ceemee's cazzapoeia

Souvenirs As Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:26:00 +0000

When we travel, we would always love to have a souvenir to remind us of the great memories and experiences we acquired from our trip. For some, taking pictures in these places is good enough. Then there are those who buy something, anything to add to whatever collection they already have or are starting like paintings or home decor.
In my case, I collect keychains from various trips I had when I was younger, I even bought one when I visited Enchanted Kingdom for the first time.. I wish to organize that collection because it seems so messy at present. I also have keychains from trips that I myself did not go on. They were just gifts from my family. And I have keychains that were giveaways from companies or events. When I went on the Royal Caribbean cruise last March, I made sure I bought keychains from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and even from the cruise ship itself. I just need a good box to place all of them in.

Speaking of souvenirs, if you happen to go to Las Vegas, what better keepsakes to have than those that are casino-themed? The Victorian Casino Antiques would be wonderful for the really serious collectors of specialised or vintage items and for those that are well-traveled as well.

Take for example this amazing painting of anything pertaining to Las Vegas. It even has real playing cards and chips on it!

image from icollector.com

Thinking of where to get awesome pieces such as this? Victorian Casino Auction offers a variety of collectors' items. One could also have the option of not being physically present during the auction since they have online auctions. Cool huh?

I cannot seem to find any keychain on the site and since I love Disney, I would choose something small but memorable:

a vintage signed napier Mickey Mouse brooch

How about you? What kind of souvenir do you buy when you travel?

Snippets Of My Extraordinary Royal Caribbean Vacation: Shows On Board

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:46:00 +0000

When you're on board a cruise ship, there's never a shortage of entertainment for the guests. They would make sure that you don't get bored. Like I said before, they have a cruise compass, a sort of newsletter, a schedule of activities, they give out at the end of the day so you could plan your activities for the following day.

Here are some (three actually) shows I was able to catch. Glad there was an activity center for kids called Adventure Ocean where our Elle listened to stories and made crafts so I could have some time alone exploring and observing.

First was the Rock 'n' Roll Reunion Party with the Cruise Director's staff. They were teaching the guests how to dance the Jive with "pat/pat, clap/clap, shuffle/shuffle, mashed potato/mashed potato, hitchhike/hitchhike."

And then an Aerial Vignette, like an acrobatic show by aerialists. Below, there was a singer crooning the song A Whiter Shade of Pale.

The last one is a Farewell Variety Showtime, which featured an acrobatic (uber good-looking) couple performing stunts. They are Alan and Yulia Reva. :-)

I'm glad I convinced my hubby to watch it with me. It's really great to see live programs. And it was our last night on the Legend of the Seas. Here's a video of them in action.

If you get to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as much as possible, attend seminars, learn something new, join contests, dance with others and enjoy all the programs!

A Liebster Award For Me

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:30:00 +0000

What a super duper long overdue post this is! So Sorry, Sarah! And thanks so much for the award. I am honored.

The Liebster Blog award is given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.
These are the rules:
01) Each person must list 11 things about themselves.
02) Answer the 11 questions that the tagger has set for you PLUS you MUST create 11 questions of your own for the 11 people you will nominate with this award.
03) Choose up to 11 bloggers linking them to your post.
04) Go to their page and inform them of the nomination.
05) Absolutely NO tags back. Remember to ONLY tag bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Honestly, I don't know what 11 things I should write about my boring self. And, I still have no idea who to tag. Anyway, here are some things about me you might be interested to know.

I am corny and I laugh at the corniest joke, and I think my children like that!
I love the feeling of my children resting their heads on the crook of my neck. :-)
I always carry a list of things to do inside my head.
I am very shy, but I have joined singing contests and declamation contests in Elementary and High School.
I am not adept at using the cutter and scissors. I cannot cut a straight line. Crafting goes out the window for me!
I still get happy looking at pastel colors and cute hearts, stars and dots.
I think that a healthy diet includes trade-offs of food. For example, when I had more sweets than is OK for me today, I won't eat sweets tomorrow.
Driving still scares me.
I could be a bit OC since I feel so uneasy when my choice of hangers are not used, when the covers of containers are not closed well, and when the spoons and forks don't match.
I feel uneasy and tend to make mistakes when someone's looking over my shoulders while I cook.
Whenever I see dried leaves, I have an urge to step on them to see if they're "crunchy". Weird huh?

