Perfect time

Have you ever wanted something so bad? Did you strive really hard for it? I know you did. We all know we got to make things happen. BUT what happens if you did everything in your power and something came up that hindered you from getting what your heart yearns for? 

Frustration. That's what happens.

As I have probaby mentioned in my posts before, I was taking some Masteral classes on Librarianship (Yes, we do have to study to be a Librarian and yes, there's a course on Librarianship). I have everything planned out : 2 years to get the degree, I'll take 9 units of Reading Education classes for electives. Then, I would just need 9 more units (1 semester) to get a teaching certification.

Juggling work, studies and a little bit of social life isn't very easy to do. Unless  you have Hermione's timeturner, which will make time travel possible.

Image from Weheartit

But I don't have it, so I had to attend classes three times a week (after an 8-hour job) for the past months. I thought, after this semester, I'd only have 1.5 years left. But things change. I've checked UP Open University's page about the Professional Teaching Certificate earlier today. I literally froze on my seat while staring at the newly revised curriculum. None of the electives I have taken were on the list. Now I have to rethink everything that I have planned for the next two years. You might think that I am overreacting, that it's just another six months, that it's not a big deal. But you must understand that I am not a patient one. I am really not good at waiting. That's why I work hard. Because I wanna speed things up.

Image from Weheartit

But I guess no matter how hard we try, we can't defy what was planned for us. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should stop striving. That we should just sit and wait for His plans to unfold. We should still do our best, everything that we can, but He will give it to us in His time. The perfect time.

Freebie Alert: Interim Goddess of Love

Fairy Tale Fail, No Strings Attached, My Imaginary Ex and Love your frenemies. If you have read all these, then you'll be excited with what I'm about to share. If you haven't. then this must be the perfect time to start reading Mina's works!

Mina Esguerra, the author of the previous works mentioned have sent the good news thru her newsletter. Her debut YA novella, Interim Goddess of Love is FREE for download in Amazon. As soon as I've read about it on my email, I immediately opened Amazon and searched for the book.

See that 0.00? Yay!

I successfully downloaded it and am enjoying the first few chapters already.

No, I don't have an iPhone. I've got an iTouch though.

No Kindle device? Me too! Fret not because you can read it on your PC, Mac or on your iPhone or iTouch! The promo will be until tomorrow, January 28 only so hurry and download it now! :)

P.S. Let me know if you're having problems with downloading, I'd be glad to help. 

Happy place : Splash Mountain

Hi, everyone! First of all, Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! I hope everyone enjoyed the first long weekend of the 2012. Tomorrow, we are all going back to our usual routines but for now, let me reminisce a bit about my weekend.

As I've mentioned in my previous post, the boyfriend and I went to Laguna. We've gone to a resort called the Splash Mountain.

 

 

Splash Mountain caters to almost everyone -- families, barkadas and couples. You can also pick your choice of accommodation. If you're okay with just the basic amenities, then Splash Hotel is for you. Splash Suites caters cozier rooms and Splash Oasis feature the high-end ones, the coziest and most expensive rooms. You can visit their site here.

I first tried this resort back in 2009, with my boyfriend and her sisters. We had loads of fun! They have a lot of pools to choose from. They operate all 9 pools during summer time. And if you're a slide-lover too, then you will enjoy it as much as I did. The slides weren't working this time though, I think they'll open them in April.

Those two, especially the orange one, will definitely take your breath away.

Anyway, the room we had this time is the Deluxe with indoor pool. It was good for two people who just wanna sit in warm water and chat. It has a private toilet and bath a matrimonial bed, a TV and a mini pool. It's actually more of a jacuzzi type than a pool.  It was nice, just okay for my taste and our budget, which is P2500.00. Not bad, right? The bed, pillows and towels were clean. The people were friendly and accommodating.  Overall, the experience was nice.

Below are some of the photos I took:

 

Pools 3 and 4-- both for kiddos

Splash hotel, their wedding venue and a very nice flower

I am such a water lover. I love swimming. Whether hot or cold water, it actually doesn't matter to me. Now, do you have great places that you can recommend for the next long weekend? Please do share! I would love to try a  new place next time. :)

Well-deserved

I am talking about this long weekend. I have been working soooo hard in both schools : the school where I am working and the school where I'm studying. I am actually lacking of good Zzzs lately. I've been finishing reports for my classes (whoever invented the idea of school reporting? please strangle him! or her.)

Now let's look at the brighter side of things. After all the work, I deserve this break! Wooohoooo! 

