Lavender & Coffee Stains

August 20, 2009

BTT: Recent Best Book

Dear Me,

What's the best book you've read recently?
(Tell me you didn't see this one coming?)

It has to be The Eight by Katherine Neville. It wasn't in my TBR when I started hearing a lot of buzz about this book. I added it in my wishlist and hell-bent in finding a copy. Imagine my excitement when I found one in a second-hand bookshop!

New York City, 1972—A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune-teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

The South of France, 1790—Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortresslike Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life—and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world...

Anyway, I read it right away and finished it with much excitement. I could find fault with the characters, the lines, etc. But I totally love the plot! Very original. :)

August 19, 2009

Toys R Us Baby Fair

by Ivÿ, in Mommyhood + Parenting

Dear Me,

My little boy has boxes of toys already. I am sure there will be more toys in the house if his father finds out that there is a sale going on. Good thing that my little boy is not a baby (although he will always be a baby to me) anymore. Hahaha!

Toys R Us is currently having a Baby Fair for the entire month of August. Selected items for infants will be on sale up to 50% off.

Also, be one of the three (3) shoppers to win a Fisher-Price Showcase. A shopper is entitled to a raffle stub for every PhP500.00 single or accumulated receipt purchase of Fisher-Price non-character items. Winners will be drawn from each participating Toys R Us stores: Robinson's Galleria, Robinson's Ermita and Trinoma.

August 14, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins #1

by Ivÿ, in Weekly Meme

Dear Me,

I just discovered this meme somewhere. For a change, it will be fun filling blanks. :)

When will I have the time to indulge myself in a spa?
Sushi For One by Camy Tang was the last good book I read.
Everything has its beauty but only a selected few shines throughout.
Nilagang Baboy is what I had for dinner.
I'd like your problems hone you to be a better person.
The beach is where I want to be right now.
And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the bookshop and find good titles, tomorrow my plans include attending an event and checking a 2nd hand bookshop nearby and Sunday, I want to rest at home and read books!

August 13, 2009

BTT: Recent Worst Book

by Ivÿ, in Weekly Meme

Dear Me,

What's the worst book you've read recently?
(I figure it's easier than asking your all-time worst, because, well, it's recent!)

I think the worst book I have read recently (like last month) was Michelangelo's Notebook by Paul Christopher. This book was actually one of the books I picked for my Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge for this year. Falling under the religious thriller, Michelangelo's Notebook seems like a very exciting read.

Life may imitate art...but death follows it.

While studying art history at New York University, brilliant and beautiful Finn Ryan makes a startling discovery: a Michelangelo drawing of a dissected corpse-supposedly from the artist's near-mythical notebook. But that very night, someone breaks into her apartment-murdering her boyfriend and stealing the sketches she made of the drawing. Fleeing for her life, Finn heads to the address her mother had given her for emergencies, where she finds the enigmatic antiquarian book dealer, Michael Valentine. Together, they embark on a desperate race through the city-and through the pages of history itself-to expose an electrifying secret from the final days of World War II-a secret that lies in the dark labyrinthine heart of the Vatican.

Well, I was mistaken. Aside from the unnecessary lines and entirely, not-so-good plot, it sounded so chauvinistic and darn revolting. I got it the first time that the female character was a sight to behold but was it so important that the author had to point out a thousand times Finn Ryan's body parts?

August 10, 2009

Repel Mosquitoes With Downy Antibac

by Ivÿ, in Health + Wellness

Dear Me,

The rainy months are here and so do mosquitoes.

As a mom, warding off those pesky mosquitoes away from my little boy and the rest of the family is a great concern. The presence of these mosquitoes are more widespread during the rainy season for it is only during this time that water abound and which they use as a medium in hatching their eggs.

To track their prey, female mosquitoes utilize a battery of sensors such as their visual, thermal and olfactory stimuli. They hunt their blood host by detecting carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of the normal breathing process. Chemicals in human sweat such as ammonia also veers mosquitoes toward their targets. Body heat also serve as 'feelers' for mosquitoes to detect their next prey.

Mosquitoes are vector agents of diseases such as malaria and dengue. It is best that one must know to make the home free from mosquitoes.

Tips were shared by Miss Jing Lejano, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping magazine, on how to drive mosquitoes away. She also shared good points on how to properly pack edible stuff such as fruits, sweets, biscuits and sandwiches to prevent mosquitoes and insects from infesting them and the surrounding area.

I was lucky to have viewed this presentation about the mosquito-repellent effect of Downy Antibac. Two similar stuff toys were washed with the same laundry brand. To prove that Downy Antibac can help repel mosquitoes away, one was soaked in the fabric conditioner while the other stuff toy wasn't. The video showed that more mosquitoes landed in the stuff toy that was left untreated with the said fabric conditioner. The said test was also conducted by scientists from Japan, Thailand, China, Vietnam and the Philippines courtesy of the Philippine Association of Entomologists.

