Macau escapade part 2 - Ruins of St. Paul

The Ruins of St. Paul is one of the major tourist attractions and a landmark of Macau. 

      Built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuit, the cathedral was the largest Catholic church in Asia at the time.

                                  The cathedral was destroyed by a fire during a typhoon in 1835.

                                                      Entrance of the cathedral's ruins.

Cathedral of St. Paul

Inside the ruins of St. Paul. After 5 minutes of roaming inside the ruins, we were told to evacuate the place as the door of the cathedral's ruins will close for the day.

                                                       one of the remains of the original pillars

My daughter and I were already exhausted and hungry from endless walking. It seems like we were not yet able to see much of Macau with the passing hours because we don't know where to go. Asking for directions from the locals did not help much because only a handful speak English and if they do, it's jungle English.

One lady that we approached for direction told us to turn right, but her hand pointed to the left. See how effective the sign language is than talking? Well, at least with all the sign language I did in communicating with the locals, we were able to get from point to another.

  This is the de Casa family. We met them at St. Agustine's Church. I almost lost hope of continuning the tour and decided to go back early to Hong Kong as I don't know the place and it was so hard to communicate with the locals. There, the head of the family invited us to join them for their next stop, the ruins of St. Pauls.

My heart leapt with joy for this answered prayer as I was really praying to God while inside the St. Anthony's church. My prayer goes like this : Lord God please send us an angel to guide us go around and see more of Macau. I lift my heart to You Lord God, I know You will not abandon us, If not, we will just go back to Hong Kong then. Thy will be done. But Lord God, I really want to see more of Macau, pleaseeeee... In Jesus name, Amen.:

Ressie is a nurse working as secretary in one of the hospitals in Dammam. She was on her vacation and went for a holiday in Macau with her family.

Always, God works His wonders in His time and in the right place. God always makes a way, when there seems to be no way. 

 More of Macau on part 3. See you...

Macau escapade - part 1

June 21, 2011. We almost missed the ferry boat for Macau but fate did not allow that to happen as more adventure is waiting for us in this wonderful place. We arrived in Macau noontime.

Macau trip was not part of the plan. I just grabbed the opportunity to visit Macau because of the nice feedbacks I have heard from friends and people around. I have no idea on what to do and where to go in Macau.

As usual, I just relied on my very dependable guide - My God. I just prayed, "Lord God, please guide us and be with us throughout this trip. I have zero idea and don't know where to start. Keep us safe and away from any danger and harm. In Jesus name, Amen."  As usual, God never failed me.

First and foremost, I don't know how to speak chinese, mandarin nor any of their language, I just know how to speak the universal langauge, English. Hmmm, I know how to read street signs and if worse comes to worst, I can use my all time universal language - the sign langauge with matching body language. It's more effective than talking ;-).

      Onboard the ferry boat bound for Taipa, Macau ferry terminal. Travel time was about an hour and half.

              After the Macau immigration officer stamped our passports, we're ready to invade Macau. Armed with a map we got from the terminal that was not quite of use, let's get around and see Macau.

Mini Las Vegas of Macau with hotels and casinos.

Macau or Macao is one of the Special Administrative Regions of China was a Portuguese colony. Thus, you can see signages and directions written in Portuguese.

This is the trishaw. This is the modern type of rickshaw in the early times. This used to be the mode of public transportation in Macau. But now it is only for sightseeing purposes.

      When we're hungry and not sure of what restaurant to get into, we just have to find McDonalds. It's everywhere.

                                                   See you in part 2 of Macau Escapade.

Sporting my new hairstyle

When hormones get into my nerves and sets me in an upset and cranky mood, my initial response is to go to the parlor. Just a manicure or  a pedicure or a hot oil is already a dose of medicine and I feel better then. But the most unforgivable thing I can do to myself when I get really cranky, upset or angry is to cut my hair - short.

When I had my vacation, it was on my "to do" list to cut my hair short as it is already summer in Saudi Arabia. I had my hair cut twice as the first one was still long, shoulder length that is. Well, ok, you're right, I was really soooooooooooo upset at that time that is why my hair took the toll of my - well, already irritated hormones. 

I really did not like my new hairstyle. I was not happy about it because this was not what I have discussed with the hair dresser. But what can I do? This is not a fabric that if you don't like the style of the dress, you can have it altered to your preference. For hair? You just have to live with it for few weeks until you can do something to fix your hair.

Saturday in the Middle East is the first day of the week. It's like Monday in the Western and Asian countries. Almost everyone who have gone for a vacation were back in the palace for work. Almost everyone were surprised to see my new hairstyle.

The first one to see me sporting my new hairstyle was surprise and immediately gave compliment but

has thrown lots of questions too.

Darling, you look fabulous! Nice haircut there. It looks good on you.  (my right eyebrow raised, is it?). Well, what can I say? It's was a very nice compliment to start my day.

She then looked at me from head to toe. She saw the blue nail polish on the feet. Well, I don't wear much nail polish while in Saudi but I do in the Philippines Then she said, you really look different, with blue eyeliner and this and that. Well, I really wear light make up with  my blue eyeliner, it was just lately that I stopped for awhile with this make up thing, I told her.

