Just taking a break from work.

When someone is cheating in a relationship, the relationship ceases to exist as it used to. The world you have built shatters right before your eyes. You can invest time, effort, and emotions into a relationship, but it stops to matter when the one person who promised to love you starts to cheat on you.

Of all the many ways your partner can cheat on you, having an emotional affair, one that’s full of caring and high regard for someone else, is the worst of all. A merely physical affair is forgettable, easier to set aside, as it involves no feelings. But an emotional affair, where your partner tells someone else he misses her, or that he wants to spend quality time with her and talk to her about all the things bothering her, is something that progressively eats away at the core of any relationship.

When someone cheats on you, the betrayal may become overwhelming. Trust may never be rebuilt. Feelings will never be the same.

You will never be the same. And that person who has broken your trust will forever be someone who has decided to do something hurtful without hesitation. He will always be that person who is capable of setting you and your feelings aside, just to get his way with someone else.

No, there is no repair. There is no full recovery. The prognosis is not hopeful. And when there is cheating in a relationship, it is best to leave it all in the past and move on to someone better, someone who will know what he has when he has you.

Here is my story on how someone close to me broke my trust; read it and get the catharsis you are looking for.

Today, I was watching my favorite game show when I realized that something was wrong:

 

It was as if the game was rigged, scripted to look like someone genuinely won.

 

The game (which I’m not going to name so that I don’t get sued – but if you’re “more intelligent than a ten year old”, you might be able to guess) involves answering ten to eleven questions to win a jackpot of $250,000. The woman seemed smart enough. Some people were even bowled over by how she answered one of the questions, which she said was a “guess.”

 

You see, she seemed too scared about her guess, and her fear was not proportionate to the intelligent guess that she did. It took a precise knowledge of integers and the properties of different triangles to do the calculation. The answer was easy enough if you knew what the many types of triangles and if you had just a little imagination. But to come up with a precise answer and to seem so scared of it seemed so… theatrical.

 

To paint a more vivid picture, imagine this: if I asked you to tell me what you ate yesterday and you were able to enumerate even the grams of pepper you used on your meals – and then you act all unsure and say you’re just guessing – then it will seem like you’re just acting dumb.

 

Yeah, I knew something was up with that episode.

 

I wanted to know if the contestant was indeed “more intelligent than a ten year old.” After winning all ten questions on the board, she was given the option of answering the jackpot question. If she got it right, she’d win $250,000. If she didn’t, she’d lose the $25,000 she had already won – and go home with nothing.

 

She seemed to be a smart woman. Yet she just went for the jackpot question and risked all the money she had. And yes, she won the jackpot, again making one of those guesses which she seemed “unsure” of.

 

I then started fishing online to see if my suspicions were correct. I saw a news bit that made me even more suspicious. The news article said she did not tell her husband for months that she won the jackpot. She “invited a camera crew to her house and let them record as she and her husband watched the pre-recorded episode for the first time.” And, believe it or not, it was the first time the husband found out that she won $250,000.

 

Really? You could do that? You could join a TV game show, come home, and not tell your husband the results of the contest for like half a year? And your husband won’t even try to urge you into telling him what happened? Really???

 

It all sounded too fishy.

 

It seems that very few people are “more intelligent than ten-year-olds.” But really, the entire thing sounded like it was a second rate B-movie plot – and totally rigged.

After wading in the flood, suffering from a fever, and losing my voice, I was way too tired to work. So, I decided to do something fun instead: show what makeup can do.

 

Makeup is like magic when it comes to pictures. Although people know that the pictures in magazines are of people who have makeup artists, they still seem to berate themselves for not looking as polished. To drive the point deeper, here’s a picture I want to share:

 

 

Now, take a peek at my left eye below:

 

Tada! Look at how different my right eye is from my left eye! That’s what makeup, falsies, and lenses can do.

1800 Select Silver Tequila. This tequila brand is 100 proof (50 percent by volume), giving it an alcohol content that is high enough for enjoyment. This is balanced by a smoothness that complements its strength nicely.

 

Tequila Tezon. The method of production used by this tequila brand is a combination of conservative technique and modern standards. Each type of tequila under the Texon brand is unique. For instance, the Blanco variety is quite clear and silky, while the Reposado variety carries a note of vanilla and a spicy bite. The Anejo variety, on the other hand, is quite velvety. It tastes creamy and has an oaky, butterscotch flavor.

