Brazilian Blowout Treatment at David's Cut- The Expert Hair Salon

I have been planning this for so long but wasn't exactly sure if I'm ready to let go of my very long hair and since Brazillian Blowout or Keratin treatment, whatever you call it, it's fine, it's the same, is too pricey, I decided to think about it first. Besides, I always have long hair. Whenever I hang out with friends, I always curl it. Any style is great to work with but short. Short is dreaded! It would make my hair "tikwas" in every other corner and I wouldn't want to look like I was electrified.

I said that if I were to have a treatment, I'll make damn sure that I will cut my hair really short.

Chloe Bennet's haircut for Marvel's Agents of SHIELD Seaon 3 insipred me to move forward and that night when I was almost late at work for fixing my damned Rapunzel hair. I was firm with my decision the morning when I went home. I just had a few hours of sleep and took care not to put out my alarm. Since I have 3 days off work, I decided to work it out.

(Having really long hair is a must for every girl, taken a week before the treatment. I flat-ironed my hair at this picture)

I already had a number stored on my phone and it turned out to be the owner of David's Cut- The Expert Hair Salon (Molino Branch). She is kind enough to let me take on the offer of Php 999.00 which is for weekdays only. The store manager then set me an appointment at 6pm. After quite a long wait, I was shampooed and  ushered to one of the seats. I told the Senior Stylist, Wayne (I think), that I want to cut it short. He was shocked and hesitant to cut my hair because it's a virgin hair and really long. But still, my plan prevailed.

Before the treatment, cutting my hair short by Sir Wayne. You can see those rebellious little baby hair at the sides.

After cutting my hair, the assistant applied the nasty smelling Keratin on my hair. It doesn't smell that bad, but when they blowdry and iron the hair, it smells like weird chemical stinging my eyes. I feel like I am chopping onions. The stylist didn't assure that my hair would be straightened at all, but at least a little. He said that those "sumpa" (the curly baby hairs at the side) is very resistant to the chemical. I like the honesty of the guy, At least he's not faking it just to get more customers. I would like to have highlights on my hair at first but he said it's quite risky so I didn't push it. And it's just a trial. So I just go for the keratin treatment. He is very kind to explain what keratin is, where is it, how it is done etc. I like that about them because it gives the customer confidence in what they know. They just don't apply it, they know it.

I wasn't able to time how long I waited for the keratin to be absorbed by my hair because I was too busy with social media stuff and being emotional about my long hair. Anyway, I wanted it. The process itself is quick, only the ironing of the hair makes it longer because did it with very thin layers. At exactly 9pm, it's finished and I was instructed not to wet my hair for 48 hours. I didn't buy the shampoo needed to maintain the keratin of the hair but I bought Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo because it is sulfate free. They said any sulfate-free shampoo will do like Aveeno etc.

My hair right after the treatment, when I got home.

I was worried that my hair would have fly-aways right after I shampooed but it didn't. It has some part that didn't quite work well, but nothing drastic. I like the service and I'm satisfied with it.
I promised them that I would blog about it if I think the service is good. Actually for Php 999.00 plus Php 100.00 for the haircut ( I think; because I paid Php 1,100.00) the service is quite satisfactory and astounding. If ever I would leave the country, I would color my hair and do this treatment again in the same salon. I am quite impressed; and I am not that easy to impress.

My hair after shampooing and drying it out

You see the strands are quite thinner and my hair shinier. It has minimal fly-aways here and there but nothing too obvious. I need to style my hair more because I would still have to tie it. It's still long from our standards. Anyway, I give 4 Stars to David's Cut- The Expert Hair Salon Molino Branch!

When Someone Calls You UNPROFESSIONAL

Today, dated 8^th of March, year 2015 marks the fall down of my respect to one of my Operations Manager in the casino I am working for. To give you a picture of it all, I was assigned to a table with a different currency and we have a lot of foreigners in the casino. It was a critical day for all of us so there was a heavy “OM appearances” on the scene. The table isn't just a normal Baccarat table, but Baccarat Insurance table, which means my brain, is all over the place. I can feel my fontanels bulging and my parietal lobe is maybe twice as much as a normal human brain because I’m telling you, this game is quite complicated. Anyway, It was my last thirty-minute break and I was quite high because the end of my shift is nearing and I don’t have so many players as the others did (actually, I don’t have any more players around 1:30 AM). Who wouldn't celebrate if everyone’s working hard and you don’t have to work your ass off, when in fact, your table is very much vulnerable to players, right?

