Happy We!

photoshoot with the Storkstudio

2010-05-19T14:39:00.001+08:00

our Photoshoot with The Storkstudio. :)

my Chanel blushes

2010-02-05T19:34:00.005+08:00

Just doing a post and swatches for my current Chanel blushes.
My first Chanel blush was Orchid Rose. I fell in love with it, and used it for more than a week! (that's something already!) Then, I got Reflex, Incognito, Neroli Rose, Tweed Pink, Tweed Corail, Soleil Tan de Chanel (bronzer).. Powders Rosee and Azalea.. got Rose Dust, In Love and Fantasia... then Narcisse, Rose Petale, Fresque, Tea Rose.. and today, got Candy and Fandango.

I think I should stop buying na.. but then, I can still be tempted with the others.. haha!

I used the Narcisse in the morning and In Love in the afternoon.
I felt pretty, with them.. it's like NARS and Armani blushes.. You just feel confident in them.

Here are my Chanel blushes, bronzer and powders:

Here are the swatches.. #1 and #2 (except for the bronzer and powders):

Should anyone need more upclose pictures or swatches... I'll be happy to help out!

Enjoy! :)

Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao's contact info

2010-02-05T17:53:00.001+08:00

I noticed that this blog have several hits for search for Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao.
With this, I'm posting my OB-Gyn, who did my laparoscopy surgery last April 15, 2009.
She's also the one who gave me my medication for the Polycystic Ovarian syndrome.
I'm now on my 5th month pregnancy. I may not have done all the work-ups with some other girls trying to conceive in Manila, but I believe that Dr. Sua-Lao did a very good job with regards to my dermoid cyst, and my medication for pcos.

Anyway, just in case you guys need to visit and contact her, here's her calling card:

I first visited her in her The Medical City clinic.. but frequents both Binondo and TMC Clinic.

Any questions, I'll be very happy to help out! :) just let me know.. ;)

Half way there!

2010-01-25T21:11:00.004+08:00

Since I'm expecting my first baby, I've subscribed to different pregnancy websites, and receives alerts, offerings, information almost everyday.

This morning, I received emails informing me that I'm already on my 20th week, and I'm at the halfway mark! That info, instead of making me feel assured, it terrifies me more! Hahaha!

I have to admit, it's not easy, but right now.. I'm feeling great!
Thanks to other mommies out there (especially in my facebook comments), for sharing that I will feel better soon. I didn't experienced a traumatic 1st trimester, but the feelings are defintely different, and not pleasant. I was choosy with food, I will eat certain stuff only. Thank God that my husband's really really REALLY patient with me! Hahaha! I had some vomiting episodes also, but it can be counted within my 2 hands.

I found comfort in the following food:

Now that I'm on my Second trimester, I feel hungry most of the time. And now whenever I'm full, I have a hard time feeling too full! hahaha! (will try to blog my Second trimester feast, though I sometimes forgot to take pictures na.. lazy me!)

Some of my pictures with the bulging belly! :) I hope they won't scare you guys off! hahaha!

at 13th week (the small scar was from my laparoscopy operation last year April)
the reddish spots were from my scratching because my skin itches like crazy then!

found a solution though! ;) thanks to my colleague in our accounting department!!

at 18th week (the small thing in my navel was also from my laparoscopy operation)

at 19th week (wearing my garterized hiking pants low waist! haha!)

I have an OB schedule this Saturday. Melchor's excited already! haha!

I think if the baby will be cooperative, we may know the gender soon!

I do felt the baby moves na inside!!! It's really a wonderful feeling!
Will update soon! I bought some skin care products, AGAIN!!!

I'm stocking up, coz some of my SK-II items are about to dry up.

Also, I noticed my drying forehead, starting to have faint lines!!!!
I'm about to have wrinkles!!! I really have to do my skin care regimen na!!!
That's all for now! ;)

Purchases since October '09

2010-01-10T01:30:00.006+08:00

Hi! Sorry for the lack of updates here in my blog.
I'm thinking of actually switching to wordpress. Blogspot is still blocked here in China, while the one I would like to transfer too (and my other blog in livejournal) can still be access here! I'm still researching.. and asking Melchor's help on how to transfer this blog. Let's see.

As I've updated here last December (I think), I'm preggy already!
After discovering that I have a dermoid cyst in my right ovary, and had it removed last April 2009, I also have a bilateral polycystic ovarian syndrome. So you see, my getting pregnant 4 months after my operation is nothing but miracle! I will not think too much about the gender anymore. Haha! Thank you for all the greetings! :)

I'm taken a time-out with my makeup purchases. (I guess Melchor's kinda happy about it!) haha!
I'm a bit lazy in putting makeup!! Just not a bit, Real Lazy!!!
I'm not even putting my ever favorite blushes on me!! Hahaha!

But it doesn't mean I'm not looking for new makeup releases anymore! hahaha! I guess I'm more concern on checking out what I now put on my face. So they have to be pregnant-friendly stuff.

For skincare, I'm now obsessed with SK-II! Yes.. SK-II!!! I've already checked in their website and when I found out that their stuff can be used by pregnant women, I'm totally into them na!!!
I already had the popular Facial Treatment Essence for quite sometime now. I had used it before, but haven't found teeny weeny change in my skin! I was told by the sales assistance here in Shanghai's SK-II counter, that preferably, I have to use the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion so that the Treatment Essence will be easily absorbed by the skin, I didn't listen then. Haha! But right now, I got myself small trial sample of the Clear Lotion and found that my skin's seems to be improving and softer! After my first trimester (and I guess when my prescribed Utrogestan *progesterone* ran out), I started to have some small acne, most specially near my hair line. I'm also having some freckle-spots under and near my eyes - this is due to the hormonal surge, which appear if I forgot to put on sunblock.

Currently, I'm using Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, Facial Treatment Cleanser, Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, Facial Treatment Essence, Facial Treatment UV Protection, Facial Treatment Repair C and Skin Signature. I used the sunblock and cleanser everyday.. then, use the clear lotion and treatment essence at night.. the skin signature during the afternoon.

My SK-II items for now:

As you can see, my Facial Treatment Essence is about to run out. So I maybe purchasing new one soon.. and I'm itching to try their masks and brightening line!! Also, I'm tempted to try SK-II's Air Touch Foundation!! Yes, I already have some items in my shopping list! ;)

Also, I've checked the Jill Stuart HK site, and found out that the Spring 2010 will be out soon! They have new blushes again!!! #11 Rose Fairy and #12 Candy Orange. I already got 8 JS blushes, I've used 3 of them couple of times. And now, they'll be releasing new blushes again!!! Can't keep up ah!!

During my first trimester, I got myself couple of items from Belli Skincare. I got the following:

Belli skincare - Elasticity Belly Oil, Acne Clearing Facial Wash and Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen.
I have to admit that for the facial wash and sunscreen, I used them couple of times only. Reasons: for the facial wash, it doesn't lather up e! Also I used this for a week I guess, I don't think my skin cleared up or anything. For the facial sunscreen - I just don't like the texture...? Though I read good reviews about it.. Sorry!! But I'm still using the Belly Oil up to now. :)

Recently, I got myself 3 new stuff:
- Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion: it's Winter time here, I sometimes have this itchy feeling due to the dry weather. I'm using this for 2 days, I can feel my skin's more moisturized. Also itchiness stopped. Good thing this is kinda unscented..(?!) (I don't like any strong scents this time, that's why I stopped using the Shu Uemura Red Juvenus line I got from Hong Kong and switched to SK-II).

- Clarins Tonic Body treatment Oil: I'm alternating this with the Belly Oil. I love the smell and the faint tingly feeling in the stomach. Read reviews about this and can help prevent stretchmarks.. I lather this golden stuff in my tummy area. :)

- Vitacreme B12 cream: so wanting to try this, but I read the ingredients earlier.. it contains Salicylic acid, which is a No-No for preggy!!! (I may have to pass this on to my sister).

I'm now on my 18th week.. since it's already 01/10/10. I'm hungry right now. Will prepare myself a cup of chocolate milk, before going to bed. I have these updates for now. I'll update soon.. :)

it's preggy time!

2009-12-02T19:27:00.004+08:00

I know it's been awhile since I last posted here.
I'm a bit active in my other blog: http://rrlgan.livejournal.com/

I'm now on my 12th week and 3rd day of pregnancy.
Yes, I'm preggy already! Hahaha! :)
Finally!! After my dermoid cyst operation, and some ovulation problems as per my Ob-Gyne, I'm now finishing my 1st trimester!

At present, morning sickness' bit tolerable na.
My lower tummy area's growing more obvious.
I have to ask Melchor to do some 1st trimester pictorial soon.

We visited our Ob Center here in Shanghai last November 26.
Here's the ultrasound of our Baby Gan:

Our baby grown a lot since our last ultrasound.
Anyway, that's my update for now..
Have to rest now. ;)

Haul: D&G Blushes, Armani Sienna Bronzer

2009-10-12T21:56:00.000+08:00

I finally received a package with my ordered goodies.I got: Armani Sienna Minerals Bronzing Palette and 2 D&G Blushes!They looked so pretty!! I tried one of the D&G blushes earlier, and it looked like a natural flush!Anyway, here's the pictures of my haul:

Can't wait to try the other D&G blush and the bronzer!! Yipeee!!!

Prada Shielding Balm - Swatches

2009-10-12T20:10:00.004+08:00

Just like to share my swatches of Prada Shielding Lip Balm.
As of the moment, I got 1 colorless and 8 with tints.

Swatches:

I love using these lip tints! They're perfect, specially during the day!!

They're not that pigmented. All are SPF 15. So as long as they protect our lips, that's good already!

Haul: Shu Uemura Red:Juvenus line

2009-10-12T19:53:00.003+08:00

Hong Kong is definitely a shopping paradise!!!
Melchor and I had fun there! Anything you want, you need, you can find them there in Hong Kong.
We visited several popular malls there.
IFC, Harbour City, Sogo, Langham Place, Hong Kong Seibu, The Landmark, Times Square, Lee Gardens, World Trade Center, Fashion Walk, Silvercord. Of course, we also got to visit Mongkok area.. I believe Melchor was amazed with the people and computer/photo equipment shops there.

Of all the malls we visited, I'm so amazed with the vast and huge area of Harbour city, the tons of people in Causeway bay area nearing Times Square. (I will definitely book a hotel in the Causeway Bay area next time!!!). I failed to visit Pacific Place in Admiralty.. I have to visit this place next time.

Times Square had lots of stores also. You can find HK's Jill Stuart counter in Time Square.
Melchor was telling me to get something from Jill Stuart, since I think he knows I love this brand!!!
(It's so cute to hear him saying the brands that I love.. It shows how much he pays attention to what I like!!)
That shows how much he values his wife, right? hahahaha!

But when I got to the Jill Stuart counter, I can't seem to choose anything I like!!!! Weird!!
(Please see separate entry for the picture of my JS visit! hahaha!)

Then, Melchor and I went to Lane Crawford. You can find a lot of makeup/skincare brands there!!!!
I first got the Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Oil, 'coz my skin tends to dry up especially on Winter. And I'm so curious with Argan Oil.

Moving forward, I saw the Shu Uemura counter, and quickly inquired about their new eyebrow gel. There were only 2 SA during that time, which made some customers (like me) wait impatiently for their assistance in the products. Anyway, I've been itching to try the Eyebrow Gel and saw that the HK counter only have two shades! I got the darkest one in Seal Brown, and they ran out of the brush for this product. Then, I was introduced by the SA to their new skincare line - Red Juvenus. As you all my read about my previous entry,, I'm concern with early signs of aging, lines and all. I noticed a faint line nearing my right eyebrow. This is due to my uncontrollable facial expressions!!! So in the end, I got the 4 of the 5 products under the Red Juvenus Line.

I got the following:

^ I got the 6OB brush @ Hong Kong International Airport Duty free.

Red:Juvenus skin care line:

- Red Juvenus Vitalizing Refining Lotion Enriched
- Red Juvenus Vitalizing Retexturing Emulsion
- Red Juvenus Intense Vitalizing Concentrate
- Red Juvenus Vitalizing Retexturing Cream

To be honest, I was totally not sure why I got these! Hahahaha!
I guess the magic word I read about this line was the ingredient of Pomegranate.
As my friend pointed out to me, when I told her I got these and they have Pomegranate, "You're obssessed with Pomegranate talaga!" hahahaha!

After I got these, that's when I finally opened my laptop and look more into this line.
Taken from Shu Uemura website:

shu uemura launches a breakthrough in skincare technology to
prevent first signs of aging such as dull skin, loss of elasticity, and fine
lines. red:juvenus is designed to protect against free radicals and vitalize
skin cells by enhancing the flow of essential elements for youthful, radiant
skin.

It can be that bad right?

The ingredients can be found at their website.

^ I love anything with Pomegranate! hahaha!

I've been using these newly purchased items for almost a week. And I can say, my skin's softer, more glowing and healthy. I will update this post after 2 weeks or a month. I can see obvious improvements with my skin before.. But I hope to have significant effect, specially with the faint line I got in my eyebrow area. Hahaha!
I was surprised with this purchase and I think Melchor also felt that way! He wanted me to get things from Jill Stuart.. instead of Shu Uemura! hahahaha!

My daily regimen:
Morning: Emulsion, sunblock, powder, eyebrow gel, blush, lipstick, lip treatment
Night: Lotion, Concentrate, Cream, eye cream, spot whitening gel, lip treatment
So far, so good :)
I have these thoughts for now.. :)
One thing's for sure, I love to visit Hong Kong again and again and again!! :)

Me @ Jill Stuart HK Counter

2009-10-12T19:21:00.002+08:00

DSC_4202
Originally uploaded by rrlgan

I wasn't able to find anything I like from JS.
But it's fun to see the cute and girly things... :)

Please pardon my horrifying look!

Haul: Chanel JC Blush

2009-10-10T20:18:00.007+08:00

I got these Chanel blushes last month.
The shades were Fantasia, Rose Dust and In Love.
After I got them, I immediately use them the next day!!
It was Love!!!
I love Chanel blushes, and I'm so happy to be able to got them in tester pan form.
They're all lovely!!! I frequently used Rose Dust and In Love! Hahaha!

Because of my excitement the day I got them, I hurriedly made a swatch for them:

I'm so happy to finally add my Chanel JC blushes. I wonder when I'll have more.. hmmm....

a Sister's message

2009-09-18T15:49:00.001+08:00

My sister, Erica, was my Maid of Honor.
She's the youngest, the cutest one.. I still remember her chubby face (BEFORE) and her pigtails!
She's the fairest, the cutest one in the family.

Fast forward today, she's taller than me already!
She already graduated from UST. Time flies so fast!!!

She's the biggest help during the wedding preps and my operation last April.
Without her, I don't think I will be able to finalized the Wedding invitation on time! Hahaha!

Since she's the Maid of Honor, she was required to speak during our wedding reception.
The day was an emotional one! Hahaha! So, I think some, like me, possibly wasn't able to catch her message.
After the wedding, I grabbed her copy. Hahaha!
It's still with me up to now.

I don't think this kind of message can be easily duplicated, this everybody have their own life stories, own challenges.
This kind of message is strictly my sister's message to me and Melchor.
I hope other people can receive this kind of message from their own people.
After all, who will know you best, than the ones closest to you.
Other things can be mirrored, but this one's only for me.

Thank you very much Erica!
Good luck to your TOEFL! :)

Almost a Year after the Wedding

2009-09-18T15:29:00.000+08:00

I remember exactly 1 year ago, around this date, that I was fussing, researching, reading, planning panicking about The Wedding.
I haven't done my wedding suppliers reviews yet, Hahaha! Coz a part of me still hasn't let go that I already had my wedding!
I haven't got that courage yet, to close my doors with my Wedding team.
You can say, I'm secretly hoping that I will get an email or a message from them.. reminding me of my pending task, pending decisions to make! Hahaha! But of course, I can only hope..
My wedding had already passed. Melchor and I only have the grandest memories of THE Day.
From the preparations, researching, reading.. hahaha! I love every moment of it!
Sleepless nights, finding the perfect designs. Panicking with my Entourage gowns.
Regretting some decisions made. Hoping I chose this and that.
Then after all of it, hardwork, happiness, some bloopers and what ifs, you end up still feeling discontented.
You wanted more. You're seeing other pictures, other designs, choices made by others.
You secretly wishing, you have thought of this, that! Really never-ending!
I have subscribed a lot of wedding related sites, blogs of suppliers. That's where you see what other couples were doing.
Their gowns, their choices, they were featured. Hahaha!
I realized my feeling of discontentment when I was asking myself how come I wasn't able to choose what the others did.. etc.
Maybe I should have researched more.. or forced myself not to sleep that time, just so I can have more choices to choose from.
Hahaha! I know! It's beyond normal already!
I realized I'm pressuring myself of something vague. I had the best time of my life.
My work is done! All my hardwork had paid off. From little items to the big decisions, I made sure to had every hand of it.
My wedding was perfect. For me. For my husband.
That's when I decided to just browse wedding related sites and blogs! Hahaha!

