Beauty salon adventures

Since last week, my mom and I have been taking turns managing the salon--albeit a tiny salon with just 5 employees. Teehee. Still learning the ropes and seeing how everything goes. We're lucky that the head stylist (ahehe, what else to call him?) is quite helpful.

Tomorrow, we're going to Wella in Makati to attend a salon management seminar. Hopefully, it'll help us a bit. I'll also drop by La Salle College International to enroll in a make-up class that will start this Saturday.

Poor hubby has to do my errands for tomorrow as the seminar will take the whole day. He has to:

• open the salon,
• make bantay the carpenter (doing some repairs) & the salon,
• drive DK to her swimming class,
• and quickly run back to close the salon.

Back from the blackhole

Hello! It's been quite a while since my last blog post. It seems like I start off my post like that. I've just been too lazy to log in and make a post. It's not like that I'm too busy. I just don't feel like saying anything... Today, though, I've been out the whoooooollleee day. I've been in and out, just a few minutes at home, then I'm off to do something.

I haven't shared this yet, but my mom and I are, well, have taken over a beauty salon in our neighborhood. My mom is a suki at this place for her mani-pedi--one of the employees mentioned that the owner was selling. We prayed about it, waited, and this morning, we paid for it. So now it's ours.

Mom and I are a couple of business noobs. My mom has this monthly bead biz at the American Women's Club Bazaar (World Trade Center, Dec. 1 is the next one ::shameless plug::), but it's just a very simple sideline that she does. Apart from that, we do not have any business experience at all. *I am* a business management graduate (sob sob), but I KNOW NOTHING about running a business! So please, please, please, pray for me & my mom as we undertake this enterprise.

I will be enrolling myself in a make-up class to equip myself with some skills to help out in the salon. We will also attend a salon management seminar, so we don't go into running the biz blindly. :)

Seminar day

It's been quite a while since I've had a day to myself. (well, I had more like half a day to myself today, went home at 2pm to avoid the traffic.) I attended a seminar at DK's homeschool, The 7 Laws of the Learner. The speaker was knowledgeable and our workbook was very good. I sneaked out though, when lunch break was called. Hee. I had some things to buy at nearby Megamall and did a little window shopping too. Didn't really stay long as it was suuuuuper crowded because it was their 3-day weekend sale.

I bought some personal effects at Watson's and mineral make-up for my mom and friend (as her birthday present). Then I ate lunch at Kebab Factory over at their new wing. I liked it! The minced chicken was cooked in a tandoori oven and they served it with some yogurt sauce and spicy dip. I also ordered buttered rice, but I think I should've ordered saffron rice. The serving was big so I brought home half of it for the hubby. I've been looking for minced chicken for the longest time; ever since I tasted them in Queens, NY. The one in NY was definitely better, but this is a good enough substitute.

It's called a chicken seekh kebab. Usually cooked in a long skewer in the oven. They don't look like anything, but they are oh, so good. Actually they do remind me of something, but it's not something pleasant. Hehe. (photo credit)

"Catch up"

A family of tomatoes is talking a walk...the family consists of a mother tomato, father tomato, and a child tomato. The child tomato is going a bit slow and is behind. The father tomato sees the child tomato is slow and kicks the child from behind...he replies..."Catch UP!"

Hahaha, catch up--catsup. Anyway, I am playing catch up on my daughter's extended first quarter of her homeschool. In a couple of weeks, we should be submitting her portfolio (a compilation of her quizzes, papers, grades) to her level consultant. Ack, I don't even want to think about it. Hayyy.

Wine Depot's Restaurant Week

Wine Depot is tied with (my) memories as it was where we got our supply of wine for our wedding. The Wine Depot in Alabang is really nice--they have a huge selection of wine, and they always have some bottles open for customers to taste. When we bought cases of wine, I left it in their store so it'll stay in a dark, cool place before we picked it up for the wedding reception.

I went there a few days ago to buy a bottle of white for our osso buco (nope, I didn't cook it, our cook did. Haha.) and picked up an flyer for their Restaurant week this week. There's some 3 days left so we are heading to Aubergine for lunch tomorrow to try their RW special menu. I chose Aubergine as DH and I have been meaning to eat there, but we never got round to going (going to Makati & thereabouts is "luluwas kami ng Maynila" kind of trip, with the traffic and all that, haha).

