the red-haired doll

yesterday, we have sent off daughter to her first field trip.  this wasn't really her first time, but it was her first time to go without us as her chaperone.

my daughter though she's already seven is still a baby.  she still has to figure out how to zip her skirt, tie her shoe lace and a lot of other stuff.  admittedly we're a bit behind in setting her leash loose.  so i have been anxious for days now knowing that she will be out the whole day on her own.  she will need to clean up after herself, find her way through her bag of food, towels, wipes, shirt, juice and must manage to find everything she needs without any help.  i was most worried about her wee-wee breaks.  public toilets scare me and i was scared for her.  so last night i talked her through our public toilet routine.  wipe the seat clean... lay over sheets of toilet paper on the seat... etc. i must have said the word yucky so many times that moment just to prove my point.  then there's the issue about pocket money.  my child doesn't handle money.  it would have been easy if we don't give her money at all.  but we gave her money anyway just in case she finds something she likes.  it would be heartbreaking to find out she was the only child in class not holding a lollipop which everybody bought in the kiosk.

as i picked her up from school after her trip, i was expecting to see her hair messed up, shoes and shirt dirty.  i was ready to hear sob stories from my little girl on how she found it hard to eat in the bus without a table, or how she tried so hard looking for her spoon and fork in her bag but couldn't find it, how she got lost in the museum and somehow found her way back.  i was ready to give her my hugs for that.

but when i saw her in her classroom waiting, she was still beaming.  hair was slightly messy but she's ok.  i asked her how her day was.  she said she lost her wallet.  oh dear, here we go... i noticed she was holding a teddy bear.  she said she bought it from the doll factory.  she also told me that one of her classmates had given her money so she can buy it. i quickly told her she must not borrow money again and that we would return the money her classmate gave her. then she told me she has a surprise for me.  from her small bag, she excitedly brought out a small doll with red hair.  she said she bought it for me because she knew that i would love it.  and i do!  how can i not love it?  i fought back a tear or two thanking her and told her it was very thoughtful.

can a baby do that? can a baby think of getting her mommy a present?  certainly not.  alas, certainly, our little 7 year old is no longer a baby.  she may still have her childish ways most days but she does things that surprise me. just like this red haired doll from the factory.  that doll could still be sitting quietly in that factory shop had my little girl not thought of buying it for me.  my little big girl gave her a home. a home where a baby is starting to outgrow her baby ways and whose mom and a dad just realized that.

freebies - holidays gift tags set

i have been spending a lot of quality time with mac, ai and ps. and we have been having great times together.

am eager to share with you some of the work that i have done with them.

for starters, here's a set of christmas tags set which i have painstakingly put together after going through tons of tutorials and screencasts.

please feel free to download. 

they are yours for free!


hope you enjoy them!

1:25:20

pitter. patter. pitter. patter. pant. pant. splish. splash. pitter. patter.

past the 2km mark, it seemed i have already covered 4km.  that wasn't a good sign.  inside my mind, i was asking what form and what mindset would i be in by the time i reach 5km?  then thoughts kept playing... if i go on this way, how could i go past 6km... it's still far from the finish... oh dear... could i make it to 10km? maybe i won't.  i was panicking so early in the race and it worried me but the rain showering us that night did me well.  it somehow helped me calm me.

pitter. patter. pitter. patter. pant. pant. splish. splash. pitter. patter

puddles and potholes were added obstacles to conquer.  in the darker areas of the route, floodlights were set up to help the runners navigate. i am sensitive to the glare and this proved to be another challenge for me. i was squinting, head bowed down to avoid the glare, careful not to bump into a runner in front of me and careful not to trip on one of the many potholes on my way.  i was running almost breathless and my muscles were tired and i couldn't be in a more uncomfortable situation at that point. but i came there with a purpose.  i have to finish the race. and by all means, i don't want to finish last.  so i moved on and pushed through. immediately my mind took over!  must run. must run!

pitter. patter. pant. pant. pant. splish. splash. pant. pant.

i have pushed through the pain. run. push. there still was breathlessness. push. run. i also pushed through numbing soles.  i kept thinking everyone running that night is feeling pain just like me.  i am pretty sure that the best runners do feel pain too.  the difference lies in how well each of us push through.

and just like that,

pant. pant. pant. pant. pant. pant. whoa!

