GoT iNk?

Tattoos.

Colorful yet painful tattoos.

I used to be an idealistic girl. Always wanted a guy who doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke and has no tattoos.
But somehow, when I discovered freedom at 21 (started drinking thanks to my brother) and I get to meet people, all those ideas was thrown out of the window.

Just because you know how to party and you love tattoos does not make you a bad person. In fact, people like that are more easy going and more approachable than people who are clean (uptight). Not everyone though. Just saying that most of them are.

So, tattoos.
Once a rejected body modification doodle is now considered art. And I agree.

So where did this all come from?
Say Hi to wikipedia everyone!

The word “tattoo” was brought to Europe by the explorer James Cook, when he returned in 1771 from his first voyage to Tahiti and New Zealand. In his narrative of the voyage, he refers to an operation called “tattaw”. Before this it had been described as scarring, painting, or staining.Tattooing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, particularly in Asia, and spread throughout the world.

Now, before you go and get your body inked, here are a few tips to remember:
I just chose a few of them. If you want to read more, check out this link:
(Tips from http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/)

Tip # 1 Be picky about the parlor
– Ask around. In this generation, everybody knows someone who has at least 1 tattoo. Check out the design, see if you like how the artist did it. If you do like it, check the place out. Cleanliness and sanitation is key. Check if they use new needles for every client, you’ll never know… they might be recycling needles (cost cutting, heard of that?)
Personally, I recommend this parlor here in Cebu:

I have seen their work and they’re good. You can be assured that they use sterile and new needles.
And the artists are very accommodating too.(aside from the fact that one of them is my brother, so I’m a tee bit bias)

Will be showing more of their work and their info at the end of this blog.

Tip # 2 Follow after care instructions
– Now that the artist has done his/her part, it’s time to do yours. Keep it clean to prevent infections. Since tattoo advices vary from artist to artist (to cover it with plastic or not), according to this page, “Under no circumstances should you allow your tattoo to be covered with plastic wrap during the bandage phase.” So just ask your artist about it.

Tip # 8 Avoid alcohol
– I know you were praying that this won’t be on the list but unfortunately, it is. Alcohol makes your blood thinner- thinner blood means more bleeding. Unless you are used to your monthly period and losing blood, then just avoid it. But if not, drink up! ( it’s just a tip ;p)

Tip # 3 Check your spelling
– You really don’t want your tattoo to say “I love Dino” when you really mean “I love Dina” right? Guyz, imagine that happening to you. You’ll cry your eyes out but we’ll be laughing our asses off. hahaha
And be careful with symbols, research them. See if you got the meaning correctly. Unless you want your “freedom” symbol to mean “fart”. True story.

Tip # 4 Location, Location, Location
– They say that the location is just as important as the tattoo itself. Your girlfriend’s face on your forehead perhaps? hehehe So think about it. Think about it real good.

Tips # 5 You will suffer for your art
– If you’re a tattoo virgin, expect that you will get hurt. Pain is expected. No pain, No ink, remember? So you need to be really decided if you want that tattoo or not. Most people will choose tattoos that has meaning. But I do know a few that has a few inks just because they want that type of ink. According to a friend, “You get a tattoo because you want a tattoo, it doesn’t have to mean anything.” uhmmm… ok.
So, individual principles, individual styles.
My personal advice, if you want it and you’re decided, then go for it.
Just make sure you won’t regret it.

If you get to be in Cebu and want a trusted tattoo parlor,
Visit HOSA Tattoos at 77 Tres Borces St, Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines
Contact: +639433515161

See some of their work below:
(yup, international clientele baby!!!)
So get inked up!!!

Cleveland. Not the city.

Cleveland. The City? I wish!

But nope, I’m talking about The Cleveland show.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen… That’s for today’s adventure.
Give me a break. I’m off duty.

So what better way to spend that day off (after all the chores and errands)
but to watch….
drumroll please…..
THE CLEVELAND SHOW! but I just call him the black Peter Griffin.

