Marie's Thoughts

Reading Hiatus

2013-05-20T00:47:00.001+08:00

I've been trying to make both ends meet in my job. I didn't know how toxic it is to be in the corporate world. Now, I want to turn back time but, it's impossible, right? I have to face the present. We all have to.

So, I'm always busy with everything. Doing websites, paper works, pictorials, writings, editing and etc. Recently in this blog, I've mentioned that I have become a bookworm. Why? Because when I started reading a book seriously, it has flew me away in the dreamland and I was amazed by the feeling and how awesome is my imagination. I've fell in love with the different characters in books that I have read.

I can't remember what was the book I read that made me become a bookworm but, one thing I'm sure. It's helluva awesome!!!

Since then, I started purchasing books online and offline and I've purchased a lot. I have only read two to three out of fifteen books that I have purchased last year plus I've bought another five when I found my way to the mall few months ago this year.

My problem is, I'm too busy to read the remaining books I have. And if I do have time, I tried reading but after one page, I fell asleep. Since I am too busy with my corporate world, and aside from lacking of time to read books, I am also lacking of sleep. My body has to catch up some sleep sometimes when I have the freedom to sleep.

Too bad. I am not able to read books as of the moment. I am having a big reading and blogging hiatus. My time table is messed up and I should I really need to organize my time again.

Day 6 - Write 30 interesting facts about yourself

2013-05-13T12:08:00.000+08:00

Pffft. Excuse the nails.

If you have noticed, I skipped Day 5 - A time you thought about ending your own life because I am not so confident to talked about it. So let's move one to Day 6. This is much better to talk about. Sharing 30 facts about me. I don't know if you guys will find it interesting.

Well, here goes my 30 facts...

I'm a freak when it comes to the latest gadgets. I always want to be updated when it comes to those but, I just can't. My parents doesn't like it when I spend all my money on gadgets so I decided to save my hard-earned money in the bank.
I am a Korean addict.
I love The Carpenters soooooooo much!!!
I can't sing or dance but my Dad is such a good singer and my Mom a good dancer... sometimes I can't help but wonder why I don't have talents in both.
I finished high school (entire 4 years) in just a matter of 6 months because I took an examination that leads me to graduate earlier than I expected.
I can't draw. I suck at drawing.
I'm a strict eldest sister.
I love watching spy movies. You know, those movies where the theme is about spy and they are using latest gadgets. Yes.. I even dreamed of becoming a spy. Hahaha
I get sleepy in meetings... I keep on yawning.
I get fussy every time I wake up when its too hot in my room. That's why I love waking up in rainy mornings.
I've won several essay writing contests before.
If I am not in front of my computer all day, expect that I am in front of the TV watching Korean dramas.
My childhood is not that happy.
I have lived in 6 different provinces in Philippines... that's how my childhood went. We kept on moving from one place to another.
I have a hairy legs. I have never shaved it and I'm afraid to because my mom keep telling me that if I shave it, it will grow longer.
I have the biggest fear of snakes.
I prefer staying at home and being alone reading romantic novels than going out to the disco.
I reblog depressing quotes in my Tumblr.
I salivate for pretty shoes.
I prefer going out in a simple blouse paired with jeans and flip flop.
It's really rare for me to listen to rap music. I prefer mellow, sad and love musics
I've been working as an online freelancer since I was 16 years old.
I have only been in 2 serious relationships before. The longest was 3 months! :/
My youngest sister called me "Mama" when she first started to learn how to speak. Because, I was the one who took good care of her since our mother was so busy with her career back then.
I am so friendly online... but, I rarely speak in person. I only become talkative when I feel comfortable with someone.
I just recently become a bookworm.
I always fall in love with fictional characters. (*sobs*)
Me and my mom just looks like sisters when we are together.
People think I'm snob because I don't talk much but I'm just really shy.
My heart always goes to old people. They always remind me of my lovely grandparents.

Day 4 - Your views on religion

2013-05-07T23:18:00.001+08:00

Okay... I hope there'll be no hate here. I'm a proud Christian and I believe in Jesus but I do respect all religion and any groups you belong to.

I'm just going to keep this post short. I respect what people believes and I do hope they respect mine too. There is only one God and its not about what religion you belong to but its about your faith to Him.