Here are Sarah's 11 questions for me to answer:

1. What do you love most about blogging ? I love blogging because I simply love writing, composing, weaving words and it exercises my mind.
2. What was the first song or tune that you sang ? Hmmm... Maybe one of the Chinese songs my mom used to sing as lullaby.
3. What was the first gift that you had ever received ? I remember my bald baby doll with eyes that close when she lies down, which, in hindsight, looked scary.
4. What is one historical story in your family that you are most proud of? When the Japanese invaded Philippines (very historical!), my maternal grandpa was captured and was set to be executed, knowing how to write in Chinese saved his life.
5. When did you first learn to go home on your own? I think in Grade 4, I walked to my maternal grandfather's house in Manila, because my school was in Manila, but I live in QC and I don't think I would reach our home just by walking. But I learned to ride the jeepney in high school from our home to school.
6. When did you first learn to live on your own ? I haven't lived on my own, actually.
7. Who is your favorite author and why? Aside from God, it's Dr. Seuss because I like how he plays with words and rhymes.
8. What is (are) your favorite movie(s) that touched on history or based on real life events ? Hmm... I'm not big on historical movies but I like The Man In The Iron Mask.
9. What do you do when you experience writer's block? I browse through my photos, read other people's blogs and read books to get inspiration.
10. What book or story that you will never get tired of reading? I will never get tired of reading Snoopy comics and Archie comics. :-)
11. What difficult decision had you done in your life that was worth it? When I decided to breastfeed, it was difficult because I haven't really done it before. I knew it would be tempting to give up, since my parents don't agree with my decision, so I just take one day at a time until I weaned after 18 months. It was worth it because my youngest is smart and healthy.

11 questions that I would ask people I am tagging are:

What challenges do you face each day?
How do you overcome them?
What do you do to stay motivated in completing a project?
What is your favorite blog/website and why?
Can you describe the most amazing thing you have seen in your life?
What is the most touching moment of your life?
What can you do to make the world a better place?
How do you converse with someone who has an opinion different from yours?
What memory makes you smile from ear to ear?
What is the hardest word you have encountered and what does it mean?
How do you celebrate your birthday?

I don't have anyone in mind to tag yet. If you are interested to answer my questions, please leave a comment. :-)

Uneven floors? Need movable cabinets? Leveling casters are the answer!

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:02:00 +0000

Leveling casters are the solution to the age-old problem that industry still has with the need for flexible movement with a secure setting, and the ability to stop a caster in a particular location. Once the leveling foot is set in place, the caster is stable with no possibility of vibration.
Accesscasters.com offers leveling casters that are the top in the field. They are used to move medical work stations, computers, communication infrastructure such as switchboards, woodworking and printing machinery, furniture as well as automation and assembly equipment. They are suitable to any manufacturing environment including laboratory facilities and clean rooms. The 80 series of adjustable leveling casters can be purchased in three sizes and are available with two sizes of plates. They also have:
• Wheels with engineered plastic nylon that is strong and durable
• Die cast steel inserted frame with aluminum alloy suitable for heavy applications
• Chemically compounded rubber leveling pad
• Easy change-over from stationary to mobile and back
• Top plate made by drop forging Accesscasters.com offers leveling casters that have nylon wheels with plain bearings.
The overall load capacity is 550 and it comes with the fastening bolt and nuts. There is a Nylon Wheel leveling caster for a larger load capacity of 700 pounds. Level casters remove the major effects of uneven floors. Everything stays level and easy to move. Level casters are an inexpensive way to shift equipment when necessary and avoid buying new. There are three sizes from which to choose, so there will be one to suit each requirement.

