An Unexpected Result and Reward

 On this entry, I mentioned my impulsiveness in joining a sports tournament. Much as I wanted to back out upon realizing the degree of competition, I never had the chance as my partner Tita Flor literally fetched me in the laboratory for every game so that I won't run away. Last Wednesday, would you believe, I was scheduled for two championship games: table tennis singles and doubles.LOL!!!

Tita Flor and I won all three elimination games for the Doubles category. I knew we had a great chance of winning it, unfortunately Tita Flor's leg cramps from the previous week still caused her big deal of pain and immobility so we decided to not play anymore. The Singles game versus a former varsity player, Ms. Cris(Budget office) still went thru. As expected, I lost, 3 sets to 1.:)


I was totally surprised with giddiness when Sir Uly, the Sports Coordinator handed me 2 envelopes. Wow!!! I've got cash rewards- 1000 pesos for being 1st runner up in the 2 said categories. I was really like a kid clapping and jumping with happiness. As I have said, I was never an official player in any kind of sports, I don't even know the scoring and service system of table tennis, yet there it was: my name announced in our gymnasium, as the 1st runner up in singles and doubles!!

This first-time experience kinda brought me sense of accomplishment not so because I was "first runner-up" . I have overcome the fear and anxiety of losing(coz I hate it),I got to know more UA personnel(we now smile and say hi when we see each other ) and the end result wasn't at all that bad.

Who would have thought??? :) Will I still join the Uni-A-Employees Games next year?? We'll see. :)


Practice.Pray.Play.

Mom's Birthday is THE Annunciation Day

March 25- indeed a special day not only coz it is Mamang's day of birth, it is also The Day of Annunciation. Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. This day marks the start of the human life of our Saviour Jesus Christ. See how Jesus is with us in every step of the way, he was carried in the womb of Mama Mary for 9 months or 42 weeks, exactly how we living beings stayed in the protection of our mothers' tummies. Amazing!!! According to Fr.Vic Nicdao, today is considered a Solemnity Day in the Catholic calendar. Such a blessed and special day really.

Our mother, Mamang is 77 years old today. She is pretty excited with her simple celebration with relatives and friends later she was wide awake 12 midnight. She even has a tailor-made pink dress for her day. It seems like she's an 18 year old lass.:)

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the gift of having COR as my mother. I caused her a lot of pain and disappointment in my younger rebellious years. I was a difficult daughter but she never gave up on me. That is how it is I believe what motherhood brings, the heart expands beyond their imagination and they love more than what love sees. Mamang is not getting any younger, she lives in her favorite wheelchair, sometimes forgets my name, takes maintenance medications every day for her diabetes and stroke.  Every day with her counts and means a lot. Each time I stare at her, I can't help but feel thankful and happy that we are together even if at times we argue in a teleserye kind of way.

Thank you very much Lord for my mother's birthday and THE Annunciation Day.

Joyful.Blessed.Thankful.

My Excitement These Past Few Weeks

Something BIG is coming up in two days. It is the birthday of the most special person in my life and I started planning about everything in the recent weeks. I love conceptualizing parties and celebrations because they make me happy. I have never had a big eventful natal celebration except for my 18th. 

This time I wanna throw a small yet memorable and classy celebration for the anchor of the family. May it be a successful one wherein the celebrator's favorite people will come to join us in thanking the Lord for giving her a long, quality and blessed life.

May all my ideas and plans materialize. I just want everyone to have a good time.:)

Slowly Living An Organic Life

In my previous blog entry, I wrote about my Physician's Formula discoveries, the eyeliner as the most significant of all. With Mai's generosity, she added to my cart the company's Organic Wear 2-in-1 bronzer and blush. It is 100% natural origin and 15% organic, made for a radiant and sun kissed  glow. I like the fact that it boosts my mantra to live a healthy lifestyle albeit little by little alongside my use of Human Nature products. The Organic Wear package states it's 100% free of harsh chemicals, parabens and synthetic preservatives.Moreover, it has obtained US Ecocert Certified Organic.

For a kikay girl like me who is into make-up cosmetics, the combination of bronzer and blush in one rounded piece of compact is a welcome news and did you know that compared to other powder compacts on the market, this uses 93% less plastic than a traditional one.

Both the bronzer and blush glide even and smoothly on my face. I apply it now and then with the confidence that the product I am using is fragrance and hypoallergenic free. The only downside I could think of is at this point, Physician's Formula products are not yet available in the local market.

Honest, I am still gaga about Mac products.I make sure I do not run out of Russian Red and Pink Noveau lipsticks. Nonetheless, I am getting there living a healthier yet chic lifestyle. I know it will be quite a long journey.

Thought for the Week

I consider myself a person of diversity,one that steps on the line in the middle. People say I am sociable as I like to attend occasions there and here plus I am always seen hanging out with my different set of friends. Spending time with my favorite persons is something that gives me happiness and excitement.

