Touche'

buuuusy

2012-01-28T10:50:00.001-08:00

last few weeks of school!! been very busy!!

take me to summer

2012-01-14T23:06:00.001-08:00

take me to summer by koosh27 featuring u boat watches

Floral dress
$135 - frockaholics.com

Equipment button shirt
$196 - my-wardrobe.com

Norma Kamali ruched bathing suit
£290 - brownsfashion.com

Cropped shorts
£10 - desireclothing.co.uk

Sperry Top-Sider beach sandals
$60 - sperrytopsider.com

Mar Y Sol tote handbag
$100 - bloomingdales.com

U boat u boat watch
£4.95 - stylecompare.co.uk

Sperry Top Sider sailor jewelry
$8 - sperrytopsider.com

Floppy summer hat
amazon.com

Marc Jacobs aviator shades
$345 - marcjacobs.com

Cloud Logo Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe
$75 - sperrytopsider.com

Sperry Top-Sider Bumper Sticker
$2 - sperrytopsider.com

Nokia N9

2012-01-13T22:46:00.001-08:00

will write a review soon! :) for now, can you juat say ain't it sleek looking!

mario's restaurant

2012-01-13T22:42:00.001-08:00

here's a fave to order of mine. tenderloin steak wrapped in bacon and mango and crab salad. :)

yummy!

Moral story of the day.. :)

2012-01-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

that today, I finally know that in myself I'm maturing enough.

Signs of maturing:

less fight.

learning to shut up (when needed :))

and letting go of unnecessary confrontations.

and oh, unsubscribing too!

Oh yes, I finally understood that it isn't necessary to speak even when you are provoked..

Am I becoming mellow and nice? I think so too! :)

here's to a year of all smiles and good vibes! :)

Rustan's Sale!!

2012-01-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Usually I don't like going to any store sales here in Manila because more often than not, I don't have any of my sizes left in store. But today, decided to head over to Rustan's Sale because I was bored and had Rustans GC to use..

and looky what I got!

Harajuku Heels at 70%off it's Original Price!!!!

at first, the pair was just 30%off and I was 'sold' already since this was a first that I still had a size on sale.. I asked the store attendant if he could get me the other pair but when he returned, he realized it was the last pair already- he said that the price was wrong and it changed from 30% off to 70%off! Boom! Sold SOLD SOLD!!!!

Rustan's Sale

From Jan 6-Feb 5 2012

Up to 70%off! (usually I don't believe this line, but now, I'm a believer!!! 70%off! wooootwoo!)

Now that's love!

RUSH to RUSTAN'S DEAR READERS!!!

Making that list

2012-01-06T06:41:00.001-08:00

I stumbled upon this in one blog I follow, and decided to write my own list. It is supposedly for your life/career path list. I just think this is wise to write down for everyone- just so we could all look back in our life what our priorities, decisions, passions are. So if you don't own a blog, why not write it down in your journal? Do share your links in this blog! :)

1) I really enjoy... (list 15 things)

2) I am very good at... (list 15 things)

3) I am very interested in.. (list 15 things)

4) I don't do it much, but I like to... (list 5 things)

5) When I was a child, I wanted to be a.. (list 3 things)

6) If it weren't too late, I would... (list 3 things)

7) If money were not an object, I would... (list 5 things)

8) If my parents wouldn't object, I would... (list 5 things)

9) These are the people I admire... (list 3 names)

10) These are the people I secretly admire... (list 3 names)

11) The world is in need of more... (list 5 things)

12) I think God wants me to be... (list 2 things)

And while you're at it, make this last list:

The 10 Things You Accomplished This Year:

***

My list:

I really enjoy... (list 15 things)

1. reading books

2. people watching. seeing how people do their errands in their busy life, watching people's emotion, looking at people's life at bystander's perspective

3. cooking. well, learning to cook (more precisely). I think it's fun.

4. blogging. writing. sharing thoughts. making a voice.

5. coloring. I know it's kinda out of context answer. but i love coloring, drawing and scribbling. there's some peace in it.

6. watching movies.

7. listening to music

8. having coffee and just letting time pass.

9. travelling.

10. adventures.

11. photography-of people, nature,places,food.

12. sports.

13. eating? haha

14. seeing cute chubby kids and I'm willing to be their yaya for a day! :)

15. collecting. it's a weird hobby.

I am very good at... (list 15 things)

1. listening to people.

2. sleeping (yes!) hahaha. :)

3. conceptualizing. i sometimes can't sleep when my brain starts to conceptualize new ideas, new goals and stuffs.