Anyway, I just have to say all of that. Hahaha!
I guess some hands-on brides will eventually be feeling this way. I'm one of them. :)
And now, after almost a year, Melchor and I will be celebrating our anniversary soon, I guess I can now let go.. I have to let go na.
Let go and say my final Thank you.. to the wonderful people behind our day.
I've jot down some of the memorable experiences I had with my wedding team, and some description of what happened, etc. I think you can find more stories at my other blog in choosing these wonderful people.

October 18, 2008 Melchor and Ria Gan:
Santuario de San Jose - I love this church! The staff are very nice and friendly. Our Canonical interview was done a day before our wedding day! Hahaha! The church is beautiful. I like that the Church is in a secured area.. The aisle length is just right with picturesque altar. We did an occular February 2008, I never wrote about this before, but when we were checking out the church, a 500 peso bill flew to my feet area!!!
For me, it's a sign that this is the church for us. Melchor was baptised in this church also. But the sad part was that, during my wedding, the glass door before was stucked! So you can just open the one side! So much for the cloth that Clarice placed to compensate the glass door.
Overall, I love this church! The door was changed into a beautiful wood-made. So lucky for those who will tie the knot in this church, they can now not worry about how to decorate the door. :) It's a bit warm pala sa upfront. :)

Fr. Rex Vidal - Our Priest. :) We got Fr. Rex at the last minute, based from Erica's persistent recommendation. He's very funny and lively. We only have smiles and laughs during the ceremony. My fave line from Fr. Rex: " walang expiry tong pinipirmahan nyo ah.." hahaha!! Thank you Erica for this.

Edsa Shangri-La Hotel - We got the Garden Ballroom - just right for my intimate wedding. Though my Mom, Melchor and I were forced to really trim down our guests list, because of the limited space. We got the Executive Suite at the Garden Wing.. then additional 4 superior rooms for our family.

Clarice Avinante - I have all praises with Clarice! She's very patient with us! hahaha! We tend to submit or decide beyond the deadline Clarice gave us.. Hahaha! Sorry! But in the end, I think we did really good! Clarice's very responsible. She will do everything to make your day really perfect! My sister Erica remembered the time we met at Blue Wave, for our first meeting nearing our wedding date. Erica was kinda panicking that time, and Clarice told her "ok lang yan... kami na bahala.. Erica, wag ka magpanic!" I have a lot of fond memories with Clarice.

Veluz Reyes - The best wedding gown designer!! She's the one who made me first felt that "this is it, I'm really getting married!!" I have all praises and good words to say about Ms. V, from the first time we've corresponded, to the fittings, fittings and final fittings!! She's the best!!! She listens to what her girls want and request, and executes them well! I don't have to worry about my other wedding accessories, because they're all included in the package.

Niko Hernandez - My mom loves her gown! I think Niko executed what my Mom wanted. They understood each other very well. Erica had an unforgettable story with Niko, which involves my Granny! hahaha! Niko's very nice, active! hahaha! He's so much fun!!

Max Tiu - The best Host ever!!! I remember the first time we met, it was 5 days before the wedding day! Hahaha! Very nice and willing to work with other singer.

Threelogy - Getting them was really by fate. Hahaha! I remembered that when I first inquired for my wedding date, they were booked already! So I scouted our videographers like - Jason Magbanua, Bob Nicolas, Imacron, Shierdan Pamintuan. I was to book someone already, but alas our scheduled did not permit us to meet. Then my friend, Girlie's sisters - Candie and Lilliane called and tole me that Threelogy will be having 2 teams! I immediately called and booked them!! Come wedding day, they made me feel at ease.. haha! Parang normal lang.. pero makikita mo silang palakad lakad.. hahaha! With their gears.. :)

Nelwin Uy - Great pictures. Hands down.. Galing!

Jill Lejano - sobrang Cool!!! Hahaha! So happy that I was able to get her for our 2nd photographers. They're very nice and friendly. Pictures are really great!! Galing galing!!!

Alex Franco - At first, Melchor doesn't want us to spend for the cake separately. Based from Edsa Shangri-la's wedding package, we can avail the cake, 5-tier cake, but only the bottom's edible. So.. I asked Clarice about Alex Franco. Heard good reviews about his cake, so Clarice helped us schedule a meeting with Alex. I remember Melchor telling me that we'll just talk to Alex.. No promises! Hahaha! I said, okay. But after 15minutes of talking to Alex, I think both Melchor and I were just hypnotized! :D We love this guy! He's so easy to work with, easy to talk to! I was 80% willing to get him for our cakes, but I think the best thing was that Alex charmed his way to Melchor saying okay and we'll get him to do our cakes!! We served our cake to the guests as their desserts, and I got good reviews with it. :)

Delby Bragais - Melchor's suit. She's so nice, friendly and bubbly!! We had really fun during our fittings. She's really nice and very good at what she promised. Melchor loves his suit. Of course, he's not as expressive as I am. Hahaha!

Veejay Floresca - I got Veejay 12 days before our wedding day. Yes, 12 days!! He was already my choice for the Entourage gowns, but during the first part of my inquiry, I felt that maybe he's preoccupied that may not have the time to accept projects at that time. Then, disaster strikes with ento gown maker that I thought will do good work. I contacted Veejay immediately and ask if he can accept my rush project. We met on the 8th of October, measurements were made that week, fittings were on the 15th! Wahahahah! He did an amazing job!! My entourage felt really good and happy with their gowns, and for me, that's the important thing!! I love the Flower girls' gowns, they looked so cute!!! I'm so happy to have a happy ending with my entourage gowns.

The Write Impression - I only had TWI in my mind to do our invites. Though I've seen samples that TWI did in their office, when Melchor and I visited there with Clarice, I wanted something more, something original, something unique. Hahaha! So I spent sooooo many nights, just researching for my perfect design. With Clarice's reminders, I still haven't found the right design that I wanted! Finally, with the help of my sister, Erica, she went to TWI office, and worked with me throughout the process of choosing and designing the final wedding invitations. Choices were made, samples were given.. hahaha! At long last, we were able to choose my own unique design!! :) I believe I had around 7 revisions, before I said YES. My mom was doing the Chinese inserts, and I think she had 12 revisions!!! Hahaha! Our invites are perfect!! They delivered as promised. :)

Peddy Acebo - I love this guy! I love my hair and makeup!!! I felt at ease with him! He really does know his craft!! He's the best! Even my mom and sister love him!!!

Balay Kandila - My very last minute booking! :) hahaha! I met BK during my final lunch meeting with Clarice. I think the funny thing about booking BK is that, Melchor had no idea I already have them in my mind to do our styling. :) hahaha! I wanted something different for the backdrop and couple's table. And yes, it was really nice! It was what I had expected!! Very easy to talk to. And willing to do last minute booking! Hahahaha! :)

Den Den Atanacio - our Wedding Singer!! He's so good!!!!!!! Amazing voice, great songs!! I'm so happy that Clarice told me to get him! Melchor and I were so amazed with him!! He sang at the church and reception. Super duper galing!!!

Discovery Weekend - Melchor was skeptic in going to this retreat. I insisted. So eventually, we went and I can say this solidifies our relationship and attest our goal of getting married. I can say, attending this retreat made me more calm in tackling issues with Melchor. I think he will say the same thing din. That's the goal, right?

Teddy Manuel - I was not able to meet Teddy, but I love the flowers! Since I was running out of time, I asked Clarice to help me with the flowers. :) They were what I've expected them to be. :)

Fabfoto - Our wedding souvenirs! I believe my guests had fun in the booth! :)

Tisha Rosales - our Unity Candle maker. Hahaha! We got Tisha to do our Candles I think maybe more than a week before our Wedding date! Hahaha! She's so fun, and was able to do our candles the way I envisioned them to be! Hahaha!

Weddings at work - the best way to research and get to know the suppliers! Join their group and you'll see! hahaha!

So far, these are my wedding suppliers. There are still some others, but I believe these are the integral part of our day.
I hope that my suppliers won't think that I was ungrateful to them, coz I wasn't able to communicate with them after the wedding day. But In my heart, I have my own reasons for not able to thank them more than what I did during that day.
I had a hard time letting go.
But I am grateful, to each and everyone who were present in my day.
Thank you so so much!!!!

P.s. Kindly forgive some grammar lapses, etc. hahaha! I just typed away without further internalizing and editing. And according to my sister, Erica, my English's starting to sound like China- English! hahaha!

my makeup stash

2009-09-08T20:36:00.006+08:00

I was able to take photos of my stash last week.
It made me realized that I may have a lot of stuff already.
I may not really need them all, but I have them all! :)
I hope hubby won't see this post too.. ;)
I got tired and was not able to take pictures of the others like eyeshadow, eyeliner, etc.
Maybe next time.. :)

Timeout!!!

2009-09-04T19:48:00.000+08:00

I have to control myself until the end of the month!
Control, meaning, I have to stop my shopping for a while. Hahaha!
But stop shopping for now, I have to list down what I would like to get and shop, when the right time finally comes. Hahaha! That's all I have to say for now.

Oh, btw, my new blog's address is here.
I hope it continues to be available where I am now.
Please!!!

my other blog

2009-08-13T22:24:00.002+08:00

As you all may know, Blogspot.com is still blocked here in China.
It's really sad.. Huhuhu!!

Because of this, I've researched and look for blog hosting that can work here.
I think I signed up all available blog hosting site.. and they end up really not for me. I don't like how they look like, and how the posting can be done.

After all the signing-up, I found a site that can work for now.
I hope this site won't be block out soon! Wahh!!
Or else.. I may be forced to look for a paid hosting service! hahaha! :D

Goodies: Prada Shielding Balm

2009-08-12T00:03:00.004+08:00

I have these Prada Shielding Lip Balm for quite some time now. I was a bit obsessed about it, and tried my best to swap for them at Makeupalley.com. I have these cute stuff already, and I felt it's about time I try them now.

So far, I have the 8 shades. The neutral one, then 7 colors! Haha! I found out that there's an eight shade, and I'm once again curious and wanting to have one! LOL! It's very moisturizing, and no gooey feeling. I like that in a lip balm.

I have some several here, but I think I will start using these shielding balms! What's more exciting about them is that you'll get the same coverage of SPF15, at different shades!! Hahaha! :)

my Prada Shielding Balms!!

There's 9 in the picture because, I have 2 Neutral Shade.

Total of 8 shades - 1 is Neutral..
Tiny yet... hahaha! but cute?
You'll be able to squeeze something from them.. haha!

my Facial Cleansers

2009-08-07T19:42:00.006+08:00

Here are my facial cleansers in use right now.
Some are still brand new! haha! As for the others, I'm taking turns in using.

I have to admit that there are times I have trouble in choosing what to use! hahaha! :)
I'm not that obssessed yet, right? Just don't let my hubby read this post! :p

August already

2009-08-07T19:11:00.003+08:00

It's August already, and I haven't blogged a thing yet.

August is also a special month for me and my family.
Having 3 siblings' birthday all in August, yes.. this is a special month every year in our family.
I was scrambling my old files and to check pictures I can attach to this post.
Hahahaha! I was so ugly back then!

Me, my Mom and siblings! :) Good ol' days ah!

August 1 was a gloomy day for the Philippines.
Former President Cory Aquino passed away after a year-long battle of Colon Cancer.
Not that I'm a fan fan... I'm amazed with her humility, humbleness and faith in God.
Condolence to her family.

another box of Peaches

2009-07-31T18:23:00.003+08:00

Our Peaches arrived yesterday.. a box full of yellow goodies with hint of pink! haha! :)
There are still mid-ripe, crunchy.. just the way Melchor and I both like.

Yummy!! Our last goodies for the season!!

my new Hair Dryer

2009-07-28T19:53:00.003+08:00

I got my new hair dryer last Saturday.

It's new, it's big, and very very powerful!! haha!

I'm using it for 2 days now.. and so far, so good!

Also for the ion thing, I switched it ON, and I felt my hair's fuller and bouncier for now.

Maybe it's a psyche thing only.. haha!

Overall, I'm happy with this purchase! Hope this last more than the last one.

Peaches season

2009-07-28T18:03:00.008+08:00

It's peaches season now here in Shanghai.
And the best peaches here are found in Nanhui, Shanghai.
If you google the word, Nanhui, you will see there's a page featuring peach flowers in Nanhui.
Cool, huh?
With the help of our colleague Diane, we got a box of Peaches! Wooohooo!!
Gave some to Marvin, my brother in-law; friend Veronica... the rest, Melchor and I ate an average of 2 peaches per day, since we got the box of peaches! :) hahaha!

We have a final peach for now, and I'll let Melchor enjoy his last peach later.
I ordered a box again earlier! hahaha! :)
The peaches season will be over this week. I'm happy to order a box again!
Final peaches galore!!!

my dead hair dryer

2009-07-23T17:56:00.000+08:00

This is my 2nd hair dryer here in Shanghai. I got this last 2007, after Melchor's small hair dryer went kaboom on me, and now, this 2nd hair dryer went dead on me yesterday -07222009! After I plugged it, there was a burnt odor.. and that's it.. Hair dryer no more.

So I'm search for a new hair dryer.. I'm eyeing Panasonic items and possibly a larger salon type dryer.
After checking Panasonic web page, there are a lot of new technological advances they now have with hair dryers? Like Nano something and Ionity... I wonder if they do work.. hmmm...

Anyway, here's to the 2 yrs of Philips hair dryer!! I badly need a new one!

Skincare: Moisturizer

2009-07-22T18:08:00.000+08:00

I'm using this moisturizer for the past week.
It's actually nice... I think my skin's loving it :) This is just a sample.. I'm test driving this for now..
If all goes well, I might get a full-sized soon ;)

July 22, 2009 - Total Solar Eclipse

2009-07-22T09:48:00.004+08:00

It's raining here in Shanghai.. Temperature is now around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius.. A refreshing day after yesterday's 36 to 37 degrees. Solar Eclipse day.. but it's cloudy and raining here.

Around 9:00AM, it seems like 5PM in the afternoon already... felt like the sun sets already.. the day was actually just starting.

Some pictures taken from 9:34AM to 9:40AM:

It's now bright, cloudy, yet raining.. We welcome the change of temp.. but too bad we were not able to see the full solar eclipse! After 300 years again, perhaps.. :)

First cooked meal: Salmon

2009-07-22T08:27:00.008+08:00

Last Sunday, Melchor and I got not much to do, and we decided to hit Carrefour store near our place. I've been scouting the fresh goods for the last couple of visit, but Melchor was not too keen to cook on our own. I saw the piece of Salmon in the fresh freezer, and I told Melchor maybe we can try and cook something on our own! (This is very rare, since I'm not a very domesticated person and this is my hubby's chance for us to start learning to be domesticated! haha!)

So, we got a piece of Salmon.. and it's not cheap ah! It costs Rmb 62.00 here, and it was just 0.34kg. But the craving for a Salmon ruled over than thinking about the price. After all, I want us to practice eating healthy.. This is a good way to start.

Come Monday after office. We stormed to our dormitory's kitchen, armed with our olive oil. We took out the salmon from the fridge and realized that we still need to defrost it! It was stone-freezed! Wahh!! Since we'd planned on cooking the fish in the afternoon, we should have brought up the fish from the freezer to allow time to defrost. Ok ok, lesson learned. :)

We washed the fish, then placed it in a microwave oven for it to defrost. Melchor set the time to 10 minutes to defrost, I was bugging him maybe he set the time too long!

Then, Melchor wanted to cut the fish into 2.. Since I have this idea of how the salmon fish will look like after we cook it, I told him, no and I want it in 1 piece! Haha!

We prepared the frying pan. I poured the oil to ready the frying. I was advised by my sister Ever to be sure that the oil's hot before we place the fish! Haha! That's what I did and what I told Melchor! Then, with Melchor holding the pan, I placed the fish, oil splashing around, then our pan caught FIRE!! I instinctly blowed the pan with the fish! Haha!

