Think Positive, Be Positive

In less than 24 hours, we'll begin a new chapter in our lives. Good bye 2011, hello 2012!

If I were to describe 2011 in three words, I'd say "It was challenging!" 2011 had tested my strength, faith, patience, and principles. Looking back, I have had the best and the worst days of my life. It wasn't really a blast and a year of awesomeness, but I learned so many things from my good and bad experiences; I got to discover myself a little bit more. I became more open minded to what is happening around me and I'd like to think that it has given me a chance to "grow up" and be "a big girl". 

I'm grateful that my family, friends, and especially God never left me in times when I needed them most. They all supported me in every way they can and they gave me the strength and courage when I was about to give up. They inspired me to not to dwell in the past and to keep moving forward. 

The Sunset: December 29, 2011

As we prepare for the coming of 2012, always remember that we should be thankful for everything that happened, whether they're good or bad. Count our blessings instead. Also, I just realized that what happened to us this year has helped us to grow up and be a better person.  

Let's all welcome 2012 with a positive attitude, bringing our hopes and dreams along with us. Leave our fears behind as we try to come out of our comfort zones. Let's start doing the things we love and be an inspiration to other people.

Happy New Year everyone! :)  

P.S. Please also drop by Regina Belmonte's post. I love what she wrote. I hope to meet her someday. :)

The Dream Catcher

The other day (December 28), I had the urge to take photos. Since Mr. Sun was up, I grabbed the dream catcher that has been hanging on my bedroom door for five years, borrowed my brother's camera, and took some shots. I love the results! I thank Mr. Sun too for cooperating with me. ;) 

It's hard to choose only one so I decided to post all of them! As I look at the photos, the second and the third ones remind me of the beach. It's probably because of the coconut trees that surround our garden. :p

I love my brother's camera because it makes me feel like a pro. Hahaha! But I also have to keep in mind that I need to buy my own, come next year, so I won't have to borrow from him. No, I don't dream of owning a DSLR because that's beyond my budget. A simple Canon digital camera will do... but if someone would give me a DSLR, I'd totally appreciate it. Hahaha! :)

Greetings from Summer and Tom

How can you not love them? :)

It's a Tumblr Thing

My thoughts exactly...

You light up my world like nobody else

What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

Am I too old for this? It feels like highschool all over again! :)) Kidding aside, I find the lyrics nice and sweet. And I think that every girl wants to hear these words from the guy she likes. ;)

Can't Get Over You

*December 25, 2011*

One word, six letters: H-E-A-V-E-N :)

No words can truly describe how I feel right now...

The Blueberry Cheesecake- December 24, 2011

Oh my goodness! Been drooling over this blueberry cheesecake since it arrived at our house yesterday morning. I love, love, love blueberry cheesecake! But I only get to eat it once in a blue moon. Hence, I'd fight tooth and nail just to have at least a slice of it because it's for free. :)) Haay. Why does it have to be too pricey? Rhetorical question, I know. Hahaha!

Merry Christmas everyone! :)

Lazy Daisy

It's one more day before Christmas! I'm sure everyone is busy preparing for the most special day of the year. I, like you, am busy too--- busy wrapping presents that is! I started wrapping presents yesterday and I haven't finished wrapping the rest today. Oh well. Towards the end of this entry, you'll know why. ;)

This year, I'm on a budget so I didn't buy Christmas wrappers and gift tags. I wanted to be resourceful and creative at the same time. I searched the world wide web to get some ideas. I came across my rolls of black cartolina, then got my recently purchased scented specialty papers and glue. Upon seeing these things, I suddenly had my lightbulb moment. Here's what I did:

From left to right: scented specialty papers, glue, tape, scissors, stapler, black cartolinas, and personalized gift tags

I decided to make paper snowflakes! This was inspired by Teacher Mariel's discovery time activity with her preschool 4 kids. She used this activity for the kids' fine motor skills. Anyway. The next picture shows the steps on how to make a paper snowflake.

1. Cut the paper in any size you want. By the way, make sure that the paper is easy to fold so you won't have a hard time cutting it.

2. Assuming that that's the size of the paper you chose.

3. Fold it in half. (Should be in triangular form)

4. Fold it again in half. Then fold one more. (Re: You will fold the paper thrice)

5. Cut the edges, sides of the paper. It's up to you. Unleash your creativity!

6. Your paper will look like this (similar to this one) when you cut its edges/sides.

"Open" the paper and tadaaaa!!! Snowflake!!!

Yes, I made a lot of paper snowflakes in different sizes!

I wrapped the presents using the black cartolina then glued the paper snowflakes and the personalized gift tag. I put them under our Christmas tree and took a picture of how they turned out:

What do you think? :)

It took me approximately 3-4 hours doing the whole thing. The good news is I was able to wrap more than ten today! However, I still have four remaining unwrapped presents. But right now I'm just too lazy and I wanted to log in on Facebook and Twitter to greet everyone so I'll probably do it again after Christmas. Haha!

Wishing you all a blessed and joyful Christmas! :)

The True Spirit of Christmas

Christmas season is supposed to be the happiest season of the year. In the Philippines, everyone is in festive mood. You can really feel that Christmas is just around the corner because colorful lights and decorations are everywhere. Children (and some people) go caroling from house to house not only to earn money but to bring joy and entertainment to others. People rush to the malls to shop for gifts to give on Christmas day or on different Christmas parties that they have to attend to. And what I like about Christmas is it's the time of the year when our families are complete. Nothing beats celebrating this special day with the  family.

