Color Child

Aside from cooking and baking, one of my past times is some fun time with coloring books. Coloring has always been there since I was a kid. My mom loves to color and it's one of the things I shared with her and inspired me to join Art Club in school. Through the years, both me and my mom has been buying coloring books even if its more for kids.

So when the adult coloring books came out, we got really excited. I mean, this time, the drawings are more for our age. I like floral patterns more than anything else, but I still opted to get the coloring book which has all the patterns. I saw several themed adult coloring books, but the drawings didn't really catch my attention. If not too small, there was just too much going on.

There are several adult coloring books being sold in almost every bookstore and gift shop. Most of them costs from 350- 500php. But when I went to the SM Store, I found a bunch for just 150php each. Let's see... same patterns, the size is just right, not too big, not too small. A book contains several drawings from florals, mandalas, animals and random patterns... why not, feels like I hit the jackpot!

Whatever coloring book you're using, the important thing in this whole experience is to meet the purpose. Coloring has become a therapeutic thing for me. It relaxes and gives me a chance to become a kid again even by heart. I found a coloring material fit for my age, but it doesn't mean I'll let go of the old- fashioned kid's coloring book.

This is my 5th floral pattern: I call it the "flower child with a rock n' roll soul"--- I got the caption online, which also inspired the title for this post. My husband told me that it reminds him of a Jimi Hendrix concert.

24 Maped Color'Peps 185php

It's A Shorts Thing

I'm a woman of shorts. I wear shorts almost everyday and anywhere I go. In some countries, we see jackets, sweaters and jeans as staple items. Here in the Philippines we have shorts. It's a tropical country, so we wear light clothing most of the time and with style.

When it comes to choices, I always go for the basic. Black, white, beige and denim. It's a must to have at least 1 pair for each, but I want to add navy in my line for a change. Just yesterday, I was browsing online for designs and styles. Zalora has a wide selection of casual wear that's also super stylish. A good pair can make the simplest design and style the most fashionable. I can mix and match shorts with almost anything.

On a personal note, I always wear shorts because I can move around with my kids in tow. I mean, having 2 boys around requires so much running, walking and jumping. I really feel easy and relaxed when wearing shorts more than anything else especially when traveling. My family loves going on road trips and quick getaways. Not only that a good pair of shorts is the most comfortable to wear, but it's also one of the lightest things to pack. I often pair it with flats, sandals, sneakers and even a Brogue inspired leather shoes.

My birth month is near, it's that time when I go shopping for new clothes, shoes and accessories. One of the things I look forward to is a new batch of shorts that I can use for the next summer and for the rest of the year.

This Blog Is Active

I just remembered, a few months ago, I received an email from an old blogger pal. We were both part of the original line up of mom bloggers years ago. 

Years ago was when Entrecard still exist, you make drops and visits, when bloggers give each other awards, when Memes were super in and when PR ranking matters big time. This mommy blogger who emailed me was surprised that I'm still "blogging" and haven't lost touch. 

The only change I've made on this site is the title, the look and the amount of posts I make. But overall, everything else is the same. My side bar is still there with the disclosure and pr ranking. I have my archives and search engine ready. Since I'm already on this topic, may I also share that a few readers emailed me and asked why I don't have a Facebook page for my bogs. Actually they were also encouraging me to put up one (a Facebook page). Having 2 blogs is enough for me. I'm happy and there's this sense of contentment with what I already have. It's serving its main purpose that's why.

This weekend, I was able to find time to check on some things for both my personal and food blog.  I went through my blog list or links of my fellow bloggers and websites that I like. Apparently, a lot has changed this past years. Out of 120 (just an estimate) links, only 15 remained active.

Most sites doesn't exist anymore and some are inactive (last post was dated 3-4 years ago) something like that. Part of the 15 active links survived because of advertisements, sponsors and promos, the rest are still running through real posts.

Whatever the reasons are why blogging per se is slowly fading away, I have full respect to those who got into it and shared their stories with us, same to those who are still posting about their ongoing journey and articles that really make sense.

Blogging is already part of my life so it would be difficult to just let it go especially when I look at it as a form of outlet for my thoughts and feelings. You'll definitely see more from me. The only thing that's in- between me and posting are my added responsibilities as a parent. But that can be taken cared of, just like now, I'm able to blog. Through the years I've grown in this system, when a blog has a personal touch to it, one can make posts freely but comes with great responsibility.

7 Years Ago, 7 Years After

7 years ago, I was placed in a position when and where I needed to do change for some reason that I felt I was underestimated. I thought that I must get out of my old self and start a new life as the very same person but much firmer. Firm. Why firm? I was known in my previous life as a happy- go- lucky or more of a carefree person. I used to be somebody whom you can throw stuff at and go head to head with and become the winner. With that, I chose to become firmer because being vulnerable is a weakness of mine. I don't fight back, I remain quiet at all times.

