A lot of people are passionate about cars. Some of them treat their cars like they were their own children. So when my mom’s car started making weird sounds, I was not surprised that she freaked out.

Funny thing is, it wasn’t even an expensive car. It was a Toyota Altis, and it’s been six years since my mom drove it out of the car dealer’s showroom. So when the old Altis started rumbling like a meat grinder about to overheat, I thought it was just about time that it did. My mother, on the other hand, was about ready to pull out her hair.

Yes, she really loved her car. It didn’t matter that her car was nothing near a collector’s item. It didn’t matter that she could afford to buy a brand new car, one that looked much better. No; to her, the old Altis was her pet.

Because the car started acting up during Christmas Eve, I knew we would be having problems trying to get the car fixed anytime soon. I then tried to look for websites that offered ways to diagnose the car’s problem. I checked out Repairpal where I found several articles related to car trouble.

I showed my mom a few articles from Repairpal regarding cars having similar problems. It was, of course, not the same as actually going to a car repair center and having them check the car, but it provided information that shed light on the issue. I showed my mom a query from another car owner about rattling sounds that his car made. My mom, after knowing what may be wrong with her beloved Altis, felt a bit appeased that the rumbling sound was no longer too much of a mystery.

Yep, thank God for internet. Who knows? Perhaps even TV will become more interactive in the future.

I’ve blogged just a while back about how my write-up was published on a blog after my name was deleted unceremoniously. Because of this blatantly plagiaristic posting, I asked for my byline to be published with my work, the way it should have been. (For the complete story, read this.)

The bloggers responded, but their reply did nothing to appease me. They said that press releases were usually published without indicating the writer.

What a terrible excuse! Since when did publications, whether offline and online, start publishing press releases without indicating who wrote them?!

In addition, the blogger responsible for the slight said, “Bloggers don’t usually quote, or if ever, we refer to the notes and then we do it in our own words.”

“Bloggers don’t usually quote.” Wow. Already, I smell the alibi of a plagiarist who feels no remorse for copying without quoting.

“We refer to the notes and then we do it in our own words.” So they do know that blog content needs to be original.

I seriously hoped that blogger was speaking for himself.

Unfortunately, I found out that it was not just one blogger who was guilty of having done this. How could not just one, but a handful of bloggers deliberately delete my byline? It’s just unacceptable. Not to me, and especially not according to the law.

Sigh. I need a back rub before my blood pressure kills me. Of course, a more decent apology is also in order.

I have fond memories of being on call and assisting at the operating room. I’ve always loved wearing scrub suits as my uniform – I tend to smell of glove powder and Cutasept whenever I wear scrubs. I do regret the fact that I never really bought a lot of scrub suits when I was still on call in the hospital.

 

Perhaps the idea of wearing scrubs and going on duty in the O.R. is something that seems more palatable in theory than in reality. The discomfort of having to stand for hours on end – and the swollen ankles to boot – are no laughing matter. Perhaps that’s why we get such comfortable scrub suits to wear inside the O.R.; it’s the least they can do to make us even just a bit more comfortable.

 

I do have a bone to pick with people wearing scrubs: why do they wear long sleeved shirts underneath their scrub suits? It’s a trend that a lot of health personnel would want to adapt, but it’s just not something you can do if you want to follow the handwashing technique to the letter (you have to wash up to your elbows).

 

Why I never collected scrubs like my colleagues, I don’t know why. I don’t even have to purchase from the stall right beside the hospital anymore, what with websites selling scrubs now, such as http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/. Yes, the thought of scrubs does bring back memories.

Getting together with old friends is always a pleasant task. Just a few days ago, I met up with my friends, Muriel and Hazelle. We have been friends for sixteen – sixteen! – years now.

When someone knows all your flaws, all the skeletons in your closet, yet accepts you to have enough gall to scold you, it feels like you have an itch that you can finally scratch to the point of bleeding. Yeah, I know, it’s that morbid.

And while we ranted and guffawed to our hearts content, we talked about suspenders, Sor Teresa, crashing the bride’s honeymoon suite, and smoking with red lipstick.