 

Siembra Azul. This tequila is produced by a relatively new company. They have released three tequilas (anejo, blanco, and reposado) to date. All of their tequilas are made of 100% blue agave. Unlike other tequila brands, their tequilas are much lighter and have a fruity taste. Whether as a cocktail base or as a plain drink for sipping, this tequila is topnotch. However, the lightness of this brand may be something that other tequila aficionados may not like.

 

IXA Silver Tequila. Many tequila reviews will reveal how IXA Silver Tequila is actually an organic brand of silver tequila. It tastes like aged tequila but lacks the characteristic oak note; however, it still has an earthy flavor. It has a rich, clean, buttery finish, something unusual in tequilas. This brand, as are all other brands under the Green Bar Collective, is eco friendly. A special process is used in the production of this tequila, where only organically grown agave is used after it has matured completely. The agave is then baked gradually in clay ovens, after which the fibers are distilled & fermented. Other distilleries use agave juice, but IXA Silver Tequila is made from distilled agave fibers. This method is much more complex, but it adds to the earthy notes found in the final product.

 

Read more TEQUILA REVIEWS.

If you are looking for the best tequila, you should try going through the many tequila reviews found online. Different tequilas have different strengths and weaknesses: some have just the perfect smoothness but lack strength; others are strong but lack the smooth quality that people look for in a shot of tequila. Below are several summaries of different tequila reviews that you might want to read before you settle on a favorite.

 

Corrido Tequila. This relatively new brand was released almost two years ago. Their tequila is available in several versions, including extra anejo and blanco. The flavor of Extra Anejo Corrido Tequila is very reminiscent of butterscotch. The blanco version is crisp and would make a wonderful base for cocktail drinks. However, this brand may not be widely available in certain areas.

 

Dos Lunas. This brand has produced a super premium line. Bottled in Mexico, their tequila versions include grand reserve, silver, anejo, and reposado. At 80 proof, they feature a strength and smooth flavor that give them their super premium blend.

 

Tanteo Tequila. This company has produced three infused brands of tequila: chocolate, jalapeno, and tropical tequila. As many other tequila reviews would attest, all three are tasty, with the jalapeno tequila becoming a popular choice. They are infused by hand using natural ingredients. The tropical flavors (pineapple, mango, and guanabana) has a peppery taste that give character to their fruity nature. The chocolate tequila involves both jalapeno and raw cocoa, bringing a unique strong blend that adventurous palates might like. However, the chocolate tequila is best enjoyed for sipping and has a very limited role in cocktail drinks. Despite the tequilas having a jalapeno infusion, the jalapeno flavor is not overpowering or too spicy. They have a rich, smooth flavor that can be tolerated even by those who are not fans of jalapeno.

 

Patron Silver Tequila. This is a brand that can be marketed well for those who have not yet developed a taste for tequila. According to many other tequila reviews, it has a full agave flavor that does not overpower the senses and comes in a smooth texture. It is great for sipping but it would also be perfect as an alcohol base for cocktail drinks, especially those that use fresh fruits in the mix. However, this brand is expensive.

 

For more, check out the rest of the tequila reviews HERE.

 

*Written by Alma Jones

Don Julio. The blanco version of Don Julio tequila is surprisingly thick. The Anejo version is very fragrant and also thick, almost like brandy. The blanco version is not aged, while the anejo version is allowed to age for about one and a half years. They have many other versions: 1942, real extra anejo, reposado). All of these have individual flavor, but they all possess something in common: they have a distinct blue agave note.

 

Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila. This brand of tequila showcases a clear, silver look. Despite its appearance, its taste is both woody and rich, reminiscent of extra anejo, anejo, and reposado tequilas. It costs less than a hundred dollars, making it an affordable choice for those who want to enjoy sipping their tequila and savoring its individual notes. It has a unique clarity and blend because of its proprietary filtration. However, as a luxury brand of tequila, it is not easily available.

Gran Centenario. This brand features a blanco version that is first kept in an oak barrel for a month, something that is not done for other blanco tequilas. It is also rich and sweet, perfect for cocktail drinks. However, it does possess a rather dry finish and its alcohol content gives a slight burn.