Snippets Of My Extraordinary Royal Caribbean Vacation: Inside Legend Of The Seas

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:18:00 +0000

Our ship is called the Legend of the Seas. For one day, our itinerary was just sailing, that meant we got to stay on board the whole day. It would have been great to take advantage of the many activities and sales that were happening on the ship. There were bingo games, mini tournaments, sports activities, swimming, arcade, dancing, spa, casino, jewelry sale. There were daycare and activity centers where the kids could enjoy. When you get to go on a Royal Caribbean Vacation, read their cruise compass to get the dibs on programs and activities that were happening at particular times. There was even a Sexiest Man in the World contest!

I'm going to show you some photos of the inside of the ship.

arcade room

lounging on the deck

what is this called? uppermost part of the ship

wall-climbing

mini golf

sculpture of the ship

fast-moving elevator with view

Snippets Of My Extraordinary Royal Caribbean Vacation: Bus Shots

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:23:00 +0000

Last March, I had an extraordinary Royal Caribbean vacation and I wrote (and still writing) about it on Cymplified.com. While I haven't retired this blog, I will post some random photos here from my trip. :-)

on the bus in Singapore

on the bus in Malaysia

on the bus in Thailand

Sorry you cannot see the tour guide in Thailand because she seems to be the silent type and just stayed seated in front like one of the tourists. :-P

Draw For Fun... Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:04:00 +0000

When I was younger, I was really very fond of drawing. I copied cartoon characters, drew people from my photo albums, made-up comic strips and drew girls in clothes I designed myself. That interest faded in college when I was drawing just for my course. That interest got lost when I started working.

Now, that I'm a mother and I have a child who likes to draw and likes to ask me to draw, I am being forced to revisit my old hobby. My skill is super rusty and I sometimes feel ashamed to draw for Elle. Well, I decided I want to polish my drawing skills, but this time, using the computer. I need to be technologically updated too, right? Or maybe I'm just too lazy to get a sketchpad, sharpen pencils and take out the eraser. And I think it's more practical since I'm on the computer during my free time. Maybe I'll use the pencils and paper when I'm out waiting and bored.

Here is something I tried using the tablet. pardon my very child-like drawing, I badly need practice. Just so you know, the background is provided by the program. I wish I could draw like that.

This is perfect for this very hot summer season. Enjoy!

Who would you rather be?

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:29:00 +0000

Have you watched Wreck-It Ralph? It's a super cute movie that I'm sure parents will also like. Parents who are familiar with the arcade and retro games, that is.

I want to ask you this: Do you like yourself? Would you be friends with yourself?

I am still pondering my answer to that question. :-D

But, Ralph, he was tired of being an outcast just because he was programmed to be a bad guy. The other characters were scared of him. He was dirty and has bad breath and lives in the dump. I actually pity him. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted change.

You know how certain events had to happen to us. You know the people we had to meet to make us realise things. And that's how Ralph understood the meaning of The Bad-Anon creed.

"I'm bad, and that's good.
I will never be good, and that's not bad.
There's no one I'd rather be than me."

I only like the last line, though.

Change is good, if we are to be better. But to change into someone entirely different, is not in God's plans. There's a uniqueness in each of us, ours is a role that only us can fill.

When Ralph went away, the Nicelanders saw that having Ralph was vital to their game. That brought about the change that Ralph desired, with him still doing what he's programmed to do.

Wreck-It Ralph is a movie that reminds us that "There's no one I'd rather be than me."

GES 4th generation LED lights For Us

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:17:00 +0000

You might remember my post on the advantages of using LED lighting. So, have you decided to get them for your home or workplace? I would like to share where we got ours in case you want to know.

The brand of our LED lights is GES. It has a 5-year-warranty and they offer free demo, free delivery and free installation within Metro Manila. Why did we choose GES 4th generation LED lights?

They are cost effective and allows us to save on electric bills.
They are durable and lasts up to 10 years.
They are 4x brighter than a CFL.
We could avoid heat build-up because they have lower temperature.
No harmful gases, mercury, infrared or UV rays emit from them.
They are eco-friendly and consumes up to 95% less energy.

