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.

2013. Just another new year.

Two weeks gone by for this new year. Time for a new beginning. Will it be time for this blogger to activate and renew her energy to write down her thoughts in cyberspace? It is always a promise I make to myself every year. Nothing happens, though. Nothing has changed. Still, I am what I am. A complete subscriber to the letter L. Lazy. Laidback.

So why should I be expecting something to happen drastically, good or otherwise when I did not put in a lot of effort which is a required catalyst to change. Makes sense.

Elektra, Electra. Whatever.

Having named my blog Elektra doesn't have anything to do to with the fictional character Elektra or the classical story of Electra. I was drawn to Elektra because my real name starts with the letter E. And the sound Elektra in my thought is synonymous with strength. Physical strength in my case might be imaginary but I would vouch for my emotional strength in reality.

Anyway. Let's educate ourselves briefly with the Elektra with a K. According to Wikipedia, she is one of the fictional characters in one of the Marvel Comics publications. There was even a movie produced about her existence as Elektra Natchios and her journey in this universe. Played by Jennifer Garner, lead character in Alias -- this beauteous actress who can transform her looks in myriad ways in that series. I have not watched nor even read the story of Elektra Natchios so I would take note of that for future readings.

Electra with a C on the other hand is a classical Greek mythology character. There was something tragic in the story and so many characters involve that I would rather not tell you the story. It's a good read. Let me just strike your curiosity a bit so you'll hit google in no time to find out.

Home massage, anyone?

Last night my sister and I indulged in a well needed massage at home. It was dirt cheap compared to what I shell out to pamper myself on commercialized massage spas.

There's a difference though. The ambiance. In massage salons, you really get what you pay for and more. Soft music playing while your tired muscles and stiff joints kneaded by a professional in a massage bed. Not to mention the familiar aromatic smell of citronella or lavender soothing your senses. You feel like falling asleep and wake up the next day, refreshed, recharged, rejuvenated and all that re-(s). But you can't do that. After the nearly one hour or so of overindulgence  you have to dress up and go home.

At home, you have the option to play the music, light up a scented candle to at least poorly duplicate the original ambiance. But what the heck, you just want a massage. The end being the same.

A Day in Tagaytay

We went to Tagaytay in mid-July. There's no planned itinerary. The place to get off to was decided along the way. Cool.

First stop was Monte Maria, which evidently is a shrine for Mama Mary. Our friendly neighbor driver that day mentioned about it and my sister suggested that we should drop by. It was a vast area of vacant lot which I supposed a new church location will soon be built. There is a huge makeshift chapel where I thought a number of Sunday masses were already held.  Hundreds of monobloc chairs are lined up neatly in the open air site.  I wasn't able to take a picture of the place so I could post it here. Too bad. Had I took a photo, I would have shown you something like a before and after image of the soon to be risen Sacred Heart of Mary Shrine.

Then we headed to Caleruega. I was already thinking that it's not even near Holy Week yet and here we are visiting churches. There are lots to see and some good subject for photographs that we stayed there until we heard our stomach grumbling violently.

Caleruega Church in my eyes

 Tangkad, our lanky household assistant, doing her ecstatic version of  'Jump for Joy'



We drove to Mahogany Market for late lunch. Although I have gone a lot of times to Tagaytay, it was my first time to dine in that place where I heard (whether it is true or not) is the home for the best bulalo. I am not much of a bulalo fan so I would say that the grub we had was just a basic need for my empty stomach.

It rained after the cholesterol-laden lunch. The rain poured  heartily as if it would want to wash down the residues of fats that my companions ingested from those fatty bone marrows.

Mahogany Market (I wonder where the mahogany trees are)

After the rain we headed to the Palace in the Sky. Not much to see. I didn't see any semblance of a palace though. Just a ruined place that has the breath taking view of the whole Tagaytay. Maybe. For me, the only thing that saved the place was the presence of the fruit stalls not far from the gate entrance. Bananas, avocados, papayas, jackfruit were so cheap that we ended up buying  more than we can handle for the whole week. The purchase was just a sheer display of our inclination for hoarding. My sister ended up giving most of the fruit finds to neighbors and friends. Our family love to share.

View atop the Palace in the Sky

Guess where our last stop was?

Here are some photo clues. Just pretend you haven't been there if you already knew, though.

Yes! You're right!

The Holy Adoration Chapel better known as the

Pink Sisters' Convent



What a prayerful day! I guess God made a way for us to spend a day with Him. He really makes things happen. Amen!