In the middle of the cooking, Melchor's doing all the work now, we realized that we don't exactly know if the salmon is cooked in the middle part or not! So in the end, Melchor said we need to cut it into 2.. Haha! I reluctantly agreed.. :)

Ever told me we also need to seasoned the fish! I saw a pot of salt, but I felt it was a bit old, since I can see some salt stucked together to form circular shaped.. I told Melchor maybe the salt we had was expired already! He said salt doesn't have expiration date! Fine fine... I think I have to look and research about this! :P We sprinkled the salt all over the fish to have some taste to it.

Since it's now summer here in Shanghai, it's really hot and humid in the kitchen! I think I may like to put an A/C in my future kitchen! Haha!

Melchor was turning the fish left and right.. After assuring him the 2pieces were cooked already, we placed it in a bowl.. We're ready to eat na! Melchor wanted a buttery flavor, so he sliced our butter and placed it on top of the fish. Then, we went on to our room. I got 4 pieces of fresh lemon also from our supermarket, (cost: Rmb 9.00+), sliced 1 and Melchor squeezed the lemon juices to the fish! I was super starving at this point! Finally, our very own Salmon dinner!!! :)

That Monday night, Melchor and I were talking and doing recaps of what happened at our cooking experience. We were reminiscing the Fire we got after I placed the fish in the pan! Haha! 'Parang flambeau ah! hahaha!' Too bad we were not able to photograph the fire pan thing! Haha!

My lessons learned from our first cooking attempt:
1) Make sure to defrost the fish prior to cooking! I was recalling and I felt since we had a plan to cook the salmon after office, we should have transferred the fish from the freezer to the normal fridge part. That way, we gave the time for it to defrost and be ready for cooking after office.

2) Since the salmon we got was a big block, I should have listen to Melchor and cut it into 2.. Well, we did that in the mid-part, right? hahaha!

3) I should have poured less oil. Olive oil is not cheap! Haha! So I think I overdid a little. ;)

4) I guess I was a bit excited about having the oil boiling hot before we place the fish! I followed Ever's suggestion, but I think the pan was just easy to get hot, so the time we heated the oil was too long, that's why the pan caught fire when I placed the fish!

5) We should have prepared a cover for the pan! The oil was splashing around, and I'm a bit scared of oil burns! So Melchor took charge and he was the one who actually cook "cook" the fish! Haha!

6) Since we have to do a clean-up after, we should have placed newspaper around the stove. That way the oil around the stove.. hay!! I hate clean-ups! hahah! But I'm good at washing dishes. ;)

7) It's not good to cook during hot days! Haha! Don't take this seriously! Haha!

8) Do this more often! I believe this is a great bonding session with your loved ones. After this dinner, and the whole thing happened in between, I believe this experience is now part of Melchor's future story to our kids! Hahaha! "The time your Mom and I cooked our first fish together!" hahaha!

Our cooking session pictures can be found here: Salmon dinner

In the end, we were satisfied.. we were happy! I believe after all the sweat, the challenges we faced during our cooking session, we end up happy, contented, and I hope we both can do this over and over again!

Slideshow of our pictures! haha! :)

all about the Hair

2009-07-07T18:14:00.003+08:00

I realized that I have to start and be concern with ageing. Right now, I'm still searching for the right products for my face.. then, I thought I also have to be concern with my hair!

With that, I've been longing to get myself some hair products. I love the Kerastase oleo relax and the smell!! It's so yummy!! Hahaha! I got myself the Bain Satin, and I wasn't too happy with the fragrance. But with Bain Oleo Relax, wow!! I love it!

Anyway, I got myself the shampoo and some masque. I had a hard time choosing as they have a lot of selections.. I was looking for something I can do during Sunday.. and I prefer not to do homemade treatments like my friend, Debstone's doing.

So, I got my orders today:

got the following: Kerastase Bain Oleo Relax shampoo, Oleo relax masque, Age recharge and Nutridefense. Further description of them can be found at Kerastase website.

I opened the Oleo relax masque and shampoo, and I love the smell! haha! I'm excited for Sunday for my first treatment.. This will now be part of my weekly prettifying!! What color should I first use..? hmmm!! Orange, white or green...?!! Exciting!

bad colds

2009-06-30T21:14:00.006+08:00

I'm having a bad case of colds right now, courtesy of Melchor, who gave me this virus!

In this A(H1N1) popularity period, I practiced a bit of self-quarantine.. haha!

I'm a bit wary of giving out the colds to my officemates.

I already took Bufferin Cold day and night, Delcogen and Neozep.. which were not effective with me already. I still had the running nose this morning!!

Anyway, I got myself new meds now. I took one this morning and another one tonight.

This is the most effective cold medicine I found here in China - Contac NT.

This medicine better work! Haha! I know it will work.. Please... Colds and running nose, go away!!!!

Man in the Mirror

2009-06-26T21:38:00.004+08:00

We had a small party earlier tonight, for colleague Davey's son, Daryll's 3rd birthday.

It was fun! The food was great! We had spaghetti, ice cream, muffin, roasted chicken..

Then there's the Videoke mic.

You may ask, what is a Videoke? LOL!!!

Quoted from here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Videoke-in-the-Philippines&id=1214399

Videoke is a very popular form of entertainment in the
Philippines. An entertainment in which amateur singers or just anybody who wants
to try singing, sing along with recorded music using a microphone. On video, the
voice of the original singers are removed or muted and the lyrics are displayed
with corresponding moving cursors and changing text colors so that one can
easily follow the song. These serve as a guide to successfully deliver the song.
It can be in a plain TV with an attached player or it can also be a videoke
machine wherein you press the corresponding buttons to enter the number of your
song and then play it.

I saw in the booklet, Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson. Something very hard to pass. It's one of my all-time favorite song, the lyrics so beautiful. I remember listening to my cassette tape during high-school years, just to get the lyrics. Sorry, internet was a very far technology then. hahaha! Indeed, change must start in ourselves.

Anyway, I guess with the good music MJ shared in this lifetime, he will be greatly miss.. Great song, brilliant artist.. here's to MJ!!!

my Jill Stuart blushes

2009-06-26T17:55:00.000+08:00

I always love blushes! I believe a pop of color in the cheeks can give you the glow...
I will admit I'm passionate in buying blushes! I prefer to use passionate, rather than obsessed! LOL!
So far, I have 8 Jill Stuart blushes with me. I think I just tried #7, but I hope to use them in my daily regimen! I know! I have 1 face only and put on subtle makeup for office! But they're just so pretty!

I hope to get the 2 other more and the new one (just read from a blog) before the year ends! :)

back blogging: Bridal shower party

2009-06-25T05:27:00.001+08:00

I think I've posted before that my sisters, Erica and Ever planned a bridal shower for me. - My SPA-arty.

Now that I do think about the hectic days and weddings, I can't help but smile and wonder how did my sisters manage to hid the bridal shower from me! haha! And Melchor!! he was an accomplice with this!! To think at that time, I was really fuming mad at him for making plans with his friends, when in fact, I wasn't able to meet my close friends since the time we landed Manila then.

After the My SPA-arty post, my sister Erica told me that the invitation in that post was not the final one. She emailed me the final invitations for my copy here. With that, I'm now posting this as a token for the surprise party which was made for me!

I still think about good ol' days.. hahaha! I know, it's been ages already.
I like to thank my sisters, Erica and Ever for organizing this. I guess, the time then was perfect, since I was a bit stressed-out with the wedding. Also I like to thank my cousins and friends, for coming and celebrating a stress-free night with me! hahaha! Though I still remember the hot paraffin wax you guys made me try that night! It was hot as hell!! LOL!
I still haven't blog some of my suppliers yet, but hey, this is just me! I will do this in my own time.
But it doesn't mean that I'm not thank for them. I had a wonderful wedding day, and I have my heartmost thanks to all my suppliers!
I think deep inside, I still haven't truly let go of the wedding preps and the wedding itself!
Haha! I know it's almost a year already!! But this is just me.. so don't mind my antics! :p

The pictures of the SPA-arty can be found here. A simple slideshow of what happened that evening. I had a "No Melchor" night, I guess, for the last time of this life! hahaha!

happy trip Girlie!

2009-06-21T19:28:00.004+08:00

Today, my friend Girlie will start the adventure of her life!
As much as I wil miss her, I can't help but feel real happy for her.
It's everybody's dream to travel around.. travel places, and the American dream!! Haha!
I just have to post this and really wish her all the fun, exciting!
Hope she enjoy her time, meet people! LOL!!
All the best for my friend, Girlie!!

Happy trip Girlie! Let's update each other every now and then! :)

We'll miss you!!

my fellow wifeys: in addition

2009-06-18T07:30:00.000+08:00

I know my previous post may not be too clear, in terms of their stories..
I felt it's not me who must share them in my blog.. haha! :)
that's all.. :)

Shoutouts to both Joy and Gen! Cheers to you!!
Also to Girlie, happy trip to you!! Please update me when you landed the land of the free! haha!
I love to hear your adventures every now and then.. :p

my fellow wifeys

2009-06-18T06:52:00.000+08:00

I know I haven't been posting since I came back here.
As you all may know now, blogspot.com is still blocked here in China.
It's not so easy to post and update as before, but I hope to do this more in the coming days.
I miss blogging! So let's blog and blog and blog..

Yesterday, I was able to rekindle with old friends...
I'm not a very clingy person kasi.. I don't need to be with a group every so often..
I'm okay with talking to them for sometime, then have a break after..
Of course, I have some close friends, which I can talk to everyday.. or maybe thru chat..
Just like my friend, Girlie, who'll be going to the US this Sunday for 2 months!!
We kinda lose touch since I came to Shanghai, but after awhile, we can still talk and tackle anything and everything! haha!

So yesterday, June 17, I was chatting with old friends - Joy Co-Lim and Gen Ng-Tiong.
I met both of them from different places.
Joy was my classmate during CKSC Elementary days, I remember our passion with Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High books! LOL! Those were the days.
Gen was our group leader when we went to Taiwan Dynamic Youth. She married fellow group's Ton-Ton Tiong last 2007... Sad to say, I wasn't able to attend their wedding, but I heard it was a blast!

Talking to both of them yesterday, I realized that I may not been really serious with our health.
I mean, okay.. I now eat healthy and all.. I drink lots of water.. I'm aware of my condition.. with polycystic ovarian syndrome.. I drink my medication.. I think about my condition and how I go about it.. I consider myself lucky, to be able to know my condition at this early stage of my marriage; and I have Melchor, who I know will stand by me no matter what.

My friend, Joy, I think gave me more faith and brought me more courage to overcome this period I'm having right now. Her story is the most wonderful and meaningful journey, that can give each and everyone more hope and love. And with her hubby, Erwin, they now have their cute boy, Enzo! Wow!! You can definitely say, what a journey!

And now, with my friend Gen, she shared with me the challenges she faces with her hubby today. With Joy's story, I shared with Gen, there are wonders in this world... Everybody have to be strong and determine to do everything.

To be honest, their stories made me a bit wary and scared. What if I have the same problem, but I wasn't able to know about it, since I'm here in Shanghai... the thought of having to go through what they've been through jolted the brain cells in me.. I was thinking last night, but since I was a bit tired, I got dozed off and just sleep as early as 8:30PM.. haha!

Anyway, I guess I just want to share the thoughts I just had.. haha!
In the end, I know that my friendship with my fellow wifeys will continue.. with the challenges we're facing, I won't say it's close close..? It's in existence.. I don't feel bounded to be with them always, but I know we will always have each other when it's time to talk and share once again.. :)

our new Toy

2009-06-04T20:55:00.003+08:00

It's a bit hassle to update this blog, due to the blockage of blogspot.com here in China.
So, please pardon my lack of posts lately.
I will try my best to get the groove and most some new stuff, happening, updates.. hahah!

Last weekend, Melchor and I got a new toy.
And we tried using it na! We just fuzz about it here in our room.
So you guys may find this 2 pic boring! haha!
Also pardon my naked face! LOL!
I always wash and clean my face before I lay down here in my bed.
So here's my bare face! hahaha! I have some bad skin in my forehead!! Grrr...

Pardon the sleepy eyes, naked face, bad skin!

But it proves the the toy is really nice! Got clear pics!

We just need time to play with it pa! :)

blocked again!!

2009-05-22T17:22:00.000+08:00

I'm already here in Shanghai, China.
Melchor and I are now back to our work and daily habit here in Shanghai.
Nothing much changed in our room.. Of course, si Melchor pa! Hahaha!
He loves arranging things.. haha!! But of course, my table counter was still the same as I left them - Full of my prettifying stuff! haha!

Blogspot.com is once again blocked! Cannot read anything with blogspot in my google reader!!
Hmmm... so sad!!

I hope blogspot will once again work out here.. I missed blogging! And I love to journal my dilly dally things I'm doing here.. haha! :) Please.. hope blogspot can be access again here in China!!!!

bye Manila again..

2009-05-14T23:18:00.003+08:00

Hi.. it's been awhile since I last posted here.
Melchor came to Manila last May 6.
Went to Glorietta May 7 to buy Melchor's polo shirt for his suit.
Visited my Ob on May 8, and went to St. Luke's for some tests.
My cousin Cheska got married last May 9.
Had a relatives dinner last May 10.
Dinner with Melchor's family last May 11.
Went to UST hospital for check-up and finally met and had dinner with my friends May 12.
My Mom's birthday on May 13, we went to Tagaytay and visited the Pink Sisters, to pray and said thank you for my operation.
Had a busy day today, May 14.. but ended the night with a buffet dinner with my Family here at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel.

The last few weeks went on pretty fast.. and I guess I'm feeling sad once again, that I'll be leaving my family again.. Hay...

But I guess I have to just look forward to the time we'll be home again..
I have nothing but love and praise for my Mom.. She had all the goodness in her heart to make me well. Happy Birthday Mama! Love you always! Thank you very much for the 2 months of nurturing me.. Now I have to lose weight na naman! hahaha!

Thank you also to my siblings, Erica and Ever. I hope Eidan will not easily forget me! hahaha!
My aunts, Aibecca and Aibeth, cousins Cheska, Marika, Ivy and Joie.. I enjoyed being with them so much! I guess these are the stuff you really miss about home. hay... *sigh*

So I have to continue to make myself healthy.. live a different lifestyle now.
I have to checkout a good Ob clinic also in Shanghai.

Home will always be home.. Though I'm still in Manila, I'm missing HOME already.. *sigh*

my Bruises

2009-04-25T10:51:00.004+08:00

I have yet to blog my small incisions from the laparoscopic operation I had last week..
It was my first time to be injected with dextrose.. It was injected in my right wrist part.
After the dextrose was removed, there were a lot of surgical tape residues, which I rubbed them off, so they left a dark mark in my right wrist..
After this, I learned that this area was indeed a sensitive part, especially after the dextrose needle. :) but hey, It has lighten a bit now.. :P

The thing and Parting again..

2009-04-22T18:43:00.005+08:00

Aside from visiting Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao today, Melchor is scheduled to go back to Shanghai this 8:20PM via Cebu Pacific airlines. Of all days in the week, it was raining hard in the afternoon!!

So my Mom signed us up to meet Dr. Sua-Lao this afternoon. When we arrived at her clinic in Condesa St., her assistants showed us first the video of the operation! I finally got to see the whole 2 hour operation!!! I saw how Dr. Sua-Lao and gang finally peeled out the dermoid cyst. I got to see the cyst! It's not a good looking thing.. and it really made me wonder how can this thing be inside me!!!

Here's the picture of the dermoid cyst.
* Taken from the operation video

My right ovary was checked again for bleeding. The ultrasound showed no more bleeding.
I have to go back to Dr. Sua-Lao again next week Tuesday, to check for follicle monitoring.
We had some talks with Dr. Sua-Lao, then, we're on to bring Melchor to the airport.
Since it rained, with fear of traffic all-over Metro Manila, we finally just went straight-on to the airport. City Hall area was jammed, but luckily, the rain was starting to stop.

We drove Melchor to the airport on time. Phew!!
I guess I once again will count the days till we get together again.. 13 days! hahaha! I have to do a ticker nanaman ah! LOL! I wish it will be May 6 na.. Melchor will be here once again. :)

Melchor @ NAIA3

I'll see you on May 6!

After April 15

2009-04-21T12:34:00.005+08:00

Hi! First off, I like to thank all friends who texted, email, send messages and greetings via YM and Facebook.

I'm now okay and already home.
April 15 is now part of my unforgettable dates. Prior to going to The Medical City, we met a small incident, which made us arrived late at the hospital. hahaha!

