inJiNuous

Clean Cleaner

2014-03-05T19:52:00.002-08:00

If you've read my blog last December, I did some decluttering and cleaning activities at home; and I swore to maintain the order as often as I could. Maintenance, that's the operative word. hehe.

Fast forward 2 months later, we still haven't found a helper. We're still looking though, but we can get really picky at it because there are lessons learned and we cannot just ignore that. Anyhow, so with this situation and the so-called "maintenance" at home, I dust the house and clean the floor everyday, which is also a good exercise for me while waiting on the food or rice to cook or while waiting on my in-law who watches over my youngest when I work (thank goodness for kind people!).

To cut to the chase, in cleaning, I always have this spray tool with me and ensure that I mix bleach with it. Unlike probably everyone, I love the smell of bleach. Honestly. But my kids hate it.

So I've been thinking for days of making my very own homemade cleaner that is not only natural and green but also saves a lot of money. :) So, after researching on the internet and customizing the cleaner recipe I've found, I was able to mix the following ingredients:

1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp dish soap
1 tbsp baking soda
2 cups water

and tsaraan, homemade cleaner, (there) it is! wiiii! :)

Cook-all-you-can

2014-03-02T19:14:00.001-08:00

I am a working mother of two. So without a helper, I'd be a wreck if I don't get my act together and work with what I have. it is most challenging when my parents are not around because that means I may have to cook the entire week to ensure there is food on the table regardless of whether where I am.

So last week was a challenge; but I'm making a difference this week (because I know it's going to get really busy at work and at school (daughter's)). Why, I cooked all meals of the week half-day Sunday! hihi. (I'm actually giving myself a pat on the back right now. lol!) Doing this doesn't only give me a little peace of mind but also will save us money! Not bad for my #70/30 project (which deserves another blog entry. Soon.) ;)

I commit myself by declaring it simply by tidying the fridge and preparing these containers the night before. Yes, I love labels! hihi.

Started cooking at around 9am while doing some cleaning and taking care of the kids on the side, and finished at around 2pm. That's 5 different kinds of meals all in all. Not bad. Really. Have to convince myself. lol!

Here's to being proactive and being just plain mommy! :) Have a good week, y'all! :)

choose beauty and happy

2014-02-23T21:14:00.001-08:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; and so is happiness. Let's choose happy always. :)

Lagoon and Pino

2014-02-16T07:54:00.001-08:00

If I were rich, I'd be spoiling my parents rotten. Unfortunately, I'm not there yet. But I'd like to take them somewhere new when I can like this weekend. I always knew my father has some kind of longing to be with his side of family. He has always, always been the kind who makes sure to reach out to them. So I thought why not spend time with my uncle and kiddos and apos? We spent Saturday afternoon at the Green Lagoon Resort. Unfortunately, I only took very few pics because my phone's battery ran out. :(

Then tonight, we went to The Original Pino Restaurant and enjoyed their buffet. They serve the best Filipino food in the city. Promise. :) You should try their buffet with laing, chicken relleno, puto maya and sikwate(!), seafood lumpia, desserts, and so forth. :)

The picture sums it all. Hihi.

And did i tell you I get crazy over fancy and neat restrooms? Hihi. Obviously, the lil girl is, too. Good luck. Lol!

Roll, baby, roll

2014-02-10T00:29:00.001-08:00

You know what they say about delegating tasks that takes away your time and not necessarily advancing you in whatever it is you do? Well, I refuse to apply it to cleaning our bathroom. Lol! Although I can get really tired from doing so, nothing could ever beat the feeling of doing it and knowing you've cleaned it enough. Haha! :hide: La lang.

Sorry for talking about cleaning the toilet before posting this. Lol! But this jelly roll is really yummy. P32 for 3 rolls. Eherm.

weekend

2014-02-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

We've had no helper for almost 3 months now. It's been really challenging that it's impossible to get a decent sleep during workdays. But we are grateful for all the love and support our parents have shown to us and the kids. They've been really kind. Thus, this past weekend, we made sure we got to take them out of the cabin, out from the fever. Hihi.

