ON MY EVERYDAY MINERALS HAUL 2

I got my second EDM haul yesterday. Compared to my last order, their shipping was quite fast this time. And the package, well I was surprised to see that it was in a box rather than their regular brown envelopes.

Drooling to try all of these...

The Sandcastle collection.

My sample kit.

The different shades and colors that I got from EDM.

Stacking them up.

Yey! Can't wait to try them on. Oh wait, sadly there's no gift from EDM this time. Too bad for me. Well.

I just noticed that I have been posting pictures about my recent purchases, but I am not posting any pix of me with my makeup on. I guess I am too shy for that. I'll try my best to post one...soon.

ON MY BABY'S AMETHYST BRACELET

Yesterday, I have purchased another amethyst bracelet for my baby. It was so cute and irresistable that I bought it immediately even if I only have like AED50 in my wallet. Of course when I got home, my daughter was so happy when she saw the bracelet (not me, hmp!) and put it on immediately. She really loved her bracelet so much that she even went to sleep with the bracelet on.

Of course, I surfed the net and look for details about the properties of amethyst.

• It is used as a dream stone and to help insomnia.
• It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft.
• The amethyst symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom.
• Amethyst is used for problems in the blood and in breathing problems.
• Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts placed in a window that receives sun most of the day are very beneficial to use in healing and to heal negativity in the home.
• Amethyst helps overcome fears and cravings.
• It also helps relieve headaches.

Interesting. I just hope that these crystals really work.

ON MY LAURESS HAUL

This arrived yesterday:

My Lauress loot! Yeeyy! I took advantage of the fact that their eyeshadows are on sale now. Instead of paying $1.50 per jar, it is now down to $1.10. Their shipping is also fast because I received my loot in less than a week compared to EDM which takes ages to arrive.

Nice packaging!

But I guess, the content is too little. Compared to the sample jars of EDM, EDM contains almost thrice as much as the ones I got from Lauress. I only ordered 11 eyeshadows, but they gave me one extra for free!

The colors are rich and vibrant, but I haven't tried it yet. And that kid below will soon become an MMU addict just like me.

ON BEING A MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST

Until now when people ask me about my job and I tell them that I am a Medical Transcriptionist, people are still clueless about it.

By definition, a Medical Transcriptionist is an individual who transcribes and interprets dictated reports by physicians into a typewritten format. In contrary, a Medical Transcriber is the equipment used by the Transcriptionist for this purpose.

The process is quite simple, yet complicated. This starts when the doctor dictates his reports through the telephone, either a land line or a mobile phone. Then the dictation will go to the Dictation Server which will then go into the Medical Transcriptionist's computer. After the voice file is loaded into the MT's computer, the MT can now start transcribing the report. The MT uses a foot pedal which controls the play rate of the dictation. It is the equipment which the MT steps at to play, forward and rewind the dictation. At the same time, the MT will type the report with the highest level of speed and accuracy that she can.

There are many challenges when it comes to transcribing reports. The doctor's accent for me is most challenging. Based on my personal experience, I find it really difficult transcribing reports from doctors who come from France, Belgium and Germany. Correcting the grammar is another thing that is of utmost importance (especially to my boss). In addition, the medical equipment and terminologies that these doctors use also gives the MT an extra challenge.

This industry started in the Philippines in the late 1990s as the medical reports from the US were outsourced to the Philippines and India because it is more cost efficient. The prominent companies before were IDSI in Alabang, JL Business Solutions in Ortigas and OTPI in Makati. OTPI was the company where I got my training and skills from. Later, the industry started to pop out like mushrooms. Now you can see different MT companies everywhere in the Philippines. You can even do transcription from your very own home.

The importance of MTs in a hospital is often overlooked by many. People only see MTs as individuals who sit and type the whole day, but mind you guys sitting, typing, listening and staring at the computer for eight hours straight is not simple. It is eye straining, gives one low back pain or tendinitis and a very mentally challenging job. In addition the reports that we MTs produce is also important because it is where the doctors usually base the continuity of care, in addition to the report being a legal document for medicolegal purposes.

There have been reports and hearsays that Voice Recognition (technology wherein the computer will automatically transcribe the dictation) will soon be used here in the UAE, but it does not mean that MTs will not be needed anymore. The technology is promising but not reassuring. I do not think that the computer alone can create reports as accurate as MTs do. If this happens, however, MTs will take the role of Editors or Quality Assurance personnels to further furnish the report.

