Sunday, June 03, 2012
Kareoke Nights: Unleashing The Diva In You 7:35 PM
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Mental Break 10:05 PM
One of the downsides of living in today's interconnected world is never really being able to switch off. You are constantly reminded of your unfortunate and miserable life by means of texts from your boss asking you to come in on a Saturday, tweets from your ex sharing how she's so happy in her current relationship and Four Square check-ins by your frenemy currently touring Europe.
Sometimes, we just would like to get away from it all. A bullet through the head might seem like the best solution at times. But most days, we can only afford a mental break.
A weekend - An Overnight Stay in some Relaxing Hotel / Resort
DealGrocer.com & CashCashPinoy.com has made thousands last year selling deals online for these. Grab your special someone or a special someone just for a weekend and head off to the beach or the hills. Roll around comfortable sheets. Wear that nice bikini you never had the chance to wear. For a more relaxing experience, have that special someone plan everything and do the driving. It will just be an eat, sleep, be happy weekend.
A day - The Day Spa
A lot of these have been popping up around the metro. All of them cater their own special formula for body relaxation and detoxification. Get yourself scrubbed, oiled and manhandled by seasoned professionals who just know the right places to knead and scour. You will be a renewed man when you exit their doors - ready for a good night sleep.
4 hours - Movie / Concert / Play
Looking forward to a nice movie, concert or play can occupy your afternoon like news of a popular teenage heartthrob in a sex scandal. It will be best to plan around it. Have lunch before and maybe coffee after. Empty your mind and, for an afternoon, let someone else perform instead of you.
2 hours - Gym / Sports
Focus for two hours by lifting weights, attending a dance class, hitting balls or running. Sweat out stress and negativity. Raising your heart rate for 20 minutes a day makes your body release endorphins. And endorphins make your happy. So say Legally Blonde.
1 hour - Drive to a Happy Place
One should never be too far from a happy place. For most people, it is their bed. Some, a quiet bench in the park. For me, Hooters. When I feel like doing some carefree, mind numbing binge eating.. Hooters is where I go. But lately, with traffic, I end up just stopping by the nearest Serenitea.
30 minutes - Episodic TV
15 minutes - Cigarette Break
Tag along a buddy. Chit chat. Blow off steam (or smoke).
5 minutes - 9gag.com
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Things I picked up from being away from home... 3:37 PM
Being away from home has some advantages. It gets you away from your usual comforts and it breaks your regular routine. I found a few interesting things during my stay here in KL. Let me share you some...
1) 1 month of listening to Florence + The Machine made me wanna watch them live now.
2) Yup, you will grow to like Soya Milk when in Malaysia. I gulp per 3 tablespoons of spicy curry.
3) There is no quick way to Melt Away Stress but... this was close enough for me.
4) Lipo 6 is not legal in KL. Had to use Hydroxycut.
5) WhatsApp. Install it. Got me connected to a good number of people.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Do you really need all of these? 10:48 AM
For us to stay in budget and not ending up with stacks of junk at home, I have summarized some key mind tricks and tips on when to pass and not buy stuff:
1) You are always in a diet!
You do not need the excuse of being overweight to start eating healthy (normally less). Pass on the soda and fries. Just keep the burger. I don't care if the happy meal will get you the latest Twilight mug. We spend for food at least thrice a day. Cutting back here will help your wallet and your thighs in the long run.
2) Just because it's new doesn't mean you need to have it!
It is only nice and shiny in the first 2 weeks. After which, the credit card bill arrives. iPad 2, Galaxy S2, Blackberry Bold 9900. You know they put the numbers in there to tell you that you will only have the latest until the next one comes along, right? Wait a month or two before buying really new stuff. You and the prices would probably be more reasonable.
3) Do you really need another?
Another bag, another pair of shoes... Practicality dictates 'Do not replace if it is not broken.' Fashion suggests 'Beauty should be timeless.' With this, we should then go for pieces that are durable and would go with anything. If all else fails... Here's a good formula to live by:
Underwear > Socks > Shirts > Jeans > Shoes > Jackets > Bags > Belts > Hats > Girlfriends
4) Life is a sit-down meal, not a buffet!
Much like a sit-down meal, you need to decide carefully what you want in buying stuff. It is not practical spending to get everything and ending up just liking/finishing 1 or 2 of what is served. Buy one. Finish it. Spend time with it. If you need more, then buy again. You are not a collector. You don't have taste.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The North Station 11:31 PM
Being stationed in the north has it's share of pros and cons. Let me break them down.
PROS
1. Trinoma & SM North EDSA - An MRT station away. They will be the new Shang and Megamall.
2. Tomas Morato - The new Metrowalk slash City Golf
3. MRT - Park anywhere in the other stations and head to work via train. Convenience, yes.
4. Close to UP & Ateneo. - Masterals and boarding options
5. ABS-CBN & GMA are across the street - My dream to break into the industry is a stone throw away.
CONS
1. EDSA is unavoidable - You get everything that comes with it. Busses, pollution, noise and... yes... masa juice.
2. Everybody else is somewhere south - Do you know anyone who works north of Ortigas? That's right.... me too.
3. No Chicken Wings within a 15 mile radius - Will need to travel a bit to get to a decent wing place. Bye bye Charlies & Hooters.
4. Where will our visitors stay? - Eurotel? Sogo? Well... I guess if it's that short of a visit then...
5. It is as north as north goes - Just to put things in perspective, let's say you live in Muntinlupa, Parañaque or Las Pinas. You'll probably have better luck getting to Tagaytay in 1 hour.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Everything is so Random (part deux) 12:52 PM
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Life Less Ordinary 9:48 AM
I sometimes wish I had the life of a cat. Domesticated, collared, groomed and well-fed. I get to sleep the afternoons away. Chase everything shiny and smaller than I am. Be lazy.
I'd climb up trees and watch cars go by. I'd hiss and air-claw the neighbor's cowardly dog. I'd occasionally swipe at goldfish in the pond. I'd show my master trophies of dead birds and insects I'll sneak indoors.
I'd look outside the window and wish the rain away. I'd hang up the curtains and tumble onto the sofa below. I'd run up and down the stairs just because I can. I'd ignore every other guest that my master brings home.
I'd sometimes look into my master's weary eyes. I'd wonder what happened during his day. I'd meow and ask why he seems lonely at times. I'd ponder why he's been in bed all day.
I'd do stupid acrobatics to just get a laugh. I'd stretch and lie on his face when he doesn't want to get up. I'd do this for I suffer the expectations of being an ordinary. He suffers this for being a lonely man with a cat.