Top 5 Reasons for a Staycation with your Kids at Sofitel Hotel

It was Rainie's birthday.  And it's tradition.  We need to go somewhere and spend time together.  Since we don't have any out of town plans, we asked her to choose what we should do.  It's a birthday perk. They get to decide the things they want to do on their birthdays.  It was a toss between a water spa and Hotel Sofitel.  When Ramir showed them the website of Hotel Sofitel, Rainie was sold.  She decided it was Sofitel in a heartbeat.  It was just an overnight stay but we really enjoyed our stay.  Here are the top 5 reasons why.

1.  The Pool
It's bigger than any hotel swimming pools that I've visited here in Manila. It also has a waterfall.  And you can laze around as long as you like.  They also have lounge chairs to rest on when you get tired.  The kids had a grand time.

When a Loved One Left for Good and Some Things I Learned While Preparing for a Funeral

It's a fact of life that we should all be prepared for... That our parents would go before us and it's a child's responsibility, a final act of love, to give them the proper burial.

Death, as morbid as it sounds is a natural course.  One day, in his perfect time, all of us would have to go. And no matter how dreadful the topic is, one way or the other, we have to deal with it. 

My father-in-law passed away last September in the United States. He was a good man. He loved my daughters and welcomed me to his family.  Although he's been sick with the Big C for the past several years, he's passing came to us unexpectedly.  As a matter of fact, we're trying to find ways to spend our Christmas in California, together with him and my mother- and sister-in-law. But truly, there are certain things in this world that we don't have any control of. And at the end of the day, the Lord's power is so immense, that no matter what we do, He's will, will takeover everything.

I must say that the gift of cancer is time. Although it greets you with the possibility of someone being taken away from you, it also forces you to race against  time... To make more memories, to prepare for the inevitable, to deal with unfinish businesses. It also gives you the opportunity to accept one's fate, be at peace with oneself and ultimately, be closer to God.

After Lolo Pedro's death, Tatay Fermin's hits closest to home. It forced us to deal with pain and the scenario that people who knew and love him would want to pay their last respects.  The reality of grieving while having to arrange for an appropriate funeral service is imminent. So we went with the flow of events.  

Ramir went to the US just days after Tatay's death. Tatay has a one day viewing there, then his remains were cremated. After some days, Ramir, Nanay Dely, her sister and brother-in-law went home to the Philippines.  Tatay's finally home. 

We hanged this tarpaulin outside our house days before his body arrived from the US.

Rak of Aegis - Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Watch

I try to expose my children to Filipino theater productions because I feel they'd be more appreciative of Filipino talent and creativity. And somehow it would instill a sense of pride, dahil ang galing ng Pinoy.  When we decided to watch Rak of Aegis as a family, it was initially to support my officemates' business venture.  They bought one show of Rak and they were selling tickets.  Little did we know that we would be in a very nice surprise.

photo from PETA's website

Here are my top four reasons why you should watch Rak of Aegis, even if you have kids, even if you're not a fan of Aegis' music.

How to Get a US Visa in 14 Easy Steps

You may say that our (Me and Ramir's) American dream is to bring our children to the United States for a visit.  My husband's sister and her family has lived there for quite sometime now.  And just 3 years ago, his parents settled there too.  We're thinking of visiting our in-laws in California next year. Since Ramir and I already have visas, we just need to apply for R and S. So like all travel plans, we have to start somewhere.  We tried our hand in applying for a US tourist visa.  Here's how we did it.

1. Determine your visa type
Our visa application started in this website - http://manila.usembassy.gov/nivisatype.html

We determined our visa type, which in this case, is the B1/B2 tourist business visa.

Father's Day and Homemade Celebration Cupcakes

We made something special for the fathers in our family.  We got this recipe from Yummy magazine.  And we're so happy how things turned out.  We just accentuated our cupcakes with some word cutouts (which we printed on our ever reliable printer) to make it more personalized.  R was very proud with her creations, and Ramir was very happy. This is our creative and cost-efficient way of celebrating Father's Day.

 

A Crafternoon Party (An Arts and Crafts-themed Birthday)

It was a dear friend's birthday celebration on May 16. But she celebrated her birthday early. And we're fortunate to be there.

Me with the pretty birthday girl

It's on the invitation - Crafternoon Party. Two words that set the theme for a unique birthday celebration.

