I LOVE PRE-LOVED

Just what do we mean by "pre-loved" ? Pre-loved means "previously owned" or "second hand". You could also say that it's the elite way of saying "ukay"...

There is nothing wrong in buying pre-loved items (wether it could be clothes, shoes, gadgets and appliances). I, for one, is an addict pre-loved shopper. I believe in the saying, "used but not abused", I don't know, but for some reason, there is something in those second hand items that made me love them... Being VINTAGE perhaps... Second hand items do not necessarily mean that they are all worn-out. Some people sell their stuff (1) due to lack of space in their closet; (2) others gain weight, so their clothes won't fit in; (3) moving out sale and (4) for charity purposes ( I did it just recently, I sold some of my stuff to help me collect a specific amount in support for a special project in my hometown).

A couple of weeks ago, after hearing from RX that MULTIPLY has this event for its on-line sellers, I immediately checked the site. I'm a member since 2009, but not active. I was surprised to see that Multiply had become a shopping haven. Then, I did what I had to do... To browse and check what's in-store for me... After hours and hours of scanning, I finally had things in my shopping cart. And for two weeks, I have collected 15 pieces of clothing from the site. Most of them are pre-loved, with BAYO brand. I'm such a BAYO freak (that's why I'm wondering how come Bayo outlets don't have a mannequin that looks like me, since I've been patronizing their apparels for quite some time now..< hehehe..> ).

You'll be amazed that the clothes I have purchased are still in good condition and still look new!!!

I'm a living proof that pre-loved can still be loved... As long as you know how to carry your self well with the clothes that you are wearing, YOU can still look stunning!!! =)

What I Love and what I Hate?

All of us go through our lives with strong likes and dislikes. We all have a "wish list" of things we would like to do or have, and a "dish list" of things we never want. Many items on these lists are particular to me, but most of them would probably fit onto a "Universal" list. I bet that you'll agree with all of the items listed below:

WISH LIST

Have many friends

Make some money or get more pocket money

Get ahead of others in school

Eat delicious things such as candy, chocolates, fast foods,etc..

Wear designer clothes and top brand shoes

Get more attention from others

Inherit money from your parents

Have the latest cellular phone

Play computer games all night

Be rich and famous like Paris Hilton

Have your own Mc. Dreamy or Mc. steamy as your boyfriend

Be the boss of your company

Own a house and a lot with a nice hot car parked in your garage

DISH LIST

Getting up early in the morning

Listening to your nagging parents

Reading boring books

Exercise

Doing homework and studying hard

Seeing others succeed when you don't

Brushing your teeth after every meal

Breaking old habits and developing new skills

Doing household chores and the laundry

Finding missing stuffs when you actually don't know where to look for them

Or am I wrong? What items would you remove from either list?

What would you add to both lists?

UKAY-UKAY 101

Just got home from work and excitedly went straight to the nearest Ukayan Store in our area. I miss going to an Ukayan, since I've been in and out of town for a month. I bought 6 pieces of tops and cost me Php680. Not bad compared to the prices of the branded items at the mall. I usually visit the shop especially every pay day!!! I'm such a shopingera and I wouldn't let a week pass without going to the mall, and an ukayan is not an exception... I love clothes and I love to mix and match.

Ever wonder where the term UKAY-UKAY came from?!

As stated by the Ukay Queen herself, It was derived from the Visayan term “halukay” which means the act of digging. Ukay-ukay shopping is like treasure hunting, but instead of looking for a treasure, you are literally digging from the piles of clothes which are mostly vintage and of high value. The ukay shopping phenomena all started in Baguio. Ukay stores sprouted like mushrooms which later became one of the must-visit places in Baguio.

(Yup,so true! Whenever I go to Ilocos, I always drop by in Baguio just to buy some stuffs. My best buy in Baguio was a pair of shoes by Clarks... It was really, really new when I bought it. It cost 500 bucks. When I checked on the internet about Clark shoes I found out that it costs about $40- 100. Convert it to peso, you do the math!!!)

According to hearsay, it’s origin started way back in the 80s. Due to the frequency of calamities happening in our country, a certain humanitarian group called the Salvation Army used to ship second-hand garments and other goods as forms of help to the filipino victims. As the goods piled up, business-minded people decided to buy them at a very low cost and sell them to the public. Thus, ukay-ukay business was born.

