♥ GODIVA RACHEL ♥

♥ A TRUE GODIVIAN BEAUTY ♥

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Knowing a Little of EverythingIn a typical guy, the mere mention of the word "woman" may seem synonymous to fashion, make-up and a one hour skin care routine. And that is exactly what this post is all about. We women should know a little of everything not because guys expects that from us (well, maybe it is one factor) but because this will boost our self-esteem and will actually make us feel good about ourselves.

Fashion is not only about the season's new trends, the most expensive Louis Vuitton bags nor the runway's latest fashion collection (though they are important in every sense). Fashion is an art. Sometimes you are born with a keen sense on it and sometimes we try to learn and master it. Are there any rules in fashion when it changes every season? There must be... but for me I keep this one rule all the time.

You can change your taste in fashion as fast as fashion changes itself but do keep one thing constant, your identity.

So what must you keep in mind regarding the art of fashion? Don't get swayed by models or by people who wears the current trend. Not because its looks good on them doesn't mean it will look good on you too (most of the time...). Keep in mind that body structure, skin tone and even your personality plays a vital role in selecting the right jeans, that indispensable handbag or that ever so flattering stilettos. Remember that this not only about fashion, this is about YOU being a real fashion icon!

Gisele Bunchen makes every designer's dreams come true.

Ah, make-up. They are also the pride of the runway. You don't really have to be Picasso or Bobbi Brown to master the basics of applying make-up. All you need is proper guidance and a lot of practice. First of, like in fashion, you need to take note of a lot of factors that includes your skin tone, the occasion, the time of the day, the color of your clothes and of course whether you have a sensitive skin or not.

Two of my personal favorites (that I know can never go wrong) are mascara and lip gloss. Not far from the list is a very good liquid foundation and blush-on. Knowing what is best for your skin tone like "fair looks good on pink and light colors while dark looks great with deep colors like berry and blues" can ready enhance your natural beauty.

The more you learn and practice the more you'll realize that with make up you can actually make your face appear slimmer or that small eyes appear bigger. It's really just a matter learning, practicing and mastering. There are a lot of make up brands out there. Choose one that has a reputable name and one that you know will not add years to you face in the long run (if you know what I mean).

Lastly, remember this cardinal rule. Always take your make-up off before you go to sleep... and I mean ALWAYS.

Make-up + Aishwarya Rai = Art

Now for my favorite topic, Skin Care. My boyfriend could never really figure out why I need to have atleast two different lotions for day (with tons of spf) and for night (creamy and loaded with vitamins and anti-oxidant) and why I put so many cream on my face (hello, its an eye cream, an emulsion, a moisturizer...). But at least he respects that.

All around the world, skin care varies. There are those three step routine that consists of cleanse, tone and moisturize and that eight step routine of cleanse, facial mask, tone, emulsion, serum, spot treatment, eye cream and moisturize. Of course, there are those who make their own routine which is fine as long it perfectly fits your need.

The skin, as you already know, is the largest organ in the body. Even the most expensive little black dress or the best make up in the world cannot replace a really beautiful skin. That skin shows more than your natural beauty, but also reflects how you take care of yourself.

Remember that in skin care it takes more than La Prarie or Lancome to work its magic. It needs your effort, consistency and your dedication. Consider both skin care an art and a science. Know what you put on your skin and the rationale behind it. Never ever get swayed with advertisement. And lastly, love the skin you're in. Enhance and not change.

A Perfect BeautyI have always believed that beauty is more than just mere biological "accident" of nature. Though we cannot deny that appearance plays a vital standard in defining what is beautiful today, adding a a little bit of talent, intelligence and a great personality is absolutely the cherry on the cake.

I never thought a perfect beauty really exist until I actually met three women that took my breath away. They don't look alike, they have different skills and each has their own unique lovable personality. And I've met the three of them.

Last 2006, I was lucky enough to win the title Miss University Philippines and compete for an international beauty pageant, the Mister and Miss University International. That pageant both taught and mold me so much that I felt as if I was a renewed woman after the painful farewell. It was also in that same pageant that I met three women from Mongolia, Korea and Thailand that made me realize that perfection does exist and it exist in unique and gifted individuals.

So, without further ado, may I present to you the beautiful women I was fortunate to meet. Though all of the MMUI candidates are beautiful I would just mention the three that honestly strike me as a perfect beauty.

Meet Miss Thailand or Patta, Miss Mongolia or Ono, Miss Korea or Sunny and of course, me. We'll be giving the spot light to the three women I mentioned. First off, we'll start with the closest to my heart, Miss Mongolia.

She was so beautiful I could barely take my eyes off her. She was one of the most quiet of all the candidates and yet her beauty shouts to all four corners of every places we went to. But her perfectly symmetric face was only a portion of her true beauty.

I once accompanied her to her room in Manila Hotel. I was so surprised how she charmingly shriek when she saw the view. I could really see the sincerity in her eyes when she said to me something like this: The sky and the sea are touching. In Mongolia there is no sea...

I wanted to give my service and help many children...

And it was true. She has been doing service for peace for so long that she has dedicated her life on working to be of service in helping other people... especially the children.