How about you? How's the household doing? :)

The Outlets at Pueblos Verde(?)

@Japengo! Lamiii! :)

lunch o' hunch

2014-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

On Monday, January 27, we had a send–off lunch for a dear co–worker to wish her luck for a new chapter of her career life.

If there’s anything I learned on that day, then that would be that I found my Sistine chapel and that I am grateful that I can, if I choose to, make a difference in some people’s lives by helping prepare themselves for the bigger world out there where it’s so easy to feel small. But why settle feeling small when there is a chance to be the best or if not, at par with only the best? It’s going to be a long and tedious journey, yet there’s nowhere to go but to begin it. :)

Lunch on that day @ the Duz Grill: rice, ribs, burger steak, and veggie burger

Glow

2014-01-30T21:41:00.001-08:00

If it's not obvious, my theme for this year is brown and gold. Hihi. These colors have always been a favorite. It doesn't have anything to do with the chinese new year or color of the year. I guess this has something to do more with trying to be bolder, sweeter, and brighter this year. Hence, the #80/20 project came about. Eseh. :)

Here's to a happy new year with a happy, better you! :D

#80_20project: don't you just find those clips cute? Always looking forward to play with these materials! :)

Before I forget

2014-01-28T02:15:00.001-08:00

boomerang

2014-01-27T01:19:00.000-08:00

“I am a boomerang;
Doesn’t matter how you throw me.
Turn around and I’m back in the game,
Even better than the old me;
But…”

You probably from long time ago, whatever happened between then and now, realized that you can NOT force anyone to love you. You cannot impose. You cannot force them to lovingly look at your pictures even when they’re expected to. You can probably teach but you cannot expect them to learn to love you even when they’re probably expected to.

There may probably have been a point, between then and now, where you’ve asked and wondered why; where you’ve probably keenly observed in the corner what probably made them adore something else; where you’ve probably made a checklist in your mind just so you got all points covered; where you’ve probably shed a tear or two because nothing makes sense and it’s pathetic.

Then, between then and now, you stopped and learned; you manage your expectations. And suddenly you worship Dr. House for saying, “It did not happen because you deserved it; it happened because it happened.” Period.

So, between then and now, when you probably hear them affirm their supposed love because people are starting to notice, you’d probably hate yourself. Because you cannot affirm back; because you feel nothing or probably you do feel something: indifference.

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Just so I get to put it here, I’ve been playing Gavin Degraw’s “Not Over You” (studio version) on repeat. I love it. Singing the lines “Not Over You” over and over again is like sipping hot chocolate on a cold, cold day. Not over yo-hoo! ;)

Finding (cheaps)kate

2014-01-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

Call me a cheapskate and I won't really care because it's true. Lol! But more than anything, it's always better to work on a budget no matter how poor or rich we are (we all know that, of course. Hihi.)

And you know, even if I'd probably be the richest woman in the whole wide world, nothing beats the feeling when I find something cute and fancy at such a low price. Just saying. :)

Bought this 3 yrs ago and I still got about 10 rolls of this wrapper. I think there were about 25 rolls when I got it. Ahmazeng. Lol!

Thanks to my friend, Ai, for sharing about this fabric tape. :) They're really cute. Hihi.

So I got these new rolls for less than $2! La lang. Hihi.

Any amazing finds lately? :)

The #80_20 Project

2014-01-25T06:21:00.001-08:00

I used to be very thoughtful until I learned the word "busy". But I learned so much from last year that I couldn't agree more with this article: http://www.tylerwardis.com/busy-isnt-respectable-anymore/.

To cut to the chase, I am going to try to find time to be me again. That is, the very thoughtful me. Hihi. So this post shows one of my #80_20projects or also known as the "80/20 Rule" or the Pareto Principle projects. :hide: Wish me luck! :)

How about you? What do you plan to do this year? :)

PS I'm blogging using the Blogger app. Let's see how this goes. Haha!