Yes, these stories are hilarious and utterly ridiculous. These are our stupid stories, which we enjoy immensely in our own silly ways, with or without wine. Life is harsh and almost surreal in its capacity to bring pain, but it also yields a motley crew of friends that are there to stay and embarrass you with their semi-accurate accounts of your past. And yes, they make all the pain (and the stories of cock and dick trees) worth it.

It’s interesting when, for the first time, you realize that your work has just been plagiarized.

A lot of people have a vague idea of what plagiarism is. Some think it has something to do with copying what isn’t originally yours, which is part of the word’s definition. But to be more accurate, YourDictionary defines plagiarism as “The act of appropriating the literary composition of another author, or excerpts, ideas, or passages therefrom, and passing the material off as one's own creation.” A simpler definition from Macloo: “Copying some text and using it without indicating that it was copied or where it was copied from.”

But hey, didn’t I just “copy” the definitions above? Does that make me guilty of plagiarism? Nope. That’s because I made sure to indicate where I got the definition. In other words, I gave credit to wherever I copied the ideas.

A lot of people commit plagiarism without even knowing it. For instance, if I copied the definitions above without quoting or indicating where I got them from, I am pretty much guilty of it. And last night, someone did exactly that to my work.

A blogger posted a press release, which I wrote, on his blog. It would have been great, except that he deleted my byline which I typed right after the write-up. Whatever I’ve written is now up for everyone to see on his blog, published under his name, without any credit to me whatsoever.

I wrote the press release for a friend as a favor. Perhaps I put too much faith in my friend to make sure my work doesn’t get published as a write-up purchased from some ghostwriter who lives in the woods. It would have been prudent for my friend to at least check that my byline remains with my write-up at all times. Unfortunately, these human safeguards were a big fail.

What surprised me more was how the blogger blatantly deleted my name before publishing the write-up. I’ve been dealing with bloggers for a long time. Bloggers, for some reason, have a good grasp of plagiarism. They know that publishing a guest post without giving due credit is a big no-no. That’s why I was shocked that a supposedly professional blogger deleted my byline before publishing my work.

To make sure you don’t commit plagiarism unknowingly, here are a few suggestions:

• Don’t recycle original ideas. There might be someone you know who has a unique way of getting something done, and you want to do what he does because his idea is simply brilliant. But as his idea comes to fruition courtesy of you, has it ever occurred to you that the idea was not really yours and that you never asked permission to use it? Yes, even non-written ideas can be plagiarized. Stick to your own ideas – I’m sure you have the brain cells to come up with your own.
• Always mention your sources. Even if you never meant to pass off someone else’s words as your own, not mentioning the fact that they’re not yours in the first place already makes you unwittingly guilty of plagiarism. Always quote your sources. It’s all about giving credit, whether it’s just a phrase, a sentence, a paragraph – or, in my case, a 715-word writeup – that is involved.
• Read about plagiarism. Yes, it helps. The more you know about what it really is, the more you avoid the pitfalls. After all, ignorance of the law does not exempt you from it.

Plagiarism is ugly. Sometimes, people don’t even know they’ve committed it. I learned that when it comes to publishing someone else’s written word, disclosure really matters. One thing’s for sure: I now understand why so many authors and artists are so willing to file a lawsuit when their work gets unduly “copied.”

As for the guilty party’s response, read it here.

Should his antidote mount a stumbling soup? How much would you like a toothbrush?

 

Yeah, I know, those sentences don’t make sense. They’re just random thoughts, something that came to me in a dream. Or through an opportunity. Same banana, methinks.

I just bought my very first hard anodized nonstick pan. It’s almost too heavy for my left hand to carry, but the salespeople have been ranting about it. Of course, before I bought the hard anodized nonstick Teflon pan, I had to do a little sleuthing.

As I went around the store to look for a nonstick Teflon pan, I noticed one thing: all nonstick pans seemed to be made of aluminum. Apparently, Teflon adheres better to aluminum than to other metals, so cookware manufacturers usually make their nonstick pans out of aluminum.

