.  Or just go to your nearest Watsons store.  But make sure to be a Member to enjoy more discounts!!!

Until next time!!! Thanks for reading and please put your comments or suggestions below 💓

Paksiw na Tilapia

Moving to another country (away from the best cooks in the world - Mama and Papa) lead me to learn how to cook menus I usually crave from the Philippines.

One of them is Paksiw na Tilapia.  We haven't had it for so long because there was 1 month this year where we always have this once a week because Max loves the tilapia cooked in vinegar (actually, she likes anything with vinegar, so Ilocano, heheh, the shih tzu Ilocano).  So after long time, I cooked this one again and she did have a few bites coz she was already full from her dinner.

Whenever I cook, I do not usually follow the measurement of the condiments (except of course, when baking).  I follow the list of ingredients, but with measurement, I follow my taste buds. :P

So here is another #lutonieds recipe:

Paksiw na Tilapia (Tilapia in Vinegar Sauce)

Ingredients:
Tilapia (cleaned thoroughly)
Garlic
Onion 
Ginger
Vinegar (I use Heinz ACV, which is close to the Ilocos Vinegar)
Bayleaf
Pepper and Salt to taste

Optional:
Eggplant
Bittergourd
cooking oil
Green Chili
 
1.  In a cooking pan, arrange the garlic, onion, ginger and bayleaf.  This would be the base of the tilapia.

2.  If you are putting in the veggies and chili, arrange the veggies around the garlic, onion and ginger.

3.  Arrange the tilapia.  Add water.  It would be better if the tilapia is arranged such that the water level is almost covering the tilapia.  This will make it more tastier.

4.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

5.  Add the oil to make the sauce nicer and thicker.

6.  Cover and bring to boil then lower the heat.  Cook until the fish is cooked.

7.  Serve with steaming rice and optional fish sauce with the cooked chili as dip.

Reminiscing the Days

The past few weeks have been very stressful for me, esp. last week since I had to do a training (its part of the job).  Honestly, I didn't see myself being so confident in speaking in front of many people since I was a shy girl back in school.
I can still remember every time there is a piece to be memorized and then have it recited infront of the entire class, I will be the last one to volunteer :P  And when it's my turn, I just recite it as if I am just reading it (without any emotions or whatsoever).  That was me growing up.  I cower when it comes to public speaking.





Anyway, counting the days til Thursday and I will be off to a long weekend.  It's Hari Raya on Friday plus I'm on leave the following Monday since it's my love's birthday :) The first time we will be going on a trip solo since we had Max with us.  The first time we will be splurging in a hotel considering it's just a weekend getaway (he does not want to leave Max in the pet hotel for so long).  So I guess, my next entry will be my review on Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi, Penang.





I can't wait (this is how excited I am,lol).

Reinstating my love for Writing

It's been so long already since I have written another post in my blog. 

I guess since there is nothing much to do and I have no other outlet to tell my stories to, or shout out my stress (aside of course when I am slaving myself to the gym), that I push myself to reinstate this blog of mine.  It has such a nice name to just leave it out as it is.

I am so anticipating the long weekend to come and counting the days (2 more days) before I will be able to catch up with my sleep, my series and my household work.  It's not really a relaxing weekend though since when I am at home, I always end up doing more than I intended to do, thus telling the same litany to myself that weekends are not enough and that I wish I could just live up domestically with the quips of getting a salary as what I get now being an office worker :D

Being a career woman, a partner (to Neil), a mother (to Max our little shih tzu baby, yes I know, what can we do she is too cute), a household worker (at home since I ), it just dazzles me to home much capacity one human being can have to perform so many roles as what I do.  Constantly, I grumble and say that I am so tired and I give up working and just want to stay at home.  But I salute those mothers out there (perfect timing since Mother's Day is just around the corner).  They are the ones who have the most difficult job in the world - being a mother, a wife, a career woman, name it and she can do it, without any qualms at all.  But I know for a fact, that they too will be on that verge of saying, they are tired, but only speak of it when they are alone.   

