Saturday Shopping Haul

Finally it's a weekend! Spent the whole Saturday strolling in a mall. It's my first time to go back to the city since I arrived here in the Philippines. A little bit worried because I'm all alone but thank God everything went well (had a safe bus ride going to the mall and back to my place, didn't encounter creepy passengers, and enjoyed checking all the stuff in different shops).

Hello MOA! We meet again! (image source here)

Top view of the 42-hectare SM property (image source here)

SM Mall of Asia or simply MOA, I have to say is my most favorite shopping haven of all the malls/department stores in the metro because of the following:

• It's area is so vast but I love the fact that it's only two floors and the orientation of the shops are not confusing. 
• The ceiling is really way up (I hate places with low ceilings, sorry SM department store in Mega).
• The hallways are very wide. This helps me choose which way I want to go to avoid the many groups of mall-goers.
• There are a lot of international and local brands to choose from. Yey!
• Every door from the main mall has a shop locator and a person with whom you can ask your inquiries.
• And lastly, it's proximity. It's the nearest mall from the bus terminal.

So now, I'll be sharing the things that I got. =)

1.Laneige Lip Treatment, SPF 17

Presenting the Tint Pink Lip Treatment. I also made a swatch.

Laneige is a South Korean skin care and cosmetics line. See previous post here. The first product that I used was the Water Bank Gel Cream back when I was still in Korea. I love it because it moisturizes my combination skin well during the winter season. Since then, I've been wanting to try other Laneige products. I was initially eyeing a lipstick but since my lips are chapped, the sales lady had me tried on the Lip Treatment. It's like a lip balm + lip tint with SPF 17. Again, I love how it moisturizes my dry lips and gives a touch of color (I chose the Tint Pink) and, of course, how it protects my lips from the sun. I also tried the red one (included in my must-buy next time) which gave a more natural color.

2. Laneige Snow BB Cream, SPF 30+ PA++

I've been using BB cream for almost two years now. I've tried lots but the one that works well on my skin is Holika Holika's Face to Change BB cream (maybe I can make a review sometime). Unfortunately, Holika Holika hasn't opened a shop yet here in the Philippines.

Nowadays, there are so many brands of BB creams in the market but I still prefer the ones from Asia (particularly South Korea). Since I was already in Laneige, I also bought their Snow BB Cream in No. 2 shade (Natural BB). The lighter shade is No. 1 (Brightening BB). It's product details include: 1) Moisture protective seal, Liquid Crystal Essence and 2) Smart and Advance BB Cream with whitening, anti-wrinkle, and UV protection. I love the latter (anti-wrinkle, etc.) but the former (moisturizing) I'm just not sure because of my combination skin (oily T-zone and normal surrounding areas) and it behaves badly especially in this hot, humid weather. Well, I have yet to see the results. Hoping it will work out fine.

Aside from the products, there's more to love when you buy in Laneige (or any other Korean brand), they give you lots of gift items (in sachet packs) to try on! Can't wait! I even requested the Water Bank Eye Gel because I am in desperate need of a weapon for my crow's feet.

3. Petit Monde Dress
Petit Monde is a Filipino clothing brand of good quality and reputation. Petit Monde started in 1988. Wow, I'm just a year older! The description in their site says,

Started in 1988, Petit Monde aimed for one thing: to provide the regular Filipino teen trendy options to dress up the way they want to - no frills, no pretenses, no pomposities. Just comfortable and stylish numbers that speak about their generation...Petit Monde also brings it up on themselves to grow up with the teen market with whom it all started by coming up with labels that cater to young adults, and chic yuppies. 

The first time I got a Petit Monde clothing was when I was 10 years old. It was a hand-me-down playsuit from my older cousin. What I remember was the beautiful old rose color, the feel of the fabric, and the pearl buttons. Sadly, I only wore it once or twice maybe because I was still in that phase where I choose baggy pants and loose shirts over girly clothes. The old days! Now, after 16 years, I got my second Petit Monde item.

