Day 2: Smile

Got my right brain working fast for day 2, because its always easy to catch a happy moment.

Would there be anything best than capturing the smile of a child?

My husband and I couldn't get enough of this sweet-cheeky baby!

Isn't she so charming?  She got bottomless versions of that, and I could post tons!  I'd do that in a separate blog debuting her! We're very happy that while waiting for our own little one, this lovely little earthling gives us a joyful company.   

This little bug is fondly called Mumai. And her real name is Emma Paige.
She is the bunso of our good friends, Allan & Lindsay Vergara.

Her smile captivates mushy people like me!  Wouldn't you just want to hug and cuddle this kind of sugar bug?!! 

Day 2 photo challenge from sweet cheeky little Mumai. Check.

Day 1 Photo Challenge: Food (Crave..not Fave)

Since I've been having dreams of Jollibee the past days, I decided to put my hallucinations to an end.

This I did by making pinoy style spaghetti.  The sweetest-ala-jollibee!

The closest I can be to the taste of it.

Here it is...



Not my fave, but my top crave!

Day 1 photo challenge straight from the stove.   Check.

Using my Right Side of the Brain for 30 days

Sharing pictures has gained worldwide dominion over most of Facebook pages, and to most of us these snapshots are somehow the fastest way of sharing experiences - beyond words and illustration. We take pictures of almost anything to share with family and friends. To us Filipinos, picture taking has evolved from merely documenting special occasions or "Kodakan", to a more informal day-to-day "Pichur...Pichur!" :)  And now, picture taking has taken over our daily runabout with the convenience of our smart phones and digicams... taking pictures are now easy as counting from 1 to 3!
 
But have you ever wondered why pictures somehow always appeal more than any other information exchange?  Well, according to some studies, looking at pictures pushes someone to think beyond what they see. It is called Picture Thinking, some books coined it as visual-spatial thinking or learning.  When we look at pictures, the processing of the images passes through our right side of the brain, which is the part that is emotional and creative. That is also why creative people are called "right brainers". These are the people who are intuitive, expressive, emotional, music lovers and are fund of colors. (Left brainers on the other hand are those very good in linguistics, analysis, numbers & reasoning). Personal note to self: I wonder where I fall? Parang wala. Hahaha! In psych, this theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain functions. Where one part of the brain dominantly controls some specific function/s over the other.

 Brain in Colors
(grabbed from tumblr)

And since I have been in a profession where 'creative AHAs' are mostly restrained and where creative writing were limited to developing company guidelines and preparing employee infraction memos, I'd like to wiggle my brain a bit and challenge myself to do the visual kind of creatives.

For 30 days, I'll try to defy the use of my right brain to post as a blog entry. (Or an excuse to do blogging rather easier?) I'll try to organize info and be creative through pictures simultaneously and candidly! :)

I am challenging myself to this 'one-word' photo challenge instruction.

Hmm, it seems really brain stimulating!

Image grabbed from Pinterest

Am not a pro though, so my pictures wouldn't be 'Photography-mala-SLR' ang dating. :) Images taken really just for the fun of it at malaman if I have even a-little-itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie creativity in my brain! Hala, parang wala! Hahaha! 

 Ahmhexcited!! Hope you and I will have fun picture thinking!

To follow will be my posting for Day 1.

Ok, Grace ..... Right Brain, Stare!!!  (i love care bears!)

Mr. Dreamboy

The cliche turned out to be bitterly true. 

You'll never get to know somebody's worth until you've lost them.  

He was just there each day, I pass by him every single day. 

I remember the many times his eyes searched mine while he waved his hands and invited me for lunch, patiently waiting each day at that same spot.

And yet, I just deliberately ignored him. 

Now I miss him terribly!

I miss you JOLLIBEEEE! My Mister Dream boy!

I can't get over this longinggggg!!

Here's how close I can be with him, at papatulan ko na.

..Sa chicken joy manok at yum burger bilog..

I love you Sabado TV commercial

One day, we'll see each other again, and I promise you my sweetest bubuyog,

hindi na kita iisnabin!

Panlasang Pilipino, At home sa Jollibee!

Love by my Dad

Love is a Verb
by my Dad

For the times you held my tiny hands for support.... I love you Daddy.

For all the times your hands fixed my broken toy.... I love you Daddy.

For the times you supported my love for the color blue over the pinks.... I love you Daddy.

For the times you brought & fetched me to and from school.... I love you Daddy.

For the times your heart went meak when my grades weren't as par to expectations... I love you Daddy.

For the times you have patiently taught me how to drive... I love you Daddy.

For that first time you entrusted me with the car... I love you Daddy.

For the times you showed how proud you are of my simple accomplishments... I love you Daddy.