Aubergine
P990.00 per person

Special Lunch Menu

Asian spiced tuna tartar with avocado and shitake mushroom, accompanied by assorted salad greens tossed in citrus dressing

Or

Cream of green asparagus with croutons and mascarpone foam

************

Pan fried fillet of Norwegian salmon, gratinated with herbs and horseradish, served on spinach risotto with carrot-honey froth

Tulloch Verdelho, Hunter Valley, Australia

Or

Oven roasted US Angus beef top blade, served with port wine sauce on garlic mash potatoes and glazed vegetables

Angove’s Vineyard Select Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia

************

Chocolate soufflé with amaretto sauce and nougat ice cream

Santa Vittoria Still or Sparkling Water

Vittoria Coffee

You can look at the loooooong list of restaurants participating in their Restaurant Week here. For the restaurant's other menus, look here and here. Imo, the menus of Sala Bistro (too bad they hosted only for ONE DAY! Daya...), Lolo Dad's, Je Suis Gourmand, Prince Albert, Tin Hau, Pepato, Acqua (nyak, in Shang Mactan!), Restaurant Ciçou, Pepato, Apartment 1B ,and Le Soufflé Rockwell are the best and best in value. Okay, okay, that's a lot... Too bad I can't eat at all of them. Even if I eat lunch and dinner for a whole week, I won't be able to afford them all go through the list of restaurants participating. :)

Not to forget is the culmination of this week's activity, The Wine & Food Festival at the NBC Tent on October 10, 2-8pm. Wine tasting and food tasting galore. Tickets are Php1000.

Picking up the pieces, moving on, hoping - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

After Pepeng has passed...
Picking up the pieces, moving on, hoping - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Shared via AddThis

Random thoughts...

As I type this, I am in my bedroom with my husband and little boy fast asleep. The typhoon, Pepeng (Parma), will be making it's landfall in around 3 or 4 hours (according to the weather bureau's estimate). Late this afternoon, my mom, DK, and I gathered round to pray for this typhoon to cease or slow down. Even my toddler bowed his head to pray. 

I logged on to post a stress-relieving youtube video and I looked back at my past posts--particularly those before Ondoy hit and ravaged our country; and I saw how trivial and frivolous (some of) my posts were. One thing Ondoy taught me was to truly realize how unimportant material things (passports, birth certificates, photos, bags etc) are and if ever that kind of flooding happens to our home, there is nothing here that must be given importance, except for our loved ones (non-human living things included). Passports, papers, etc. can all be applied for. Other material things can be saved up to be bought again. But really, when we die, we can't bring them with us, right? I do not want to sound so preachy, I've not lost anything yet; but I want to keep this in mind all the time.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Marshmallow test

Kids are so darned cute! We all know what happens to the kids who eat the marshmallow right away and those who patiently wait for the second marshmallow... :)

Typhoon Ondoy: How you can help

For those based in Muntinlupa/BF Homes area, you can get in touch with me for your donations. I will course them through Christ Commission Fellowship (CCF-Alabang) and the City Governement of Muntinlupa for the flood victims of Muntinlupa City (some 1000++ families in evacuation centers). Or you can also go directly to the CCF Building in 3/F CCF Bldg., Prime St. Madrigal Business Park, Muntinlupa City.

Here's a comprehensive list put together by friend Ri & her sisters:

Friends in the US and Canada who wish to help in the rescue/relief operations,you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669.

ABS-CBN HOTLINE: 416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA: 413-2667 / 416-0387
You can drop off donations at No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for
Ms Girlie Aragon
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office: Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

GMA Kapuso Foundation calls for donations for families affected by Typhoon “Ondoy”

The following donations are needed:
Monetary Donation
Rice
Canned Goods
Noodles
Clothing

you may drop your donations at:
GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION, INC.
2nd Floor GMA Kapuso Center
GMA Network Drive cor. Samar Streets
Diliman, Quezon City 1103
Telephone Nos.: (632) 982.7777 loc. 9901 & 9905
Telefax: (632) 928.9351 / 928.4299

METROBANK

Peso SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 3-098-51034-7

Dollar SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 2-098-00244-2
Code : MBTC PH MM

BANCO DE ORO (BDO)

Peso SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0022189

Dollar SavingsAccount Name : GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Account Number : 469-0072135
Code : BNORPHM

More numbers and information from Manolo Quezon's site

Those who are abroad who want to donate funds to the typhoon victims in the Philippines, please send money to Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CDRC) (a reliable NGO) or the Philippine National Red Cross. Please note that using Paypal is still the safest option.