We're supposed to be at the Medical City around 10:30AM, but we arrived 1.5hour late.. and with no room yet available for us! It's so weird that with all the hospitals here in Metro Manila, there's still shortage of room accommodations! Thanks to Papa Gan, which advised us to book our room in advance, we were at the waiting list in my preferred floor and preferred room. We chose the Deluxe Room of The Medical City, because of its size and I guess maybe value for money? haha!

The Medical City I can say is one nice hospital around Manila. Though it's really far away from where we lived, I still think it's one of the good hospital. (I think even Erica will agree to this! haha!)

My Mom, Melchor and I arrived TMC past 12nn already. We immediately went to the Admitting section to secure our room. Since my reserved room still being occupied, I was ushered to the Pre Labor Room, to prep me for the operation on that day. I'll be undergoing a laparoscopic cystectomy.
FYI, Laparoscopic cystectomy is:

What is a laparoscopy?

A laparoscopy is a procedure in which your health care provider uses a laparoscope to treat a problem with organs or tissue inside your abdomen. A laparoscope is a thin tube with a light and tiny camera.

When is it used?

This operation may be done to remove a cyst on or in one of your ovaries. The ovaries are the organs that make and store eggs.

Examples of alternatives are:

having the cyst drained with a needle (in some cases)
having more extensive abdominal surgery
choosing not to have treatment.
*Taken from http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/wha/wha_lapovcys_crs.htm

So I was at Pre-Labor room, changed to the TMC Gown, I was being interviewed by the OB-Gyne Resident at the Pre Labor Room.. about my medical history.. I was injected there with dextrose, then the Cleansing Enema.. (yuck..!!), and had a Skin Test for the antibiotics. I don't have my watch with me, Melchor and my Mom was at the waiting area.. in a bit while, an Ob-Gyne Surgery resident fetched me, and wheeled me to the Laparoscopy Operating room! I asked the Resident if things around there pretty much the same as Grey's Anatomy.. So much for Melchor's downloads! haha! The time then was 2:30PM.

The aircon at the OR was freeziing! I asked for a thick blanket then! It was color pink! hahaha! Then, in a bit later, I saw a guy fuzing the monitor, typing the name of Dr. Sua-Lao. Then, a resident checked my skin test, placed on the ECG, BP monitoring, and oxygen level monitoring. Wahh.. Things are starting to get serious!

Then, I saw a guy in Orange scrubs. He's my Anaesthiologist, His name is Dr. Odi. (I think his full name is Dr. Tygran Romeo Odi). He's so much fun!! Hahaha! He asked my previous hospital history, which is NONE! Hahaha! He asked: this is your first surgery..? I said: Yes! And I told me to please make it a good one! Wahahah! He smiled and laughed at me, then told me not to worry!

Then, another lady in orange scrubs came in.. it's Dr. Chiao-Ling Sua-Lao! I saw the time then around 3:05PM. She's really on-time ah! hahaha! :) I'm so relieved to see her! She asked if I had a lot of bowel movement, I said yes, she said good. I was trying to be quiet na.. and just listening how Dr. Sua-Lao and Dr. Odi was chatting.. I think they're good colleague. :)

Then, later, Dr. Odi told me, I'm so lucky to have 2 good surgeons with me: "I got the Laparoscopic God and Laparoscopic Lord" (Sorry, I kinda missed out this part). I have Dr. Sua-Lao with me and her partner, Dr. Luna (I'm still checking out Ob-Gyne Dr. Luna - will update soon).

Dr. Sua-Lao came back, and said, she will first check my tubes.. then in less than 1 minute, Dr. Odi injected me the anaesthesia, then boom, I'm like a TREE LOG na.. :P The time was 3:40PM. I slept throughout the whole ordeal.

I woke up around 7PM, freezing to death! I felt I became a frozen meat, being defrost! I was really freezing!!! I told the nurse, I'm so freezing to death!!! Wahhh!! In awhile, I felt really hungry!! I told the nurse, I'm so hungry.. the nurse told me that I cannot eat pa.. Trying my luck again, I asked for water, as I was so thirsty... I sipped a couple, then, in a bit, I was feeling nauseous and vomitted the water.

Around 10PM, I was transferred to my Room 510. I met the smiles of Melchor, my Mom and Erica. They are all waiting for me.

I was not able to sleep that night. A nurse kept on showing up on me, to check my temperature, get my BP and Pulse rate, check my dextrose - for every hour!!! I was trying to move to left and right that night.. with Erica helping me patting my back, due to some back pain. I felt some pain in my stomach, but I guess with some pain killers, I can tolerate the pain.

The next day, Melchor and my Mom woke up early (around 5:30AM), as they will drive to Manila to buy and cook Lapu-Lapu soup for me. The day went on pretty boring.. Nurses shifted 3x, I can only take in clear soup (because I haven't passed out yet), a lady offering me sponge bath, a guy from billing department to inform Melchor about using the Philhealth, cleaning guy to sanitize the place and the bathroom, my food tray being delivered, a resident checking on me, etc. The nurse removed my catheter around 6AM. I can start to pee by myself. I felt there are a lot of visitors! I can only sleep for a short time in betweens. My Aunt Becca and cousin Ivy came for a visit, and brought a Lapu-Lapu Soup for me! wahh!!! Then around 2:30PM, I got a special visitor, Dr. Chiao Ling Sua-Lao. She checked my wounds, and ask if I had already passed-out, pee by myself and start walking. I told her yes, and She told me that I can be discharged na! hahaha! We had a meet-up on April 22 (tomorrow), then, just informed me my medicine - antiobiotic and pain killer. She also filled-up my philhealth form. Dr. Sua-Lao said I can now go home.

The nurse at that time was Kate, and she was surprised that Dr. Sua-Lao told me I can be discharged na. Also comparing me and some of the other patients having CS and same surgery, they have to stay around 3 days or so, before discharge. But for me, since I can walk, passed-out, move around.. I can now go home. Even Dr. Odi informed the nurses that I can already be discharged.

So, Melchor rushed to our house, to complete my philhealth requirements. My mom got the total bill from billing department.. Melchor came in on time to settle the account, I can now go home!!

I don't know how to end this post! hahaha! I had a great experience with The Medical City. I got the best doctors!! I'm recovering pretty well. My room in TMC was a Deluxe Room. It was nice and spacious.

Things I ate after the operation: Lapu-lapu fish soup, Hot Chocolate, Milo, Ovaltine, Cereal, Quaker oats, Misua.. Fruits like grapes, apples, and drinking a lot of water and grape juice. What else can I share.. hmmm..

I'm very thankful that the operation went well. I'm happy that I have my wonderful family around, and my supportive husband to accompany my ordeal. I said my thank you to God.. and I hope I can do Him proud to new things I'll be doing after this.

preparing for April 15

2009-04-14T18:17:00.005+08:00

After a month since the first hospital visit in Shanghai.. I'm preparing myself now for the operation tomorrow.

I kinda don't know really what to think. I'm confident about the operation tomorrow.. But I think I'm more concern that tomorrow will be my first time to be in a hospital.

I know this may sound no biggie to all of you, but for me, I was really hoping that my first hospital experience is something not like the operation tomorrow. Anyway, life's full of surprises, right? You can't have them all.. :)

Melchor and I went to visit Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao last Monday. Her clinic that time was in nearby Condesa St., Binondo area. I knew for a fact that there are a lot of patients visiting her in the Binondo clinic, but still, Melchor and I were in a relaxed mood, and was just dilly-dallying around before opening the door of Dr. Sua-Lao's clinic. To our surprise, we were her #27 patients! At that time, it was 10:30AM... so we waited, and waited and waited. Talking, teasing around.. hugging, planting small kisses, holding hands.. watching patients come in and out of the Doctor's room.. waiting for our turn.. Then around 1:20PM, Dr. Sua-Lao's assistant, Inday, told me that we're next.. So can you imagine the time we waited at Dr. Sua-Lao's clinic! Hahahaa! 3 hours!! Oh, I forgot, in between that, Dr. Sua-Lao came out and noticed me among her patients, and asked her assistant to show me the CD of her Dermoid Cyst operation.. Which Melchor and I watched, along with a male stranger nearby.. hahaa! Watching her video actually made us more confident with Dr. Sua-Lao, also added some questions in our mind.

So it was 1:30pm when Melchor and I finally ushered in to Dr. Sua-Lao's room. I introduced Melchor to Dr. Sua-Lao, and her first question was: "He is a Chinese also?" hahahah! Because of Melchor's feature, he can fooled anyone that he's a non-Chinese.

And so, we were at Dr. Sua-Lao's clinic. She showed us an edited version of dermoid cyst laparoscopy operation. She patiently pointed out and illustrated the procedure she'll be doing tomorrow. At the same time, we were squeezing in some questions for her to answer. I still have some luck in my side, as Dr. Sua-Lao pointed out, based on the ultrasound, my cyst was more of a fluid component, rather than some other cyst, who's more oily ("masebo"). She estimated a 2-hour operation.. Hay.. tomorrow na pala yun!

And so, she prescribed some stuff for me to do yesterday and today. Also some instructions for the check-in tomorrow. I have to take Dulcolax and PhosphoSoda last night and this lunch.

So taking the Dulcolax and Phospho-Soda made me feel really weird!! I don't think I will describe them here.. This is the first tiem I took laxative, so this is really weird.

Anyway, I have to end this entry for now.. With our picture yesterday at Dr. Sua-Lao's clinic... Her contact details can be found at http://www.thefilipinodoctors.com/ or you can send me a message, I'll be happy to share the contact details of Dr. Sua-Lao.

Lastly, just blogging an update for my upcoming operation.
I'm just happy that Melchor's here with me right now, and I'm praying for the success of my operation tomorrow. Thank you all!

Posing at Dr. Sua-Lao's clinic! hahaha! :)

a Surprise from Melchor

2009-04-11T07:43:00.006+08:00

Melchor's here!
I'm so happy to see and be with him! Finally!!! heheh! :)
And guess what, he brought a surprise for me!
A mini HP 2140 notebook!!!!! Wahhh!!!!

I wasn't expecting anything from him.. just want him to be here with me..
Yet, he surprised me again and again and again! hahaha!
Thank you very much Melchor!! I love love love this!!
But I love you more! :)

Blood test results

2009-04-09T14:42:00.004+08:00

I got my blood test results last Tuesday, before Erica and I went to Medical City to visit Dr. Chiaoling Sua-Lao.
My doctor wanted me to visit her when I finally got my menstruation, which I did last Sunday.
I'm so relieved to find the results of my blood and urine analysis normal. I'm still waiting for the Fasting Serum Insulin and Pro-lactin results. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to more positive results next week.
With Melchor joining me soon, I hope he can also do his blood exams, etc. After all, it takes two now.. I'm doing my part to be healthy, so it's now his turn! Wahahahah! :)

Melchor's coming!!!

2009-04-09T14:40:00.000+08:00

I'm so excited!! Just one sleep away, Melchor will here in Manila na!
I can't wait to be with my husband again! We have a lot of things to do here...
Have a full schedule ahead of us.. like visit our Doctor.. confine hospital.. my operation..
Shucks.. I definitely need to have him here!! Hahaha!

I'm just rambling and swaying my thoughts away from the operation..
Right now, I'm just plain excited to be with Melchor once again. :)

another round of Blood Tests

2009-04-07T10:04:00.005+08:00

My OB asked me to have a blood test at Asiatic Medical Laboratory.
Since we don't have our vehicle at that time, we're thrilled that the Lab is quite near our place.
We can just ride a Pedicab to bring us there.

Dr. Sua-Lao asked me to do the following tests: (explanations are taken from Wikipedia)

1) Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A complete blood count (CBC), also known as full blood count (FBC) or full blood exam (FBE) or blood panel, is a test requested by a doctor or other medical professional that gives information about the cells in a patient's blood.

The cells that circulate in the bloodstream are generally divided into three types: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). Abnormally high or low counts may indicate the presence of many forms of disease, and hence blood counts are amongst the most commonly performed blood tests in medicine, as they can provide an overview of a patient's general health status. A CBC is routinely performed during annual physical examinations in some jurisdictions.

2) Urine Analysis

A urinalysis (or "UA") is an array of tests performed on urine and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis.

A typical medical urinalysis usually includes:

a description of color and appearance.
specific gravity - normally 1.010 to 1.030. This test detects ion concentration of the urine. Small amounts of protein or ketoacidosis tend to elevate results of the specific gravity.
pH - normally 4.8 to 7.5.
ketone bodies - normally negative (absent)
protein - normally negative (absent)
nitrites
urobilinogen
bilirubin
glucose - normally negative (absent)
RBC number
WBC number
hCG - normally absent, this hormone appears in the urine of pregnant women. Home pregnancy tests commonly detect this substance.

3) Prothrombin time

The prothrombin time (PT) and its derived measures of prothrombin ratioPR) and international normalized ratio (INR) are measures of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. They are used to determine the clotting tendency of blood, in the measure of warfarin dosage, liver damage, and vitamin K status. The reference range for prothrombin time is usually around 12–15 seconds; the normal range for the INR is 0.8–1.2. PT measures factors II, V, VII, X and fibrinogen. It is used in conjunction with the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) which measures the intrinsic pathway.

4) APTT - Partial thromboplastin time
- from Wiki:

The partial thromboplastin time (PTT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT or APTT) is a performance indicator measuring the efficacy of both the "intrinsic" (now referred to as the contact activation pathway) and the common coagulation pathways. Apart from detecting abnormalities in blood clotting,^[1] it is also used to monitor the treatment effects with heparin, a major anticoagulant.

5) Fasting Serum Insulin
- from Wiki:

A fasting serum insulin level of greater than the upper limit of normal for the assay used (approximately 60 pmol/L) is considered evidence of insulin resistance.

6) Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone or TSH

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as TSH or thyrotropin) is a peptide hormone synthesized and secreted by thyrotrope cells in the anterior pituitary gland which regulates the endocrine function of the thyroid gland.
TSH levels are tested in the blood of patients suspected of suffering from excess (hyperthyroidism), or deficiency (hypothyroidism) of thyroid hormone. Generally, a normal range for TSH for adults is between 0.4 and 5.0 u IU/mL (equivalent to mIU/L), but values vary slightly among labs. The optimal goal TSH level for patients on treatment ranges between 0.3 to 3.0 mIU/L.^[4]. The interpretation depends also on what the blood levels of thyroid hormones (T₃ and T₄) are. The National Health Service in the UK considers a "normal" range to be more like 0.1 to 5.0 uIU/mL.

7) Prolactin

Prolactin (PRL) or Luteotropic hormone (LTH) is a peptide hormone primarily associated with lactation.
Prolactin or luteotropic hormone is synthesised and secreted by lactotrope cells in the adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary gland). It is also produced in other tissues including the breast, the decidua, parts of the central nervous system and the immune system.

To do the blood test, Dr. Sua-Lao and the medical personnel of Asiatic Medical Laboratory explained how the flow should be for the blood test:
1) I have to eat something by 10:00 to 12:00MN - this is to avoid over-fasting. I cannot eat afterwards and I can just drink water, which is good. :)
2) I have wake up 7:00AM the next day, and cannot sleep afterwards.
3) Blood will taken from me around 10:00AM.

So, I did and followed the schedule last April 4. I took some biscuits at 10:30PM and some more around 12:00MN. Cannot sleep immediately, drank lots of water. I woke up at 7:00AM, and felt really sleepy!!! I cannot drink coffee.. I gulped a lot of water to keep me awake.. and walk around the living room like zombie.. I washed my face, and walk around more.. I was still sleepy!!! But to have this blood exam, I have to push myself not to even close my eyes. hahaha!

Then, as my Mom and Aunts enrolled cooking lessons at YMCA, I went to the nearby Asiatic Medical Laboratory to have the tests above.

Ey Melchor, look oh!! Blood!! hahahaha! :)
I will get the results later for all except #5 and 7, as these tests are done only every Thursday. So the results will be available next week, April 16. The tests cost Php 2,830.00! hahaha!!

Everything's not easy here.. As much as I don't want to feel the stress, things are not just plain easy. I've done 5 TV ultrasounds.. visited 2 doctors in Shanghai, 5 doctors here in Manila. And I'm just about to start my whole ordeal. But I'm happy to have my family around me, my husband who supports me.. In the end, I know I will survive and conquer this.

Updating - April 1 and 2, 2009

2009-04-06T11:21:00.006+08:00

Last week was a bit fast for me.
Our car was picked-up on April 1. I rushed my Mom to have the car checked, and boy, it needed some repairs. I'm preparing the car for this coming week. Melchor will be flying-in.. and I'm not that excited yet.. haha!

