It has been already been three weeks since I have returned from Boracay. I did hold back a little on the booze because I don't want to reach blackout-drunk levels and get crazy hangovers the next day, but I did indulge on food.

Before leaving for Boracay, I was doing exercise routines to help me keep in shape, albeit not extensive but at least I was getting results. This was my tummy on my first day there.

It's only 6 AM but I already have this insane craving for a Jollibee Amazing Aloha. I am fully aware of the rants thrown for the comeback version of this precious burger. I have tried it myself and even with the few kinks, like the smaller patties and fewer bacon strips, I still love it. I am one of those people who hold on to the memory of it being so divine back in the day that getting to taste it again now is already considered a blessing. Yup, Jollibee fan girl here.

So you're giving me flowers? I'd very much prefer an Amazing Aloha. You're welcome.


I don't know if I have already shared it here before but one of my life dreams goals is to be on Amazing Race, TARA to be precise. I think I'm competitive enough for it and given the right, competitive partner, I think we'll have a good chance at winning. And it's not even just the winning that I'm after. It such a great adventure of a lifetime, getting to do crazy challenges and travel all around the world for free.

The good thing about having a kitchen is that you never have to leave home when you get hungry. Yeah yeah, there's a 24-hr Jollibee just outside the gate. But when you're too lazy to be troubled with walking outside, you'll just have to make do of the supplies you have. And do I even still need to mention that it's much cheaper to cook your own food too?

To satisfy today's craving, I made pancakes. Er, I didn't really make 'em from scratch. I used a ready-to-cook pancake mix. Heh.

According to the box cover, this is what the final product would look like. It even says it could make 12 mini pancakes. But like every other misleading advertisement out there, as expected, it would never turn out the way you wanted it to be.

Backlog kung backlog but I just wanna say two months ago, I finally gave in and bought myself my first MAC lipstick. Hurrah!

I don't know about you but for me, there is something sentimental about buying my first MAC lipstick. Not only do I not really wear loud colors on my lips but it was bought with my own hard-earned cash. It costs a thousand bucks! I think that alone deserves a moment of silence. Heh.

As of June 1, my housemates and I officially became Taguig residents. Why officially, you ask? For those that don't know, we used to live in Makati. It was technically a Makati address, but it was on the Taguig side of EDSA. In fact, it was so near within Taguig's boundaries that I used to just walk from the apartment to BGC. Not very near but it's walk-able. It's also not far from where we're living now.

The view at night from my window. That long trail of lights is C5.

The place is still near C5. Definitely, you can say that it was an upgrade from our previous home and as expected, it is more expensive. But at least it is safe, unlike our previous one. That's the main concern as of this moment.

I went ahead and created a Foursquare location because I wanted to check-in for the past week we've been here. Haha sorry Feebs! I just had to name it in honor of the now defunct TV series 'Don't Trust The B*tch in Apartment 23!', also just known as Apartment 23. I loved this show so much that even the tiniest resemblance with the show, I try to connect with my real life. Obviously, I'm Chloe.

I have plenty of hair. For someone who loves the beach too much, I do my duty in making sure that there's no unwanted hair peeking out when I do my jump shots and scorpion poses. I shave my legs using the trusty Veet depilatory cream. I get my eyebrows threaded in my go to salon. For the bikini area, I either get a Brazilian wax or a bikini wax. Here's the rundown of the three waxing salons I frequent.


Lay Bare
Branch: Market! Market! (nearest)
Usual service: Brazilian wax, bikini wax, underarm wax
Price: P450, P250, P150 respectively
Waiting time: 1hr if you're lucky; 2hrs or more during peak hours. Go shopping while waiting for your turn.
Room: Very basic. Not really a room-room as there are only dividers. You can hear the other customers.
Pain meter: They claim their cold wax is painless but it really isn't true. To reiterate, IT IS PAINFUL. Very.
Details: They wax area by area; smaller applications mean more wax pulls.
Value for money: Awesome. It's the cheapest rates you'll find.
Comment: Even though inexpensive, the long lines are so discouraging that I often go to the waxing salon that charges more. The most absurd number of people queued before me was 27. They were gonna service 27 people and it was already 7PM.
More comments: With only a few waxing technicians and waxing rooms, and a long queue to service, they tend not to be more keen on the details. In short, hindi sobrang linis. I guess it's a "You get what you pay for" thing.

Let's Face It
Branch: Market! Market! (not really a waxing salon but they wax as well)
Usual service: Brazilian wax, bikini wax, underarm wax
Price: P650, P450, P250 respectively (not sure if the figures are correct)
Waiting time: None, 95% of the time.
Room: They use the same rooms as their massage rooms; It has a very tranquil ambiance.
Pain meter: Tolerable pain. Less painful than Lay Bare.
Details: They apply a big patch of hot wax. Less pulls. Faster service.
Value for money: If you're someone who values your time and cannot afford to go on leisurely trips to the mall, this waxing place is for you. They're more expensive than Lay Bare but more often than not, you wouldn't have to wait at all to be serviced.
Comment: I like that they really clean it all. Definitely mas malinis yung pagkaka-wax compared to Lay Bare.
More comments: This is my go to waxing place since my wallet can tolerate the monthly cost. I couldn't say anything more because it's really good service that I get every time.
Branch: Serendra
Usual service: Bikini wax, underarm wax
Price: P1150, P650 respectively
Waiting time: None.
Room: The room is very modern chic. They have a cool wall design and there are informational frames hanged everywhere. I was taking photos until I saw the photo frame that says "Picture-taking of the room is not allowed."
Pain meter: The least pain I've encountered so far. And I have low tolerance for pain. Imagine, I was able to take a 15-minute phone call while getting waxed. It was that lax for me. The one on the line busted me though, easily guessed I was in a waxing salon.
Details: They are serious when they say they don't double dip. Nasayangan ako sa mga applicator. But it really has to be done for hygienic purposes. They are also fast waxers. I remember seeing a frame that says they are trained to wax in only 15 minutes or less.
Value for money: First, let me tell you that it is expensive for me. I'm not someone with unlimited resources but if I did, I'll go to Strip Manila every time. Being that I'm only an ordinary working person, I cannot afford to go there on a monthly basis. However, it's a nice addition to my "Treat Yo Self" list.
Comment: You'll come in with the mindset "Waxing is their specialization so they better be good at it!" They were not good. THEY WERE GREAT.
More comments: Recommending this salon to everyone who gets waxed. You must try it to see and feel the difference.
Hmm maybe I'll even try everything else in this list too, although I'm also very much considering going on IPL sessions. Any other recommendations?

This is my 8th month being single. Not that I'm counting. It's more like a "Congrats self, you've outlasted your quarter-life crisis!" proof.

Life has been a roller coaster ride. I had dreams and goals that were taken away just like that. (sorry napaka-cliché haha!) But for quite some time, things have started to look up. I have risen and have slowly been picking the pieces together.