i am woman, hear me rawr!

Every day my battle with weight loss is becoming a more and more public one. I realized that because I used to hide the fact that I was aiming to lose weight a secret, it was harder to live up to it, so I decided to blog about in one of my other sites.

Yesterday, I was so flattered to receive confirmation that Fat Girl No More was nominated as one of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010!

I’m thankful to my blogger friends for their vote of confidence, not only in my blog, but in my journey towards weight loss.  Through their support and words of inspiration make me more and more motivated in sticking to my decision to make a change. I know now that weight loss is more than simply searching for the top diet pill, program or exercise. Rather, it is a choice one makes and sticks to.

I hope that in the next few months, a lot of good happens in this diet of mine! Also, if you plan on joining the influential blogger writing contest, perhaps I can invite you to consider Fat Girl No More!

Bookmark It

I was so excited to see Sex and the City 2 last week but when I walked out of the theater after the press screening, I turned to my friend Flow and said, “bakit di ako happy?”. I was a bit discontent and to some degree disappointed about the film I waited so long to see. So much so that when I first drafted my SATC2 review, I entitled it “Looking for a happy ending”.

Don’t get me wrong, however: I LOVED THE MOVIE! I loved it so much that I would go out and see it again in a heartbeat. The only thing I didn’t like about the movie is that it seemed “cut” too much and the cuts weren’t as smooth as could be, so there were some small gaps between scenes. On the other hand, I liked how it was a tamer Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte I got to see. While I was not really technically disappointed with the movie, I was disappointed that I didn’t walk away with the giddy, kilig feeling I got when I watched the first flick. To some degree, the movie seemed to “real” for me.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

BF Homes, Parañaque just keeps getting better!

In my village newsletter recently I found a flyer for the Cassandra Care Animal Home. At the time I got it, they were offering (if I read it right!) free rabies vaccinations for dogs in our village. Unfortunately (or should I say fortunately) I had already gotten Bubba’s shots updated. However, because they offered ambulance and emergency services for pets, I tacked the flyer to my refrigerator.

Today, as I waited for my lunch to heat up in the microwave, I stood by the ref and read it. And the magic words popped out: “Pet Studio” and “Master & Pet Suite”.

For those who are my friends in Facebook, you may recall that just the other day I posted a shout-out that I was hoping for a “My Pet and Me” photo shoot. However, given my limited funds right now, it’s not a priority.

Also, if you have been reading my

blog, you know how important Bubba is to me, right? I have been longing to find a hotel where pets are allowed, so seeing the Master and Pet Suite in the flyer was interesting to me.

However, as I read their website I think it’s more for confinement purposes (i.e. pet operation) rather than a hotel, although their website describes the facility as “a place for your pets to recover from illness and surgery, as well as a second home for your pets while you are away” . Nonetheless, it’s great to know there is a dog hospital nearby where I can stay with him if necessary.

Browsing the website some more led me to this:

PET GROOMING, SPA AND MASSAGE

Every pet needs a thorough cleansing/bath and a haircut, and occasionally, a relaxing massage.  Our pet Jacuzzi will pamper your pet even more.

• Breed-specific hair styling treatment

• Medicated bath

• Nail clipping, tooth brushing, ear cleaning

• Anal sac draining

• Pet acupressure and hydromasssage

• Only the finest salon and spa products are used

Bookmark It

First of all, thank you so much to all the patience you guys have extended with regards to the delay of this announcement. I didn’t realize that the end of my contest coincided with the first day of classes in DLSU and given that I am teaching three new subjects this term, I was simply overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do.

Anyway, with no further ado, let me congratulate all the winners of my contest: Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

A few days before my classes officially started, I was given the best writing assignment ever: covering Nurture Spa Village Tagaytay’s re-launch for The Philippine Online Chronicles, an online publication I write for. I was a bit nervous about going, to be honest, because it was going to be the first ever event I would go to without my usual group of blogger friends. As I approached the designated meeting place with a bit of trepidation, wondering how the trip would end up. I almost jumped for joy when I saw Eric, aka Byahilo, standing in the curb! That eased my anxiety a wee bit…but I was still feeling insecure and out of place since the others seemed to know each other.