But for April 1, I went to downtown Divisoria area.. to bring something for my Mom-inlaw Mama Gan.
She had a lump at her back, long before.. and I remember this was one of her concerns during the gown fitting for the wedding. And so, the day before April 1, she had it removed in Metropolitan Hospital.
So bringing in some food for her recovery, I passed by Red Ribbon Bakeshop in Quintin Paredes Binondo, bought ube roll, sugar-free mamon and had lunch there. I ordered, Pan-grilled Chops in Half serving. It also included soft drink and a cake, I chose Blueberry cheesecake!! Cool right?

Then, Melchor's sister, Marilou and I visited Mama Gan. Then, went on to Melchor's Big Aunt's place.. then, finally, went to Melchor's Uncle Herman's place to get the albums he prepared for us. We're very happy and thankful that we at least have some pictures and albums to showcase our wedding! hahaa! After that, my Aunt Beth fetched me to accompany them to our family Dermatologist, Dr. Michael Chua, for Joie's Laser-hair removal, My Diamond Peel and my Aunts' IPL session.

On to April 2, I finally had the urge to visit my last couple of OB-Gyne choices.
My mom and I, without our vehicle, used the public transportation cab this time, to visit the Doctor we arranged in the morning, that's Dr. Leonardo Almeda. He's actually one of the pioneer in doing test-tube babies. He said so that his specialty is really doing test-tube babies.
He's actually pretty good, but I was surprised by the consultation fee he charged to us.
With him, I have the following findings and clarification:
1) I have a dermoid cyst in my right ovary. (The cyst first discovered in Shanghai)
2) I have a Polycystic ovarian syndrome in my Left ovary. (I never knew there's something in my left ovary!!)
3) I'm not pregnant. (The 2 doctors I previously visited wanted me to wait for my period first before operation. As per Dr. Almeda, looking at the ultrasound, he confidently said I'm not pregnant).
With Dr. Almeda, he suggested to use small incision for the operation. What he can do for 30mins, if to use laparoscopy, it will take around 1.5hours. And with the kind of cyst I have, it needs to be removed as a whole.. and have to avoid rupture. He also said that PCOS in my left ovary can be manageable. PCOS meant that there are eggs in my ovary.. in case I opted for a IVF. After hearing about the consultation fee, I think Melchor will like me to move on and meet with another OB. haha!

I honestly don't know what to think anymore, after learning that I not only have a dermoid cyst in my right ovary, but a PCOS in my left. I mean.. There are a lot of Whys... but in the end, I just have to suck it up and go forward to take good care of my health, not only for me, but for Melchor and my family as well.

After that, my Mom and I visited another doctor, Dr. Chiao Ling Sua-Lao. I've read her name in some forums couple of times. But I think it was an acquiantance email about her Endo Cyst ordeal that triggered me to visit Dr. Sua-Lao. To visit Dr. Sua-Lao is really easy. She has a clinic here in Condesa area, Binondo.. But based from what I've read, patients in her Binondo clinic wait a very long time!!! So on that Thursday afternoon, after visiting Dr. Almeda, My mom and I immediately took a cab to her other clinic, which is the very far and huge The Medical City. We got there around 1:15PM in the afternoon. We first went to her clinic at 1604. (Yes, that's on the 16th floor), and sign in as her patient for that day. Would you believe that with her clinic starting at 3:00PM, we were there at 1:15pm, we're already on #3 of her list of patient!! Wahh!!! Dr. Sua-Lao specialty is Infertility and Laparoscopy Specialist. I think I love that, don't you thinK? haha! Finally!!!

Dr. Sua-Lao arrived nearing 4PM already. When it's our turn to her clinic, it was a breeze feeling..? It's like the consultation happened to fast, and I wished I could rewind what was explained to me! Haha! She said that time that she just finished a laparscopic operation of a dermoid cysts also. This cyst is one of the common cysts of the ovary nowadays. She checked me again via TVU, and she showed me that my cyst mainly composes of fluids, and some hair. She said she preferred this kind of cyst, as there are others who are very "masebo" (very oily), mine's not. Thank God!

She prescribed me to take Metformin for my left PCOS, once a day after dinner. She also want me to take a blood test at Asiatic Laboratory in Binondo. And want me to check-in when the first day of my period arrived, and lastly, she also want Melchor and I to visit her on the 13th at her Binondo Clinic, to show us a video how laparoscopy is being done, and she wants Melchor to have some tests also.

I will blog about my Asiatic Laboratory experience. I'm still awaiting my results, as some results will be available by April 16. Wahh!! Even Melchor can't believe that it will take them that long!! But since this coming Thursday is a Maundy Thursday... There's a long weekend holiday here. So no choice but to wait till April 16.

I think my final OB-Gyne deserves a separate blog entry, right? hahaha! I will talk more about her soon. I have to stop here.. So far, these are my updates to my upcoming surgery

hi Melchor!

2009-03-31T16:45:00.002+08:00

Just like to blog these cute pictures of Melchor, taken during our Webcam session:

Looked near, yet so far, right? hahaha!
Hi Melchor!! ;)

Granny and Aunts' Gowns

2009-03-31T16:00:00.005+08:00

Last Saturday, March 28, before we went to Mall of Asia, we spent the morning at a dress shop in Binondo - Yifu Fashion.
I saw my batchmate, Effie Yap there one time and since the name is so like Fookien - Yifu translates Clothes in English, it's hard to forget that there's an Yifu shop in Binondo.

While waiting for their designer, we had our lunch in Yifu's neighbor - Dong Bei Dumplings. This is a very small shop... being managed by Chinese couple (I'm assuming from Dong Bei! haha!) We had the following: Seafood omelette, Pan-fried Dumplings, Veggie Dumplings for Granny, Tofu. Also, a reminder, count your dumplings order! Just making sure you got the right number of dumplings per order!! That costs Php 150.00 you know!!!
- err.. I won't comment too much, but I think I will not visit this place anytime soon.
I'm researching and there are a lot of good reviews, but for me, I think I'm okay with trying it out that day. Sorry, but remember the lack of exhaust in that place, makes me feel like wanting to take a bath over and over again!

I believe Yifu Fashion's starting to draw some loyal customers.
Here's something about Yifu from the site:

Yifu Fashion is a dress shop located in the busy street of binondo, they cater to wide range of tailoring service!
They can create a wedding gown that would truly fit you on your special day. Need to look sharp for your business meetings? they can tailor fit an office attire for you. having an special evening in cocktail party? Yifu Fashion got the unique cocktail dress that would make heads turn your way!

They cater barong and pants for men.

Address: 644 Nueva St., Binondo, Manila
Tel No: 632-2476948
Mobile: 0916-7357105
Email: yifufashion@yahoo.com

* Taken from here: http://ph.88db.com/ph/Services/Post_Detail.page/Personals_Household_Services/Tailoring/?PostID=245491

So when my aunt Becca said that she'll be going to Yifu to have my Granny's gown made, I was interested. I took some photos last Saturday, with my Aunts and Granny holding their gown sketches!
My mom will have to find her Thai silk to be use as the cloth of her gown, so I'll post my Mom's sketch then.

For the meantime, here are the wonderful sketches of Yifu's Allan:

Let's now wait for my Mom's design! ;)
I also have to think what I'll wear for Cheska's wedding!! hahaha!

Hot Pot in Manila

2009-03-31T15:10:00.003+08:00

My mom, sister and I had dinner last night at Golden Fortune Restaurant in Soler Gandara Street.
It's a very popular resto here.. and I heard it's usually full during weekends.
Hearing that, I quickly reserved for a table for the night.

Here's our "shabu-shabu" dinner:

The dimsum there was great! Since we just ordered 2 kinds, it was good.
Golden Fortune Resto did improved a lot since I was last there.
The contact details:

Golden Fortune Seafood Restaurant
G/F, Peace Hotel # 1283 Soler St., Binondo
Manila, Metro Manila
(02) 244-2777

It was really fun! Eating with my Mom and Erica.
I was full.. it's not cheap.. hahaha!
But definitely, a different hot pot than in Shanghai! :)

hauling Paul & Joe

2009-03-27T22:09:00.006+08:00

When I was in Shanghai, I heard from my mom that they love Paul & Joe stuff, and I remembered they said they got a lot of stuff from P&J. I was not too excited about it.. The packaging was not as appealing as the others I use! hahaha!

Now that I'm here in Manila, I was curious.. After the SA Von there tried the new stuff with me... and I tried my best not too look excited! hahaha! It looked very nice, the foundation doesn't feel too heavy.. and it made my skin looked glowy!!! I have a lot of stuff already, and I don't think Melchor will be happy to know I'm not relaxing here for the operation! hahaha!

But then, Happy thoughts are Make-up right? So I need happy thoughts and these P&J are really nice!! I like them.. and I'm trying my best not to buy any more. I love to get my hands on the Disney Balls!! hahaha!! Please note that I got the above items in 2 purchases! The very preggy SA Annabel was really nice, which made me buy some stuff for the 2nd time!

Oh, I got the following so far:
1) Paul & Joe Protective Fluid Foundation UV
2) Paul & Joe Protective Foundation Primer UV
3) Paul & Joe Protective Dual Powder Foundation UV
4) Paul & Joe Eyebrow Duo
5) Paul & Joe Moisturizing Compact Foundation Refill
6) Paul & Joe Disney Milky Treatment

Oh, i got the makeup case bag and a suitcase for my freebie! Of course, not only did I got some stuff in order to avail the freebie, my Mom, sister and Aunt/Cousin also got some P&J stuff!! Adorable indeed!!

I'm also interested in their skincare!! And maybe I don't know.. lippie maybe? hahaha!

Hey Melchor, I'm doing my best not to buy makeup here.. but I cannot resist not getting P&J!! hahaha!

bridging the Gap

2009-03-24T19:24:00.004+08:00

Since Melchor's in Shanghai, and I'm here in Manila.. We only have the phone and internet to use for our communication. Like right now, we're chatting and using the webcam, waving like crazy, sending flying kisses!! And at present, I can see him dozing off!!!

It's not easy, but we're doing the best we can!
You can say, I can't wait to be with him once again..
But for now, we're both happy to see each other, even if just using the webcam.

reminiscing the Preps

2009-03-24T13:25:00.005+08:00

Yesterday, I got a surprised YM from Candy Chu-Chao.
To be honest, I'm not really a very active W@Wie.. I mean, I'm part of this e-group up to now.. until I finally finish my Supplier's rating, which is taking me forever to wrap it up!!
I remember adding up Candy in my YM list, because I had some questions regarding entourage gown maker - Farley. I believed I considered before to have Farley do the entourage gown, but in the end, I chose Veejay Floresca.

As I am not really active in W@W, I got a message from Candy, asking about my picture as avatar in my Yahoo Messenger. It's actually me and Melchor's pic last October 18, of course me in my bridal gown.

We kinda talked about wedding!! Hahaha! Comparing suppliers.. Veluz, Niko, Threelogy, Clarice, Alex Franco, Balay Kandila... sharing fun times of the wedding preparation. Hahaha! I felt we once again went back to the prep days... though of course, we now know the outcome of the wedding.

It felt really nice.. to reminisce the good times, especially the wedding! It went perfectly for us!!
I hope to get marry again and again and again!! hahaha!
I wonder if it's okay with Clarice to have us making "kulit" to her!! hahaha!!
And I will surely savor and smile Clarice saying: "Kalokahh!!!" hahahahah!! :)

tests and findings

2009-03-24T13:21:00.001+08:00

I have a mission here in Manila.
With that, I think I've basically gathered a handful of my possible OB-Gyn Doctor.
After my operation, I think I will blog the list of doctors I've found, researched and thought of.

So, I've arrived Manila last Tuesday - March 17.
March 18, I was checking forums, internet, reading of some entries regarding good doctors for my case.
I'm so thankful with my friends - Aimee, Debbie and Sweeney... Aimee gave me a handful of Ob-Gyn doctors, courtesy from her sister, Angie. Debbie also gave me some suggestions based from her sister, Mae. Finally, it was Sweeney who jolted all my nerves and got me really going. She told me a story about her acquaintance, and got me all worried. hahahah!

So I immediately asked my mom to set an appointment with well-known oncologist/general surgeon - Dr. Samuel Ang of Chinese General Hospital.

CGH had been too familiar with me. I remember my Mom was confined there and gave birth to premature baby sister Erica. So this hospital is not really new to me. My mom and I hurriedly visited Dr. Samuel Ang, as his receptionist said that he'll be leaving by 2pm, for an operation. So I drove and asked my mom to immediately go to Dr. Ang's office for a lineup, then, I so looking for a place to park. The parking lot of CGH is soooo small!! It's a bit frustrating trying to park there!!! I finally end up parking at the place opposite CGH. Though I won't recommend it, it was my last chance to park and join my mom.

And so, I finally met the fab Dr. Samuel Ang. He actually said, in his opinion, a mass less than 6cm is nothing to be worry about. But then, he's not an Ob-Gyn Doctor, so he suggested to better consult a good Ob-Gyn. He recommended a fellow CGH doctor - Dr. Irene Sy. He helped us made an appointment, and we hurriedly met up with Dr. Sy.

Dr. Irene Sy asked us to do another Ultrasound and have my blood tested for CA125. We immediately went to New World Diagnostic Laboratory center in D. Tuazon, Quezon City.

I was nervous during the blood test. It took like less than 1minute to get my blood, but the waiting of a day for the result was nerve-racking!! I did a search for CA 125, and here's Wikipedia have to say about it:

CA-125 (cancer antigen 125) also known as mucin 16 or MUC16 is a protein which in humans is encoded by the MUC16 gene.^[1]^[2] MUC16 is a member of the mucin family glycoproteins.^[3]tumor marker or biomarker that may be elevated in the blood of some patients with specific types of cancers.^[4]
CA-125 has found application as a
CA-125 is clinically approved for following the response to treatment and predicting prognosis after treatment. It is especially useful for detecting the recurrence of ovarian cancer. Its potential role for the early detection of ovarian cancer is controversial and has not yet been adopted for widespread screening efforts in asymptomatic women. The key problems in using the CA-125 test as a screening tool are its lack of sensitivity and its inability to detect early stage cancers. An operation would be necessary to confirm that a woman with elevated CA-125 has ovarian cancer, with the associated risk of death from major surgery. In addition, even if cancer was confirmed in such circumstances, it usually would be at an advanced stage where therapy is less effective. The goal of many cancer biologists is to develop a test that would be employed to diagnose ovarian cancer at an early stage, when the effects of therapeutic interventions are optimal.

Specificity and sensitivity

It is best known as a marker for ovarian cancer,^[5] but it may also be elevated in other malignant cancers, including those originating in the endometrium, fallopian tubes, lungs, breast and gastrointestinal tract.^[4] CA-125 may also be elevated in a number of relatively benign conditions, such as endometriosis,^[6] several diseases of the ovary, and pregnancy.^[7] It also tends to be elevated in the presence of any inflammatory condition in the abdominal area, both cancerous and benign.

Thus, CA-125 is not perfectly specific for cancer nor is it perfectly sensitive since not every patient with cancer will have elevated levels of CA-125 in the blood.^[8] For example, 79% of all ovarian cancers are positive for CA-125, whereas the remainder do not express this antigen at all.^[9]

Hahaha! I know these are a lot of words, but copying everything is better to have a better understanding what's the CA-125 is all about. I kinda got worried about the test results. Fortunately, I got my results back, which showed I'm within the normal range of 0.35u/ml. My result was 11.40u/ml. I was so relieved!

Here's the ultrasound equipment of New World Laboratory:

So far, these are just about what I can share for now.. I will have to save some to blog next time.
But I'm really okay... :) I'm super good! :)

Updates...

2009-03-24T09:39:00.003+08:00

Today marks my first week here in Manila.
So what's been up with me?

Well, after researching tons of possible doctors.. I finally felt ease and settled. I think I almost memorized the doctors in St. Luke's Medical Center! hahahah!
I'm awaiting time for my upcoming operation.
My mom's been prepping me up and strengthening me!!
Can you imagine what that is? hahaha! That includes eating some herbal Pigeon soup, Black Chicken soup, and bird's nest!! Yes, I know they're not cheap, but our health is the most important of all.

To be honest, since I have some time to spare, I contemplated of going back to Shanghai, and be with Melchor for now, then we just come back for the operation. But since the doctor's advise that there's a possibility of rupture and it can become painful that will need immediate operation. This kinda made me and Melchor decide that it will be better that I just say in Manila for now.

And so, here I am... waiting for Melchor, eating, preparing myself for next month.. So what have I been eating here...? hahaha!!