1:25:20

under a starless rainy night, this was how long it took me to finish my very first 10km run.  

i've finally done it!  that's a checkmark for one of the items in my wish list this year.

it was still drizzling when we finished.  and i thank the rain for cooling my nerves.  i also have my running buddy hubby to thank. as always, he helped me go on.  he did not run his pace that night to be with me in my maiden 10.  and i am so glad he was there otherwise, i would have quit at the halfway mark.

and by the way, hubby and i did not finish last :)

pat. pat. pat... on the back

cheers, everyone!

of soles and heels

just over a year ago, my shoe closet was a busy one.  each pair of heels gets their own dose of sunshine as i strut my way to the office five times a week.  i hardly wear flats.  i only own two or so but i've always thought flat shoes make me look tad wider.  i prefer high heels.  i walk better with them.  they may not be the most comfortable especially when you are up on your feet for more than 2 hours during lectures or presentations.  but comfort takes a backseat as far as looking good is concerned. the prettier the shoes, more likely it hurts.  who's complaining? 

but shoes can make or break an outfit.  i wore jeans to work every single day.  but my high heels have always saved me from looking too casual.  no, i don't wear the outrageously expensive kind.  i don't own any louboutin nor any jimmy choo.  but i would be the first one to dive into sale racks, if there ever is one for these brands.  if there is one kind of splurging i have not done, its on shoes.i guess i just refuse to pay so much money to punish my feet.  with shoes, i am the mid-range type of girl. while i don't pay big bucks, i do not sacrifice craftsmanship. they're shoes! they should look fab and expensive! 

but now that i have given up my corporate hat, my high heels have been in the dark.  just like puff the magic dragon, they now rest quietly inside their boxes, untouched except during dusting time. will i be wearing them again soon?  i guess my pumps would be way too dressy for picking up my girls from school.  doing groceries with my stilettos is certainly out of the question.  and most certainly, i would rather be barefoot running than run for miles wearing my wedges.

my heels have done me good.  while they would not be part of my daily fare anymore but they have turned into special glam treats for my feet.  

my daily grind calls for a different kind of shoes.  the kind that does not scream. the kind that's kind to the soles. the kind i can safely drive with.

there are shoes for each one of us.  whether we need it climb corporate ladders or real ones... run errands or run miles for a marathon... eat caviar or catch fish so people can enjoy eating caviar... watch ballet or dance it...  

we all wear different kinds.  

they help keep us grounded, keep our balance, guard our feet and uplift our spirits.

so, what kind of shoes are you wearing today?

happiness

it isn't hard to find happiness.

its all over us. 

like falling leaves on a windy day, it hovers around looking for somebody to notice as it gracefully twirls around and dances to the sound of the wind.  

sadly though, most of us would bow our heads, careful not to get dust in our eyes and made-up faces.

we miss the moment.

what seemed to be an angry wind can be a dance recital for fallen heroes willing to give up their space to make way for new ones.  

its a sad and happy story.  however you want to view it is up to you.

the point is, there is happiness everywhere.  

and you can be happy, if you choose to.

artwork by the reluctant blogger

sun shines

the sun is shining on this side of the web.  

my favorite designer of Fancy Girl Designs is giving me a free blog makeover!  

thanks for being my sunshine today, Pat.

meanwhile, this reluctant blogger is saying

good morning

artwork by the reluctant blogger

thank God, the sun shines again this day and it makes me feel good.

i am sure sunshine does the same for everyone. 

sunshine is our beacon for hope that the rest of the day will breeze by with us smiling all the way.