Like I said, I needed to make that change, and that change inspired me to let myself out of the box and share with everyone how I've become stronger, wiser and how parenthood played a big part in this new journey.

This month, Xtraordinarymom will turn 7 years old. The account was officially created in 2007 but the blog itself started running in 2008. Everything went so fast, so much stories was shared and so much memories were treasured.

The "true meaning" of blogging was a great factor to who I am now. I look at blogging as a form of self- expression "with or without readers". I make posts because this serves as my journal, an online journal more than a monetary resource or a  strategic way of getting a name out there. 

I stay at home 6 days in a week and maybe 18 hours a day. I am a full- time mother. I do everything myself, and my social life goes around some close friends but most of the time, my family. So imagine if I didn't have a close relationship with my siblings and my parents, plus the no. of hours and days I stay at home... that's nerve wracking! But thank God,  I'm still able to balance things out, that's when blogging will come in and also because I have a supportive family and a bunch of friends.

Blogging became the bridge on showing my true self and the changes I've made. I like it because I feel that I'm respected even more. Whatever is my approach here, that's exactly the very same individual you'll meet in person by the way.

As the years passed, I've made fewer articles. Life has become busier.

My children are growing and both me and my husband wanted to spend more time with our kids. In 2 years, I'll have a teenager and I am very excited to witness and experience that milestone with my son.

The next thing for me and my husband is to run a business of our own. We just thought that while we're young we should come up with something that will last beyond the corporate world. I've been quiet about it. We're aiming for 2 businesses. I've already started a pastry business some 3 months ago and I now have a bestseller. 3 months is a short period and it's still a small thing, but being able to come up with a food business on my own is something special I can grow it even more. The next is on its way.

6 months ago, my family have officially moved to our new home. 3 months ago, I started a business and still expanding. And in 2 years, I'll be entering a new phase in parenthood. My life has gone from- seriously? to- wow that's something! to- that's amazing!

What's Your Rockstud?

First of all and in all honesty, I seldom look into designer brands simply because I feel it's too much for me as a stay at home mom. But for some reason, I got attracted with Valentino Garavani's Rockstud collection. I see a lot of these from our local entertainers and boy they really look good and classy. So if I were to choose my Rockstud pair, I will go for a strappy flat sandals.

Okay, let me dream even just for awhile...

image (Instagram)

I came across this image on Instagram. I fell in love with these sandals in an instant. I prefer the red one, but any shade will do as long as it's a flat sandal. I like sandals and flats because it's the most comfortable especially if you have kids and it can go with any outfit. This is perfect if you want to be stylish and functional at the same time.

image

Rockstud Rouge flat sandal

This particular design fits my over- all personality.  "Simple lang, pero Rock!" (giggle!)

It's worth almost $1000, so now back to dreaming...

Transforming our Balcony

Personally, I want our balcony to look and feel cozy. This is a slow transformation, because the things that I want to put are very expensive considering that it's made for any type of weather condition. It's meant to last in short. As always, I got ideas from Pinterest. I found a couple of pictures and I kinda combined everything. The original plan was to come up with something inspired by the image below.

Since our country gets more rain than sun, we opted to get a rainproof patio set. I got our patio set from S&R, it's a Keter 3-piece Bistro Set for 6,000php. Keter has a nice selection of  outdoor furniture. 

The next on my list are wooden planks as flooring. This is the expensive part. A 4-piece set of wooden square flooring is 1,700php. I need 6 sets to cover "at least" half of the balcony. The wooden flooring is also made for outdoor purposes so no fading and rotting will happen. We're hoping to get the flooring done before the year ends or just in time for Christmas. Anyway, there's no need to rush, we have all the time, this balcony is ours!

This is what we have accomplished so far. I just want to have an accent corner where I can put my herbs and plants. Imagine it with the wooden flooring more on the side where the 2 plants are. But friends who already visited us are happy and satisfied with the present set up of our balcony. 

The plants came from my parents. They were really small when I got them, and its all grown now. I used to have a potted Basil but unfortunately, with the recent storm, the strong wind bent the whole stem, it didn't recover so I returned it to my mom for some care.

I water my plants twice a day (early in the morning and late in the afternoon). It actually depends. Lately, I let the rain do the job on watering my plants.

