1. Laser Hair Removal         
One of the big things I started doing this year is laser hair removal. I'm wishing I did it sooner because this is (kinda) life-changing for me. To my friend who once said, "Jen, how are you always so bikini-ready?" No, it doesn't just happen, I get painful waxing sessions done monthly, and have been doing it for 8 years now.

I'm currently on my 4th brazilian laser session and the hair is mostly gone! As I said in *this post, I have too much hair. I can't believe that in just 4 months of monthly laser sessions, it's already barely there, and now only in tiny thin patches left. I have two more left to go, and I'll be sure to update this post with the success story.

For more details on what kind of laser treatment I'm getting, I made a separate post here. (Spoiler: It's not IPL.)

2. Pole Dance Classes          
My fixation to learn pole dancing started around 2013, when my friend Tonix and I passed by Izakaya in Burgos Circle, BGC Taguig. It's a bar with two poles and it has become our dream (lol using the word 'dream' very loosely here) to burst from outside the doors, take one pole each, and then amaze everyone with our superb pole skills. This is super funny for me now, but I latched on to that dream and took sporadic bursts of pole classes back in Manila. Although since I couldn't commit to the classes, money-wise and time-wise, I stopped.

Now that I'm here in Singapore, I got to continue to inch my way into achieving that goal by having gone through two course levels this year (Beginner Course and Basic Inverts Course), and on my way to the Intermediate level starting January 2017.

I wish I did it sooner, as early as when I first got here, because it allowed me to make friends outside my current set of friends. It also made me a lot more confident with my body, and it's just an overall great way to get fit and flexible. The best takeaway I got from it is that our bodies are really powerful. You just have to know how to train it and you will be able to make amazing things happen with it.

Another takeaway: NEVER EVER USE LOTION ON THE SAME DAY AS POLE CLASS. As fitting as it is that I started 2016 with an injury, it is with great frustration that I want to share how I'm ending this year with another one. (Read: I fell off the pole while in an inverted crucifix stunt, and my whole weight landed on my shoulder) Nothing's broken and it's only my second week having a busted shoulder, but the good news is it's healing nicely, and just in time for my next course level, too.

In retrospect, I have been very lucky for not dying, and for not getting more seriously injured this year.

3. Stocks Investing               
I have reached the point when I wish payday would come sooner, not because I'm already scraping every last bit of my last salary as I used to, but so I can finally add funds to my COL Financial account. Yes, 2016 is the year I finally started at investing in the Philippine stock market. The keyword here is investing. Unlike day traders, I don't trade the stocks for fast money. I follow a modified version of Peso Cost Averaging, as taught by Bo Sanchez.

While we're at it, in case you are also keen but have no idea how to begin, you can kick things off by reading this free e-book. I just stumbled on it too while Googling "how to invest in stocks" and as soon as I got home, the first thing I did was print the application forms, I filled them out and then right the next day, went to i-Remit Lucky Plaza to mail it to COL Financial.

I wish I did it sooner, but I must admit too that I started at the right time, now that the stock prices are really low.    

Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Club: https://bosanchezmembers.com/amember/go.php?r=104077
COL Financial Website: www.colfinancial.com

Yes, I joined the Truly Rich Club too.

Yes, I know I could have chosen not to and just studied Philippine stocks on my own, but here was my line of thinking back then: "Bo Sanchez is a really positive influence in my life and I don't even know him. Every time I watch his short motivational videos, it helps me get through hard patches. He and his team of analysts deserve this passive income from me."

Emotional attachment aside, the guidelines, the newsletters and strategies are easy enough to digest for someone like me who does not have a background in managing my own stocks portfolio.

4. Skills Mentoring               
This is one area I am now trying to work on more, by both being a mentee and a mentor to someone else. More than ever, this year I have proven there is a lot to be gained by skill-sharing.

On Being A Mentee 
For  a year, I have been mostly working at the client side, as the solo ABAP programmer. While I like that I don't have to be constantly talking to teammates, it can also be a liability not being able to bounce off issues and scenarios with co-programmers. Being in this industry, I have come to know that most of the time you don’t really need explicit help from a colleague, but just someone physically there whom you can talk to and can bounce off ideas with. It's a fact that there are technical problems that couldn't be solved just by talking to myself out loud.

My go-to technical mentor is another Filipino in the office who's a senior colleague. Yes, we do most of the mentoring over buckets of beer, but at least we still manage to hash out my technical ~skillz~ and formulate better ways to solve the issues at hand, ALL while drinking my favorite Pale Pilsen that is available just outside the office.

On Being A Mentor
I'm far from being an expert, especially in my technology where there's so much to learn and where the variety of technical paths can be branched out as many different ways as the roots of an old tree. However at age 28, I'd like to think there's already a teeny tiny bit I can impart to those younger than me.