Let's take for example Mama, my mother.  She will wake up very early to fix our breakfast.  After which, she will go to the market to buy something to cook for lunch and dinner, with whatever snacks (morning and afternoon) that she can also buy.  In between breakfast and the market, is cleaning the house, or washing the clothes (if it is laundry day), or ironing the clothes (if it is ironing day).  Once at home from the market, then she prepares the food for lunch, while having the morning snack with Coke (yes, she can't live without it).  Then we'll have lunch.  Then afterwards, either wash the dishes or clean the table.  Just a short time to rest and then have the afternoon snack, then it's time to prepare for dinner again.  This goes on daily without any complains whatsoever.  I am just imagining, what more if my mother goes to the office.  Then it's going to be so much work to do, juggling the time left upon arriving at home from work to the time that finally one can go to sleep, to prepare for dinner, make sure everything in the house is in order, etc. 

I do not know if I am making a clear statement, but, I guess, I took from my mother the way I do now at home.  I make sure that everything is in order, running the house.  Oh, now I have OCD.

With all of this, I thank Mama for all that she has done for me and Con (my sister).  I just miss spending time with you back home.  Thank you for everything and my gratitude and love to you is everlasting.

To all the mothers out there, thank you!!!

P.S.  Still contemplating on what this blog would really be.  It is having such an identity crisis now P

To Do List for New Year 2013

5 more days before Chirstmas, 12 more days before a new year comes.

I'm thinking of making many changes for 2013, wishing and praying that this would be better than this year.

Of course, this year has been great for us, and the biggest one is having Max - our very spoiled little Shih Tzu.

She's now turning 5 mos. this January 8, and she's been living with us for about 2 mos. already today.  Though she is naughty and annoying (coz she thinks our hands and feet are chew toys), she is the sweetest and our 'stress-reliever'.  Before, whenever we go out shopping, we mostly buy for ourselves, now, since Max came, we go for shopping to buy things for her.  Such a spoiled little one :)

Anyway, back to what I am intending to do before the year ends.  Here goes:

First, get a haircut.  I mean literally chop off this mid chest hair of mine which I have had after college.  I miss my short hair, even though all my younger years, I've had short hair - from Dora-like cut during Kinder, to the one length hair cut on highschool days, to the bob cut days in college.  Having short hair for 2 decades made me itch t grow my hair long (which my mother dislikes, hehehe).  So now, after a decade of having long hair, the eagerness (and longing) of having a short hair is coming back again.  Especially after seeing too many of my friends with long hair, chopping their hair so short.  Even my sister, cut hers to a pixie one (that's with the influence of Emma Watson's pixie hair) :P Hmm, wonder if Shakira's one is nice or shorter.

Second, lose 5kg more then I'd be having my ideal weight.  This year, I lost a total of 8kg.  Thanks to a lot of discipline, exercise, Herbalife and X-perfect and X-detox.  Herbalife gave me the drive, the x sets gave me the boost (coz I was fed up drinking shakes already, but still got stocks at home, which i am intending to just drink at breakfast).

Third, do a total makeover of my clothes, discard those old ones, then wear a lot of skirts and dress (which I already started this year).  One good reason of discarding the pants is Max loves biting the end of our pants whenever we already wore them.  So imagine, someone clinging to the end of my pants while I am walking.  Hehehe!

Fourth, save, save and save.  I actually started this month on a savings/investment.  Then hopefully, next year start investing in mutual funds (esp.now that the stock market in Philippines is improving).  Summing it - be debtless but be a millionaire, hehehe (got to dream to achieve it)!

Fifth, go organic.  I've started using SLS free toiletries since last month -  thanks to Human Heart Nature, a company based in the Philippines which sells organic stuff which are really surprisingly cheap considering it being 100% chemical free.  Since I am out of the country, I am getting my stuff from Jeanette of Down to Earth, who is based in Penang and is the distributor of Human Heart Nature here in Malaysia.  Their shampoos and conditioner (esp. the Strengthening variant), is the best for me, leaves my hair really shiny and soft.  And I'm like getting less hair fall day by day of using it.  Plus, it does not give me bacne which is a total turn off to me from commercial products.  And my other favorites are the Pink Deodorant, the Cool Chamomile Feminine Wash, the Strawbery Facial Scrub, the lotion (let's just say almost all HHN products that I have used) and of course the Sunflower Beauty Oil.  More reviews of the HHN products next blog :) (And I am making Max, go for organic toiletries as well :P)

How about you? What do you intend to do or change for 2013?