I like how they made a show specially for him. It clicked.
I mean, if it was Joe, it would be an action cartoon and I’d feel bad laughing because of his condition.
If it was Glenn (yup, we’re on a first name basis now), then it will just be a rape show. It will be like the criminal minds but the unsub is Quagmire. hahaha

So I believe they made a right decision choosing Cleveland.

So let’s check the characters (just the main ones).

Cleveland Brown – the main character, (the show is named after him after all). Generally nice guy and quite a unique laugh (reminds me of Mandark in Dexter’s lab). He spend most nights at a bar named The Broken Stool with his friends. We’ve got Lester the redneck, Tim the bear (yes, he’s a bear) and Holt the tall guy.. lol.

Donna Tubbs Brown – Cleveland’s second wife, hot momma (Tim’s crush) and has 2 biological children from her previous marriage.

Meet the children:

Cleveland Brown, Jr. – Cleveland’s son from his previous marriage. Really nice, which of course does not make him a cool guy at school. Or anywhere. And being obese does not help him either. But again, real nice kid.

Roberta Tubbs – 16-year old biological daughter of Donna from her first husband.
Teenager. So of course… attitude, attitude, attitude.

Montclair “Rallo” Tubbs – the 6-year old biological son of Donna’s. Cool kid. acts as his Father.

Didn’t want to bore you with details so that’s it for the characters.
And its fun seeing some characters from the family guy in this show too.
There’s a particular episode where Peter and his friends missed Cleveland but ended up recruiting another black guy instead to fill the void.
Try watching Season 8, Episode 7 : Jerome is the new black.
Fun stuff.

Here are a few fun facts for the show: I mean who wouldn’t want this right?

In Season 2, Episode 20: Back to cool
– Shortly after Robert mentions that Junior taught him Morse code, Junior says “Dot-dot-dash-dot, dot-dash, dot-dash-dot, dash.” This translates to “fart.”

Season 1, Episode 17: Gone with the wind

-in this episode it was shown that Loretta died from falling from the bathroom of Cleveland’s old house. However, in the Family Guy episode “Spies Reminiscent of Us”, Cleveland’s house had no inhabitants after he left.

Season 4, Episode 8: Wide world of Cleveland
– In the Germany-segment, most of the dialogue is gibberish, with some real words mixed in; only three lines are real German.

Season 3, Episode 15: The Men in me
– The song “baby” was used by Justin Bieber.
uhmmmmm…. sorry about this fact.
(facts are by http://www.tv.com)

Everyday is an adventure… so this is my adventure today.
To go into the realm of cartoons with sexy yet funny anecdotes and punchlines. hehe

So if you want to be lazy and have a good laugh, watch The Cleveland show.
But don’t turn your back on the Family Guy. Still one of the best PG cartoons out there.

And of course, who would forget a classic?? 🙂

When nature calls… it just keeps calling.

Tues night.

Coffee in hand, music in the background and laptop on the table.
Ready and eager to make yet another “blog” <—- not sure why I quoted that.
Anyway, I was ready for battle when….

Guuuurrrrrgle…. 

(9gag NOT SURE meme look) hmmm… not sure if it was my tummy or a purring cat on the roof.
sound ignored.

So I was typing away when….

Guuuurrrrrgle…. 

That can’t be a cat because my stomach ached this time. Ms. Obvious right?

I was so in the zone that I didn’t want to stop…

And yet again…..

Guuuurrrrrgle…. 

I had to listen now,right? wrong.

I won’t be stopped by a petty distraction. I was so determined to write this thing!

But, I did stop.
No, no… It didn’t go guuuuurrrggle this time but the pain was… whooop!
And so I went to the little room where imagination grows and ideas are formed (among other things).

Success was met and I went back to my working station and went back to typing.
After 5mins… or 6,

guuuuurrrrgle…

You have got to be kidding me!
Well, it wasn’t.
So back I went to that little room.

I did say it was just tues night right?
Well, that little room was a frequent companion of mine that night.
Say, 8 times?
Yup, 8 freakin’ times.

So I just really had to stop the typing.
Got a magazine and stayed there.

Did the right thing by the way since it happened 5 more times.

I was starting to get dehydrated…
Tried to make oresol, no sugar.
Wanted to buy some, raining.
Drank water, almost ran out.
Plus….
oh…. I love this plus!
High-grade fever and chills…
Body malaise was kicking it too! 