I sometimes get fan mail (lol joke lang!) sent by IT students who ask for advice for their future career path options. Now, I truly, greatly appreciate that they think I'm capable enough to give them insight on what to expect in the industry, so whenever I get those emails, I take time to respond, and sometimes even request and then critique their resumes. After that, I don't really get to monitor how things go on their end since I don't know them personally. When most of them get back to me after a year or two, it's kinda fulfilling to hear about how they got their first job, or how they decided to stick to this or that side of IT. It feels like delayed gratification in a way, reaping what was sown. I don't know them, but I'm proud of them.

This coming year, I have decided to do this more often and be proactive about it. I'm also targeting to mentor younger women than me too, seeing that most of those who have asked me for advice are men. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just want to see more consultants like me in the IT industry because until now, the amount of women is abysmal. Also what fun is that, having no one to sync periods with?)

Wow.

Let me say it again... Wow.

Without beating around the bush (heh), let me say it's only my fourth session for Brazilian laser hair removal, and my hair down there is nearly gone. I can't believe it.

Okay, let's go deeper into details.

The treatment I get done is called E-Light. You haven't heard about it? Well, before I got it for myself I haven't either. I even somewhat thought my waxing technician was just making it up to get more money from me. She said this E-Light technology works so much more better than the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Technology.

Based from a quick Google search, it says that the E-Light system combines both RF & IPL technology. It works using light energy to preheat the target area which creates thermal path for Radio Frequency (PF) to travel, then Electrical Energy (RF) is delivered directly to the hair follicle or targeted vascular and pigmented lesions. [Source: redbeauty.co.nz]

In layman's terms, it means theoretically it should work a lot better than IPL to the point where some websites give it a quantitative score of performing three times more effective than IPL. I haven't had IPL done on me so I'm not really reliable source to say it's better, but one major difference/observation I can provide to you is that in the process for E-Light, the technician will wax the hair off, instead of shaving.

I know they shave for IPL since it's important to have the follicles left in the skin so the laser will be able to differentiate which parts to zap into oblivion. On the other hand, for E-Light you won't have to worry about shaving because they require to wax the area first before doing the treatment.

So now that we got the specifics out of the way, the reason I wish I did this sooner is because I have been getting brazilian/bikini waxes for 8 years now and they are expensive. Had I jumped to this life choice (lol) sooner, I'd have saved a lot of money.

Before you assume, allow me to clarify that this post is not paid. I wanted to post about it as a result of my other post about Where I Go To Get Waxed getting the record of Most Read Post of all time on this blog. This tells me that a lot of you who land on my page also goes through the same journey of trying to be beach-ready any time of the year.

COSTS

I got a package from my goto waxing salon, Blossom Beauty House, here in Singapore. It costed me S$250 for a 5+1 package. So basically, it's S$41.67 per session. If not in package, it's a bit steep at around S$78+. Since you're most likely doing around 5-6 sessions anyway, a package would obviously be the more cost-efficient option.

I don't know if you feel it too, but sometimes I have a hard time reconciling that my job doesn't directly impact people's lives. It's very far removed from social responsibility, and unless there's a company-sponsored initiative, there's really no interaction that will guarantee immediate relief to other people in need. Because of this, I try. And I know we all try.

To stop beating around the bush, there's a kid that can use your help ASAP.

His name is Sky Iniego, 1 year 8 months old, and he has been diagnosed with CIDP or Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy--a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.

The toddler is currently confined at the Palawan Adventist Hospital but they won't/can't administer the IVIG medication unless his mom, a solo parent, can pay in full and in cash.

IF you want to help this family, especially during this holiday season, they will appreciate any amount you are able to donate via this crowdfunding site using your Paypal account or your credit card.

It's really easy! Click the Donate Now button to share the love.
https://www.youcaring.com/brantlyskylriniego-721714

In a day, how many times do you receive this Messenger Invite, quickly followed by a message saying "Wait, sorry wrong press" or "Sorry, wrong sent?"

Today alone, I got this invite thrice, which is not really many per se. I'd say this is probably the median. Sometimes, there will be heydays when you'd get one every hour. Or when you're not really chatting with anyone that day, you might get lucky and only get one invite for the whole day. However, if you receive even just one invite per day, it can still be annoying.


So which is it? Is the Invite link poorly placed at the top of the chat window and for anyone with normal, human fingers to mistakenly click on? OR is this a well-thought out user interface design that annoys the user into submission AKA forces user to install/update the Facebook Messenger app?

I'll briefly go over three points going thru my head as I type this fresh off from Ladies Night:

1) Facebook really wants you to have a Messenger app in your phone. It has been two years since they started forcing people to download the app, and it has been paying off.