Of course, there has always been the link between aluminum in food and Alzheimer’s disease, which is why I discourage my friends to use aluminum pots and pans. But most Teflon nonstick pans are made of aluminum, which made me stay away from nonstick pans for quite a while.

Recently, I found out that hard anodized nonstick Teflon pans, despite being made of aluminum, may be much safer than regular aluminum nonstick pans. Hard anodization is a process that hardens aluminum, to the point that it becomes even harder than stainless steel. The hardened aluminum becomes resistant to chipping, even after years of abuse in the kitchen. Unlike regular aluminum pots, they are supposedly much safer in terms of aluminum contamination of cooked food.

Aluminum, in addition to being an ideal metal for Teflon products, actually heats up evenly. Have you ever noticed how steel pans have hotter areas and tend to burn at certain spots, producing unevenly cooked food? Aluminum pots don’t have that problem as aluminum heats up evenly. Hard anodized nonstick pans, even when they have been processed to be harder, are still made of aluminum and also heat up very evenly.

So, it seems that hard anodized nonstick pans retain the good features of aluminum (even heating, easy binding with Teflon) while solving the problems associated with aluminum cookware (aluminum contamination, lack of durability). In addition, since the aluminum doesn’t break apart easily, the Teflon doesn’t peel off or get damaged as easily. This means that the hard anodization has actually increased the shelf-life of the Teflon. 

Looking at the bottom of the pan. It’s a pretty dark color that supposedly darkens even more beautifully the more you use it. (My cat, ever curious, takes a tentative sniff.)

A few more things I like about hard anodized nonstick pans: since they are nonstick, I tend to use less oil, which bodes well for my health. The food I cook no longer gets burned (I use an electric stove so the heat can’t be adjusted quickly), and even the thinnest crepes look so evenly cooked.

I am no chef, but I’m glad I bought a hard anodized nonstick pan. I spent almost $50 on it, so it better be worth it!

Stanley goes to the supermarket and gives us a dose of his being suplado:

I guess his being suplado is consistent. Not even the supermarket was spared from his suplado criticism.

I remember trying on clothes inside one of my favorite shops. I was feeling good – I felt like it was the day I would go home with ten shopping bags.

I tried on one shirt and went out to the big mirror right outside by fitting room. There was one other customer, probably in her forties, trying on a dress. She was parading it in front of someone who seemed to be her husband.

Or maybe he was her boyfriend. But no, they had this air of familiarity, like they lived in a little cozy personal space that nobody else could penetrate. Their privacy was theirs and theirs alone, despite the fact that the woman was twirling around in front of two salesladies who had plastered-on smiles on their faces.

And then I realized, her husband (boyfriend?) was staring at me.

I tried on about four tops and a skirt. I went with the skirt; it was cute. I returned the rest to the saleslady attending to me. “They don’t look good on me,” I explained with a smile.

And as I passed by the couple, the husband-boyfriend-man spoke to me directly. “What do you mean they don’t look good on you? Everything you tried on looked great on you.”

He was a jerk.

No, he wasn’t a jerk for giving me what seemed to be a tongue-in-cheek compliment. But he was a jerk for staring at me, the younger woman, the one he will never see again, the woman he doesn’t even know, while his significant other was trying her damnedest best to look pretty for him, listening with shame and disappointment while he complimented somebody else in front of her.

She was his. He was hers. It was so plain for everyone to see that they were together. Yet to him, she was just as good as invisible. She was trying too hard to please him, to make him notice that she exists. Why would she want to stay?

At that moment, I made a promise to myself: I would rather be alone than be miserable with someone who just wasn’t that into me.

I fell asleep while reading my book. I wasn’t bored; I just hated the psychology behind it. It had a funny title: The Frog King. I thought it was like The Frog Prince, but I was sorely mistaken – there was nothing about the protagonist that remotely resembled a noble prince who merely leaped and croaked like a frog. The frog king in the story was just like a slimy, sleazy frog who found a woman crazy enough to stomach him.

Adam Davies, the author, decided to create such a mediocre guy named Harry. Harry was far from the valiant, honorable man that often seemed real – as long as they stayed in a book. But Harry, he was no hero; he was just like most guys I know.