For more readings about Medical Transcriptionists, please click on the link below:
Medical Transcription

ON KRIS ALLEN

Kris Allen is the newest American Idol with a whooping 38 million votes over who was thought to be the "best" for the season - Adam Lambert. However, there have been a couple of negative reactions as to how and why Kris won.

Some were saying that it was because supporters of Gokey voted for Kris because both are church goers, so they supported someone of the same faith.

Others were saying that it was because of Kris' good looks why people chose to vote for him instead of Adam. To add to this, some are saying that Adam has "demonic" looks so they opted for the angelic Kris.

The worse that I have read so far was that AT&T provided phones at Kris Allen's voting parties in Arkansas and showed the participants how to "power text" by sending 10 or more text votes at the push of a single button.

Having heard and read all of these, I feel so sorry for Kris because even though he got the title, with these intrigues around him, I know that he is not happy. I mean, come on guys, the guy also has a talent, although not the best (even for me) in the batch. But we have to face the fact that the show is decided by the people and whoever is the most charming (not the most talented) to the public will win.

I so love Adam, but what can I do, Kris won already. I know that Adam still has a career that's waiting for him though he was not the big winner, and that's for sure. And for Kris, let's give him a chance to prove his worth.

ON MY CRYSTALS AND CHARMS

I really do not have any interest about these crystals and stones turned into jewelry until one day Andre, a colleague in the hospital, brought some jewelries which, I must admit, are really eye catching.

This was just her hobby at first, but when most of the people are noticing her beautiful charms she turned it into a business. She brought some samples to our department and I decided to give it a shot. They said that these stones have certain properties that can attract good vibes to the person who is wearing it.

This is the bracelet which my friend, Jane, gave me. This is made up of rose quartz and Swarovski crystals. Rose quartz as they say is The stone of Unconditional Love. It has a translucent or opaque soft pink sheen.

It is said to have the following properties:

• Gently dissolves blockages to love.
• Teaches how to love oneself and others.
• Encourages forgiveness and acceptance.
• Calms and reassures, bringing about deep inner healing.
  Helps releasing of blockages from unexpressed emotions.
• Opens heart chakra.
• Soothes wounded heart and internalized pain.
• Aids self-trust and self-worth.
• Attracts love.
• Said to increase fertility.
  
  I should have worn a bracelet made of this when I was single and still looking for love, because right now I have too much love around me, hahaha! OMG, the fertility thing! Not now because I am still enjoying my time with my daughter.

This is the bracelet that I bought for myself. It is made up of citrine and Swarovski crystals. Citrine has a golden yellow ray which is rich , warming and beautiful. It is like a physical representation of the sun. Metaphysically, Citrine is considered as the "Stone of Prosperity," and now you know why I bought this stone.

Its properties include:

• Attracts wealth and success.
• Brings happiness and generosity.
• Energizes and invigorates.
• Increases motivation and physical energy.
• Activates creativity.
• Dissipates negative energy.
• Promotes inner calm.
• Balances yin and yang.
• Activates navel and solar plexus chakras.
• Also believed to enhance digestive problems, thyroid imbalance and circulatory problems.
• The ultimate Good Luck Stone.
  
  Of couse, I also bought a small one for my daughter, which she wears almost all of the time. This is made of Rose Quartz and Swarovski crystals too. I am not worried about that fertility thing though, because she is only 2 years old.

I asked Andre to make two more bracelets for my daughter made up of agate and amethyst stones.

Let's see if these crystals really do work.

ON MERCURY DRUGSTORE ONLINE

As one of my friends will be going home within the next two weeks, my father asked me if I could send some of their medications through my friend. As I am now SO into online shopping, I checked out if Mercury Drugstore has a website and if I could order online. To my surprise, they do have an online store.

I immediately checked out if they have my parents' medicine available in their site and yes, they have it. However, you cannot check out the price of the drugs. It's like you have to order first and give all the information about the sender, receiver, credit card details and the amount of medicine that you want to order. After filling up all of those things, the price will still not be shown. Instead you either have to confirm immediately or ask for the price first before processing your order.

So, I chose to check out the price first. When I clicked the "SUBMIT" button, the window was immediately redirected to a new one saying "Thank you for your order, etc.." There was no confirmation sent by the website that they have received my order because it was in the 2 in the morning when I sent my order. So I have to wait for Monday to come for their confirmation.

Then Monday came. I immediately checked my email to see if there is any confirmation from Mercury Drugstore. What a relief! The confirmation is there and they were asking if I want to proceed with my order or not. I made some amendments to my order and asked them to send me the changes first before proceeding with my order, and they did just that. They were also prompt in answering any queries that you might have.

