LET'S FACE IT PARK SQUARE I BRANCH SUCKS!

I previously recommended the massage services of Let's Face It--a one stop beauty service shop where one can get facials, spas and just recently, massages at a pang-masa (low) price.

Having a stressful job, am a big fan of massages and the like so Let's Face It was a nice discovery for me. I get to unwind without paying atrocious rates. However, I had a very BAD EXPERIENCE with LET'S FACE IT PARK SQUARE here at Makati. In fact, I just came from the shop and immediately tried to find an internet cafe where I can complain and tell the whole world how their service--specifically in that branch--sucks big time!

First of all, I was made to wait 30 minutes because their masseuse had to go on break for lunch since she just finished with a customer. Being the understanding person that I am, I readily agreed and reviewed my notes for my wce on Friday. When I was called, I was dismayed to see that the massage room is smaller than the rooms at Festival Mall and Greenbelt I. I had to squeeze through the door just to get inside. Moreover, the robes and towels that they provided for the shower were insufficient. They did not even have slippers!

During the massage, the masahista was talkative so I indulged her a little bit. Later on, another kind of talk was disturbing my moments of relaxation. Apparently, the massage room is located beside the waiting area of the derma people (the ones who does the facials and stuff. What do you call them? They're not dermatologists...so they're pseudo-dermatologists). They were so noisy. Chatting and talking about their lives, cellphones etc. I managed to drowse off but was awakened by someone walking outside the room. Apparently again, the floor is made out of wood and anyone wearing heels cannot walk quietly across the room. Instead of feeling relaxed after that massage, I felt more stressed! I then decided that I should complain to at least someone. I complained to my masseuse and she said it's always been like that. Ok fine, so she's no help. When I paid my bill, I complained to the people at the counter and they just stood there all quiet without even acknowledging or telling me what action they should do. Where the heck are their customer service skills?! I don't know if what I said sank in but it was absolutely deplorable! I WILL NEVER PATRONIZE THAT BRANCH EVER EVER AGAIN. AND I SUGGEST THAT YOU GUYS DO NOT SO TOO.

I tried looking for the company's address in the internet and I can't even find a website. Clickthecity.com provided me with phone numbers of the branches. I guess I'll start from there. I will ensure that my complaint will reach their management.

Moral lesson: Do not disturb Sunshine's relaxation plans. She's pretty bitchy when she's stressed and deprived from relaxing.

Pseudo-Eraserheads (Ultraelectromagnetic Jam)

I've always been a fan of the Eraserheads. I first discovered them when my friends from the student press would play their songs. Further on, I learned the chords of their songs and jammed with my friends. "Pare Ko" then was our anthem. I would play rhythm while another would play lead and another would play bass. If my college memories had a soundtrack, it would be songs of the Eraserheads. That's why I was very much excited when I heard that there a tribute album will be released with new artists doing covers of E-heads songs. It was no surprise that the stores ran out of stock a day after the release. I was just lucky that I found the album at an SM Record Bar.

I quickly returned home excited at the thought of listening to my newly bought album. After the first pass, I never noticed that the album was done. All the singers sound the same without me distinguishing who is who. The only recognizable ones are Rico J. Puno (Ang Huling El Bimbo), Radioactive Sago Project (Alcohol) and Brownman Revival (Maling Akala). I also like FrancisM's rendition of SuperProxy, especially the guitars. I read somewhere that the purpose of having a tribute album is for artists to do their own version of the songs infusing their style and sound. But nothing different there.

Some of the songs do not jive with the artists. I'm still not comfortable with the fact that South Border did the "With a Smile" song. They made it sound like a love song! And whyever did Kitchie Nadal sing "Ligaya"? It's one of my favorite E-heads tune and she practically ruined it for me (what's the chuckle for?!). And the "Para Sa Masa" version of Various Artists just sounded so trying hard. Again, only Rico J. Puno was distinguishable from the rest.

Nevertheless, I'm glad that people still remember or want to remember the greatness and genius of the Eraserheads. I was just alarmed that the "younger" generation think that these songs are originals of the artists. I quickly corrected them and let them hear the old songs.

So excuse me while I dig out my CD of Ultraelectromagneticpop and listen to that instead.

On the 10th day of Christmas

I started the tedious task of gift-wrapping today since I'm meeting my friends tomorrow. I wanted to give their gifts by tomorrow since am not sure when we will be meeting again. I just wish that my gift-wrapping is as good as the picture above. Am not imaginative when it comes to design and patterns.

Speaking of patterns, am such a ninny when it comes to abstract concepts. I took some sort of test recently and it says that my weakness is abstract concepts and graphs freak me out. Actually, I never noticed that until I read the report. No wonder! The abstract portions in IQ test (What pattern comes next...) makes me feel stupid.

Anyway, going back to my gift-wrapping.

Am 30% done with my wrapping. Am still waiting for a second batch of giveaways to be delivered to me. I swear, next year, I will not cram again. Hopefully my leaves next year will push through. I allocated one week in November to do Christmas shopping and the such.

I resurfaced from my room around 11pm and tried to see how the party outside was progressing (my aunt is hosting a party for her diving group). I had another plate of Ate Perla's very delicious lasagna and watched the last episode of Pinoy Big Brother with them (Nene won by the way).

It's now 2 am and I should get some sleep soon. The weather is SO perfect for sleep. Cool and just nice. Anyway, I'll worry about my gift list tomorrow.

Should panic

I'm feeling lazy and tired lately. I attribute it to the really cold weather we're having right now. Last night was the coldest night that I had ever since I moved here. Maybe because it was raining and I made the mistake of leaving the fan on last night. When I woke up, I was wrapped in my comforter. To think I had no use for it when I used to live in Mandaluyong.