4. color blocking. (related to no.5 above).. i think, since i grew up having too many crayolas (and been addicted to collecting them) at one point of my life- it made me more "artistically" skilled (READ: ndi yan talent ha.. skill! hard earned! hahaha..even if I don't even have an artistic side on me!) Would even assume this is why even I didn't have an artistic side (read: can't draw) but because i mixed my color well, I won once in a poster contest! (true story! hahahaa)

5. sports. sorry, kanya-kanyang claim na ito!

6. writing (again, I'm claiming it!) There was a time during high school when I wanted to write for our school newspaper but because of this classmate of mine (EIC) who handles our school newspaper back then decided not to give me even a chance.. I did took it against her (sorry). But for someone who wanted to write instead of "forcing" someone else to write.. I think that is just the crap of "cronies mentality" or maybe kasi my writing was never good enough for her standards. So I just let that one pass, but in me, I knew I had to prove to myself I am good enough to write. So I did. and I'm proud to say, my writings may not have won the Pulitzer prize but it definitely won me many other things. :p anyway, all is well. I think that "experience" taught me that yes, I have much more to learn in life, taught me to find ways when someone else turns you down, that I had to prove and improve myself, and that when one door closes then go for the window (it might be open for all you know). so yes, I am still thankful that that event happened in my life. Because even if I was never that "writer" back then (and maybe even now) may this blog be my own little spot, where I can call myself a writer/blogger. :)

7. math (even if my mom says otherwise!)

8. experimenting (for cooking)

9. advising (feeling ko lang! choz!)

10. being street smart, literally (a friend once told me, I know my ways in divisoria and Quiapo.Kaya lagi ako kaladkarin doon if they need a guide) It's all about learning the ways thru walking. :)

11. and with relation to no.10, i do well with shopping too! and making tawad! (bad vice!)

12. moving fast. acting fast. everything in a snap.

13. finding solutions

14. finding a good deal

15. sleeping (again! eh magaling talaga ako dito! promise!)

I am very interested in... (list 5 things)

1. philanthropy

2. technology improvements

3. life

4. travels

5. shopping

I don't do it much, but I like to... (list 5 things)

1. be better at photography

2. study more. I totally get it that in Medschool, hindi ka talaga mauubusan ng inaaral!

3. learn art of coffee making

4. learn aquaculture

5. have my own farm (with pigs, plants and mango trees)

When I was a child, I wanted to be... (list 3 things)

1. doctor

2. teacher

3. scientist

6) If it weren't too late, I would... (list 3 things)

1. enroll myself in dancing

2. learn how to paint

3. be a gymnast

If money were not an object, I would... (list 5 things)

1. travel the world

2. establish a foundation where I could finance Filipinos/small busineses/ entrepreneurs who needs start up money for their business without any collateral except to pay it forward to others as well.

3. establish a free public hospital

4. do a Manny Pacquaio move.. open my house to everyone and give money away.

5. buy Nike company. :)

If my parents wouldn't object, I would... (list 5 things)

1. travel the world

2. live in singapore or somewhere in Europe

3. study abroad

4. be a marine biologist

5. n/a

These are the people I admire... (list 3 names)

1. Oprah Winfrey

2. Phil Knight, Nike CEO

3. Steve Jobs

These are the people I secretly admire... (list 3 names)

1. Angelina Jolie

2. Anderson Cooper

3. Miranda Kerr

The world is in need of more... (list 5 things)

1. Honest and positive leaders

2. environmentalist.

3. happy people

4. movers and shakers

5. peace

I think God wants me to be... (list 2 things)

1. a doctor. I was given a sign and I will commit to finish this.

2. a life changer for someone else.

*opt not to make the 10 Accomplishment for 2011.. :) maybe will do that at the end of 2012.. :)

Because One day..

2012-01-05T10:06:00.000-08:00

I'll start believing again...

in my own dreams. hope. love.

peace out.
jamie :)

2012: GOALS

2012-01-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna start another year with new set of goals, new perspectives and a LOT more to do. Here are my goals for 2012 (in no particular order since I'm just scribbling):

do something fun.
do something new
pass this semester
smile more.
be more approachable,happy, good vibe-y, enthusiastic and for the negas, well, learn to kill them with kindness. :)
appreciate life more
save more
travel more
visit a new country
reconnect with God
lose weight and go 3 dress size down
simplify life
buy heels and learn how to use them!
sleep early
fall in love
look for a new pet
learn new hobby
learn to cook new dishes
be more organize
color my hair red
lessen impulsive buying
be more financially mature.
learn to invest
learn something new
go back to flag football
go back to frisbee
learn new sport
join new org
meet more people
reconnect with old friends
add new items for my collection (watches and books)
be happy;
and be less stressed with stuff
travel alone
fill up 2 piggy bank
blog more
less FB
learn to forgive and let go.
organize my series files
and my photo files
learn new sport
say sorry and thank you more.
study harder!
and be grateful. :)

( i think these are realistic enough :))

2012- I'll make you my YEAR!

