My new mantra: I am too blessed to be stressed

Seen on a guy's shirt while agitatedly seated on an MRT train:

I am too blessed to be stressed
Too annointed to be disappointed
I am a victor, not a victim.

So the word annointed spelled with a double 'n' did not escape my trained proofreader's eye. But I won't dwell on that. Earlier, on my way to work, it was searing hot. As soon as I boarded the bus headed to the MRT North station, it started to drizzle. The drizzle soon progressed to heavy rain. Good thing, I was wearing my CROCS loafer so my pretty sheltered feet won't get wet. Bad thing is when I got off the bus, there's a two inch cascading water that I needed to avoid. To my dismay, I got a little bit off balanced when I tried to jump over the flooded part that I landed at the very place I hated. Walking around with a pair of wet feet creates pandemonium in my mind.

And that brings me back to the message that I saw on the man's shirt. By the way, he is cute. No -- goodlooking. Cute is used to describe dogs and things.

This could be God's way of pacifying me. Yes, I am too anointed to be disappointed.

A taste of Ventosa Massage

My title literally speaks for itself. Everytime I go for a massage, it would either be Swedish or Shiatsu. This time I would like to try something different and had my eyes set on Ventosa massage. Ventosa massage according to my crude research is a method of putting heated suction cups particularly on your back to vacuum cold spots and eventually clear whatever blockage you have in your system.  I know, I just said crude, so don't expect a lot of details.

So I went to a spa somewhere in Quezon City that offers Ventosa Massage. The receptionist just asked for my name and what type of massage I prefer and got my payment, no other questions asked.

A few minutes later, my therapist appeared smiling and escorted me to my cubicle. She handed me a pair of slippers and a comfortable shorts (well, you don't need a top) that I'd wear for the entire session. She also had with her the suction cups that she'd use on me.

She started giving me a quick kneading here and there (feels-oh-so-good) and started putting on those suction cups.  While doing it, she became a bit chatty and asked me if I had my blood pressure taken before the procedure. I said no, but informed her that yes, I have hypertension! I asked her if it is not advisable for hypertensive persons to undergo Ventosa massage and she replied in the affirmative. She then excused herself probably to verify from the reception desk.

When she came back, I was told that they would just refund my payment. What a bummer!

At least I experienced a bit of the massage.  With my massage money, I head to the nearby Dairy Queen and bent my frustration at the new flavor of moolatte -- something like caramel cheese quake?

One happy night stay at Tune Hotels

In my recent trip to Hongkong, I had a flight that leaves at 7:05 am, a slight flight booking blunder not taking into consideration that I will be coming from Manila.  At first, I wasn't worried because I always thought that I could just go at the back of SM Megamall where Philtranco picks up passengers going to Clark Airport. I was thinking of just getting the last trip and stay the night over at the airport. That wasn't a good idea though.

Weighing the pros and cons of saving money versus comfort and safety, I decided to look for some place I could stay in for the night near the Diosdado Macapagal Airport. To shorten this story, I finally decided to stay at Tune Hotels in Angeles City, a 10-minute drive to the airport.

What made me choose this hotel?

First it looked new and I wasn't disappointed when I get there! Following are the pictures I took:
  

 View from my window

 This is a welcome reminder for guests like me. When a guest is staying a week for example, there is no sense of changing the linens everyday especially if the occupant only stays a few hours in bed. Remember they are just trying to be earth friendly and so are you.

 

Although toiletries are expected when checking in to hotels, I was a bit surprised because when I read about this place it was indicated that guests should bring their own personal necessities. It could be a probable oversight on my part.

 This is their spacious lobby. Notice that it's raining red which I understand is their signature color.

 

 The reception. I was in the lobby when I took this. Came a bit early for the 2:00pm check-in. 

 Immaculately clean shower room

 My comfy bed

I hope that this cleanliness is maintained for the next couple of years.

There you go. You can check their website at www.tunehotels.com

By the way, if you are also like me who just stayed because of the early morning flight at the Clark Airport, there is also a car rental for P350. Since the car company is tied up with Tune Hotel, you probably  will arrive at the airport safe and sound.