She then continued, you are blooming, you look younger with your new hair, there is really something going on in here, isn't it? What do you mean by that? I asked. She said, you look so very inspired. Is there an inspiriation? Don't tell me you have a new boyfriend here. OMG as in OMG! what? a new boyfriend? You're kidding me! I don't have. I retorted. So, you are still with that guy, huh! she whispered. Well, yes, I guess so. I replied.

She then reminded me, you have also to trim your tummy, Weng. I smiled affirmatively. Well, that was positive criticism.

During the rest of the day, I received positive comments from other colleauges. The one I like most was when I am told, "you look younger with your short hair". A good day to start my week, isn't it?

                                 

I am sporting a new look and is ready to face a new chapter of my life. I am pampering myself because I want to attract positive energies. I don't want to sit in one corner whining, complaining, crying, self-pity and feeling sorry for myself. With all these trials hovering around my shoulder, I should stand up and face all of these positively while being pretty inside and out.

I can do this. Ajah!

Detox foot patch - foot detoxification

I have always been a fan of foot reflexology since 1992. When I feel tired, burned out and sick, I immediately go to Patria de Cebu for a good foot reflexology. Not only foot reflexology but detox in general, that is why I was able to find Ananda Marga Wellness Center in Mandaue City way back 2008. (I have a separate blog about Ananda Marga)

One time, I went to SM City Cebu's Watson's scouting for just anything I can find on the racks. There, in one of the stalls near the entrance, I saw the picture of a foot with a patch. I immediately grab one and read what it was all about. Then, a sales person approached me and what do you expect? sales talk. I did not mind her sales blah blah blah because prior to finding this product, I have already saw and read review and comments about foot patches on the internet.

I grabbed one box which in 2007 - 2008 before I left for Saudi costs 550.00 pesos per box with 8 pieces of patches inside. Since then, if I feel so tired, sick and worse, insomia attacks, I buy a pack, patch it on the soles my feet before I sleep at night. I can really feel immediate results when I wake up the next morning. Feeling refreshed from a good night sleep, fatigue and some pain were gone and I feel so light and was ready for the day.

When my daughter and I went to Hong Kong, what I immediately try to find in Watson store was the foot patch. I found out that it was also sold at Sasa and Bonjour beauty stores and other chinese stores. I bought the biggest box which was on sale at 50% ff the original price in Sasa with 60 pieces of patches and plasters divided into 20 pieces per pack each. I gave one pack to Mama, one pack for me and Krystal which we used the patches while in Hong Kong and I brought one pack back to Saudi.

Ingredients:

Mandarin Wood Vinegar Powder, Tourmaline (nano-factor), Green Tea, Mandarin Oil

Usage
1. Place patch containing powder with printed side facing the sticky surface of the enclosed plaster sheet.

2. Stretch plaster when applying to skin to ensure good adhesion.

Upon putting the patch on, I can feel some heat on the soles of my feet.

3. Apply patch to the soles of the feet before sleep.

4. Keep patch on for 8-10 hours and remove patches in the morning.

After 8 - 10 hours of patch on the soles of my  feet, it has turned dark like almost black and was oily. 

This is how it looks like when I took the patch off my feet. It has turned into black and smells like bark of a tree of something. From some sites I read, studies showed that foot patches actually absorbs toxins from the body like heavy metals, arsenic, alumimum, mercury, lead, uric acid, etc.

                                                       

5. Clean the skin where patch was applied.

For first time users

Wear on both feet for 7 consecutive nights.

For health maintenance and detox program use every week, 2 to 3 nights a week.

For aches, joint discomfort, sleeplessness and special needs
   a. Cover the sole of each foot with up to three patches.

   b. Use every night until discomfort eases (safe for long term use) then switch to health maintenance         program.

  c. For daytime use, apply patches on palms of hands and directly onto areas of discomfort until

condition improves.

I was curious about this patch drawing toxins out of our body and why it should be placed on the soles of the feet and not on the knees or tummy. So, I did my own experiment, I placed two patches on my tummy and slept. The next morning, I found the patches as it was the last time I put it on, no color change nor oily thing on it.

Explanation:  reflex points in the feet reflect the organs in the entire body, stimulating these foot reflexology points is thought to promote equilibrium in the corresponding area of the body. Detox foot pads contain tourmaline a crystal that is known to release far infrared heat and negative ions that is thought to stimulate reflexology points within the feet. Toxins are believed to accumulate in the feet as they pass through the bloodstream due to gravity, some residues and toxins are believed to be left in the foot.

For me, this is a natural way of assisting the detoxification process of our body from harmful wastes we accumulate everyday from the food we eat, the harsh environment and other factors. Still, we should not rely on this solely but, do our exercise (oh-oh I really need to do this), proper diet and healthy lifestyle. (I should remind myself of these and stick a note on my forehead so that I will not forget. ;-))

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor an expert of alternative medicine. Nothing contained on this site is meant to infer that the products are for treatment of any disease or ailment. This is just my own opinion based on my experience.

Sources:

Kenico.com - research

Flexi-patch