Hazeline Snow is the Best!

I just have to write about Hazeline Snow.  I simply love it! My mother-in-law, who is still blooming even after 60 years on this earth, first introduced this gem to me. She gave me a small container of Hazeline Snow which she bought from Ongpin. I do not know how much but I heard it's really cheap.

My bottle of Hazeline Snow got used up fast. I just love the way it is absorbed so quickly by my skin and it does not leave an oily afterfeel. The result is a matte finish which makes the skin look and feel natural. Hazeline Snow is also a good make-up base. But the best thing I love about it is that it feels like snow! It makes moisturizing fun. =) Who said expensive stuff work best?! There are really a lot of cheap stuff that are so great. Hazeline Snow is one of them.

Oh, how I wish Unilever Philippines will bring back this wonderful product since I can only get the stuff in other countries whenever I visit. I do not really know where my mother-in-law got it in Ongpin.

Something on Preschools

Some years ago, I went on a very important shopping trip--one for a preschool for my son. I wanted to check out the different preschools around our area. Although some people don't think preschools are necessary for their children, I am quite convinced that exposing my son to preschool will help him in his social, physical, intellectual and spiritual growth. My husband encouraged me to post what I had to say about shopping around for preschools since it may help other mothers in their search. I wish to share some things I learned about preschools and a set of questions parents can ask the principals to better help in their decision-making process.

Traditional vs. Non-traditional Setup

To make things simple, it would be a good gauge to assess current preschool setups as either traditional or non-traditional. Of course, there are so many other terms used such as progressive, integrated, learner-centered, multiple intelligences, etc. Basically, the difference lies on the curriculum.

For traditional setups, it is normally handled the way we were handled during our nursery school days. There were various subjects and lessons are taught on a per subject basis (i.e., science, math, language, chinese, etc.). Usually, young kids are expected not to be too boisterous in class ( i.e., to sit down when told, etc.). Those who are a bit more of a challenge may be given special attention but will probably be taken out of the group. The classes are very much structured and numerical grades are given based on the number of correct or incorrect answers achieved by the student on a prepared test. Tests may be a common scenario and assignments are to be expected.

In a non-traditional setup, most of the curriculum is integrated. This means that the school usually follows a thematic approach to teaching based on a given theme (i.e., usually monthly). Their subjects will contain topics or content related to a given theme. For example, if the theme for June is "Family", teachers will plan their lessons in science, math, language, chinese and other subjects with the theme family in mind. This means that in science, the kids may be taught the topic members of your family. In math, they may be taught to count using number of siblings, etc. Integrated curriculum simply means that all the subjects are taught through an approach where they all make sense together since it is not topical. Experiential learning is also given priority. As such, do not be surprised if your kid is exposed to cooking, field trips, and other activities that may not be found in traditional setups. Given that this type of setup takes more effort on the part of the teacher, a lower student-teacher ratio is expected. This also translates to higher fees. I found that the non-traditional schools usually have about 2:15 teacher student ratio. They usually have a teacher and a teacher's aide. Chinese teachers are also available in some schools.

While doing the rounds, I visited the following schools and they are more or less the same in terms of curriculum and teacher-student ratio.

Apples and Oranges (I was impressed with the facilities but not the directress. She didn't know how to answer my questions)
Mind Specialists (I was impressed with the directress but not the facilities. I was also concerned that I was able to go inside the school with ease. Security did not get my ID or anything...)
Kinder Minds (I was impressed with the directress but not the facilities. I also noticed that their school is small and they had very few students)
Early Achievers (I was impressed with the directress and the facilities were apt).

In non-traditional setups, the teachers do not give numerical grades but progress reports in qualitative form. This means that they prepare reports to show what your child has learned and how you can help your child. This is more of a partnership between the parents and the teachers.