As I type this, I can't help but think about what's happening in Cagayan de Oro right now. Days before Christmas, some people lost all their belongings and their loved ones due to typhoon Sendong. Through the news and social media networking sites, I learned that the death toll has reached 1000 plus and some are still missing. I feel bad for what happened to my fellow Filipinos, specially the children, living in CDO. I wish I can do something more than just pray for them. 

Here are some ways to help our brothers and sisters in need. Please click the following links below:

1. De La Salle Schools and organizations

2. Philippine Red Cross

3. Ateneo De Manila University

4. UNICEF

5. Sagip Kapamilya:

ABS-CBN accepts donations in cash for BDO Account (Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya / Swift Code: BNORPHMM / Peso Account Number: 39301-14199 / Dollar Account Number: 39300-81622) & BPI Account (Account Name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya / Swift Code: BOPIPHMM / Peso Account Number: 3051-1127-75 / Dollar Account Number: 3054-0270-35). You can also volunteer.

You can also extend your help through sending a text message:

Red Cross via Globe:  

Text RED to 2899. You may transfer P5, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500.

Red Cross via Smart:

Text RED to 4143. Valid donation amounts 10, 25, 50, 100

Globe G-Cash: 

Text DONATE(space)AMOUNT(space)MPIN(space)SLB and send to 2882

Our help, whether big or small, can go a long, long way. Quoting my friend, Ekai, "Christmas is not really about receiving, it is about giving back..." Let's spread more love this Christmas and share our blessings to them. :)

It's six days before Christmas

Please don't judge me just because I'm posting not one but two Justin Bieber music videos. Come on! Let's give him a break, it's Christmas season for heaven's sake! And I think Mistletoe and Fa La La La are nice songs. :p

Just a Reminder

Found this from a random someone's Tumblr. How relevant. :)

My Christmas Wishlist

The other day, my colleagues and I made our Christmas wishlist. To be honest, making one has always been a struggle for me because I couldn't think of what I really want to receive on Christmas day. What is undecided. :))

Good thing, I was able to browse the world wide web the night before I made my wishlist. And I'm happy and proud to tell you that the things I wish to have this Christmas are all "needs over wants". ;)

Serie sent me a link of Clonestamp's page on Facebook. There I saw pictures of a lomo camera planner. I find it cute and unique! And guess what? It only costs 350php. Much cheaper than the Starbucks or Belle de Jour planners! I remember telling myself that I have to use a planner next year because I need to organize my life again. HAHA. Kidding aside, I have this bad habit of writing important things on different papers/notebooks and I always end up losing them. :l I want to avoid this bad habit so starting next year, I'm going to use a planner. New life, new beginning, and a more organized me! :D

Camille Co, a Filipina fashion blogger, featured this Roxy x JBL earphones on her blog. Aren't they adorable and fashionable at the same time? And the earphones come with a pouch where you can keep them in to. She's actually giving these away to a lucky reader but I don't feel like joining in. :)) I need new earphones because the ones that I'm using are overused. Kawawa na sila.

Ah, yes. This is an iPod classic case. If you see my iPod case, I'm sure you'll have pity for it. It is the perfect definition of worn out. It looks more pitiful than my earphones! Kaye and I talked about my iPod case's condition last Thursday and she said, "It's about time" (that conversation reminds me of a scene in a soap opera haha). Well, she is right! It's about time to have it replaced so my old one can finally rest in peace.

Every teacher needs a set of colored pens. Do I need to explain further on this? :p

There's one more but I decided not to include it here. I just realized that I have tons of bags in my room already. I wrote satchel bag in my wishlist for the reason that it's a fad and I couldn't think of anything else. Plus I'm running out of time. Hihi.

 

What about you? What's on your Christmas wishlist? :)

Just Because

See what happens when my brother leaves the camera beside my laptop? Not that I'm bored. It's been a while. ;)

Someday...

Lantern Festival, Thailand

... I will have my own Tangled moment here. :) ♥

How do you feel today?

Do you remember my post about Bamboo's break-up some months ago? Well he's back and this time, he's going solo. I was watching ASAP (a variety show in the Philippines that airs every Sunday noon) a while ago where he sang his latest single, Questions, from his debut album, No Water, No Moon. I think it's a nice and a relaxing song to listen to, specially on a weather like this (it has been raining all day). I love the ballad-rock vibe of this song.

"...we're all just waiting for these answers that may never come our way. So we hold on to each other to find what's missing... It'll all get better, all you need is time..."

Welcome back to the music scene, Bamboo! 

There's another song that I added on my player and it's none other than Ako Nalang by Zia Quizon. Some critics say that it was easy for her to enter the entertainment industry because she's the daughter of 2 Filipino icons, Dolphy and Zsa Zsa Padilla, but she proved them wrong. She's making a name for herself, using her talent in singing as she slowly moves away from her parents' shadow.

She reminds me of Up Dharma Down, Norah Jones, and Adele combined all together!

On an unrelated note, these songs describe how I feel right now. Questions keep on coming and I wonder when will I ever get the answers that I've been looking for. Ako nalang sana. Haha! How I wish. :p

From Tom Riddle

Look what I found from someone's Tumblr! I can't imagine Tom Riddle (a.k.a Lord Voldemort) saying these words (well, except for Avada Kedavra). But it's cute, isn't it? Hihi. :p