Harry was like any average guy: he thought like a guy, moved like a guy, and scratched his crotch like a guy. He was officially with Evie, but who could blame him for flashing a toothy grin at the really cute Jersey girl in the party? And, just like any other regular guy, Harry got caught flirting with the Jersey girl – by none other than Evie.

Evie was just like any average girl. But she was, in Harry’s eyes, almost too good for him. And just like any girl who caught her guy canoodling with some other girl, she argued with Harry.

“Arguing with Evie is like playing chess against Garry Kasparov – every move you make gets you into deeper trouble – but I want her to know that I really didn’t mean anything, that it is just the unfortunate residue of a soon-to-be-conquered habit, that she is the only good and beautiful thing that’s ever been in my life.”

--  from Adam Davies’ The Frog King

And yet Harry had the heart to flirt with the Jersey girl. Men.

(Here’s more about The Frog King.)

I was browsing in the bookstore today and I saw a book that called out my name. It was a book written by Adam Davies entitled The Frog King. Its very first paragraph said,

Probably I would be better off if I didn’t date E women. With me it’s always been Laurie, Jenni, Candy, Maggie, Debbi, Stacey – all my life, just me and the cheerleading squad. You should find yourself a nice A girl, Keeno always tells me. I can see myself dating a Sasha. There are plenty of girls out there whose names don’t even end in vowels – Megan, Beth, Doris, you name it. I bet I’ve even slept with a few. A friend of mine in college dated a Sam, and she seemed perfectly happy. One thing’s for sure: I should know by now that dating an E girl spells trouble.

My name is Steffie. I’m an E girl. I knew I had to read the book. Already, I’m hooked. The almost superficial, conversational way the author tells the story is something I haven’t read in a while.

It’s a great book for when you want to feel good and forget the little problems you have outside of the written world. Yes, you should get it – especially if you’re dating an E girl.

The Frog King by Adam Davies. If you’re dating someone (or you aren’t and you want to kick yourself for it), then buy it. But be warned: as the back cover of the book says, this is not a fairy tale.

Photobucket has been hosting some of my photos since forever. I’ve had no problems with Photobucket… until now. Is photobucket down?

I’ve been asking myself (and doing some sleuthing online, of course) if Photobucket is indeed down because all my photos there are unavailable. If you are reading this post before 1 p.m. today (11 p.m. for some states in the United States), then you can probably see the rather unattractive box to the right of this post, saying:

We’re doing a little work right now

Your Image will be back soon

Photobucket

Man… I’m thinking of doing something about it and hosting the images somewhere else for now, but I don’t need the extra work. But what’s going on with Photobucket?

When you go to Photobucket’s website, you will see this announcement:

Yes, Photobucket is down… but for a select few users only. I don’t feel so special being part of this elite few. Sigh.

I wonder what they mean by, “We’re in the middle of resolving an issue that affects a small percentage of our users.” Is there some sort of worm or virus in their system, or perhaps there has been a hacking attempt at Photobucket?

A lot of Photobucket users, especially those counting on Photobucket for their eBay listings, are pulling their hair out in frustration. I can imagine being greatly distressed if my eBay auctions are about to end and I’m expecting a lot of bids, then the pictures in them suddenly get replaced by an apology by Photobucket. Ouch.

No worries, the estimated time for Photobucket to be back up for everyone is at around 1 p.m. today. Hopefully, Photobucket will no longer be down by then and the site will be done with its “issue resolution”.

How I wished I had a yogurt dispenser.

 

Yes, yogurt is my new manna. I love how tart it tastes, how it melts in my mouth and makes my tongue tingle. If I had a yogurt dispenser, I’d have yogurt three times a day.

 

Well, it’s just wishful thinking… for now. But until then, I’ll make do with nonfat ice cream. It’s not the same, but it will do.

 

*NOTE: This is my most useless blog post, ever. I don’t know what possessed me to write it.

