Adorable Little Storyteller

I remember when I was small, I'd listen over and over to a record by the Boston Pops. I love them.

Here's my favorite version of Sleigh Ride by the Boston Pops, to get us kickstarted into Christmas.



You have to watch it. You'll love the guy playing the slapstick or clapboard, or whatever that thing is. :)

Happy weekend! God is good!

Boo Nestle

Our household has been Nestle-free for more than 5 years now.

Read here to find out why Nestle should be boycotted.

When I was still working in UNICEF, we were going around some health centers and a community health worker remarked that some parents in poor communities are deluded into thinking that by giving their babies infant formula instead of breast milk, they are giving them better nutrition. Many of them go into debt just to buy the very expensive infant formula, when the best nutrition for their babies (breast milk) is actually free.

So when you buy your Halloween trick or treat goodies this year, do consider what the Boo Nestle blog has to say.

Inspiration

This made me smile today.

Isn't she just so lovely and happy? :D I love rolled up pants.

It's a rainy day here today and everything feels so fresh and clean.

Happy Friday everyone! xoxo

Photo from thesartorialist.

Happiness Is...

an onion and tomato omelette. With some dried danggit (dried salted fish) and warm brown rice.

Lately I've been making my meals. Our helper can't seem to get the proper taste so I've been cooking more. Good therapy and yummy eats!

I'm thankful for these little simple pleasures.

A Timely Word

Proverbs 15:23 - "A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!"

I've been having trouble writing a proper post. So many things to say, a lot of sadness at times and I just can't get to write about it. Sadness mainly because a good friend told me I was fat. Haha.

Last night I got this text from a client:

"Sorry for late text, just pleased to say the dress and top fit me really well! Thanks! :)"

It was timely and such a blessing.

The part about work that I am most challenged with is following up payments. Oh how I hate it and wish so dearly that someone could do it for me. And lately the unpaid accounts have been piling up and I am struggling with follow-up. And I have to do it or else what is the point of this business, right?

Well, I have to really brace myself and be diligent in getting paid. But last night, getting that text from a client, it just really encouraged me so much.

Payments fill the cash box and allow me to pay the staff and fuel the business. Compliments for a job well done fill the heart and inspire one to keep at it.

Why I Want To Be A Mom (Reason #1)

So I can make this cool Halloween craft to entertain my daughter/son:

Martha Stewart Craft Of The Day here.

Relax

If Scout could talk, she'd tell me that all the time. :) Stop worrying and relax. :)

I spend a lot of time on the road. Not the whistling, road trip kind though. Just the sometimes mind-numbing slow crawl of traffic kind.

Sometimes the traffic is so bad I get to take pictures. It entertains me a whole lot and I also feel I would someday love to look back at these road pictures and remark how things have changed since then.

This and the photo above is the Cubao underpass and the underbelly of the MRT.  Taken one gray September weekday.

Lazy Monday

 

It's not Friday Back To The 80s but this song seemed like a refreshing treat on this warm day.

I am sooo lazy today. Didn't sleep well last night, that's why.

Trying to wake up with Starbucks Via Italian Roast. Tastes like it's brewed.

I'm off to acupuncture in a bit. And hopefully yoga tonight. It's going to be PAINFUL, after being away for such a loooong time.

Other than this sticky laziness, I am happy today. 

Here's wishing you a great week!!!

Prada Spring 2011 RTW

Drool.

Photo from thesartorialist.

"Twenty years from now you will be more
disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade
winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."-- Mark Twain 

Congratulations, Marysol!!! :) May the next few days, months, years be pee-in-your-pants exciting!

Inspiration

Today I find inspiration in this:

Look closely. Do you see the line scribbling on the pavement?

Here's what the scribbling is about.

How was your week? Mine was intense and hectic. With many pockets of joy. I am in awe of God's infinite goodness.

Trying to catch my breath now and praying I won't get sick. I am soooo glad it's the weekend.

Have a great weekend!


Photo by Michael Nagle for The New York Times

 

God paints beautifully. Everyday.

Photo taken last Saturday in our compound. 

Sweet Day

 The leche flan review came out today!!! Check it out here!

And just now, this:

Rafael Nadal's first US Open win!!! After numerous frustrations due to injuries, he finally has completed the grand slam wins!!!

Someday when we are blessed with a daughter or a son, we will name her or him after this passionate athlete! Haha.

What a great day!

Photo from here.

P.S. What a great challenge from Novak Djokovic. Thank you!

P.P.S. Thank you, H, for telling us about the flan at Segundo Piso! What a discovery!

NY Fashion Week

Wow I just love this photo! I love both outfits but I am most especially smitten with the girl on the left.

My question is, how does one walk long distances in those shoes, especially the stilettos?! Although a long time ago someone sold me at a real bargain a DKNY pair that she bought on sale in the US and those were REALLY comfortable and light. I could walk to the manang selling packed lunch at the corner of our office street and my only problem was getting the heel stuck in those grilled steel ramps. Haha.

Photo from here.

Happiness Is...

... the smell of freshly sharpened pencils.

 Have a great week, everyone! xoxo

I Will Be Better

I WILL BE BETTER
There are women that become mothers without effort, without thought, without patience or loss and though they are good mothers and love their children, I know that I will be better. I will be better not because of genetics, or money or that I have read more books but because I have struggled and toiled for this child.
I have longed and waited. I have cried and prayed. I have endured and planned over and over again. Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams. I will notice everything about my child. I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover. I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life. I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream.
My dream will be crying for me.
I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see. Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love. I will be a better mother for all that I have endured.
I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain. I know disillusionment as my own body has betrayed me. I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall. I have prevailed. I have succeeded. I have won.
So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs. I listen. And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard.
I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.
I have learned to appreciate life.
And yes I will be a wonderful mother.
-UNKNOWN

Friday Back To The 80s

No One Is To Blame -- Howard Jones

Love this song, among other lovelorn 80s songs. Heard this on the radio tonight on my way home and thought of young love. High school love is the worst I think. Oh such drama. Oh such pain.

I'm glad the 80s (and all the love drama) are long past. I'm glad I've found a boy to love and who loves me back. :)

Happy Friday everyone! And happy long weekend to us here in the Philippines!