My food for the first week here in Manila. More nutritious food for the coming months!
It's not I'm craving them.. but more of I now need to focus on my health.
Thanks to My Mom, Aunts, Grandma, Sister and Melchor.. for making me realize I now need to prepare and take care of myself!!

touchdown: Manila

2009-03-18T10:09:00.003+08:00

So I'm here in Manila na.
The weather temp is warm.. really warm!!
This kind of temp made me a bit glad.. because my jeans now fit me perfectly and without the thermals!! You'll be out of your mind if you wear thermals here!

I'm into my mission here in Manila. I hope to finally start meeting and rounding up choices for me and Melchor to decide later on.

I will update soon! :)

Earlier is better

2009-03-15T13:25:00.004+08:00

I found this quote that can well suit my post for the day:
"The earlier the better, so do it right now."

So how come I'm talking about having things done earlier? hahaha!

I know, I'm known for being a real crammer! I love the chase, the rush.. I think more clearly with time constraint! But of course, not everything should be crammed.

Melchor and I went to visit a hospital for a check-up! Yes, we went to a hospital here in Shanghai. It's not really easy, if you visit a local hospital. With all the medical terms in Chinese! Haha! Yes, they're not really easy! After that we also went to American Sino Obgyn Center here, which also conclude the first ultrasound that I did.

Here are the ultrasound images:

Anyway, to make the long story short, I will take an early vacation to Manila this time.
I'm not sure about the duration yet. As per my husband and family's encouragement, I will have to take tests again in Manila, and wait for the right time for the operation.

So what am I feeling right now? Actually, I'm more sad in the thought that I'll be leaving my husband here in Shanghai for some time! Hahaha! We've been inseperable since like forever!! And I'm so used to him being with me.. doing my packing, chores.. hahaha! Sorry!! I'm not really that scared in this thing inside me.. I know I need to remove this inside.. I'm thinking that I will not be with Melchor eh!! Hahahaha!! Ewww.. na ba? :) He'll be lonely and boring without me e! haha! But better alone and boring.. or else... hahah! Thank God for IP Cards, GPRS.. I think our phone bills will burning up soon!

I'm relieved and thankful for my Company for allowing me to go back Manila. I'm so sorry that I have to do this and I have this thing with me. I hope to come back here as soon as possible.

I'm happy with my family's encouragement.. I think they're worried that I'm thinking too much and get depressed! hahaha! I'm not actually.. I'm relaxed!! I think this is just normal.. If ever, I will have my first hospital experience!! So this is normal right?

Fine, I won't think too much anymore.. Or else my Blood pressure will start shooting up!! haha!

In conclusion, earlier is better right? So I'll be with my family soon.. but of course, my thoughts will always be with Melchor! These are all I can say for now. I'm strong, I'm okay.. I will defintely get through this.. :)

BB Cream and Marbleade

2009-03-09T19:17:00.000+08:00

It's been awhile since I first read about BB Creams.
To be honest, I'm not too clear about what the hype of these creams.. but I guess you can say, I'm very curious!
So, with that, I gave in and bought myself a BB Cream to try.
I'm searching for the best BB Cream, so that I'll just buy that.. instead of testing some of the BB Creams in the market! But then, I'm not sure if I like to do that.. :)

Anyway, it says here that: (*taken from here)

INTRODUCTION to BB cream

Blemish Balm, also call BB Cream, is known to have been formulated as an after-treatment cream to help patients who have gone through laser skin surgery to soothe and regenerate the skin. Soon, it became popular with many Korean celebrities.

Advantage

-Helps to soften skin texture

-Prolonged used of product may help to improve overall texture of skin & fade acne scars

-Act as a makeup base & foundation

-Helps to cover the irregularities on the skin, even out skintone, camouflage undereye circles, scars & add radiance to face

I got myself Dr. Jart+ Rejuvenating Blemish Base Silver Label. Here's the poster of this BB Cream!
I will try this BB Cream tomorrow. A bit excited! :)

Also with that, I got myself Etude blushers called Marbleade!
I think these kinda look like MAC Mineralized Skin Finish... Since MSF are a bit pricey and hard to find, I found myself wanting to try these Marbleade!
They're pretty, right? Should I get myself the MAC Stippling brush to use this? hahaha! :)
I hope to use these soon! :) Yehey!!!!

Gelato!!!

2009-03-08T21:24:00.004+08:00

Once in a while, Melchor and I indulge ourselves with some desserts after meals!
One of our favorites is Gelato!
Since we first tried them during our out of country, we can't seem to resist having Gelato!! :)

Look who's all smile eating his gelato!!
From the Gelato shop near our hotel

Of course, to be honest, I already forgot the taste there and if it's still the same as what we're having here. Haha! But then, since the shop here in Shanghai says it's Gelato - then, I guess it is!!

His facial expressions said it all!!
So it's also yummy!!

Here's the Gelato here in Amorino.
Yummy!!!

first time I saw the big Melchor

2009-03-06T20:15:00.003+08:00

I think I already wrote somewhere that Melchor and I met when we were youngsters.
He of course doesn't remember any of it anymore! Hahaha!
I think the reason I remembered him, because he was so thin and had a very big round eyes!
Most of Chinoy peeps are born with chinky eyes!! Like me!! hahaha!
So that's the only reason on why I remembered him maybe 20 years ago!

Fast forward to 2006, when I was with my friend Anita, at the office, when we received an email from someone sending his resume! hahaha! And so we opened the file, I remember that my initial reaction at that time was -- hahaha! "Ano ba yan... Ang haba ng hair!! Unusual name naman, Melchor!" *sorry!
This was his picture back then! Haha! I think you guys will agree with me!! hahaha!
Looking back, when I think my reaction back then, I never thought that the guy whom resume I saw and read was the guy I'll be with forever!!! :)

small haul for the day

2009-03-06T15:02:00.004+08:00

I got myself some treats for today!
I first got the 3M Acne Dressing I ordered online.
I'm having some acne troubles for the last few weeks, and I hope this will work! :)
After that, I finally got my Jill Stuart stuff!!! Happiness!!!!
I got myself - Jill Stuart Lipstick #17 Sunset Glow and #7 Hush Blush!
They look pretty, right? Smelled good too!! Hahahah!!
I still haven't tried them yet.. but the looks of the lippies... I'm wanting more! hahaha! Happy happy!!!

Pudong Shangri-La

2009-03-05T17:21:00.000+08:00

We love staying at this hotel!!

Very relaxing! Hahaha!
We also like Yi Cafe's buffet! :) Small portions of everything only..

our Wedding Invites

2009-03-03T18:58:00.001+08:00

It's been awhile since I last posted something wedding related.
Let me blog this time, about our Wedding Invitation.

I remember that my parents always get to receive some wedding invitations from friends, and I recall that I do like looking at them. I think during those times, the common invitation was the Gold and Red one. It's been tradition to use these 2 colors - especially Chinese Weddings - for good luck I guess.
Abundance, Luck, Prosperity - Red and gold. hahaa!

I personally never wanted to really spend too much on invites. Who keeps this things anyway? haha!
But I guess looking at sites related to wedding, I was amazed by Letterpress.
I love my invitation to be Letterpress!! hahaa! I think to Melchor's relief, this was not that available yet in Manila. And with my family and coordinator located in Manila, it will be better if it was done in Manila.

Looking at the suppliers in Manila, Melchor and I only visited one - The Write Impression.
But I did inquire at WEG design, also with Village Projekt.
In the end, we chose The Write Impression. Simply because we don't want our invitation to screw up! hahaha! With TWI's rep in Manila, it is one of the most reliable printing company there is.

I don't know where to start to this entry.. Doing the invites was one of the most challenging for me.
I wanted a not so usual invites kasi.. And I have to thank Melchor for enduring with me those sleepless nights of research and rantings!! Hahaha! I also have to say thank you to my wonderful coordinator, Clarice, for keeping up with us!! Hahaha! Really appreciate her help.. :) Melchor and I were bad not able to meet up the deadline! hahaha! sorry!

I have to also thank The Write Impression - Jong and Joanne! Especially to Joanne!!! For keeping up with me and my Mom and my sister, Erica! hahaha! They were really helpful!! The Invites were more than what we expected!! :) Thank you for the patience and the 7 drafts! Hahaha!

Lastly, I have to thank my Mom and Erica!! Erica, for personally going to the office of The Write Impression and helped us chose and finalize the Invites! If ever she wasn't able to go there, I don't think we'll get the invites in time! hahaha! Then my Mom, who helped us finalized the Chinese invites perfectly!! I believe she had 12 drafts, for the Chinese part!!! Hahahaha!

I have all praises for the The Write Impression! Quality, service, reliability...
They smell really nice pa!! I think some of our friends commented on that!
I still have some copies of the Invites! Melchor said we'll used them on our 25th Silver Anniversary?
Hahahaha! :) For inquiries, call them at (632) 867-4207.

a Jin Mao night

2009-03-03T17:19:00.001+08:00

I'm back blogging some of the adventures that Melchor and I had since we got married.
One thing's different, my stuff inside the luggage tend to be packed well and neat! Courtesy of Melchor, who have this thing for really packing our things well.

One of the most popular hotel here in Shanghai is the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.. also known as the Jin Mao Tower. It is located in Pudong part of Shanghai. I think everyone who traveled to Shanghai may be quite familiar with this hotel, as it was the tallest building in Shanghai before... :)

The room was okay. Well, we weren't able to splurge to an expensive room.
I like the bath area.. haha! The showers were pretty neat!
Also, with my Gold passport card, we got free Coffee the next day.. and got a Champagne as part of our stay! hahaha! At least we can now say, we did stayed and spent a night in the tallest hotel here in Shanghai! :)

Ring ring ring!

2009-03-02T19:00:00.003+08:00

Just like to post, we got ourselves partner rings! :)

Our Rings :)
Mine's on the right - one loop ring
While Melchor's on the left - 3 loop ring

Less post!

2009-02-26T21:24:00.005+08:00

I like to say that I've been in trance for the last 2 weeks.
I have some zits in my left cheekbone area.. I don't think I can visit a Dermatologist here in Shanghai, as opposed to my ever reliable Derma - Michael Chua of Imperial Dermatology in Manila.
It's been really cold here for the last 2 weeks! I'm still wearing my winter coat!! And to think it's almost the end of February. I'm having a running nose now.. Because of the cold weather!

Other than that, I guess I have some good things to be really happy about.
I got my NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo and Kevyn Aucoin Blush in Neolita from the US! Yipeee!!!

NARS Hungry Heart Duo

Kevyn Aucoin Neolita Blush

Apart from that, I felt I need to pamper not only my face and body, but also my hair!
So I got myself a Kerastase Bain Satin 1 Shampoo and Kerastase Voile Nuit treatment for hair!
I got lazy to take a pic of the shampoo, but here's the Voile Nuit.

Kerastase Voile Nuit

Still, something to be happy about, right?
But to top everything off!! I definitely have to post this here...

My Man with my NARS!

it's VDay!!

2009-02-16T01:40:00.002+08:00

It's the time of the year once again... Christmas, New Year, Chinese New year.. then Valentine's day! With the special ocassion coming up rather closely this year, I found myself a bit tired of planning, thinking of how to celebrate this special day... Fortunately, my husband still have some kicks with him! haha! We started the day rather slow.. and just checked online what particular cuisine we were craving last Saturday morning! We actually chose Spanish food yesterday!! Then it's Spanish food then!

We chose 2 resto - El Willy and Azul Viva - which are said to have cozy, romantic place that we are looking for our vday dinner! Melchor called the 2 resto, to find the place was fully booked already. Azul Viva was more accomodating, telling us that we can come in around 9pm, and they will have table for us na... but for El Willy, they were a bit snobbish e!! too bad.. hehehe

We went to Azul Viva! We were caught offguard, we got there with a small sized paper place in our plate, as their menu for the night! hahaha! Melchor was expecting us to have Paella and gambas, and other Spanish dishes, yet, we have 2 kinds of Main course menu to choose from for the vday dinner!
hahaha! That's right.. We only get to choose - Beef or Fish. :)

I'll update this tomorrow.. it's already 1:37AM, andt still have work tomorrow! :)
Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's day... I know it's just another day, but it's nice to have this classy date/dinner once in awhile. :)

my Pretty Gown!!!

2009-02-07T08:35:00.003+08:00

I've finally uploaded the amateur video I made, courtesy of my sister Ever.
I was having difficulty uploading vids and pics from where I am now.
Weird, really...

Anyway, the vid I did was just some pics I have from my 2 photographers - Nelwin Uy and Jill Lejano. I chose and mixed them up, just to showcase my gown.

my gown by Veluz Reyes from Ria Lim-Gan on Vimeo.

I'm eternally grateful to my wedding gown designer, Veluz Reyes.

I felt pretty, radiant, happy, beautiful.... All good things a bride must feel.. A Veluz bride indeed.

From the first time we've met, she knew exactly what I wanted, and made it to perfection!!
It was exactly how I envisioned. I enjoyed the whole process, from sketching the gown on paper and through each and every fitting... I always felt special, truly happy and had fabulous time!
Ms. V and Niko are wonderful and their work is exquisite!

I think I can't thank them enough... hahaha!
Every now and then, I still receive compliments about how beautiful the gown was... hahaha!

I highly recommend every bride to be a Veluz bride. :)
Here I am, blogging my thoughts now about my gown, when I still haven't emailed and said thank you to Ms. V and Niko! hahaha!

I wish the day never ended... I wish everything can loop over and over again.. I wish it was still last year... and like last year's feeling, I will always be looking forward to every meeting, every fitting... They are now part of my happy memories, my favorite thoughts... my favorite things - my wedding gown.. and being a Veluz bride.

p.s. Please bear with me... I just have random thoughts regarding my wedding, that I haven't really finalized my suppliers' ratings! hahahaha! Will try to finished up before the month! Also, Melchor and I haven't sit-down and choose our wedding pics for the album! hahahaha! Hopefully we can do them na... Soon!!

p.p.s. Thank you also to my photographers... hahaha! For capturing the gown, the moments, the smile, the tears.. Thank you very much! Will blog also about them soon! hahaha! :)

hello Beijing!

2009-02-05T18:10:00.000+08:00

Melchor and I spent our Chinese New Year in Beijing.
I guess to be here in China, one has to at least visit outside it's assigned place, and there's no more perfect place for our holiday than to finally visit the China's Capital. We got our tickets from Ctrip, reserved 4 nights stay at Motel 268 chain.. Asked for tips and must see places, itinerary from good friend Debstone, we're off to Beijing!

It was my first time being in the Hong Qiao Airport, which is quite near in our place now. I learned that there are specific special lanes solely for travelers going to Beijing! Melchor and I got concern with the allowable weight for hand-carry. So we have to repack our luggage there, in order to have a 5kgs only for hand-carry.

One thing I realized upon arriving in Beijing is that, THE PLACE IS REALLY HUGE!!!!
I guess comparing it to Shanghai, Beijing's pretty huge place!! The roads I think are 4-lane/5-lane wide... It was really so spacious!!!
For our arrival, we just had some pictures taken along here and there.. and visited the Wangfujing Pedestrian Walk, which we saw the 1st Peking Duck restaurant we tried - Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant. We were hungry and cold at that time, and we decided and ate at Quanjude. We ordered the following: Half Peking Duck, Duck wings with Vegetables, and 1 Pot of Pigeon Soup! hehe :) We noticed there were a lot of people coming in to Quanjude. I guess this Peking Duck resto is one of the popular and visible one in Beijing, having 8 branches all over there. It was 25 January that night, so I guess, some people also ate out with their families, and most of the shops in Wangfujing were closed at that time.. including the Food alley there.

For our 2nd day in Beijing, Melchor and I decided on to visit the Great Wall. As per Debstone's suggestion, it is better that we visit Mutianyu part of the Great Wall, rather than the more touristy Badaling. We joined a tour, booking at ground floor of Motel 268. We left the hotel at around 745AM, and joined with 3 other tourists. Part of the package was to visit the Sacred Way which is actually part of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was actually just a long walkway, with some statues along the road, facing each other. There were a lot of stories behind these statues, it will be better to look for some documentaries regarding this. Then we also visited the Jadeite factory and Traditional Chinese Medicine place, had lunch and off we go to the Great Wall.