2011 was:

2011-12-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

This year, I opt not to make a lengthy entry on how my year 2011 went. It was what it was- a bumpy ride with lots of stop overs. But to sum up my 2011:

It is my year of LEARNING.

I've learned to appreciate more,

learned to give more,

learned to say sorry,

learned to forgive,

and be forgiven,

learned to love,

learned to listen,

learned to give,

learned to understand,

learned to be grateful,

learned to smile,

learned to know the value of good friends,

value of money,

value of time,

value of family,

learned to shut up,

make new friends,

learned to laugh at myself,

learned to change mistakes,

and most of all, learned that change is good.

Let us leave 2011 with all the baggage and start anew at 2012!

CHEERS to a NEW YEAR!

xoxo,

JT!

Why it is never a good idea to buy FAKE TOMS

2011-12-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

I love Toms. Comfortable, easy to wear and really nice designs- what is not to like about Toms?
Currently, I have 4 pairs of Toms- gray canvas,black canvas, black/white with design, and red canvas(not in the picture). Funny thing is, I love Toms so much that I even use my black Toms for school ( with my med school uniform! oha!). And I've been using it for 2 years now! Comfort always comes first for me. So I dare not wear heels for school and yet, somehow I manage to attract other students to start wearing Toms to school as well. :)

Anyway, Just a month ago, we were shopping at GH when I saw this fake Silver Toms in one of the vendor stalls. I don't know what got into me, maybe it was the lining of the Toms ( thinking how the hell were they able to copy the linings of the original one even the sole is close to the real one!) or the price and decided to buy and see how the fake pair fairs with the real one.

The Fake one cost me P300 ($6) while real Toms costs about ($60) a pair. So that's x10 price difference!

(Fake VS Real)

In far view and untrained eyes, you wouldn't see the difference of a fake Toms to a real one. But look closer and you would see it! Here is an in depth comparison of an Original Toms and a Fake one.

Canvas Toms uses soft cloth all over even in it's lining. It is Toe-stitched and has that elastic V in the middle.

Notice also the TOMS tag in the right side of the shoes.

the back

the inner sole

the back tag

While Compare it to this:

the back (notice the uneven glue below) Original Toms Toe-stitch each pair and not glue them!

Sadly, when I pulled the soles of the fake one, I saw this. BAD imitation at it's best!

The side tag

the back of the tag says: Made in China

and after one wear, look what happened.. the sides are getting torn apart..

Notice the difference in the back tag as well? The craftmanship is undeniably missing in the fake one! Look at the side sewn of the Toms of the fake one.. really bad!

and lastly, the saddest part of all, the glitters started to come off after one wear.. SAD!

But beside from the aesthetic of each pair, the most important difference of a real one from the fake one is: COMFORT! The fake one still can't copy how comfortable an Original is and yes my choosy feet got hurt from wearing that fake one after a day..

and comparing the original one and the fake one, I use my Black Canvas Toms everyday for almost 2 years now without any damage and the fake one, I used for a day and easily got torn apart- now that's where they differ in quality.So to say the least, fake ones are just a good for one day shoes.

Lesson learned: best to buy the original one. Quality over quantity. :)

and yes, I love my Toms.. Original that is!

St. Giles Hotel, Makati: A review

2011-12-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

If you are looking some where to stay along Makati area and at the price point of relatively pocket friendly; I would recommend staying at St. Giles Hotel Makati.

Strategically locating along Makati Avenue (which is where A. Venue is as well as other hangout place such as Chihuahua and more) and Kalayaan Avenue. This hotel is 5 minutes away from Rockwell Powerplant and about 10minutes away from Greenbelt and Glorietta. Accessibility wise, this hotel has my high marks.

Our rooms during our stay

sadly, we only had one pillow each... :(

the restroom

the view

the vanity table.

and this was me, all cocooned under the cover. freezing coooold!!:]

Yummy breakfast!

They had me at Coffee, bacon and arrozcaldo. :)

Price per room: P2000-P4000 ($40-80)

Pros:

good location

Includes free breakfasts (which I loved by the way.. :))

free use of gym and pool

with hair dryer

with Iron and Iron table

Nice staff

Cons:

Need to pay P300 ($6) for 1 day Wi-Fi access

premier location thus can be a little traffic at times...

