A Place to Stay For Everybody in Cagayan de Oro City

Let’s face it, the City is getting bigger and bigger; people come to Cagayan de Oro for so many reasons. One, Cagayan de Oro is Mindanao’s convention city, and in most days, the hotels are fully booked. Cagayan de Oro City also boasts of Mindanao’s best Mall – Limketkai Center.  The City is also home to SM Cagayan de Oro City, Gaisano Mall,  and the soon-to-be-open-to-the-public Centrio Mall of Ayala along Claro M. Recto Avenue and Paseo Mall at the Rodelsa Circle Rotonda.

Coming to Cagayan de Oro can be a challenge to many would-be visitors because on most normal days, the hotels are fully-booked due to seminars and conventions. So, if you have plans to visit, my advice is book in advance. Also, it’ll be wise if you choose the hotel you want to be staying on prior to your visit.

To help you out, here are some tips on which places to check out if you have a scheduled trip to Cagayan de Oro City.

N Hotel in Kauswagan Highway

One of the newest and best places to stay when in Cagayan de Oro is called N Hotel, and it’s located along Kauswagan highway in front of Jollibee and Polymedic Plaza. Why N Hotel? Because it’s new, it’s clean, and it’s beautiful. I have no idea about the rates, but if you’re not on a tight budget, and if you have a car, then I’d recommend you try it. It boasts of a small pool; it has a gym; the interior design is beautiful, and the ambiance is simple yet elegant. It also has safe parking – probably one of the best features of the hotel. The function halls are great; the food- I’d say pretty to look at and better-than-the-average.

Pearlmont Inn in Limketkai Drive

If you are on a budget, and you want a place near Limketkai Mall, try Pearlmont Inn. The place is almost practically in Limketkai already and you can even walk to the Mall (if you love the exercise). You can also take a jeep which passes by the hotel to the Mall – a cheaper option at 7 pesos each person for fare. If you take a taxi to the Mall, maybe you’ll pay around 50 to 55 pesos. Pearlmont Inn, however, is favorite to many out-of-town LGU’s for their seminars and conferences; so if you want to get a room, I’d advice you book ahead of time.

Mallberry Suites - A Business Hotel in Limketkai Mall (at the back of Robinson's)

If you’re coming to Cagayan de Oro for a business trip or just mere visiting, another good place to stay is in Mallberry Suites. It’s quite expensive, but the location is ideal if you love to be in the center of action. Mallberry Suites is in Limketkai Mall, at the back of Robinson’s. Many executives who come to Cagayan de Oro on their business trips stay in this hotel.

Mass Specc Hostel

For those who are on tight budgets but still need to come to the City for important reasons, don’t worry, there are also many places that are affordable. Just a word of advice, don’t expect first class accommodation in these places. They charge minimal fees, and for the amount, I think they’re doing people a favor already. For those who are staying for a night or two, there’s the UCCP Visitor’s Center  near the UCCP church in Licoan, near MarcosBridge. If you’re traveling as a group, you can also try the COA dorm; but you have to make arrangements in advance as they are usually fully-booked for seminars and conferences. Then there’s the Mass Specc Hostel – a dorm-type place a few blocks away from the Divisoria area.

In a nutshell, there’s a place for everybody in Cagayan de Oro City.  So if you want a good night’s rest in these places, be sure to book ahead.

Facebook: Is It Helping You or Not At All?

Its ironic how many people have made Facebook a major part of their lives (or should I say, our lives?). Think about this: the first thing people normally do after rising from their beds is turn on the computer and go online to check notifications and status updates from their Fb accounts. Then, the computer is left “on” the whole day, the Facebook window minimized while doing something else in the computer.