Seeing is believing, isn't it? So I was more than pleased to have a chance to see a live demo of Downy Antibac's mosquito-repellent effect.

A white-screened covered container full of 'fat' (I could see through the screen how healthy they looked) mosquitoes was placed in the center. One of the representatives from the Philippine Association of Entomologists conducted the demo together with the help of a volunteer. The volunteer was requested to don two sleeves alternately: one was untreated while the other was treated with Downy Antibac. After wearing each one, she put her covered arm inside the said container which was full of mosquitoes. Just like in the video, the frequency and duration of landing of mosquitoes in the untreated sleeve was greater than the one treated with Downy Antibac. This only proved that Downy Antibac can help in repelling mosquitoes away.

Downy Antibac works beautifully. Its antibacterial ingredients control odor-causing germs. Utilizing it as a fabric conditioner, washed clothes stay with long-lasting freshness.

Yes, the rainy months are here and Downy Antibac will not only help me in keeping our clothes fresh during this season but also in protecting my family from mosquito bites and most importantly, from the dreaded diseases (dengue and malaria) caused by these insects.

Downy Antibac is not intended to replace mosquito repellent but only helps repel mosquitoes on fabric.

August 09, 2009

"Let's Go Surfing" On Aug15-16, La Union

by Ivÿ, in Travel + Culture

Dear Me,

It was back in early 2007 that I almost had the chance and the courage to try surfing. I was about to the following month but I just learned that I was pregnant with my little boy.

I never had the chance.

When I heard that Jonel of Let's Go Sago would be holding something exciting in celebration of his travel and food blog's first year anniversary, I was ecstatic!

A charity surfing clinic in La Union for beginners and bloggers has been organized to celebrate this milestone!

Scheduled on August 15 & 16, Let's Go Surfing will bring a bus-full of bloggers to San Juan, La Union. Participants will be staying at the San Juan Surf Resort and will be learning to surf at Billabong Surf School. Event beneficiary will be World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Philippines). It would also include a night beach party where awesome raffle items from sponsors will be given away such as Bico Australia surfing accessories, Havaianas flip flops, Starbucks Gift certificates, Billabong items, VMV Armada Sun Screens, a free surfing trip to Baler in Aurora and a lot more!

The event is sponsored by Bico Australia, SM, Starbucks Coffee, VSRC Skin Research Center, & Web.Com.Ph. In cooperation with Media Partners Men's Health, Women's Health, Yehey.com, CreatiVoices, and Qtube of QTV who would cover the surfing event for their show! The event is also supported by Havaianas, Geiser Maclang, Travel Factor, DigitalManila.blogspot.com and JumpShotsPH.com.

Bloggers & Non-bloggers alike are welcome to join. Hurry, registration until Aug 11 only! Register online NOW!

For more details or any inquiries, please email jonel.uy at gmail.com or contact 0916-491-8656 / 0922-8566-353, or check this out: http://www.letsgosago.net/2009/07/lets-go-surfing-event/

Well, I am hoping to join since this is the second time that I expressed interest but I am torn since the family has plans of having a brief vacation in Baguio City during that weekend. Come what may, I will surely try this out sometime. :)

August 08, 2009

I ♥ Steve Berry's Books

by Ivÿ, in I Heart + Favorites

Dear Me,

Steve Berry got me hooked. I have a thing for historical thrillers and having read The Alexandria Link more than fills my appetite for excitement. With that, I have been moving out books from my shelves to check if I have his other books.

Well, out of the seven books of his that were published, I only have three of them:

The Amber Room
...is one of the greatest treasures ever made by man: an entire room forged of exquisite amber, from its four massive walls to its finely crafted furniture. But it is also the subject of one of history's most intriguing mysteries. Originally commissioned in 1701 by Frederick I of Prussia, the Room was later perfected Tsarskoe Selo, the Russian imperial city. In 1941, German troops invaded the Soviet Union, looting everything in their wake and seizing the Amber Room. When the Allies began the bombing of Germany in August 1944, the Room was hidden. And despite the best efforts of treasure hunters and art collectors from around the world, it has never been seen again.

The Romanov Prophecy
Ekaterinburg, Russia: July 16, 1918. Ten months have passed since Nicholas II's reign was cut short by revolutionaries. Tonight, the White Army advances on the town where the Tsar and his family are being held captive by the Bolsheviks. Nicholas dares to hope for salvation. Instead, the Romanovs are coldly and methodically executed.

Moscow: Present Day. Atlanta lawyer Miles Lord, fluent in Russian and well versed in the country's history, is thrilled to be in Moscow on the eve of such a momentous event. After the fall of Communism and a succession of weak governments, the Russian people have voted to bring back the monarchy. The new tsar will be chosen from the distant relatives of Nicholas II by a specially appointed commission, and Miles' job is to perform a background check on the Tsarist candidate favored by a powerful group of Western businessmen. But research quickly becomes the least of Miles’ concerns when he is nearly killed by gunmen on a city plaza.

