Hope

As I was browsing through the internet, I came upon this poem by Emily Dickinson about hope. It's beautiful. I want to share them here:

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

By: Emily Dickinson
"Hope" is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land
And on the strangest sea,
Yet never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Gaga Over Earrings

I'm absolutely crazy about accessories specifically earrings. Every time I go to the mall I always make sure that I buy a pair of earrings. It doesn't matter what style it is as long as they're fashionable and they look good on me. I already have a collection which I'm proud of and I'm definitely gonna add more. I'm planning on buying several pairs in Zalora and Oasap as birthday gifts for myself this August. Here's a peek at my "riches". Hahaha...

Delicious Pasta Recipe

I love pasta. I never get tired of eating any pasta dish. If only I knew how to cook I'd probably prepare pasta everyday (just kidding!). I would often ask my sister to cook the dishes we see on cooking shows. Learning how to cook has been in my bucket list for the longest time but I haven't gotten to fulfilling that yet. But I will someday :). Anyhow, I saw this simple yet healthy and delicious pasta recipe in the internet and I wanna share it to you guys. 

Basil Pesto with Potatoes, Green Beans and Pasta

Ingredients:

• 10 small new potatoes, sliced into 1/4 slices
• 2 cups of green beans, stem ends snapped off
• 8 ounces of linguini (or whatever pasta you like)
• 2 ounces of parmigiano reggiano cheese
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup pine nuts*
• 2 cups packed fresh basil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• sea salt to taste
• freshly ground black pepper 

Fill a large pot with water and potatoes and add about 2 tablespoons of sea salt. Bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until they are just done, about 13 - 15 minutes.  Remove the potatoes with a strainer  and place in a large serving bowl.  Do not dump out your water. To the same pot and water, add the green beans and cook until they are just done, about 7-8 minutes. Remove with the strainer and add the beans to the potatoes in your serving dish.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook the linguini about 8 minutes. Remove with a pair of tongs and add to your serving dish.  A little bit of pasta water on the linguini is fine - this will help make a "sauce" of the pesto. While the pasta is cooking, make the pesto.  Place the cheese and the garlic in a food processor and process until fine.  Add the basil and pine nuts and process. Start adding the olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto is all thoroughly processed.  You may have to use a spatula to scrape it down.  Taste the pesto and add a little sea salt if you like. Add the pesto and a few grinds of black pepper to the serving bowl ingredients and toss well.  Add a tablespoon or two of the hot pasta water if you need help in blending the pesto. Serve at room temperature. 

Shopping at Newport Mall

I love going to Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila not only because it's near my place and it's not  crowded but mainly because they have many restaurants offering different cuisines and stores that you can enjoy shopping in. I went there last week to treat my nephew for some pizza and because he wanted to play at Game Zoo. I didn't really plan to buy anything but ended up buying some stuff. I couldn't resist buying an oversized, striped Mango shirt for only P750 (50% off) and earrings from Call It Spring for P250 (originally priced at P350). I love my mini haul. As a matter of fact I already wore them twice!

Oversized Mango Shirt (P750)

Call It Spring Earrings (P250)

The Bourne Legacy in Entertainment Tonight

I don't know if any of you saw Entertainment Tonight's feature on The Bourne Legacy shown some time last week. Jeremy Renner as well as Rachel Weisz were interviewed by Mark Steines and they were asked about the movie and shooting some dangerous stunts in the streets of Manila. Some clips were also shown. I'm very excited to see this movie because I saw the trailer and it looks like one hell of an action movie. Of course I also want to see the scenes shot here in the Philippines. I can't wait for August 8!

Great Deals at CashCashPinoy

I'm not very much into groupon deals, as a matter of fact I bought a voucher only once. It was a good deal though and I was able to use it without any problems. But I got interested a couple of days ago when I saw CashCashPinoy's amazing deals. They have a wide variety of vouchers in the following categories: Food and Dining, Electronics, Vacation and Travel, Beauty and Wellbeing, Home and Decor, Fashion and Accessories, Leisure and Lifestyle. It's as if I want to avail of all their deals!