You can read more about these distinct benefits of GES 4th generation LED lights on their website. Get more information on the comparison between Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL). For example:

LED vs CFL

To know about GES LED products and their technical specifications, visit the pages and see which would suit your lifestyle best. Got questions? Visit the FAQ page of the site. Still not sure? You can send a message with your concern or get a quotation through their contact form on the right side.

I think changing our lighting to LED lights is one of the things that we could do to help our environment and help ourselves be more financially efficient.

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post.

Stylish Maternity Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

The last time I was pregnant, I sort of promised myself I would take me shopping for some pretty spring maternity dresses I saw at boutiques in the mall. That didn't quite happen as I was caught up with life. Plus, I couldn't bear to buy new dresses I would wear for just a few months. Also, I have ordinary clothes that I could use while sporting a big belly. I would like to think that only my belly got big, and not my whole body. My mom got me a couple of maternity wear from China that I got to wear for less than 10 times.

And then, I suddenly wanted an outdoor maternity shoot before my scheduled C-section. I realized that I had no flowery maternity dress. I searched my closet and found a summer dress I bought not too long ago. Praying that it will fit, I slipped on the dress. And...

ta-da! the result!

If I had planned earlier that I would have my photos taken before I gave birth, I would have chosen dresses like these from www.momobaby.com:

It's so great that stylish maternity dresses are available already. They would certainly enhance a pregnant woman's already blooming countenance.

What is better is that after giving birth, these dresses could still be utilized and would look flattering on any body shape. And, even better is when they are breastfeeding-friendly!

I also love these ones below:

Summer Vacation Adventure Time Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:06:00 +0000

Oh my gosh! How time flies! My eldest child Elle's summer vacation officially starts. She had her moving up and recognition day last Saturday. Her class performed the song I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing. I'm happy to report that she garnered a bronze medal. :-)

So now we're looking for an art class for her as that aligns with her interest. I also like for her to learn how to swim for that is important, but I have to practice driving first. Frankly, my heart beats so fast when cars move so close to ours.

But, before that, we have a trip to prepare for. A week to go and I'm still packing. I have to make sure I don't leave anything important. Some things that are important yet are not needed for the trip should to be kept in a fireproof safe. I guess it would be ideal if the safe is one of the biometric safes available, so that the security would be tight.

I wonder how frequent travelers do it. They must already have a cheat sheet or something on what kind of luggage is best, what needs to be checked in & what should be hand-carried, what clothes are suitable for certain countries, etc. I'm getting dizzy with all these details.

travel-themed box design, cute right?

I'm looking forward to the trip, but of course, I will surely miss the two little ones. It will be my first time to travel out of the country ever since I got married, the trip will be crossed off my life (bucket) list. It will be Elle's first time to ride in an airplane.

Hopefully, I could make it educational for her. And hopefully, I could be done with the packing already!

My Oz The Great And Powerful Screening Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:57:00 +0000

Thank you,
@NuffnangPH
Nokia, and
Abenson
that I got to watch Disney's Oz The Great And Powerful last night!

When my hubby Rix and I arrived, I registered first before having dinner. While waiting for my turn, I met Sarah of notonmyownanymore.blogspot.com! How cool is that? I was reminded of the eyeballs I used to attend while Rix and I were still on mIRC. Waiting for our turn to go inside and waiting for the movie to start, a video introducing the new Nokia Lumia 920 was played on repeat and there were a couple of features that caught my fancy. One is that its screen is made of Gorilla Glass so even using a key as the stylus won't scratch the surface. Another is that taking a series of group shots, in the photo where one of the subjects is not smiling, his/her face can be replaced with an existing shot of him/her smiling. Perfect for capturing children!
There was a short program. We were welcomed to the event. And then three Nokia Lumia phones were raffled off. How blessed the winners were!

After the movie, we lined up outside and got goody bags and souvenirs. It was almost 12 midnight when we left Shangri-La Plaza, yet there were still workers wearing High Visibility Clothing doing some work on the parking area.
I think this is the story before Dorothy arrived at Oz. And according to some story books, it might be that Toto discovered their secret.
I'm glad that my hubby and I got this date night together. :-)

WAHMderful Life Workshop 3

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:54:00 +0000

Remember I attended the very first It's A WAHMderful Life Workshop? My post was linked up over at the WAHMderful Life Workshop Re-run write-up over at wahmderfullife.com. I wasn't able to attend the second one, but I am looking forward to gracing the one that will be happening on April 13.