Here are some of the common things we normally find in Fb:

1. What someone ate for breakfast;
2. What someone had for snacks;
3. What someone plans to eat for lunch, snack in the afternoon break, dinner, and for midnight snack;
4. What someone is wearing;
5. The latest clothes, shoes, bags, colognes and perfumes, accessories, and other what-have-you’s being sold online;
6. Who recently got dumped;
7. Who’s mad at who;
8. Who recently died;
9. Who recently got sick;
10. Who’s in the hospital;
11. The weather somewhere;
12. The newest boyfriend or girlfriend of what’s-his/her-name;
13. The best and/or worst teacher in this school and that school;
14. Inspirational quotes by someone famous;
15. Pictures of flowers, food, places visited, people seen;
16. Who’s who (who’s with whom, who’s famous, who’s not, etc)
17. Jokes (ranging from the funny, the not-so funny, and the insulting-to-my-senses-and-intellect-con-nationality types of “jokes”)
18. Porn materials (such as videos that a friend “accidentally” clicked but was actually programmed that once you click it or the icon, it’ll appear in your page and announce to the world that you did, after all, checked out the material. Or maybe you did not!);
19. Garbage – someone belittling someone else – an enemy perhaps, or a competitor, or a rival …;
20. and Links to Blogs just like this one …

These are just some of the things you’ll see and experience in Facebook. The question remains: are these things helping us?

Teenagers

One author shared her thoughts on the effect or impact of Facebook on teenagers. You can visit her site and read about her thoughts in her blog called HybridMom.  Her focus is on teenagers and Facebook: mine is a little towards the right – the effect of Facebook on adults.

I know of a school that has recently issued a memo that university faculty and staff are no longer allowed to use Fb during working hours. Many reacted negatively saying that Fb can be used as an instructional tool. I agree; but I have a daughter in college, and I was actually disturbed when her teacher required them to submit their assignments online, via facebook’s Notes – for everyone to see and read. My eldest daughter raised this question: has she/he (meaning the teacher) not heard of the school’s e-Learn system?

I like Fb – most of it! And I have to admit I am an avid user of Fb. I use it as a medium to share my thoughts from the things I learned while doing my researches. I keep in touch with friends and family – near or far. I enjoy looking at pictures and seeing how my friends and associates have progressed from being young and thin to older and heavier (hahaha!). Most of the time I feel good after a session in Fb; but I have to be honest, lately, I don’t like some of the things I saw and read in Fb. So I’ve decided to “hide” some people, especially those that post “negative” things – those that make my already heavy heart heavier; those who dampen spirits rather than inspire.

I have nothing against Fb, nor the people using Fb. We use this medium based on our own purposes, needs, and wants. Summing up, I’d like to refer to a comment I read in one forum on the usefulness or the dangers of using Facebook and other social networking sites. He said that if anyone finds a social networking site unhealthy or destructive or unpleasant to his personal “taste”, simply leave the site. He is correct one hundred percent. However, maybe it would also be better if people using these social sites will think hard about the moral responsibility which comes with their use – not because of fear from being reprimanded (wala ma’y internet police). Hopefully, people will be more responsible for the simple reason that “it’s the right thing to do”.

Always Do the Right Thing!

 

 

8 Ways to Rise Above the “Blues”

Have you ever risen from your bed on a morning and felt that something is wrong? To make matters worst, you don’t really have an idea what; it’s just a tugging feeling – more like a cloud or mist of darkness that’s enveloping you.

If you’re a little older, maybe it’s hormonal. Or maybe you’re experiencing stress that’s caused by your work. It may also be caused by people around you – your family, your house help, your neighbor, and at times even your friends. When left unresolved, too much stress causes depression; and depression can worsen over time.

Here’s the good news: whatever it is that’s causing these negative feelings, there’s a way to rise above them. One health expert said that “depression is a self-centered state, and the best way to address it is by focusing your attention away from yourself and onto others.”

The solution is simple: think less of yourself and focus on someone else. The best way to do it is to make someone else happy!

Below are some suggestions on how to make yourself happy by making others happy.

1. Send your Mom, your Dad, your sister(s), your brother(s) a text message or an email saying how much you love them and miss them;

2. Look around you and simply smile to the people nearest you;

3. If you’re “Facebooking”, “like” someone’s update. Just be sure it’s something really “likeable”;

4. Compliment someone – honestly. There’s always something nice and good in someone. Find that and be generous in complimenting that;

5. If you’re in your office, tell your favorite officemate how much you appreciate her/him and his/her friendship or association;

6. If you’re a Mom or a Dad, tell your children how much you love them and how glad you are that they your children;

7. Look at your spouse direct in his/her eyes and tell him/her how much you love being his/her partner;

8. Write a “helping” message in your Fb status – something that can lift someone else’s sagging spirit.

These are just some suggestions; I’m sure you can think of more ways to make someone happy. The important thing is to do it, now!