Here comes the best part. I haven't told my old folks back home that they just need to collect their medicines from Mercury Drugstore yet, though it was already available since Tuesday. When I called them yesterday to give them the details, I was surprised to know that they have already collected their medicines because it was Mercury Drugstore who called them.

So for those of you guys who are out of the country or even those who live far from your old folks, try ordering online from Mercury Drugstore. Check out their site here.

This definitely will not be the last time that I will order from them.

Till next post.

Nighty night!

ON MY COASTAL SCENTS LOOT

Yesterday this arrived:

Yey! It's my brushes from Coastal Scents.

I thought I ordered the synthetic ones, but I got the ones from the goat fur! Eeeewww! I hate the smell of it! I am thinking of caldereta every time I smell it.

And these are my scoops which I am now using to transfer my samples to my jars! Yey!

And of course, my freebies. Mind you the golden one is more than 1.4 g! Yipee!

Of course I haven't tried any of these yet because I don't have the time. Reviews later! My brushes are still on the line after I have washed it with my daughter's shampoo!

Nighty night...

ON JULIETA FONTANILLA

She's less than 5 feet tall, nearlly 60 years old, morena, simple compared to all other mommies there who would still want to look as fresh as possible and very outspoken. She is not the "sosyal" type of mother who would still apply tons and tons of foundation and makeup to her face, but instead she would rather go out wearing her own natural beauty which I must admit is still there even with those wrinkles on her face.

She was the one who spent sleepless nights just watching over me and who did everything in her capacity just to make sure that I will be able to finish my studies.

She's the one who unselfishly prioritized my well being first before herself or anything else in the world.

Her name is Julieta Manalo Fontanilla.

She is my mother.

...And I love her so much!

Happy mother's day, Ma!

ON LE BLOGGER FRIENDSHIP AWARD

This is the first time that I've received something like this, and I want to thank Ida for passing this award to me. So, let's give this a try:

The rules are:
1. Take your award here.
2. Put the logo on your post.
3. Link the person who awarded you.
4. Nominate at least 7 other bloggers.
5. Add the links of those bloggers on yours.
6. Leave a message for your nominees.

My nominees are:

Larla

Dana

Silke

ShooAnne

Rowenna

Lie

Jeff

ON MY EVERYDAY MINERALS HAUL

I received a call from the PO today telling me that my haul from Everyday Minerals has arrived! I immediately rush to the PO with my daughter and hubby to pick it up.

The package was sent on 25 March 2009 and it only arrived today. I really don't know if this is the normal delivery period for EDM because it was really long....

Anyway, after receiving the package and after an hour or two in the mall, we went home and opened my package. This is what I got:

Taaa daaaa:

This is the Spring Collection consisting of three eyeshadows, one blush and one eye shadow brush. In their website, it says that there should be one Postcards eyeliner, but it's missing.

This is the Lavender Collection with four eyeshadows and one eye kabuki brush.

This is In the Garden eyeshadow that I really felt in love with in their website, so I ordered one.

My medium bronzer finishing powder.

The 5-piece sampler with three foundations, one blush, and one concealer. This is worth $12.50 if you're going to buy it, but this set is definitely FREE.

And of course my freebies worth $4 each.

I'll give my review after I have tried them on. Still thinking if i'll purchase their Sandcastle collection especially now that they are running a promo. Let's see...

Nighty night...

ON MY FIRST JOPPA GRAB BAG

I received my first Joppa grab bag yesterday along with my 3-piece sampler kit. Iwas so excited when I saw it on my desk and opened the package right away without even putting my bag down.

And these are the things that I got:

Tada...

This is my grab bag and this consists of the following:

FS Olive leaf E/S 1.4 g

FS Majestic E/S 1.4 g

FS Eggnog E/S 1.4 g

FS Dusk E/S 1.4 g

Sample of Buttercream E/S 1/8 tsp in a baggie

FS Dewdrop Blush powder 1.4 g

FS Savannah Blush powder 1.4 g

FS Toffee Simple Radiance 1.4 g

Joppa Gracie

Berry Bliss soap bar

Sugar Plum Lippie

Cotton Candy Lippie

Lip Twist Bare

I ordered a 3-piece sampler kit from Joppa which, to my surprise, turned out to be a 6-piece sampler kit! I don't how it happened or why it happened, but the thing is, I am quite happy that it happened, hehehe.

These are the lippies that are included in the shipment. I am not sure if they are included in the grab bag because they were wrapped separately from the grab bag itself, but hey who cares?

For only $18, I think this is more than what my money's worth.

Till next haul, nighty night!

WALTER AND ANGELA