THINGS TO BUY IN UKAY-UKAY:

Branded clothes;

Branded shoes;

Bags, Belts, Accessories;

Beddings, Bedsheets and pillowcase;

Stuff toys;

Appliances and a lot more...

TYPES OF UKAY CLOTHES: (got this from the Ukay Queen's Blog)

CLASS A - Brand New signature clothes more often with price tags. Usually came straight from the store factory. These are usually available when clothes are newly delivered or whenever you see the “NEW ARRIVAL” sign at the front of the store. Good Deal: Maximum of Php150 - minimum of Php80

CLASS B - Look like brand new. High quality but without price tags. (slightly used) Good Deal: Maximum of Php100 - minimum Php50

CLASS C - Second hand clothes. Quality,not so good. With slight damages but can be easily restored. Good Deal: Maximum of Php75 - minimum of Php20

CLASS D - Poor quality with damages. Php 40 - Php10

UKAY TERMS

Segunda Mano - means second hand in Spanish.

Wagwagan - means to “shake”.

New Arrival - clothes are newly delivered to the store

Tapat na - price is final. no discount.

Uks / UK - other terms for ukay-ukay.

POPULAR UKAY DESTINATIONS

Baguio, Cebu, Cubao, Anonas, Bluementrit Espana, Mandaluyong, Sta.Mesa, Pasig

( I've been to Cubao, Mandaluyong and Anonas... Among the three, Anonas is the best... The Ukayan in Anonas looks like a Mall. It has 4 floors stuffed with anything and everything an Ukayera like me would love to have. From apparels to appliances, you name it and they have it! There is also an Ukayan in Katipunan, Mindanao Avenue and Tandang Sora. I always go to the latter since it is nearer to our place.)

So, If you want to go shopping and doesn't know where to go, just text me, I'll be happy to tag along!!!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!! =)

FOREVER CHARMED

CHARMED is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the WB Television network. The series was created in 1998 and was produced by Aaron Spelling, the same guy who gave us the famous BEVERLY HILLS 90210.

The series is about the Halliwell sisters — Prue, Piper, Phoebe and later Paige. They are the most powerful line of good witches in history. The sisters, despite being perceived as normal women by the non-supernatural community, are known as The Charmed Ones in the magical community, whose prophesied destiny is to protect innocent lives against evil beings, such as demons and warlocks. Each sister possesses unique magical powers that grow and evolve, while they attempt to hold normal working lives in San Francisco.

Here, in Manila, it was aired over Studio 23, the sister channel of ABS-CBN 2. Every Mondays from 9 - 10pm. I was in my sophomore year when I first watched the series. Luckily I saw the season premiere, and that started my interest in the show. Aside from that, I am a fan of Shannen Doherty, and that made me love the show more, coz she's one of the main stars, portraying the role of PRUE, the eldest sister.

I didn't miss a single episode that had been aired on TV. Even REPLAYS, I still tend to catch it... That's how much I love the show. I used to bother my dad in his office to check the CHARMED SITE and download episode guides and spoilers ( I don't own a PC yet ). I also asked some friends to help me out. I requested one of my best buds to print some episode guides for me from season 1-3 and pictures as well. She accepted wholeheartedly and that started my charmed compilation. Now, I already have my own CHARMED BOOK! It contains History of Charmed, Character Profiles, Charmed Dictionary, their Theme Song, Episode Guides, Charmed Spells, Gallery, Cast Bios and Trivia with Inside Reports. The last page is my Farewell Note to the show.

It is typewritten (like what I've said, I do not own a personal computer then). I immediately typed it after watching the season finale. Here it goes:

My Farewell....

Tonight, I watched the last episode of Charmed... It saddens me that my favorite TV series has now come to an end. I am sure that I'm going to miss those girls... But as Patty Halliwell puts it, "when one door closes, another one opens".. So, who knows? I might be seeing them again... A CHARMED movie, maybe?!!

As Phoebe, Piper and Paige enjoyed their charmed life, I also enjoyed watching them for 8 years! I've seen all the changes that occurred in the show. I've seen new characters being introduced and seen them go... I watched every single episode of Charmed, including replays. I've seen it moved from 9-10pm, to 8-9, to 8:30-9:30, and finally 7:30-8:30pm.

Ahh, some good things never really last....

Tonight I may have seen the last episode of Charmed, but I promised my self that as long as the network continues to air it, I will never get tired watching it!!!