My Love for Reading, Katniss, and the Hunger Games

Self-Help Books

I love reading books!  In fact, I can not sleep unless I read a few pages before finally closing my eyes every night.

For the past … 12 years I think (or probably more), all I’ve read are textbooks and the so-called “Self-Help” books … from Financial Management, English, Statistics, Project Management, Marketing Management, Accounting, Training and Workshop Facilitation, Human Resource, Entrepreneurship, Small Business Management, Leadership, Communication, Sales, Teaching Children Values, Recipe Books, How-To Books (like I recently bought a book that taught me so much about shampoo, bath soap, laundry soap, dishwasher cleaner, toilet bow cleaners, and all types of cleaners – the title: How to Clean Practically Anything hahaha!),  and the most recent buy was a book on Starting an Online Business.

Sometimes I tell my children that soon, I’m gonna have an information overload with all the books I am reading (printed and online) …

Online Books

So I decided very recently (like a week ago) that I’m going to give myself a breather; I’m going to read for enjoyment. I will put on hold reading books for the sake of learning.

And so I started to look for a book that would feed my interest.

I saw one book in my son’s table: the title was Hunger Games!

Hunger Games Book 1

From the moment I started reading the book, I could not put it down. I read the whole book in three hours (or probably 4, but never more than that!). One whole morning of one day, I read the book and enjoyed every minute of it!

Katniss Everdeen

And I could not wait for book 2 and 3!

All of  sudden, every member of my family got hooked, too! Myco got an audio book; April read the e-book, Ella is following suit, and Sarah is excited to join the fun as well. So now we’re all excited and waiting for the movie which is currently being filmed and will be shown next year.

How about you? Have you read a book lately?

Audio Book

The Question that Remains Unanswered

I came across a friend’s status in fb asking a very thought-provoking question. The questions was worded this way: “Life is good here in the Philippines, but why is it that a lot of people still leave and work abroad? The question kept ringing in my ears, not literally, but it was a persistent thought. The reason is simple: I also know a lot of people who live and work abroad who keep saying that it’s better to live in the Philippines. However, all of them, after staying for a while, always go back to where they came from. Simply put, they prefer or choose to live and work abroad despite what they said.

But, my hats off to them; they are called mga bagong bayani, sacrificing so much just so that they can work and earn money for the families they have left behind.

Why do they always go back? Is it about money? Maybe. It’s a fact that abroad, as long as one is not afraid to roll his sleeves up and work, there will always be plenty of opportunities to earn. I know of friends who are professionals here yet they don’t mind waiting for tables or washing dishes in poshNew York. I know of friends who take care of old people as caregivers for the green bucks. Yes, they send money to the families they left behind, but I have not heard of one who finally came home willingly to finally settle here for good – by choice. Well, I know a few who said that they will retire here, but then again, who knows if they will?

Maybe life is better abroad, even if one has to work very very hard. Maybe money is limitless there. Maybe the food is better. Maybe the schools are better (or the educational system). Maybe the culture is better over there. Maybe life is easier there. Maybe it’s safer to live there. Maybe people are better there.

Maybe …

Are you happier wherever you are because you have every opportunity to earn unlike many of our fellow Filipinos who chose to stay and work here?

Are you happier wherever you are because your food tastes better?

Well, someone once said home is not a geographical location; it’s where your heart is. So wherever you are, as long as your family is with you, it’ll always be home to you.

So … is your family with you wherever you are?

Happiness is subjective, which means my happiness and your happiness will never be the same. In the same sense, what makes me happy will not necessarily be the exact thing that will make you happy.

Hence, may I ask … what makes you happy?

I hope you have it nearest you … not just in your heart, but close enough for you to touch them and tell them how much you love them … close enough for you to see the moments when they lighten up every time they see a butterfly … or a rainbow … when they taste ice cream …

I hope they are close enough to you so you can comfort them when they are hurting.

Life is short … and money is not everything.

One thing is sure though, we always have a choice! And whatever your choice is, it means you’re sure it’s the best for you and your family, and I’ll respect you for that.