Laughter is The Best Medicine

2013-04-28T10:49:00.000+08:00

My grandmother was admitted to the hospital last December (2012) because she has difficulties in breathing. We admitted her to Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital. After few days of being confined, the doctor's finding is that her right lung is enlarged. Well, the truth is its old news for us. She was confined the hospital in Manila years ago with the same issue but was already gone and she started smoking again. That's probably why it came back. Well, Lola learned her lesson. She finally stopped smoking. But, she got weaker now. She can't even go to church by walking (and our church is just a walking distance from our house) since she easily gets tired that's why she has to be send off by a motorcycle.

She was in the hospital for one week and in that one week time, she never had a day without a guest. Her children, grandchildren and friends visited her. Well, I was her watcher then. I saw how everyone concerned for her and so am I. I love my Lola more than anything else in the world. One thing I noticed is that she never really had a good laugh with her guests while she was in the hospital. Well, it's never easy to laugh when you are the one confined, isn't it? She never had a good laugh, not until her eldest son came.

My lola, her daughter-in-law (eldest son's wife) and yours truly

My uncle is just a natural joker and we always had a good laugh when he is around. Not just that, since my grandma is in a public ward, it's always her bed that can call attention to everybody.Why? It's because there are always a lot of people and we are probably the noisiest in the ward and it's as if like we're not in a hospital. We are taking pictures, laughing and eating. Good thing the other patients are jamming with us. They said our family is unique. Hahaha. I guess we are!

My funny uncle.

The doctor said that laughing has probably helped my lola felt better that's why she gets discharged as early as we thought. I thank God for that!

And now...

My pretty abuela is now back in socializing with one of her amiga. And that makes us really happy.

Day 3 - Your views on drugs and alcohol

2013-04-17T15:28:00.001+08:00

Oh hi. Drugs and alcohol? It's one of the topic I am not at ease to discuss. No, not that I use drugs or I'm an alcoholic. I AM NOT ANY OF THOSE. I just don't really want to discuss about it. But, I will try to write something on how I feel about it here.

Well, drugs... I'm not a user. But I know some people who do. They become so dependent on drugs that they can't do anything without it. I pity them. I know, hey have their own personal reasons why they use drugs. I respect that, I just don't understand.

Alcohol, on the other side... can be tolerable, sometimes. They say people need alcohol in their body. Is that true? Well, to be honest, my father does have his dosage of alcohol after a day of hard work. He said he needs it to be able to sleep. I know, he is being dependent on alcohol too.

I just really don't know what should be my take about this topic. I don't feel too good to discuss about this. It hurts me in many ways knowing some people lives are being destroyed by drugs. I am just wondering why it is legal in some countries.

*Sigh*

Day 2 - Where you would like to be in ten years

2013-04-11T11:43:00.001+08:00

Photo grabbed edsss.tumblr.com

In ten years I'll be 29. I'm not afraid to reach that age, I will be thankful instead. Give me a second to think and imagine where would I be in ten years. Okay, maybe more than a second...

I am an ambitious person. I dream a lot and I work hard to achieve my dreams. I have lots of dreams that I, myself gets confuse sometimes which one to achieve first. Yea, that really happens.

There are times I want to be a teacher, a lawyer, a businesswoman, a mother(?!), a doctor, a nurse, a model (a Victoria Secret angel, maybe?), a successful webmaster (like Mark Zuckerberg. LOL) and a lot more.

Are you not confused? Good for you! Hahaha. But really, I'll be really happy and contented to achieve any of those mentioned professions above.

In 29, I see myself as successful career woman, with a boyfriend (or maybe a husband?), a happy life and family, a business (online or offline), a fashionista (maybe), and be a known website creator in the Philippines or all over the world. That's really my greatest ambition, at least now!

By that time, I have probably bought my parents their dream house and my own dream house (anywhere in the world) with a computer room where will be full of computer sets for my job, swimming pool, a garden and a house near a beach.

I don't want to delve too deep into this topic, as I know that I'll probably change my mind of where I'll want to be by the time I'm 29. But for the sake of today's topic, I have sketched my dream life for you above. It's totally based off of how I feel right now.

Day 1 - Your current relationship, or how single life is

2013-04-09T22:11:00.002+08:00

A bit relieved that the start of the 30-Day Writing Challenge is a safe topic for me. Me and my single life. I'm happy and contented with it, at least, for now. I'm not rushing things to get into a relationship. It'll probably just add complications to my very toxic working schedule.