I am interested in the break-out session number 2, on writing jobs. I am hoping to learn more and as a blogger, this might help me in that aspect.
One of the moms I met in the first workshop is planning to attend, too. We wish to take advantage of the group rate so we still need one more lady. Are you the one? :-)

Rant About Ants

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:32:00 +0000

Beyond the walls and beneath the floor of our home, I suspect, are homes of tiny little insects that are supposed to be good models of being industrious. But, the way they get into pretty much everything aside from food: on the keyboard of the computer, on the wall beside our bed, even in drinking water; they have become more of pests to us.

I have instructed the helper to spray citronella all around the house every day, but to no avail, it seems. The ants are still everywhere! Do you think that if I get one of those Miele Vacuum cleaners, I could suck away all those ants and dump them in a tub of very soapy water? Are there any other ways of getting rid of ants without having to resort to professional extermination?

This question led me to the one of the top results of my Google search for getting rid of ants, or at least deterring them to enter our house or the food storage. According to frugalliving.about.com:

Use vinegar mixture to wipe down surfaces and places where ants are spotted
Line entryway of ants with chalk or baby powder (keeping in mind the concern of breathing in talc might cause cancer), with herbs/spices such as cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic, with coffee grounds, with cucumber or citrus peels
Mix borax with syrup to bait ants since borax will cause ants to die

Although the website www.wikihow.com gives a more detailed account of steps on getting rid of ants, even ways to get rid of the colony, I will try the solutions I listed above first.

lone ant on the tiled wall

Should I be neighborly?

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:58:00 +0000

I have been living here in this part of the country for six years already. The same length of time as my marriage to my dear hubby Rix. I admit, I have never thought of knowing about the other people on this same street where we reside when I first moved in. But, up until now, I still don't know what business they are in. I have no idea whether they are in garments manufacturing or steel supply, or probably employed somewhere. It could be that it's really like this here, I was not briefed. Since I am a shy and quiet person, I did not make any move to get to know the neighbors. I interact with more people online than in real life. The people I see face to face and talk with are family members, relatives, friends of Rix, and my friends, some of whom I don't even see that often.

I would stand on the balcony with my children at times and observe what's going on down the street. The only person who calls my attention with a smile is the taho (soy pudding) vendor. Well, it seems nobody's complaining anyway, so I don't need to bend over backwards and offer them food or anything. I always see in American movies that if someone in the neighborhood just moved in, he/she/the family would be welcomed with a basket of home-cooked food or baked goodies. It seems that's not applicable here. I wonder if that's the case in guarded villages? How about you? If you have moved into a new house, did people in your neighborhood welcomed you or talked with you?

our street at night, view from the balcony

Shop for a Nokia Lumia at Abenson

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0000

What's to love about the Nokia Lumia?

Powered by Windows 8
Full versions of MS Office (great for work), Outlook and IE 10
Take a series of photos with a single click with the Nokia Smart Shoot
Wireless charging with its innovative design, cool!
See your city differently with Nokia City Lens

What's to love about shopping for gadgets at Abenson?

Got a major credit card? Pay as low as 500Php/month at 0% interest
Get some freebies!
I bought from Abenson before, and I like that their sales personnel were attentive yet gave me distance to look around

Note: This is my entry to Nuffnang, Nokia & Abenson Bring You "Oz The Great and Powerful" Movie Screening! Images provided by Nuffnang

Electrolux HUSH Happier at Home

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:07:00 +0000

Weekends are equal to family time! It's a time to look forward to after a week of work and stress. It's a time to be comfortable and bond with my dear hubby and our three adorable children. What activities do we do when we stay in the comforts of our home?