God gave us sunshine to keep us hoping.

wouldn't it be nice if we can give that back to someone?

be someone's sunshine today.

who needs a makeover?

emmakisstina

this blog does!

my favorite web designer Pat of Fancy Girl Designs is sponsoring a blog makeover giveaway.  a few days ago, i already knew she was doing it and the minute I have read her post launching the contest, i immediately worked on the mechanics and quickly submitted my entry. huh!  mine was the first post hahaha... winners will be drawn at random so rushing my entry doesn't really count.

if you check out her work, you wouldn't blame me for being such an eager beaver.  check out her portfolio which includes work for my sites scentsibilities and etc schoppe.  she has an amazing eye for beauty and detail and she is pleasantly easy to work with.  i follow her blog as it gives me a dose of inspiration everyday.  she does more than just web design.  she paints too! i actually have her site bookmarked on my toolbar.  

if you wish to know more about her work, i suggest you visit her main site.  believe me when i say that doing such would make you want to own a site or two sporting a Fancy Girl design.

 

getting by...

artwork and illustration by this blogger

so, 

you wish to wear plain tees and jeans to the parent-teacher conference tomorrow, 

when you know that all the other parents will be neat and dapper?

(ok, just... wear it with a chunky necklace and killer heels)

you want to eat spaghetti for breakfast?

(ok, just... skip the mid-morning snack)

you want to let the kids play with the computer today, a school day?

(ok, but... just today kids, ok? 30 minutes)

you want to finish a whole bag of chips and drown it with a can of pepsi?

(ok, just... don't let it happen again in the next two weeks)

will it make you smile today?

go ahead, indulge.  just don't hurt anyone, ok?

remembering Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

weekend run fun

it's another weekend coming in really soon. 

i am gonna run around in circles (literally that is, laps around a tree-lined oval), again

... and i am excited!

it's going to be painful for me muscles :), tiring for me heart :)

illustration by michelemaule

but what i love most about our weekend run is the tummy treat after

... care for some fish balls (i like 'em crispy) and siomai for breakfast?

how about a greasy plate of tapsilog best drowned in vinegar?

nomnomnom :)

here comes the sun

and i say 'it's all right'

wildlovephotography.com

it's a rainy tuesday

rain brings melancholy

light taps on the roof and window pane always rhythmic as one's heartbeat.

the harder it rains the faster our hearts beat.

and as the ground soaks, so do our minds with thoughts varied as the pattern raindrops make on the paveway.

I don't know about you, but I get lonely when it rains but its the kind of lonely I don't mind feeling.  when it rains, I stay calm submissive to my inner self.

rain gives me space to isolate parts of me from everything else good or bad.  its this brief moment of solitude my mind elects to do every time it rains that allows me to see me.

photo from time.com - j.galeano

come away with me

sometimes there are days when you just want to get away 

... and it puzzles us when sometimes it happens for no reason at all.

but guess what, there is a difference between 

wanting to get away and wanting to get somewhere else...

why do you want to go away?  

whatever the reason is, just enjoy the ride!

artwork by tim sebright

a weekend for fathers

layout by this blogger

this weekend is going to be another special weekend for everyone.  aside from being a long weekend (no school on Monday! yipee!), the whole world will be celebrating Fathers' Day.

i know most of us already have plans for the weekend.  i am sure the line leading to the tollway of Sta. Rosa is going to stretch up to Mamplasan, thanks to the hordes of urbanites who wish to escape the Metro Manila heat and drive up to Tagaytay.  well, actually its not really cold up there either at this time of the year but hey, any drop in celsius will do.  the weather here has been super hot!

then we have the other side of town - up north!  now what do we have up there?  Baguio.  the summer capital of the Philippines.  it's been a couple of years since i have been there and i have certainly noticed a lot of change since my last ad congress.  if the weather disappoints you, there is now a mall you can go to.  call centers and even Koreans found their way up there and has settled in too. everything you see is oddly familiar that you have to get out of the city to realize that you are indeed in a different place.  but the thrill of going up to Baguio remains.  so i bet it will remain in our list of getaways for a long run.  there are other alternatives, La Union, Baler, Pangasinan, Pagudpod... and the list goes on.

but while these destinations are beckoning, i believe that there will still be some of us who wish to keep things slow this weekend.  the bed would seem like a better getaway than most places.  so they would rather stay this special weekend quietly at home spending quality time with family.  if I do not come up with a weekend plan before bedtime, that is what our family might be doing this week.  and its actually not a bad thing to do.  

to each his own...whether you opt to go out or stay at home, please do not forget to kiss your Dad and your husband.  give them a warm hug and just thank them for being who they are. make him coffee, give him his morning paper, let him hold the remote, drive this time (only if you are licensed, please), give him the best cut of meat on the platter.  it is their special time this weekend.  let us treat them like royalty.  