I'm loving my freedom now. Well, there is really nothing to rush for me in getting into a relationship now. I'm still young. Nineteen is still young, isn't it? I've also already had my fair share of kiligness, happiness and broken heart for being in a relationship. That was years ago. My immature days. And I've learned my lesson already.

No, I am not afraid to love again. But, I don't want to be in a relationship that is unsure. I mean, relationship that will be used to kill time for others. No sir, I have no time for such games.

I do not have standards for a guy who I want to be my partner because if I do have and force myself to find one based on the standards, it wouldn't be romantic at all, it's like a scripted TV series or movie.

But really, I am loving my single life right now. Enjoying every bits of it and I'm focusing on my job too. But if someone will come into my life for a reason, and will fall in love with me and I do to him, can I help it? I do not know.

I'll just let God be the writer and director of my love story. I'll just enjoy my single life now! ^_^

30-Day Writing Challenge

2013-04-08T20:12:00.000+08:00

I admit, I rarely post in this blog nowadays. I have been really busy with my job and I'm trying to hit my March-April goals that's why I am exerting too much effort. To be able to be active in this blog, I thought I needed a drive or motivation to write something here. I have many things to blog about but I can't seem to find the words to write for those things, so, it has to wait. I hope I can keep up with this blog challenge to keep this blog alive.

I saw Liesl of Pretty.Random.Things post about this and I told myself, why should I not give this a try. By the way, here are the topics for the 30-Day Writing Challenge:

Day 1 - Your current relationship, or how single life is
Day 2 - Where you would like to be in ten years
Day 3 - Your views on drugs and alcohol
Day 4 - Your views on religion
~~Day 5 - A time you thought about ending your own life~~
Day 6 - Write thirty interesting facts about yourself
Day 7 - Your zodiac sign and if you think it fits your personality
Day 8 - A moment you felt satisfied with your life
Day 9 - What you hope your future will be like
Day 10 - Discuss your first love and first kiss
Day 11 - Put your music player on shuffle and write ten songs that pop up
Day 12 - Bullet your whole day
Day 13 - Somewhere you would like to move or visit
Day 14 - Your earliest memory
Day 15 - Your favorite Tumblrs
Day 16 - Your views on mainstream music
Day 17 - Your highs and lows of this past year
Day 18 - Your beliefs
Day 19 - Disrespecting your parents
Day 20 - How important you think education is
Day 21 - One of your favorite shows
Day 22 - How have you changed in the past two years
Day 23 - Give pictures of five guys who are famous who you find attractive
Day 24 - Your favorite movie and what it's about
Day 25 - Someone who fascinates you and why
Day 26 - What kind of person attracts you
Day 27 - A problem that you have had
Day 28 - Something that you miss
Day 29 - Goals for the next thirty days
Day 30 - Your highs and lows of this month

I find it actually interesting. Some few questions are really interesting and some are tough to answer but it's a challenge so I'm up and will answer them honestly.

Open My Mind

2013-04-02T23:01:00.000+08:00

Been really stress these days. I'm really sleep deprived too which causes more stress to me. I've been working 24 hours a day just to reach my quota for this month and I do hope I can make it. In everything that is happening right now, I became more emotionally disturbed. I get mad so easily, I cry often, and the list goes on and on. But one thing I realize, there's always something I can do about it. Read on and I hope you can understand what I am talking about.

Lord, I ask You to open my mind and give me greater discernment and understanding. Help me comprehend the fullness of what You have called me to do - what You have planned for my life. I want to know You better and grow more mature in our relationship.

There is much I do not understand, but I want to know more. Do whatever You need to do in my life to make it so. Begin right here, right now, and do not ever stop.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

I just talk to Him because He listens. After praying, I felt much better. My faith is growing each day and I can't help myself but praise Him.

March Goodies

2013-03-26T02:12:00.002+08:00

I couldn't be any happier than picking up these goodies in the post office! I feel so happy after receiving a call from our local post office last Friday that there are four parcels for me. I was already guessing where it is from! :)

I'm so thankful for the generosity of romwe.com and Maria Basso of MABA Italy for their amazing goodies. I received three packages from ROMWE (the black ones) and the other one is from MABA Italy (The yellow package).