More information on how you can help:

Businesses/ Commercial Establishments

1. Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy

2. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity will be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothersand sisters in need.

3. Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).

4. Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.

5. Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy
victims.

6. Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.

7. Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water /
clothes – NO CASH pls.)

8. Power Plant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Drop off at admin office, P1 level.

9. Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

10. Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.

Government/ Civil Society/ Others

1. Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.

2. ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation

3. Akbayan’s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

4. Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon
victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

5. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)

6. Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am – 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas
(+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

7. Miriam Quiambao drop off points: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

8. Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

9. NoyMar relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.

10. Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

11. Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

12. Philippine National Red Cross‘ different ways to Donate.

13. Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

14. Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)

15. Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC.

16. Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).

17. TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN

18. World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.

19. Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

Schools & Universities/ Religious

1. Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call
(+632917-8952792)

2. DLSU is accepting relief goods by 8:30 a.m. today. For volunteers please be there by 8am in southgate benches.

3. Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)

4. Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

5. La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

6. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

7. Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.

8. Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)

9. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.

10. Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) — they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

11. Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

Please disseminate these information as much as you can. Prayers are most welcome. Thanks.

***

On 26 September 2009,Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) passed through the Philippines. Nearly a month's worth of rain fell in just six hours, which triggered the worst flooding here in 40 years. According to Philippine weather bureau PAGASA, the metropolis received 42.4 cm of rain in just 12 hours, exceeding the 39.2 cm average for the entire month of
September. Typhoon Ondoy dumped 455 millimeters of rain in Quezon City alone in 24 hours, compared to the 250 millimeters of rain that Hurricane Katrina brought to New Orleans, Louisiana. A State of Calamity was declared in Metro Manila and 25 other provinces in Luzon (this is the northern portion of the country). Roughly 80% of Metro Manila was underwater yesterday. In some areas, the water reached even the third floors of people's houses. A lot of homes were completely swept away. As of today, 73 people are dead, and over 300,000 people are displaced.

"The Ongoing Battle"

I am reposting one of the newsletters I receive daily about homeschooling, Daily Focus (from the publisher of homeschooling materials, Alpha Omega Publications). Homeschooling has been becoming more popular these past few years. However, the drive to also put a stop to homeschooling has been steadily rising; take for example, the law in Sweden to ban homeschooling by 2011, the scare on banning homeschooling in California last year, some Nazi-era law in Germany that bans homeschooling.

The Ongoing Battle

Is homeschooling here to stay? According to recent statistics, over two million children homeschool in the United States. Organized state associations, local support groups, and Internet forums, blogs, and websites give homeschoolers a sense of security that the public accepts home education as a viable educational alternative. Recently, even Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court listed homeschooling as a viable educational option in a ruling in Morse v. Frederick.

However, those who oppose homeschooling are still alive and well. Like Tobiah and Sanballat's opposition to Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 6), there are those who war daily against homeschooling and its philosophy. In case you doubt this fact, let me share some comments I've recently read on blogs about homeschooling:

• The education of our country's children is too important to be left in the hands of their parents.
• The idea that only the parent can teach the child and abandon the public education system is normally the sign of a deeply threatened, controlling personality.
• There are more kids doing this homeschooling stuff than ever before. How can they ever compete in the modern world when they grow up with strict brainwashing and medieval attitudes?
• All homeschooling will do is guarantee your kids are as stupid as you are.

Christians, too, must realize our war with Satan never ceases. Until Christ returns, we will face daily battles against evil. We may think that once we've received Jesus as our Savior, we'll never deal with adversity again. However, nothing is further from the truth. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are warned to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

Although Christ has already defeated sin and death, we must earnestly stand against the wiles of the devil to remain victorious in our Christian life. Like the opponents of homeschooling, we must be aware that Satan is ever out to destroy us. Only as we stand strong in God's truths and the Holy Spirit's power will we be able to overcome evil with good. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10-11).