Thanks CHARMED for making my life, at least every Monday a CHARMED ONE!!!!

dema/dcharmed1.com

07 August 2006

around 9:30pm

I use The Charmed One as my monicker, in my e-mail add, my blog account, facebook, friendster and the rest. I don't know, but somehow I feel like I'm also CHARMED in my own weird, special and unique way.

The show might have ended, but it will continue to inspire me for as long as I live coz I am A CHARMED ONE!!

That's how much I love Charmed, I have it carved on my body.

The Price of Beauty

T' was my Facebook status last year, dated Oct. 06, 2010. It was My First time to visit a derma clinic. Yes, in my 33 years of existence, it's really my first!!! Of course I have my own reasons why; (1st) FINANCIAL - during my school days, I can't afford it. My dad is so "kuripot" . He only gave me enough for my baon, no extras or what so ever...... (2nd) SIDE EFFECTS - I do believe that some meds have bad effects on our skin. Being a pessimist, I always expect the worst!!! (3rd) BILIB SA SARILI - Yeah, you read it right, noon, I feel like "I DON'T NEED TO..." (ehem... Hahaha...)

Pero ngayon, I'm singing a different tune... What made me decide to see a derma? Hmmm... Let me count the ways..... (1st) MAY PERA NA AKO (Hahaha) - Since I'm already earning a few bucks, AFFORD ko na!! Ika nga ni Pareng Rico J, " kung may pera ka na at pangit ka pa, KASALANAN na yun..." (2nd) IMMUNITY FACTOR - Pessimist pa rin ako. I still expect the worst, pero sabi nga, "HIYANGAN" lang yan. There's no harm in trying, kaya why not chocnut, diba?!! at ito ang matinding dahilan (3rd) VANITY - actually, hindi naman ako vain talaga, pero yung tooooot tooooot na sister ng Labs ko, sabihan ba naman akong kamuka ko daw si BEVERLY SALVIEJO?!! OMG, parang kilala ko naman si B. S. noh?!! And I strongly disAgree!!!! Hindeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

M FACIAL CARE. Yup, that's the name!!! Not Belo or Calayan. Kahit naman may anda na ako, eh, hindi ko pa rin afford ang services nila... This clinic was referred to me by a friend. She was the first to try their stuff and it worked for her. So, I decided to give it a shot! Luckily, it WORKED wonders for me too... Just in case, you haven't heard, "marami ng nakakapansin..." Hehehe.... =)

They used to put on some mask after the pricking. Eriel, the attendant, told me that it can help tighten the pores since they had been opened during the treatment. This mask takes an hour to dry, hence I have to keep my self busy. Kaya eto, picture- picture, nakaka-Aning maghintay,eh...

These are my beauty regimen. Placenta soap, Astringent #14 and a Light Whitening Cream. The products that I have to keep using on my face. They are quite expensive compared to the other beauty products that already have a household name, but cheaper than Belo or Calayan. I have been using them for 4 months now. And it really works!!!

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Only M touches my face, Who touches yours?!! Hahaha.... =)

CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET...

I bought some stuffs on sale yesterday, not thinking that there isn't any room for them in my closet. This morning I rummaged some of my old worthy goods and have them placed infront of our garage, hoping that some of our neighbors would be pleased to have them. I had done this last year, the only difference is that I asked my brother to bring them in their office and have them sold to his officemates. Luckily, those goodie-goods were sold like hotcakes. I was able to gain more than a thousand bucks for those tops and bottoms. Considering that the prize ranges from Php5 - Php100. But before my dad would go nuts about it (he would rather give those to my relatives in the province than to sell them) , I asked my sisters in law first to have a peek and pick the ones they liked. But it's not for free, BUSINESS IS BUSINESS as usual, ika nga ni Erap, "walang kapa-kapatid, walang kama- Kamag- anak..." Hehehe... =)

Putting prices is not that easy. First, you should think about your prospective buyers, in my case, my neighbors and relatives. It just happens that I know them so well, so I have to keep the prices low. Regardless if it's branded or not.

This is one of the shirt that is up for grabs!!! I wore it only once. A medium size shirt, I bought in Bench for P400. And since I gained weight, it wont fit in me now. I'm selling this top for P50 bucks. Not bad, right?!!