Holidays 2013

2014-01-08T00:22:00.000-08:00

And so I’ve heard why we must take vacations because for one, they are healthy for the soul. All my life when I say vacation, it could mean sleeping in, going to a different place, or just getting lazy around the house as if sharpening the blades of my weapons to prepare for yet another round of battle. hihi.

But this holiday vacation turned out to be different. We had to let go of our house help. So I had to face the fact that I will take care of the house and the kids on my own. And I have to say I did one heck of a good job. Lol! Jk. But yes really, I say so, because I managed to rearrange and (relatively) clean the house despite having to take care of the girls’ needs and so forth like a pro. Asus. Jk. :hide:

Seriously, if there was one thing I realized during that holiday experience, it is that you can conquer anything if you just accept and embrace it. =)

Managed to play with the kids despite of the "hectic" household schedule. haha!

Managed to wrap their presents in secret just in time for Christmas eve. When the lil girl saw the pressies, she said "Where's the camera? Take a picture!" Da! hihi.

Managed and dared to taste this supposedly yummy but expensive cookie butter. Oh well. =P

Finally got to wear my Oh, Love loafers! Thanks to the ever talented Ai for taking the time to meet and personally handing them to me. =)

Managed to relatively clean and organize the payag inspite of...

Managed to relatively clean and organize the payag inspite of...again...haha!

Managed to relatively clean and organize the girls's area

Hopefully this organization will be maintained? haha! here's to hoping!

Managed to organize my stationery collection and found found notes from more than 22 years or so. lol!

Promised myself to be more thoughtful again..

It won't hurt to give lil butingtings at all; besides, it keeps me sane wrapping them. I'm actually doing myself and my family a favor. Lol! :hide:

Happy New Year, y'all! =)

the clouds of humidity

2013-07-11T22:45:00.002-07:00

And there are days and nights when I think how awful the humidity is as it makes my hair frizzy and big; then I get lost in my thoughts as I look at my youngest daughter’s hair with its ends aim fully dropping straight to her neck and shoulders while the rest of it looking kept and swept and light and may be to some, a bit dull (but it is during these times when dull is good compared to that bouncy and full of life.)

It’s mighty Friday, I mutter in silence, looking at the clock with the little one lying on her back on my legs as I sat on the sofa that badly needed re–upholstery and resting my legs on a backless, sectional cushioned chair. I’m sure she must’ve thought it was Saturday and I’m sure I know we had to have improvements on those tactics we use in luring her somewhere where I am out of sight and out of her mind.

The older daughter is also in the living room. She’s independent and knows what she wants. First, I see her drinking a bottle of Yakult and then another. Then, I see her eat hotdog; and finally, because she can not cook just yet, ask for scrambled eggs for she says she’s still starving. Aren’t we all? Starving for clarity that somewhat, somehow in every little or major thing we do, we work, we plan, and we live for, we are as right as the weather, good or bad: making brides beam more on her garden wedding or trampling on weak trees and bushes because they get in the way.

Then I find myself in the bathroom, lighting a candle like that of someone lighting at the far side of a church’s sanctuary, swaying her hand to catch the smoke from the candle to envelope her and all, except that I am hoping to be enveloped by the sweet smell of the heated oil in water. But as I sway, I make a wish, a prayer that in every day, regardless of whether I am sure, I am. I am and will return because I am. I am.

celebrat-eated-uke

2013-07-11T02:18:00.003-07:00

I remember one night when I was in college. A friend and I thought we should celebrate the semester break with a bottle of Gilbey’s and a pack of sweetened, powdered orange juice. As we finished half of the bottle, my friend started complaining that she can no longer walk straight and hold her arms up. I remember I didn’t complain much. But I do remember that I couldn’t wait to reach the sink to throw up. So in a matter of minutes, I heard my friend complaining her spirit had left her while I found myself running down the stairs, heading straight to the sink and let all the spirits out. Lol!

