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I am Ulyssa Elaine - Travel, Food and Lifestyle Blogger

I was inspired to post this entry when I read it (same title) from the blog of Clarisa. So what happened to me for the past 25 years? What did I achieve for the past 25 years?

Photo taken last January 2017

One.

I graduated a Bachelor's degree at the age 19 with no failed grades. But I was not a Cum Laude, either. I whole-heartedly dedicated this to my parents for their never ending love and care for me. Thank you so much! 😉

Two and Three.

I got my first job when I was 19, too. Although, I got regularized when I was 20 years old. 

Four.

Travelled alone (without my parents) but I was with my relatives: aunt, cousins and nephews when I was 21 years old. We went to SG and Malaysia for 1 week last February-March 2014. This countries were the first 2 countries I travelled using my own money.

Five and Six.

Driver's License - Got my student permit when I was 21 years old, too. After 3 months, I applied for a non-professional license, which makes me feel happy that I can now drive legally.

Seven.

Own a car - When my family bought a car, they transferred it under my name so I can say it's my own car (even though I didn't buy it). I make it a habit to register it on time and to have a yearly maintenance.

Eight and Nine.

Travelled with my sister (without our parents) to South Korea for 1 whole week! It was our first time to do it and I was a bit afraid at first. Good thing, we were able to manage it and we survived!

We had a chance to experience skiing in Pyeongchang province in South Korea. Alpensia Ski Resort will be one of the venues of 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. I was very glad that me and my sister went there before the said event.

Ten.

First time to sponsor our family trip at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. My family really enjoyed this and they are looking forward for our next year's travel to HK and Macau. Yey!



Eleven.

Bought myself life insurance policies. This thing is a must. We need to secure our future for our loved ones.

Twelve.

I have watched more than 20 K-dramas for the past 3 years. I posted it on my blog. 

Thirteen.

Enrolled myself in a 40-hour Mandarin class at Makati. Currently, I'm studying French, Spanish and Japanese using Duolingo app. I posted this on my blog.

Fourteen.

Had a chance to watch Super Junior concert in SM MOA Arena last 2013. Super Junior was my favorite K-pop band when I was 4th year high school. It was a great experience.

Fifteen.

Climbed in a mountain, Mt. Pico de Loro. It was a nice experience that we were able to try it but sorry, I won't do it again. It's very risky and really exhausting. Maybe sometime in the future I will try it again.

Sixteen and Seventeen.

Attended IT events in the country: DevCon Summit 2013: #MobileDevNBeyond and GDG DevFest Philippines 2016. I have attended also code camps before but currently, I'm not active on attending such events.

Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty and Twenty-one.

Visited the famous amusement parks in Asia: HK Disneyland (2010), HK Ocean Park (2010), Universal Studios SG (2014) and Lotte World (2016).

Twenty-two.

I'm continually share my blessings to my family. I really don't want to enumerate all of this because they already know what I usually do. I can say that they are proud of me. Thank you.

Twenty-three and Twenty-Four.

Opened up a blog in 2013 and bought a domain name last year (2016). I didn't establish a blog to brag about the things that I achieved. Hence, I want to show the world, to the universe rather that there's life beyond about me. Me: a nerd, skinny, studious, quiet, home-school-home, home-work-home person. That's why the name of the blog is I AM ULYSSA ELAINE. 😉

Twenty-five.

As of the moment, I never applied for a credit card. How did I book my online tickets? Using BDO debit card. How did I book my accommodation? Using BPI e-Prepaid card. It works like a credit card but the difference is you have to load it. I was able to manage my finances a lot because of this. That's the power of technology. 😉

How about you? Share your thoughts and experiences.

Saturday, September 30, 2017 2 comments
Today, September 25, 2017, I purchased a Buy 1 Take 1 promo of DIODE LASER hair removal at Skin Station / Dermax Station Festival Supermall Alabang.

From Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/skinstationph/

I've known Skin Station clinic since 2014 (when I was still working in Makati City). The main branch in Gil Puyat is just a walking distance from my former office. I was very hesitant to try it before because I was afraid at that time. So I usually go to a waxing clinic to do my errands. The downside of waxing is you have to wait for your hair to grow before you do another waxing session. So it’s like an endless cycle and there’s no huge difference. I guess it's not worth your money even though it's cheap.

Back to the topic, diode laser hair removal became the new trend instead of cold waxing. I have bumped into many blogs about Skin Station's diode laser hair removal so I decided to give a chance to try it, why not? 

What is Diode Laser hair removal? 

Diode Laser features a longer wavelength compared to IPL treatments. It provides safer and deeper penetration into skin layer. The Diode laser is the best overall laser for all skin types based on long term use.


Inside the cubicle of Dermax Festival Mall Alabang

How it works?

First, the therapist will clean the area and shave your hair. Then, she will put a cold treatment gel on your underarm. Next, the laser device will be applied to remove your unwanted hair. It will take 30 minutes or more for the procedure. Then, the gel will be wiped off and will clean the surface.