Oil Pulling, Gina Lopez and G Stuff

I heard about oil pulling somewhere. I googled it and read about it. I learned that it's good for detoxifiying and cleansing so I made a mental note to try it. But I haven't gotten around into doing it because of two things. One, I haven't really found a store that carried the oil for oil pulling. And two, I'm dilly-dallying. Probably, I dont trust myself to pull off a 20-minute oil swishing in my mouth.
But just  a week ago, I started doing it. Let me tell you a brief background.

I was invited in a bloggers meet with Ms Gina Lopez. She recently launched her G Stuff line and wanted bloggers to know about it. G Stuff products are Gina Lopez-certified. She uses them, believes in them, and swears by them. All of her products are 100% philippine made and benefits the communities that produced them because 100% of the profits go back to them. I'm a Gina Lopez believer. Ive worked with her for almost 15 years, having ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation as my account.  Ive seen how passionate, honest and sincere she is. I knew that I have to try her products because even before she met with us, I was already listening to her raves about G Stuff.

With Ms. Gina Lopez at the bloggers' meet

Clifford Manatad: Fighting the Cancer Battle

I'm not new to the 6th floor of the AFP Medical Center at V. Luna St., Quezon City.  We've visited this place several times to do some outreach activities for their pediatric patients. Last Sunday, we came back to share some blessings. We were greeted by a very friendly boy. He welcomed us and asked for our names.  In return, he gave his. Clifford.  Before proceeding to the activity room, we passed by a makeshift altar along the hallway. He touched one of the statues and did the sign of the cross.

The kids of AFP Medical Center's Pediatric Ward

Ten Things With You: Some Notes on our 10th Anniversary (and 17 Years of Togetherness)

Time flies so fast when you're having fun.  It's been 10 years (of being married)  and 17 years of being together.  It's almost half a lifetime.  It would be uneventful if I won't write anything about it, so here I am, after the crazy month of December, tinkering on the keyboard.  Honestly, I have this in my head, but time was scarce on our anniversary month.  That's why I haven't gotten around writing it.  So when the chaos has subsided, and I'm starting to get into the rhythm of my normal life, I am at it.  So let me share with you ten things that I have realized about my marriage with Ramir - the man of the house, my better half, the father of the Rainbow Sisters, the guy I swore to be with.

On Her First Communion

December 8.  Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  R's first communion.  I was overwhelmed with joy.  It felt like I was offering my child to the Lord a second time around, first being on her baptism.

60th Birthday - Ideas and Preparations

If you are going to hold a surprise 60th birthday party for your father, what would you do?  I'll share with you what we have prepared for our Tatay Dan three years ago.

1. Select a theme.
Our Tatay like watching movies.  We opt for a movie-themed birthday party.

Our main decors to set the theme

Diva Moment by Metro Working Mom

I got a taste of how it felt to be a "star", thanks to ABS-CBN Publishing's Metro Working Mom. They featured me as one of the Kapamilya moms who work behind the scenes for their July issue.  So how did it go? It was more than what I expected.

Hair and Makeup? Check. Wardrobe? Check. Platform shoes? Check. Accessories? Check. Photographer? Double check. The photo shoot was done by Sara Black, the beauteous model-turned photographer who's known for her gorgeous portraits of women.

With Sara Black (Photos by Kathrina Sanchez)

So eto na ba yung tinatawag nilang star treatment? (Insert laughter here.) Masaya naman.  Pero 'te, di ko 'to keri ng araw-araw.  May hangganan ang powers ko. It's quite hard being a different me.  Because the real me, will always be "me," a commoner. Ang hirap maging artista. (Insert louder laughter here.)

One with the real stars

It made me realize that for real stars to survive, they should embrace their Cinderella-like transformations.  And although, I'm very grateful for mine (even if it's just for 2 hours), I can't live and breathe it. Hindi ko siya kayang pangatawanan. While stars are dancing with platform shoes, I need to walk barefoot because I can't even walk three steps with them on. While stars are prepped at least two hours for hair and makeup, it was a test of patience for me. And while dresses are nice, I limit wearing them because I commute every single day. The realities of "me." Oh well.

