Geeky Fashionista

About time, if you ask me.

In an announcement made by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on May 27, starting today authorities of the MMDA and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Metro Manila will start apprehending smokers who huff and puff cigarettes in public places in all major and secondary roads of Metro Manila. Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, or an 8-hour rendering of community service. This is all legal because the memorandum is covered by the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

I really hope MMDA will really be strict in implementing this one. I also hope not to hear objections from smokers based only on their “human rights”.

Smokers, let me remind you that we non-smokers chose NOT to smoke, we don’t want your second-hand smoke neither. It is about time we get the special treatment, eh? 

There was one time that I got hooked on Oprah shows. I always learn something new when I watch her on that stage. From books to read, to family relationships, and even how to get rid of pimples fast. She covered just about anything that every show is a revelation. I loved it when she launched the Angel Network too, and her trips are the memorable ones.

On May 25, she broadcasted her final episode after being on-air for 25 years. While we are all expecting this already since she announced the end in the previous season, I can’t help but be teary eyed about the end of this era. I was not able to watch the episode, though, because of television limitations.

So glad that a friend linked to a CNN blog post about the final episode. I will cherish this quote from The O:

“There’s a difference between thinking you deserve to be happy and knowing that you are worthy of being happy. That never became more clear to me than the episode with Iyanla Vanzant this year. … What I got was, we can all block our own blessings because we don’t feel inherently good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough. The show has taught me that you’re worthy because you were born and you are here. Your being here, and being alive, makes you worthy. You alone are enough.”

I won’t miss her though because I just subscribed to something more accessible to me:

Thanks to Zinio, I got a very good deal for a one-year subscription. Cheers to Oprah!

About two weeks ago, a friend reached me with some questions. She knew we were on trips late last year and early this year that she thought of asking me about travelling. She and her husband planned to surprise their kids with a trip to Hong Kong and I was more than glad to be an accomplice. I sent her my travel files and suggested to just go on a DIY itinerary versus one that is planned for them by an agency. Well I have my reasons for that (especially that I have also tried to travel with a tourist guide and found a DIY IT to be more practical) but I guess there are different strokes for different folks eh? I told her though that no matter which path she takes on this tour, she should consider insurances that may cover travel emergency for who knows what will happen while they are away in a foreign land, right? I think this is always non-negotiable.

They say that learning should be never-ending. Our brains can accommodate so much information that it cannot afford to go idle. The brain simply needs to work all to time to keep it sharp. Via geeksugar, I found a list of free online classes and you might want to check them out. You just might find something interesting.

• MIT OpenCourseWare — There are over 2,000 courses available in one click so MIT OpenCourseWare could be your only stop in online learning.
• Online Education Database — OED is a website that lists about 200 free classes you can take online. This may be the best time to review your Algebra or finally understand the laws of Physics.
• OpenCulture — Looking for free classes from top universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley? This could be the best site for you. Some lectures are even found on YouTube.
• UC Irvine OpenCourseWare — Free courses ranging from business management to social ecology.
• The Open University — There are forums in this UK based site so you m ay discuss with fellow online learners.
• Open Learning Initiative — Learn biology, chemistry, economics, and more at your own pace.
• UC Berkeley Webcasts — Skip the sky-high tuition and get free video and audio lectures from UC Berkeley professors.
• Free Online Classes — Want to enhance your digital skills? Get design and Photoshop tutorials  from this site to help you in the digital space.
• LiveMocha — Learning a new language for free is sweet.
• iTunes U — Hundreds of classes and audio books from several top universities are offered up on iTunes for free. Just download to your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Mac and learn on.

Here I am checking out investment portfolio samples (well, should we buy gold bars as suggested by the consultant?) yet I get sidetracked into looking at gold shoes instead. I guess I am more stressed than I think I am because I would rather dwell on lighter stuff (i.e. shopping!) than more adult-y decisions like stocks and investments eh?

Look at these pairs!

Miu Miu Peep Toe Pumps

Alexander McQueen (wow!)

Pretty Ballerina Classic Ballet Flats

Love ‘em all!

For the past couple of months, we have been in the process of attracting kids (and their parents of course) to enroll in our school. My brother thought of a nice marketing tool that will probably call the attention of preschoolers: playing loud children’s songs. So that’s what we did. Even if we wanted to check out outdoor speaker reviews for the best audio, we did not have time for that anymore. Besides, our good old audio system still works fine anyway. I can say that the music was an effective tool because inquiries increased, our enrolment too. So yay!

My friends recommended the book Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins a few weeks ago. This one is followed by two more books Catching Fire and Mockingjay, making the story an obvious trilogy. Just before Easter, I was able to finish Book 1 and I am currently halfway through the 2nd book. My phasing is slower these days but I consider myself hooked on the story. The classification is young-adult – yes I still read this type of book, LOL.

According to Wikipedia:

“The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in an unidentified future time period after the destruction of North America, in a nation known as "Panem." Panem used to consist of a rich Capitol, located somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, and thirteen surrounding, poorer districts which cater to the Capitol’s needs. As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol wherein the thirteenth district was supposedly destroyed, every year one boy and one girl from each of the remaining twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are selected by lottery and forced to participate in the "Hunger Games." The Games are a televised event where the participants, called "tributes," must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena until only one remains. The winning tribute and his/her corresponding district is then rewarded handsomely. It is required viewing for everyone in the districts.”

The main character Katniss becomes a tribute after volunteering to take her sister Prim’s place. Imagine a 16-year old who probably has no idea about any term life insurance information at all to face possible death head on. Pretty scary huh? But Katniss is not your usual weakling of a teenager. That’s where the story becomes interesting

The movie adaptation is currently in production. I cannot wait to see it. For now I will just have to satisfy myself with the books.

More than acne home remedies, mommies are always on the look out for good deals and activities for the kids and the rest of the family. Especially that is it summer, mommies like to keep their kids busy!  Why not tag them along in fairs like Along Came Baby?

This Kids and Baby Fair is happening from May 14-15 at the World Trade Center. Children’s stuff will be exhibited and sold. The activities are worth checking out too! Kids and yayas are free, general admission is P50 for all adults.

No gift yet for the mommies? Why not buy her new pairs of Havaianas? I received this newsletter and thought I would share.

From May 6 to 8, 2011, receive a Havaianas Travel Kit especially for moms when you buy any two pairs of these flip flops. Visit participating retailers for available designs.

Yesterday, DH and I were able to sneak out, leave DD at home and go on a movie date. The movie of choice was Thor. I had apprehensions about it because I am not exactly a Marvel fan and I crave sleep. But since the husband wants to see the characters before The Avengers and I thought I needed a break, I went with him to watch. I do not know the story of Thor so I had to whisper questions to DH so I will understand some parts   Overall, I like the movie, especially that Thor is really cute and charming (although arrogant at first), hihi. And I love that there’s chemistry with Natalie Portman who played Jane.

We got to the cinema early so we had to wait outside. We got to see previews of movies that are coming soon, which was really the plan. There are a lot of nice movies coming up! There’s one local movie of Aga Muhlach. He’s ageing already noh? I think he could use some revitol reviews. But then again, his role demands that he’s old (the movie reminds me of Shall We Dance of Richard Gere and JLo). And then there’s Captain America, Kung Fu Panda 2, Cars 2, The Fast and The Furious, and Something Borrowed.

Here’s to more movie dates!