The Woman I Met at the DFA …

I went a few months ago to the DFA for my passport, and I met a woman who was also processing her passport. We were seated together in the same bench waiting for our turn in the biometrics section and we started talking about why we were there and the purposes of our passports. I told her I was getting mine because I am traveling with a friend in a few months; she told me she was leaving for Dubai to work.

She looked at the files I was holding (I had my marriage contract and my children’s NSO authenticated birth certificates) and she suddenly said, without me asking her, that she will be leaving behind 3 small children. I could not help but ask why she had to leave. I asked her about her previous employment and where she will be working inDubai, as well as how much she will be making. Much to my surprise, she said her salary will be 14 thousand per month. I was taken aback! I told her she can earn that money here; she does not have to leave. She had a college degree and she worked as a private employee before her decision to work as a food factory worker of some sort inDubai.

I felt bad. I could not help but feel sad that for such a small amount of money, she is willing to leave behind 3 very small children to the care of their father. I wonder how her husband feels about her leaving and working abroad.

Then she was called; and then my turn came. We again sat beside each other as our pictures were taken. She stood up first and was about to leave. I held her hand (funny, I can’t remember her name anymore), and told her to think hard first before making any final decision. I told her she can earn that money here, as long as she’s willing to work hard and work smart. I made her a promise, gave her my number, and told her I would be willing to help her find a job. I am not rich; I can’t promise her money. But I have friends who can help her, as long as she’s willing to do her part.

We parted ways; and I looked at her one last time. I am not sure if I will ever see her again. In my heart though, I hope she will not leave her children. Money is just money, but our children, they will only be children once, and they need their mothers more than anything else in this world.

Money can not buy love.

Red-and-White Christmas Cake

This is a recipe of a cake I saw in Shine at Yahoo. When I saw the cake, I instantly felt “Chrismasy”, and my first instinct is to put this recipe in my blog in case someone wants to bake this.

This recipe is not mine; this is from Better Homes and Gardens and published in Shine.

Red-and-White Christmas Cake

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 1-ounce bottles red food coloring (1/4 cup)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting
• 1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam
• 3 ounces white chocolate baking squares (with cocoa butter), grated*
• Fresh raspberries
• White Chocolate Leaves

Directions

• Allow eggs and buttermilk to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease and flour six 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1-1/2-inch individual mini ball pans or 6-ounce custard cups, one 2-1/2-liter (10-cup) round oven-safe mixing bowl (the bowl should be 8 inches or less across), and one 8 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pan. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set pans and flour mixture aside.

 

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a very large bowl, beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually beat in sugar until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition until combined. Beat in food coloring and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

 

• Fill each individual ball pan or custard cup half full of batter (1/3 cup batter in each). Spoon 2-1/2 cups of the batter into the 8-inch round baking pan. Spoon remaining batter (about 5 cups) into the oven-safe mixing bowl.

 

• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for ball pans or custard cups, 25 to 30 minutes for 8-inch round baking pan, and 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours for mixing bowl or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool on wire racks.

 

• To assemble, place the 8-inch round cake on a pedestal cake plate. Spread about 1 cup of the Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting on top. In a small bowl, stir raspberry jam until smooth. Drizzle jam over frosted cake. Top with bowl cake (trim if necessary to make cake sit flat). Spread about 3 cups of the remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Spread remaining frosting over inverted ball cakes.

 

• Generously sprinkle frosted cakes with grated white chocolate. Chill for up to 2 hours. To serve, garnish with fresh raspberries and/or White Chocolate Leaves.

 

• This recipe makes 24 servings

 

• *Test Kitchen Tip: Use a food processor to grate chocolate.

 

Fluffy White Chocolate Frosting

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons butter; heat over medium heat until boiling. Remove from heat. Add 9 ounces white chocolate baking squares (with cocoa butter), chopped; do not stir. Let stand, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth. Cover and let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes or until cooled. In a chilled large bowl, beat 2-1/4 cups whipping cream with chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium speed just until soft peaks form (tips curl). Add the cooled white chocolate mixture, one-third at a time, beating on low speed just until combined.

