Bisdak Babbles

I came across NiqueHappy.com, a very interesting website and found these tips for us, ladies, on how to pamper ourselves. Let’s see if we’re already treating ourselves as we ought to…

1. Pamper yourself with a nice sparkling bubble bath with candles.
This is really effective at relieving stress, but our tub still needs a lot of scrubbing. I’ll definitely try this before autumn (keeping my fingers crossed).

2. Indulge in them chocolates.
I eat chocolates everyday! If only Lady Borden chocolate icecream were cheaper, I’d also help myself with at least 6 scoops a day!

3. Send yourself flowers! Clueless-style.
Maybe I will. If only those yellow roses were a lot cheaper. (Here I go again… ranting about the price tag)

4. Watch a comedy movie and laugh a lot. You’ll be surprised how much stress you relieve just by laughing.
Watching a comedy movie or anime while eating chips and icecream - 100% effective stress reliever. Well, at least for me.

5. Order an expensive meal and have it delivered to you. I mean, why not? Errr… let me think…

6. Make snacks (rice krispies, bake some cookies, blend drinks, etc.)
I miss those times I spend with my cousins scouring the neighborhood for snacks ingredients.

7. Work on that scrapbook you meant to finish but never had time to do it.
I do have lots of unfinished scrapbook!

8. Do some reading.
I always have a novel with me.

9. Or take a cruise out to a bookstore and indulge on some interesting reading. Or, if you’re feeling a bit homebound, order one online!
I do this sometimes. Good thing there’s a bookstore nearby that has lots of English novels. But I wish there’s some BookSale branches here, too.

10. Catch a free makeover at the department store. We even have beauty tips and products picked out for you!
I wonder if I have the guts to approach those sales ladies.

11. Take a yoga or dance class.
Tried an informal Samba dance lesson once and it was a lot of fun! But the venue is a bit far and it’s on Sunday night!

12. Wake up and catch the sunrise.
This is out of the question, especially because at this season, the sun rises before 5AM.

13. Cook for yourself! I guess I have no other choice.

My friend, Fortuitous Faery of Writings on the Wall, invited me to join PostCrossing, sort of a community where you can send and receive postcards to and from other members from random places in the world. I’ve been a member for more than 2 months and so far, I’ve sent 10 postcards and received 10.

I received one from the US and the sender talked about her place, Outer Banks. The name is very catchy, the postcard was so lovely, so I did my homework and searched through the internet more about it. Outer Banks of North Carolina is referred to by USA Today® as a world-class backyard destination, and a classic, affordable U.S. vacation. If you love white sand beaches, lighthouses, aquariums, museums, wildlife, and cultural sites, then Outer Banks is one of the best places you have to visit. If I were given a chance to travel to the US, I’d definitely drop by North Carolina.

I came here 2 years ago with one-year work visa. So I had to go to the immigration office last year and was again given a year extension. It was about to expire so I paid the immigration office a visit two weeks ago.

My Filipino colleagues were given a 3-year work visa after staying here for two years. So, I was looking forward to receiving the same. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. Yes, my visa extension was approved, but I was given one-year visa again. I can’t point out any reason why, but it would have been great to receive a 3-year work visa. It would definitely save me trips to the immigration office, and it’s cheaper! 1-year visa or 3-year visa, both cost 4,000 yen! Anyway, I couldn’t spend more time sulking about it. I just hope I could get it next time.

The Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau maybe far from the city but I think it’s worth the trip. Here are some pictures:

This is right in front of the immigration office:

A view from the train station:

Another view from the train station.

(The building at the rightmost part of the picture houses the immigration bureau.)

I have posted something about getting to the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau. Please click here.

Both of my parents had acne problems when they were in their teens, and so do my siblings and I. In my case, it’s definitely not because I lack hygiene. Anyway, my acne problem was worst when I was in college. I hated looking at the mirror because my cheeks were all read with acne!

My mother took me to a dermatologist. But even with the prescribed acne treatment cream, prescribed facial soap, and some vitamins for the skin, the problem still persisted. So, for years, I stopped relying on acne creams. Even now that I am in my late 20’s, I still have some pimples left. Thank God, they seldom appear on my cheeks. They somehow “relocated” to my chin and neck. For months, I’ve been using Shiseido Pimplit and I’m glad I’ve found it. I couldn’t do anything with the scars, though.

This album has been a favorite since I came across it. I could listen to these songs again and again (Hold On, Release Me, Impulsive, You’re in Love, Reason to Believe, The Dream is Still Alive), but all I had was a cassette tape copy from Florence. An original CD would have been great.

I’ve been searching for this album for years. Thanks to a second hand shop here in Osaka, my search finally ended. I was able to get the CD for only 280 yen (about $2), and it’s as good as new! A new music CD here costs more than 2,000 yen.

That second hand shop has many music CDs and DVDs.  They also sell manga (comics) for 100 yen each that are also as good as new. Great buy, isn’t it?

So, if you want to buy something here, check out some second hand shops, first

I’ve lived in Manila for almost a year and it left me with one impression: I want to have my own condominium unit in Makati! But due to colossal problems that have kept coming, I think this dream is still a bit far-fetched. Should I get a breather from all of these, I’ll definitely go for it (if God wills it). I’m honestly planning on working back in the Philippines.

If I continue working in Manila, I think it is wiser to try buying a condominium unit than keep on renting. After all, the rent costs an arm and a leg. The sole problem would be raising the downpayment, and then perhaps seek the assistance of mortgage lenders. A few addition to the previous rental amount, then the unit will be mine in a few years. Wishing… and hoping…