Well, it is funny: how we celebrate and get nauseated and then probably puke afterwards.

come away with me

2013-06-21T05:15:00.001-07:00

I used to flutter over Norah Jones’ “Come way with me”. I used to play it on rainy days as I lay down in bed, singing with my eyes closed for someone I cannot put a face on (and it didn't matter that time and still does not matter this time).

Between then and now, listening to it has become bittersweet; I hurt all over for each and every single note, for each and every time Norah effortlessly reaches it, like she was just heaving a sigh or lulling someone to sleep.

“Walk with you on a cloudy day,
in fields where the yellow grass grows knee–high…

Wake up with the rain fallin’ on a tin roof,
while I’m safe there in your arms…

Won’t you…
Come away with me.”

matte and macro shots

2013-05-29T17:21:00.001-07:00

If it's not obvious, I really love, love taking macro shots. :) So when I finally got a chance to buy a (not hybrid but decent) camera, I just have to choose the one that can zoom in really well (I've had a pretty bad experience with an old camera in Phillips Arena and that's worthy of another blog. hihi. :hide:)

But what I notice in most of my macro shots (like the ones below during that trip to Stone Mountain Park) is that it can get very detailed and sharp. I want to be able to tame the pictures like that when-my-black-hair-loses-the-light-brown-dye moment, I'd have to get it dyed ASAP or else I'd look really fierce. LOL! So I'm trying my hand at adding a matte effect using Photoshop and I hope, eventually with time, I'd learn and get better with it. hihi.

BEFORE:

Forgive me if I sound really proud, but I really thought I made a good shot at the fridge magnets. :hide: But I thought I'd need to tame the sharpness a bit.

AFTER:

Do you see the difference? hihi.

Curves and Dreams(-like)

2013-05-28T13:46:00.001-07:00

This picture is a result of post-processing the original picture (taken in SC last year) using curves in photoshop.

I'm slowly discovering Adobe Photoshop and to keep going, I've challenged myself with the help of a friend's offer to edit pictures she took. haha! I'm grateful (yet hesitant) for the confidence. :hide: So I thought before I do start editing her pics, I should first experiment with my pictures. Ang-ang lagi. hihi.

In the past days, I've explored layers and curves and a bit of (Gaussian) blur. :) I liked how that picture above turned out specifically its midtones.The buhok-buhok (or flowers) on the Sabal Palmetto trees have become more visible and highlighted. Eseh.

dreamy, pastel version churvaloo of this post. the best I can do wee hours in the morning. haha!

In the second pic above, I played with combination of layers: levels, curves, blur, filter, and desaturation. I wanted to have that dreamy and pastel effect on the picture; totally different from this version of the picture in a previous post. I know it's not perfect, but I guess I can improve some more with more tweaks and patience here and there. hihi. Told you, I'm a very positive person. haha! Jk.

What do you think? Be gentle though. LOL! Enjoy the rest of the week, y'all! :)

Summer of 2012

2013-05-24T12:08:00.001-07:00

I spent summer of last year in a totally different place and I will always be grateful for the experience. :) We were able to explore Midtown Atlanta by bravely taking buses and trains, and by of course, walking under the heat of the sun! Lol!

In light with Reese Witherspoon's recent arrest around this place (Peachtree St.), I thought I should post the pictures I took below. Haha!

This was taken when we arrived at the Midtown train station.

Yes, we wandered off this area.

Well, of course, there were very tall buildings. I think this was the building where they had the Titanic exhibit. Can you see the reflection of the clouds on those glass windows? La lang. :)

Despite the tall buildings, residential houses can also be seen everywhere. I think these houses have very risky locations. Why, I watch crime shows a lot. :hide:

I absolutely loved that experience. We explored the Atlanta Botanical Garden, dropped by Woodruff Arts Center, and wandered the streets around it to get to the train station to ride the bus (how ironic!) for Atlantic Station. :) I remember we were looking at a map and an old lady asked us if we needed help. She said, "Can I help you, my dear?" My feet at that time was aching that I felt saying, "Yes, I'd like to have a pair of Native Shoes to wear, please." hihi. Jk.

