The week that was

Last week in numbers: Spent ₱1,964.80 and slept an average of 6 hours and 15 minutes arggh
And the highlight? I overcame the NO LATE NOVEMBER Challenge! Yeyyy

Monday (Nov 26)

☽  Slept 7hrs 7mins
★ In at 3:42PM
✧ Spent ₱1,164.80

Our landlord is coming to visit tomorrow so I cleaned the house today. I swept the floor, vacuumed and mopped it clean. Then I cooked our baon and watched What's wrong with Secretary Kim after. It's so fulfilling having the house clean, at least the floor!

While resting, I looked online for oil diffusers and aromatherapy things. I'm considering getting a small one, preferably rechargeable so I don't need to hook it to an outlet all the time. I'm pretty excited to explore nice scents. I want something that smells like the spaaaaa, or a hotel,  maybe lavender, peppermint or lemongrass I'm not sure lol.

While browsing I came across the famous Young Living Essential Oils that I've been hearing a lot from my groups and damn it's freaking ₱8,500 for a starter kit! I think it's a networking thing? I'm curious about how potent their oils are!

In the meantime I'll go get a cheap one from Shopee.

Tuesday (Nov 27)

☽  Slept 4hrs 55mins
★ In at 3:38PM
✧ Spent ₱260

Okay, a lot of things are going on in the office right now. I'm working on a new RPA task, we had an RPA demo earlier, we're setting up for an engagement activity tomorrow (ie. need to design some paraphernalia), and we're scheduled for another RPA demo with our Director so we got to plan for our presentation.

Aaaaand I have 5 freaking pending articles to write, 2 of which require a thousand words each (Lord have mercy). My team lead (I don't really know what to call her but she's the one who gives me writing tasks) sent a group message saying they're hiring more writers because the demand is growing and a lot of their current writers are submitting late and/or low quality articles. She added that if this continues some of us might get removed from the team or get less tasks. Judging from the frequency at which I receive tasks, I'd like to think I'm still on the safe side. ALTHOUGH, I do admit to submitting very late sometimes. Argh.

How do I deal with this? I like everything I'm doing but I want to have enough time to focus on them.

Wednesday (Nov 28)

☽  Slept 6hrs 23mins
★ In at 3:48PM
✧ Spent ₱270

Still on the run for No Late November! I just finished writing a one thousand word article about epilators and waxing. I'm so freaking tired. I forgot to put down the frozen meat last night so I wasn't able to cook meat when I got home! Aaaargh. Okay time to sleep!

Thursday (Nov 29)

☽  Slept 6hrs 37mins
★ In at 3:50PM
✧ Spent ₱260

We were supposed to have an important meeting today but it got cancelled. Not sure if I should be happy about it, 'cos I sure wanted to get over and done with it as soon as possible.

Friday (Nov 30)

It's a holiday so I'm not taking tabs today! This also means that I completed the NO LATE NOVEMBER CHALLENGE! Huwowww. Pushing for the next month!

Interior Design Trends 2019

Photo from Pixabay

A lot of people are excited for the new year. There is just something about new beginnings that can excite people. Of course, it can also be daunting because the future is not always known. There are different things that you can focus on such as the design of your home. It is time for you now to look for an interior designer los angeles who will be in charge of helping you with your home’s design. You would like to have a home that is modern and is able to showcase your personality at the same time. The right interior designer will be able to provide that.

These are some of the design trends to watch out for this coming year:

• Florals are in - There was a time when you are not recommended to use anything floral aside from actual flowers to decorate your home. Right now, florals are popular. It is the pattern to use and there are so many selections.
• Jewel Tones - Are you wondering what colors you need to place at home right now? You can use various jewel tones in order to make your home pop. Emerald green will be nice especially against a white backdrop. Indigo can also be great to use. In order to enhance the jewel tones further, you can can use dramatic accessories. It will make your home look different for sure.
• Patterned Backsplashes - When was the last time that you have paid attention to your backsplashes? You used to have a simple kitchen but now, you have the power to make your kitchen look bolder with patterned backsplashes. If you are not too fond of patterns, you can also choose backsplashes that come in attention-grabbing colors.
• Sustainable Pieces - Do you have piececs at home that seem handmade? If you answer yes, then you are following this design trend. There are still a lot of people who are concerned about the environment. They promote the use of sustainable materials. You can seek the help of interior designers in los angeles in order to find the pieces that will best fit your home.

