Cutty

I've started buying Christmas gifts for friends.  I have randomly picked out items for people in my list.  I also made mental notes on what to get for the special persons on my list when my budget comes in.  In the process, I made my own list to give to myself. I've been thinking about getting new pair of sunglasses or enrolling in a short course on Pastry Arts or Bread Making. ... Or a pair of neutral travel flats ... or, maybe, a rotating waffle maker  Yup, nothing too lavish.  No bags this time around.   I know I am too old to be making wish lists.  But, it's done.

Travelling is my escape.  To some people, travel equals shopping.  Some equate it to a lifestyle brag-worthy on social media.  To me, it is a rejuvenating and an eye-opening experience.  It is my food for the soul.   It is my annual retreat. Unfortunately, with our present commitments and responsibilities plus children to consider, it has become difficult to orchestrate an escape. -------------------------- Ever since we entered the second quarter of the year, I've been hinting about going on a trip.   I saw that the coming months were quite demanding so I wanted to meet the demands with a calm and relaxed disposition.  The year is about to end and no trip took place.   Sadly, even our annual year-end trip isn't pushing through this time. Needless to say, I survived.  But, I am ThisCloseToLosingIt. One thing that is keeping me sane is the light at the end of the tunnel.  I am seeing two trips next year.  One to Japan with th...

"What goes around, comes around."  That is the simplest explanation I can think of. But, growing up, I used to think that Karma is only associated to bad things or negative forces.  Apparently, it is a Buddhist concept that refers to one's fate after re-birth.  If you did good things, good Karma and happiness will come to you.  Otherwise, expect bad Karma and suffering. I know, as a Catholic, I shouldn't believe in these things.  However, there are just circumstances that dictate that these are not mere coincidences. ============ Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to help out in a fund-raising activity for a Cancer patient .  It wasn't originally in my calendar.  But, because they needed more people to sing, I said yes.  I was too lazy to go.  It was such a bother to make changes on my busiest day of the week.  I had to cancel lunch with my parents.  We had to take separate cars.  When I first got there, I cou...

Two Saturdays ago, Vic left to accompany his Dad to a European Pilgrimage. I've been a single mom for more than a week now. If I was busy then, I doing double duty now. I was doing okay on the first few days. I figured how to adjust our routine making sure there was little disruption to our current routine.  You see, routines are important if you have young children.  Less disruption means less chaos. All was doing well until my one and only yaya got herself a sprained ankle. I guess we were still lucky that it wasn't fractured.  The swelling hasn't gone down but at least she is more mobile now. Superwoman, that's what I call myself when the going gets tough.  But, I couldn't be one if I didn't have an efficient support system. We've been staying with my parents since my yaya got injured.  My burdern has significantly decreased.  I no longer worry about meals. My mother helps giving baths and naps to Joaquin. They also help entertain the older kids ...

I've heard good reviews about this new place called Books and Borders Cafe so I gave it a try.  My first visit was short but sweet that it required another visit. One thing I liked about the place is the ambiance.  The colorful chairs give a friendly, vibrant, " happy place"  vibe.  It felt like it encouraged people to linger, to read and to talk.   It was cool and comfortable enough. Menu.  The place offers BAD (breakfast all day) with a free serving of coffee.  It is varied enough with it's wide selection of cakes and meals.   Unlike the other book cafe , this menu is quite easy to read.  It was clear enough to know what you should expect from your order.   Unlike the other book cafe, when it says chocolate, it meant chocolate NOT cookies and cream. The menu items are reasonably priced, IMHO. In thise two visits, I tried the salted hot cholate, a caramel bar and bacon and eggs.  They all tasted good. I recommend the salted ...

In Manila, there is a what I call  a Food Fad. There was a time when milk tea was the in thing. Then came the cupcake stand-alone shops. Then, there was the advent of the Japanese food shops. Everyone is flocking to try the best Katsu, the best ramen.... Now, I think is the time of the book cafes, a spin-off from coffee shops in bookstores (think Starbucks in B&N). To me, it is a library where you can enjoy drinks and meals. It is a place where you are actually encouraged to stay and read. It was good that it came when it did. People are not so encouraged to linger in coffee shops anymore. Electric plugs are being removed from coffee shops to discourage staying longer than usual.  We can no longer have decent conversations in coffee shops because it littered with noisy crowds. Have you been to a book cafe recently? You may have heard about Tweedle in Scout Gandia or Books and Borders in Tomas Morato. I've tried both. I will tell you more about Books and Borders in ...

Since almost everyone I know visited Japan this summer, I would like re-live my visit this year through this post.  This time, I will focus on luxury bags. We've heard about the usual reseller shops that house these luxury brands.  The one I can remember now is Daikokuya. I must've visited almost all reseller shops I've seen on the road.  I've noticed that these shops carry the top 3 popular ones:  Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.  There still are several pieces of Balenciaga, Valentino, Tory Burch, Celine, Gucci and Michael Kors but not as abundant as the top 3.  I guess what carries the most value are the three popular ones. If you are looking for cheap designer bags, I suggest checking out Don Quixote.  You will usually find on the topmost floors on Donki.  I think this is the one in Shinjuku. I am not so sure. You find them arranged like this or inside locked glass cabinets.  I'm sure the artisans who made these bags will tu...