I'm sure you guys are already curious what's the inside. Haha. I'm so thrilled to show them all to you. I will reveal them in my next post here or on my other blog. So, tune in! :)

One thing before I forgot, I was so impressed that the post office here in Nasipit didn't asked for any payment when I pick up these babies. I remember while I was still in Bislig, the post office there charged me Php 80.00. Way to go, Nasipit! :)

Instant Curly Spaghetti

2013-03-07T21:12:00.001+08:00

I just feel like that I have to share it. LOL. I had this instant curly spaghetti from Lucky Me! last night. It was my first time to try it though, I have seen this in TV commercials for a long time. It's simple, easy to cook and delicious. Well, at least for me.

Lucky Me!'s Special Instant Curly Spag

I know, you can see this in the back portion of the pack of this but I will still share it anyways. So, here it is:

The instant seasonings. The one in the left side are the meaty seasonings for the instant curly spag and the one in the right is the instant red sauce.

The noodles. After heating the water for nearly two minutes, I put the noodles in it and let it boil for two to three minutes more for the noodles to cook.

Boiled. After the water boiled with the instant noodles in it, that's how it looks like.

Drain. Next step is to drain the water.

Cooked noodles. That's how it looks like after draining the water and putting it in the plate just waiting for the next step.

Red Sauce. Add the red sauce.

Meaty Seasoning. After adding the red sauce, next is to add the meaty seasonings.

Finished. Tadaaa! Here's how the finished product looks like. When I tasted it, it actually tasted like a pasta. The only difference is that this one is curly just like pancit canton.

The meaty seasoning is so tasty and I really like it. Have you tried this curly spaghetti? How was it?

Productive Sunday

2013-03-03T16:54:00.000+08:00

My finished laundries.

It's been almost three years now that I started working full time in the online industry. I worked all day long and because I work most of the time, my parents don't let me do any household chores and yes, that includes not doing my own laundry. My parents are just the best! ;)

Today, after my responsibilities in our church, I went home and didn't turned on the computer first. Because, I always open the computer before I do anything else once I get home. But today is different. I changed my clothes to my most comfortable pambahay shirt and high school Physical Education pants then started carrying out my laundries.

When my dad saw me doing my own laundries this morning, he burst out laughing and hurriedly told my mom the news. They said it's a holiday that I did something! LOL.

My reason of doing this is that, I just miss doing the old chores I used to do when I was still not working full time. I miss doing the laundries, scrubbing the floors, washing the dishes.

Many may say that I am acting like a queen because I am already working. But little did they know, how tired I am after a whole day of sitting in front of the computer. My hands are always tired and sometimes, numb at the end of the day. That's why my parents suggested that I should not do anything right after my work.

I don't have a day-off. But, I did give myself a day-off today just to do the things I used to do before I became an 24/7 online chic.

I am so thankful to my parents that they have treated my like a queen for the past years. ♥

How To Get and Use Globe GCASH

2013-03-01T18:59:00.002+08:00

I've made a blog post about transferring your money from PayPal to your GCASH. Someone asked me how to enable Globe GCASH in her phone. I will try to teach her in this post. And if you also want to know, just keep on reading.

GLOBE GCASH allows any Globe or TM (Touch Mobile) user to send and receive money, buy prepaid load, pay bills, and do a lot of other money-related transactions, anytime, anywhere using SMS.

Globe’s flagship M-Commerce service, was born from a simple goal of transforming a mobile phone into a wallet. With its launch in October 2004, GCASH has effectively given Globe and TM subscribers access to a cashless and cardless method of facilitating money remittance, donations, loan settlement, disbursement of salaries or commissions, and payment of bills, products and services, with just a text message. GCash won the “Best Mobile Messaging Service” in the 2005 GSM Awards.

To register for GCASH, type

REG <4-digit PIN/mother’s maiden name/first name/last name/address> to 2882

Make sure that your First Name and Last Name match the information that appears in any valid ID of yours. This is important for future GCASH transactions.
After you’ve registered, you will need to load your mobile wallet with GCASH. This is done via a cash-in transaction which is the process of converting your cash to GCASH at a Globe Center or at any accredited GCASH partner. (Most 7-Eleven branches are accredited Gcash outlets)
To send GCASH, type

AMOUNT <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882+10 digit cellphone number of the recipient

Sample GCASH confirmation message received by sender:

You have sent 2,950.00 GCASH to Carol Sinel 09178569645 on 7/23/2008 12:31 PM. Your new balance is 2,050.00. Ref. no. 294087757.