I never had written reports on dealing errors (okay, maybe one or two!) except for attendance. I don’t have any plans on ruining my record when it comes to job itself on the table. Here’s the deal, I was on my way to my table after my break and I was singing Heart Attack by Demi Lovato (my favorite singer!). Are you familiar with the “hand dance” she makes on the video? It is what I was doing but a little bit more exaggerated. I didn't notice that one of our managers were standing in the corner, and saw me doing it. At first, he called my attention and asked me what I was doing. I said “sorry” and carry on wit staring. I told my supervisor that it’s better than being a frowning-I’m-tired-of-my-work-please-leave-me-alone dealer face, which is normal. I think that made the situation worse, because I saw his face changed from light to dark! (Well, he is dark, and has an old style haircut like Nick Carter back when As Long As You Love Me is the national anthem). I said “Sorry, I was just being hyper.” He approached us and said:

First - “You’re dealing with money here, millions.”

Mind: How would my hand dancing affect the millions on the tray, anyway? Will it dance its way out of the float too?

Second: “You’re like kids!”

Mind: Alright, I admit that. I am young, wild and free!  And yes, I am 25 and acting like 18. I like it. Ignorance is bliss.

Third: “It’s not hyper, it’s so unprofessional!” (With the ugly scowl on his face)

Mind: Okay, who’s more unprofessional in here? Do you hear what you’re saying Sir? You are scolding us in front of many people. You should've called me at your office or a secluded area, where no one’s watching so I won’t get embarrassed. Congratulations Mister Manager, you just trashed and stepped on my ego. And wait, it’s not hyper? I am normally like this. If you know your colleagues well, you should know, a long time ago that I was really like this. I NORMALLY act like this. I dance, I sing, I laugh and joke around with my players. I never get a single complain from them because that’s my charm. I am a natural born performer, charmer with customer service on my forehead. You’re already judging me sir. My dancing is me being me. If you read between the lines, you’re actually judging my whole personality as unprofessional. Me, being unprofessional. WOW. I've never been insulted like this in my life.

If someone corrected your actions, you should feel that you are wrong, and be sorry about it, not to make you feel small and embarrassed, like you are a kid being scolded in front of your classmates for not taking a bath. I admit what I did is somewhat not right, that I was being a kid. But to scold me in front of anyone is major embarrassment.

I came from a call center, and yes, we are all Filipinos but the American culture way is being adopted at the place. You can talk to a manager like just one of your peeps and they talk to you in a nice way. It’s not that you don’t have a respect; it’s just that they’re easy to approach and talk some sense in them.

I personally think that our managers need leadership training. They were where they are because of tenure ship in the field or what? Leaders are born and so as trained. They aren’t naturally born leaders so they badly need a help from an expert. Every leader is willing to be trained and should have an open mind. Most of them do this. I can name 2 or 3 who is a good manager. About 90 percent needs training just like that of in call center. Comparing to what I have witnessed, I am more amazed and has respect on managers in call centers than in the casino. Not that I am saying that I’m a better leader or person, or whatnot, I was just laying my observations that A BETTER ENVIRONMENT HAS BETTER LEADERS. DISCLAIMER: I am not saying I’m a perfect person that I don’t make mistake but I see to it that when it comes to people’s feelings, I would choose when to attack. For a matter as complicated as this, I would know when to strike at someone’s feelings. I've been through a lot and I wouldn't want anyone to judge me.

I was disappointed and sad with the epidemic bad attitude that’s polluting the casino. All the better ones already left us and the corrupted ones are, sad to say, here with us. I should resign right as soon as possible. I never want to grow up with these kinds of people around me.

Reminisce

Napadaan lang sa dating school with college friends, Melo and Chari. We decided to meet after having my checkup (while waiting for my results). With Melo, I always meet her, but I bought a preloved book from Chair, you check her Instagram site by the way, (books_2love).

Namiss ko to grabe!

With Chari, on the driver's seat, driving while sleeping

sunset on our way to Bea's house

kaka-miss to! Come let us to Southville sing! Stars and Hearts and laurels bring yeah whatever

Dito kami nagdu-duty nung college

And kung saan napakasarap ng hotdog sandwich! Selet sa Shell. Right in front of our college.