Was loving the night so far…. who wouldn’t?
(whoever says they do; I don’t know who you are but I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you…)
I don’t do that, so I’ll just hire a hitman. Or Liam Neeson.

That night was soooo shitty. And yeah, pun seriously intended.
Nature is funny sometimes,yeah?

So I stopped and pondered. Pondered. hahahaha..

I just really had to know what I did before all this started to happen.
Rewind an hour before the 1st episode…

Had quite a few appointments that day so I had no time to cook for dinner.
We stopped at a food shop and bought friend chicken parts.
That was the main goal. CHICKEN ONLY. But my eyes…
God, my eyes saw this stack of “siomai”

For those of you who doesn’t know what that is, let wikipedia explain…

Shumai, also called pork dumplings.

Uhmmmm. okaaaay…. 
Thanks wikipedia. I think.

So, you know I just had to buy those dumplings, right?
And yup, you guessed it!
Food poisoning everybody! weee!

Don’t get me wrong, I wanted it because it was suppose to taste good and not all siomai sold in the Philippines is dirty. 
Been eating it for years and this is the 1st time it happened.
So if you haven’t tried it yet, please do. 
But allow me to hate it for months…. I have those rights now.

Where were we?
Yeah, I was so weak that I could barely stand up..
My magic number? 21! 
Top that!!

So of course, had myself checked, waiting for results, feeling better now.

But I just seriously had to tell you that story..
The process was the fun part, ending where I feel better? 
Can sum it up in a sentence. 
Well, I just did.

So to my siomai, thank you.
Thank you for the lesson learned and the story told.

Happy eating everybody! 
(evil laugh..) bwahahahahaha!!!

Exercise? DaNce it Up!

Exercise.

The word that keeps calling my name and I keep running away from.
Don’t act so innocent.. I know we’re on the same page.

Weight-related goals make up 34% of people’s New year’s resolution.
Personally, that’s on my list every single year and would last for about a week. That’s long enough… i think.

Anyway, I found a simple formula for losing weight. Since I don’t really like counting calories or writing down what I eat every single second, I live by the rule…

MOVE MORE, EAT LESS.

But somehow, I keep interchanging the two.. (innocent look).

Since I’m not into exercise, I need to find another way to lose weight while having fun.

So here’s my list.

1. Dancing
I have always been dancing since I can remember. From kindergarten until now. I wasn’t blessed with a dancer’s body but that never stopped me though. Dancing is an expression of you who are. It’s not about the body, it’s about the talent. oh yeah!

Check out this girl from “So you think you can dance.” TV show.
She is an inspiration.

(watched it after pasting the link)
Hmmm… I was suppose to make a list of fun exercises.
But after seeing that video (teary-eyed by the way), scratch that. I’ve decided to make this a blog about dancing.

I was also told that Dancing isn’t for me because of my figure.
I proved them wrong. But sometimes, it still stings, you know?
But I guess that’s how it is if you are passionate about something.
You get persecuted for it. You know why that is?

I believe that people do that because they are not brave enough to do what they love the most and it hurts them seeing people despite everything, doing something that they are passionate about..
I don’t know. That’s what I think anyway. (I’m serious too sometimes…)

Since I run my own business and have a part-time online job, I don’t get to dance that much.

So…..

For all you dance lover’s out there, you can try these out:

1. Zumba– upbeat music, fun steps, colorful theme and clothing. No need to worry about the steps since it will be provided for you. There other dances out there too. If you would opt for a sexier and laid back dancing, you can try Tiffany Rothe videos. They’re designed to bring out the sexy vixen in you!

2. Follow choreographs– One of my favorite things to do is follow choreography as if I was in the studio with the dancers.
One of my favorites is Jasmin Meakin; she’s 36 years old but she still got it!
Video length is an average of 2-3mins but since you will still be trying to copy their moves (not tutorial videos), it might take you 15-20mins to learn them.
(Thank you Pause button!) So you will really be sweating it out.