She is my sister in law. She purchased more than P500 from my stuffs. She got this bag for P100. This bag came from Korea, it was given to me by my former student before they went back for good... I know, it should have had a sentimental value, but I can't use it, so it's better if I'll let her have it. Anyway, we live in the same compound, so I'll still get to see the bag once in a while...

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

It's not easy to bargain all the things that you once have, but like what the famous poet had said, " YOU HAVE TO THROW OUT THE OLD ONES TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW ONES !!!"

Happy Shopping!!! =)

PROUD TO BE A PINOY TEACHER

I opened my e-mail earlier to check the crafts draft for the student in my afternoon class and to my surprise I got an unexpected mail from this certain Mr. Colton Parker dated January 16, 2011. I have received several messages before from people that I do not know, but this letter is a bit different from the SPAMS that I used to take in...

I dont mind if it's a HOAX (and come to think of it, I still haven't gotten over Lee Da Hae's comment about Filipino song seng neem), I just wanna share this piece, coz after all, it still made me proud to be a PINOY TEACHER......

Subject: JOB VACANCY/ENGLISH TEACHER NEEDED

Dear Teacher.

We are a Canadian family living in UK We read your profile in the
www.PitchYourTalent.com site and we have decided that you to come and
teach English to my Wife and my little son Peter because my Wife is a
Swedish and she is not very good in English so that why we want you to
come and teach English to her and my little son Though my son is
better than my Wife because he is schooling here in UK but my Wife is
a Nurse by Profession but her English is not good to be able to
socialize with her friends here so we want you to come and teach her
and my son.

About Our Family

We are a professional couple, living in a big UK city. My Wife and Son
is fairly easy going and relaxed persons. Having English as a first
language is not much required in fact, we would entertain you speaking
to them in your own mother-tongue during lecturer so as to create fun.

We only seek a Teacher for basic English tutoring as what we need is
for my Wife to at least understand the basics in English. If you
accept to take a position with us, you would be paid 4500GBP (Four
thousand five hundred us dollars only).with a weekly pocket money of
400Pounds. I guess you'd say this is much, but the Company pays us
well and I love my only child/Wife so much. Hence we are doing
anything that would motivate you putting your best in tutoring my
family (Wife/Son).

Should you accept the offer, we are willing to undertake the full cost
of your traveling down here in UK. We would recommend a reputable
travel agency immediately here in UK that would process your travel
documents because we need you quite soon as my Wife is about to go for
an interview in an Hospital this December and we need her to at least
defend her self in English during the interview.

Please communicate your interest to me through my direct mobile line
(+44)7024054712 so that we can discuss your travel arrangements and
also my Son's birthday is on the 1th of Febuary and I would very much
want you to be there.You have to send your cv resume for verification.

We sincerely look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes

Mr and Mrs Colton Parker
Tel: (+44)7024054712
Email.mr.coltonparker@gmail.com

"What's in your BAG?!!"

A friend of mine tagged me in one of her notes on FB... The note was entitled "What's in your Bag?!!" I read it and I super liked it!! And since my FB NOTES is not working and it has been ages since I last visited this site (the last blog that I have posted was all about the NEW AUTOMATED ELECTION), I decided to write it on my blog instead...

Now , it's my turn to share what's in my bag.... Care to read?!! =)

I usually carry a big bag, as in biiiigggg... I dont know but for some reasons, I'm fond of carrying them.. As of now, this red bag is my favorite. I bought it in Ukay-Ukay for P170 ( not bad, right?!)

First, I have this blue folder. It contains worksheets, craft patterns and exercises for my students. It's very convenient and it makes the papers free from being crumpled.

Then I have my notebook, where I write my schedule of activities for my students, and I also have English books which I use for teaching... Then there's my ever reliable pencil case, and my 2 pairs of glasses... A pair of shades just in case it gets really hot and a pair of eye glasses for fashion!! Hahaha...

(These are my heat busters)

Umbrella, my cute abaniko and a face towel...

Of course, my wallet, MP3 to keep me from boredom and my cellphone to check and text my habibti once in a while.... =)

Comb, my small mirror, medicines just in case my migraine attacks, tissue paper and big band aids... I dont have a make-up kit, since I'm not used to put on make-up on my face... Natural look still rocks!!!!!

Last on my list are my perfumes, so I could stay fresh all day!!

Now, that you have seen what's in my BAG, care to share yours?!! =)