The door to the balcony is see- through. Most residents prefer to cover this door with blinds or curtain. As for me, I want it to be open, I just have a roll- up blind ready if the sun is really out. The purpose why I want things to be visible is to get a glimpse of the life outside our home. It's a condo, but I still want it to function like a house. I just feel that we need to let some light in once in a while. I mean, from our dining area, it's so relaxing just staring at my plants, it is very refreshing. True enough, when we were visited by the management, they instantly loved our set up. It's different and something new to their eyes.

 If you plan to buy a condo, I suggest that you invest on a unit that has a balcony. The balcony will serve as your front or backyard where you can still garden and do some sky watching. It can also be a breakfast nook, or just a place where one can spend some quiet time.

The Value of a Balikbayan Box...

I don't want to post about this but I think I need to voice out my thoughts on the issue since my family is a recipient of Balikbayan boxes. We don't get Balikbayan boxes as often like most families, but a box is surely important to us. Our relatives abroad would send a box just so they can give us gifts in time for the Holiday Season. Whatever is sent to us, everything is for family use and mostly for the kids.

My concern with this issue is all about respect, privacy and security. 

1. There's a reason why our items are boxed and tightly sealed. I'll assume that anybody in this world will never allow any person to go through their things ( big or small) without permission. We're just looking at things at a wider scale in this issue.

2. Anything that's inside the box is owned by a private individual.

3. Once you open a box, you've already stepped on our rights, our privacy and our individuality as receivers and most of all, you've disregarded & degraded the hard work and sentimental reasons of our loved ones who worked hard for those goods.

You might want to read this: Duterte slams BoC for desecrating Balikbayan boxes, milking OFWs 

 

4. Contraband? what are the probability that somebody will put drugs or even firearms in a carton box which will also be processed within the United States or country of origin.  Okay, let's be realistic, it's a possibility. But I'm sorry, I just don't see it to be the main cause/ reason of this sudden fiasco. There are bigger fishes out there! Well, not unless those sharks are your comrades.

Even if the BOC says that our items are going to be safe, I mean come on Mr. Lina, are you going to be there during the process and inspection of each box? (wish ko lang!) Kaya nga ayaw pabuksan kasi ang dami ng nawawalan. And don't say that BOC is not going to be responsible for any loses. Why can't you be responsible?  You guys wanted this in the first place. A box is a treasure chest to those longing to taste what "they think" is good, new and simply anything imported. Clearly, you'll be answerable once a box is opened.

The box that was sent to us in 2013 was delayed by a month from the time it was expected to arrive at our doorsteps because we were told that BOC was holding it. Our box was just there and BOC wasn't releasing it. (Ano hinihintay ninyo, lagay from the forwarding company?) We trust our forwarding company it's BOC we don't trust.

5. During former President Ferdinand Marcos' time, and I learned about this just now, those Balikbayan boxes were "tariff- free" for OFWs and the next Presidents respected that in honor of our Heroes abroad.

There are more serious problems that needs attention. There are mouths to feed, victims of disasters that needs help, traffic is terrible and getting worse, crime rate has gone up, employment rate has gone down and so on... Fix these problems first.

This government made things from bad to worse. A lot was lost, including lives because of your ignorance and stupidity. Now you want to concentrate on how to earn money from Balikbayan boxes? Why? is it because the "Ber" months are coming? and more people will send boxes? or is it because 2016 is just a few winks away?

The problem with the administration is they like to change things. Things that's already been functioning well, processes that has already made our lives easier. They like "change" to make a name for themselves regardless on who are they going to step on and what they're going to disrupt. This government is very one- sided. Can't we be functional by doing something smart and will benefit the Filipino people?

You want reality? my basis here is my everyday function as a homemaker. I go out everyday to bring my son to school, run errands, buy food, commute and all that. With what I've experienced for the past 5 years:  I feel so unsafe, there's no sense of security, I felt betrayed with what was going on around me.

I rode the MRT just recently with my 2 kids... "Diyos ko po!" 

I renewed my Driver's License: I got my card after 4 months. 

We renewed our car's registration: "sorry no plate available". 

Gas prices will go down by 1php but will increase by 5.

Even garlic and sugar are being hoarded.

We're basically a big landfill for some country and we're letting them get away with it. 

More street kids begging for "money".

Loads of families who doesn't have homes.

People are more desperate, furious and impatient. "The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer".

It wasn't like this 11 years ago when I ventured on having a family of my own. Yes, the previous Presidents stole money, they're as evil as the devil, but hell they  made sure that the people were "at least" given what they needed and what they deserved. And they weren't pointing fingers by the way. Sending those 3 Senators to jail is useless if the remaining 80 million are still hungry, sick and lost. 

In the end, no matter how dirty the system is, it's what you have given/ contributed to improve the lives and well- being of  the Filipino people that will always matter.

Just in: The President stops inspection of Balikbayan boxes