3. Do your own thing– all you need is an MP3 and yourself!
You can choose the music and no specific clothing requirement. The best part? you can do this practically anywhere and anytime. At home or on vacation, Alone or with friends, you name it!
Easy access to the beats that you want to have your groove on..

You know what, I’m going to go dance right now and have fun while sweatin’ it!
And based on experience, dancing really helps you lose weight. Let’s not make our schedules an excuse not to take care of ourselves and have fun…

Let me leave you with this..

“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.”
― George Carlin

So, DANCE IT UP!!! 🙂

26 @ 26…

26.

Ouch.

Yup. I’ll be 26 this April. I’m still trying to have that sink in… (sigh..)
A year past my silver anniversary on this earth… (sigh again…)

Living on my own, fun job (event organizing), sweet boyfriend…

Hmmm.. on second thought, 26? Bring it on!

If only I can have my body look 26 and not 35.. then life will be perfect!
I know, I know… diet and exercise… spare me the lecture that I’ve always heard yet too lazy to follow. (Procrastination, anyone?)

Since I’ll be 26, why don’t I list the 26 things I want to do while I’m that age.
And what better way to start the list than by having losing weight as the #1..

26 Things to do while I’m 26…

1. Lose wt. at least 20lbs – (does this mean goodbye frappucinos?)
2. Wakeboarding – If I flip and break a leg or an arm, will that help me lose wt? hehe
3. Buy a motorcycle – (I’m bad ass that way..)
4. Learn French – Bonjour! (good start, eh?)
5. Travel outside the country – I’m from the Philippines.. so Singapore maybe?
6. Watch PBA live… I want to watch NBA but I need thousands of dollars for that.        Any sponsors out there? haha
7. Be able to do the splits – Now that’s what I call Ouch…
8. Learn how to put on make-up. I’m more of a tomboy than a girly girl so it might be good to start learning how to put on makeup. I’m not too late, am I?
9. Surfing – Not losing wt might be a good thing at this point so that when I go overboard, I’ll just float… I have a feeling I’ll look like this… haha

(picture from www. torontosun.com)

10. Learn Boxing – ala Manny Pacquiao style..
11. Earn P1M in a year (looking up at the heavens hoping God can read this blog) — Lord, this is bold. You should see it from up there.
12. Go to Boracay or Palawan… beach! beach! beach!
13. Invest in stock market – do I have to wait for my millions for this?
14. Own apartments for rent – this is MY list.. just want to remind people that..
15. Audition for Big Brother – it’s just an audition.. why not?
(secretly crossing fingers and chatting “I hope I’ll get in, I hope I’ll get in..”) –> I’m seriously kidding……
or not…. hmmm….

(picture from thegoldensun.blogspot.com)

So, my list is not done yet.
I need to look for more things that I want to achieve and get this year. So if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know… (Bleach my eyebrows maybe? )

It’s funny, yes. But I did hear about people actually getting the things they want by listing them down. It feels good to have something to look forward to this year and it would feel great when we get if not all, at least most of them.

Make a list of your own and let me know.. We’ll crash out these babies together…

Au revoir!
(God I’m good!)

Wedding Bliss or Wedding Bust?

So.

I’m an Event Organizer and I have this wedding coming up in March.

I have done quite a few company events which as of the moment is my specialty; from team building, to leadership training and all that. But of course, I want to be more creative so I’m entering the wedding scene (really need to be careful what we wish for).

At first, I was so excited and I had all these ideas especially since the wedding is a garden wedding at sunset. Cmon! That’s as romantic as holding hands while walking on the beach or watching the starry night together or eating a string of spaghetti till your lips meet… Like I said, It’s romantic.

But……..
We all know there’s a but.

The time of the wedding changed. So now, it will be a morning wedding.

From overly creative to a blank page. I’m talking about my brain by the way…

The wedding’s motif is fern green which was okay.. but now that it will be in the morning, all I can see is the grass.. the damn flowers will blend right in. Like grass.

Morning- no need for lights, so no light effects (sun is a natural light- of which I wish I can turn off..)
Morning- too hot (guests will be sweating like pigs in a microwave)
Morning- wanted to create a tunnel as entrance ala secret garden style (too dark for entrance and too bright for lights to be emphasized; so there goes that idea )

So you see why I’m stuck?