Read books
The children wrestle with their daddy
Play with their toys or the gadgets
Draw and scribble
Watch movies
Prepare yummy snacks together

My eldest always volunteers to help me whenever I'm in the kitchen. This is especially so when I'm making a fruit smoothie and she would like to assist me in scooping fruits into and pouring in the milk into the blender. I would like to talk with her while the blender is running but because of the loud noise, we cannot hear each other.

Electrolux recognizes how important it is to make kitchen activities with children an educational one, and I'm glad the company came up with the Electrolux Powermix Silent Blender.

I could just imagine the mom and daughter in the photo above are me and Elle. :-)

The Electrolux Powermix Silent Blender is definitely going into my to-buy list.

The best things about spending a quiet and relaxing weekend at home are:

Rest to rejuvenate us for another week of work
Activities with the children that give insight to their personalities and preferences
Heart-warming conversations and laughter
No noisy disruptions
Relishing the happiness at home with Electrolux HUSH

Get to know more about Electrolux Innovations:
Electrolux Philippines Official Website
Electrolux Philippines Twitter

A Little Sentimental About Life After College

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 02:25:00 +0000

Last week, I went through my college plates and folios I brought from my parents' home. Memories of my professors' voices, sleepless nights and faces of my group-mates popped up in my mind's eyes. I shook my head as I felt again the dipping of my spirits when I encountered the low grades. I was a bit relieved that that part of my life was over. It's just such a waste that I didn't get to practice my course longer. Maybe if I had taken and passed the board exam, I would still be deciding between vinyl flooring and quickstep laminate flooring for a project I would probably be working on.

a little model I made for one of my Arch classes

Well, my string of decisions led me to this place and this season: a wife to my hubby and mother to our three little wonders. Some moms, after being stay-at-home-moms or work-at-home-moms, decide to be or go back to being work-out-of-home-moms. I wonder if I would do that when my children are a little bigger and more independent, but I cannot picture it as of now. I cannot imagine myself as a working woman again, at present. But, doing interior design for a whole house without budget constraints is on my life list (bucket list to most), among others. I am still populating that list and will share it to the world soon. He he!

3D Heart-shaped Valentine's Decor by ceemee

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:25:00 +0000

Crafting could really be therapeutic.

I have always wanted to do crafting, or give presents that are hand-made by me. But, it seems I am all thumbs when it comes to this hobby that I wish I am into. I could not even cut a straight edge with a cutter or a pair of scissors.

"Do I cut on the drawn line or outside of it?"

Browsing photos of crafts or reading how-to's in Pinterest could either inspire me or make me feel frustrated. Some people are really good at making pretty things and sadly, I am not one of them. I especially want to learn so I could do crafting activities with my children.

But, I do try to do it occasionally. When I have the materials on hand, I give art-making a go.

Like this Valentine's Day decor I made for our tree. Yep, I still haven't taken it down.

I made these from left-over corrugated boards I used in college. Yes, college! I glued the curved side edges of the three cut out hearts together. After they dried, I used a needle and red thread to "sew" them together and make the "hangings" on top.

I took this and some art materials from my parents' home in hopes of making art with Elle, my eldest. Hope to make some garlands next!

What To Do When Bored?

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:38:00 +0000

Play pretend!

This was at the Medela House. The Camera Diary set up a background with props for the photoshoot of moms who bought the Swing Maxi breast pump. I brought Elle with me and she had fun doing pretend play with the props.

For pictures of the details of the studio-type set-up, please click this link.

Announcement From ZALORA

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:24:00 +0000

Like some of us, ZALORA is cleaning out its "closet" to welcome new blessings. The result of this? They're having flash sales at random times until the end of the month. Check out ZALORA's blurb:

Kicking off 2013 with a bang, ZALORA brings you a week of their popular, site-wide flash sales!

Getting an early start on their Spring cleaning, ZALORA is running hour long flash sales through the end of January. At random hours for the rest of the month, ZALORA will be offering an extra 13% off anything in the store. From the hottest new releases to the best of last season’s styles, get it at a ZALORA flash sale and get it for less.

