My Folding Bike

For the record, I like to share my bike here in my blog. You might see my bike on my other social accounts but not yet here. I knew a folding bike is for me. When I saw it on Sumulong Highway, I know I can sit comfortably and I know I can ride it longer instead of other bikes.

It's been a long time since I had a bike. We had one during our childhood days, BMX but we're big enough for the size of this bike. Buying a bike was included on my wishlist for 2015. I wait for few weeks searching for the better folding bike that fits my budget. Finally, saw this Trinx FA209 folding bike that we know can survive Antipolo uphills.

Bike Specifications:

• Frame :Alloy Folding
• Fork: High Tension
• Handlebar: Trinx Alloy
• Stem: Alloy
• Pedal: Foldable
• Shifters: Shimano SORA 9 Speed
• Front Derailer: Shimano Claris 2015
• Rear Derailer: Shimano SORA 2015
• Crankset: Prowheel Ounce
• Cassette: 9 Speed
• Chain: KMC 9Speed
• Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic brakes
• Tires: KENDA 20*1.5

I'm not doing bike to work or uphill everyday, but I use it during weekends. Cycling is my exercise my body would love maybe aside from swimming, I just realized that while striving hard on an uphill but then feels great when I finished  a little uphill without stopping. This is a good cardio exercise and fat burning as well.

When I started cycling, I noticed how it made changes in my body and lifestyle.

• I realized that I do not wear a full makeup at all. Who needs one if you'll sweat after? But I still have my eyebrow gel and tint, I always have my sunblock with me.
• Hydrate! It's insane how I thirst for water after a ride than normal. Does riding dries out my throat? 
• I felt sleepy after the ride. If I wake up around 6 to 7am which is my normal wake up, then had to bike, I felt like it was 3AM and need a long sleep. 
• New hobby, new expense, but still happy with what I bought. Next items would probably be: upgrade for handlebar & front light. Haven't bought makeups lately because I'm saving for accessories and maybe upgrade parts. I think I had to check out my makeup drawers for new items to try on.

I wish I could go to different places with beautiful scenery soon with my bike. Where will this year 2016 will take me? 

Where to buy Arts and Crafts materials online in the Philippines

Sometimes, our friendly neighborhood bookstore just doesn't carry all the materials we need for paper arts and crafts. Calligraphy materials are hard to find or might be limited to our bookstores. Buying these artsy and fancy things for doing my Bullet Journalling is always fun for me and kinda expensive too.
Some of them have existing physical stores while others only sell online, others both. Not everything is available inside Divisoria.

I also created this list for me as well so I'll have a directory of my wish list items. Wishing I have funds while thinking of these shops. These shops sell different items, feel free to check this links to see more of their products.

• krafty.kaeratana.com

• beehappyph.com [currently closed]

• saffytenten.com 

• Aya Stationery Exchange

• Wellmanson

Photo from SJ Valdez

• Lasting Impression

Photo from Barbie Barbieto

• The Craft Central

My 2015 Haul [link post]

• M. Enriquez Arts Supplies

M. Enriquez Art Supplies is the current supplier of several big bookstores in the Philippines. Check some acrylic paints and paper-painting products. It's always cheaper if you're buying from the supplier. 

There's also a lot of stores on facebook and Instagram selling different planners like Kikki K and Filofax, who would just not resist cute acrylic stamps of Mommy Lhey and Love Cynthia! cheaper when bought pre-ordered.

I might update this list once I learn more. Hope you guys would find this list helpful. :)

Jazzy France Eyebrow Kit

Too short brows need a fix. Aside from helping them grow out, I'm using an eyebrow kit from Jazzy France to help me have a fuller brow look. I've tried Anastasia Beverly Hills Pomade but I noticed that after 6 months of using it, even tho there's some product left in my jar, longevity drops to 3 hrs and its color also change - a bit lighter than before.

Before I discovered Jazzy, I also use eyebrow pencils. I like them but I'm not comfortable with retouching and bringing my cosmetics. Brow pencils such as The Face Shop Style My Brow 03 would be my best brow color match. Due to humid and summer season, I had to retouch with this.

Lately, I decided to go for this Jazzy France Eyebrow Kit in shade EK-2. I'm looking for EK-1 but currently out of stock. Quite darker but much lighter than EK-3 which is already almost black.
Price Php 399 from SM Megamall Watsons

Mama Chit's Coffee House

Not your ordinary fancy fancy coffee house. Few steps if you're coming from few Our Lady of the Abandoned Church. We stopped here when we're about to look for the original puto of Marikina - the brown one!