 

 

Vintage 2010 Tequila Ocho Plata. The tequila company Tequila Ocho produces different tequila lines every year, from different agave estates. This ensures that each year, they come up with different flavors. Different tequila reviews will prove how each year has a unique taste to offer. This concept is similar to how wines are produced, something not followed by other tequila companies. They have a full blend that would complement many cocktail drinks, but this tequila would also do great for sipping.

 

Check out the rest of the tequila reviews HERE.

The June 15 lunar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines on Thursday, June 16, 2011. The eclipse will start at 1:24 a.m. and end at 7 a.m. But if you don’t have a telescope and you want to really see it, look at the moon at around 2:45 to 3 a.m. And by 4:12 a.m., the lunar eclipse would be total.

 

Here’s a more detailed summary of the different phases of the lunar eclipse on June 16, 2011 (Philippines):

 

• Penumbral eclipse: starts at 1:24 AM
• Partial eclipse: starts at 2:22 AM
• Greatest eclipse: 4:12 AM
• Partial eclipse: ends at 6:02 AM
• Penumbral eclipse: ends at 7:00 AM

 

I’m actually quite excited to see the moon change color. During a lunar eclipse, the moon won’t reflect light from the sun but the sunlight can still reach the moon indirectly, causing it to change color. It actually turns pink to a really dark red because our planet’s atmosphere will filter out the blue to violet parts of the light spectrum! In the meantime, some other dust particles will make the moon look dark red. How cool is that?

Let’s see the moon and get howling! Share your pictures of the June 16 lunar eclipse by posting the links in the comment section. I’ll be posting pictures of the June 16, 2011 lunar eclipse soon.

“You are great

because God made you.”

 

Well, that’s gonna sound like utter bull when someone tells you that. You might answer back, “Really? I’m great? How come so many people disagree?”

 

You see, a lot of people do stupid things. They think they know better. They think they know what perfection is. And you, my friend, are being dumb if you believe them.

 

You should be glad you’re not perfect. That way, others get the chance to share with you what you don’t seem to have.

 

 

Besides, it’s much more fulfilling to be loved despite all your imperfections, rather than to be loved because you’re perfect.

 

There should be a self-love day. We all deserve it.

Egad!

 

Haha. That’s all. I just wanted to say that word. It made me laugh today and I wanted to remember the moment.

 

Man, I must be tired because I’m spewing out useless blog posts.

Anger is not bad. It is an emotion, a natural thing for every human to experience. What becomes either bad or good is how we express this anger. Do you scream and curse when you’re angry? Or do you discuss your issues with the person involved, hoping to achieve a resolution? Anger either makes us or breaks us.

The good deeds that you do will not matter if you do not know how to control yourself when you are angry. Man’s capacity for restraint is what makes him different from any other living thing; man tries his best to show his civilized side regardless of how tempting it is to act like any other animal. We have learned to control emotions, instead of being controlled by emotions.

How about you, are you still in control whenever you get angry? Or do you lose your mind a little bit? Does anger overcome all your sensibilities? If you have anger management problems, don’t simply push them aside. Deal with them and be a better person by keeping your words and actions in check – even when you’re angry.

The above quote was taken from the book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. It’s a book worth reading.

According to a relationship article, “A semi-happy marriage is one of low conflict, low passion, and low satisfaction.” This means that couples who barely fight are couples who don’t care much about each other that they don’t see any point in fighting in the first place. It may also mean that these couples are avoiding issues that they have, deluding themselves into believing that a life without conflicts is a life without problems.

 

On the other hand, people who are passionate about their beliefs and feelings, especially towards each other, can’t wait to settle their issues, even if it means an argument or a drawn-out discussion. Couples who feel that their partner’s opinions matter will hash it out to make sure everything is settled – even if it means having a long discussion that ends with, “Let’s just agree to disagree.” In the end, airing out issues and knowing that an effort has been made to resolve them is the spice that keeps relationships flavorful, the spark that keeps the fire going.

 

Passion and conviction are important, that’s for sure. But the above realization is arguably a surprising one, since we expect couples to be better off if they’re rarely arguing about anything. Unfortunately, it was found out that having too few arguments means that the couple will easily get bored with each other.