Club Balai Isabel

I was invited by my best friend, Melo to go with them at Talisay, Batangas together with her family for the Feast Day of San Guillermo on the 8th of February 2014. I was quite not myself because I went straight from work to packing to meet them somewhere in Alabang. We took the long road of NLEX and it was a fast drive from Alabang. Thanks to Kuya Jay and Ate Rucielle for the treat! I got the privilege to stay with them at Club Balai Isabel. We checked in on the 8th of February morning.

I was surprised because when we got there, everyone was so busy doing so many things. I was quite impressed because it made me realize how feasts of saints are very important to some people, while for us, we don't care that much. It's the same when I visited Cebu for the Sinulog Festival (again, it was a treat from my cousin. I never traveled using my own money. It was always free.) Everyone was still wide awake at night, preparing for the upcoming celebration. It was never really a big thing for us.

We stayed at the Orchard Lane; second floor of the three-story building. It was like a condo unit. I dunno it's hard to describe. There is one room with two double beds and two single beds outside with a pull-over bed under it.

(Upon entering the place, a mini dining area will welcome you)

 (This is where we slept. And a special mention to Twilight the fat Chihuahua)

(And beside the bed is the sliding door going to the mini terrace where you can have a drink at night and read your favorite book)

My friend gave me some time to take a nap because I was so not myself and after that, we changed to our swimwear and jumped into our first choice of pool, where a wedding was being held.

(The wedding motif was red. I kind of envy the wedding part but was immediately extinguished when I saw the groom and the bride.lol)

(From left to right : Yaya, Reese, Me and Melo)

(Pool 1 without the wedding setup and at daylight)

After experiencing this pool, we tried another one near or villa. There were a total of six swimming pools in this place, if I could remember it correctly. My stay was very pleasant and the people were very nice and accommodating. We didn't get to try this one lonely pool just right across the villa. It's about four feet I guess?

There was this "Tagong Gubat" (Hidden Forest) at the left side of the road going to the big infinity pool. That was me, with the big thigh, feeling like a stranger to this island.

1st picture was on the road going to the Infinity pool. You see, it's quite wide so you can do a lot of things. If I just weren't suffering from sleep deprivation and stomachache due to fart stopping, I would've jogged in the morning and smell the freshness of the world around me. If you want to relax and forget about the city buzz for a while, this is a very good place to start. It is nature friendly. Not for the party-people type but for the person with a busy career that needs to unwind a little, just like me. I felt refreshed and energized when I got home. It feels like the pollution I got from my work was cleansed out of my body.

 (I almost forgot to add this picture. That explains this lonesome pic)

(The beauty of Taal was not expressed here much because of the picture quality)

 (The empty restaurant that serves great pasta and Mango shake)

(Mini bar at the corner. The Bar and Restaurant is located near Swimming Pool 1, near the check-in counter)

There are so many things to do but so little time. At night, we went to party with the past generations, I think there was a tribute to them. Melo's cousin was the "kapitana" so I think that explains the good treatment. (LOL) What else did we do? Go to the flea market, church, and swim more! Special thanks to Makalintal family, Dimayuga family, and everyone else in Poblacion 5 Talisay Batangas. 

PS I feel like not myself today so excuse for expressing my hastiness in making this blog because Im not in the mood. I just felt like it was ages ago, and I needed to post this one.

Numb

Lately, I thought I've been feeling numb that I want to feel something. Something different that's not familiar to the senses or whatnot. I can't explain it but each time I feel cold, like literally, physically cold, I keep having weird thoughts that I, myself couldn't explain either. Maybe it's a postmenstrual syndrome, I don't know. I feel happy and ecstatic whenever around people but when I'm all alone, the feeling suddenly appears.

I think I was thinking if I should inflict physical pain to myself to awaken my senses and shake my sleeping soul. I feel entirely flat. Just living the normal life. Wake up, work, sleep, and that's about it. I was thinking if it's also related to ny best friend being resently officially in a relationship. I felt abandoned but that's not the perfect word to describe what I feel. Honestly, I'm happy for the both of them and I don't care actually.

I think I should get a tattoo. But I don't think that's an option because I don't think my current job is my dream job and I don't plan on settling here for so long. I am still waiting for that dream job to come and I'm ready to get a tattoo.