A page of my own

I remember when I was in high school and college, I dreamed of being a TV reporter. But when I had my OJT at ABS-CBN, I saw the need to make an effort to look good, not most of the time, but all the time. It is something that I cannot commit to. So I conceded. Goodbye TV reporting career. But no regrets. I am very happy and contented with the work that I do, even if its away from the limelight. You can say that I've found my calling behind the camera.

For my diva moment, thank you Working Mom, Ms. Dedet Panabi, Ms. Leah Nemil-San Jose, Ms. Sara Black, my hair and make-up artists. It was an amazing experience.  At para mas star and dating... Pwedeng mag-promote? Please buy the July issue of Metro Working Mom, hindi dahil nandun ako kungdi dahil memorabilia siya. It is their best of TV issue (in time for the 60th anniversary of TV in the Philippines). Thank you all!!!

A Night with the Pianist's Pianist

Photo by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

A night of culture with amazing Filipino talent and musicality on spotlight. The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and Ms. Cecile Licad in a rare performance at the CCP. In my 36 years of existence, it was a first for me to witness a pianist as the main feature in a concert. And it was a different kind of experience. Ganun pala yun. After the national anthem, the conductor takes his place, then starts the show. No invocation. No scripts. No banter. There was just music and intensity and passion from the instrumentalists, and silent admiration from the audience.  And I surprised myself. I didn't fall asleep, nor felt bored. As a matter of fact, I must admit, I enjoyed it. And even after 3 encores, I was hoping there would be more.

Cecile with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra; Me with Madam Imelda; and Cecile posing for the fans

I was a kid when I first heard the name Cecile Licad - probably the most renowned Filipino pianist. I've read her name in history books. I never saw her play but I knew she was someone special. Last week, I met her face to face. Then last Saturday, she walks across the stage wearing an emerald- colored garb. She sat in front of the Marcos-owned Steinway piano, put her hands on the keys and just like that, she's suddenly possessed by the piano muse. It felt like her musical genes were on steroids, her hands turbo-charged. It seemed like there were three pianists instead of just one. As she caresses the keys, you'll notice how she mumbles every note. It felt like she's talking to the piano or translating the notes to ethereal chants. She was delightful to watch.

I feel that musicians are like athletes. They need practice to be good. They need to push themselves beyond what they know they're capable of. That's why I have so much respect for them. They must love to play because they practice every day, to the point wherein maybe they're playing their pieces even in their dreams. This kind of discipline I saw with Cecile Licad's genius as she plays the piano. It's not enough that you're good or gifted, you must have the heart and the willingness to hone the gift and be the best version of yourself. I can imagine the number of hours spent in front of the piano to be dubbed the Pianist's Pianist by the New Yorker. Kung tamad siyang magpractice, malamang walang Cecile Licad ang Pilipinas.

Up close and personal with Ms. Licad and my dear friend/photographer Edsel Misenas

I'm a fan of classical performances. Working with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra gives me the opportunity to be entralled with the kind of music that creates a stir at the core of my being. I know Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Mozart but I'm no expert and really, the names aren't as important as their masterpieces. I listen to them because I feel their music is elevated in a different kind of plane. And every time I hear an orchestra play, I'm hypnotized. I can listen to them again and again and again. And as I walk away from the CCP, my heart yearns for its next performance. This time, they'll take us to the magical world of Disney.

Photo by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra

P.S. Thank you Edsel Misenas for going with me and taking all the pictures.
Disclaimer:  Due to the nature of my job, my tickets were complimentary.

The Yellow Party

Our DIY Invitation

It was my youngest's third birthday and we couldn't let it pass without a celebration. Even if it's just a small gathering of about 15 cousins and neighbors who live within some 500 meter radius from our house. So how did we spruce up a home-based birthday party without really splurging? We decided on a theme. It's going to be a yellow party. Let me share with you our party details.

Decors
Crepe paper for the curtains, art paper for the banderitas, Japanese paper for paper pompoms, sticker paper for the letters and photos. I got the idea of the paper pompoms here...http://www.polkadotbride.com/2013/05/diy-tissue-paper-pom-poms-tutorial/

Party decors

I Miss My Mom - A Birthday Tribute and a Mother's Day Post

It was family day last April 28, Sunday.  We celebrated my Mom's birthday.  How time flies.  Ang nanay ko, lola na.  We had a grand time at Ace Water Spa.  What can I say, almost three straight hours of water therapy, and still, the kids would bargain for more minutes.  Never mind if their fingers and toes looked like wrinkled raisins.  We love the thought that all cousins, except one (a newborn), were spending happy times together.

