30-DAY BLOG CHALLENGE: 
Mission Accomplished!

Day 1    A photo that makes you happy
Day 2    20 of my favorite things
Day 3    A photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 4    Something you are OCD about
Day 5    Your dream house
Day 6    A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 7    My worst habit
Day 8    What’s in my handbag/purse
Day 9    Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 10  A dream for the future
Day 11  Who can’t you live without?
Day 12  If you could wish for anything that would come true, what would you wish for?
Day 13  Have you ever had your heart broken? Have you ever broken a heart?
Day 14  What do you like most about yourself?
Day 15  What do you dislike most about yourself?
Day 16  What do people notice about you?
Day 17  What’s something you wish you could say to someone?
Day 18  Whom do you admire the most?
Day 19  What is your goal in life?
Day 20  What are the 10 most significant events in your life?
Day 21  If you died tomorrow, what’s one thing you’d regret not doing?
Day 22  What’s an inside joke you have with someone?
Day 23  Two months ago, where were you and what were you doing?
Day 24  Do you have saved text messages?  If so, who are they from and why do you still have them?
Day 25  Write 5 messages to 5 different people without using names.
Day 26  What’s something you’re really excited for?
Day 27  What do you feel guilty for doing?
Day 28  Tattoos.  If you have one, post it and its story.  If not, what do you want?
Day 29  Picture of your makeup collection
Day 30  When were the happiest days of your life?


xoxo,

I'm still on the process of opening up SALA Patio + Bar which is waayyy overdue already and had been experimenting with a couple of drinks to serve by pitcher. I stumbled upon a really cool concoction as of late that can either be alcoholic or non-alcoholic depending on your mood. Very easy to prepare and perfect for those hot summer nights... or if you just want a cooler to share with a couple of friends.

First things first... the basic ingredient is none other than LIPTON Yellow Label Tea. Now, here's something I'd like to share since I'm a big fan of tea. My grandfather is of Chinese descent and he used to drink tea a lot. I think he did just that every day when he was still alive. My mom keeps reminding me of the benefits of tea to our bodies. I don't really use those instant iced tea litro packs because aside from being too sweet for my taste, it doesn't do justice to the tea I'm very used to drinking. So LIPTON black tea it is for a premium tea experience...






No rules in steeping tea really... I say, just STEEP TO TASTE! ;) Then let it cool for 30 minutes before drinking it. If it's iced tea I want, I usually refrigerate the tea first.

Recipe for My Lipton FruiTEA Melody mix as follows:


You can use calamansi or lemon if you wish but I was inclined to use orange juice this time. I also prefer the fresh ones but if there aren't any available, any PULPY orange juice mix will do. My preferred fruit cocktail is the one with grapes, pears, apples, peaches, and cherries. Not really fond of the local fruits, i.e. pineapples, papayas, etc. (But that's just me and it's my recipe, sooo...) Oh, and don't forget the NATA DE COCO! (Goodness! I love really really those!!!) To sweeten the tea, either I use honey, sugar, or caramelized sugar -- depending on what I have on hand or the time I have to spend to make my tea. Tee hee!



Writing about this makes me really thirsty for My Lipton FruiTEA Melody! Wahhhh... Note: Must make some after I blog this.



The making of  My Lipton FruiTEA Melody:


And here's my first customer, Ms. Aning Acebedo sampling My Lipton FruiTEA Melody!

She came by after running some errands all over the city and was pretty tired from it. After sampling and downing her first drink she exclaimed, "LAMI-AHHHH!" (Delicious!) And she also added that it's a real thirst quencher considering how hot and humid the weather gets. So very pleased to see her reaction! I mean, I felt and said the very same thing when I tried it the first time.

Because iced tea is refreshing and fruits are good for you, this drink is highly recommended! And I'm glad I can share this to the whole world; well if not, to my family, friends, and customers at least anyway. ;) Sharing is loving, diba? LIPTON is LOVE!!!

Whenever you drink tea, think about these top 10 benefits:
1. Tea contains antioxidants.
2. Tea has less caffeine than coffee.
3. Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
4. Tea protects your bones.
5. Tea gives you a sweet smile.
6. Tea bolsters your immune defenses.
7. Tea protects against cancer.
8. Tea helps keep you hydrated.
9. Tea is calorie-free.
10. Tea increases your metabolism.
(Source: iVillage)

But for me, I think the best thing that tea does to me aside from all of the above is the fact that I can get really CRAZY CREATIVE (sometimes O.C. in a good way) when I drink tea. I mean, take a look at this blog post. I drank tea just before I wrote this!

Furthermore, come nighttime, if you're the adventurous kind (Ahem!) and want some good time, you can add some liquor to My Lipton FruiTEA Melody and it becomes a real mean fruit punch. (Think: Long Island Iced Tea!) SWEEEEEET! Talk about versatile! So now I'm considering making this concoction a regular drink at our cafe. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a big hit with the young ones. ;)

Since tea makes me feel good, I get to run my business (and my life!) even better. It doesn't matter how big or small you are or what you do, it's all about having fun and loving it. Managing a business, however small, is so much sweeter with Lipton. I'd like to share that experience with everyone. So I think I'm gonna start serving this at SALA Lounge + Cafe (SALA Patio + Bar) soon. Drop by if you wanna try it!


oxo,

For this year alone? I had my wedding and the birth of a son to account for that. 2011 is the year indeed!

xoxo,

Sorry to disappoint, but I really don't have one. I only use but some moisturizer and powder on my face now, save for the eyebrow pencil and occasional lip gloss and cheek tints. 

xoxo,

I remember like it was yesterday when I registered my domain name, WWW.BASTAIGATSIKAT.COM. I got it from GoDaddy and I was sure as heck certain it was available once I searched for it. True enough, it was! I then wondered if there were any promotional coupons from Blogger or Google or any other amazing web hosting features I could take advantage of.



