All in a day

When you get bitten by the shopping bug, there is absolutely no way out.

Apple and I went to the Shops at La Cantera on Saturday because we heard that Victoria's Secret has 25% off for their memorial day sale. I tried on some bras but their size wasn't really working for me, I left VS empty handed.
Next stop was Bath and Body works for their 5 for $10 on their antibacterial hand soap. Great deal. So great in fact that Apple ended up buying 10 (at the request of the new housewife Grace). And when you're with Apple, you can't not go to the make-up section. The girl asked me if I wanted to try their new lip plumping lippies. Because I had a terrifying experience with the kind before, I politely declined.

I've been meaning to buy Wexler's under eye concealer for the longest time, and was ready to do it too until this new product caught my eye. Hmm...super brightening under eye concealer eh? So I tried it and I was convinced. I've never had a concealer before and up til late I never really though I needed one. So Superfill it is.

Unfortunately (for my wallet that is) I saw another tube much like it with a promise that made me really curious. "Amazing instant eye
filler" it said. What else was I do do but try it? And what do you know, it actually worked! It made the lines disappear in an instant. I was amazed. So amazed in fact that I had to buy it along with the concealer.

I was at the cashier paying, I turned around and asked Apple "do I need a concealer brush?" Yep, the thing is, @ 34, I am just starting to discover make-up. So excuse me for wanting to enjoy it while I can still use make-up instead of a scalpel.

What mall venture would be complete without stopping by Forever 21? This is an evil, evil shop. As soon as you step into this store, you know you're doomed for sure. I was actually good I only came out with one (really cute) top. Yeah, that's being good.

We then proceeded to Nordstrom for the much acclaimed Chanel sheer illuminator (make-up primer). As with the rest of my purchases for this day, this was also unplanned. Apple was buying it, I just tried it. Well, you can read what happened in the post below. Moral lesson here? Do not try anything unless you're ready to buy them! Or you'll end up like me on this Memorial day weekend. I spent more than I planned to, but I'm very, very satisfied.

Dinner at PF Chang's (the Lettuce Wrap is a must and the very spicy Dali Chicken is a treat), a pint of Coffee Lovers only ice cream from Cold Stone and the Dreamgirls DVD capped today's very exciting adventure. Whew!

my Chanel

Thanks to my make-up junkie roommate, I discovered a make-up primer that can stand alone on days that a foundation would be too much. I have problems with pores on my cheeks and anything that helps even it out, I salute.

Ok, ok. It's not all Chanel's. I have been very diligent on my Wexler regimen too. But this "sheer illuminator" has given me the most dramatic, most flawless face to date. I'm totally loving it right now.

When in Texas, you gotta have Rudy's

Rudy's billboard states that they have the worst barbecue in Texas. You think that stops people from going all the way to Leon Springs, just out of San Antonio? Nope! In fact, it attracts tourists and locals all the same and even more I say!

Rudy's is no sophisticated restaurant. You eat outside exposed to the weather, which is hot and hotter in San Antonio. There are tables inside their "country store" where it's air conditioned but I think that tales away from the rustic ambiance that I love about Rudy's.

Personally, I love their ribs, their sausage and of course, their beef brisket. You gotta have the beef brisket. My cousins came for a visit one time and the first thing they wanted to do was eat beef brisket and Texas bar-b-q. Apparently, Texas bar-b-q and beef brisket are part of the "when in Texas" list of things. And so we came to discover Rudy's.

But the best of Rudy's menu is definitely the cream corn. You can't eat at Rudy's and not fall in love with their cream corn. It's such a feast for the palate, it will leave you wanting more!

So remember, if you're ever in Texas, don't forget, you gotta have Rudy's!

Don't forget, you can order online their rubs and "sauses" too.

Front page Hiro!

My Carrie is a Heroes fan and seeing Hiro on USA Today's front page got her all excited! Too bad she won't see him until September when Heroes return for it's 2nd season.

(this one's dedicated to sis Mindy who keeps us updated all the time!)

my One Million Masterpiece contribution

Come join me and 25,072 other members in the biggest artistic collaboration to raise money for charities worldwide. I'm no artist but I will do anything to help out. See my masterpiece as a part of the big picture when you click the title

Now, it's your turn.

Passion for nursing

(this was supposed to be my entry for nurses' week but I missed the deadline)

Oftentimes when I wake up with legs and feet so sore I could not even walk to the bathroom without my face turning into a very unsightly grimace, I blame it on my shoes. In reality, it's from running around the floor all 11.5 hours of my 12 hour shift, and no matter what shoes I wear, I still end up with sore lower extremities at the end of the day.
Most people think that nursing is an easy ticket to an above average salary, a way to fulfill dreams of owning a house, or buying that expensive car, or supporting a family. I have seen nursing students get the shock of their life on their first day on the floor, realizing the gravity of the profession that they have decided to venture into. No, nursing is not ideal. It's not only about doctor's orders and care plans and critical thinking. It's not all about the training, the knowledge, and the license that we have worked so hard to get. That's just half of it...the professional part, the part that can be taught.
The other half of it, the part that is innate to the heart of a nurse, that cannot be taught by the best teacher in the best school, is the passion for being a nurse. The part that makes you bathe your patients even if you have a million and one things to do in your list, because you know that it will make their day, or it will allow them comfort despite the illness that's eating them. Passion is the part that makes you cater to the family's need for an extra blanket, or an extra tray so that they can share and enjoy lunch with the patient even in the dire situation they are in. Passion is holding their hand and listening to them talk about their grandchildren, their canceled trip, their pain, their frustration, even when at the back of your mind, you're wondering about how you can get out in time with the many things still left to do. You tell yourself that you should not be too close to the patients and their family but you couldn't help nut care. Passion is when you cry in frustration because there's nothing else you can do to make things better. Passion is when you go home with sore legs and feet and you still come back for more.
Nursing has become so much more in this modern day, my work shoes cannot even cope up. Do I think I need a new career that does not entail so much connection and personal involvement? I think not. I'm just going to go ahead and buy some new shoes. Because I am a nurse, and a nurse will never quit. Because quitting means there's one less patient getting the care that she deserves. And one patient less matters.