Today’s demand for affordable but fashionable clothes is increasing. As economy grows to be more unstable, more and more people are trying to find ways to dress well without having to break the bank. Every online store and clothing warehouse strives to be more competitive, to offer timeless or trendy pieces with prices that are almost too good to be true.

Is good old shopping at the mall fast becoming obsolete?

Online stores such as eBay and Amazon are currently at the forefront when it comes to convenient online shopping. However, they offer not only clothes and apparel, but also all other types of gadgets, gizmos, and almost anything that can be put on sale. It is this lack of specificity that brings the clothing warehouse Clothing4All to the forefront. With an online store that specializes in clothes and accessories, focus on competitive prices and quality is maintained.

But what makes online shopping a more viable way of looking for clothes? As life becomes more demanding, not everybody can spare time for the mall. Shopping online spares the trouble of having to drive all the way to the store, browse through racks, and tolerate the throngs of shoppers who, just like you, want to get the best buys.

Even the most trusted brands are setting up their own online stores. Designers are starting to realize that there is an untapped market: those who would love to go shopping but simply do not have the time to do so. With online stores, one gets to compare the prices of different items. Without leaving one’s home, you can choose exactly what clothes you want and have them delivered right to your doorstep.

Fashion bloggers are also catching on. No longer banking on expensive luxury items, bloggers now focus on style more than trends. They are proud to declare that their outfits are the result of thrift shopping and online purchases, proudly displaying their ability to make even the most inexpensive clothes look like they should be paraded on the runway.

Times have changed. Fashion is fast evolving. Online shopping is catching on – don’t be the last to know.

Uh-oh. My name is in Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips book.

I’ve always dreamed of seeing my rather generic name on a book – as the author, that is. But being mentioned in a book’s acknowledgment page is like eating a bowl of laksa: it’s not gonna taste the same for everyone.

So, what role did I play to have my name printed inside the pages of Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips, anyway? (Am I even anywhere near being suplada to begin with?)

May I interrupt myself for a moment. For those who do not know what suplado or suplada means, read on:

SUPLADO. noun. 1) Someone you secretly want to punch in the face; 2) Someone you secretly want to be; 3) The new sexy – or so they say.

And yes, maybe this is just a ploy to get the book hyped, gossiped about, and sold like pancakes at National Bookstore or Fully Booked. Also, I know the question is coming my way, so I have to think of a really good answer.

But let’s make it a little bit more fun, shall we? And, as in any multiple choice exam, there may be more than one correct answer, but you should choose only the best answer.

QUESTION: Why is my name in Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips book? 

A.  Stanley Chi owes me money and it’s his way to suck up to me.
B.  I am the ORIGINAL suplada and Stanley Chi is simply my student.
C.  I was gagged, tied, and forced to write a short bio for Stanley Chi’s Suplado Tips book.
D.  Stanley Chi has a major crush on me.

Care to venture a guess? I know, I know, the obvious answer is D, but try again.

If you haven’t read the book yet, sheesh, you should. Haven’t you heard? My name is in it! Besides, they say suplado is the new sexy, but why take my word for it? Buy the book, read it, and more importantly… don’t lend it to anyone. (They should buy their own copy, duh.)

Stanley Chi, the Senpai of Supladoness

Oh, and as for the correct answer to the above question, it’s in the book. Yep, you’re gonna have to buy it to find out!

Yes, the summer heat is back! Gone is the cold winter chill – and so are all clothes lined with faux fur and thick wool. Now comes the summery breeze that makes us bring out our favorite swimsuits. But do you know which swimsuit fits your body? And is last year’s swimsuit still beach-worthy, or do you owe yourself a little bikini shopping?

Yes, even swimsuits follow the rules of fashion, which means there are trends, and then there’s your individual style. The right swimwear for you would involve a balance of both, which entails a knowledge of what’s hot this season, and a knowledge of your own body type.

Although your two-piece bikini might have been perfect before, perhaps it’s time to try a onesie the next time you bask in the sun. Below are a few top picks if you need a maillot makeover.

Lanvin believes in the classic yet different. Lanvin's most recent resortwear feature one-piece swimwear that promise to cover yet flatter.