The wall is really long... hahaha! And it's not easy to walk ah!! I wonder how did the soldiers of those times could actually run, and walk, and stay in these great walls, with all their armor, weapons, etc.! We took the Cable car all the way up to the Great wall (Pt. 14), then we have to walk down towards the Pt. 6 - wherein we also bought tickets for the Toboggan slide all the way down from the top! Hahaha! Melchor was actually a bit skeptical for the slide, but of course, we took it, and it was actually a fun way to go down! I can't imagine myself really walking all the way...? hahaha! We got back to the city around 430PM already.. Then Melchor and I wanted to eat some snacks.. but we ended up going for the our dinner! hahaha! We had dinner at 辣婆婆! hahaha! We were enticed by the yummy aroma of the Peppers! Sichuan food! Just what we need at that time because of the cold weather! We ordered: Spicy crab, Roast platter, String beans. hahaha! After that, I was itching to go the Scitech plaza, (for Armani makeup!), but alas it was closed that 6PM! So we went back to Wangfujing to spend the rest of the night with the Street food near that area.

For our 3rd day, our itinerary for the day was purely Beijing city - the most visit places of Beijing.
So we started off with the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Scitech Plaza, and LiQun Roast Duck Restaurant. hahahah!

Tiananmen Square is a really huge plaza!!! It links directly to the Forbidden City. There were a lot of people that morning. I guess aside from tourist, I can see that there were also local tourist, like the people in Beijing also were taking this time to visit and explore their city. Then the Forbidden City... We got the tickets at Rmb 40.00 I think... then, also rented the virtual map, with earphone to hear the history and some explanation of the city. The place was really huge ah!! A lot of gates, halls, palace, rooms, etc.! hahaha! We didn't really visited all of the rooms here, but just looked into the important and historical rooms. :) hahaha! There were a lot of people e! So I don't think I like to continue on with the pushing and lining up just to take a glimpse of the other rooms... :)

We continue the afternoon by visiting the Temple of Heave n.. I actually read that there are a lot of temples of the Emperors within Beijing... But the Temple of Heaven is the most popular one. There were a lot of people also when we visited that time... and bought tickets that we can visit and enter the significant places inside this big compound. With our ticket, we can enter the following: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿), the Echo Wall & The Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛). After that, I was excited already.. hahaha! We're going to Scitech Plaza!! hahahahah! Finally, I can personally look into Giorgio Armani Makeup! :) The prices of Armani makeup in China is way higher than it costs in Hong Kong. But then, I bought some, just something to bring back to Shanghai.. hihihi ;) Then, it was dinner time! We went to LiQun Roast Duck Restaurant. This resto was not easy to find... hahaha! It's not located in anywhere you can remember because of landmark or what... It was actually inside a not so well-known Hutong... Because we were a bit rushing already, we took a taxi, which the driver personally called LiQun to know its exact location. We were a bit lost near LiQun, this is because the road to LiQun is not even wide enough to assume its the place of the restaurant!! This time, we just ordered one whole Peking Duck, and its assortments. :) Yummy... hahahaha!

For the 4th day, we researched and visited Summer Palac e in the morning. Since Summer palace was a bit far from the city proper, we had to take a bus that will bring us to almost near the place.. We have to transfer another bus and walk a bit! Then, there it is.. The Summer Palace. The place is also packed with people! The popular lake there is the Kunming Lake, was frozen, completely frozen!! You can see afar there were some people ice skating! hahaha! This time, we didn't bought the tickets that can lead us to the buildings inside. We just took pictures of the place, views :)

After that, we moved forward and visited the Olympic Area - Bird's Nest and Water Cube! heheh :) The place was also packed with people! hahaha! We just took pictures outside both buildings! hahaha! I heard that the ticket to enter the Water Cube is Rmb 30.00, and you can't stay long inside. Melchor heard I think you can only walkby for 5mins....? After that, we went again to Scitech Plaza, hahaha! Then, we went to Hou Hai area, to have our romantic dinner (as per Debstone! hahaha!) We had our dinner at the S'Silk Road - a Yunnan food resto.. I actually didn't enjoyed too much with the dinner, that brought us back again to the street food of Wangfujing, for a bowl of Meat balls soup! hahaha! :)

Our last day, we were packing the morning, so that we can surrender our rooms for check-out. We booked our lunch at Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant. We discovered Da Dong, thru the Agenda booklet we got from the hotel. Agenda booklet is like a small Cityweekend magazine, wherein they feature restaurants, foods, events, etc. So we reserved for a 12:30PM lunch, but we actually arrived the place around 1:00PM already! Because!!!!!!! The place is not easy to find, AGAIN!!! With the tall skyscrapers around the city proper, it's really not easy to find e!!! Grrrr.... hahahaha!
But when we got in to Da Dong Restaurant, and found the place with the perfect ambiance, it made the long walks and all worthwhile! hahahaha! The menu was inch-thich, and full of wonderful pictures! We ordered one whole Peking Duck (again!! hahaha!), and steamed fish.

We were so happy to find this resto... It was really refreshing! I mean, the ducks are pretty lean and yummyyyy!! hahahaa! Overall, this resto is definitely a must-try in my Beijing list! hahaha! It will be nice to bring families and friends there.. hahaha! It was a very very nice restaurant! I think I blogged about Da Dong Peking Duck here. After that, we were off off to visiting the Monument to the People's Heroes. We just took pictures outside.. then rode the subway back to Wangfujing! hehe! Took our last pictures... Walked around.. Then it's bye bye Beijing time.

Overall, Melchor and I had a great time with our Beijing tour. Not only that we're together, but we proved to ourselves that we can have fun by doing tours on our own! hahaha! I wonder where will we be bound next.. hahaha! But I'm sure it will no doubt be as fun and exciting as our Beijing holiday.

Harley anyone?

2009-02-04T19:22:00.003+08:00

I think it will be fair that I also blog about Melchor's shopping! haha!
When we visited Ya Dai Shopping place in Pudong, Shanghai last December (I think), Melchor has been bugging and researching about the Harley Davidson leather jacket he saw there. If you'll google "harley davidson", you'll find that aside from the motorbikes they're selling, their accesories & men's wear are also pretty popular.

After several months of looking, researching, etc... you name it... Melchor finally got himself the leather jacket! It was delivered to us yesterday! hahaha! Woohooo!! It looked really nice!! Well, the price was nice! hahaha! :)

So, what do you think? It looked nice naman, right? It looked good on him!! I know that Melchor's excited for the weekend already.. to wear the Harley of course!
hahahaha! :)

new Jill Stuart blushes

2009-02-04T18:43:00.006+08:00

I finally gave in to my forever lemming!!
I got myself the new blushes of Jill Stuart!
I'm soooooo happyyy!! Pure happiness!! hahaha!

But my happy bubbles were sort of burst immediately when I accidently close the lid with the plastic cover inverted, which made the Lovely Tulip blush not as perfect when I got it! huhuhuhu!!! sad!! So what I did, in spite of having my day's makeup removed from my face already, I use my blush brush and the JS brush to dust off the powder kinda damaged the perfect face of the blush!! huhuhuhu!!

Nevertheless, I think this happened so that I can start wearing them! hahaha! The blushes must be used, not only to look at!! hahaha Fine fine!! But they're soo prettyyy!!!! And I can't bear touching them really!!

Pure happinesssss!!! :)

a Veluz bride

2009-01-31T21:07:00.005+08:00

It's been more than 3 months since October 18.
I still haven't finalized my Suppliers' Rating. It seems that it was pretty hard that I've thought at first. But then again, I feel I still owe the other brides.. I will finish it... soon!! :)

Back to my blog entry.... how does it feel to be a Veluz bride.

I'm not exactly sure how I'm gonna start this entry. hahaha! It's not easy e!

I was a Veluz bride. I'm a forever Veluz bride.
A radiant girl, with the most beautiful gown ever!!!
My wedding gown designer - Veluz Reyes.

Melchor and I met Ms. V last year February, when we personally visited her for the first time. I've told Ms. V about my preferences and concerns, then she sketched a gown for me. I think I blogged it previously.

Now, come October 18, I was happy to see familiar faces around.. Ms. V and Niko were there... I was in Cloud 9! hahaha! :) I think there's nothing more that can make the day more exciting and beautiful.

A video of my dress by Veluz during preps...
Sorry I have to cut this entry short for now... I will continue this when the mood kicks in... I'm a bit piss with the internet.. it's sooo sloowwww!!

Peking Duck #3

2009-01-31T19:35:00.003+08:00

Our last day in Beijing, we had lunch at Beijing Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant.
We read reviews about it, and I think it's a nice last day meal for us.
We had Peking duck at Quanjude and LiQun Restaurant. I've blogged Quanjude the other day, but I shall upload a photo of its duck, and also will blog LiQun Peking duck.

Right now, I jst finished uploading the duck of Da Dong Resto.
First off, we had a bit challenge finding the restaurant.
It's not easy to find it e! Beijing is so huge that I think they have to make a map solely for the names of the buildings!! hahaha!

When we got on Da Dong, one thing's for sure... the resto is really nice!
The place is nice, the service is good.
Oh, and they also have 10% service charge, just like Quanjude. :)

Aside from the traditional sweet sauce, cucumber, pancake and shallots, they also have some additional offerings like ginger, white sugar, garlic paste, preserved vegeables and pickles! I tried the garlic paste in my peking duck wrap, and it tasted delish!

And the duck! hahaha! I learned to eat the crispy duck skin with the sugar! It was so yummy!!! And one thing that's really nice about the duck by Da Dong, is that it doesn't taste oily.. When I ate on the crispy skin in sugar, it's not as oily as the first duck resto we tried.. and this is less than the 2nd one we visited.

Da Dong Restaurant is definitely one of the places a traveller must try in Beijing! The place is nice, the food is great, the duck is superb! I don't think you can get off Beijing without experiencing the duck.

Peking duck is Beijing's finest, don't forget to try it there.

slow internet connecton

2009-01-31T19:32:00.003+08:00

I'm hating our internet connection right now!
It's so slooooowwwwwwww!!!!
I'm having a hard time upload a video and some pictures!
Anyway, just blogging to say that the net's so sloooowww!!!

my small Armani haul

2009-01-31T13:55:00.003+08:00

Giorgio Armani cosmetics have a counter in Beijing.
I've researched the mall where the counter is located, and of course, it was already a plan. So here are my small haul. :) The assistant there was really patient with me. I cannot say that the counter have the complete line... So I cannot really say that I have a lot to buy there. And the prices, WAHHH!!!! They're so expensive!!!
I'm just glad Melchor encouraged me to buy something, as souvenir from Beijing!

the Great Wall

2009-01-26T16:35:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year to all!
We celebrated our New Year by visiting the historical Great Wall of China.
It was really looooooooooonnnnngggggggggggggggggg......!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I can't stay for too long, coz Melchor and I will be going out soon..
But, it was a memorable day for us! Not only that we set foot to the greatest monument of China's history, we're also together in this journey!

Peking Duck, anyone?

2009-01-25T21:38:00.006+08:00

We've finally arrived Beijing! haha!
Definitely colder here than Shanghai! I think I was freezing to death earlier!

My Rapido 3-ply goose down jacket was not enough for the cold wind!!

Earlier, since we were walking around the Pedestrian street here called "Wangfujing - 王府井", and with the cold wind, Melchor and I went to taste our first Peking Duck here! I know that my friend, Debstone and as well as other officemates advised us to visit LiQun Peking Duck, rather than Quanjude, we just gave in and went for it! After all, it's better that we compare the 2 good houses of Peking duck here, right?

Quanjude was nearly packed! And I noticed that people come in and go every now and then.. Also the slicer of the peking duck comes back and forth serving personally the duck, slicing them for you to see. I guess, Melchor and I finally understand why friends were suggesting other houses than Quanjude, it's because.... it charges not cheap! hahahaha! Aside from the orders, this is the first time I've encountered a restaurant charging 10% for service fee!!! I know I should be used to this back in Manila... but here in China?!?!?! We ended paying our bill like not too far from Rmb 400.00 for the dinner! hahaha! We didn't only ordered the duck.. we ordered Pigeon soup (SIBUT!!!!), cold cuts (gusto ni Melchor e!) and also another dish - brocolli with duck wings pa pala. Also the sauces, the wrap and the leeks also have charges!! hahahaha! Well, now we know! We'll be visting LiQun also... Can't wait.. Peking duck is so delish!! And fatteningggggggg!!!!

I have to freshen up now.. We'll be visiting Great Wall tomorrow! I have to rest now and call my family to great them.. Happy Chinese New year to all!

my Armani Bronzers

2009-01-24T22:11:00.003+08:00

I love Armani cosmetics!!! I love the way a little dash of color makes my face light up!!
So I'm forever wanting more and more blushes!! hahaha! Not only blushes, also with bronzers.
I know you guys may time that the shade maybe tad dark to my light skin... but I feel we just have to use a light hand, and waah-lahh!! Dark or light colors, I'm okay with everything!

Here are the Armani bronzers, and I can say, they're lovelyyyyY!!!! I can't get enough!! hahaha!
Lovely stuff... :)

Happy CNY!

2009-01-24T15:44:00.002+08:00

Happy Chinese New year to All!
新年快乐! 恭喜发财!

Blogging fr my ipod touch!

2009-01-19T00:51:00.001+08:00

So, here I am, using the gadget.. Fussing app, test blogging.. Looks like it will work noh? Hmmm :)

my Ipod Touch

2009-01-17T09:46:00.010+08:00

This morning, I got the package from my Mom, courtesy of a colleague who just got in from Manila last night. So I got my package.. hahaha! I guess can't wait for good things e!

My package from my Mom consists of the following:
1 box Chocolates
1 box Fluocaril Toothpaste (sorry, can't find that here in Shanghai)
1 bottle Vitamins (for prenatal)
1 pack Ipod Touch

(I know it uploaded in sideways, but I'll just edit this later!! Don't know what's wrong e!)

Hahahaha! I have to control myself not to open the Ipod Touch first, and take some pictures of the package so that I can blogged the goodies here! :)

Here's my Ipod Touch! hahahaha! :) It actually had some stuff already. My sister, Erica, helped me uploaded some music, pictures, videos! haha! And helped me had the protector made in Manila as well. That's all I can say for now.. I hope to start fussing about it when I got home from an afternoon out. I have to get myself a Folio pouch for the Ipod touch, and some other accesories? haha! I think the accessories are a lot hassle and expensive than the ipod itself! haha!

Ipod Touch

2009-01-13T21:04:00.004+08:00

When Apple released it's Ipod line... I have to admit that it was pretty tempting to get one.
But I did not join in the Ipod buyers then. I don't know.. I guess... not too interested that time.
I got myself a Meizu MP3 Player. It's a China brand, mini player! :)
Very useful!! I got a 4 Gig size, and it's pretty useful.. I listen music, look at our pictures, videos :)

So now, I was tempted by my good friend Girlie, to get Ipod's new baby - Ipod Touch. According to her, it's one of her best buy for 2008! hahaha!
I have to be tempted with that!! hahaha!
Finally convinced Melchor and I got one na! hahaha!

With the help of sister dear Erica, she helped and got me my first Ipod thing!!
My very own Ipod Touch! hahaha!:)
Few more days!! hahaha!!
Can't wait! hahaha!

for CNY

2009-01-08T10:59:00.006+08:00

For the last of January 2009, it will be a week long holiday here in China. Not yet sure our schedule yet, but I'm a bit excited for our last travel for the month of January. hahahaha! I felt the time is right, that we explore the great places of the country we're located right now. Got some nice prices, etc. Working out with friend Debstone for the itinerary... Melchor and I are excited for the vacation week! Who won't be..? right? hahaha!
We just need to bring all our winter stuff!
Luckily, we have each other to keep us warm! hahaha!

little MG's pictures

2009-01-07T19:18:00.008+08:00

I'm looking at the pictures that we'd scanned, compiled and gave to Threelogy last October.
I can't help but post these cute pictures of Melchor during his younger years.

Cute or what..
Naughty MG!

So fast forward, he's like this na...
Some things never change... hahaha! :)

additional New Year's resolution

2009-01-03T22:05:00.002+08:00

I will make sure to use my blushes! hahaha!
I mean, I will try to use different blushes everyday!! hahaha!
Since I apply 2x per day - one in the morning, then, after lunch, I wash my face and apply again for the afternoon, I hope to use all my new and existing blushes here! hehehe! :)
Wow, I'm kinda excited na ah! :)

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-03T20:51:00.003+08:00

New year meant a lot of things to poeple.. New goals, new outlook, new challenges, new excitement.
For this new year, I like to sit back and reflect on my New Year's resolutions.
When you say New Year's Resolutions, I really need to do it.. right? hahaha!
Pano if ndi ko nagawa? hahahaha!:)

Anyway, here are my New Year's resolutions that I can think of, for now! hehe
1) I will wear a Sunscreen everyday! I need to really do this, since I don't want to really look old soon!