If you have no time to search for the other design trends, look for top interior designers. You are sure to find designers to provide the help you are looking for.

Tricks to Never Make Your Party Boring

Photo from Pixabay

Being at a boring party will make you feel like you are wasting your time. You may think about so many other things that you can do with the time that you have. If you are going to throw the party yourself, you do not want your guests to feel that way about your party. You want them to have fun. You want the guests to rave about the party days after the actual event.

You would like to check Los Angeles event rentals who will be able to provide the items that you need to make the event a success. How will you throw a successful event when you do not have the right items that will make people comfortable.

These are some of the tips that you have to remember so that you can have a more successful party:

• You can always ask other people to help you set up your party. You can have a partner who will help you organize the party properly. There are even some guests who are willing to contribute food and so much more.
• Get to organize the food that you are going to serve your guests ahead of time. Do you plan on serving some finger food or would you rather serve food that will make your guests feel full? Decide on this ahead of time and it will surely help you.
• Make sure that you are going to play good music. The definition of good will differ from one person to another. Choose music that most people can appreciate. This will depend on the guests that you will be inviting to your party.
• It is best if you would have different games that will entertain your guests. There are a lot of introverts who hate parties because they are required to mingle with other people. This time, you can just have games that will allow your guests to focus their attention on other things. There are some unique game ideas that you can find online.
• You have to make sure that you will decorate the place the best way possible. If you need table rentals, then you should fix this issue ahead of time.

Do you think you will be able to make things fun? Follow the tips mentioned above.

Christmas Gift Ideas for all at the 2018 Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone

Every year, you promise yourself you won't wait till the last minute to do your holiday shopping. But once again, Christmas is getting closer and you haven’t even started. Before you enter a crazy shopping frenzy, check out the 2018 Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone. You'll find everything you need with time to spare, and your gifts will be met with beaming faces.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) celebrates Christmas by bringing top-of-the-line products to our Filipino friends. The Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone will showcase awesome brands and gadgets in time for your Christmas shopping, offering you effortless, first-class shopping for your loved ones. The event is being held at Glorietta 2-Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati, November 30 - December 2, 2018. It will feature four exciting zones including: ICT and Gaming, Smart Mobility, Smart Home, and Health and Leisure. A total of 38 Taiwanese tech companies will present over 90 premium products. With such variety, you won’t run out of gift ideas!

The ICT and Gaming booth will showcase everything from rigs, consoles, mainframes, and accessories, serving to boost businesses and provide entertainment. TAITRA will also display cutting-edge devices from tech giant ASUSTeK Computer Inc., offering the ROG Zephyrus M laptop powered by 8th Generation Intel®, the industry's most advanced processor for computers ensuring fast and seamless laptop performance. In addition, ADATA Technology Co. Ltd. will showcase its HD710 Pro, which takes external hard drive durability to the next level. It’s equipped with a triple-layered protective material to ensure it withstands destructive shocks resulting from falling on the floor.

New trends and all-terrain adaptability will take center stage at the smart mobility station. Tern Junni Industries will exhibit military-grade, trailblazing products that are specially designed to conquer rugged conditions, such as the Tern Verge D9. This small-wheeled bike is equipped with a polished quill stem, leather grips, and classic silver crankset that makes it a stylish mobility device. Meanwhile, mall-goers will be able to check out Kymco Philippines Inc.’s Super z 150i’s modern dashboard, hooks, and front and rear box compartments.

TAITRA is also redefining the Filipino household through its lineup of Smart Home devices including Tatung Co.’s detachable cook pots, which have ferro-carbon technology that avoids damage from dust, weight, and heat.