 

 

 Lanvin Resort 2011

 Lanvin Resort 2011

Chanel also has swimwear that brings you back to that age when bubblegum and pigtails used to flatter. Chanel's swimsuit collection for 2011 promises to make you look years younger.

Chanel Resort 2011

Michael Kors believes in animal appeal, in the figurative and the literal sense as well. Simple cutout maillots with anything-but-simple animal print will keep you from looking boring.

 Michael Kors Resort 2011

Of course, not everything has to be out there. Try wearing a stylish cover-up over your swimwear. Yes, sometimes, bearing less is so much more. It may not be necessary to cover everything up; you can do away with either the top or bottom, such as seen on Yves Saint Lauren's Resort Collection for 2011.

 YSL Resort 2011

 YSL Resort 2011

And make sure you wear a reliable sunscreen before you hit the shore. Aside from protecting your skin from the harsh sun, sunscreen lotions also add a sexy sheen to your skin.

Lastly, remember to wear your swimsuit with confidence. All clothes owe their true beauty to the person wearing them. When you’re comfortable in your own skin – and in your own swimwear, for that matter – it makes you hot enough to match the summer heat.

 

Yes, I tend to grin like a maniac when I’m bored. Welcome to my world. ^_^

I feel like I’ve hit a brick road, decided to speed up, and ended up with a broken leg. Still, I lived to tell about it.

Of course, I’m speaking figuratively. Don’t let my cryptic Stef-talk bewilder you. Let my Facebook wall posts do that instead:

Freaking out because your flight was delayed? I wonder how you'd react if your period was delayed instead.

I don't get people who join marathons but use the elevator to get to the showers.

It's true; no matter what you say, no matter how you may want to argue otherwise, we are all reflections of our parents and how they brought us up.

Let's not carry grudges. It's bad for the skin.

I deserve better. Hm, too arrogant. Let me rephrase that: I deserve different.

Perhaps nobody will ever fully understand your life. Perhaps that's why it's special.

‎"Your boyfriend is lucky." -- what a guy would say to find out if you do have a boyfriend. Nothing -- what you should say to keep him wondering.

No matter how bad my day has been, I try to remember... that I look good.

Too many people trying to sneak a peek at my laptop. I've said it before & I'll say it again: I don't hold the winning lotto combination!

Before you start missing someone who broke your heart, think not only of the good things about her, but also of the bad - just so she doesn't smell so good in your thoughts. Yes, you deserve the clarity.

Women need to broaden their definition of a good man. Men need to narrow down their definition of a good woman.

I miss the old me. But I like myself more now - you know, the young me.

You can get anything for your date on Valentine's. Just don't get her pregnant.

The next time you're tempted to say someone's ugly, you might want to remember this: it takes one to know one.

When you get the feeling that you deserve better, you're probably right.

We all have walls. Not because we want people out, but because we want to see who gives enough of a damn to break through them.

Women are high maintenance. And the men who like maintaining them get the privilege to keep them.

I know what to think of cheating husbands. But I don't quite know what to think of women who tolerate their cheating husbands...

When a glass cracks, throw it away before it breaks in your hands.

Yes, my Facebook wall reads like an emotionally charged mood board, but that’s okay. After all, it’s very me.

When you like someone but you’re not sure if that person is worth your time, there is only one question you need to ask:

“Are you a dog person or a cat person?”

The answer to this question will tell you a lot about what kind of person someone is. For instance, a dog person tends to be a more sociable person, while a cat person tends to be more philosophical or creative.

No, I’m not making this up. According to a study conducted at the University of Texas, people who love dogs tend to be extroverts. They are mostly agreeable people and are more conscientious. People who love cats, on the other hand, tend to be more neurotic (obsessive-compulsive, etc.), but scored higher on the “openness” factor (which means they are more creative, more philosophical, and tend to think out of the box).

This does make sense, since dogs love to spend time with their humans while cats only like your company for a certain amount of time.

Of course, you should always take these findings with a grain of salt. They are, at best, mere approximations. You can never tell what kind of person someone is until he or she becomes either your “human” or your “pet”, yes?