Happy Fathers' Day!

the little girl in a little red dress

a little girl got lost in the woods after getting some sunshine for her and her bright yellow canary. the woods seem scary for a little girl but our little heroine is brave. she is in deep thought now, careful not to be careless as she was moments ago just before they ended up in the deep woods.

just like most of us who find ourselves in dire situations, we feel the need to stop on our tracks, not to give up but to think what lies ahead and look forward to something better, something sweeter... for this little girl, a warm choco fudge brownie and a glass of milk is enough to keep her going.

i've handrawn this little girl on a regular pad paper using pencil crayons. colors were digitally enhanced.

shhh...

just when everything around you is in constant chaos, this is probably the best place you can send yourself to

surviving another race

image by daniel mackie

yesterday, i woke up two hours earlier than usual.  this was because i was registered to run for Earth Day.

i am a novice when it comes to running.  i only run on weekends.  and when i have learned that i was running 5k just a day earlier, anxiety came in.  i did not have the luxury of time to psyche myself up for the race, just as i have in the previous races.  

so as i woke up on race day, i've prayed for strength both physical and mental.  i knew that if i was to run the usual way i run on weekends, finishing that 5k won't be easy.  during my regular weekend rounds at my favorite campus oval, i do not usually make 5k.  uh..oh...

 doing 5k i knew will require from me a little bit more of everything

a little bit more pain, 

a little bit more breathlessness, 

a little bit more lightheadedness, 

a little bit more sweat, 

a little bit more stretch, 

a little bit more songs in my head... 

but i finished the race! (46 minutes or so...)

Jacqueline Gareau has put it in words perfectly:

"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.” 

half way through the course my legs were screaming... breath running out... 

my heart was racing so fast i was sure, it went ahead of me and was already in the finish line. 

really, it was the will to finish that saved me.  and really, the reason why the will was stronger was because i ran with hubby on my side. he was so sweet to agree not to run 10k so I could have a running buddy.  

i like it when we run together.  it allows me to push myself harder for reasons like... i feel guilty not making him run his normal pace (i run way too slow than he normally does), so have to run run run (and it's embarrassing to make him walk half the time)... it also comforts me to know that just in case i lose it while running, somebody will be there to catch my fall :)

thank you hubby for running with me.

i am looking forward to another one... a 10k perhaps... we'll see

Facebook TV Ad

Greenpeace Facebook TV Ad calls FB friends to unfriend coal.

It's Amazing!

image by:  works of heart

My favorite webdesigner Pat uploaded a number of digital posters today and this one struck a chord.

With most of us preoccupied with allsorts, most of the time we get up in the morning like machines.  We're very mechanical. Already our minds making a mental map of what needs to be done during the day.  If we're lucky enough not to forget each one as the day progresses, we get back to bed at night saying, "i've survived"

Do we ask ourselves how? How do you feel at the end of the day? Most would probably say ‘I’m happy because I finished my work.’ But how many of us will go ahead and say “I’m happy I’ve survived the day and I was amazing!”

Doesn't the latter feel more fulfilling?  Since there is an added element of human state, it's a couple of steps above machine-like achievements.  When we say 'I survived the day!' Sure, we can picture a jubilant person probably with outstretched hands, all sweaty and catching her breath.  

Then picture somebody who says 'I survived the day and I was amazing!' and we could likewise imagine a jubilant person with outstretched hands, but unlike the other person, this one has blushing cheeks and radiant from the inside.

And really, it doesn't take much to be radiant at day's end.  It's all about the mindset.  

The next time we wake up in the morning and our mind gets flooded with chores, let's add one more thing to the list:

Be amazing.

Cheers everyone!

Positive Steps

image by miss capricho

Buongiorno!


now, these European daydreams have been leading me to a lot of good lately.