And the Chinese dinner that followed was a satisfying ending, to a fun-filled afternoon of togetherness.

Dinner at Mandarin Sky in Banawe

The whole brood (minus my seaman brother and their new-born baby)

 When it was over, we kissed our parents goodbye like we always do.  My mom was standing on the side street, sending off each one of us. Waving her hand and giving us a flying kiss. I realized how much I missed her.  And how time flies.  Nine years na pala yun, when I moved out of our house to live separately and start a family of my own. I can still hear her, "Kahit gusto ko na maiwan kayong lahat dito, ang tama, magsarili kayo.  Diyan lang kayo matututo.  Paano 'pag namatay ako? Kayo din ang kawawa."  I knew in my heart she was right. I'm happy being married. But nevertheless, the feeling of leaving someone you love, to be physically apart from them, is something that brings out the cry baby in me.  Leaving my parents was life-changing. It taught me valuable lessons which I wouldn't learn had I not settled with Ramir.  Also, I realized that no distance can ever change the fact that I am a daughter. There will always be an invisible love string that forever binds me to my mom (and dad too).  And now that I am a mother too, I love and appreciate her more.

Our goodbye moment outside the restaurant, gave a series of flashbacks - waking up to her kind of music, her cooking, her talking on the phone with someone, her constant movement around the house, her smell, her chika while dressing up. And I was transported to the day when I entered our old room and all our kalats were not there anymore.  The only reminder that the room formerly housed four tightly knit individuals who came from one wonderful mother, were the four graduation photos which were hanging on the wall. Ahhh. Those were the days.

And as I close our car's window and head our way, I thought, if can be as good as my mother, not just in mothering, but in life, I think I'll be fine.

P.S. To you Nanay, I'll always love you.  And I'll always be your panganay. And thank you for the wonderful life that you have given us.  It wasn't luxurious, nor lavish, but it was enough to make us feel loved and blessed. The most important lessons in life (which I'm still struggling to teach our kids), I learned under our roof in Sto. Rosario and Santulan, under your tutelage. You and Tatay are indeed two of my life's greatest blessings. Mahal na mahal. Rok

Activefun's Cool Summer Fun Party

Beat the heat this summer! Join our COOL SUMMER FUN PARTY on March 22, 2013 3pm. Ticket is only P500 (general) P450 (for Fun Club) inclusive of Unlimited Play, Mascot and Magic Shows, Games & Prizes, Raffle, Giveaways and a lot more! (Adult seat is 250 inclusive of snacks) For inquiries call us at 8690800 or 8699509 or 09278424721. Buy your tickets now!

 

Post-Its and a Very Cool Way to Show Love

'Pag effort sa mga okasyon ang pag-uusapan, I always pale in comparison.  I would never be able to top his efforts or his antics.  Every single time, he wins.  Hands down. If a love cup can be filled with the number of times a person's breath is taken away with random acts of love, I'm sure that mine will always be filled to the brim.  Thanks to this wonderful man, whom God has appointed to be my other half.

It's our 9th year as husband and wife but our 16th year as boyfriend and girlfriend.  I went home last night to a bouquet of flowers. With three messages written on post it notes.

I went upstairs. I saw another bouquet of roses and to my amazement, the mirror in our dresser was completely covered with post it notes.  It was amazing.

When I peeled each note (I posted every note in a notebook), I discovered "me."  I time lapsed the peeling using the KomaDori app.

This photo was taken and processed by Ramir.  It was a photo I really, really liked, as a matter of fact, I made it my profile pic in FB.  I thought I looked pretty (and the fact that he captured it, made me felt that he still sees my prettiness :-) something that I feel is important).  Ok, enough mushiness.

"Me" after the post-it peeling

My heart skipped. How after all these years, he still has it. He can still take my breath away.  And when I read his two cards, tears were rolling down my cheeks again. Every single time he gives me a card, I cry. Hindi kasi madaldal si Ramir.  It is in his cards that I hear the things I want to hear.  And it reassures me every single time. 