2) I can't see the article anymore, but I have read somewhere that Zuck wanted to practically own your soul integrate the many Facebook apps (e.g., Facebook, Messenger, Groups, Pages, etc) into your daily life so as to not become another Friendster nor Multiply. (We all know what happened to both!) True enough, by now, owning a Facebook account has slowly inched into being a necessity. You'll get what I mean if you deactivate your account.

Facebook has been innovating nonstop, and they're doing a good job at staying relevant.

3) IF YOU'VE STOPPED RECEIVING THIS INVITE, CONGRATULATIONS for updating your Messenger/installing the app! You have proven that with enough persistence from Facebook, you'll eventually succumb to their wishes.

By the way, it's not really a bad thing to install/update the app. In fact, if you do it now, it will save you and your friends the hassle of sending/receiving those Messenger invites. To answer my own question... For me, this is a product of a meticulously designed app, with a goal of getting more and more users to keep the company thriving and non-obsolete. I, myself, haven't updated my app but this is because I'm tolerant and I find humor in it whenever I accidentally send/receive the invites.

Also, I am lazy. Signing off~

As of today, I have been working in Singapore for a year, six months and ten days now. It went by so fast. I still think I'm new here.

I haven't really made a lot of footprints in the community, figuratively. And just in the past two months, two of my close Filipino friends who used to work here moved to Europe. Now it feels being back to square one, in terms of SG-based friendships. It was quite a big change for me, a sometimes-outgoing introvert. (Our kind exists!)

The colored statues of Orchard Rd. If you don't have a photo with these, you haven't really been to Singapore.

Another thing that changed for me was going to Orchard on weekends.

I used to put my foot down in going to Orchard Road, especially on Sundays. No matter how urgent the errand I needed to do, I'll find another day to do it, just not on a Sunday. That strip of road is just too crowded for me and I would usually need another day to recuperate from the anxiety.

It started around June, this year. It's been six months of me just shooting using my film camera for photowalks here in Singapore and at that time, I was running out of places to take snapshots of.

For my first photowalk along Orchard, I tried walking from the Orchard MRT to the Somerset MRT station.

Crossword puzzles on a Sunday afternoon. I was in front of him the entire time, and he never looked up.

It's common knowledge that there is a wide Filipino presence in Orchard during Sundays. One time, a non-Pinoy friend said "Going to Orchard on a Sunday is like being back in Manila." and it's really how it is there. I, for one, like it because of the sense of belongingness.

Side note: Back when I first drafted this post, I made a side note (lol sidenoteception) that became too long for a side note, so I posted it separately here. I still uphold what I said in that post.

Ate, smile po kayo! Picnics are popular here.

Art is _____. Art is, uhm... I forgot what I wrote here. But pretty cool to see a non-profit youth org doing this event.

Visit Very Special Arts Singapore for more info on this non-profit.

Trivia: What didn't change over the years, even after Orchard became a sprawling 2.2-km prime shopping district, are the flocks of birds that fly through the trees. *Apparently, there are birds that migrate through the East Asian-Australasian flyway that uses Singapore as a vital stopover to refuel themselves. And if you're lucky, you might find all four species--the Asian Glossy Starling, the Javan Myna, the house crow and the rock pigeon--flying above you peacefully. (Read: They poo everywhere so it's really a matter of luck and probability trying not to get pooped on)

*I googled this one to get my facts straight. Check out this short video for more details

I stopped for a while to chat with an old man named Salleh. He has a Filipina wife and he goes to Orchard Road every Sunday with a loaf of bread to feed the birds. When I asked him why he does it, he just said, "It only costs S$2 per loaf and I'm able to feed all these birds. It's relaxing and makes the children happy."

"This is my favorite bird. He knows me."

I walked some more and found a talented busker, Ralph. I listened in front of him, danced a little, and forked over some cash after two songs. There's a video of him singing a song somewhere in my phone or external hard disk. If I chance upon it, I'll link it here. He's really good, and I sometimes still see him at the same street corner. (Tempted to put a troubadour joke from Gilmore Girls, but no one might get it.)



There are a lot of talented performers along this road. Very hard to miss.


The interaction with the man below is probably one of my favorites.

I was trying to take a photo of the Orchard Rd street sign when he started posing in front of my camera. Of course, I took his photo. But he didn't stop there. He introduced himself as a soccer player from Thailand who's in Singapore for a match. He asked his friends to quickly open their bag and throw him an unused jersey shirt. (They opened a sealed plastic.) He posed again for the camera, and this time with the jersey, and then insisted I take the jersey shirt with me. He looked determined to make me keep the shirt.


I walked over to Somerset 313 mall, still smiling-laughing while clutching the shirt. Yes, I agreed to take it home. Because why not.

