The New Year's Resolution Haul

So this post came at least a year late but here it is anyway. After all, one can only give substantial feedback about consumable products after a significant amount usage, right? Well at least that's my excuse for this post.

So here we go...

I spent my entire 20s neglecting my skin. I barely had any skin trouble throughout the entire decade and I unconsciously just relied on my body's natural ability to heal and regenerate skin cells. I also had the rare ability to resist sunburn, so I barely used any of the sticky sunblock lotions unless I had to be swimming at midday.

By the time I was in my early 30s, I realized I was way past my teens and started seeing the signs of skin damage and premature aging. It was a turning point- I had to change my habits and only then did I start looking at what's out in the market and it turns out I have been missing out on a lot. So much has changed over the years and there is such a wide variety of choices of every skin care product. It's easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated by the trial and error of finding the right products that would work for you.

So here's my initial haul. I call it my "New Year's Resolution Haul" because I made the decision to take care of my skin at the start of the year, though it took me about two months to shop around, since it just wasn't part of my regular shopping list and kept forgetting to shop for them.

I may be sharing them a bit too late- some of them may have been repackaged or phased out but since I'm into sharing my experience with these products, here's what I have to say.

Movie Review: Jurassic World

Being one of the most anticipated films of the year, we decided to shell out a couple more hundred bucks each for a chance to see the movie in 4DX. All in all, it was a highly entertaining movie. The thrill, excitement, and suspense lived up to the hype of this massive film, set more than 20 years after the first one, Jurassic Park.

Movie Review: About Time

When I found out I was about to see a movie about time travel, and that it starred Rachel McAdams, I immediately thought, "Oh no, not another time travel movie." Instantly recalling that she also starred in The Time Traveller's Wife, I feared that this would be another one of those mind-bending, headache-inducing time travel stories.

I was wrong. This movie was fun, and it was mainly because the story focused on life and not on time travel. It showed that even those with the extraordinary ability to bend the time-space continuum are not exempt from ordinary day-to-day situations of ordinary people. Despite the privilege of being able to go back to certain points in time, the main character Tim Lake (played by Domhall Gleeson) was confronted with the same choices we all make. Each gain, each triumph is just as sweet, and each loss just as painful.

This movie is witty, funny, and truly what a romantic comedy should be. It's a date night must-see. It's a movie about life, love, and family- things we can all relate with. The movie left with me with a renewed gratitude for the simple joys of life, inspired to enjoy life to the fullest and without regrets.

Chasing Waterfalls: Tinago Falls

We were still on Day One of chasing waterfalls in Iligan City. After a quick sightseeing trip to Mimbalut Falls, our next stop was Tinago Falls. I revisited Tinago Falls last year with friends and extended family. In that trip, I wasn't with my hubby and daughter Gianne and I promised to be back with them.

The 10 to 15-minute habal-habal motorcycle ride from Mimbalut Falls took us across the border that delineates Iligan City and Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. It's been 10 years since I've taken that route. There has been much improvement in the road that led to the entry to Tinago Falls but the road still gets rough as one gets closer.

It was Gianne's first time on a habal-habal

As soon as we got there, we climbed down the long staircase that led to the majestic falls and its deep pool. True to its name, Tinago Falls is a gem hidden deep in a ravine. One could not see it unless he gets right to the pool that catches its cascade.

Chasing Waterfalls: Mimbalut Falls

Mimbalut Falls in Iligan City

Mimbalut Falls in Iligan City was our first stop on our first day of chasing waterfalls in Iligan City. Mimbalut Falls is at the far end of the City Proper-Buruun jeepney route. The jeep takes one to the junction where habal-habal motorcycles await to take tourists for a quick ride to the easily-accessible waterfalls.