First, i am inspired to do better in my enterprise - gotta make more money! more money means I am closer to my first European adventure - no extra money means i stay home while hubby takes off on a lonely flight to Sicily.

Second, it got me reading.  It has been a habit of mine to read about the places I wish to go to.  Its a good way to assess if the trip is worth making.  Admittedly, my knowledge about Europe is limited to postcard images.  And going through the tons of materials on the web about these places has added several dimensions to the current knowledge base I have.  I have never enjoyed reading museum articles as much as I did in the past few days.  Maybe because there is an additional element of anticipation that I might be able to get closer to these places and artworks and see them with my own eyes.

As of this writing, I am still not sure if I will make the trip to Italy and get the chance to see Tuscany, The Vatican, David and Venus, among others.  But if I make it or not, I've done nothing but gain out of it.  I have positively pushed myself to work harder.  Additionally I have earned extra pounds of knowledge about the richness of Europe and its art and culture.

Meanwhile this daydream still remains forse 

European Daydreams

image by stylishgoose.com

A few weeks ago, hubby excitedly mentioned a trip he will be having several months from now.  He made me guess where, I immediately said

"New York!" ...... nah!

"India?" ..... nah!

"UK?"  ..... nope.

"Australia,  New Zealand,  Japan???"  ..... no, no, no.

He said he has a scheduled trip to..... tada.... Sicily!!!

What?!!  What a lucky man.  Lucky because he gets to see a bit of Europe for free.

Next question is... do I get to go?  what clothes should I bring?

hmmm.... I can only daydream for now :)

photo credit:  Barry Zaid

the entrepreneur in me

Despite being a self-claimed anti-social, I have managed to exercise my artistic and enterprising skills without having to deal with customers face to face.  Since I left work several months ago, I have established 3 storefronts online showcasing my crafting skills and my newly explored entrepreneurial potentials.  

image from getty

i love lavender and I sew them into most of the products I handcraft.  

Please check out my store:

scentsibilities in multiply

i have also joined the artistic community in etsy.  sales on this site comes secondary to the company of artisans i keep on this online community.

scentsibilities in etsy

i also resell stuff from overseas and bring it closer to home for my kababayans.  Follow these next two links to check out my commercial sites:

etcshoppe by scentsibilities in multiply

scentsibilities in shopinas

Please do not hesitate to leave some love on your visit.  

Cheers!

Hello Tuesday!

Hi everyone, happy Tuesday morning!

What plans have you got for today?

Tuesday is really not the most popular day of the week. 

There's not a lot to remember it by. Reasons like, it's not a weekend, It's not the first day of the week nor is it the last, its not even the middle. It's a working day..., a school day..., for some, it's a day when they could not drive to Makati because of MMDA's coding scheme. For most it's just Tuesday.

 But really if you think about it, some people can get a lot done on Tuesdays.

Monday is usually crazy (and lazy)... it is when you would normally organize the week ahead. Normally, it's when people wrap up unfinished tasks of the previous Friday and it's the day people would list down (mental or literal) their to-do's for the week. So by the time it's Tuesday, people are supposed to be more relaxed and proceed with their day with a bit of direction.

Our Tuesdays are supposed to be made clean for us by our Mondays. So technically, we can get a lot of things done!

Now let's see... What have i got to do today?

) Go to the bank.
) Run errands for a family reunion on Sunday. I need to have these items done but actually i have these tasks spread over the whole week. This includes

• designing the shirt, banners, photowall
• gathering props for the photowall 
• putting together a video 
• draw up a program 
• go to the printer

) Check my online stores and see how many pageviews i have :). Go through the products and see what else I can add.
) Check my emails and respond accordingly.
) Check the kid's homework.
) Playtime with kids.
) Sleep.
) I normally do my crafting in between these tasks.

Is that busy enough? This is how my Tuesday looks like (today). How about yours?

Ways to go green (part 1)

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." - Jane Goodall


Ever heard of carbon footprint and how crucial it is to have one's footprint lowered to save Mother Earth from further destruction?  It's good to know that there are several industrial entities doing such.  But here are some tips on how to reduce our own carbon footprints and take lighter steps on earth.