The Alexandria Link
A cradle of ideas–historical, philosophical, literary, scientific, and religious–the Library of Alexandria was unparalleled in the world. But fifteen hundred years ago, it vanished into the mists of myth and legend–its vast bounty of wisdom coveted ever since by scholars, fortune hunters, and those who believe its untold secrets hold the key to ultimate power. Now a cartel of wealthy international moguls, bent on altering the course of history, is desperate to breach the library’s hallowed halls–and only Malone possesses the information they need to succeed.

His other published novels, which I am trying to collect are:

The Third Secret
Fatima, Portugal, 1917: The Virgin Mary appears to three peasant children, sharing with them three secrets, two of which are soon revealed to the world. The third secret is sealed away in the Vatican, read only by popes, and not disclosed until the year 2000. When revealed, its quizzical tone and anticlimactic nature leave many faithful wondering if the Church has truly unveiled all of the Virgin Mary's words–or if a message far more important has been left in the shadows.

Vatican City, present day: Papal secretary Father Colin Michener is concerned for the Pope. Night after restless night, Pope Clement XV enters the Vatican's Riserva, the special archive open only to popes, where the Church’s most clandestine and controversial documents are stored. Though unsure of the details, Michener knows that the Pope’s distress stems from the revelations of Fatima.

The Templar Legacy
The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes—until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was–and its true nature could change the modern world. Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he'd left behind.

The Venetian Betrayal
In 323 B.C.E, having conquered Persia, Alexander the Great set his sights on Arabia, then suddenly succumbed to a strange fever. Locating his final resting place-unknown to this day-remains a tantalizing goal for both archaeologists and treasure hunters. Now the quest for this coveted prize is about to heat up. And Cotton Malone-former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer-will be drawn into an intense geopolitical chess game.

The Charlemagne Pursuit
As a child, former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone was told his father died in a submarine disaster in the North Atlantic, but now he wants the full story and asks his ex-boss, Stephanie Nelle, to secure the military files. What he learns stuns him: His father's sub was a secret nuclear vessel lost on a highly classified mission beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica. But Malone isn't the only one after the truth.

Well, Berry has another book coming up this December! Entitled The Paris Vendetta, this is the fifth book in the Cotton Malone series. I am looking forward to grabbing a copy of this book, too. :)

Back home in Denmark, Malone's barely had a chance to rest and regroup after his last high-risk mission when trouble comes knocking again. Actually, it breaks and enters–in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of would-be assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces Malone to follow his unexpected new ally into the night–and into another all-too-close encounter with certain danger.

Their first stop is the secluded country estate of Malone's good friend Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon's eyes and ears around the world have uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires out to manipulate the global economy. Only by matching wits with a murderous terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for the legendary lost treasure of Napoleon Bonaparte can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy. But Thorvaldsen's objective is much more personal: to avenge at any cost the murder of his beloved son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Through the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, a breathless game of duplicity and death will be played, all to claim a prize of untold value–or to suffer consequences of unthinkable magnitude.

A teaser chapter of The Paris Vendetta is released in the back of a paperback, The Last Oracle. This book is authored by James Rollins, a good friend of Steve Berry.

August 07, 2009

Meager Haul

by Ivÿ, in I Heart + Favorites

Dear Me,

I felt too tired that day that I only purchased three books. I was a little disappointed because the Booksale branch in SM Megamall was such a clutter and disorganized. They also do not have much interesting titles to offer.

Not content in leaving the bookshop empty-handed, I picked these three:

Confessions of a Teenage Baboon by Paul Zindel

Sixteen-year-old misfit Chris Boyd moves with his mother, a practical nurse, from one live-in job to another. Lloyd Dipardi, himself a misfit, points the way to manhood for Chris by teaching him to take responsibility for his own life. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

I'm not really a YA fan but nothing attracts me to read any book as such unless its ALA-acclaimed.

Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine by Patricia Heaton

In tidily constructed chapters, divided into sections representing the three cities she's lived in, Heaton recounts her happy childhood in Cleveland, her adventures in New York and her attempts to sustain an average life with four children and a husband in Los Angeles. Particularly authentic are her takes on motherhood: "[A]s much as we'd like to believe otherwise, we're all going to be forgotten somewhere down the line. We'll certainly be forgotten by the world, and eventually by our own families.