I have my eco exam tonight and a meeting with the vendor this morning for our netman presentation next Saturday. I'll be thankful when Dec. 18 arrives. It's only date available for Leo and I to complete our Christmas shopping! I really hope my leaves next year will push through.

I sure do hope I pass all my WCE's. I don't mind taking them again. I just don't like adjusting. But then, I could always take a leave of absence. We'll see.

Sunshine, the Card Shark!

My cousins came home yesterday with a poker set which they bought at the St. James bazaar. They invited me to play yesterday but Leo and I were watching TV and we were planning what we were supposed to do today. Incidentally, we had lunch at Circles at the Makati Shangri-la. The price is very steep (P1k/person) but the food was definitely worth it! The tastes definitely met my expectations, but not exceeded it. After lunch we returned to the St. James bazaar where I bought more Christmas gifts for my family and friends. We then proceeded to the Alabang Town Center were we had our gift tags made and bought some groceries for my pakain tomorrow at the office. Then we went home.

Anyway, after dinner, my cousins invited me and Leo to play poker with them. Since all my exposure to poker is what I've watched at Celebrity Poker, I had them teach me the basic rudiments of the game--but I did catch on quick. We played for two hours with the game ending after I cleaned out every player. Hah! They were saying it was beginner's luck. But what can I say? I do have a good grasp of strategy, thanks to my L5R/Magic:The Gathering playing days (I quit the game after I won a tournament--straight wins baby! I still kept my scorecard. Heh). Poker is a game that I would definitely play for fun--but not for real money.

Happy 30th birthday to me! (and my twin)

My birthday will officially draw to a close in an hour. It's been the most fulfilling birthday I've ever had. Although nobody gave me a birthday cake! I so wanted to blow 30 candles. Heh.

Leo picked me up at around 8 am and we arrived at SOS Children's Village Lipa in an hour. We had the opening ceremonies and it was time to spend time with our adopted "house". We brought them game boards and puzzles. It was fun doing all those things with them--especially the puzzles. One of the kids upon learning of my birthday, gave me 3 pieces of paper with birthday greetings. I was really touched and I almost cried. It was really great.

I also received numerous birthday greetings thru text and phonecalls. Am touched that some people who I expect to remember my birthday remembered, and even those who I don't expect to remember, remembered.

We left the village at around 230, afterwhich, Leo and I proceeded to the annual St. James Bazaar at Alabang. I saw some friends there and we started with our Christmas shopping. Bought some gifts for my family. Hopefully we can go back tomorrow and buy more stuff. But we're scheduled to have lunch at Circles Shangri-la. We'll just see.

I saw Leo's mom at the bazaar and she greeted me happy birthday. When we saw each other at the house, she actually had dinner cooked for me. I was again very touched by her gesture.

However, when they were asking how old I was, I was hesitant to say my age. When I was in my 20's, it was easy. But now that i'm 30, it just gets harder. I don't know why. Am I having some sort of quarter-life crisis? Hmmm.

Pre-birthday notes

Yay! Finished my Mansci WCE earlier. It's not as hard as I thought it would be. Actually, it's not that hard since it's open notes. I finished the exam early. Took me only a couple of hours to answer all 4 questions. Not bad :)

So that's five down, two more to go. I dread the eco exam since according to the people I've asked, it's really difficult. Good luck to me!

And oh yeah, I passed by Markman WCE. Wahoo! Got a grade of 90. Grabe. Out of the four other tests I took, Markman is the only one that has results. Gosh, I really do hope to pass Finman and Orgbep. I do not relish the thought of taking them again next term. Grrr.

I'm also not feeling very well tonight. Credit it to the point that I got caught in the rain going to school this evening. When I got to RCBC, I was soaking wet. My blouse was really soaked and so were my pants. So I just sat there in the room in my wet clothes while taking the exam.

It's also part of the reason why I'm a bit pissed at my SO right now. I called him while I was taking shelter at the underpass and asked if he has any sort of jacket that I can use since I'm soaking wet. Kesyo wala raw and all he has in the car is an umbrella. Ok sige, pero hello? Wala bang konting care diyan to ask if I'm ok? Or any effort to find something for me? Alam niyang I can get sick easily if I get caught in the rain.

Ok fine. Sige, puwede kong palampasin. When I got into the car, he gave me my birthday present. When I saw the long, rectangular box, I felt a bit disappointed because I knew it's not what I REALLY wanted, but what the heck, might as well see. When I opened the box, it's a bracelet--with lots of little hearts. It's really very nice. My aunt even praised it.

I guess I expected too much once again. Looks like a wedding next year would be off, and the June/July wedding that I wanted won't be happening. I just feel so depressed that I'm already 30 and not yet married and no kids. Yeah, I know there are other people out there like me (unwed and un-childrened--is there such a word?!) and that at least I have a boyfriend. But I already missed my marrying age by 3 years and my body clock is ticking fast! (It gets louder when you're in your 30's). I have an officemate who was adviced to take bedrest when they learned she's pregnant, and she's as old as me! What more pa when/IF (!) I get pregnant? Baka I have to lie down for the whole 9 months!

Aaargh! I feel horrible. My head aches and I feel like throwing up my dinner. Have to wake early tomorrow since we're going to Lipa for our outreach. It's a nice way to spend a birthday.

O sige, enough of the pity party. Looking at it in another perspective, I am indeed very lucky to have a guy like Leo in my life. Besides, nobody's perfect. It's part of his flaws that I've learned to love and accept. So what if I won't get married next year? There's always the year after that...and the year after that. Gosh, makes me want to think if I am indeed getting married. Baka I'm destined to be the "generous and eccentric" aunt. The one who spoils her "pamangkins" and "inaanaks". Oh well.

Darn, my headache is still there. Grrr.