Have a good weekend, y'all! :)

of soft spots here and there

2013-05-21T01:25:00.001-07:00

If I remember correctly, this picture was taken in one of those yogurt shops in downtown Charleston, SC.

I have a soft spot for a particular type of people that could sometimes result to excruciatingly painful jabs to my stomach filled with the acerbic combination of sensibility and guilt.

I have no one to blame but myself, of course. But it is in this blame game that I surrender; that I make peace with and forgive myself, over and over, again and again, just like that of a pen that gets tired and weary, used up, whose ink is depleted only to be filled up again to serve its purpose.

I know from time to time our sincerity may be questioned. But I am. I am. Conscientious, too.

Let me re-post this entry I wrote a long time ago in a blog from long time ago:

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Title: I am. I am.

Conscientious

This was the word that stood out on the performance evaluation form my former immediate supervisor filled out. I reckoned the word shouldn't be that bad since it was after all listed under my supposed “strengths” and (later) I got the pay increase it was intently filed for. But somehow I felt strange towards the word. Being described as conscientious is as if I've completely used up my conscience like a fairy did to her wand and she’d be absolutely useless without it. So if for some reason my conscience flies out the window, I would then be lying on the floor as limp as a bed trudged over by an elephant in labor.

I don’t see anything wrong at being described as conscientious. After all, it can be true when I have tried to feed Luke.

Feeding Luke is something I felt so self-righteous about that I see myself like a child who heroically placed a toy a friend wants at the counter because she knows her mom would be paying for it using something that appears like a card that works like money except that you don’t see money when you use the card and like most children, don’t know where that money is coming from. I was generous and I was unworldly, inexperienced about money that’s not even my own.

Luke was a classmate I got close to in college. He was brilliant in Math and best of all, he was gay. He was a good company in between horrible, dreadfully, effortful long exams. In fact, there was this one incident in college that still makes me smile and giggle. We were making a program in the computer lab when Luke misspelled the word “spaghetti”. Having noticed the mistake, two of our classmates pointed out and laughed.

“Hoy Luke! You don’t spell spaghetti like that.”

And effortlessly with his gay-coated tongue, Luke retorted, “Don’t you people act so proud. I am good at Math.”

Everyone was left stunned and speechless because I know they know there was truth to whatever he said.

Luke insists he comes from a relatively poor family. So he relied on a scholarship stipend that would come too late he’d be hallucinating due to hunger when it comes. So when Luke drops by my boarding house with that I-don’t-have-my-stipend-yet look, I take him to the carenderia where I keep a credit account and eat with me. Sometimes he would surprise me. I would find a note charged to my name in a handwriting that can never be mine – Luke’s, of course. Yet I never raised a stink but just laughed at the thought and laughed some more on days he never shows up. These are the days of the week after he gets his stipend. Then one day he shows up with that sad look in his face again. But no matter how hard my friends try to persuade me to flick him away with my fingers like some fly, I still decide to let him hover over me. When asked why, I’d just shrug my shoulders off and pray silently that I can postpone answering by inserting the question somewhere in my mind like I’d probably insert a candy wrapper to one of the slats of a bench I’m sitting on and decide later whether to forget about the wrapper or get back to it when I’m ready. Who knows I could even get lucky. The wind would be kind enough to blow the wrapper away.

Being conscientious could be my best that could turn out to be my worst trait. But to be asked why I am such is like asking the sand why she chooses to stay in the beach when all the sea does is draw nearer or farther away from her.

Perhaps, we could ask the moon.