When I was married to him in 2003,  I felt blessed. To this day I still feel the same.  When we were starting out, I was apprehensive.  Akala ko pakitang tao lang.  Pa-impress.  I thought parents are the only ones capable of giving unconditional love.  I was wrong.

Thank you Ramir for loving me the way you do...  For being the indulgent husband to me and a wonderful, wonderful father to two adorable daughters.  I'm blessed to have met you in this lifetime.  May we hold each other's hands and journey together until the dawn of our lives. Mahal na mahal.

Museo Pambata - Learning through Play

Museo Pambata will always elicit happy memories for my family. It's actually our default go-to place every time we want to bring our kids somewhere where they would surely enjoy. Unlike the usual museum where all the displays are enclosed, in Museo, you can touch and play with them.  As usual, we had an amazing day.

Museo's facade

Maynila Noon/Old Manila
You can ring the bell of the galleon or smell the spice boxes.  Or lift the phone and listen to the story of famous heroes.  You can also ride the train or go into a miniature church.  Play with chopsticks. And try on "period" dresses.

Riding the train

Praying inside the miniature church

Playing with chopsticks and trying on period dresses

Katawan Ko/My Body Works
Here's an interesting way of learning about the human body. You can examine your fingerprint. Or go inside the mouth.  Or see how the digestive organ work.

Examining fingerprints

Looking at digestion

I Love My Planet Earth
Simulated rainforest and coastal area. It's fun learning about our world.  The slide is proof of that.

Learning about rainforests and coastal areas

Pamilihang Bayan/Marketplace
They have a whole gamut of fruits, vegetables, seafoods, etc.  Para talagang palengke.  In all the sections in Museo, this is where we usually stay the longest. My kids go gaga over marketing or cooking in their carinderia or pretend to man the stalls, with us, of course, as the customers.

Mock-marketing

Manning the carinderia

Living the barrio life

Paglaki ko/Career options
Farmer? or Fireman? Writer? Illustrator? Barber?  The options are scarce but the girls didn't mind.

Haircut or massage?

Writer or Storyteller?

Farmer or fireman?

Kalikasan/Environment
Waste segregation.  Energy conservation. All about saving the enviroment.

Learning about the enviroment

Details:
Museo Pambata
Roxas Boulevard corner South Drive, Manila
Tel.5231797/98 or 5360595
www.museopambata.org

Admission Fee:
P100 (kids and adults)

Schedules:
8am to 5pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
1pm to 5pm (Sundays)

My LASIK Experience at the ASIAN EYE

So here's my morning eye-related ritual.  When I wake up, I would reach at our headboard for my eyeglasses.  After wearing it, I'll look at our wall clock to check on the time.  Then I would go to our dresser, unscrew the two lids of my contact lens container, then put on my contact lenses.  Then there's also an evening eye-related ritual - unscrew the two lids of my contact lens container, remove my contact lenses, put them in the container, drop some solution, then screw the lids back. Then, I would put on my glasses and lie down, watch TV or read, then when I'm too sleepy, I'll remove my glasses, put it on our headboard then retire.  

My eye paraphernalia

When I'm not wearing my glasses or contact lenses, everything is a blur. I'm a -4.50 on both eyes. On some days when I'm too tired, I would fall asleep without removing my contact lenses.  Then I would have to battle some mean eye infection. Every time I would travel, I would need to bring a whole eye care paraphernalia. I'm not complaining.  But I dream of having hassle-free days and more adventures without having to worry about my contact lenses folding under my eyelids or falling off accidentally.

I knew that a LASIK procedure is an option. LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis), commonly known as laser eye surgery, is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser on the eye's cornea to improve visual acuity. A year ago, I had undergone preliminary screenings in one of the eye centers in Mandaluyong but I wasn't able to follow through. I must admit that I'm quite scared or having doubts about the whole idea.  Blindness, you know, is something that can't be brushed off.  Yes, I'm paranoid that way.

So when I met certified eye experts, worked with them in some of their commercials, my confidence grew.  They told me that the procedure would be brief, painless and the effect would be immediate. It was a very good pitch.

Before the LASIK procedure, I have undergone a screening process. I came in in the morning. There were 16 steps to complete the whole process and ascertain that my eyes are perfect for LASIK.  It took me almost the whole day to do every single one of them. I had to look at different machines, look at different walls. My eyes were measured, even my tears. It was very thorough.