For the times I heard you say, "Anak ko yan!"... I love you Daddy.

For the times you were happier than me when I got my first promotion... I love you Daddy.

For the times you understood my silence in times of pain.... I love you Daddy.

For the times you explained how and why young love is difficult... I love you Daddy.

For the times your heart cried with me when my heart was bruised... I love you Daddy.

For all the times I came to you for comfort.... I love you Daddy.

For always being a present and active father... I love you Daddy.

For entrusting me to Dennis and for believing in our love... I love you Daddy.

Has never left my side. DAD.

Most of all Daddy, thank you for teaching me that LOVE is a verb.

That it is a thing of action with sincerity... I love you Dad.

On your special day, though we are apart, I'd like to say how proud I am to have been fathered by you.

Happy Father's Day Daddy Willie!   

i VERB you very much.

Memories in a backpack!

 

all aboard! we're going to boracay!
(photo grabbed from blogger )

The song 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' is playing in my head.

Before we board the plane bound to this new territory where we are now, we had our last and final hurrah!

And we did it with our ever endearing and loving (whose funny bones seem to be compatible as much) couple buddies, the Vitugs or the Vs as I fondly call them!

This trip to Boracay was the best I had by far in this island.  The weather was perfect and we were able to hop beautiful resorts, and by beautiful I mean the REAL top ones..   But mind you, it didn't cost us as much.  This you can do if you have cost-savvy friends in tow, thanks to Mr. Champion.  You know who you are. :)

It's nice to be reminded of the beauty of your native land especially before going to a place which also has something unique to offer.

Mr. Sunshine decided to flash his energy with all his might, allowing us to make the most of our 3 day trip.  We seem to have ordered the perfect menu for a vacay: the cozy accomodations, prudent deals, hearty meals and the best company to boot!   Celebrating happy friendships and marriages always indeed are fun and having Ron & Vinay, doubled the fun!

This was our last domestic trip before going to Canada, and it was good to bring good memories in our back packs.  We are always looking forward to celebrations of love and one with the Vitugs are always well remembered.

Incidentally, Ron & Vinay celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary a couple of weeks back, and though we weren't there to celebrate personally, I would like to let them know that they are well thought of and missed.  The memories of our trips, by plane or not are checked-in, it's in our back packs. :)

Ron & Vinay Vitug, the uncanny duo who
celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary last May 28.
We wish you many more of marriage bliss!

We will see you soon Brad & Sis  so we can share more of our lifetime's love. 

We miss you!

My 32nd B-B-B celebration!

Wasn't back yet to blogging when I celebrated my 32nd birthday last August. So, I would like to turn back time and marvel once again on how I celebrated my natal day with some special people.



Celebrating birthday the "negrita" style

This year was different because it was the first time I celebrated out of town. I belong to a family who value old traditions, and that means celebrating special occasions over a simple dinner in a small group of family and friends.   My birthdays were always celebrated simply.  No regrets though, because I enjoy simple pleasures and I have gone past the age of staying awake until wee hours of the morning partying. Ang last gimmick ko, 2001 pa. First job days. Alcohol free for 10 years! haha! Now, a bottle of San Mig light is meant to be consumed for 3 hours. Marami pang yelo yan!

This year, I together with my hubby and our couple friend, Ron & Vinay, went to one of the most sought resort in our local country, Bellaroca!
 

Elephant shaped Bellaroca Island

(elephant facing right partially submerged in water)

 Bellaroca is an elephant island in the heart of Marinduque.  It was called an elephant island because it visually looks like one on a side peripheral view.  An illusion of an elephant's body dipped in water. And just like an elephant, this resort really had humongous offerings.  Every bit of the 3 day stay was all worth it!   Kulang ang 3 days!

The famous arc where Bellaroca got its logo

Bellaroca has the highest standard of service amongst all the  boutique resorts I have been into by far.   Hospitality, customer service, amenities and of course the breath taking view were all superb.  Food comes in way too pricey though, literally pricey.  But the 4 of us managed to sneek in some good food from our own baon.  Buti nalang may dala kaming Transformer na Ref! haha! This is one memorable part, thanks to Ron!

Though this trip was deliberately planned to fall on my birthday, my hubby and his bestfriend Ron was still able to pull off a surprise.  For one, my hubby isn't really fond of surprises, so this one also was a first. :)


With the super maalagang Bellaroca staffs
who served us during the semi-surprise dinner in one of the open terraces
(1:1 ang service!)

The birthday dinner was a part of the many beautiful things in Bellaroca. 

Here are a few of the others -

   

Infinity pool inside the Villa room

 

Road way up

One of the Alfresco areas



Massage areas

 

Lobby
(At our back is a Koi pond)

And that was my B(eautiful) 32nd B(irthday) at B(ellaroca).