The interiors were all collectibles and family portraits. Most stuff are older than most of us for sure :p

With a touch of vintage and rustic designs, I'm feeling like I want a photo op to their display items. Well honestly, I might only get a chance to see these things here and not anywhere else.

The place so helps yourself. Self-service with the water, ice, pitcher, spoons etc would be easier if its also available nearby their outdoor seating. I find it uncomfortable to always going back to their cashier area where their stuff are located.

Their Halo-Halo special worth P80 is good for sharing and we love it among the other things we ordered.

The pesto is okay but my sister said she like our mother's home made pesto.

Hungarian Sandwich quite big, taste is somewhat ordinary for me.

The food is quite pricey for me thinking about the food taste (food is okay but nothing extra ordinary) and 'service' we get or are we paying for an entrance fee to see these memorabilia? eh.You would love the place if you're into their vintage collections.

Beeffalo by Hotrocks in Antipolo

Beeffalo by Hotrocks in Marikina was our next target last year but when the official facebook page of Beeffalo announced that they're going to open a new branch in Antipolo, we decided to wait for their newest branch instead

If you want to look for good food, look for it.

How to locate the place if you're already inside Antipolo Proper: Some landmarks that might help you would be Antipolo Doctors Hospital. & SM Hypermarket nearby Shopwise and Lores Homes. Beeffalo itself is just infront of Antipolo Doctors Hospital.

Driver's License Renewal 2016 at LTO DLRC

Last March 18, I renewed my driver's license since it'll expire in 10 days. I can't further try it by the following week because its already holy week and I do not like to have it rush or delayed, and not even do these renewal tasks on my birthday. Instead of going directly to LTO Main Office, I try my luck to an LTO DLRC (Driver’s License Renewal Centers) located in Robinson's Metro East.

• 8:40 am - Arrived in Robinsons Metro East
• 9:10 am - Guards starts to assist the people falling in line for the renewal. Well, there's no line actually since no guards are there prior to office opening which is 9 am. Not sure if they're late or they really start giving out numbers by  LTO DLR Coffice opening. I got #7 for the Medical Exam. 
• 9:20 am - We received the Med Certificate for filling up. If you already have a medical certificate, you may skip this step, and proceed to payment and ID Picture Taking. 

Payment for the medical exam costs P200~ (will update the exact amount once I visit this office again)

The nurse(?)  will get your current weight, height, vision test, and ask few questions about the current medical condition only. No other tests provided like urine etc.

• 9:35 am - Signature and Picture Taking at Window 2.
• 9:40 am Renewal License Payment to Window 3. Pay for the corresponding fees: License Fee P350 and Computer Fee P67.63. A total of P417.63.

Official Receipt was handed to me and my expired license. The or serves as my temporary license. They told me to wait for 2 months - 3 months (Oh no...) for the new license to arrive. The process was quite hassle free for me since my Driver's license renewal only lasts for an hour but thinking I do not have the actual license might be hassle for some specially if you have to take your leave just to pick it up.

They gave me their office number for follow-up 477-0732. (INACTIVE)

UPDATE: After several months of waiting, I already got my license December 2016. 3 years validity. :)

Lan Zhou La Mien in Binondo

Lanzhou beef lamian or Lanzhou beef hand-pulled noodle, is a type of Chinese noodle dish originated in Lanzhou, China, and generally popular in China. 

Another feature from #BellaInBinondo, as told by a reader from my Ying Ying Tea House blog post that we should try also this place of noodles, Lan Zhou La Mien located along Benavidez St, Binondo, Manila.

I find it fancy to see their garnish and condiments on each tables already. No need to ask for assistance well except for the service water.

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base

If you're into eyeshadows, you should also pick up its partner: The Eyeshadow Base. I usually look into pigmented eyeshadows usually in rose and brown shades. I currently have the Makeup Revolution and Sleek Makeup Palette. My lids [oily] are like my eyebags, there's a slight discoloration if compared with my natural face color. I usually use skin toned eyeshadow, concealer, or a little  foundation to cover it and this NYX HD Eyeshadow Base is what I use.

About the product:
NYX High Definition Eye Shadow Base evens out skin tone and smooth out lines. Perfect prep for true color & long lasting eye shadow. Be camera ready in an instant