Since their launch in February 2012, ZALORA has come a long way but they’ve never forgotten their promise to offer the best products at the best prices out there. “We’ve had so many great new products and brands come on the site during 2012,” said Co-Founder Paulo Campos, “Even though we’re looking forward to all the wonderful new stuff we have in store for 2013, we figured, ‘Why not give something special back to all the people who helped make our first year such a success?’"

Keep your computers glued to www.ZALORA.com.ph, because while they’re busy cleaning out their extensive closets, you’re sure to find something you’ll love.

Head on over to ZALORA and get that bag or dress you deserve for keeping your New Year's resolution up until now. :-) I know I will!

Disclosure: I may get a commission from ZALORA since I am one of its brand ambassadors. Thank you in advance!

Travel Checklist: Miscellaneous, Clothes+Accessories, Hygiene

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:00:00 +0000

So, here is the second installment of travel checklists. You can read about the first one here, it's for preparations and basics. Since these are pretty important things, this guide could also be a reference for you when you plan to do a demenagement montreal or moving. These items could be packed separately so someone like a demenageur montreal would be more careful with these items.

Travel Checklist

Miscellaneous

Laundry bag
Stain remover
Sewing kit
Travel Iron
Umbrella
Flashlight
Binoculars
Cell phone & charger
PDA & charger
Laptop & charger
Camera & charger
Music & player
Batteries
Headphones
Insurance cards
List of prescriptions
Travel locks & keys
House keys
Address book
Calling card
Notebook
Hand bag
Backpack
Purses
Money belt
Shoulder straps
Plastic bag (I would suggest using Ziploc or airtight plastic bags especially if traveling by ship or for boat-rides)
Neck/back brace

Clothes and Accessories

Underwear
Socks
Undershirts
Bras
Pantyhose
Sleepwear
Robe
Glasses
Sunglasses
Hats
Dress shirts
Slacks
Skirts
Suits
Tuxedo
Belt
Ties
Jewelry
Watches
Dress shoes
Blazers
Sweaters
Jackets
Raincoat
Hats
Gloves
Scarves
Thermals
Boots
Sandals
T-shirts
Tank tops
Sweatshirts
Jeans
Shorts
Gym clothing
Swimsuits
Rubber shoes
Slippers
Casual flats

Hygiene

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Mouthwash
Soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Brush
Comb
Hair dryer
Curling/Flat iron
Styling products
Hair accessories
Mirror
Cleanser
Sunscreen
Moisturizer
Lip balm
Contact lenses & solution
Shaving cream
Razor
Perfume/cologne
Makeup
Makeup remover
Feminine hygiene
Nail clippers
Nail file
Nail polish
Nail polish remover
Tissues
Cotton balls/swabs
Tweezers
Lint roller
Insect repellent
Medications
Pain relievers
Vitamins
First aid kit
Band aids

Balcony, A Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Balcony

There is a place in my house before

It is located on the second floor

Sliding glass doors open to it

At night with warm lighting it is lit

It needs no fan to ventilate

It was like I was at heaven's gate

I valued my time spent here

Being alone with no one to hear

A little roof and then the sky

They have heard and seen me cry

I would take my place on the ledge

Hand on grills for on the edge

I felt tingles down my body

Afraid to fall and break unevenly

Journal open and pen poised

Thoughts were out but not voiced

My face upwards and catching the wind

A lovely place to clear the mind

Ceramic, pebbles, and tiles

Here to welcome guests with smiles

Looking down at the gate that's red

Here, countless books I have read

A place of connection to the Lord

Lifting up prayers with my heart's words

I would look over to the empty lot

Across walls, and built upon it's not

I would wonder if snakes there roam

I hoped they wouldn't enter our home

Here, there were dreams that were formed

And shattered after it had stormed

As flood waters rushed in everywhere

That was the view from up there

Here, our wet and cold dog stayed

On the second floor we waited and prayed

But, as soon as the sun shone through

I rushed here to see if the streets dried, too

It held a hope that the nightmare was over

Like how God offers strength forever

a little roof and then the sky

When I think back upon this part of my parents' home, I realized that it was kind of my sanctuary. I went there when I felt sad. I also went there to be inspired to write more poems, apart from drawing inspiration from the Bible. I have always loved composing poetry. I went there whenever I wanted to connect with God, to look at the clouds and to talk with Him. About the flood waters, my parents' place would be quite flooded whenever it would rain for days. The whole first floor was submerged in water during the typhoon Ondoy. Over there, it was great to be on the balcony because the house was situated far from the avenue where cars pass by. But here, I couldn't stay very long on the balcony because of the pollution from the public utility jeeps, the tricycles and the private cars that always pass through the street outside our home. The balcony here is very "public" as many passers-by walk along the street thus, I wouldn't dare cry!