Some Questions to Ask Principals When Shopping for Preschools

1. What is the educational philosophy of your school?
2. How old is your school?
3. Normally, after graduation, where do your graduates go for big school (i.e., elementary)?
4. Do you offer enrichment classes (i.e., E. Nopi, Chinese Classes, Taekwondo, etc.)?
5. What is your tuition fee and what are the inclusions (i.e., uniform, meal, etc)?
6. What is your teacher-student ratio?
7. What is your fetcher's policy?
8. Can you describe your curriculum?
9. What is the profile of your faculty?
10. How do you involve parents in the child's education?

I decided to send my child to Early Achievers (formerly called Granny Goose) for the following reasons (not in order): (1) They had been around for 20 years, (2) The school is close to my house, (3) The directress was impressive when I asked her my questions, (4) The facility looked good, and (5) They were caring and competent when they assessed my son.


My son is now in Grade 1 and he is enrolled in The Meridian International Learning Experience along Mother Ignacia. After his years in EALC, there was no problem in his application to big school. 


Photo Credit: Microsoft Online Clip Library

The Last Lecture

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture went viral. So viral that he was invited to reprise his lecture on Oprah and appear on Diane Sawyer. He received so many letters and emails from people who were touched by his lecture. 

Through this book, Randy Pausch was given a new medium to communicate. A professor dying of pancreatic cancer, Randy Pausch talked about "How to Really Achieve Your Childhood Dreams". This relatively easy read is packed with life lessons and beautiful moments that make a well-lived life. Randy Pausch's quest to preserve a legacy for his children unwittingly set the course for him to leave a legacy to the world. Experience is truly the best teacher. Pausch's no-nonsense, no-self-pity attitude is something for all of us to learn from. His insights on parenting, discipline, perseverance, pride, humility and passion reminds us of things we know in our gut but too often forget. I cannot help but tear-up when he talks about what his wife of 8 years whispered to him during his last lecture. I also cried when he talks of his children and how he is saying goodbye to them without their knowledge. 

What makes the book different from watching the lecture is that Randy Pausch discusses the aftermath of the lecture. He talks of lessons he learned from the emails he received and even gives us a glimpse of applying what he learned from Diane Sawyer. But what truly struck me about The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is the sense of humor and positive attitude the author exudes. Pausch, himself, quoted a friend who said that he is the poster boy for balancing optimism and realism. This is very true. He truly succeeded in leaving a legacy for his children. We will all do well to learn from him.

Clueless about the Allure of Edward Cullen?

If you are a guy who doesn't seem to understand the reasons behind the seemingly crazy female reaction to Twilight's Edward Cullen, I suggest you read this article.

What is it About Edward Cullen?

I salute the author for explaining so eloquently what many of us cannot put into words.

Slumdog Millionnaire: A Must See

I am positively gushing about Slumdog Millionaire. I do not post often. I only post reviews when I am truly angry or truly moved and Slumdog Millionaire moved me. Directed by Danny Boyle (Transpotting, 28 Days Later), Slumdog Millionaire tells a story of love, hope and sacrifice amidst the realities of injustice, poverty and the changing landscape of modern Mumbai. Jamal Malik (played by Dev Patel, Tanay Hemant Chheda and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar) is on the verge of winning 20,000,000 rupees on the game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. However, the night before he is to answer the final question, Jamal was arrested for suspicion of cheating. What happens during his interrogation reveals to us Jamal’s life story. 

Orphaned and living in the slums, Jamal retells his life experiences which led his knowledge of the answers to the questions posted during the game. Grim yet at times cocky, Jamal takes us on a journey from childhood innocence to teenage awakenings to young adulthood yearnings. He narrates the struggles of orphaned children and the skills and tricks they developed to survive. You will, no doubt, laugh at many of the survival skills he developed along the way. 

But Slumdog Millionaire is not a feel-good movie. In fact, it is the type of movie that will resonate with the viewer long after watching it. I normally avoid viewing violent scenes but in Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle offered his scenes in a palatable manner. The scenes of violence were seemingly light yet still achieving the heart-wrenching pain associated with them. A key scene where Jamal meets a blind friend is both painful and funny—something I did not think would be possible. The resulting emotional atmosphere of the scene is powerful. Slumdog Millionaire is essentially love story but it achieves more than that.