White Chocolate Leaves: Use nontoxic fresh leaves such as bay, rose, lemon, or ivy. Melted white chocolate baking squares (3 ounces makes enough to coat 10 to 12 small leaves). Dip underside (vein side) of each leaf in the melted white chocolate, being careful not to coat the topside of the leaf. (Or use a small paintbrush to brush several coats of the melted white chocolate on the underside of each leaf.) Wipe off any white chocolate on the top side of the leaf. Place the leaves, white chocolate sides up, on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or a curved surface, such as a rolling pin or measuring cup; chill or freeze until hardened. Before using, peel the leaf away from the white chocolate; discard leaf.

Do You Know How to Get the Most Out of Your Credit Card?

Credit Card

 

If you are an observant shopper, you probably have noticed that a majority of the people shopping in big stores and malls now use credit cards to pay for their purchases. This is also true in restaurants, in spa’s and salons, in gasoline stations, in airline ticketing offices, actually – practically everywhere.

 

Truly, the number of people using credit cards has tremendously increased. This increase is very apparent if you look and count the cashier or teller lines in shopping malls and groceries exclusively dedicated for those who are paying through credit cards than those who are paying using cash.

Is this a good thing or not? Well, like everything else in life, it depends on how it is used. This also applies to credit cards. In and of themselves, credits cards are not bad per se; it is the manner with which it is used that makes it bad or good.

Benefits of Credit Cards

The use of credit card is designed so that it will be mutually beneficial for all the parties involved. In a normal credit card transaction, there are at least three (3) parties involved: the credit card issuer, the credit card user; and the business.

Credit card lenders offer them to borrowers for a profit. The profit credit card lenders make comes in the form of fees, charges, and interest.

For the business, they make an income when credit card owners purchase their goods/products/merchandise, or when credit card owners patronize their service establishment and pays for the services received. The business’s income then comes from the sales of good and/or services and the corresponding profit from the transaction that took place.

For the credit card user, the benefits are numerous.

One benefit is the ability to purchase things immediately. The credit card affords the holder the convenience of buying something without delay. This can be very helpful during times when huge “sales discounts” are offered unannounced by malls and stores. There are stores that come up occasionally with marketing and sales strategies which offers huge discounts for a limited period; the credit card allows the holder to take advantage of these discounts.

Credit card also allows the user to shop online or purchase things using the telephone. These transactions simply can not be done using cash; hence the necessity for a credit card or a debit card.

Using the credit card to purchase things or pay for services also allows the credit card user to use the bank’s money (or the lenders money) free of charge during the interest-free period; as long as the credit card holder pay’s the total amount before the due date.

The credit card can also be very helpful in paying utility bills before the due date. Failure to pay utility bills on time can be very costly because of the penalty or surcharge that will be added to the amount payable.

Credit cards can also be used to withdraw money from an ATM. This is also called Cash Advance, which comes with a much higher interest compared to the normal use of the credit card (paying for things or services). Again, the cost may be high, but the convenience it affords the user is very invaluable especially in emergency situations.

Credit Card Rewards

Many credit cards also have rewards system, which allows the user to earn rewards every time they use their credit cards. This means that the more often the credit card is used, the more rewards earned. The rewards are also very appealing to almost everyone. Rewards come as free travel miles, free airline tickets, discounted products, or cash back.

In a nutshell, credit cards can be very helpful, but only if you know how to use them to your advantage.  To maximize the benefits of credit cards, always pay 2 days before the due date; avoid carry-over balances; and spend only on things that you can afford. Never abuse your credit card.

Best Exercise for a Healthier Heart and a Sexier You

It’s called aqua exercise. Yes, you read it right; aqua exercise or water exercise!

Yes, it requires that you don a swimsuit; but you may opt to wear a short and a shirt instead if you’re not very comfortable in a swimsuit, as long as the pool owner will allow you to;

Yes, you’ll be required to really get into the pool (or in any body of water) and get yourself wet;

Yes, this exercise can be done on the beach if you’re nearer it or if you don’t have access to a pool;

Yes, you have to be a fun-loving person so you’ll enjoy this type of exercise;

No, you don’t have to know how to swim to be able to do the aqua exercise;

No, this exercise is not just for the fat or the overweight. This exercise will do everybody good, whether you’re 8 or 80 years old; thin or fat, or tall or short.