Keeping our homes clean is a noble idea, but a lot of cleaning agents actually contain materials (toxic-corrosive) that can do more harm than good in the longer run. 


From the Greenpeace website, here are some green ways to clean our homes.


Let's start with the drains.  It would be best to follow two simple rules.  NEVER pour grease down a drain and always use a drain sieve to keep food scraps from being washed down.   In our household,  we periodically pour boiling water down the drain as we wake up in the morning when the drain  pipes are most dry.  And then I have learned that it is best to add baking soda and salt for best results.  (mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt - pour over the drain, then follow with a pot of boiling water).  Done once a week, this should keep the drain open and odor free.


For clogged drains, once again, Baking Soda helps.  Pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup (125 ml) vinegar.  Close the drain until the fizzing stops and flush with boiling water. 

And for hair that comes off while showering, don't let it wash down the drain.  Just leave it over the drain, and throw it afterwards. 

For bathroom cleaning, use a firm bristled brush with either baking soda or a mild all-purpose cleaner and baking soda. Rinse with hot water.

For hard-water areas use vinegar or lemon juice to dissolve the mineral build-up. For really tough jobs, saturate a rag and lay it on the problem spot for a few hours before rinsing.

For mold and mildew, rub tiles and grout with a cloth which has been moistened with vinegar and scrub with an old toothbrush. 

These simple alternative cleaning solutions are just some of the baby steps we can take to treading our Earth with lighter feet.  

Reducing carbon footprint is not as technical as it seems.  Every individual's collaborative effort can offer results of great proportions.  

   

Making a list for 2011

Happy New Year everyone.  I hope everybody had a grand time during the holidays.

Well, most of us has gone back to work and school fresh and recharged!   Have you drafted your resolutions for 2011?  I haven't.  Not because I do not have bad habits to break and goals to make.  I have 'em too just like you.  I just don't conceptualize it as a New Year's resolution.  To me, everything we need to do to improve our lives need not wait for New Year.  It has to be within us everyday of the year.  So, if we feel that we have been procrastinating a task sometime June, we have got to do something about it by June! not January, not December.

But then, having said that, I wish everybody's New Year's resolutions be favorably resolved!  Have a blissful year ahead!

psyching myself for another run

Last night, my husband told me that he signed me up for another 5k run.  I thought it was sweet of him.  Then I asked "when's the run?"  "on Sunday", he said with a smile.  Now here is what went on inside my head.

"whaaaa!!!!  Sunday is a few days from now!  I need to train!  It's been months since I last ran 5k!  Last Saturday, I did some running but that was not close to 5k!  I am not ready! what if I don't break my PR?! what if i don't finish it?! what if i walk half the time?! - that would be one hell of a blow for my ego.  No way will i walk half the time!  well, I can use a little breather... but only for a few seconds... great! I hope they have water stations!... what will I wear?... i just got a haircut, now I need hairpins!"


these thoughts run wild inside my head while I silently start panting. "huff... huff.. huff.." I am way too proud to admit my panic. Oh dear...

Now, here's the plan:

-  I only have Saturday to practice.  I will try to do two laps around the oval, I know too well that I should not get too tired if I were to run a race the following day
-  I will not think about breaking my PR, that's way too much competitive thinking.
-  I will run for myself.  I will not try to think about outrunning the person in front of me.  I will run at my own pace and enjoy the wind on my face
-  I have to find my i-pod! I enjoy running with music, I last longer when I have them on.  where is my i-pod? guess, its time to clean my closet :)
-  buy pocari sweat!  and gatorade for my husband.
-  I will read the Runner's World magazine lying around the house just to see if I can get any last minute tips for an anxious runner like I am... now, where did i see that magazine? hmmm
-  and last but not the least...  I will remember how it always feels to cross the finish line  whew!

Meanwhile, I am looking forward to Rodic's tapsilog after the practice run on Saturday.

Cheers!!!

John Gerzema: 2011: The Year Of The Artisan

John Gerzema: 2011: The Year Of The Artisan

go handmade!