Slumdog Millionaire shows us a myriad of images that educates us about life. It teaches us about the death of innocence, the strength of the human spirit, the struggle for survival, the violent effects of poverty, the power of love and the hope of triumph. This movie is delivered to the viewer with so much grace that the experience of it changes him or her. A serious subject matter delivered in a gentle manner, Slumdog Millionaire is a definite must-see for every movie enthusiast. 

Photo Credit: http://www.variety.com

Twilight the Movie: Not for the Purist

[Spoiler Alert! This review has spoilers. Stop if you don’t want to be spoiled]

A Twilight Saga purist will not appreciate the Twilight movie. I am confident to say this after seeing Twilight twice as of the completion of this review. I am a huge Twilight Saga fan (except for Breaking Dawn) but I am not a purist. I am open to new interpretations and I understand that movies provide another way of telling a story. With this background, I humbly offer my Twilight movie review.

Acting

I had very high hopes for Kristen Stewart (Bella) and Robert Pattinson (Edward). Too bad, only Pattinson performed to my satisfaction. Stewart’s Bella did not show the strength and maturity which is a huge part of the character’s appeal. Stewart’s portrayal focused too much on Bella’s klutziness and lip-biting to the point of having seemingly one repeated expression throughout the film. Still, her scenes with Taylor Lautner (Jacob) especially the beach scene was quite good. Pattinson’s Edward, on the other hand, was right on the mark. He portrayed Edward’s inner conflict, insecurity and impossible circumstance consistently. Pattinson channelled Edward from his canteen entrance to the Biology lab, the hospital, the meadow, the Cullens' home, Bella’s room, the Ballet studio and the prom. In all the scenes, one can feel Edward’s inner struggle which is so central to his character. My favourite Edward moments include the first hospital scene, the garage scene and the ballet studio scene. Pattinson once said that “He’s just the meat”. I disagree. He became Edward in this process and he has gained my respect.

Other standout actors in the Twilight movie include Billy Burke (Charlie), Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen) and Anna Kendrick (Jessica). Burke’s Charlie was just how I imagined Bella’s father would be. His presence was not imposing but his love and concern for Bella shined through. I loved the way Peter Facinelli played the father figure to Rosalie and Edward. His authority and compassion was revealed in Facinelli’s performance. I loved the scene where he was telling Edward to “find the will.” Kendrick who played Bella’s friend Jessica portrayed the quintessential Valley girl to a tee. She’s fun to watch.

Story

My major gripe about the Twilight movie is the way the story was presented. Since I read the book, I can understand the situations depicted (i.e., Biology lab, Meadow, Beach, etc.) but if a person who has not read Twilight watched this film, he/she will wonder why Bella seemed to fall in love so completely and so fast. The backbone of this love story is the process of how Bella falls for Edward (through their conversations and interactions). Watching the film, it seems like Edward was such a big jerk and Bella just fell in love regardless and too quickly. 

Twilight, the novel, also delved into the history and uniqueness of the Cullens. Edward’s sharing about his family did not seem to be enough. The scene featuring Emmett and Edward shown in the first Twilight trailer was nowhere in the film. It seems that only Edward and Dr. Cullen's characters were developed in the film. Where is Alice’s prom makeover for Bella? Where is Emmett’s big brother banter? I wanted more of the Cullens! Now, I feel bad because the Cullens are not around much in New Moon. I want my Cullens!

Regardless of my gripes, I still enjoyed the film. As a fan, I was happy to see the novel brought to life even if the situations and dialogue in the book were reframed. Many of the novel’s dialogue were delivered in a different situation in the film. This will make a Twilight purist fume red but for me, it’s ok. I still had fun. I still enjoyed it. 

Music

When I saw the Twilight movie soundtrack in Odyssey, I asked for a listen. I didn’t like it that much. However, after seeing how the music was used, I can now say that the music was brilliant. It felt like another character in the film. The musical score was perfect for the scenes specially the use of Pattinson’s “Never Think” in the Port Angeles scene, the music during the baseball scene and the use of Bella’s Lullaby all throughout the film. I still don't have plans of purchasing the soundtrack although I have plans of buying the DVD.