Sample GCASH confirmation message received by the?recipient:

You have received 2,950.00 GCASH from Carol Sinel 09178569645. Your new balance is 7,950.00. Ref. No. 294087757.

To buy load using GCASH, type

LOAD <amount> <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882, if you’re loading your self.

If you are loading for someone else, send to 2882+10 digit cellphone number of the recipient.

To pay bills using GCASH, type

BILLPAY <amount> <4-digit PIN> <institution code> <account reference number> and send to 2882

To use GCASH to pay at SM Malls, type

PAY SM <store code cashier> <amount to be paid> and send to 2318.

The store code is unique to each cashier.

To donate to charitable institutions using GCASH, type

DONATE <amount> <4-digit PIN> <institution code> and send to 2882

To check your balance, type

BAL <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To check last transaction, type

TXN <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To change 4-digit PIN, type

CHG <old 4-digit PIN> <new 4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To suspend account, type

SUS <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To re-activate account, type

ACT <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

Converting your GCASH to cash is called a cash out transaction. It is done at a Globe Center or at any accredited GCASH partner. GCASH has a maximum transaction limit of P40,000 per day and a maximum transaction limit of P100,000 per month (both for incoming and outgoing transactions). This is to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

*source: TXTBUFF NEWS

I hope this helps, Ate Ems! ;)

Have I Improved?

2013-02-27T20:28:00.001+08:00

I keep asking myself recently if my writing skills has improved but I can't answer it. Since I graduated high school, I've never dreamed anything but to be a writer and published a book or a novel with my name it. It has been also the dream for me of my late grandfather and I have mentioned about it in my TFD Member Profile.

I think I have improved but sometimes I think I haven't. It would probably be great if I'll be able to pursue my dream of becoming a known writer even just locally. It would be amazing and I'm sure my late grandfather will be smiling at me from heaven if I make it.

He's like my number one fan. He likes to read my essays way back my elementary and high school days. He even buys my every essay for one peso each and he just keep it and reads it after his works. He is a known carpenter in our area before.

It's not too late yet. I may haven't make it now, but I'll be working on it in the upcoming days. For my Grandpa who is my number one fan, I'll make it! :)

So, do you guys think I have improved? I hope I have.

Goodies from Kuwait

2013-02-22T23:57:00.002+08:00

face powder, leche flan, jelly, juice, chips, shampoo, mayonnaise and strawberry jam

Yay! Last Monday, my cousin received a package from his OFW mom in Kuwait. My Aunt has been there for almost six years now and she came home last 2010 and just stayed for a week. She needs to get back in Kuwait the soonest possible time as her work schedules are quite tight and strict at that time.. and now, it's already 2013 and she haven't come back for a vacation yet. By the way, she's working there as a hotel receptionist.

She told us that she will try to come home this July and might stay for a week only, just like before. But, she hopes after her vacation here in Philippines this year, it'll be her last fly going back to Kuwait since her son, my cousin is already working in a cruise ship now, which makes us all very proud.

God's willing, we will all be together here in our village in the near future. Auntie's hard work are now being paid off one at a time. God indeed bless the most patient hearts. ♥

Tuna Pie from Jollibee

2013-02-20T15:02:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, my mom dropped by at Jollibee - Butuan and she took home 4 pieces of Tuna Pie from Jollibee. She said it's their new side dish. She ordered because her favorite; Peach Mango Pie isn't available.

When she tasted it, she said she don't like it. Well, she never liked Tuna. That's why she decided to take home the 4 tuna pie left.

I never loved any kinds of Tuna too since I was a kid. I guess, I got it from my mom. But still, I tried to taste it myself.

At first taste, the pie is crunchy inside my mouth. Then, I started to taste the tuna. It's not bad at all. Not bad than I expect. I was expecting it would be so bad for me, since I never really liked any tuna.

I'm not sure if I tasted milk or its just mayonnaise alongside with the tuna.. whatever it is, I didn't like it. I never also liked milk but I love mayonnaise. It's just too much of mayonnaise, if it was.

After having a bite, I gave my share to my brother which he willingly received and he liked the taste of it.