Too interested about motherhood. :)

Pick a Perfect Wine...In No Time by Anita LaRaia

Walking into a wine shop or perusing a restaurant's wine menu can be an overwhelming event. With many stores and upscale eateries offering more than a thousand wines to choose from, the average consumer needs a guide like Anita LaRaia. As the founder and director of The Wine School of Atlanta, Georgia, Anita has taught thousands of wine classes over the past 26 years and graduated some of the country's top wine connoisseurs. Using her unique blend of wine expertise, practical advice, and easy-to-read conversational explanations, Pick a Perfect Wine In No Time covers everything you need to know about wines and their food partners.

I love to drink wines and I think it is high time I learned more about them.

August 01, 2009

Farewell To Our Mother Of Philippine Democracy, Corazon Aquino

by Ivÿ, in Personal Dailies + Musings

Dear Me,

I woke up this morning rather a little late than usual. I joined my father and sister downstairs for a little chat since hubby and little boy were still deep in slumber. The television was on and I was so shocked to learn that former Philippine president Corazon Aquino had passed away. She rejoined the Savior on August 1, 2009 at 3:18 am due to a cardio-respiratory arrest. She was 76 years old.

Corazon C. Aquino
January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009
Diagnosed with advanced colon cancer last year, she underwent chemotherapy but the cancer had already spread to her other organs, making her weaker to continue the treatment.

Swept and elevated to the presidential seat in 1986 by People Power known amongst Filipinos and all over the world, Corazon Aquino proved her mettle as a woman, wife, mother and leader of the Philippines.

Donning her signature yellow dress, Corazon Aquino rallied with the people in strong protest to oust the 20-year autocratic rule of her predecessor, Ferdinand Marcos.

A housewife to opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., (assassinated at the Manila airport upon his return from exile in 1983), the lady in yellow had taken the reins of leading the country to a peaceful and democratic sovereignty. Her courage and determination had inspired a wave of nonviolent protests and rallies across countries and around the globe.

I need not elaborate her political achievements for it has been written and read many times. I am not really an avid supporter of her as well. As a woman and mother, I appreciated her for she had lead this country to a peaceful walk to freedom and equality. Not in so many ways but it was a great start. I just pray that other people will stop abusing People Power (in its full glorious sense) everytime they want to overthrow a government they consider as ineffective and corrupt.

To her honor and memory, may she find eternal solace in the loving hands of God.

Share your prayers and condolences

Articles and Tributes

Thank you, Cory Aquino

The official Corazon Aquino website

August 01, 2009

Do You Live A Healthy Life?

by Ivÿ, in Tips + Tricks

Dear Me,

It's funny that I find myself writing stuff like this. Almost two years ago, I believed that I was leading a healthy life albeit not a perfect 100%. I engaged in outdoor activities and I felt fit in and out.

Now, I feel so fat and left out of my league. I even feel old. As people say, feeling is not tantamount to seeing or appearing like one. But, how can I feel different outside when my inner self senses otherwise?

My little boy is growing up already and I can now sneak some available ME time. I am thinking of participating in a number of fun runs during weekends. Maybe come September when it's not raining and that I won't be puffing already after 20 steps. I have a month to do warm-ups.

Meantime, I discovered a number of some painless-yet-with-minimum-effort ways to start leading a full healthy life.

Check the label: that is, the sugar and salt percentage. Be aware by reading the goodies' label about these two compounds. Hidden sugars and too much sodium is not the way to start. I wonder what's our daily recommended intake for sugar and salt. Hmm.
Eat more greens. They contain more nutritional value than burgers and the like. Instead of indulging in high calorie, high in fat foods every day of the week, why not assign a number of days in the week eating green veggies only? I think I can work this out.
Drink healthy. Chocolate drink, coffee, frappuccino. It would be a sin for me to avoid them but I can still be healthy by drinking them in moderation. Okay, that sounds hypocritical of me. Hehehe. Note to self: don't forget to include water in my favorites. It is essential to our body's daily maintenance. :)
Cut back on whatever I eat. I think I always fail on this everytime I feel dead-serious in losing pounds. I starve myself by cutting out what I usually eat. Health experts say that the way to reduce the heavy weight is to lessen the calories day by day at a manageable rate. :) That's a thought!
Walk my feet around. Just a few simple steps while doing something can work wonders as I was told. If chatting with a friend on the mobile phone, walk around the room or dining table instead of lying down in bed. Instead of riding a jeep or taxi to the mall, why not use my chubby feet? I used to do this after my work in Makati. I leisurely walked the distance from Pacific Star in Makati Avenue towards Landmark or Ayala Avenue. But please, I'm not suggesting walking the far distance to any place at all. Just trying to use and stretch my feet. :)
Take multi-vitamins and calcium supplements. Fortify my immune system if I think that I am not getting my full nutritional intake.

Well, they do sound painless efforts to me. I prefer to follow these guidelines since I find them a lot easier and convenient.

I have always believed that this mantra works: Small changes and taking more steps each time is the best trick to start anything especially in working one's way to a healthy life. :)