Tina Fey Rocks!

Comedienne Tina Fey was hilarious in Saturday Night Live's spoof of the interview of Gov. Sarah Palin by Katie Couric.

Grey's Season 5 is Almost Here!

It's so soon. I could almost taste it. Check out this article that came out in CNN today. Juicy details.

Can't wait for the season premiere this weekend.

Another Proud Filipino Moment (Part 2)

And this is the video of the duet between Charice Pempengco and Celine Dion. They sang Because You Love Me.

Another Proud Filipino Moment (Part 1)

Charice Pempengco guests in Celine Dion's show at the Madison Square Garden.

While Charice's singing voice is not my particular choice of voice or music -- I am a rocker at heart -- Filipinos could not help but be very proud of this girl. With Oprah dedicating an entire show to her, what's not to be proud of?

Here's the video of Celine Dion introducing Charice.

The Quest for the Perfect Nails

My current obsession is maintaining beautiful nails. Well-manicured hands look very clean, fresh and neat. I may not have model-perfect hands but I'm satisfied with what God has given me. I don't go for long nails. I keep mine short and square.

When I was still staying with my family in Bulacan, I would religiously do my own nails complete with polish every Sunday evening. But when I got married, I realized I didn't have the luxury of time on a Sunday evening - or any evening whatsoever - to do my nail ritual.

And that began my quest for the perfect mani/pedi place. I came up my own criteria, which are: (1) accessibility of salon, (2) technicians with gentle touch, (3) nail products and polish, and of course (4) price. I usually find the time for a mani/pedi appointment when I would wait for Jed. My preferred nail salons would have to be near our offices.

I have tried several nail places, from the posh nail salons to your neighborhood parlor. My conclusion is one needs to shed out a few hundreds for the best service.

I am particular when it comes to nail care. I take note of what products the technicians use to clean my nails; I cringe when those pink cuticle remover or orange merthiolate would be used. Cuticles should only be pushed, not cut. Several manicurists are not gentle that I end up with cuts, and a bruised cuticle area. I never go back to a salon or parlor when that happens.

My favorites are the Nail Spa (any branch) and Dashing Diva. For me, these salons are the best in the metro. But the services in both nail salons are very expensive. It puts a dent in my pocket. It's money that I could have put to better use.

One day, as I was searching the net for reviews of nail salons, I chanced upon this home-service mani/pedi called Nails at Home. The idea of a nail spa service at home is too good for me to resist. I picked up the phone and booked myself an appointment the next day.

My assigned technician, Zeny, came with a huge plastic box of all the things you could possibly need for a decent mani/pedi. It's complete with a foot soak machine. Nails at Home also offers foot spa.

I was just pleased to be having my manicure & pedicure in the comforts of our home, while watching TV, and in a schedule most convenient for me.

Zeny was very thorough and gentle. She "repaired" the mistake my past nail technicians did to my nails. They absolutely murdered my toes. Well, they're all okay now. Thanks to Zeny. One other thing I like with Nails at Home is their choice of nail polish. The variety of nail polish includes Essie and OPI. At several nail salons, there is an extra charge for these brands of nail polish. Of course, I picked an Essie polish as it lasts long.

Side note: I'm beginning to buy a few bottles of Essie and OPI polish in preparation for the move to Cebu. I figured it may take me a while to find a good technician there and they may not have the colors I want. These brands may be expensive, but it's worth it as it doesn't chip that easy. I've tried and tested it and it lasted after handwashing my clothes, scrubbing my flipflops and washing the dishes and cooking pans.

I was so pleased with the service that I booked Zeny for the following week. I am excited to try their foot spa.

What's also good with Nails at Home are the prices. It's fairly affordable compared with Nail Spa and Dashing Diva services without comprimising the quality. Those salons do have ambience and comfy couches with fluffed pillows. Well, my home has that, too, and more.

A Leap of Faith

I have drafted an entry a few weeks back about the subject, but did not finish it. I ended up deleting the draft, which I shouldn’t have.

Jed and I have big news. We are taking a leap of faith; we are moving to Cebu! Talk about change, eh?

He started his job at the Shangri-la's Mactan Resort & Spa last September 1st. We said yes on the second offer. The first offer was made six months ago, and that was not promising. So what happened in six months?

Let’s just say that the Lord was working in the background in those six months. He was preparing us for this big change. We both felt that He was leading us to this direction.

I am now ready to leave my job - my one and only after college graduation. I live and breathe this job. It’s the only thing I know how to do.

Am I ready to leave my family and dearest friends? I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to be away from them.

However, my priorities changed the minute I exchanged wedding vows with my dearest Jed.

And I will go wherever he goes.

I am his wife.

As it says in Ephesians 5:22-33:

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

And now begins our journey to the place we will soon call “home.”

We're feeling mixed emotions - happy, excited, sad, scared, etc. But we welcome this new chapter in our lives. It maybe time to start a family. Cebu is the perfect place. As my boss described the city, "Cebu is like Manila, but better."

I am so proud of my husband with his new job. And who doesn't know about Shangri-la Mactan, right?

On the day of our 5th anniversary as a couple, we headed to Cebu with five huge boxes, one big and small luggage - these are all Jed's personal effects - and my tiny overnight bag.

We arrived on a weekend and that gave us time to enjoy the facilities. I know that the resort will lose its appeal once Jed starts working there.

I took a photo of Jed on his first day at work. His new work clothes are more relaxed than when he was still with Makati Shangri-la.

The hotel also took his photo for their press release.

I returned to Manila alone. It would've been ideal to move to Cebu together but one of us needs to be in Manila to take care of shipping our things to Cebu and the list of errands go on. But before that, Jed needs to find a place for us to live. I would also need to finish a few important events at work. Now depending on my accumulated vacation leaves, I am aiming to follow him end of November, and the latest would be first week of December.

We both are not built for long distance relationship. It's going to be very difficult for me to be away from him. Thanks to Cebu Pacific low fares I booked flights every other weekend so I could spend time with my husband.

The "meantime" months will be a test of our characters. We pray for patience, understanding, grace and strength. We will miss each other's company. We're actually feeling that right now.

As one of my good friend reminded me, "It's going to be tough, but we're tougher as we have God with us." Amen to that!

Please click on the the following links to view photos of Jed's despedida dinner and our big leap trip to Cebu.