Have you tasted the Tuna Pie from Jollibee? How was it? :)

You Are What You Eat

2013-02-04T15:47:00.001+08:00

I keep reminding myself to stop eating unhealthy foods that I usually eat before I started the Master Cleanse diet.

Yay! I'm really aiming for a healthy and active 2013. I am now jogging regularly and some simple workouts for a rookie like me. I'm also trying out Pilates at home and my instructor is some YouTube videos. How cool is that? :)

I am now eating more vegetables and fruits than before. I also stopped eating junk and processed foods.
My main purposes for doing the Master Cleanse is to have a good self-esteem, lose weight and to have a good self-esteem, I need to have a good and fit body, well, at least for me! :)

I'm trying to achieve Miley Cyrus' body while she's doing Pilates.

Home For The Holidays

2013-01-25T18:05:00.000+08:00

What could be the best gift for Christmas and New Year other than going home and celebrating it with your loving family, right?

Well, I am very thankful that I was given the chance to be with them for the holidays... It's probably one of the holidays ever because, everyone was present and we were all sharing the story of how year 2012 has been with each of us.


Noche Buena!!! DIG IN! :)

Before the clock ticks to 12 midnight, our whole family started gathering in our humble dining abode and started sharing random stories, and we had our Noche Buena when the clock ticks to 12 midnight.

One of our simple bits for Noche Buena! :)

The little kids had their little dance numbers to start the fun! :)

Then they had their parlor games hosted by one of my cousins.

The kids were also given their prices by my uncle and they form a line.

Right after their prices, my cousin started doing the exchange gifts which mostly contains foods like chocolates, chips, candies and etc.

On the morning of 25th, we visited our loved ones who passed away in the cemetery... It's a family tradition of ours to visit them every time there's a celebration.. We still feel like they are still present. They will not be forgotten.

Then, we're off to the beach.

On New Year's Eve... It was pretty much the same like on Christmas Eve but more fun because more relatives came! :)

New Year's Eve! ♥

I am sooooooo thankful that me and my family were gathered on the holidays. I'll be looking forward for more like this in the future! :)

Meet Aaron Baker - My Web Crush

2013-01-07T10:03:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone. I know, it's been a while! I've been away from blogging for a month (whole December) because, I've been busy moving out, preparing for the holidays and spending much more time with the family. I guess this is my come back! ;)

So, I want you guys to meet my web crush, Aaron Baker. He's one of the guys I usually watch in YouTube. I love watching phone showdowns, reviews, and phone/gadget unboxings, and Aaron is the best guy when it comes to that.

Photo grabbed from technobuffalo.com

He previously worked as an Editor-in-Chief of PhoneDog for four years, if I am not mistaken and now, just this January 2nd (2013), he is now the Senior Executive Editor of Mobile at TechnoBuffalo. He is a ten-year veteran in the wireless industry, and has worked for the four nationwide wireless carriers in America.

I like him because, he loves his craft so much and he is into gadgets and so I am (I just don't own much). I first found him on YouTube while I was searching for a video, comparing iPhone 4s and Samsung Galaxy S3 later last year.

He talks really good. From that moment on, I knew this guy is smart. I looked for his page on Facebook and liked it.

He inspires me in the most strict sense of the word. (^_^)

I think I'll still be following updates about him in TechnoBuffalo, because I did when he was still in PhoneDog! :) He is one of a kind and one thing I'd really like to say is; his girlfriend is so lucky to have him. LUCKY!

The Craft

2012-11-29T15:16:00.001+08:00

Last Halloween, my K2G friends came over to watch horror movies with me. I downloaded Insidious and The Craft and when they came over, it's done! :)

Photo grabbed from www.imdb.com

After watching the Insidious, we opted to watch this even though they're wanted to go home already.. I stopped them and convince to watch this with me because I'm alone if they will all go, and honestly, I am a coward. So, they stayed! :)

The Craft is all about a newcomer (Sarah Bailey) to a Catholic prep high school falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft and they all soon conjure up various spells and curses against those who even slightly anger them.

Rochelle, Bonnie and Nancy

Sarah Bailey, a troubled teenager, has just moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles with her father and stepmother. At her new school, she forms a friendship with a group of girls rumored to be witches, Bonnie, Nancy and Rochelle. At the same time, Sarah becomes attracted to the popular Chris. Bonnie, Nancy and Rochelle worship a powerful deity named "Manon".