It was just recently that I discovered I could use my own domain name for my email address! HAHAHA! Now you can email me at mymaria(at)bastaigatsikat(dot)com! I consider myself still pretty green to this whole internet blogging experience. I may be internet-savvy, but NOT THAT internet-savvy. Not yet, I guess. I came here to blog some years ago for the sake of writing and keeping an online journal. But lately, with all the search engine optimization hype, I'm beginning to see there's more to blogging than camwhoring and just baring your soul for the whole world to see... just because.

I did come across some pretty interesting keyword searches that landed people on my blog. The phrase "basta igat sikat" obviously, "sailormoon" being the most popular search according to the Analytics, and even "ormoc city sex scandal" will render you my blog in Google results. LOL!



Honestly, I still don't understand the whole website optimization thing or getting high page ranks for that matter, maybe because I think it's confusing really or I just couldn't care less about monetizing my blog. Tee hee. As a writer, I guess blogging will stay that way for me. Sure, I join contests and I'm glad my blog's got enough exposure. But more importantly, it's a place for all my memories. By the time I'll get Alzheimer's I think I'll be really thankful I have my blog to read. :)

What about you? Why do you blog? ^_^ Comments below.

xoxo,

  

Blog post courtesy of Alma who writes for a promotional coupon blog catering to web hosting. Check out the latest 1 and 1 coupons and midphase.com coupon code.

I only have 6, one tattoo shy of the 7 I've always wanted since I was in high school. LOL! I don't think Noodle Boy will let me add the last one. Boohoo! But I will get that done. Someday.


xoxo,

I'm not the type who dwell on the past or feel guilt. I try to avoid doing anything that leads to any guilt. If I really have to tell you something that makes me feel guilty, it's this huge jar of Nutella sitting beside me and that big bar of Hershey's waiting for me in the fridge. Other than eating extra calories, I think there's nothing on top of my head that I can think of which makes me feel guilty.


xoxo,

A Romantic Stay at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan is a much welcome idea after having a baby and battling sleepless nights. After 9 months of pregnancy and being hands-on parents of a darling baby boy, my husband Michael Vincent Lladoc Franco and I need a break and quality time to renew and create the spark between us. :) The rooms and villas are reminiscent of that perfect honeymoon escape and the ultimate getaway for couples.


We pack our Moleskine, some sunscreen and food
We bring a guitar, some pens, and candles to set the mood.
It is a quiet late lazy Sunday afternoon
A perfect time to be in a place called Crimson.
The Mactan Island wind blows through our hair
As we write prose and poetry of our love affair.
We look and stare at each other’s eyes
Listening to a melody of romance that never dies.
With silly grins we slowly smile 
At things that make living and loving worthwhile.
On the shores, we walk in the sand
As pleasurable as the first time we held hands.
Into each other’s arms we carefully glide
Our love is so powerful, we truly cannot hide;
Can you see the flames burning in our eyes?
It’s as sweet as sugar and exciting as spice.
Our lips gently touch and we feel the sweet caress
That tender touch we both so long have missed
At night, underneath the shining stars, we both lay
And tell each other we’d be together ‘til our dying day
We close our eyes and gently kiss
In each other’s embrace, we could stay like this.
Our love together lights up the night
In darkness, our love does shine so bright.
The romance in the resort’s air feels just right
Being together here, there’s no greater delight.
So now we dance in the light of the moon
‘Tis but paradise to be together here in Crimson.


(c) 2011 Michael & Maria.


xoxo,

xoxo,

Found this message, one of the oldest I have. The year is 2001! It's a decade old SMS! Woot! But I don't know who's it from. Whoever you are... That's some cheesy text message ha! Tee hee!

xoxo,

That would be August 23rd. Obviously, a week after I had given birth so I should be right here in this very room watching my baby sleep or feeding him. Yup, most likely learning all about breastfeeding him. Oh and yeah, this was about the time I took the first picture of him smile. :)

xoxo,

You've got to be kidding me?! I'm not revealing an inside joke, because well... they're meant to be private. HAHA! And it won't be as fun anymore... I got a lot of inside jokes with my husband, with my classmates mostly, and some with my close friends. Okay, next question, please? 

xoxo,

You know that I live my life with no regrets (or at least I try to!) and I always make it a point to live each day like it were my last... asking myself, "If this was my last day, would I want to do these things I need to today?" That I have been doing just over the recent years, because I admit that before I wouldn't give a shit about dying. But now I get weird moments where I reflect about death and get really scared. Eeeek! I guess this is why I show people I love them and tell them I love them every time I get the chance to and tell people things before it's too late because I don't like regrets. But okay, for the sake of this blog challenge, the only thing I do regret is not having gone to a better school, pursuing a writing career, and living in a First World country. I guess that's just it. But now with Noodle Boy and my little NoodleLito, it's not so much of a regret anymore. Because I'm happy with my life right now, like this... but I still wish it could be better though but with the two loves of my life. Hehe.


xoxo,

I wouldn't say I lived a full life yet. And I do intend to... But I think it will take some time for me to go and do the things I want (like travel, take classes, etc.) because right now I want to be the best mom that I can ever be. 


xoxo,