It was a beautifully crafted dress. Here's the story: Actually, I have no intention of buying a dress. For some reason I found myself in their shop, looking intently at every item. It's nice that their clothes are grouped according to color. I was in the cream stand when I found a dress. It may sound exaggerated but it's like love at first sight. I really like the dress - the simple cut, the artistic design, the luxurious feel of the fabric...

The sales lady said it's also available in another color. She showed me the blue green version and it was definitely lovely. I was talking to myself, convincing myself not to buy. Hehe. I was pleased just staring but the sales lady suggested for me to try both dresses. The blue green in small size and the cream in medium (since it's out of stock for small). Surprise, surprise! The blue green fits perfectly in all the right places! The line, "It covers my flaws and emphasizes my assets." really applies. Haha! From the shoulders, to covering my stomach, up to the hem line - it's just perfect! Even the sales lady agreed and said lots of good things. So in the end, with a paper bag in hand, I walked out of the shop as happy as I can be. Teehee!

Here's a better picture =)

Being in my mid twenties, I am now starting to invest in pieces of clothing that are of good quality. Pieces that are classic and timeless. And this one goes right into my collection. Although this may be the priciest among all the dresses that I have so far, I can say that every penny is worth it. =)

More pictures of my new favorite clothing shop.

And of course, I had a pic together with the friendly and beautiful sales ladies. Well, well, well, I will definitely go back to Petit Monde and get that privilege card!

Now, the question is, when will I wear this dress? To my friends, please get married now! Haha!

Favorites: Prints and Shift Dresses

Orla Kiely Flower Tunic Dress in Sunset Flora Print

ASOS Shift Dress In Animal Print

Sister Jane Tear Drops Dress

ASOS Shift Dress with Cornelli Trim

Note: Click on the captions to be directed into the site.

Change Is Constant

When I was a kid I felt that days, weeks, months, and years go by slowly. So slow that I want to hurry growing up. But now that I've grown already, everything has completely changed. Look at the calendar. Yes, time definitely flies. It's June and we're already halfway through 2013! Whew!

A lot of things have happened over the course of the past five months. From living in Korea to moving back here in the Philippines; from being a graduate student to being in the workforce again; from experiencing and loving winter, spring, summer, and fall to once again experiencing and loving/hating that summer-all-year-round feeling. To be honest, it's hard to adjust to the changes that happen in our lives, especially if you're comfortable to how your life used to be, but change is the only thing constant in this world. You have to accept it and learn to live with it. So yeah, let's just say that I'm starting to embrace it now...little by little.

How about you? Are you ready for CHANGE?



Oufit:
Mixxo dress

Because I Miss Fashion

ZARA Lookbook 

(April 2013)

Source: Click here.

Bullying happens everywhere

Just when you thought you're done with the bullies you met in school, you realize 

that bullies also exist at work. 

A sad reality: Bullying happens everywhere. It can happen among kids, teenagers, and even among adults. They say maturity comes with age but it doesn't apply for everyone. They say maturity comes with experience but it also doesn't apply for everyone. Sometimes, people who are older than you, people who are more experienced than you, people whom you expect to teach and lead you are the ones who bully you.

The past three weeks (which is also my first three weeks at work) has been an emotional roller coaster ride. Seriously, it felt like three months already. Every day I wake up thinking of what will happen. Will my immediate supervisor talk to me in a loud voice again (to the point of scolding)? Will he point my mistakes over and over again? Or will I be spared from his moody personality for even just one day? It's difficult to live in a situation like that. Anxiety is my constant companion.

My immediate supervisor is a fellow Filipino who has studied and lived in different countries. He's way older than me, twice my age plus add a few more years. He always says he has 25 years of experience. Yes, I know he's intelligent and all. He's very outspoken and direct to the point. But the problem is, his outspokenness lead to the point of being arrogant and intimidating. He's like the Mr. Know-It-All. I remember during my second day at work, he asked me what I did in Korea and I told him what my experiments were about and then he asked about the softwares I used. I said I haven't really used a software but I just compared the sequences using BLAST. He then told me that even elementary students know how to use it (in a loud voice). To be honest, I was insulted of what he said. It's like saying that I know nothing, and even kids can do what I've been doing. Out of respect, I just didn't say a word. I just fell silent. Several instances like that happened. He's always the one who has a say. He's always the one who's correct. He wanted me to do exactly what he's been doing. And for him, the other people in the lab are not doing their job well. He's always the one who's superior and I and the other labmates are the inferior beings. But during all those moments I just keep my cool. I try to avoid answering back at him out of respect. But there were nights when I feel that I should have defended myself and my labmates, that I should have told him that what he's doing is wrong, that putting other people down and regarding himself highly is not a quality of a good leader. A good leader encourages others to do well. A good leader uplifts others.