Lastly, the Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone will offer its visitors firsthand experience of Taiwan’s health and leisure products. Johnson Health Tech. Phil. Inc.'s stylish yet functional treadmills - Citta, Elite, and Elliptical - are thoughtfully designed to provide 19 workout programs that include a half-marathon feature. Additionally, Tokuyo Biotech International Co. Ltd.'s sleek and powerful Fancy 2 massage chairs and Departure International Co. Ltd.'s high-impact resistant and lightweight multipurpose luggage will also be on display.

In parallel to the Experience Zone, the three-day activity will also feature fashion shows, dance performances, and stage games. Upon entry, guests will be given an opportunity to join a raffle as well as receive a shopping pass with discounts from tech brands such as Tern, Johnson, Kingmax, Saeko, and Tatung.

Also, watch out for young artists including Darren Espanto, Julie Ann San Jose, and Inigo Pascual who will join us to entertain our crowds, while performances from chorale groups will welcome the spirit of Christmas.

The Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone will celebrate Christmas and provide consumers with a vast array of devices to give their loved ones. Admission is free. For more information, please visit taiwanexcellence.org, or like our Taiwan Excellence Facebook page.

The week that was: waiting for sweldaaaay

Helloooooo! So for the last week, I spent a total of ₱1,036, slept an average of 7hrs and 31 mins , and STILL --- NO LATES!!! Noice.

Monday (Nov 19)

I called in sick today 'cos I haven't fully recovered from flu. Yes, I spent my birthday weekend sick and fighting it but I still had a blast. It was my first long drive and I thank God for keeping us safe always! Today all I did was sleep!

☽  Slept 12hrs 52mins
✧ Spent ₱75

Tuesday (Nov 20)

☽  Slept 6hrs 6mins
★ In at 3:44PM
✧ Spent ₱315

I almost got late because it took a lot of time for me to get a parking slot. Today at work we were so busy shooting clips for our Movie Trailer project. It's a contest for our Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday and it's so fun to do. I initially thought it would be a drag to produce something like this but boy my manager is a photography and film enthusiast so you could tell we had a taste of prod life under his direction. I didn't think shooting scenes and assisting on the lights and effects could be so fuuun bwahaha!

Wednesday (Nov 21)

☽  Slept 5hrs 35mins
★ In at 3:36PM
✧ Spent ₱210

I'm sleeping less and less omg this can't beeee! Can I blame Netflix? Kim's Convenience is just so hard to drop. And What's wrong with Secretary Kim just started airing too! I've been waiting for Netflix to get the series, so finally!

The company held a Thanksgiving Salu-Salo today so yey for free food aaaand Turkey!

I'm at this point in my life where I'm considering dropping all my sidelines just to get more rest and me time (read books, learn new piano pieces, EXERCISE). I've had two graphic design inquiries and my articles just keep on piling, and as much as I want to keep on working, it feels like it's not worth it anymore ever since my salary got updated. In short, I may not need the extra income anymore because I'm already earning extra.

BUT OF COURSE, sidelines like these keep my uhm creative juices flowing and I thought maybe I could just keep whatever I earn and save it for car things. You know, maintenance, insurance, accessories, blah. Having a car is like raising a child, so expensive (like I would know?!).

Thursday (Nov 21)

☽  Slept 6hrs 8mins
★ In at 3:21PM
✧ Spent ₱110

Today is our department's Thanksgiving Celebration and aside from my excitement for the food, I'm also excited about how our movie trailer will come out! Looking forward to it hahaha!

Okay it's over! SO MUCH FUUUUN! We won best trailer and bagged all the awards WOW! Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Movie Trailer yehey thank you Lord! I'm so proud of my groupmates, most especially my boss who's a film enthusiast so alam mo yun sisiw sa editing! HAHA

Here's my 3 second part in the trailer bwahaha. Trimmed and converted to gif to save uhm resources? Also our trailer is unlisted on Youtube so I can't really share? Dunno.

Yesss mahangin sa basement.