It's totally free to sign up with CashCashPinoy and if you decide to buy something they have many payment options such as credit card, Paypal, GCash, bank deposit and 7-11. Another thing I like about them is that you can give them as a gift. Just click the "Send as Gift?" button and provide the name and email address of your friend or family member so their name will reflect on the voucher. Plus, shipping is free for bought items.

Earnmailer and Earnsurfer

I signed up for accounts in Earnsurfer.com and Earnmailer.com last month because earnings from those two sites can be converted to load. But they can also be exchanged via Paypal when your earnings reach $100. Earnings from both sites can be seen if you log in on either accounts.

You can earn in Earnsurfer by installing a browser extension/add-on and once installed, ads will be displayed on the Earnsurfer bar and you'll earn if you click and view the ad. As with Earnmailer.com, you just have to embed an ad on the email signature so all outgoing emails will automatically display an Earnmailer.com ad. The ad contains a unique code so Earnmailer.com can track all ad clicks and impressions coming from a member's outgoing, forwarded and even re-forwarded emails.

I've never tried claiming load but some of my friends already did. They said it's very easy and fast to redeem. In a couple of minutes they already received it. I'm still piling up my earnings so I can get more load.

Somebody That I Used to Know

I first heard this song in American Idol when Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone sang a duet. I instantly liked it not only because Phillip and Elise gave a really good rendition but because the song itself is beautiful. The melody is sweet but unique and the lyrics is angst-laden. It's a hit because a lot can relate to it. I prefer Phillip and Elise's version rather than Gotye's though. 

Somebody That I Used to Know

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
I told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kinda sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
Guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believin it was always something that I'd done

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know-oh-oh

But you didn't have cut me off
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing (oh)
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger
and that feels so rough

(oh)

No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect you records
And then change your number (oh)
Guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Somebody that I used to know
Somebody (now your just somebody that I used to know)
That I used to know
Somebody that I used to know
Somebody (somebody) (now your just somebody that I used to know)
That I used to know

I used to know
That I used to know
I used to know
Somebody

World Class Talent in X Factor Philippines

I was able to watch last night's episode of X Factor Philippines and I was amazed at how much talent the show has. They showed last night the final stages of choosing the top 20 acts (5 for girls, 5 for boys, 5 for over 25, and 5 for groups). The judges namely Gary V., Martin Nievera, Charice and Pilita Corrales really had a hard time choosing. The contestants I would say are even better than their counterparts in Simon Cowell's X Factor USA. But I'm rooting for KZ Tandingan to win. She has that distinct voice and has a charming personality to match.

I'm sure X Factor Philippines will be even more exciting now that the contest proper has already begun. I will definitely watch every week until the first X Factor Philippines winner is announced.

My Gorgeous Pink Cheeks Clinique Giveaway

I love Clinique products. That's why when I saw that Gorgeous Pink Cheeks is having her birthday giveaway and the price is a Clinique loot bag, I didn't hesitate and joined right away. Included are Liquid Facial Soap, Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer, Repairwear Contour Firming Formula, Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream, Lash Power Mascara, Turnaround Body Smoothing Cream.

It's very easy to join just accomplish the simple tasks in the rafflecopter. For more details please visit My Gorgeous Pink Cheeks.

This giveaway is open to Philippine residents and is until August 10, 2012.

Learning How to Put on Makeup

I'm probably the only "kikay" who doesn't know how to put on makeup. Whenever I go out I only use lipstick (preferably red) and pressed powder. That's it. Once in a while I use eyeliner and mascara but I don't like how I look probably because I'm not doing it right. But before the year ends, hopefully I already know how (time to watch video tutorials from some of our famous makeup gurus). Too bad since I won a couple of makeup from various giveaways I joined in. Among the unused items I have are:

1.) Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara
2.) Lancome Ombre Absolue Palette Lumessence Sparkling Eye Colour Quad - Divine Hold
3.) Benefit Lip Shine (Back to the Fuchsia)
4.) Nichido Powder Blush (Tomato)
5.) Nyx Eye/Eyebrow Pencil (902 Brown)

LinkVehicle: Another Money-Making Site

Another paid to post site that I signed up with and got paid from is LinkVehicle. It's an SEO advertising company that connects advertisers with top notch publishers. It's actually easy to register with them and get your blog accepted. One can sign up as a publisher, advertiser, and blogger. As a publisher, you can place ads on your blog and every ad placed results in a 50/50 split in revenue. You can also be an advertiser and let bloggers review whatever products and/or services you are offering. As a blogger, you will be asked to write a review about advertisers in compliance with their requirements.