She was without trace of vanity or conceit. She quiet, simple, truthful and beautiful. Her morals and values are so admirable that I truly believe she passed the standard of a Godivian Beauty... and so much more.

Our next perfect beauty is Sunny or Miss Korea.

There will always be that girl that the camera loves (and no, not the other way around). She seems to have the perfect smile, the perfect angle and the perfect beauty. In the pageant, it took a form of Miss Korea. Like her name implies, Sunny, she always, always brighten up the room with her smile.

She always dresses her best. You'll find her in a floral dress, a cute pink top or very elegant attire. She was always eye catching. You can never catch Sunny at her worst. She seems to be always in her very best. Even her perfectly curled hair, or that beautiful accessory that totally compliments her outfit, she seems to be the apple of everyone's eyes.

I remembered Miss Thailand telling me that Miss Mongolia is gorgeous but Miss Korea is very cute! I think she's correct. Sunny is cute in every way. I think she's a doll that has come to life. A Korean beauty without any plastic surgery or the such. She was a natural. But I know that deep inside that easy smile is a lot of consistent maintenance. She didn't only caught my eyes, but also of the judges. She won the title!

The last but definitely not the least is none other than Miss Thailand or Patta, the "funny girl" as she always tells everyone.

She has got to be the most popular candidate in the pageant. She seems to charm everyone with her funny jokes, her unique antiques and her intelligent mind. Yup, she is the brightest of them all. Its really hard how to describe her. Maybe that's the point. Her beauty is indescribable. She's studying to be a doctor in a university, she could speak at least threedifferent languages (I think she could speak more than 3), she joins quiz bees and like a girls scout, she seems to know what to do at the proper time and the proper place.

My friends who watched the pageant said that they really like how her funny nature compliments her Asian beauty. She's very talkative in a good way that made everyone around her feel at ease. She could invent games, funny poses and so much more, that she bagged the award of Miss Friendship... and Miss Formal Wear... and 1st Runner-up. Phew!

But personally, what I admire about Patta is her intelligence. But beyond that I know she's also hard working and really studious. During the pageant she acts as our resident doctor. She bought a lot of medicine and was sincerely and professionally prescribing them to us... her patients. And she is truly inspiring.

This is me during the pageant. No I'm not one of those perfect beauty but I'm glad I met them at least once in my life. I have always believe that beauty is learned, practiced and mastered. I learned a lot from these three women and right now I'm in a middle of practicing it 'till I master... Hopefully.No More Fear

No matter how much we deny the fear of death we cannot deny the fact that we do not want to die yet. Just now, I realized I'm no longer afraid. Well, yesterday I was afraid or maybe an hour before I wrote this blog... But now, I feel that the fear was just suddenly blown away.

My grandfather died this year. But last December 2007 he was already suffering. That was the very first time I felt raw pain deed inside my heart. I didn't know that losing someone you really love, someone who loves you back, the only man in your life that was sincere and pure will be this painful. I've cried and felt pain before... And I recovered. But now, I'm crying and feeling pain and I don't want to recover. I don't want to forget.

The only thing that somehow eases this hurt was the memory of taking care of my grandfather last December. I bet it was one of the happiest experience in his life... and mine too. I'm sorry I can't type what happened because I can't stop crying right now... But we shared good times. And I showered him all my love as a granddaughter and daughter could ever show.

I really thought he was getting well. But unfortunately God took him from me. No, God didn't took him... My grandfather was His in the first place. I'm just really selfish. I just really thought I would graduate, be very rich and give my grandfather his own luxurious kitchen and lots of great grand children to take care of and tour him to different countries where he can sample all the great food some chef will make. He's a chef too you know. And ever since I was a child he already cooks for us. It was always perfect, delicious and presentable.

My grandfather is very happy in Heaven now. There is no more pain, no more sadness and no more hurt. He's with his mother and father and I know... I pray... He's having the most wonderful and memorable time of his life... And he's not regretting anything at all. I've had my shortcoming and maybe I'll keep regretting all my life. But it doesn't matter, I deserve it.

Right now I no longer fear death. Because I know that when I die and leave all my mortal senses here on earth, I'll be with my grandfather. We will talk and be together again and maybe he'll teach me now to cook... Because unfortunately I didn't got his talent nor his beautiful prominent nose... and I love him dearly.

My grandfather is more than just a figure here in my blog. He's alive and a vital part of me. And when I grow old and become a mother, I'll name my first born son after him. Hopefully my future husband won't mind. I know it will make my grandfather really really happy. And so, before I end this blog may I leave a message to my grandfather...

To my dearest grandfather Roberto C. Perez, I love you very very much. Someday we'll be together and be one big family again. I miss you so much. I bet God's very happy because you're cooking really delicious food up there in Heaven. Imma as usual is the same but I know she miss you so much. Mommy's cooking for us and I hope you heard what she whispered to you before. I bet that made you shed tears. My brothers and Noah are getting matured now. Cha Cha is in Guam with Tita Ruby. I guess our family's falling apart now... It makes me really sad. Tita Olen and Tita Sed misses you so much. Thank you for finally visiting Tita Olen in her dreams. That made her really happy. I guess I'll be seeing you soon Tatay. Don't forget to visit me in my dreams. Your grand daughter who loves you truly, Rachel