2) I will try to learn how to cook! Yeah.. I think I made a vow about this before, that I won't cook ever! But since now I'm a married woman, I will at least try to learn.. so that I can cook for my husband and my family! hihihi! (I need a lot of help in this area! Mama!! Sisters! hahaha! Help me when the time comes!)

3) I will only buy things that are necessary and will make me happy! hahaha! Sorry, make-up and skin care makes me happy! So I will try to buy the things I think I will truly use and love... hehehe! e.g. blushes. I will let go of buying eyeshadows, since I don't use them pretty much.

4) I won't allow my work to stress myself outside office. Work stays at office, and family and my husband needs my attention and time outside office. I need quality time with my husband and family! hehehe :)

5) I will avoid saying things other than outside opinions. In short, I will always be honest about the things in front of me. I don't think there's bad in saying what is really there, right? hahaha!

6) I will eat healthier, and try to exercise and maybe join yoga! I need to prepare myself.. hahaha! And I will try to convince Melchor to live healthier as well!

7) Say my prayers every morning and night! Thank God every time I pray! hehe :) Yes, I love God, and I believe in His presence in my everyday life!

8) Aside from spending necessary expenses, I will try to save up my income, and will influence Melchor to do that also. I may spend a bit more during special ocassion only!

9) I will express my gratitude and appreciation to my Granny, Mom, Aunts, Sisters and Brother.. For without them, I can't imagine my life e!

10) I will remember to say "i love you" to Melchor! hahahaa! That's everyday! Because... just because! hahaha! :)

So far, these are my thoughts that I can think of as a New year's resolution for now.
I will reflect and maybe add to this list..
And I promise to do my list above! hahaha! Fine fine :P I will try my best talaga! hahaha!

my Armani Brushes

2009-01-03T19:40:00.003+08:00

I got myself these brushes of Armani.
#11, 12, 13 and 15.
They are really pretty!!! Can't wait to really use them! I have to clean them for now first..
Hopefully I can do it soon! hihih! :)

Discovering Jill Stuart!

2009-01-03T19:05:00.009+08:00

Jill Stuart... I discovered JS from great bloggers that I'm reading frequently in my google reader.
With Autumn Masquerade, A touch of Blusher, Rouge Deluxe, Musing of a Muse, etc., it's hard not to be in awe with JS also. I so so love blushes! I make sure to really put on a little color in my cheeks, before going to the office. Because I tend to wake up pretty late already, tendency is that I only have time to put on my moisturizer and a blush!!hahaha!

With Jill Stuart, you can see that its Mix Blushes are sooooo gorgeous!! hahaha!
So I love to get them all, but it's actually not cheap!!!
For now, I just ordered the Limited Edition Illuminance Collection blushes in #101 Platinum Illuminance and #102 Gold Illuminance!

Jill Stuart Mix Blush in #102 Gold Illuminance

Jill Stuart Mix Blush in #101 Platinum Illuminance

I will try this maybe tomorrow...? When I find the urge to really use the blush and the brush! hahaha! It's so pretty e!!! Then, I like to get the other Mix Blushes! hahaha! Maybe 1 or 2 pcs per month....? After all, it has 5 shades for now, and with the upcoming Spring 2009 collection, and be releasing 2 shades more, maybe I will get the newest ones first! hihihih :)

New Year's Eve Dinner

2009-01-03T16:44:00.000+08:00

Melchor and I went to the city last December 31 night after our office hours.
We planned to spent couple of days in Pudong part of Shanghai.
Since we have 2 days of no-work here, we made sure to really have good, quality time together.
Of course, other than being with each other here in the dormitory everyday, we need some time alone and away from where we usually are.. hahaha!

I have to admit, we're pretty not too familiar with the restaurants at the Pudong side.. So when we arrived in Pudong, we just have to find some place where we think we like to settle and spent the final hours for the New Year! hehehe!

We walked towards the Bin Jiang Da Dao, and discovered the Riverside resto and bars there... Then, Melchor was saying maybe we can try Paulaner Brauhaus
With that we went in to Paulaner... and they're actually having a party there, and selling its entrance tickets for Rmb 228 per person!! That would include 2 Drinks and 1 Popcorn! hahaha!
It's not cheap, right? hahaha! Fine fine, so.. we just tried in, then there's a Filipino band playing at the stage.. There were also some prizes that can be won, too bad, we came in late already... Also I was feeling a bit dismayed, because our place at the bar stool nearest to the door... it's freezing cold air kept blowing to our place.. Also we haven't had our Dinner yet!!! And this bar/resto kept on selling tickets even without guaranteed seats!! Anyway, we continued in and spent the final 3 hours of the year 2008.

We ordered Mixed Sausages, something we found familiar from our trip in Germany! hahaha! Then, ordered Paulaner Black Beer, we took 2 glasses each, based from our Rmb 228 ticket! hahaha!

Mixed Sausages anyone?

Bottom's up Melchor! hahaha!

Then till the last few hours, it's 2009!!! wahhh!!!
Drunk, fireworks, camera!!! :)
Inspite of the cold weather, the short in food for our New Year's Eve feast, the most important thing, Melchor and I are together.

Happy 2009!!!

2009-01-02T21:21:00.003+08:00

Another new year.. 2009!
After finishing off 2008 with our big bang wedding, Melchor and I are definitely looking forward to a more exciting, fun 2009!! More travels, more adventures.. and Lotsa Love!
Cheers to 2009!!

Happy New Year!!

2008-12-31T13:10:00.001+08:00

Bye 2008... Hello 2009!
Hope 2009 will be as exciting as 2008! hahaha!
Happy New Year to all! :)

i found my HG!

2008-12-30T21:58:00.000+08:00

Skincare is like love... you have to find your perfect match! haha!
That's why I tend to try and try stuff that will suit my skin.
I was having some bad skin period the time we came back to Shanghai, and I needed some miracle to tend my skin! I was pretty exposed to dermatologist, treatments, medications and medicines, which at this point, I'm trying to avoid the oral medicine part!

Since I also noticed some lines in my eyebrow area, I was really starting to panic! I'm not yet ready for wrinkles, lines, crow's feet, laugh lines!! NO!!!!!

I'm kinda familiar with some brands like La Mer, Shu Uemura, Awake, Murad, Clarins, Lancome, etc., but Guerlain really caught my eye.. With its sleek packaging, I found myself leaning towards testing Guerlain for now.

So with that, I got myself some Guerlain samples! hahaha! Too bad I have to discover this French brand here in Shanghai, when the prices here are high as Mt. Everest!

Anyway, I got myself the anti-aging line! hahaha! Success Future line -- Firming and Anti-wrinkle!
hahaha! So, should I be worry that I'm using this line at my current age? Actually, No! hahaha!
I found my skin to be more luminous.. I lately noticed that my skin is more glowy! Even my Mom just told me so earlier! hahaha!

My Samples! hahaha!
Guerlain, Armani and MAC samples! hihihi!
Love 'em!!! :)

I got the following:
- Guerlain Success Future Day Care SPF15
- Guerlain Success Future Night Care
- Guerlain Success Future Serum
- Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Serum

I'm actually interested also in Happylogy line and the Midnight Secret. Since I have some small dark spots, I like to try their Whitening line also.

But definitely, I think I found what really suits my skin.. for now, that is... I'm loving Guerlain right now! Of course, I still have some of my stuff, and I tend to use them once in awhile also... But I think I will continue to love Guerlain, as long as my skin is loving it! :)

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-25T20:41:00.002+08:00

Merry Christmas to All!!!!!

It's Armani LSF#5

2008-12-22T21:32:00.002+08:00

I finally received my sample of the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #5, and I swatched it earlier with my Shu Face Architect Remodeling Cream in #764.
I found the closest match to Shu's #764! And I can't wait to try it tomorrow!
I felt that the LSF#5 is more pinkish than the #764, but I'm thinking I can use an Armani Fluid Sheer to make it a more golden tone... hmmm.. Let me try it tomorrow first and I'll let you know what i think then! hihihi! :)

wrinkles go away!

2008-12-22T21:06:00.002+08:00

I discovered last month that I have a faint line nearing my eyebrows. I noticed that I tend to react immediately.. example, when I learned some disturbing news, unconsciously, my eyes and eyebrows are reacting! So, can you imagine the shock, when I notice the line? Grrrr!!!!

So I'm now a mission to find the working anti-wrinkle cream!
But I have a very thin patience, which makes me restless after using something for 1 or 2 days, that I can't see any improvement still!
Thank God for being here in Shanghai, China, I learned a less expensive way to trying out products, without deeply burning my pocket! That's to buy samples! Yes, you got it right!

It supposed to be free in skin care counters right? But here, there's a site wherein we can look for and buy samples of the skin care brand you choose, and it will be delivered to your place. Of course, you have to really research, and try to talk to the seller, check the sellers' credibility before you finalize everything.

As of the moment, I'm just loving the samples!
I'm trying another brand right now, but I do make sure to mix and match! hahaha!
Definitely, I want this line near my forehead to goooooo awayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!

excited for Christmas!

2008-12-21T21:46:00.004+08:00

We'll be celebrating our first Christmas together as husband and wife! This calls for a celebration, right? Can't wait for the 24th! hahaha!
Melchor, are you excited too? hahaha! :)
Happy Christmas to all!

to Melchor

2008-12-21T14:11:00.005+08:00

I just posted my Chirstmas gift from Melchor, and now, I'm writing this as my Christmas gift TO MELCHOR.

He actually chose his gift! hahaha! And with a little encouragement, I believe he's all smiles na! hahaha! He wanted an Osim uSqueez foot massager! hahaha! We went to the 7th floor of City Plaza in Nanjing West Road, and tested the uSqueez and iSqueez. Melchor was saying it's not cheap, yet, that's what he wanted eversince. We left Osim counter, walk a bit.. then Melchor decided he really wanted the uSqueez as his Christmas present. So without another 2nd thoughts, we bought home a 23kgs heavy thing.. And boy, I think the saleslady at the Osim counter was thinking we're nuts, because instead of having the uSqueez be delivered to our place, we opted to get it NOW, and bring home by ourselves! 23kgs was nothing to Melchor, as I can see his smile and excitement of the uSqueez! Even during the ride back to our dorm, he is ALL SMILES! Hahaha! I believe I got the gift he truly wants!

Finally, his very own! hahaha! :)

I think Melchor's smile said it all.
Happy is the heart when other half is happy.

Merry Christmas Mr. Gan! hahaha!
Love, Mrs. Gan :)

from Melchor

2008-12-21T12:40:00.008+08:00

This year is my 3rd Christmas with Melchor, yet my first Christmas as Mrs. Gan. haha!
It's still a bit weird to be called as such, but I do use the new surname in work and other stuff.

With Christmas now nearing, and we're both here in Shanghai.. It's not easy to really buy and surprise each other with gifts, since we're both together like.. always!! haha! So both Melchor and I tend to un-surprise each other, by getting the gifts to one's knowledge na! E wala na e! hahaha!

Yesterday, Melchor and I went out because he needed to buy something for his exchange gift, as we have our Company's Christmas party on the 27th. We went to Ya Tai (it's like Greenhills of Manila, Philippines), and immediately looked and bought the item for his exchange gifts, and we just continue on looking for things around.

Then, we went to a known hotel here in Shanghai, as we'll be spending the first Christmas eve dinner as husband and wife.. hahaha! I really love my husband, for he's so game with everything that's related to us! :)

After that, we went to the Nanjing West Road, and there you have the known big big brands of the world! We visited the Marks and Spencer store here, which I think opened last October, this was our first time to visit the place, and boy! It's really huge! I mean, compare to the M&S stores in Manila, here it's 4 floors of all M&S!!! hahaha! Not really a fan of their garments, but I do purchase my underwears, thermal in Manila M&S, and Melchor loves the their belts.. It's a nice thought that now we can locally purchase M&S items here.

Walking towards Jing An side from M&S area, you'll inevitably pass by Isetan(梅陇镇伊势丹), Plaza 66 mall (恒隆广场), City Plaza(久光百货).. haha!

I kinda had an idea that Melchor will be surprise me a gift, but I don't know what exactly in his mind. I also have thought of giving him a watch, since we were unable to present that on our wedding. But in the end, I think we both just became honest with each other, and spilled our surprises! hahaha!

Moving forward to Plaza 66, I kinda wanted to visit there to look into some of the Louis Vuitton bags. It's not that I have plans to buy one soon.. hahaha! But it's nice to keep your choices handy. hihihi! Just in case, dba?

Plaza 66 have almost all the known brands around the world! Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Tiffany and Co., Cartier, Prada, Jimmy Choo, Celine, Versace, Bulgari, Zegna, Hermes... you name it! haha! It's really nice to look around and just look! hahaha!

We visited Cartier first, and we were surprised that there are people around. Hahaha! It's really a season to be jolly, and many people are really into shopping! hahaha! Oh Shanghai people really really love to shop, and so these brands are really popular and can survive here! We cannot see so much of the rings selection, since there are a couple of people looking and trying out there.. so we didn't push it! Next stop was Bulgari, there are some people there.. We checked out some rings.. then Melchor told me that he like to give me a jewelry for Christmas gift! hahaha!

In the end, Melchor gave me a Bvlgari ring! hahaha! I just can't believe that he really gave me my first Bvlgari! hahaha! A real Bvlgari!! I'm checking the site now, and here's the gift from hubby:
Here are the actual pictures of the ring:
Hahaha! With my slender finger, I love this 1 band ring from Bvlgari.. It's not too big, to wide.. and I definitly will wear this now everyday! I hope to receive maybe a pendant and earrings next.. hahaha!
It's not bad to think in advance, right?

Thank you Melchor! hahaha! Thank you for the gift, and love you always! - Mrs. Gan

it's Christmas time again!

2008-12-14T22:22:00.003+08:00

Melchor and I went to Xin Tian Di yesterday, and had a good dinner with the ever favorite, Crystal Jade Restaurant.
Xin Tian Di was now fully decorated with Christmas decorations... and I guess it's really Christmas noh? hahah :)

A picture taken at Xin Tian Di - 14 December 2008

It's a bit hard to take pictures when we're just with each other! Nevertheless, we try and it's perfect shot all the time! hahaha :)

GA LSF and Shu Face Architect

2008-12-14T20:49:00.001+08:00

During the trial makeup session with Peddy Acebo, I brought along some of my makeup, in case that they can be use for the big day. I'm super love Armani makeup, that I think I've bought the wrong shade! hahaha! Then and there, both Peddy and I agreed that the Armani LSF#4 is actually the wrong shade for me! hahaha! :)

So you guys may ask what did Peddy used? hahahahaha!! He used Shu Uemura Face Architect foundation, which turned out to be the right shade for me! hahaha! I kinda forgot to asked him that time what was the shade he used, but because I felt that the makeup Peddy did was so so so good, I'm in the constant craving for the foundation that he used!

With that, Melchor and I went to the City yesterday, and I was on a mission.. to buy the foundation used by Peddy! hahaha! So I asked the stylist there what was the shade more suitable for me, she was suggesting 564 and 764. 564 shade was a wee dark than 764, which she is suggesting to me for the foundation to look natural with me. But I end up buying 764.. with Melchor's help na rin! I think it's a more flawless look kasi e!

My wonderful husband!
Shade comparison with GA LSF#4 and Shu FA#764
My Shu Uemura Haul - Face architect remodeling cream foundation and natural glow powder foundation.

So, as you guys may see, #764 which is the perfect shade for me, was really off from Armani Luminous Skin Finish #4. Now, my prob is that I also like Armani Liquid foundation!!! I have to match then Shu's #764 with Armani foundation!! Wahhh!! Here we go again! hahaha! :)

HTC!

2008-12-10T20:39:00.003+08:00

I will admit, that I love to research...
Especially about something I'm unfamiliar with.
I tend to research, read and read... until I felt tired about it na! hahah!
So when I started to look for something related to pregnancy...
Right now, I think I'm starting to grow tired in reading about them!
I tend to overload the info in my head, that I don't like to think anymore..
Sooner or later, I don't know what to believe na! hahaha!

Here are the sites I found regarding how to conceive:
http://www.babyhopes.com/
http://www.fertilityfriend.com
http://www.parenting.com
http://www.yourdays.com/

You can also find some answers at http://answers.yahoo.com

Honestly, not really too much in a hurry! But I like to know stuff first before I get into it! hahaha!
Thank you for Internet! :)