A Starbucks Kind of Day!

I never go to Starbucks twice in a day!

Except last week when I was at the mall and had to wait for the Princess who was still having her Playtime.

I had a rare treat at Starbucks . . .

Some Me-time (yes, even if it was just for 15-mins), my Frap, my thoughts (lots of them actually!) and I had the whole place by myself (something that doesn't come often!).

Later that day, my Sister and I had to do an errand and went to Starbucks for some snacks.  She didn't feel like having a sandwich but I just had to have mine!  I just love Starbucks' Grilled Ham and Three Cheese Sandwich.  So I forced asked her to just try it and she did. . . .and we had to order another one, haha!  

Looooveee!  =)

This sandwich has two of my favorite cheeses, Mozzarrela and Emmenthal (placed on top of the sandwich) which gives the sandwich some gooey goodness as it is heated.  By the way, just in case you're wondering what's the third cheese in this sandwich, it's Cheddar.  I also like the garlicky flavor that you get in each bite.  I thought it was pesto but it isn't.  

If you haven't tried this sandwich, you should!  I hope you like it as much as I do =)  (Another Starbucks treat you should try is their Roasted Chicken Pesto and Shiitake Mushrooms sandwich)

Another Happy Tummy, Happy Mommy moment for me! =)

If Humpty Dumpty was Superman . . .

He would probably look like this . . . .

Haha!  Sooo cuuuttee!  (Humpty Dumpty is somewhere in this photo, haha!)

So I got curious with the other Justice League plush toys and found these. . . . 

Photo source: www.target.com

Batman and Flash. . . both of them looking mighty hefty, haha!

Wonder Woman is a beauty (as always! Heehee)

Photo from www.trinitytreasures.co.nz

So which Superhero do you want to see as a plushie? =)

Happy Easter!

The Princess is now at a stage where the "Whys" are starting to fly here and there. . .

Why she shouldn't put her fingers in her mouth
Why she can't play with the Rosary
Why do I have to use a sanitary napkin
Why she shouldn't eat that "stuff" from her nose
Why she has to love her baby brother

and the questions just keep coming. . .

Last Good Friday, we went around our City to see flagellants whipping themselves.  Some of them do it as an act of repentance for the sins they've done and some do it as a form of religious devotion.

I tried to explain to her (in a way that I hope she would understand) that they do this because they want to say sorry to Jesus.  

Princess:  Why?

Me: Because they did something bad and Jesus wasn't happy.

Princess: Why?

Me: They did something bad because. . . .(and I stopped, not sure of the answer!).  

And I wanted to tell her that God created us in His own image and likeness.  And that He loves us so much that He gave us the gifts of free will, intellect and choice.  But sometimes (probably most of the times!) we don't put these special gifts to good use that's why we fail ourselves and ultimately, we fail God for the choices we make.  But I have to make it simpler! 

It was not an easy thing to explain to her.  But it was a question that I wanted to ask myself too.  Why do we keep on doing bad things?!  So right there, while inside the van, in the middle of a busy street, I got a few minutes of personal reflection and repentance.  Thanks to a toddler who simply asked "Why"? 

As we celebrate Easter today, I wish that you find in your hearts the meaning of Easter in your life.  It may mean a new beginning, a chance to be a better person, a healing you've been praying for. . . or something that puts Hope and Love in your heart.  Whatever it is, I wish you a joyful heart today and always! =)

Happy Easter!!!

The Cosmetic Calculator

Ladies (and it can be useful for Gents too!), I think you're going to love this!

I was going through my kikay "beauty" stuff when I saw a bottle of Clinique Toner which I haven't been using for quite some time.  Though there was no expiration date, it has the manufacturing date (2011).  However, I wasn't sure if it's still safe to use so I went online hoping to find some answer.

Then I came across the . . . Cosmetic Calculator!!! (Angels singing Alleluia in the background!  Heehee)

All you have to do is select in the drop down list the brand of the cosmetic/beauty product (the site supports a LOT of products ranging from Bath and Body Works to Chanel!) you want to inquire about and input the "batch code" (I really don't know what to call those numbers, haha!) which is found on the product.  I think finding the right code to use is the tricky part.  I had to do it several times for Clinique.  To see if this site works, I tried inquiring about another brand (Kiehl's).  There was a code in the product label which was more distinct compared to Clinique's. 

I'm happy to say that the site actually works!  

The result turned out to be accurate because the manufacturing date listed on the product was indeed October 2012.  

This site is just so cooolll!  

Thanks to the Cosmetic Calculator, I know that I have to use the Clinique toner everyday. . . .because I only have until June of this year to use it!  Haha!

By the way, when you visit the site, the tab on Cosmetic Shelf FAQs is also helpful.  Please read the site's Disclaimer too =)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Growing up, we have probably heard this question a million times!  I always answered, "I want to be a doctor!" only because my parents are doctors.  There were days I wanted to become a cashier or a singer (though I can't carry a tune).  I also imagined having my own store, or that I was a bank teller!  

As I grew older, when I had to choose what Degree to take up in the University, I still didn't know what I want.  However, there was one thing I was sure of. . . I didn't want to become a doctor! Haha!

One thing that I learned from my parents was to choose something that I really like and one that is interesting for me because earning a Degree isn't easy.  They were probably hoping that I would consider becoming a doctor but they never imposed.  They were there to guide, to advise but they never imposed and that is one thing I appreciate about them.  Making our own choice was what mattered most.

So I went to the University, took up something which sounded . . . umm nice, haha!  (If you're wondering what it was, it was a Double Degree in Applied Economics and Marketing).   No, I didn't get the chance to apply what I learned but I did get to do a job that I really, really loved and this is one thing that I'm grateful for in my life! =)

To my dear Princess, 

Choices are part of our everyday lives.  We can only hope (and pray) that we make the best one each time we have to do so.  Don't be discouraged if you make the wrong one.  You'll be surprised that the bumps along the way may actually be blessings in disguise.   

I wish that the future brings you where you want to be, where you can be your best and most especially where you will be happy =)

*All photos are owned by Highgrove