Discount Vouchers

I've recently learned about group buying and discount vouchers available in the Internet. These websites offer services (food, hotel accomodations, gadgets, etc.) at discounted price. The goal is to attract more customers to their establishment. I'm hooked!

Group buying websites offer discounts depending on the number of buyers of the offer. The more buyers of the promo, the bigger discount. I saw a website that says if the number of buyers needed to avail the offer is not reached, then the offer is cancelled.

Some sites, such as Ensogo, offers discounts (50-100% off!) on services. No minimum number of buyers required.

To avail of these services at fabulous discounts, you have to register first at the group buying site offering the promo. Just provide an e-mail address and password. If you want a promo, just click the "BUY" button. You have several options of payment: credit card, bank deposit (online and over-the-counter), PayPal and GCash. After selecting a payment mode and confirming your order, you will receive further instructions in your e-mail.

I've availed promos from three group buying sites: Ensogo, Metrodeal and CashCashPinoy. Ensogo gives you 24 hours to pay for your order while the other two gives you two days, giving you more time to think about whether you will indeed pay for the promo or not.

BookCrossing

The Correli's Mandolin which I bought in Booksale recently has something interesting in the first page.

A sticker which says:








Intrigued, I went online and searched for the BookCrossing website. After typing the BCID code, I learned that the book I'm holding was once owned by a reader in Minnesota, USA in 2006. Amazing!

What is BookCrossing?
BookCrossing is the act of giving a book a unique identity so, as the book is passed from reader to reader, it can be tracked and thus connecting its readers. There are currently 933,357 BookCrossers and 8,011,671 books travelling throughout 132 countries. Our community is changing the world and touching lives one book at a time.

This is a new thing for me, owning a book and then releasing it for others to read. You can release a book by leaving it in a bus, park, airport, anywhere where someone could "catch" it. I admit, I cannot think of letting go of my books yet. Maybe someday when my future house cannot contain all the books I've read and collected.

Hair Fall

I've been losing hair more than the usual. They say it's normal to lose 50-100 strands of hair everyday. But I think I have more falling hair than the next Juana. Every morning as I comb my hair, I feel strands of hair falling on my arm. I see strands of hair on the floor and on the bed. Washing my hair makes it worse. My falling hair clogs the bathroom drain! I have a sister and I don't notice she loses as much hair as I do. I've been in denial for the past months but time to face reality. I-am-losing-hair-big-time!

Some articles about hair loss say it is caused by genetics, illness, over/under activity of thyroid gland or poor diet and nutrition. Other articles include having PCOS to be causing hair loss. Waaah!

What should I do? I'm afraid I'm going bald. I've searched the Internet for natural ways/products to treat hair loss. So far, here are the products available in the Philippine market:


Novuhair Topical Scalp lotion

Available at Mercury Drug stores and at Cory Quirino World of Wellness

"NOVUHAIR is a combination of natural herbs, essential oils and co-factor nutrients which are proven and used for centuries to cure hair problems. NOVUHAIR penetrates deep to rejuvenate, nourish and maintain moisture in the scalp and hair. By improving the blood circulation in the scalp, NOVUHAIR stimulates hair growth and prevents further hair fall. NOVUHAIR also improves the overall appearance of hair."

It costs P2,000+. Oh my!

Lauat Hair Treatment Shampoo
Available at Watson's, Mercury Drug Store, South Star drug, all major supermarkets

"This exclusive formulation promotes hair growth and controls excessive hair fall by deeply cleansing, nourishing and revitalizing hair follicles for that naturally soft and healthy, fresh full hair."

ZEN Hair & Scalp cream (for falling hair) 50 gm P160.00

"A highly dependable leave on conditioner. When used lightly, it can be your everyday hair moisturizer for treating hairfall and dandruff, apply after your evening bath allowing the botanicals to soak and seep through your scalp pores. Leave on overnight, repeat every other night until symptoms disappear."

Another idea that I've been thinking about in the past few days is using bokoma, a scalp massager. It helps increase blood circulation on your head which promotes hair growth.

I hope I can get rid of this hair fall/loss.

Bye Cheese

My acupuncturist, Sister Regina, advised me to remove cheese from my diet. She said cheese products affect hormones in the body. And I do need to balance my hormones to help me ovulate.

So, bye-bye Cheez whiz. Bye parmesan. Bye Yakult. Bye yogurt.

Hello pasta dishes without cheese on top. :(

The things I do just to conceive...

Image source: Likesbooks.com

BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende

The Daughter of Fortune is Isabel Allende's fifth novel which took her seven years of research. Set in 1840s in Chile, the novel tells the story of a young Chilean girl named Eliza Sommers who, at the first struck of love, follows her first love out of the country. A girl trained to observe the rigid rules and ettiquette of women in high society, Eliza defied all odds just to track her lover, Joaquin Andieta, who was struck with gold fever. It tells the tale of Eliza's journey from Chile to California with the help of a Chinese zhong yi (physician) Tao Chien, her battle with mental, physical and emotional problems as she search for Joaquin in a foreign land and a decision she has to make in the end.