It's truly a day of thanksgiving. Our 13th month pay just came in too! Huhuhu thank you Lord!

Friday (Nov 22)

☽  Slept 6hrs 56mins
★ In at 3:28PM
✧ Spent ₱326

Our 13th month pay was credited yesterday and I'm so frkn happy! First of all, I got a full month with my updated basic pay. And also, it was credited along with our salaries so yes I feel so rich. But it's fleeting of course. Jeckie and I have no plans of splurging. We're saving our bonuses to add to our dollar investment so that we can totally take over paying the car with its proceeds. :)

Nothing much is going on at work, I guess everyone's busy for the holidays? :D

Airbnb stay: Tagaytay condo overlooking Taal

I spent my birthday weekend with my family at this unit in Citiland Tagaytay Prime Residences. It's our second time staying at the same condo building and we're always delighted with our bookings! I was supposed to book a place at Serin West but none of the bnb's I like are available on my birthday.

Of course, I was taken by the photos on the Airbnb page, I'm a sucker for great interiors and high floors with nice views, and while this unit isn't the best in terms of furnishings, it's incredibly bright and looks immaculately clean. And so we're in.

And indeed!

The view is amazing. The unit has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. In total there are 3 balconies. The master's is facing Taal lake and the rest is facing the city. It's a corner unit too so there are a lot of windows. I love it!

The unit is big, spacious, and very well lit. The living and dining could be updated but because the place is so spacious, it doesn't look too bad.

They have a TV but it's not equipped with cable and the unit doesn't have wifi (it does have TV Plus but it's crappy). For that reason I brought my laptop, HDMI cable, hard disk with movies, and my Globe at Home Prepaid Wifi unit (in case Globe signal is strong -- it wasn't).

The kitchen is small but it's stocked alright with everything we need - mugs, plates, utensils, electric kettle, microwave. The ref is big too! My parents had to bring a rice cooker though because hahaha we're a family who likes to bring baon and prep food during outings lol.

Now we go to the bedrooms!

The master's is big enough and the view is really stunning. I guess I'll never get tired of a lush scenery. The wind is fresh and the nights are very cold!

The other bedroom is smaller with 2 single beds, but man it has windows all around.

We're a family of 5 and I could say the unit is only good for 4 people. My sister had to sleep on the couch but it's very comfy naman so I guess it's okay for 5 na rin haha.

Citiland Tagaytay Prime Residences is also very centrally located. There's a McDonald's right across the building, a 7-Eleven on the ground floor, and it's only a few meters away from Tagaytay Rotunda where you'll never get hungry. There's Fora Filinvest and Ayala Serin Mall close by. Urgh, best place to be, unless you're craving for a more nature-filled retreat hehe. I'm always afraid of exploring places outside the highway. I feel like I'm gonna plunge too deep into the town and that the car wouldn't be able to bear the uphill trek back to the city center. Yun talaga issue ko hahahaha.

There you go! I left a nice feedback for this unit so if you're looking for a 2 bedroom in Tagaytay with a great view, you may want to consider this place. The hosts are so nice they even allowed us to check-in early. They also provide 1 reserved parking slot and if there's a need for another you could use the condo's guest parking. The unit is worth ₱3,000/night but the rates depend on the season. :)

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Still not on Airbnb? Man, you're missing out on tons of beautiful and affordable accommodation! If you want to sign up, please do so using my referal link so we'll both get free travel credits! Yeyy!

[Review] Xiaomi Yi Compact Dashcam

Finally got a dashcam! Tbh I don't know if Yi is made by Xiaomi, but whatever. Let's continue with the article. This review will cover the following and also some tips here and there:

• Specifications
• Where to get one
• What's in the box
• Requirements
• Installation (non-hardwired)
• Sample footage (day and night)

Specifications

I believe I got the Yi Compact Dash Camera 'cos that's what the Shopee store says haha, I know there's like a Yi Smart Dash Camera too with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and 60fps recording, but I didn't get the Smart one so don't get confused! Here are the specs:

• 130° ultra wide-angle lens
• 1080p 30fps high speed recording
• Emergency Recording
• 2.7" LCD screen
• Built-in wifi
• Built-in microphone
• Dimensions: L-74mm, W-19.4mm/32mm, H-52.4mm

That's it! It's a basic dashcam that's perfect for my basic needs lol.