Will I book again? definitely!

St. Giles Hotel

Makati Avenue

Corner Kalayaan Avenue

Makati City,Philippines.

Tel No. (632)988-9888

Email:info@StGilesManila.com

This Piggy Bank

2011-12-22T23:11:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, I opt not to open my piggy bank just yet and spend it for a "Christmas gift" and instead it'll just have to wait...for the "next trip" to somewhere memorable and exotic! ;)

Excited? Guess where! :)

What to eat at Korea:Korean Barbecue Chicken

2011-12-18T18:11:00.001-08:00

In the land of kimchi's, bibimbaps and jiampoongs, We ended up not much of those but instead much of these- Korean Barbecue Chicken! I think the reason why we ate much of these was because korean love their barbecue too much that everywhere we go it is being served. Sadly, I haven't tried any bibimbaps or jiampoongs when I was at Korea (at least I have reason to go back again!! Nonetheless, I love the Barbecue Chicken so much!!! :))

Here is our food whore photos:

Korean Barbecue Chicken ( @ Nami island)

They serve Beef and Chicken Barbecue

Yummy!!!

THE GANG!

Waiting for our Chicken to cook!!

mmmmmm.... Looks delicious huh?

Koreans love their side dish!

Lettuce wrap!

Mongo clear soup

Fascinating Exhaust machine!

Amah showing us how to eat the Lettuce wrapped chicken

YUM!

Now you see it!

Now you don't!

KBC for the win!!!

oh how I miss this! :)

TOMS Give Fair

2011-12-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

I love Toms and everything about Toms. So when last December 4,2011, Toms held a Give Fair event at Trinoma, I just had to go and visit. Sadly, it rained on the event itself which made the event started a bit late.

So anyway, upon registration each person will be given Give paper with (Treats, Fun, Photo Booth, Face Painting, Fun). Each Paper corresponds to each booth which you can use the paper to redeem treats, photo and more!

The stage set-up

The Give Joy, Fun Booth

Give FUN I-Spy

Since I was early in the event and most of the booth aren't open yet, I've only used my GIVE fun paper. It was an I-Spy game wherein one will be given 60 seconds to find 3 items from the TOMS wall.

You will draw what you need to find and mine says:

when you find the 3 items at the given time, you get a prize! Krispy kreme Original Glaze!

The theme of the event was fair/carnival and there were tall acrobats in the crowd!

I had to leave a early and wasn't able to witness the concert and the Toms Hunt (which was a bummer since I had an exam the next day and needed to study). But before I left, decided to drop by at the Toms Pop-up store (which was so cute by the way!)

Photo grabbed from Toms FB. :)

I just love TOMS. From it's soft soles to it's company's principle!

One for One. :)

why i love christmas:

2011-12-16T04:14:00.001-08:00

putobumbong and bibingka :) (rice cakes)

Glutamax and Me

2011-12-07T03:19:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

Glutamax is giving out all Filipinos out there the chance to win an Ipad2,Samsung phones and a lot more!

so follow this details:

1. Like Glutamax

2. Click on the Glutamax and Me tab

3. Add your photo

4. Complete the details, that's it!

Don't forget to like my photo as well.. https://apps.facebook.com/glutamax_and_me/gallery_detail.php?id=670 :)

Promo is till december 31,2011! Goodluck!!

food blog/ weight watch

2011-12-04T03:53:00.001-08:00

as i'm typing this, i am less than 24 hrs away from an exam, munching on some tacos and soda in hand. i wonder, what if i make this blog my sort of food blog/ weight watch blog. because i'm seriously eating too much especially during hell week! so let's see how i'll do this... I'm gonna psych myself to lose that 15lbs!

So help me lord!

growing up.

2011-12-02T09:39:00.001-08:00

part of growing up is learning when to shut your mouth when needed.

doesn't always mean you hafta say words to get your message out.

cause sometimes, it's better to keep quiet when you know what the truth is.

*pat on the back jamie*

because now you finally learned something from growing up :)

Friends

2011-11-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

Things change,

friends leave,
and life doesn't stop
for anybody.

- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky

Today, I realized that it's quite hard to find true, flat-out honest friends. Change is constant, we all know that, so you're lucky if you have a friend who you know you can always count on--no judgments, no mind games. Someone who will tell you if you did something wrong, because she cares. Someone who will not talk behind your back, because you don't deserve that. Someone who will fight for the friendship, because it means a lot to her and she thinks it's worth saving.