Aqua or Water Exercise is best for everybody. It does wonders for the cardiovascular system – the heart in particular. And since the exercise is done in the water, all the muscles in the body are used. The beauty of aqua or water exercise is the fact that although all the major muscles of the body are moved during the whole activity, very little effort is felt because the buoyancy of the water helps carry the body’s weight. This type of exercise is also highly recommended for those with joint problems (mostly those who are a little older) because this is a low-impact exercise; the joints in the ankles and knees are safely protected from too much exertion during the exercise.

Water exercise is simple: its aerobic exercise done in the water. You’ll need some floaters as accessories and a few water dumbbells or weights. You can also listen to music as you perform your aerobic exercises. The water level has to be at least a little below your shoulders so you can maximize the buoyancy of the water when you do your arm exercises.

So get your swimsuit ready (you’ll look and feel much better on them, I tell you!) and find a friend or two who can join you! Find the perfect pool and do this as regularly as you can and kiss those extra pounds away. Just don’t go to Jollibee or McDonald’s after your exercise session, otherwise your hard work will be of no value.

Wait … on second thought, go ahead! Enjoy Jollibee and McDonald’s once in a while. One thing I learned about losing weight; it’s all about burning all those extra calories. So if you eat out, just be sure to take a walk before you go to bed; use the stairs and not the elevator, drink lots and lots of water; fidget so you’ll burn an extra 200 calories per day; and be on the move whenever there’s an opportunity. And lastly, do your aqua or water exercise at least 2 times a week.

 

See you in the pool!

The High Cost of Being Beautiful: Are We Willing to Pay the Price?

I just have one question for you, since you’re reading this post.

Are hair dye’s safe to use?

I have to confess my hair color is different; not this light brownish shade I have been sporting for a long time. My real hair color, if I am to describe it, is dark brown – not too brown, and definitely not black.

If I am to count how many years I’ve been dyeing my hair, I’d say I have to count my fingers and also my toes, and maybe the fingers on someone else’s hand too! That long!

Just the other day, I was looking at myself in the mirror and was telling myself that I need to have my hair color fixed again because the hair growth is showing my original hair color. My hair, when it reaches this point, has this two-toned look. May joke nga na applicable dito. Kung mayaman ang magde-describe, she’d say I have highlights. Pero pag medyo common tao ang mag de-describe, sasabihin n’ya mukhang buhok ng mga taga dagat!

That’s why I wanted a retouch the soonest possible time!

But things changed in two days!

And it was a drastic change – a total 360 degrees turnaround!

Here I am, resolved never to have my hair dyed again.

Why the sudden change of mind (and heart)?

Because I came across some articles on several researches done regarding hair dyes – and the researchers are saying that hair dyes may actually cause cancer.

Now, two parties are on opposite sides. On the Red corner are the hair dye manufacturers and the industry players (salons that use the products), and they are saying that hair dyes are safe.

On the Blue corner, at the other end of the spectrum, are the researchers. They are saying that hair dyes are not safe; that users may be exposing themselves to a very great health risk.

Their recommendation is this: that more studies need to be made to establish that the hair dye or hair coloring products being sold, distributed, and used in salons worldwide are safe.

How about you? What do you think? With this scenario, would you still want a new tint in your locks?

I wonder if researchers have also done studies on the very popular hair straightening chemicals used by beauty salons today? I wonder if those products are safe to use? Have you seen the process that clients go through to have their hair rebonded? Before, it took at least 5 hours to finish the whole process. Recently, I was told it can be done in 3 hours because of the new rebonding chemicals they are using.

Have you seen how those chemicals are applied? Beauticians protect themselves by using rubber gloves. I’ve heard of people with their scalp burned because of those chemicals. I really can’t help but wonder: are those really safe to use?

By the way, it’s not the hair that’s my concern. We all know that our hair is dead, so no matter what is applied to it, it’ll remain dead. If you put or use too much chemicals on them, the worst that can happen is they’ll get so damaged the only remedy is to cut them off.

The main concern is the scalp. What do you think happens when the chemicals get into the scalp and into the pores and into the bloodstream? That, to me, is where the greatest danger lies.

Oh my, oh my, oh my, the high price we are willing to pay just to be beautiful …