I have tickets to another screening this Saturday. I wonder how I’d feel the third time around. 

Photo: MTV News

Christmas gift ideas from my favorite stores

This year, I had an early start on my Christmas shopping. I gave the exclusive Twilight Borders calendar to some of my Twilighter friends. I got them with the help of a friend in the US and my recent trip to Australia. Needless to say, they all loved me for it.

I still have some people on my Christmas list and here are some of the things I plan to give this Christmas.

Bookstores (National, Powerbooks, Fully Booked, Victory Christian Fellowship Bookstore)

The bookstore is a treasure trove of excellent gift ideas. Even a set of gel pens makes a great gift. I remember a friend who gave me a school supplies set with mini stapler, plastic folders, and others and I really appreciated it. For children, I highly recommend the Kumon books. Yes, they are a bit pricey but they’re worth the price. I especially like the arts and crafts books. For self-help, I recommend Joel Osteen’s books. For mothers, Victory Christian Fellowship has a book entitled Pray God’s Will by Jay Duque. It’s a wonderful book of prayer inspirations for children based on God’s word.

Kitchen and Food Items

Last year, I found these nice Robert Green potholders in Christmas colors to give to family. I think they’re great because they’re practical and reasonably priced. They are available in the SM home section. Nathan wanted to be in the picture so you get a glimpse of my handsome son in this photo. 

For food gifts, I like CSB Hotel’s box of ensaymada. They sell their ensaymada at PhP220/box for 6 huge buns. As for the grocery store, it is always good to give ham and Majestic Ham, for me, is the best Christmas ham. 

Zen Zest

I personally like the new Sugar Collection of Zen Zest and they prepared a Christmas gift set of the scents. I like Watermelon Sorbet the most but they also have Vanilla Cream, Key Lime Pie and Cherry Cheesecake in the collection. Their cocktail scents are also great especially daquiri. For smaller gifts, their watermelon hand sanitizer is always a delight.

Astrovision

I like movies and music and I visit Astroplus quite often. I think these old and new releases will make for great Christmas gifts. The Josh Groban collection will be good for those who are yet to discover his talent. For those who like Adult Contemporary, I suggest Colbie Caillat and Vanessa Williams’ Everlasting Love. For the younger set, I suggest Jesse McCartney’s Departure or Elliott Yamin’s album. For movies, I plan to give Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice and The Jane Austen Book Club as a set to friends who like romance. It’s always nice to receive a comedy series and I recommend Friends and How I Met Your Mother. Christmas is a time for joy so I’m giving out comedies and feel good movies.

Advanced Merry Christmas and enjoy preparing your Christmas list and gifts!

Amu'in: Aromatherapy On-the-Go!

I had never been this excited about a product since I read the Twilight series! Yesterday, I went to the FAME Exhibition at SMX to attend the launch sparty for Amu’in, an aromatherapy line from the same company that brought us Spa Essentials (only available at Watson’s stores). 

During the sparty, guests were treated to a head and shoulder massage using products from theAmu’in Alaga (Care) line. The adept massage therapists from Nurture Spa enhanced the healing and relaxing effects of the product. 

After the head and shoulder massage, Dr. Mike Turvill and Mrs. Cathy Brillantes Turvill provided a highly practical yet informative session on aromatherapy and the chemistry of essential oils. I learned that the key to aromatherapy is the essential oil. Without the essential oil, the therapeutic properties cannot be delivered to the body. As such, consumers must be careful in ensuring that they patronize aromatherapy products that actually contain essential oils and not merely fragrances. 

[Geek Speak!] Essential oils are botanical products extracted from natural plant oils used for healing and cleansing. Dr. Turvill, a doctor of organic chemistry, discussed the historical roots of aromatherapy and briefly showed us how essential oils are extracted. He also showed a chart that visually represents the composition of an essential oil. Of course, this type of presentation is appealing to geeks like me. =) Essential oils may be supplied to the body through inhalation and absorption. Dr. Turvill also explained why essential oils need carrier oils or other bases. Since essential oils are quite strong, many cannot be directly applied to the skin. Thus, carrier oils like grapeseed oil or lotion bases are needed. Also, essential oils are highly concentrated and expensive. If no carrier oils are used, nobody will be able to afford essential oils. [Geek Speak Ends!]