After the Procedure

The therapist recommended a Post-Laser cream to be applied on your underarm twice a day for three days. It costs Php 220.

Does it hurt?

No! If you’re like me, who regularly goes to a waxing salon, it doesn’t hurt. I laughed when the laser hit on my skin at first. Luckily, I never felt any discomfort during my 1st session. The therapist shared to me that most of her patients experienced discomfortness because it’s their first time. 

How often should you go?

Every 6 - 8 weeks but my therapist suggested to take another session on my 6th week for better results.

How many sessions to take?

8 sessions or more is enough. But after your 8th session / first year, you must take their booster to prevent hair regrowth. 

Is it worth it? 

YES!!! I'm very satisfied on my first session. There's a huge difference even though it's just my first one. My next session will be on the 1st week of November.




Note: This is not a sponsored post. I availed their service using my own money.

Here's my post regarding my 2nd session: https://www.iamulyssaelaine.com/2017/11/painless-diode-laser-hair-removal-at-skin-station.html



How about you? Have you tried their service? Share your experience.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 No comments
 

After years in a technology field, I decided to back-up all my files in my laptop. It took me years before I finally decided to get an external hard drive.

I chose Seagate because it's a reliable brand. Seagate finally launched an external hard drive that suits to my needs: super handy, sleek design and compatible with multi-platform: Windows and Mac. There's more! I can back-up from mobile device! It supports also Android 3.0 or higher and iOS 8 or higher. Just go to Google Play or App Store and download the Seagate Backup app.

It also comes with 200 GB Cloud Storage. How cool right?

The package comes with a hard drive, usb cable and a manual
Slimmer than a Mac Mini

Note: This is not a sponsored post. I bought this using my own money. :) 



How about you? Do you have an external hard drive? If yes, what's your favorite brand? Share your thoughts here. 
Saturday, August 26, 2017 No comments
I just turned 25 years old today and I'm very happy with my achievements so far. As I look back to my previous travels, I noticed that I'm now a matured one. I can now plan on my own, and manage my finances well. 


Seven years have passed since I turned 18 years old and it's still fresh on my memory. My 18th birthday was took place at Hong Kong last 2010. I didn't have a grand ball or ceremony on my debut because frankly, I don't have lots of friends. I can't even imagine how will I fill-up my 18 roses, candles, etc. Just to get things straight, I'm a kind person. Having a few friends doesn't mean that I'm not a friendly person. I really don't know why I only have a few friends. Maybe others thought that I'm such a boring, quiet person and not friendly at all. When I was still a student, I randomly go out with my best friends: Lourein and Gretzel. Most of the time, my daily routine was: home -> school -> home. 

Moving forward, here are some of the details of my 6-Day Hong Kong Trip dated August 2010.

Note: I didn't have a good camera back then. So the photos were not that good.

August 23, 2010 - I headed to Hong Kong with my mom and my aunt. My sister wasn't with us. Her debut was took place at Singapore and Malaysia way back 2011.

HK International Airport
August 24, 2010 - My 18th birthday!!! We went to HK Disneyland for my birthday. I felt that I was like a kid. Hehe.


August 25, 2010 - We had a shopping at Langham Shopping Mall and Ladies' Market at Mongkok.




The One shopping mall was newly opened (May 2010) at that time.


August 26, 2010 - We experienced riding in a cable car: Ngong Ping 360 and walked up to the Giant Buddha.





August 27, 2010 - We went to HK Ocean Park! 



August 28, 2010 - Our last day in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture more photos on that day because we're busy struggling on how to get back home. We weren't get lost at HK International Airport.

How about you? What happened on your debut? Share your experience.

Friday, August 25, 2017 No comments


Westgate Center is one of the projects of Filinvest City, which is a destination of high-class shops, restaurants and etc. If you want to experience the so-called Alabang ambiance this is one of the places to go. 

Sushi Ninja

Sushi Ninja is a modern Japanese restaurant, which serves sushi, salmon, sashimi, wagyu, wakame salad and many more. 


TUS' Clay Pots and Skillets

It has a homey ambiance of delicious American and European dishes.





How about you? Have you been to Westgate Center? If yes, where did you dine in? Share your experience.
Sunday, August 20, 2017 No comments
There are few popular restaurants that were opened last year at ATC Corporate Center. Here are some of the restaurants I tried there.

Soban K-Town Grill


They serves unique Korean-Mexican dishes. Perfect for K-dishes lovers.








Jipan Cafe & Bakeshop

They offers authentic Japanese dishes. They also offers wide selection of pastries. Best for J-dishes lovers.





Salad Stop!

If you're a salad-lover, this restaurant is the best place to eat. You can customize your selection of toppings.



Senor Pollo

It is a Latin American restaurant that specializes roasted and friend chicken.


Señor Pollo




Paper Moon Cafe


It is a Japanese dessert shop that specializes crepe cakes.





How about you? Have you been to ATC Corporate Center? If yes, where did you dine in? Share your experience here.  
Sunday, August 20, 2017 No comments
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I'm Ulyssa Elaine, a skinny girl from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, Philippines.

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