A week ago, after discussing some work matters, I told him what I felt. I told him that I'm nervous, that I'm fearful, that I feel small when I'm with him. I even got teary-eyed. He asked me why and I told him he's very outspoken and intimidating. It was kind of a long conversation but in the end he said that he will not change himself because that's what he is. He even told me he'll give me his bio data so that I'll know him more. A bio data, seriously? What an arrogant human being! Deep inside me, I wanted to tell him this, "Why do all the people around you always need to be the ones to adjust to your attitude, why can't you make an effort to change?" He's really testing my patience.

Last Friday, I couldn't take it anymore. I talked to my labmate and he advised me that it would be better to talk to our boss about it. I told my boss everything and she told me she also wanted to talk to me because apparently my immediate supervisor told her that I am not willing to learn. Omg, so he has easily judged me as someone who's not willing to learn! What he's doing is really unfair and I have to say I'm not happy anymore. Sure, he knows a lot of things but being with him is not emotionally healthy for me already. It's been too stressful.

Tomorrow, my boss will talk to him and after that the three of us would sit together. I really don't know what will happen but I am determined not to be silent anymore. I will stand up and fight for my right!

Just Give Me A Reason

Two passionate and amazing singers.

One song.

One word. Perfection.

Realizations on my first day at work

First days are one of the hardest and most awkward moments. Remember your first day in kindergarten or in grade school? Your first day in the university? Your first day at work?

I finally got a job and yes, today's my first day. Okay, so this post is just going to be short. I just want to share what my immediate supervisor told me.

"I will not spoon-feed you. And since you're a researcher, I will expect more from you."

His words felt like big weight has been placed on my shoulder. But hey, I should not let those words put me down.

I'll do my best to excel in my craft but I will not let it hinder me from enjoying life. 
Learning is a process and I will take it one day at a time.

Interview In Progress

Interviews, no matter how many times I've taken them, always make me feel nervous. Here's the thing: An interview is a critical part in any job application because it can make or break everything you've written in your awesome resume. Yes, you finally sent that well-written resume. No doubt, you got the education and experience! And you think you're just perfect for the job. You're done with the cover letter. You got a call or an email message. And now, you're all set for the interview!

But, what should we really do with the interview so that everything turns out well? Yes, preparation is the key. One needs to do his research on three things:

• his/her self
• educational background
• skills and abilities
• previous work experiences (In my case, all my research experiences.)
• future plans

• job
• methods involved
• how you can apply your knowledge and skills in that job
• importance of that job in the path you want to take

• company 
• vision
• how you can connect yourself to that vision
• interpersonal skills with the other members of the company

Here are also some of the things that I did to keep my nerves at bay.

- If you have lots of time to spare before the interview, you can watch a movie (that brings good vibes) in your phone or in whatever gadget you have. In my case, I watched my favorite parts in one of my favorite feel-good movies, Pitch Perfect.

- Keep calm even though you're really feeling nervous deep inside. Make sure that you look calm and collected in front of the interview panel. Flash them your perfect smile. It will help a lot.

- Answer the questions as simple as possible. Don't complicate things. Choose your words properly.
Be direct if you must. But if you're facing a difficult question and directly answering it will not help, learn some ways to get out of that bush before you get lost.

- Don't give too much details especially when it comes to your future plans.

-Pray. 

Remember that you need to leave a good impression and prove that you're that amazing person you've written in your resume...and so much more!

Overall, I think my interview last week went pretty good. Finally got the call the other day! One happy girl here! =)


image source