Where to get one?

I got mine from this store at Shopee. Wait for a SALE. It usually costs ₱2,500 to ₱2,999 but during the time I bought it, it was down to ₱1,799 so I took it right away. It comes with free shipping and some more discounts pa so I got 100 off on my final bill. SULIT!

I was actually looking for sellers who could install na rin cos girl I'm too dumb to install this on my own. I want it hardwired but seeing that my car's electronic warranty is still active, I can't afford to touch the fusebox. Given that, I decided to just get a bare unit and get a stab and installing this on my own. #StrongIndependentLadyDriver

What's in the box?

There's the unit, a long ass USB cord, adhesive 3m mount, a USB car charger, and the manual. Basic. Would've bought a suction cup mount instead but according to the reviews, if you're not gonna move the thing frequently you could just settle for the permanent adhesive mount.

Requirements

Nothing much, just a Class 10 microSD card with FAT32 format that's at least 16GB. In the official Yi website, recommended storage is 8GB to 64GB. But in my experience, 1 minute of footage is already around 100MB so 8GB is only good for some 80mins of driving. Not a lot, unless you constantly backup. 

Installation (non-hardwire)

I watched countless Youtube videos to get this thing right and thankfully, I got it faaam! The wires are hidden, but I'm still not completely satisfied. For now I got the wire routed into the headliner, passing by the edge of the pillar, into the weatherstrip, underneath the floor matting, and finally up on the USB charging port.

In pictures I'll try to show you a step by step of how I did it.

Step one: Position your dashcam  

To help you find the right spot, connect it to your phone so you get a live view of the peripheral of the dashcam. I stuck mine next to the base of the rearview mirror. I'm aware it's sticking right on the tint so I'm never changing that lol. I also don't know what the ideal view is for a dashcam but for some reason I don't like footages that show the hood of the car, for uhm, aesthetic purposes. You know, I'm kinda in it for the view so I don't want any obstructive thing in my dashcam's peripheral. I feel silly but hahaha please let me be.

Step two: Tuck the wire in

And to help you with pushing the wires in place, use a plastic card.

The headliner is where the windshield meets the roof of your car. If you push it with your fingers you'll feel there's a space inside where you can tuck the wires in.

Follow the white line

After passing by the headliner, you gotta push the wire into the edge of the pillar. In other methods, they remove the pillar and hide the wire inside, but I got no tools for that and I'm afraid I might break something so I just hid it on the top edge, and tuck the rest of the wire into the weatherstrip.

The weatherstrip is this long strip of black rubber attached on the edges of the vehicle's frame. Using a plastic card, help yourself tuck the wires in. Gosh we're so near the charging port!

The floor area is where it got a bit challenging for me. I wanted to get the wire inside the compartment but I don't know where to pass it so for now I settled with hiding the wire underneath the floor matting.

Then it's just a matter of reaching the charging port and powering it on.

Aaaand success! Since the dashcam is plugged in the power outlet, the gadget will start when the key is in the ACC or ON position.

Sample footage

Here's a sample footage during the day.

Screenshot along the way

And here's a sample footage during the night

Here's a screenshot at night at a very dark place with just my headlights on (low beam). If you look closely, you'll see an ominous figure somewhere. CHAROT.

Aaaaand that's it!

Finally

This is a really good buy for me. It's affordable, reliable, and somehow I can't get enough of watching our footage! I'm bored like that. I highly recommend this product!

A couple of cons:
- Mic isn't that clear
- Dashcam gets in the way of the front sunshade
- Uhh that's it

The mic isn't super duper clear. But it's okay, we can hear our conversations properly naman hehe. It looks elegant too. I never looked at other dashcams because this one's too pretty. The lines are sleek and minimal. Love it.