It is extremely obvious that the Turvills are experts in the spa industry. In fact, their company supplies spa products used in high-end resorts like Amanpulo, Shangri-la’s Chi Spa, Hyatt Saipan, Discovery Suites and many others. They also own Spa Professionals, an internally-accredited spa management school that offers training and consultancy services. 

The Amu’in Line

The Amu’in line of spa products is another innovation to bring real aromatherapy in a busy world. It’s stress control on-the-go. I think it is important to say that this product is proudly Filipino as the name clearly suggests.

From Sunrise to Sundown and Beyond

There is an Amu’in product for any time of the day and for any situation. This is how it works. Upon waking, the Amu’in Sigla (Energy) line supplies the energizing qualities of lemongrass, peppermint and lemon. Depending on your mood, you may use the Sigla shower gel followed by the body lotion or burn the essential oil blend through a burner. There is also a Sigla dry body oil, massage oil and room spray. My personal favorite is the Sigla body mist. The body mist is a spray that may be used throughout the day to help energize. It may be sprayed on to the face or hands. 


Aside from the energy line, there is also the Amu’in Alaga (Care) line. This line is designed to provide relief for headaches, tired muscles and even insect bites and dirt. The Amu’in Alaga line comes in a stress relief balm, warming oil, insect repellant, hand wash, hand lotion and hand sanitizer.

After a busy workday, the Amu’in Hulay (Relax) line supplies the relaxing qualities of lavander and ylang ylang. Similar to the Sigla line, Hulay is available in the form of shower gel, body lotion, dry body oil, essential oil blend, massage oil, room spray, linen spray, body mist and hand lotion.


For romantic occasions, there is the Amu’in Gayuma (Romance) line. The dominant essential oils for this line include the romance-inducing sweet orange, cedarwood, rosewood and ylang ylang. Gayuma is available in the form of essential oil, massage oil and room spray. 

I am soooo excited for this product since I am a very busy working mom and I need my aromatherapy on-the-go. Amu'in is now available at the following stores:

- Echo Store, Serendra
- Sanctuario Spa, Malate
- Sanctuario Spa, Q.C.
- Matus Jewelry, Goldcrest Glorietta 1
- Trinoma Landmark
For more information about the Amu’in products, visit their official website athttp://www.amuinwellness.com.

The Block NKOTB Album Review

Ok...ok...I admit it. I used to be a huge NKOTB fan. I lined up to watch their show. I have all their albums and I lost my Joe McIntyre doll. =) My favorite NKOTB members were Jonathan Knight and Joe McIntyre. 

Two days ago, my beloved hubby surprised me with a copy of their new album entitled The Block. As a huge NKOTB fan, I was quite surprised with the sound of The Block. The songs sounded very modern. The obvious genre is R&B. This is probably the work of Donnie Wahlberg who was one of the executive producers. At first listen, I was really taken aback by the songs. I felt that I couldn't relate. Somehow I can't seem to veer away from the image of 30 and 40-somethings singing hiphop.

After the second, third and nth listen, though, I can say that the album is not bad. The songs sounded fresh and their gamble may actually work in making NKOTB relevant once again. Although I missed the beautiful ballads (the strongest selling point of the band, in my opinion), I still liked their mid-tempo songs especially 2 in the Morning and Click, Click, Click. Stare at You sounded very much like their old ballads but somehow this song did not speak to me. I was a bit appalled by the simplistic and forced rhyming lyrics of Close to You. As for the faster songs, my favorites are Single and Grown Man. Single will be a great follow-up single to Summertime--a song that reminded me of NKOTB circa Step by Step. Still, I am glad NKOTB is back. It's great to revisit old favorites and discover something new about them.

Twilight-Inspired Polyvore Sets

Edward's Bella



Jacob's Bella