I talk on the phone with Cleng till our batteries get drained; together with Analyn, we bond as Sis souls over dinner and frappucino. I also like hanging out with Harry and Ate Ana over a bottle of beer or lunch at Esteban's. Tammy's stories about her lip balms and lipsticks plus her travel fantasies entertain me. Moreover, sharing brewed coffee and food with my Villa girls is a staple in my calendar of activities. I love to be with people. I am sure of this.

In the same manner that I also like to be with myself regularly. I consider this my "ME" time and "self date." This quote is so true. I eat out alone be it in fast food chains or fine dining rests, I watch movies alone. I even traveled in Singapore by myself. Honest to goodness, I am comfortable in my own skin I don't actually care anymore when some eyes stare at me.

The great lesson I get from spending time with myself is I get to discover mundane things about me, I also get to realize that in order to be able to fully immerse myself to others, I must make sure I have taken the responsibility of finding my own balance first.

Paperback Tearjerker

As has been the case too many a times, Ate Krisy got me curious with this book. She wrote in her Instagram account, every page brought a tear to her eyes. So I downloaded the title via the Dropbox account of Sharon. Thanks Bee.

The fiction novel is a love story of two teenagers, Hazel Grace and Augustus, who are both battling the Big C. I won't make a book report/review here. Anyway as I was mid-half the story, there's no tears yet to fall and I worried. Could it be that I really have a jaded heart or I am a mature reader already, knowing that this story is not based on real individuals. However as I began to proceed on the last third of the novel, the lacrimal ducts of my eyes started to activate and tears dropped uncontrollably. I felt for the characters, the parents of the young couple and of course, Hazel and Augustus's pains, struggles, journeys, frustrations and their young yet genuine love for one another.

This is a good read for believers of life, hope and love. Include it in your list.

Escape.Read.Feel.

Love Line for the Week

Kikay Love From Mai

Soon as I received the paper bag loaded with these stuffs, my heart fluttered and whispered: " You can never be loveless, Mitch. People like Mai care for you,look!" :) Many ask, including my students why I am a happy lady. It is because I appreciate all the things and gifts that I have and the people who love me. How can I not be grateful when in spite of the extreme busyness of this super niece of mine, Elaine Mai, she immediately tried to find shops that sell Physician's Formula eyeliner coz I told her I am currently obsessed with the tube. Voila!!She bought me so much more like the EOS lip balms in assorted flavors and some more Physician's Formula products.

Best lip balm ever together with my Human nature ones.

I bet my tears, this is the best eyeliner in the world.

 I am in no position to speak professionally about make up and cosmetics so I base everything on my own personal experiences and experiments with products that I have tried. Cosmetic products make me giddy, I love love putting make-up on. My favorites are cheek tint, lipstick and lip balm plus eyeliner. Really, eyeliner brings noticeable effect on the face.
For newbies and expert wannabes, it takes a deal of effort in applying eyeliner. On my part, I still hold my breath each time I do so.Really. And there are still days wherein I don't achieve perfect lines. This is why I have fallen in love with Physician's Formula eye booster 2-in-1 lash boosting felt tip eyeliner(thank you Ate Reggie for introducing this magical pencil to me). It is by far the easiest liquid eyeliner to apply. Moreover, it dries in less than 5 seconds and the product does not leave raccoon's eyes after facial wash. There is no need for make-up remover. A significant huge promise of the eyeliner is it make lashes longer with its serum property. What is not to like, right? For me, it is amazing and perfect which makes my eyes happy.

I am excited to try you very soon.

Wow!!Organic there.:)

 I am a girl with simple wants, among them are these make-up innovations. I already smile by staring at them. I flip with giddiness when I use them. I am a kikay girl, yes I know!!:) I even dream about them.

Bonus items from my "loot bag"

Thank you to my ever sweet and generous niece, Elaine Mai for going out of your way to send me these gifts. You always exceed my expectations. I super love everything you bought for me.

Giddy.Jolly.Happy.

Michelle AnnKapal!!:)

With my partner, Sir Vince.

I grew up liking table tennis or pingpong. My neighbors and I played the game and my Koyang Miller used to be a varsity player. Let me say though that I just played it for fun.There was no serious and regular training on the sports. All I know is how to handle the paddle, serve the small round white ball and return the ball to the opponent's court, all these without fancy. Never did I play for any tournament
in the sport field, be it badminton nor swimming.

Now at 36 years old, I joined my first-ever competition. It's the Uni-A Employees's Games in our university and I belong to the Gold team. The event brought me panic and anxiety really right after I was measured for my uniform. Napasubo lang ako!!I hid in my office because I really didn't wanna push thru with the games anymore but my teammate found me. And so I had no choice as there are only 2 women players in our team. May I say that there's no total practice prior the actual games.I had to tag a student to play with me for 30 minutes in the morning just so to have even a slightest feel of the racket and table. I asked God to give me even only a single point for score.:)

The results? I lost the singles game, my gosh, how can I win against a veteran varsity player? Tita Flor (my teammate) and I won the doubles and Sir Vince and I lost the 5-set mixed doubles. In the end, us employees simply enjoyed the games.There was no pressure at all. I wish though that the next time I write my name on the invitational list of prayers, I will be an improved and better player.:)

(Photo courtesy of Tei Castillo)