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Regardless of what or who you think you are, enjoy (and forgive) you. :)

can't wait for the weekend

2013-05-16T18:50:00.004-07:00

Yes, I know I've fallen behind the labels project. :hide: But I've not stopped. I've browsed through my albums to seek inspiration for the second design (charing. haha!) and found the picture below. I figure this should be it because this cake is so much related to my friend. I took this picture during her sons' birthday party. :)

This picture was edited in Photoshop using duplicate layers of screen and soft light mode. :)

La lang. Share ko lang. hihi. Have a good weekend, y'all! :)

editing pictures in photoshop

2013-05-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

I love taking pictures, but I haven't really tried that much editing them. Then, I figured I should learn to edit because my shots can get relatively dull. hihi. I don't really have a DSLR for a camera, but I guess my Nikon Coolpix is decent enough and I'm very happy with it. :)

So my goal for last night was to learn about layers and image adjustments in Adobe Photoshop. The intent was also to learn how to use filters/layer fills so that somehow the images blend with my blog tones (asus. lol!)

After trying out different tutorials and tips, I think I've made some good progress as far as my goals for last night were concerned. I've made some comparisons with the images before and after editing as can be seen below. La lang. Share ko lang. hihi.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Well, I think I'm going to have to keep 'em (learning) coming! :)

(online) treasures and tones

2013-05-15T05:29:00.001-07:00

To date, being true to my word (eherm), I got myself a stylus:

Stylus from CD-R King which only costs less than $1. haha!

And in a few minutes, using the My Sketch Paper app I once mentioned, I made this funny, kindergarten artwork:

Then, in my quest to learn more about designing and whatnot, I came across the The Blog Designer Network and browsed through its free tutorials and tips. Then, I found myself in the Design Seeds website and saw a recent entry of a palette that looks oh–so–familiar that I thought to myself, “My blog has bamboo tones!” LOL!

Image from Design Seeds website.

It was quite a surprise. I don’t really know much about blending colors. So, I didn't really think the combination made sense. haha! Anyhow, inspired by this palette, I (only) changed the menu background with the one and only missing color (I think).

Be inspired, y’all! :)

labels and sketches

2013-05-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well, obviously, I got this design–thingy on my head during the long weekend. Haha! I admit I just couldn't stop myself from doing something. I had to make a deal with my daughter who also was busy with her own design–thingy using MS Paint. We had to take turns; let’s say we took turns for every one hour during the afternoons. Then she takes the rest of the time when I had to cook and be mommy to her and her younger sister. Hihi. Anyhow, since I asked for suggestions in my last blog entry, my friend T suggested that I make her (more of doing me a favor. Lol!) return address labels. So below is my first attempt:

I was thinking of coming up with a second design for her to choose (asus! haha!). Really, I just want to challenge myself. Charot. :hide: I’m thinking it should have a different theme and I thought I should try out sketching. Then I found myself searching for sketch pad apps and downloading the free My Sketch Paper app. Below is my first silly attempt at using the app:

I’m enjoying it so far. I’m thinking of eventually getting myself a stylus. Any suggestions or tips regarding sketching apps? I'd appreciate it. :)

Summer of '13

2013-05-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Almost a decade ago, I used to make (and sell) handcrafted stationery and posted it in my multiply site. It was a hobby that interested me so much as it saved my sanity. Lol! So it’s no wonder, sans all the tangible materials, that I’m going to do this “free printables” projects. It is a good way for me to learn something new (continuous learning), to have something to look forward to (happiness), and to share something to this electronic world (contribution to humanity? And keeping my sanity? Lol!)

Anyhow, I’m exploring vector files and so forth. The intention is to improve and just be creative while doing so. I can’t wait. :)

I’m sharing with you the first ever simple project below. If it interests you, you can download the printable file (.docx) using the link; and if you like it, I can customize the text for you. Just let me know. Hihi.

Also, would you have any suggestions with what to do in the next project? I'd love to hear it. :)

Click here to download the file.