So if you have at least one, treasure him/her. Nurture the relationship and never hold back. Because amidst the changes, one should not leave their true friends behind.

Got this from here.

Decided it's worth it to be shared. It made so much sense and meaning after all.. :)

the life of med student

2011-11-28T05:02:00.001-08:00

consists of:

highlighters
trans/notes/books
coffee

Still blessed. :>

2011-11-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

you know what.. even if life has put me to a test, I can't help but feel a little blessed from everything that has been happening! Awesome people all around me, how can I not feel blessed right? :D

and can i just share this track from Jessie J. this is just pure love!!!

don't you just wanna dance?? :> Gotta love the happiness coming back!

DAY 2-Korea Nami island

2011-11-25T06:04:00.000-08:00

Our first itinerary for our korea trip was to visit Nami island. Getting to Nami island is via 20 minutes land transpo and another 10 minutes boat ride. It is famous for its park and of course, as the location where Winter Sonata (the koreanovela) shoot it's scenes.

I've come to learn from our tour guide that korean love the series Winter Sonata so much and Bae Yong-joon. Actor Yong-joon is like the Brad Pitt of Korea and the highest paid actor in Korea.

Upon docking, you get to see this girl statue standing in the river. I thought it was so out of place and I forgot to ask our tour guide what's the story behind this.

Welcome to Naminara Republic (Nami island)

We were lucky enough that it was autumn season as the colors of the leaves are changing and with the sight of red's, yellow's, green's and brown's- it was so fascinating! Although I would wish to see Nami island when it's snowing too! must be nice! :) So let me just share to you how nice Nami island is:

Everything is just so nice, non? :)

winter sonata!

see, picture perfect!

the cousins!

eto pa! pumopostcard!

the different season photos of Nami island

xoxo,

jamie

Korea Day 1: Arriving at the airport

2011-11-22T20:29:00.000-08:00

Leaving for Korea, we got our plane ticket at relatively cheaper price from the usual Cebu pacific cheap airfare seat sale promo (less than 10k). Before planning to go to Korea, Filipino tourist need to file for Korean visa and ours were done by Pan Pacific travel agency (because we were on a tour group) so it was no hassle at all. The flight from Manila to Korea was almost 4 hours flight.

In flight, while everyone was sleeping, I was busy doing this:

Immigration papers, Customs declaration, Health questionnaire and more health questionnaires.

(I noticed in their health questionnaires that if you omit to declare that you are sick upon entering Korea, well, they can charge you fines! eeek!)

this super cute korean kid also kept me occupied. Super kulit and super playful... I wasn't able to sleep because she kept playing with me. At first I thought she didn't know how to speak english and lo and behold, she spoke english fluently and was trying to mimic my tagalog too! hahaha :)

Upon arriving at Incheon airport around 9pm

Did you know that Incheon Airport is one of the best airport in the world? I must say, it was a breeze going from terminal, transport, to immigration and we were done less than 30 minutes. Wi-fi accessed everywhere was also a plus!

Murals everywhere!

Transfer to arrival terminal

Since it was already the autumn season in Korea, the temperature plays around 10-17 degree celsius so it was really cold! ( gotta love the weather!!!)

anyway.. will write more soon!

Starbucks Planner 2012

2011-11-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas time again when you know it's that time of the year of collecting stickers again for the Starbucks Planner. Collecting of sticker began as early as of Nov.5,2011 and will end by the end of the month of January.

This year, the planner comes in 5 wood design: Poplar, Bamboo, Cherry, Spruce and Oak. (mine is spruce, right) that comes with a cute pouch. Each planner also came from 70% recycled materials.

Though you won't be able to choose what pouch it comes with, I think every color is just nice! I also love this year's planner since it is smaller and more compact to bring everywhere.

Gotta love the details they put in this year. Down to the pouch button!

Every Planner also comes with their own serial number. :)

Design wise- much prettier compared to last year and even the inside is much simpler and nicer to use.

and like every Starbucks Planner, it comes with coupons and this year's coupon is much more awesome! (is it just me, or did the coupons got more "useable" since there are more free upsize, free drinks, etc?). The planner also came with a carton bookmark. Gotta love the "green" factor of this planner!

So how to get your own planner?

there are 3 options available now:

1.) Purchase P5000 worth of Starbucks merchandise or

2.) Collect 17 stickers (9 Christmas beverage and 8 core) or

3.) Collect 23 stickers (all core)

So go grab yours na! This one is just too preeeeettty to not get! I swear! :)

photo credit: http://www.thirstyblogger.com/starbucks-planner-2012-now-available.html