No to Friendster, Yes to Plurk

Before you grab me by the hair, you gotta hear my story. I don't have anything against Friendster or people who have a gazillion friends in their Friendster page. It's just not my thing.

And I tell you, I received my own share of flak from people who are disgusted upon hearing that I don't have a Friendster account. Because they think I am lying when I tell them I don't have a Friendster or MySpace account. I do have a Multiply account which I don't access anymore because I always end up buying stuff online.

While social networking is not new to me, I don't think I gave myself the opportunity to really "get into" it. I have heard of micro-blogging and Twitter, even tried to sign up for it, and used it once or twice. And it was only when I joined the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit that I heard of Plurk. Yeah, this is me, Brendel the Neanderthal.

When I got home from General Santos City, my BFF urged me to sign up for Plurk as he already did. And so I did, early this morning. Proof to my "innocence" at plurk-ing is a karma of sub-13 and 10 mutual friends, plurkbuddy included. But the question is: Will I be addicted to Plurk and micro-blogging in general ? Nah. I don't think so. But I think I will be using Plurk as often as I use Yahoo Messenger. It is a great way to connect with friends and acquaintances. Heck, one can even use it to promote one's blog and create a huge fan base. If you have the stamina for it, that is.

I personally don't think I have the makings of a hardcore plurker. But it will be cool to have a million karma like a fellow blogger, Dulce, has.

Lunch at Sud-an Grill and Restaurant

Before I went home to Davao City last October 27, I had lunch with Lyle, Avel, Blogie, Chattee, Migs, Patrick, and Richard at Sud-an Grill and Restaurant which is located along Santiago Boulevard, General Santos City.

Sud-an Grill and Restaurant, which is owned and managed by Mrs. Petit Veneracion , specializes in Filipino cuisine. My group was served a hearty lunch of mostly seafood-based dishes. We had Tuna Belly, Sugpo in Aligue, Baby Squid with Garlic, and Crispy Tuna Tail, to name a few.

To see pics of Sud-an Grill and Restaurant and their mouthwatering offerings, check out the slideshow below.

Me and MBS2

I was in General Santos City from October 24-27 to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit. The 2-day event was a memorable one as I got to meet a lot of bloggers from all over Mindanao. It was also a great opportunity for me to learn some tips from and be inspired by established bloggers who shared their respective blogging experiences.

Another highlight of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit, which was organized by the very able Avel Manansala, was the Fellowship Night featuring a sumptuous dinner and wonderful performances by the Gen Rhythmics Band and Teatro Ambahanon.

Overall, MBS2 was a positive experience experience for me. Ahhh, I am eager for MBS3.

Blogging about the November 2008 PRC Nursing Board Examination

It is waaaay past my bedtime but I figure I will be up for a couple of hours more. I haven't packed yet and to think I will be leaving for General Santos City tomorrow to attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit on the 25th.

I won't be able to blog for a couple of days so I published a last-minute update on my nursing blog, Ward Class. Ward Class is an online resource site for student nurses and with the November 2008 PRC Nursing Board Examination fast approaching, I try to come up with articles geared at helping examinees for the November 2008 PRC Nursing Board Examination maximize their review.

On a side note, the November 2008 PRC Nursing Board Examination is scheduled on November 29 & 20, 2008. Ward Class and Pinoy R.N. will be posting board exam tips, last-minute reminders, and complete results of the November 2008 PRC Nursing Board Exam. So if you have friends and relatives who will be taking the Nursing Board Examination this November, kindly inform them of our sites' services.

:)

10.22

Yesterday was October 22. And it has been a year since my mom went back to her Maker.

I would like to blog more but I can't seem to find the right words.

And so this is where this entry ends.

Thanks for dropping by.

Just Got Back From A Bloggers' Networking Event

Last night, I attended Digital Filipino Club's Networking Event at Davao City's Grand Regal Hotel. The event, which took place from 6:00 pm to 11:00pm, was sponsored by the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR).

I arrived at the venue a good thirty minutes late since I had to shop for supplies needed at home. It was my first time to attend a blogging-related event ( I missed MBS1 and Wordcamp) and I say it was really nice to meet fellow bloggers from Davao City. And of course, I wouldn't miss the event for anything (although I don't usually stay out this late) because Lyle's Pinoy R.N. was acknowledged ranking 3rd in Ratified.org's Philippines Top 100 Blogs for 2008.

I would've been home before midnight but Lyle and I had midnight snack at McDonald's. We weren't really hungry but since it is not everyday that I get to stay out late , we decided to hang out for a bit. And by 12:30 a.m., both of us decided to call it a night and headed home. Separately, that is.

By the way, today is my mother's death anniversary and we will be having a family gathering. I can't believe it has been a year since she passed away. Indeed, time flies.

I will be attending another bloggers' event on the 25th. And since it will be hosted in General Santos City which is a good 3-4 hours away from Davao City, I won't have my laptop with me. I won't be able to blog for three whole days starting on the 24th.

I guess this is all for now. I'm beat.

Photo courtesy of Lyle of Pinoy R.N.

Busy as a Bee

I'll be busy this week. The Office marathon, blogging events, a family gathering, managing the household, an appointment with the doctor, blog updates...Ahhh, I hope I can keep up. And for those who have some time to spare, here is a glimpse of what my week will be like.

• October 20-- Watch the latest season of The Office with my BF/BFF.
  
• October 21-- Shop for supplies in preparation for my mom's 1st Death Anniv. Attend the Digital Filipino Club and Bloggers Networking Event in Davao City.
  