Sarah exhibits supernatural powers from the onset of the film, and her new friends believe that she will complete their coven, making them all powerful. When Sarah is harassed by a vagrant with a snake (whom she had encountered before in her new house), he is immediately hit by a car and the girls believe that together they willed it to happen.

Sarah talking to Chris

After a date with Chris, Sarah is upset to find that he has spread a false rumor that they have had sex, and he treats her disrespectfully in other ways. In response, Sarah casts a love spell upon him, while Rochelle casts a revenge spell on a hateful racist bully Laura Lizzie, Bonnie casts a spell for beauty, and Nancy for power. It very soon becomes clear that the spells have been successful: Chris becomes infatuated with Sarah, scars that Bonnie has on her back miraculously heal, and Rochelle's bully Laura begins to lose her hair. Nancy goes further by causing her abusive stepfather to have a heart attack and die.

Nancy becomes greedy for power and encourages the others to join her in a rite called "Invocation of the Spirit". On completion of the spell, she is struck by lightning. Afterward she lacks empathy and begins taking risks with her life and those of others.

The spells that the girls have cast soon begin to show negative consequences: Bonnie becomes aggressively narcissistic; Rochelle finds Laura Lizzie traumatized by her baldness and sobbing hysterically; Chris attempts to rape Sarah when she rejects his continual advances. In retaliation, Nancy uses her power to kill Chris.

Sarah performs a binding spell to prevent Nancy from doing more harm, but this does not work and the coven turns on Sarah. They invade her dreams, threaten her and use their powers of illusion to make Sarah believe that her father has been killed in an accident. They taunt her with visions of swarms of insects and snakes and try to persuade her to commit suicide, before Nancy cuts Sarah's wrists herself. Sarah successfully "invokes the spirit" and is able to heal herself and fight back. Sarah scares off Bonnie and Rochelle and defeats Nancy, binding her power to prevent her from doing harm. As the film closes, Nancy is committed to a psychiatric hospital. (source: Wikipedia)

Casts:

Robin Tunney as Sarah Bailey
Fairuza Balk as Nancy Downs
Neve Campbell as Bonnie
Rachel True as Rochelle
Skeet Ulrich as Chris Hooker
Christine Taylor as Laura Lizzie
Helen Shaver as Grace Downs
Assumpta Serna as Lirio

It is not a really scary movie... but still, I am thankful that my friends stayed for a bit. It's really a good movie though.

PayPal to GCash Made Easier by InstaCash

2012-11-27T14:37:00.001+08:00

Are you looking for ways to cash out your funds from PayPal to Globe GCash in minutes? Well, I found the easiest way for that. Interested? Just keep reading.

I've received a payment in my PayPal account from one of my blog sponsors last week. Just a little amount and I really need it so bad by Monday (yesterday) to pay my registration fee for Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of Php500.00 through GCash. And around Friday last week, I read a post of Mile High Mother about her experience in cashing out her PayPal funds in minutes and so, I got curious.

I contacted InstaCash right after I read and left a comment on Ate Rovie's blog post. I asked if they do transactions with Land Bank account holders like me. But, unfortunately, they don't. They only transact with EON card holders. Then, I remembered that my Globe prepaid phone is registered with Globe GCash. I asked InstaCash again if they transact from PayPal to GCash, and yes, they do! :)

But, I have to wait until Sunday then because they ran out of funds in their GCash account. And it's okay for me since I only need the funds on Monday.

When they have loaded their GCash, they text me that they have funds already and can do the transaction any moment I am ready. I've sent my PayPal funds to their PayPal account first and I informed them. After few minutes, I received another text that my GCash has received funds.
Easy, right? Their 24/7 online and very, very legit! :) If I need rush withdrawals in the future, I'll definitely transact with InstaCash.

Plus, they're transaction fees are very reasonable.

Their transaction rates are the following:

3,000 below == 150php

3,000 - 4,999k == 250php

5,000 - 7,499 == 365php

7,500 - 9,999 == 450php

10,000 - 12,999 == 600php

13,000 up == starts with 850php then additional 150php for every 1k

14,000 == 950php

15,000 == 1,100php

16,000 == 1,250php

17,000 == 1,400php

I didn't regret and I'm very happy that I did transact with them.

*I am not paid for this post, it is my own will to write this because I am really happy about my experience with them and would just like to share it to my fellow bloggers who need rush withdrawals from their PayPal accounts.

