Confessions of a SHOEpaholic: Praia Frenzy

Yup, i confess.

I love shoes. So much.

Call it my Cinderella fetish or whatsoever, i just couldn't care less.

There's something about buying a pair that really stands out which gives me a natural high.

Slipping them on is simply one orgasmic experience. 

For those who have known me for the longest time, this isn't exactly something new.

Through the years, i think i have more than 80 pairs, so

me of which i have given away due to lack of space

 (imagine the horrendous sight underneath my bed.)

And to date, i'm still buying. 

And i'd like to show you my latest find.

I stumbled upon it while strolling at Marina Mall in Singapore. I came across this funky store called UrbanMale shop, which sells eccentric looking tees and accessories.

While i was browsing through their merchandise

, with the salesman following my every move, speaking in broken english as he encourages me to buy everything i touch, my peripheral vision caught a prized catch: a pair of brightly colored sandals .

Like a predator narrowing down on a prey, i practically dropped

 the wallet i was looking at and proceeded to the sandals section, where a number 

of brightly colored strappy sandals where hanged. 

I don't believe we've been introduced, i silently told my newly found interest.

My eyes shifted to the label on the side: Brazilliano Praia.

Nice name. Even nicer looks. 

I immediately grabbed one pair, looked at the size and then smiled. 

Slipping on the size 9 brought me to cloud 9 

in an instant.

Voila. It was a perfect fit. 

The colorful rubber straps and comfortable soles made the stylish sandals worth every penny (at SGD49.75, roughly around P 1,500)

I love it.

But i also love the other colors available.

Sensing my dilemma, the salesman said:

"If you buy 3 pairs you'll get 1 for free."

It was music to my ears. I resisted the urge to hug and kiss him.

Mentally i did a quick computation of my remaining budget. Fate was definitely on my side when my gimmick got cancelled the night before. I have enough money to spare. 

Serendipity really knows how to help me find my perfect match. 

Traveling 3 hours via plane was definitely well worth it. 

Without wasting anytime, i chose the four i liked and gave my money to the extremely pleased sales man (whom i assumed would get commissions, since the store manager gave him a pat on the back).

Carrying a huge bag, i spent the rest of the day strolling around, unmindful of hunger, while happily carrying my newest addiction.

When i first wore those sandals here, i already got several inquiries from friends and loved ones as to where i got them.

I smiled to myself, knowing that i made a good decision. 

My sandals may not be as popular as the gladiator types around now...but they can definitely give any pair stiff competition. 

See to appreciate. Buy to experience orgasm. 

Directions, anyone?

These past few days, i have been quite restless.

Maybe because i felt that i was in the middle of a crossroad...with no where to go.

You know how much i hate the feeling of being trapped and helpless.

But it seems that no matter how hard i try to shrug things off and hope for the best, i can't really fake it.

I am affected with the stressful long wait.

But my faith in Him keeps me going.

You 

would be amazed to know that i pray 2x as much as before. Yup, for those who knew me, that's quite a lot (since i have always been religious, so to speak).

It's only in prayer, during my quiet dialogues with Him, that i find comfort and assurance, that i would eventually rise above these challenges and be the best that i can be.

It is only through prayer that my heart, mind and soul are able to move on freely and continue life's journey.

It is only through prayer that i am able to reach out once more to a part of myself i have nearly forgotten. 

It is only through prayer that i am surviving.

I decided to blog about this because i want to share to other people the power of prayer. 

I've always believed in signs...and i know that eventually i would get what i was asking for.

I lift up everything to Him, thy will be done. 

He knows what's best; i can only ask for so much.

But i trust Him fully. 

Where hope ends, prayer begins. 

Opens new doors and new perspectives in life.

Just like what it did to me recently.

I began to appreciate all the things i have taken for granted. 

To see things on a different light. 

To realize that there's so much more to life.

To give what is due.

I am at the middle of the crossroad now.

But i know He will help me continue with my journey in the best way He knows.

Pray for me guys. 

Coffee over Crisis

It was indeed an eye opener for me.I just got back from my trip to Singapore to attend to a business deal (for those asking, yes, fortunately it was successful).

I was lucky enough to stumble upon a group of young enthusiastic Filipinos in search for their dream jobs. Most of them came from various call centers in the Philippines. Some, from industries i never even heard of.

Despite their different personalities (i just love diversity) , all of them shared one trait in common though: they were all resilient. Even though they encountered many rejections in the process of applying for various jobs not even 

related to their fields, they still managed to bounce back and smile at everything that has happened. 

I, being by myself in this particular trip, decided to tag along with them in their job-hunting sprees. Under the excruciating heat of the sun and the discriminating eyes of prospective employers, we travelled from one district to another, via train, bus or if our funds were already short, just by walking. I thought i would gain weight when i travelled to 

Singapore as i dearly loved their Chicken rice and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. However, my wanting to fit in and make them feel that they are not alone in the struggle overwhelmed my cravings.

But it was all worth it. I gained new friends. Friends who introduced me to 

a different lifestyle i have yet to experience while based here in the Philippines. They opened my eyes to the fact that i need not have my usual  Starbucks Venti Iced White Chocolate mocha to make my day complete (ok, i did have one with their blessings, at SGD7 

for one serving, which i tried to consume as slowly as possible to prolong the orgasmic moment). They made me realize how lucky i was to be able to win the hearts of my business prospects, with them asking me to join them in the future to the point of sending all the requirements for my E-pass (quite a rarity for foreigners, as Singapore is in a state of recession as well). They made me realize how important it was to have friends amid crisis...people who would push you up when you feel that the entire world crushed underneath your feet.

I sincerely wish all of them well. As for me, if given a chance to once again, visit them and help them out in their struggles, i would. And i promise to treat all of them to a cup of good old Killiney coffee (affordable at SGD1.20)...to assure them that everything will be all right. And to perk them up on their way to yet another unforgettable journey in search of

 their dream job in the most modern city of Asia where the Merlion reigns supreme.