 

Boredom can result in, no surprise here, infidelity. How many times have you heard of the seemingly happy couple who have healthy and happy kids, but who suddenly break up because one (or even both) want out?

 

Good news for those who keep bickering: you are passionate enough to care about what your partner thinks. So, don’t envy those who seem to be perfectly in tune with each other. Chances are, they’ll get bored out of their wits one of these days. Just make sure that when you do argue, you do so fairly. Don’t argue for the sake of arguing. Fight in moderation, I’d say. And yes, no name-calling and cursing. Keep it clean.

Dogs sometimes hump their humans. I mean, they hump everybody’s legs, they hump furniture, and that’s something almost all dogs do. Yes, dogs. So, what do I do when my cat starts humping everything like a dog does?

Answer: I take a video.

My beautiful cat has already been neutered, but he still has a stuffed toy that he humps. He sometimes gets bored with the stuffed toy and goes for my leg. He gets so frustrated (I can just imagine!) when I shoo him away gently, so I distract him with his favorite stuffed toy. Today, however, he was looking at me with such intense eyes that would have creeped me out if I wasn’t laughing so hard. I then took a video of it:

 

Experts say neutered cats still hump to show superiority. Others say it’s an instinctive behavior, kind of like kids exploring their gender-related personas. I also read about a few experts claiming that cats sometimes develop this behavior when there is a new person in the household or you’ve been really busy lately, as a way to get your attention.

Perhaps I’ll never figure out why my cat keeps humping my leg. But this funny video, I hope, will endear our pets to us all the more. They give us love (and sometimes even more), so we should celebrate every funny moment we have with them. Here’s to funny animal videos, and may our cats and dogs live forever in our hearts! Oh, and you can follow me and my black cat on Facebook – please do!

No, life is not about winning, or getting the most kicks, or kicking the most butts.

 

It was probably a little too late when I learned all that. Living my Stef-life for about thirty years now, I’ve been ambling on, hoping to just survive what seems to be an understatedly dangerous existential state. Life did not come with a handbook, after all. Yes, there was the small matter of learning stuff in school, but how could 1 + 1 help you when everything else in life is incalculable? Things that matter rarely add up.

 

I don’t know why I even woke up with that in mind. I was probably in the middle of a dream when consciousness came crawling back to me. It was going to be another slow day for me, something that’s very good for my burnt out mind.

 

I need to slow down. Or maybe life needs to speed up. (Whatever scratches your itch.)

Perhaps you don’t get my drift. Perhaps you never will. But that’s not entirely my fault. The doctors tell me I’m trying to actually live short of my potential (I was apparently gifted). But you know what they say, doctors can be wrong. Besides, your EQ is more important than your IQ test results.

 

Maybe I’m not gifted. Maybe I’m just weird and I pull that genius image off real well.

 

Okay, before this turns to a self-absorbed post, allow me to get back on track. They say that smart people get ahead in life. Maybe so, but there are things that require a little more than IQ points. Sometimes, to win, you need to lose. You need to collect a few stupid mistakes for you to become wiser. You need to get hurt, bashed to the point of bruising, and beaten to the point of dying before you realize you’re incredibly lucky to be alive.

 

There, I’ve finally jotted it down. I can go back to being superficial now.

Visiting my Alma Mater has always been a fun thing to do. A few days ago, I went to UST to accompany a friend of mine. We took pictures and goofed around. (I sincerely hope no patient of mine ever sees me pose the way I just did, blatantly striking poses in front of the main building.)

 

Wow, look at that megawatt smile! And I have no shame.

But hey, here’s to fun moments! And may I have many more pictures to come.

 

And here’s me making a sad face. I miss making such silly faces!

Fashion and style are so different, although they have been cut from the same cloth. Fashion is about trends, designers, runways, models, and anything that has everything to do with glamour. Style, on the other hand, is much more personal. It speaks of self-expression, of a language you speak through clothes. But fashion and style do go hand in hand.

 

A lot of people think immediately of brands when you say fashion. They think of Michael kors, Louis Vuitton, or the late Alexander McQueen. A lot of shoe lovers go for Cole Haan, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman, or Christian Louboutin. Talking about fashion is talking about names that are admittedly hard to pronounce. On the other hand, talking about style is discussing a sensibility that may make sense only to you.