Getting in Bed With Gadgets Raises Lifetime Heart Attack Risk by 50%

2012-11-14T15:51:00.000+08:00

My mom has confiscated my smartphone because I have't set my eyes off of it and I admit, it's not good. So, I haven't get to touch my phone for a week now which does feels very weird for me at the start but now, I'm starting to get the hang of it. I can do a lot of chores now that I don't have it. Before, I even sleep with it too right next to my bed. And after researching in the internet what might it cause to me and the likes of me, I realize that it's better that my mom got it.

According to Online Psychology Degree:

There’s no question that in recent years, regular smartphone, tablet, and other gadget users have developed a strong bond with their technology. More and more people find themselves riddled with separation anxiety if they leave their phone at home, or even if it’s in a different room. For many gadget users, a popular time to get really plugged in to technology is in the downtime right before bed—in fact, more and more people will say that they can’t sleep without spending time reading a tablet, browsing the web, or watching Netflix. But this particular time for gadget addiction, right before going to sleep, can be more harmful than helpful to good rest. New studies show that not only are most people sleeping with their smartphones in the bed with them, they’re also struggling to sleep well, even if they don’t realize it. Not only does the light from your gadgets suppress sleep-inducing melatonin, there’s a good chance that you’ve been woken up by a call or text message in the middle of the night recently. In fact, many people say that if they happen to awake in the middle of the night, the natural reaction is to reach for their phone. The psychology behind why we feel so addicted to our gadgets is a field that is just now burgeoning, and for the future health of technology users everywhere, it’s probably worth looking into.

See the graphics right after the jump. ^_^

Photo from OnlinePsychologyDegree.net

I am guilty as charged. That's why after reading this I realize not to sleep with any gadgets with me. Will you still sleep with your gadgets?

Every Blood Donor is a HERO

2012-11-13T22:01:00.001+08:00

I'm so happy that my online sister @MrsJaejoongKim has just become a hero. A living hero! I'm so proud of her. She just donated her blood in Philippine Red Cross.

I, myself also wanted to donate blood since last April. But, every time I go to the local Philippine Red Cross (here in my place or either in Butuan City), I always get denied because I'm anemic! T_T

So, before I donate my blood, I have to be healthy first! :)

Mrs. Jaejoong Kim's photo

You know, every blood a person donates is very much thanked for and appreciated by the people(s) who received it. It means a lot to them. You have even saved a life without knowing.

So for that, I salute everyone who donates blood. I might be one of those people who'll be able to receive your blood soon (if in need, of course).

So, thank you! ^_^

You are a hero to these people.
Thank you sissy. You are a hero! ♥

My K2G Friends

2012-11-10T03:54:00.003+08:00

L-R: Ryan, Alrie, Donz, Rey, Kelvin, Bryce, Jhoy & Yours truly.

Friends like you are like no other friends
You're a group of friends I don't regret meeting
Friends I can't scream at or fight with
Friends like you is like having no worries in my life,
Friends that I don't want to lose,
Friends I always wanted,
Friends like you is random and funny,
Friends like you are friends that I love to death and I will never let go,
Friends like you I can tell all my secrets to.
Friends like you...

Friends like you are like the little sisters and brothers I've always wanted,

Friends like you is like having no dark days because you brighten them up,
Friends that opens up my eyes and helps me in times of depression and sadness,
Friends like you is a type of friends that laughs at dumb things I say or do,
Friends like you are friends I am proud to call my best friends and for you I would give my life.
No matter what.
You are my friends, and I love you.

By the way that's a video of us last summer (2012) that I'll forever keep for the sake of memory lane in the future! :)

New Life. New Plans.

2012-11-03T00:52:00.003+08:00

They say, there's always a rainbow after the rain. Well, I believe that. I've proved that many times already and I'm just happy that despite my young age (well, I'm turning 19 next month) I've been through a lot, fell down a lot, stumbled and stand again. Well, that's how life is, isn't it?

Here I am again... Loving life that God has given me. It's beautiful. I've learned to appreciate things and every mistakes I made, I make a way to learn from them.

Hey, that's me talking... randomly!

Well, I am trying out vlogging again. It's fun though even if it's nerve-wracking at first. But, I know I'll get used to it soon.

By the way, if you haven't seen my first video blog, check it out here.