Rest, Relaxation, Reunion.

I just got word from my friend who's been working in Canada for the past three years or so. She's coming home to the Philippines and would like to hang out with me (and the rest of our group, of course) while she's on vacation.

Ever the massotherapie addict, the first thing my friend asked was if I know any good spas or saunas in our hometown, and if I can have a 'spa-rty' booked for us girls. I wasn't surprised that she gave me this task of hunting for the perfect spa. We both love spas and massage montréal after all, and this used to be one of our favorite bonding activities back in the days.

Thankfully we now need not go far to enjoy a soothing and relaxing massage. I remember how we used to drive all the way to Alabang just for an hour's worth of massage at The Spa. It's a good thing the wellness industry is now booming in our hometown, and spas and saunas have mushroomed over the years.

Now that our sparty cum mini reunion has been booked and the girls have been informed, all that's left is for our 'balikbayan' (overseas worker) to arrive. See you in two weeks, my friend!

Counting down to UFC 158!

I do no blog about the UFC that often (this entry, in fact, would be my first ever), but if you do follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and even Instagram, you'll have an idea how much of a UFC fan I am. And who I'm rooting for this Saturday. (That's Sunday in the Philippines.)

This time it's personal.

Do I even have to say it? I'm all for Georges St. Pierre of course!

Canadian mixed martial artist and current Welterweight Champion (the title which he defended seven times, by the way), GSP is pretty much the one that got me hooked to UFC, mixed martial arts, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Sure, my husband has been into MMA and the UFC even while we were still dating, but back then, I just watched matches in passing. Meaning, I wasn't really interested. It wasn't until GSP's fight against Josh Koscheck in UFC 74 some six years ago that made me pay close attention to the Rush, and the league in general.

Fast forward to this year, UFC 158, where the champion will be defending his title Nick Diaz - a BJJ black belter, former Strikeforce champion, and one of the meanest personalities in UFC today. He talks a lot, talks trash, and oh, did I mention that this is his comeback fight after being suspended for a year for failing a drug test and popping positive to marijuana? I'm not putting Diaz in bad light by saying these things, but it is what it is. Est quod est.

Anyhow, here's the fight card for tomorrow, and my picks on some of the matches.

UFC158 line-up.

Main Bouts (on Pay-Per-View):
-Georges St-Pierre (170) vs. Nick Diaz (169) - GSP forever and ever and ever. Every time Nick Diaz opens his mouth, he spews garbage, and he deserves one hell of a beating. To quote a friend, "I don't mind if a fighter goes into comatose this time. Nick Diaz is an arrogant ****)

-Carlos Condit (169) vs. Johny Hendricks (171) - Hendricks! If not for this long overdue fight against Diaz, GSP would be defending his title against Hendricks - the number one contender at this time.

-Jake Ellenberger (170) vs. Nate Marquardt (171)
-Nick Ring (183) vs. Chris Camozzi (185)

-Mike Ricci (156) vs. Colin Fletcher (155) - Ricci! I was hoping he'd be the victor in his season of The Ultimate Fighter, but he eventually lost to Colton Smith. I'm freaking glad he's in the Montreal fight card, even if he's battling against the scary-looking Freak Show.

Preliminary Bouts (on FX):
-Patrick Cote (169) vs. Bobby Voelker (169)
-Antonio Carvalho (145) vs. Darren Elkins (145)
-Dan Miller (171) vs. Jordan Mein (170)
-John Makdessi (155) vs. Daron Cruickshank (155)

Preliminary Bouts (on Facebook):
-Rick Story (169) vs. Quinn Mulhern (168)
-T.J. Dillashaw (135) vs. Issei Tamura (135)
-George Roop (135) vs. Reuben Duran (135)

UFC President Dana White had to come in between at the weigh-in.

I'm super, super excited for tomorrow! I plan on finishing all my house chores today so I have nothing but GSP to focus on tomorrow. Expect me to be talking mostly about the UFC and GSP on my social media pages from today onwards. At least until UFC 158 is over. :)

The madness known as Moving Day.

We know about Black Friday, Boxing Day, Cyber Monday... But have you ever heard of Moving Day? Yes, there is such a thing. It's a tradition in the province of Quebec, Canada, and it falls on the same day as Canada Day, which is July 1. So while most Canadians sit back, relax, and commemorate Canada Day, the people of Quebec sweat, grunt, and tire themselves out from all that moving.

A tradition that dates back to the French colonial era, Moving Day is that time of the year when tenants who wish to vacate their current premises move out and settle into new domiciles. It's also the day moving company Montreal look forward to, and dread at the same time.

The madness that is Moving Day.

Movers Montreal are the busiest during this period of time, with the movers hustling, bustling, and working round the clock. With so many families moving out of their houses simultaneously, moving companies often run shorthanded, hence they tend to charge double, sometimes even triple their usual rates.

As of 2002, only 36% of the people in Montreal own their home. The rest are tenants, and are most likely to partake in the annual moving madness. Unless they now have houses of their own, that is.