Shortly after, we headed off to the Nurture Spa Village Tagaytay. It wasn’t hard to relax and put my guard down because all the other bloggers in the van were such a blast to be with! Besides the very relaxing and fabulous spa treatments I experienced, getting to meet and get to know many of the bloggers I used to hear about was a reward in itself.

my new found blogger friends with Mike and Cathy Turvill, founders and owners of the Nurture Spa Village Tagaytay

Being a spa noob (yes, despite my love for massages and the fact that I pamper myself with one almost weekly!) I never really went through the whole spa experience. I used to say it was just a glammed up massage and that spending excessive amounts on something I can get for Php 250 at home was a luxury I could live without. Plus, I would rather spend my money on a weekend at the beach rather than the spa. I recall I even quipped to one of my companions that “kulang na lang dito dagat, tapos perfect na!”.

However, after being in the calming and serene setting of the spa, I realized that spa’s were more than just good ambiance, it is really a healing and “love yourself” experience.

I fell in love with the Nurture Spa Village! While I do still place the sun, sea and surf at the top of my list, I got to feel the quiet positive energy flowing from such a soul nurturing place. From the trees to the flowers, the butterflies and even the ants crawling about, it felt like I was tapping into something so primal and true to the core. Add to that, of course, it the world class facilities the spa had to offer! It definitely is no ordinary spa. In fact, it is heralded as one of the 28 Most Relaxing Spa’s in Asia by CNN Go.

My Nurture Spa Village experience definitely ranks up there with my favorite things ever. If I may, let me invite you to read more about the spa with my article at The Philippine Online Chronicles’ Wellness section. Check out my photos of the trip on Flickr too Watch out too for my feature on the Amu’in body products and that fabulously delicious Lychee Lemongrass Martini soon

Bookmark It

Since last week, I’ve been having cravings for tofu. However, trust the lazy bum that I am to not go to the grocery and get some!!!

Today, as I was looking for a photo in my Flickr photostream, I came across this photo:

It made my cravings even more intense! I especially like this during cold, rainy days like now. It’s so comforting and filling, without leaving me feeling heavy and stuffed. This dish is actually very easy to make, roughly around ten minutes, seriously. Check out the recipe here.

Much as I love tofu, however, I try to eat it in moderation because some say that too much of it is actually bad for the body because of how it reacts with hormones or something. I don’t know if it’s hgh or estrogen or what not but I recall reading articles about it before. In any case, tofu is still a big favorite of mine and I really have to get me some of that soon

Bookmark It

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the A-team screening last night! Much as it was a testosterone fest (definitely a drastic change from the movies I love to watch! case in point: sex and the city!) and action-packed, I found myself literally laughing out loud for a big chunk of the film. I couldn’t help but cheer along as the movie progressed. Suffice it to say I enjoyed it a lot

I didn’t get a chance to see the original A-team, so I can’t really give an opinion as to whether they were better or not. The only thing I remember from the first team was the name Mr. T. I suppose it was because I never really liked films that were more male oriented, action themed and filled with a lot of explosions and firepower.  This movie, however, made me see how enjoyable these films can apparently be!!!

From what other bloggers have said, however, it appears that they exceeded expectations. “A-Team” opens June 10 (Thursday) in theaters nationwide.

Bookmark It

Well, at least one winner Before anything else let me thank all the participants of my BLOG ANNIVERSARY contest! I received a total of 20 entries and many, many comments, especially from two contenders, Lucky Zoan and Lourdes Espanol. I hope you enjoyed rummaging through my archives.

I have a few top picks for the best entry, but to be fair, I am waiting for a guest judge to help me make the final decision as to the winner

With regards to the raffle entries and point, I’m still collating points so please be patient with me. I want to be sure I give you complete credit for your tweets and shout-outs!

Anyway, without further ado, the lucky winner of the TOP COMMENTATOR prize is none other than:

Joanne, also known as zoan or as her user name goes, lucky zoan, is indeed very lucky because she also bagged the early bird prize! As such, she will receive the following:

• The Early Bird Prize goes to the first officially verified and completed entry (Based on the main contest requirements)
  • $5 via Pay Pal
  • Pinoy Blogger Shirt $10 via Pay Pal
  • Starbucks ID Lace
  • 2 ad spaces for 1 month
• Top Commentator
  • $5 via Pay Pal
  • 1 Starbucks China Demitasse Cup
  • 1 Pinoy Blogger Shirt $10 via Pay Pal
  • 1 Yummy Book
  • Sponsorship Link 6 months
  • 1 year running ads at the blog site
  • 2 ad spaces for 1 month

Runner up to top commentator is Lourdes Espanol. As a consolation, you will receive some goodies and gc’s as a token of my appreciation Wait lang po for updates please

Bookmark It