I realized that after the screening, my eyes were more sensitive to light.  But it was manageable.  My take-me-everywhere-you-go sunglasses was very handy.  I came in alone, did the whole test with just an iPod to entertain me, and was even able to come back to the office to finish up on some work.

Some of the machines for screening

Measuring the amount of tears my eyes were producing

Dr. Robert Ang told me that my eyes were perfect for LASIK.  He briefed me about what's going to happen come surgery.  He also assured me that there's nothing to worry about.  The receptionist told me to come back the next day.  So I did.

I came in an hour before my designated time.  They told me to put on a lab gown.  Then they asked me to sit on my designated La-Z-Boy chair.  There were 3 persons before me whom I think would be undergoing the same procedure as mine.  I was nervous to say the least.  But since everyone was calm, I kept my cool and try to shake the nervousness off. Then they led me to a room with all the machines and an big overhead lamp.  That was my moment of truth.

Dr. Ang told me to lie down and relax.  He put some anesthetic drops on my eyes, then he told me that I won't feel anything and after about 15 minutes, the procedure would be over.  When they got my confirmation, they went ahead.  They put a suction-like cap on my right eye, probably to spread it and prevent it from closing while the whole laser thing is happening.  It wasn't painful but the tears just kept on coming.  I think it was a normal reaction of the eye for anything foreign that enters it.  He told me to look at the red light.  Then I smelled something burning, then it sank in.  The surgery has started.  I knew I wasn't going blind because I can still see the red light.  Then I heard a lady counting off "25%... 50%... 75%..."  It was finished.  That quick. Then they transferred to my left eye and did the same thing.  Then they told me that there would be another round. This was also as quick as the first round.  All in all, my eyes had 2 laser passes each.  Dr. Ang was right, the time difference between clarity and blur was fifteen minutes.

They guided me to the door.  It was amazing because I can now see the room clearly albeit some cloudy spots.  I was amazed.  Then they re-examined my eyes.  When everything was good, the nurse gave me a rundown of things to do - wear protective glasses for a week (even while sleeping for three days), don't wet the eyes for three days, no swimming for a month, follow the prescription.

Wearing protective glasses after LASIK

So it's been three months.  I've done ziplines, swimming and snorkelling without fear of contact lenses popping out or folding because of the wind or water.  Of course I've worn goggles under water but still, the hassle of having to wear glasses or clean contact lenses after a swim wasn't present anymore.  And I don't need to bring along a whole eye care paraphernalia whenever I travel.  Also, I can now fall asleep without having to remove contact lenses or be fearful of eye infections because I forgot to remove them.  I now wake up to clearer mornings, literally. 

Were there side effects?  Some dizzy spells but very sporadic.  I'm not even sure if it's LASIK related but they told me that I might have some of these because my eyes would be adjusting to it's new grade. They also told me that by age 40, I might have grade discrepancies again. I might need to wear reading glasses.  But I'm still grateful, in our company's annual physical exam last October, my visual acuity reads 20/20.

I have undergone bladeless LASIK at Asian Eye.  It costs roughly around P110,000. They offer discounts to Kapamilya employees and their relatives.  For inquiries, you may visit their website, http://www.asianeyeinstitute.com/ or call 8982020. 

What I appreciated about Asian Eye was their thoughtfulness.  After about an hour or two, my phone rang.  They asked me how I was and reminded me about the eye drops I need to apply.  I thought that was sweet.  And after a week, they asked me to return for a free check-up.  Then after a month, I visited them again.  By this time, it wasn't free any more but it was covered by our healthcare provider, so technically, it was still free.

Would I recommend LASIK?  Let's just put it this way.  I love the kind of freedom I have right now.  Less panic.  Less hassle.  No need to be worried about glasses or contact lenses being left somewhere.  No more bumps and bruises because I can now see things clearly even in the dark.  I can dream of scuba diving and feel that it can now be a worry-free reality. I sleep with a clear view and wake up with the same.  It was life-changing.

 
FULL DISCLOSURE:  My LASIK was free.  Due to the nature of the work I do (producing commercials), I have met Dr. Ang and his team.  They were the ones who encouraged me to try out the procedure.  I'm glad I did.