Eyeing the iPad 3

Shakespeare once said, "To be or not to be, that is the question," to which in my mind will run most likely "To buy or not to buy, that's my lullaby." See, I can even whip up a spontaneous rhyme because of this irresistible toy.

My niece already got one. She showed me some of the features. When reading an e-book, it's  as if you are turning the pages real time. That's a big come-on for me. Not to mention other things that you can do with it. Surf the net, listen to music, taking photographs, as well as passing your idle times with games. My word games! Simply amazing.

Her iPad is protectively covered with an eye-salivating orange in leather or so it seems. Somehow I am seeing green. Or, is it because I am green with envy?

I got to have one, too.

But that's just wishful thinking.

Empty promises

Hahaha! Did I just say that Elektraphile is resurrected last month? And you never heard from her again days after that. Writing depends on my mood. I do write a lot. In my mind, that is. I am a mental writer, should there be one (huge laughs).

In person, especially around new people, I may look dumb and stupid. Never the person who talks a lot. Sometimes, I do get chatty. Only with my chosen audience. But don't be deceived. I've got lots of opinion imprisoned in my brain and am  just keeping things to myself. Selfish, right?

From now on, I really promise to jot down my musings and babblings (sensible or otherwise). Let's wait and see.

Wait.

And then see if it does not end up as one of my empty promises.

Elektraphile lives on!

Today is Saturday, second day of June, year 2012. I just went through my old files and remembered one of my numerous blogs which I started feverishly but (for lack of time and loss of interest) abruptly terminated  in cyberspace.  No promises will be made. This demented blogger will take at least a couple of hours a day, a few times a week or at least share my thoughts once a month to make this blog run. Even if it takes my blood. I am kidding, of course.

Bingo!

This is another biscuit commercial. Actually I've seen this months ago and I saw it again tonight as I was watching my favorite show.

Two chatters online agreed to meet. The girl said she is going to wear a pink dress. The guy told the girl that he is going to be holding or eating a Bingo biscuit.

Eyeball comes and the guy waits for the girl on a bench, another guy is sitting next to him. Then a plump girl in pink is approaching. Obviously disappointed at what he saw, he asked the other guy if he would like a Bingo. Pleased, the other guy took it.

But then the obese girl in pink went past by them and another slim and sexy girl in pink came. Saw the guy with the Bingo and mistook him to be her date.

The original date was left scratching his head.

Personal blogs

Jumping from one blog to another can be fun. I am a sucker for gossips (of celebrities or just plain ordinary mortals like me) and things that happen to other people, their lifestyles and their personal quirks. I don’t need to point out here that I love reading personal blogs.

Life is not exciting everyday. That’s a given. But I can make my not-so-full life by immersing myself with an always-on-the-move soul’s blogger. When the blogger I am on is a foodie, you bet, it is like I myself have tasted all the mouth-watering food that is being described in the blog. Who says one can't live vicariously.

Fita TV Commercial

A pretty young lady went to a vending machine, put some coins in the slot provided and waited for the product to come out. As vending machines do not always work well, the thing bought was stuck. A handsome guy now comes to the rescue and helps the lady in distress and tries to reach for what is now obviously a Fita biscuit. His arms were shown reaching for the biscuit and after a few seconds of groping and grasping finally got it.

The young lady smiles and they look at each other, the young man even looks like he is trying to be cute, to impress, maybe. At this gesture, the young lady was waiting for the the seemingly knight-in-shining-armor guy, her palms stretched out, to give her the now coveted Fita biscuit. And maybe even wishing that he would ask her for dinner later.

The good looking young man then reached for something in his pocket, gave it to the young lady (obviously the coins she lost from the vending machine to pay for the biscuit) and then walked away happily biting into a piece of Fita biscuit, leaving the disgusted lady open mouthed short of scratching her head for being so presumptuous or for being stupid. Lesson learned: One forgets being a gentleman with the yummy taste of Fita.

Writing My Nth First Post

This is a trial and error blog. I have written too many first posts already that I lost track counting using my own fingers and that of my friend here and her pet. My friend is chummy with a centipede. Like a magic slate, I write, I delete and I write again. When I don’t want something I tend to throw it in oblivion and start on a clean slate. I wish to retain this latest endeavor to prosperity. That, however, remains to be wishful thinking.

Only between you and me and the rest of those eyes who will and may accidentally click their mouse to this excellent site. Excellent? What do you expect me to say? No one will lift up my spirit but myself. I should promise myself to at least give life to this blog for the next six months. Six months and I consider myself victorious. That’s all I ask.

This is a no-niche blog. I can write about anything--and about everyone can take a peak.