Since it's also our "monthsary" on the 23rd, the boyfriend and I are spending the weekend at Laguna. We're not really big on celebrating this monthly thing, I'm just used that excuse to go swimming. I looove water! And ooh, relaxing hotsprings! I'll review the place when we get back so you guys can try it too (if it's any good, that is) but here's a sneak peek of the room:

Photo from here

That mini pool inside the room is plain lovely, right? I am so excited!!!

Anyways, I hope you guys have a wonderful time this weekend. Share your plans! And yes, Happy Chinese New Year! :)

Suck that belly button in!

I know most of you are curious what that means. Suck that belly button in is simply pulling in your abs. I don't know if it is used in any other exercises but it is frequently used in Pilates. In her blog, the awesome Cassey Ho said:

From Blogilates Facebook Page

"You will frequently hear me say this because it helps you engage your core. It makes all the Pilates moves a lot more effective.  Squeezing your abs is also a great way to do a crunch without doing a crunch. You can even walk around all day long with your belly button sucked in – not only will no one know you’re working your abs, you’ll also look slimmer and taller!"

In my post #achieved, I mentioned that I downloaded Cassey's videos from Youtube. But after that, I wasn't able to share with you guys that I already attended some real Pilates classes.

Months back, Ensogo offered a discount for Acts Dance and Arts Academy. The studio is like a stone's throw away from my place and they are offering Pilates classes. So I bought vouchers in a heartbeat. The classes are great, I feel challenged and refreshed after every session. They mix yoga (standing) poses and mat exercises and the transition is smooth and relaxing.

That's me outside the studio

Now, if you ask me if I am now an expert, I am definitely far from being one BUT I practice as much as I can. In fact, after finishing all my reports for my Masteral classes this week, I am attending a class on Saturday, January 21 at 8-9am.  

Here's the good part, if you guys want to try doing Pilates but you don't wanna spend that much coz you're not that sure if you'll like it or not, then this is your chance to attend a FREE CLASS! I still have two spare vouchers and they'll expire on Saturday.

Email me now @ beforeiturn25@gmail.com if you want to try this and leave your mobile number too! The FIRST TWO people to email me will get a  slot each. That easy.  Now, I'm off to do some schoolwork but I'll definitely be waiting for your emails. :)

Things to remember

Photo from here

Keeping up with your resolutions

Note to self and to everyone: Please don't be like all these people. Heehee!

My orange & elemi facial wash saved my eyes

Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Those are the three things we usually do at night so we can match our beautiful faces with healthy-looking skin. But if you are like me, who have problems like dark lips and dark circles around the eyes, then the three steps will be added by at least two, a lip balm to achieve pinkish lips and an eye cream to lighten the circles.

Oftentimes, I can get away without the eye cream. Applying concealer when I go out usually does the trick, but because of the holidays, I had to stay up late and my eyes have become puffy.

Forgive my eyebrows. I know they need a makeover! :)

Concealers can hide the black circles but not puffiness, so when I saw Giga's eye cream, I immediately bought  it.

Photo from Giga.
Rescue tired eyes. Use anytime to revitalize the delicate eye area and
help reduce the look of puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. 

Sounds perfect for me, right? I also loved the fact that it's organic. As you can see in the photo, it says: virgin coconut oil, shea butter, cucumber extract and vitamin E. No petroleum and parabens meant more love to skin. 

So last night, I stayed up late (again, I know, not healthy). When I finally decided to go to bed, I went upstairs to change my clothes, brush my teeth, then C-T-M. 

I was so sleepy by this time but after I've put the moisturizer, I still decided to try my new eye cream. I first applied it on my right eye (generously). Then as I applied the cream on my left eye, I felt a stinging sensation on my right eye. I then glanced at the cover of the cream and to my horror, what I've seen is my: 

Photo from Giga.

Sure, it was also organic, but a mix of peppermint and ginger isn't a good thing to put near our lovely peepers! I rushed to the nearest sink, and washed my face with water. Totally dumb move! It made my eyes more minty. It scared the hell out of me. I then screamed for someone to hand me my newly-bought HN balancing facial wash.

Photo from Human Nature.

I didn't care how much of the thing I have wasted. I've just squeezed the bottle with all my might and  washed my eye area. After I rinsed it, the minty feeling and stinging sensation were gone. I finally felt relieved after like two minutes of horror. Thank God.

Now I've got another reason to love HN's balancing facial wash. Of course I have learned  my lessons too: 1. One MUST read labels before applying anything on the face ; and 2. One should really be organized and shouldn't mix beauty stuff and balms in one place.

Have you guys had any experience like that before? I hope NOT!

Do not be like me. I do not want you to have that horrible experience. Ever. Please always be careful with what you put on your faces, ladies. It is my sincerest hope that you also learned from my experience.
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Please bear in mind that I have experienced this purely because of my mistake. Giga products do wonders.  Please continue patronizing them. :)