Payments are made through Paypal every 1st day of the month. There's no minimum payout. I was paid for a review I made even when my account balance hasn't reached $10. You can also earn from LinkVehicle through their referral system. Earn 10% per advertiser and 5% per publisher you refer.

For some extra money, better try LinkVehicle.

The Bistro Circle Privilege Card

I had lunch with my best buddy Jenny yesterday at Italianni's Robinsons Place (Midtown). I'm sure some if not most of you have heard of their discount card the Bistro Circle Card. I bought one because I'm fond of eating out and this will save me some dough. The privileges that one can avail of when using this card are: 

* 20% discount on food and beverage for one year. 

* 25% off on food and beverage at any Bistro restaurant during your birth month. 

* Appetizer voucher: complimentary appetizer at each Bistro restaurant. 

The Bistro Circle Card (with the appetizer vouchers) is priced at P1,500 and is valid for a year at TGI Friday's, Italianni's, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Pig Out, Krazy Garlik, The Stock Market Cafe, Bulgogi Brothers, Ma Maison, and Village Tavern. 

First Blogsvertise Payment

I signed up with Blogsvertise about a month ago on a whim as I was browsing the net. I sure glad I did because just a day after my blog got accepted, I already received a task in my email. It was a very easy one and the pay was quite big (compared to other paid to post sites). After a month, I got my payment. It's very easy to sign up with Blogsvertise and get accepted. I just wanted to share it with you guys just in case you want some extra moolah.

Back to School $50 Giveaway

Here's another exciting giveaway this time from Clint Andrew. He is giving away $50 Paypal cash  to one winner and $10 Paypal cash to the person with the highest number of referrals. So keep referring contest participants guys. Hosts and sponsors cannot enter the giveaway but they can refer and thus win the $10 Paypal cash.

There's a rafflecopter to guide you through the whole process. So again it's very easy. Please visit Clint Andrew for more details.This giveaway is open worldwide. The winner should respond to the email sent within 48 hours or else another winner will be picked.

You can join until July 16, 2012.

Giveaway sponsored by these awesome bloggers:

Pink Lolly | Sweeet Posh | Happiii | The Rainbow Star | Oh-Rainbow

Hoshi Girl | Blue Lovin | Ayei Bithao | Pseudo Lavie | Im Yona

Bloggers Portal | Scolex Portal | Scolex Portal | iPhone Apps

Home Solar Panels | Diablo 3 Guide | Love Roxie | Korean Doll | Abhie Halili

Clint Andrew | Your Kind Of Guy | Lub Kita | Drew Mamuri

Geek Charming | Dorky Design | Tumblr University | Ice Glow

Manila Barbie | Fit and Fashion Mom | Legazpi Fab Moda | Jynxed Panda

Hodge Podge | Past Had Passed | Tweenteen Mom

Koreandoll / Team Colors Birthday Giveaway

Koreandoll is giving away a Team Colors Skinny Jeans worth $159 to one winner and three (3) $5 to three lucky winners as a way of celebrating her birthday.

There's a rafflecopter to guide you through the whole process. So again it's very easy. Please visit Koreandoll  for more details.

You can join until July 13, 2012.

I Love Spiderman!

I just came from SM Sucat because I watched The Amazing Spiderman with my family. I won't do a movie review so as not to spoil everybody's viewing experience. But suffice to say that I went home wanting to see the movie again. You won't go home disappointed. I don't know if it would have made any difference if we saw this on a regular screen as opposed to 3D because everything about the movie is exciting. Though the tickets were quite expensive, we were able to save since I exchanged my Citibank points for one free ticket. I must admit that I had reservations when I first heard that Andrew Garfield would play the beloved hero. But all those doubts vanished when I saw how good an actor he is. The role really fits him to a T. 

Watch The Amazing Spiderman with the whole family. The kids will definitely enjoy it. Plus, there are lessons to be learned in the movie.