• October 22-- My mom's Death Anniv. Can be quite stressful.
• October 23-- Accompany my dad to his appointment with the ophthalmologist. May take a couple of hours as the MD has a very lucrative medical practice.
• October 24-- Travel to General Santos City for the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit.
  
• October 25-- Attend the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit (MBS2). This is a whole-day event.
• October 26-- Join other activities lined up by the organizers of MBS2. Check out General Santos City, hopefully not on foot. Hehe.
  
• October 27--Trip back to Davao City.

I won't be able to update my blogs starting October 24, 2008. So by the time I'm back home on the 27th, I will be a couple of blog entries behind my usual target. And since I am also in the middle of two television series, I am sure there will be too much distraction for me to be able to focus.

Let us just hope things turn out well, eh?
:)

AdSense, Salon-treated Hair, and Effective Time Management

I wasn't born with straight hair. Although not kinky, mine is of the wavy, unruly type. Yeah, the type that would most likely generate mental questions like, "Mahangin ba sa labas?" or "Did you even bother to comb your hair"?

If I had to meet somebody or need to be somewhere, I had to be given a 1.5 hours to fix myself before I am ready to leave my place. I need that much time to shower, get dressed, apply a generous amount of sunblock and minimal make-up on my face, and fix my hair.

Honestly, it takes me just about 30 minutes to shower, get dressed, and go about my usual skincare routine. The remaining hour is devoted to blow-drying my hair and taming it with a straightening iron.

You have no idea how people criticize me for taking so long to fix my hair. I don't blame them but I can't blame myself either. I am oftentimes late for appointments but I seldom leave the house without going through my routine. I just look different if I leave my hair au naturelle-- like I just got out of bed. Literally.

And so to fix the problem, the moment I got my Adsense earnings last month, I set aside a part of it to have my hair salon-treated and splurged on a rebond (sorry for the chic lingo, guys!). I don't usually spend so much on my hair so thinking about how much I spent on it makes me want to chide myself for such extravagance.

However, I must say the results are remarkable. My hair is wavy and unruly no more. And of course, since I no longer have to blow-dry and straighten my hair before leaving the house, I am seldom late for appointments. Even my father noticed the radical change. Hoo-hah!

I was advised to get another treatment in 6-8 months. And be poorer than I already am. Will I do it? Um, yeah. I have to. After all, it's in the name of effective time management. Hehe.

More on Quaker Oats

I have written about Quaker Oats Flavor-Rich Oatmeal packets and I say I tried a number of variants the past 2 weeks.

Of those I tried, my favorites are Chicken and Mushroom, Honey Banana, and Arroz Caldo. I find Honey Hazelnut and Cinammon Roll just okay and Strawberry, my least favorite. In my opinion, Quaker Oats' strawberry-flavored variant tasted a tad too artificial. Still, I'm not saying it is not worth a try. I know there are lots of people out there who really love anything strawberry-flavored.

By the way, if you have something to say about the new Quaker Oats Flavor-Rich packets, do drop me a line or two at the comments section. I'd love the interaction.

Have a wonderful day!

Garnier Didn't Deliver the 28-Day Promise

I bought Garnier's Light Moisturizing Lotion (SPF 15) and their Milky Lightening Toner two months ago. In the Garnier TV ad featuring KC Concepcion, Garnier promises a noticeable lightening of the skintone after 28 days of continued use. Well, it has been two months since I started using Garnier's Moisturizing Lotion and Milky Lightening Toner combo but I still have to see my facial skintone lighten. Hehe.

I am not surprised, really. I was sort of expecting it. I bought the product because I ran out of my usual supply of toner and moisturizer and not for the skin lightening properties. Also, Garnier smells really nice-- I like citrus-y scents. Plus, the 150 ml bottle of toner sells really cheap at Php169 and the 40 ml bottle of mositurizing lotion is a steal at Php139.

But since Garnier terribly failed at its will-lighten-your-skintone-by-two-shades-in-28-days promise, will I buy Ganier products again? Sure! As I previously mentioned, Garnier is inexpensive. And although I find the light moisturizing lotion a tad too greasy for my already oily skin, I didn't have any breakouts. Neat, huh?

In a nutshell, although Garnier didn't make my facial skintone two shades lighter, I will still include the brand's mositurizer and toner part of my skincare routine (although I wouldn't recommend it to those with oily skin). Heck, I got a set of hypoallergenic toner and moisturizer for under Php350, so who cares about skin lightening?

And as I've said, I really like citrus-y scents.

I Gotta Have My Oats

I recently discovered Quaker Oats Flavor-Rich Oatmeal Packets and I say I grab a couple of packets each time I am in the supermarket.

Each 33g packet packs less than 150 calories and is a great source of Vitamin B12 and Beta Glucan. Beta Glucan, by the way, is a soluble fiber that acts like tiny sponges that soak up cholesterol and remove it from the body. Really, really great for those who want to eat a healthy breakfast or snack on healthy stuff.

Quaker Oats Flavor-Rich Oatmeal Packets come in many variants. I have tried Chicken and Mushroom, Arroz Caldo, and Honey Banana. All three tasted so good that I had more than one packet. Just joking! Hehe.

Right now, I'm about to try Strawberry, Honey Hazelnut, or Cinammon Roll? I really can't decide which one to try first so I might end up trying all three. What do you think?

Kidding aside, I don't think I need the extra calories. Hehe:)

This is all for now. More on the goodness of Quaker Oats in my succeeding entries.