If I had a thought bubble, it would read, "Hoy Jen! Sa kaartehan mo noon, ang dami mong na-miss! Ang saya pala!" It was a genuinely enjoyable experience for me. Maybe because I wasn't doing errands, too, and just being "like a tourist" with a camera, just how I usually am when I travel alone.

Another realization is that there is peace within the chaos. It was a solo photowalk, but not really because I interacted with a lot of people, had so much fun and got to take home beautiful street portraits in the process.

When I finally reached Somerset MRT, I took the last photo of that day. I called this little girl "my princess" because of her tulle dress. After I asked her sister (or mother, I'm not sure) if I can take her photo, she striked this pose.





Orchard Road - Getting There
Nearest MRT: Orchard and Somerset (Red Line)
Or you can take the bus (Download app Citymapper/gothere.sg for instructions on which bus to take
Or you can Uber/Grab
But really, the MRT is the most convenient, fool-proof way to get there

Whenever I'd post something in social media and it gets too long, I decide to quickly type away here instead. At least then I'll have a new blog post, while sharing with you my feelings. So, win-win? Haha.

The trigger for this post is an Expedia survey I just answered. Yes, I'd get monthly blog post gaps, but something as random as a survey can instantly turn me into a typing machine. I just really think that in the age of social media, it has been very easy for people to complain about everything, and if we can do that one small thing for another person who helped us by providing great feedback, why not. It will only take a minute or two.

So here's my problem: I received an auto-generated email from Expedia saying my flights booked via Skyscanner to and from Manila have been cancelled by Philippine Airlines. It gave me no explanation whatsoever, just a number I can call to reschedule my flights. I kinda panicked for a bit, because there's a Palawan-bound flight tied to my SIN-MNL-SIN trip, and everything would be moved if both flights were moved. So I dialed the hotline number in the email and got redirected to a customer service representative.

Not once during the call did I wonder what was happening. She immediately briefed me on how it was a technical issue that happens when the flight doesn't get acknowledged on the airline side right away. Then, all within the call, she managed to reconfirm my same booking dates and times, and send me the flight itinerary, all while being charming.

Days after, which is today, I just received the survey for that call. Not only did I gave her perfect scores, I also left a commendation on the feedback box. (Being in the IT service industry, I know these things matter for the bosses of the one you're talking to. It is added to the person's metrics and having enough commendations could mean a pay raise or a promotion.)    

I have not always been like this. I hated answering surveys, much less type out an essay on what sucked or what went well with a service. But when I was in college doing data gathering for my thesis, which is a mobile phone organizer developed using Java, I was at the mercy of people who would gladly take a minute or two off what they were doing to answer our questionnaire. I vividly remember one student respondent from UP Diliman saying to her friend, to me and to my thesis-mate, "It's good to answer surveys. It means we're contributing to a bigger body of knowledge, and it won't even take you that much time."

It stuck with me ever since.

Anyway, I'm ending this post with some bullet points on answering surveys just to reinforce why you should do it too.

• It contributes to a bigger body of knowledge
• In a way, it is a gesture of giving back 
• It helps the surveyor quantify your emotions
• It helps both them, and, then in effect, you
• It's a win-win-win (The Office reference!!)

So yes, answer surveys, especially when you receive great service. Let's make this world a more grateful world.

I'm a Palaweña-- I love seafood but I never liked them fried. I don't understand why people hoard tempura at buffets, I don't get calamari. Fresh seafood goodness should be respected and not be put to sizzle in deep frying oil.

Then one day, my whole world view changed. I don't know what happened. I wasn't too hungry so I was sure that was a legit Mmmm-with-matching-closed-eyes-and-nodding-head moment. I didn't just love the fresh prawns used, I was also surprised at how tender the squid was. Even all the deep-fried vegetables in the set, I ate one by one while savoring every bite. And to add to it, the batter is very light yet complementing all the food items amazingly. Suddenly, I liked, nay loved, tempura, all because of this restaurant called Tempura Tsukiji Tenka showcased in Japan Food Town located in Wisma Atria, Orchard Rd.

I returned there last night and it was still the same really good quality. The only thing that changed was that their menu has more items in it now. The first time I was there, it was only exactly what you're seeing in the photo--one laminated sheet of the set meals.


Price

Tendon Set @ 19.80

• This set is the one I ordered both times. It had two prawns, one squid, veggies (young corn, yam, sweet potato and eggplant) also deep-fried coated in the same batter, a salad, a side of beans in sesame dressing, soup and a dessert that fondly reminded me of Jelly Ace, but tons better and tastes like almond. 

Now, I don't want to disrespect the image of my favorite tempura set by posting a crappy flatlay taken using my phone. For your (and my) benefit, I'll go back there for sure and this time will not be shy to snap a photo with a proper camera.