But thanks to google, I did find a few ideas.
And these websites are amazing too. Real unique.

Let me see here.. oh, here’s one:
* http://www.weddingwire.com/ – a lot of ideas to choose from and the site can help any couple organize their wedding

And 2 more…

* http://www.pinterest.com – can find anything you’ll ever need. And you can check other websites as well through here

* http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/– it’s martha stewart. What did you expect? hahaha

Sing to the tune of ghostbusters:

♪♫ When there are things to fix in the neighborhood.. who you gonna call? Martha Stewart!
If you made something weird, and it ain’t no good.. who you gonna call? Martha Stewart! ♪♫

I should really stop singing this… hahaha
But Martha Stewart, if you’re ever going to read this, I love you dude! ;p

Back to the topic…

I know I’ll do great. (Looking at the glass half-full) Guess I was just caught off guard when I needed to change almost all of my ideas. Thank God for Internet! hehe

You guyz think I should have just stuck to doing company events?
Well, I think this is worth a shot and we’ll see where it goes.

If the wedding is a disaster, I can always change my name and live in another country… no worries.

(compliments to idoparties.blogspot.com for the picture)

Will update and show pictures soon of my successful/disastrous wedding…

Poor couple. Tsk.

Valentine… oh My Valentine…

Alright.

Everything is back to normal. No more diabetic-causing chocolates, no more thorny roses or itchy stuffed toys. Kidding. I love Valentine’s day. Everybody seems to be…. floating. Yes, that’s the word, floating.
I see people smile and greet strangers just because it’s Valentine’s day. Where did this all come from anyway? So, my curiosity and the internet got me this..

Apparently, 1 story states (choosing the most interesting) Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure.

Well there you go. Girls all over the world need to thank this guy. But don’t we find it weird that it’s mostly girls that get spoiled on this special day? It’s a day for couples yet girls get more out of it than guys. Materially speaking.

Anyway, you really didn’t think I’d end a blog without sharing my Valentine experience did you?
I’m a girl. Well, a woman for that matter.. and you guessed that right. I was spoiled. But the great thing about my day was that I did not just spend it with my loved one, I got to spend it with my family and friends as well.

Here it goes…

Feb. 14, 2013
12:00mn

My boyfriend stopped me from whatever I was doing, played “Far Away” from Nickelback on the itunes and asked me to slow dance with him. It was one of the most romantic 5 minutes of my life. Valentine’s day is looking pretty good.

5:30am

Got bored so I prepared coffee and cookies over candlelight. Because candlelight dinner is too mainstream so we opted for a candlelight snack instead.

1pm

You probably figured out I have a night job so I usually wake up at this hour and lo and behold, I woke up to this sweet display. You know what I thought when I saw this? Ice cream for breakfast? alright!!! hehe

5pm

My brother and I had a misunderstanding and I haven’t talked to him for weeks. It is the love day after all.. So I went to his Tattoo shop and gave him a single long-stem rose. See? Girls are not the only ones that need to be spoiled. So of course, we hugged and made up (after bawling our eyes out- so damn emotional!).
We also treated our mom to dinner where we gave her a bouquet of red roses.
Fine. Everybody is getting spoiled today.

After buying a couple’s shirt (we’re corny that way…), my boyfriend and I bought a pack of chocolates and gave them out to total strangers in the mall while greeting them a happy valentine. Seeing their shock and smile (yes, that’s in sequence) made the day even more special for us. Getting spoiled. I did say everybody right?

7pm

Dinner and drinks with friends and their partners was a good way to end the night. We even surprised our boys with the set-up (thanks to my friend Abigail’s efforts). They had no idea that we planned it out. My boyfriend kept asking me when we planned it, how we planned it and how we got away with it.

Boys, just because you’re with your girlfriends almost 24hrs a day does not mean we can’t get away with secrets. Trust me. We can. And we did.
It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.

So there you go. That was my Valentine’s day… I’m hoping Valentine’s day 2014 will top that.

But I do wish that we spread love not just on the 14th of February but everyday of our lives.

So, How was you Valentine?