 

And a lot of us do get the urge to splurge, just to be called fashionable. We end up buying a pricey Balenciaga motorcycle bag because it makes us look like we are in the know in terms of fashion. If we want to look upscale, we would give an arm and a leg just to get our hands on a Chanel bag. But spending on expensive designer goods is not something that would give you a sense of style.

 

Being trendy does not equate to being stylish. Style is cultivated, something that develops over time. It evolves slowly, becoming a window to your own taste. Picking up on trends may be something you can do anytime, but having style is something that does not come easily.

 

In the end, it is not about having the most expensive YSL bag, or wearing the latest look on the 3.1 Phillip Lim runway. No, it’s about knowing what looks good on you, wearing what seems sensible, and doing so with confidence.

Have you ever enjoyed what you’re doing so much that you lose track of time and your calendar is always just full? Well, I’m at that point in my life right now.

 

I’ve been juggling a lot of tasks lately. I don’t know when I can actually just sit down, relax, and watch TV. Lately, it’s been deadlines, trips to wherever, and sleeping late.

 

Just to be clear, I’m not complaining. I’m happy that I’m busy and glad to be. But yes, I wouldn’t mind a break, even if it was just one day, just so I can put on lotion as leisurely as I can. >_<

It seems that I am regressing into childhood. At least, in terms of how I style my hair.

 

I’ve been wearing pigtails lately. Here are a few pictures. I guess even as an adult, it’s okay for me to wear pigtails – as long as I don’t do so when I’m in the clinic. Imagine what my patients would say!

Thank God for animals. I sincerely believe that animals enrich our lives. For instance, I can’t imagine going home to a house without my cat waiting for me, rubbing against my legs, happy to see me. I can’t think of the many times I would look over at my pet cat and rub his tummy while he purred with pleasure – and it’s as if all my problems are too trivial to keep me from smiling.

 

My cat, sleeping on my bed

 

I also believe that, aside from being a privilege, having a pet is also a responsibility. When I go shopping, I look for cat food that my cat might like. I look for cat treats to give my cat when he does something worthy of a reward. I look for cat furniture that might make him more comfortable around the house. After all, my home is also his home.

 

Months ago, my quest for cat treats made me realize that there are too few pet shops that cater to cats’ special needs. My hunt for cat items brought me to online stores, where choices were more varied. Now, I’m on to my next quest – this time, for a cat bed. I came upon Outdora, a website that provides different items for cats and dogs alike.

 

Just recently, my friend adopted a 5 month old Chihuahua. He now has two dogs, both of which he takes good care of. I wanted to suggest that he purchase dog emergency kits, especially because his older dog has been wheezing recently. Nothing warms my heart more than people who are committed to giving their animals all the love and support they need.

 

Although we think of cats and dogs as our pets, they think of us as their humans, and rightfully so. They depend on us for food, shelter, and care. Let’s all keep our pets happy; after all, they’ve done the same for us. To all pet owners and animal lovers, the world is a better place because of you. ^_^

Many have been looking for Pinoy bloggers online, making me wonder why. Look around and you’ll see a lot of these ads:

Wanted: Pinoy Blogger

Pinoy Blogger for Hire

Pinoy Blogger Wanted

Pinoy Writer/ Blogger Wanted

I’m beginning to think that a lot of agencies have been looking for Filipino bloggers because labor is cheap in the Philippines. And because of the lack of opportunities in the country, most writers and bloggers go for so-so jobs from abroad, whether overseas or telecommute, as long as it puts bread on the table.

 

Bloggers and writers should get together and give each other the break they need. However, in this cut-throat world, the bloggers who are earning a lot don’t want to share their opportunities with amateurs among their ranks. Selfish, sad, but true.

 

I’ve received a lot of offers asking me to write long articles for unfair rates. I’ve said no so many times – and I don’t regret it. I wait for good breaks and take them. I’ve been busy with blogging and writing that I don’t even have the time to update my blog properly, such as change the favicon, change the theme, etc. Not that I’m complaining. I am a Pinoy blogger, but I can write better than some people who claim to be native English speakers. No, don’t take us Pinoy bloggers for granted. Besides, are you sure you can afford me?

 

Oh, and yes, I’m looking for Pinoy bloggers. Hihihi. Leave a comment if you’re interested.