Bye Bye Moving

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:53:00 +0000

I have lived in QC for the most part of my life, save for one time we relocated to Manila. I was still little then and didn't recollect the reasons why my parents made that decision. I also didn't remember packing and whether my parents hired someone like ottawa movers to transport all our belongings to Manila. I just remembered that I was looking everywhere for my little jar of hair-clips and was a little devastated that I couldn't find my favorite ones. Come to think of it, I forgot how that looked like!

Anyway, I guess making a list or an inventory of our belongings prior to moving is very vital, and maybe classifying them according to importance is needed. I guess it's a great way to have a more uncluttered space because I know I wouldn't want to bring things I don't use to our new home, except for really memorable ones. :-P

Now that that's out of the way, perusing a site like www.byebyemovingottawa.com would be helpful in looking for a demenagement gatineau, if that is your area. The website is clean and simple, and offered in French or English since it's Canadian. I clicked on the Residential Movers as it's the one I'm interested in. I like that the contact numbers are already splashed at the top so visitors won't need to search for it in the pages anymore. They offer packing services if you do not want to do it yourself. All of their trucks are equipped with air suspension for maximum protection of prized possessions. The website offers a free estimate form and a printable inventory checklist. I love how detailed the form is! They also have packing supplies like boxes, mattress covers and shrink wraps - which I wouldn't think of! They also have snow (not applicable to me but it's nice) and junk removal services. They also have moving tips which I will certainly read through when it's our time to move.

This would be a great site to refer to, even if I'm in the Philippines. If I were to make a site like that for my country, I would add an optional Feng Shui service since some people want to know which dates are perfect for moving (like wedding dates), especially the Chinese. :-)

Travel Checklist: Preparations and Basics

noreply@blogger.com (Cym Marzan) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:51:00 +0000

This coming summer season, most people would consider traveling as an escape from the heat, taking advantage of the children's summer vacation, for parents. My parents did that, too, when my siblings and I were still in school, from time to time. It is also on the summer season that the Holy Week falls, and the week had been synonymous to going places since working people would have plenty of days off during this time. If you are one of the fortunate ones who will be able to travel, I found some travel lists that could be helpful. I got these from a souvenir notebook from a debut I attended last year.

Travel Checklist

Preparations:

Unplug all appliances
Clean the house
Empty all trash cans
Arrange for pet care
Check your passport and airline ticket (if by air)
Change your email setting to "out of office"
Make hotel reservations
Buy event tickets
Empty perishables in the refrigerator
Pay bills
Setup car rental
Make an itinerary
Stop mail, newspaper, home deliveries
Exchange currency if needed
Place valuables inside vault
Secure windows, doors, garages (check if all locks are working, if not, there would be a need for Locksmith Calgary by Quick LockWorks to fix them. For security, someone like a good locksmith in Calgary should be called to ensure our homes would not be broken into while we're away)
Close all curtains and blinds
Water plants before leaving

Basics:

Wallet
Cash
Credit cards
ATM card
Driver's license
Passport & Visas
Travel tickets
Itinerary
Maps & Direction
Travel guides
Chewing gum (for the ear pressure I presume?)
Bottled water
Snacks
Travel pillow
Book
Sleeping mask
Sleeping pills (if taking)
Motion sickness medicine
Anxiety medications (if prescribed and needed)
Earplugs

To frequent travelers, do you have anything to add? Next, I will post the lists for some miscellaneous things, clothes & accessories and hygiene stuff to bring.