The last time I felt this weird, I got my ear peirced two at a time on one side. Eventually, I had to get rid of it because I can't hide my ear because we have to tie our hair at work.

So what is this feeling? I'm an empty shell. I can say people around are having a good timebhaving me around and to cope up to this emptiness, I am loud, I mean very loud.

I don't want to just feel this anger and regret solely, but something that wasn't there before. Something brand new is welcome. Maybe something like a Survivor challenge or sky diving or what?

Book Review : Invisibility by Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

I have no interest in reading this book when I saw it on Powerbooks but my best friend, Melo read the synopsis to me so that opened up my mind and hear to another David Levithan book.

This is very much unlikely of Levithan because knowing him from the book Everyday, the extraordinary protagonist lives in a very ordinary and realistic world. The main character struggles on its own and ends up sacrificing his love interest or so.

It ends up devastatingly (for perfect ending lovers) and lives you hanging and hoping that there's more. In this book, Stephen is invisible and only one person can see him, and why? This is not a spoiler review, but maybe, being the only girl that can only see the cursed Stephen, Elizabeth must have been extraordinary. So, that makes them two extraordinary people living an ordinary life in Manhattan.

I am not taking away credits from Cremer, and since I haven't read any of her works yet, I can't say much about her. Only, I think she was the reason behind this brilliant irony in the story.

In the middle of the story, it was nice to know that there is some kind of a cure for what has been done. There was hope. As I reach the further part of the novel, I got really bored and it slowed me down on reading. It took weeks for me to finish it.

The ending is still David Levithan-ish, if you know what I mean. I wasn't expecting the kind of ending it has because hope was presented in the middle of the story. There was a little spark inside me hoping for a miraculously good ending.

No spoilers intended so I am limiting my review with this: Love prevails and accepts what the eyes don't see. Every normality they thought was gone came back and they have no choice but to live with whatever they're satisfied with.

Fault in Our Minds

This blog isn’t about weird dreams or a review about the movie Fault In Our Stars. The feeling I have was triggered by the movie so, it’s good to do this blog right after watching the novel-turned-movie by John Green because I cried a lot on this movie, like in every part of it. The feeling just came pouring in and I just want to publish it right now without editing it, and just read it by tomorrow perhaps.

Anyway, let me just say that Shailene Woodley is an amazing actress and was very brave to have shown her bare face. She has no make-up at all. It’s obvious so I can tell, but of course, who knows? She is a new inspiration to me. She has all the freckles and other imperfections but still beautiful. That’s what girl power is all about! I love her!

I am going to talk about death. Sometimes, the way we witness death is different from the way other see it. Each experience is unique. Sometimes, it’s a matter of importance of that someone who passed away. It’s about the way a person stood in your life.

We say the same to a dying relative that we experience touch of death on someone we love but we only say that because it’s what’s appropriate and what’s supposed to be. Who doesn’t say they don’t love their relatives anyway? But it’s not the same with a relative or someone whom you dearly love; the way that a person touched and affected your life and became a big part of it. We can say, a close cousin who has become like a sister or a brother, your parents, grandparents, a friend or a best friend; it’s endless. We never know when life would be taken away from us.

Relating to the story of Hazel, her experience is unique. She has seen someone, a guy, who changed her life for a brief moment that feels forever, fade away slowly. She has seen Gus die each day, and with that her heart dies too. I was so caught up with the movie that I don’t even care if they’re laughing at me because they wouldn’t have understood the way each and everybody feels about it. The way they feel sometimes transpires in the story they see. Those teenager boys beside me are probably laughing but I don’t give a damn. It’s quite funny and amazing that a movie can really touch the way a person feels.

What I’m saying is, I don’t know how to end this blog. It’s just that I thought I wanted to blog about death and its unique experience it gives us. I just want to say how great John Green is for making this novel. He is like the author Peter Van Houten on the novel, only he’s not a douchebag. Maybe he wants to give us a feeling of Hazel and Gus’s hanging feeling and question on the book mentioned in the novel, An Imperial Affliction? He gave quite an ending but what happens to Hazel? Does she make it or not? What’s the life after that?

I promised myself that I would never ever read John Green’s creations again, but he is really a brilliant author so I break that promise. Next on my list is Paper Towns and Abundance of Katherines.