I like reading the Daughter of Fortune. Allende's writing style is lyrical with a touch of history. She will take you to the place where the story is happening. I could see the Sommers' mansion in Chile, the network of shanties where Joaquin lives, the darkness of the ship's belly and the dusty California land as miners frenetically search for gold like madmen.

My favorite part of the novel is the chapter about Tao Chien. It tells his story of being a Fourth Son, his training as a physician and his love for his arranged bride Lin. I liked how Allende described Tao's love for Lin. It tugged the romantic side of me. I hoped that How Tao sees Lin is how Hubby sees me also. Here's a part of the novel:

"She made him laugh like no one else could, invented impossible stories, provoked him with word games. In Lin's presence, everything seemed to be lighter with an irresistable glow."

Sigh.

The novel also touched on the lives of seamen. People living most of their lives at sea are lonely wherein women are scrace and their physical needs cannot be denied for so long. This struck a chord in me. Wives of seamen hope that their husbands will remain faihful and loyal to them despite the distance and longing for each other. I can only pray that Hubby use all his willpower to restrain himself when temptations arise.

I definitely recommend the Daughter of Fortune to those who love stories of adventures and finding true love. If I'm in my younger years, I'll read this type of novel instead of the ubiquitous paperback romance novels in bookstores.

Play for Japan

My officemate and fellow music enthusiast G and I went to the "Play for Japan". This is a benefit concert for the victims of the Japan earthquake + tsunami. Japan artists Miyako (premiere soprano) and Kunie Tatsuta (award-winning classical pianist) performed for this fund-raising event.

We chose to watch the May 7 concert (P500/ticket) since the other performance date, April 30, costs P1,000 with cocktails. :) The venue was at the Serenade Hall near the Makati Medical Center.

We arrived at the Serenade Hall 30 minutes before its opening so G and I went to the nearest Mini Stop to pass the time. When we returned to the venue, almost half of the seats were already occupied by Japanese adults and children. I felt we were outsiders since we were the only Filipinos. Good thing several Pinoys arrived for the concert.

The concert began with Ms. Miyako singing four broadway songs: Sound of Music (from "The Sound of Music"), Tonight (from "West Side Story"), I Could Have Danced All Night (from "My Fair Lady") and Memory (from "Cats"). Ms. Tatsuta (say: tats-ta) accompanied Ms. Miyako.

Then, Ms. Tatstuta took the stage for her solo performace. She played classical pieces from Chopin and Mozart. She was very great! I was amazed how she played the piano. That was the first-time I saw a world-class pianist and I was so happy I had the opportunity to watch her.

The concert ended with Ms. Miyako singing three Japanese songs (Cherry Blossom, Cherry Blossom Alley and I forgot the other one) and three folk songs from UK, Scotland and Ireland.

After the concert, G and I decided to look for other shows like this. I missed this type of entertainment.

It's also noteworthy how the kids behaved throughout the concert. They sat primly at their seats, not clinging to their moms nor showing boredom. During the intermission did they only played and talked with the other kids. Amazing discipline I must say!

Happy Mothers' Day!

To my loving and caring mother...

Breastfeeding stations

I'm a believer that breastmilk is best and superior for babies. Eventhough I'm not yet with child, I imagine myself breastfeeding my future children. You not only save on costs of feeding bottles, milk, sterilization, etc., you are also guaranteed that your baby will grow healthier than his bottle-fed friends.

Good news to breastfeeding mommies out there!

Robredo urges LGUs to set up breastfeeding stations

I hope that LGUs will adere to Secretary Robredo's call.

Infertility and Acupuncture

For those thinking about having acupuncture to help them in conception, you can read this article from Smart Parenting.

Infertility: The Option of Using Acupuncture

Happy reading!

Booksale!

The big sale in Megamall attracted tons of people over the weekend. I planned on buying (comfy and sturdy) office shoes. But, the reader in me cannot resist taking a look inside Booksale. :)

I am now five books richer! The book that I'm most excited about is the Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen which I got for P115 (about 50% off from its regular price). I've been wanting to buy this book since December and its movie is showing in theaters this week. Luckily, I found the book and immediately grabbed it!

7th Acupuncture Session

I went to my acupuncture appointment after knowing that I didn't ovulate this cycle. I came thirty minutes before the opening of the clinic so I waited outside, trying to practise in my mind what I would say to Sister Regina. Since we communicate in English, I want all my thoughts to be delivered correctly, as I want them. Miscommunication is the least I want at this time.

While waiting, several patients arrived. A Chinese couple sat beside me and told me it was their first time. They asked if the needles hurt (No).

As the clinic opened and the assistants let us in, I was led to cubicle #1. After a few minutes, Sister Regina came in. I told her about my two ultrasound and the result. I told her that I think I only ovulate when I have acupuncture (based on my BBT charts for the past cycles). She told me I'm still fine. I have to go back to her on my June cycle so she could prescribe some herbs.

After paying for my session, I scheduled my next appointment in June. I'm thinking, I'm now on the next step -- herbs.