— witsandnuts

Archive
Tag "Birthday"

Birthday card from Jersey Iggy
(Here’s a scan of the yummy birthday card sent across the miles by my (Jersey) Iggy sister, also known as Fortuitous Faery.)

Last Sunday was extra special because I turned a year older and happier. I didn’t expect that I’d enjoy (this much) the process of growing old (minus the weight gain, ugh!) because I still feel invincible. It’s wonderful when one gets accustomed to dealing with things on a per state of mind basis.

And here’s to say cheers to the winners of my blog anniversary and birthday giveaway. The judges, whom included myself, had a difficult time selecting the winners. Let’s congratulate Lauren and Yellow Bells! I will be sending the Photobook Philippines’ vouchers to the respective emails you used in leaving the comment. Many thanks to those who participated. It’s always a pleasure to know more about my readers.

Share/Bookmark

Read More

Photobook Philippines
(A thousand photos were taken but only a few made it to the special prints. Are we on the same boat?)

Hello everyone!

I know I’ve been quiet lately and I thank those who continuously drop by to say hi in your own ways. For those who asked, no, I was not traveling (yet) but I’m so consumed by responsibilities on and off-work. But all in all, I’m doing good. Since my favorite month has arrived, let’s talk about growing up and gratitude. I’m holding a blog anniversary and birthday giveaway as I’m traversing my 4th year of blogging; nonetheless it still feels like that first day when I blogged as if no one was reading. At the same time, I’m turning 32 over a week from now and it (always) feels like I’m in my early 20s and that life has just begun.

In the several years of blogging and awe-inspiring discoveries in life, I’ve taken a lot of photos and accumulated a multifold of memories wherein no photo was involved. With all the camera clicks, one of the simple things that I’ve been meaning to do for a long time is to finalize/submit the photobooks I’ve started (some are meant to be given as presents). And I thought it is an agreeable idea to share two (2) Photobook Philippines’ vouchers worth P4,000 each. In principle, I would like to imagine sharing a scene with two charming readers (either miles away or not) doing the photobook layout and customizing the other details at our own paces (with the use of the free software). And there’s no rush, we have until February 28, 2012 to redeem the vouchers. So, we can be meticulous at this point!

How to join the giveaway?

Simple rule: let’s have fun and get to know each other better!

1. Please leave a comment on this post and share with me/us your birthday (feel free to include your birth year and other trivial details about any of your birthday celebrations or the day that you were born).
2. Given a chance, which photos are you going to include in the personalized photobook? Why?

Two winners are going to be selected based on the response provided. The contest is open to everyone until 17th July. The winners shall be announced on 19th July.

Share/Bookmark

Read More

al fanar revolving restaurant, abu dhabi
(The restaurant revolves slowly, in a manner that will not make you dizzy. You enjoy the sumptuous meal while your eyes are fed at the same time through the panoramic and per minute changing view of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. And yes, the Norah Jones-like charming lady sings Don’t Know Why, I’ll Be Watching You, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and other renditions that will make your stay more worthwhile.)

Since the first year I have been miles away, I have learned to celebrate my birthday with people back home simultaneously (i.e. we munch on pancit or anything that symbolizes long life and other comfort food).  On the other hand, my friends-colleagues and I in this part of the globe do a sort of thanksgiving for the added year that we have wisen up. I must say that we are intentionally mindful of each other’s birthday and other occasions because these are the perfect chance for us to get together, to withdraw from the inherent monotony (we all have that eh?). We have tried something very different from last year, plus that I had a joint celebration with a colleague.

Read More

As I mentioned initially, I was overwhelmed by the amount and quality of responses that got in. It was extra nice that it was during my birthday that I sorted through your account on how we have met, why you read this blog (thank you!), traced the links to your favorite posts, validated the topics that you want me to write about or the changes to this blog that you wish to happen, and honestly, I did not realize the “danger” of the fifth requirement when I wrote there: “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person until I read your responses. Haha.

I really appreciate that you willingly embrace my no niche approach [i.e. my babbling about (almost) anything under the sun], which is not by intention. If you might have noticed, while the topics are unboxed, they are generally a reflection of my interests. And I try to write with no hard and fast rules, as much as possible, except that I do observe a sense of accountability for the veracity of things that I share even if I am writing under a pseudonym.

Read More

It has been a week since my last entry. It is not by intention though. Work is becoming more stressful. Anyway, I am a believer that no stress is too big if you are willing to face it and let go at the same time. That second part I meant as to let the situation take care of itself. There are things that are bound to self correct or deal with themselves. So, the “this, too, shall pass” is very true. At the end of the day, we shall sleep peacefully and let stress take care of itself.

Well, it is the 17th of July and apparently, it is my birthday. Really, has it been one year already? It felt like I have just blinked. I noticed that in the first two years of my blogging life, I have never blogged during my birthday. Hence, I want to do it differently this year. In four hours, my birthday is over, which I have long realized is also a state of mind. There are moments that make us feel like it is our birthday even if it is not and vice versa. Since I am writing this as random as possible, I am challenging myself to hit the publish button in 15 minutes. Let us try that by sharing a few of my out of nowhere babblings:

(1) I realized that my Twilight Saga addiction is subsiding immensely. I have watched Eclipse (third installment) the other weekend and I finally felt that I watched it objectively. And well, I have not written my review yet.
(2) However, I watched Eclipse for the second time (yesterday) to show our care for a friend. Believe me, I am not making excuses. Haha. Our dear friend went to Philippines for a whirlwind vacation like I did and coincidentally, she has been stranded in the airport like me because of typhoon Basyang. Just to cut the long story, she did not have time to watch Eclipse in Manila. As we were intent on watching Inception yesterday, we did something we have never done ever. Our group did a movie marathon in the same mall (different cinemas). They let me decide on the sequence. We took the 7pm-9pm screening of Eclipse and 9pm-11pm screening of Inception. I told them it is better to start with the first, otherwise it cannot compete with the latter as a benchmark. Wow, Inception was woooooooooow! A brainy movie.
(3) Basyang reminded me of my Ondoy experience, which I have accepted now as traumatic because I dreamt about it for several nights when I returned here.
(4) I am overwhelmed by the amount of entries and quality of response I got for the blog anniversary and birthday giveaway. Thank you so much for taking time to join. In particular, the questions for the # 5 requirement made me giggle, nod, and scared. Haha. I am making the comments visible in a few hours. I am going to announce the winners soon.

I think that is more than enough of random babbling on my birthday. I am thankful to God for the continuous blessings in many forms (including the trials). I shall not ask for more, especially that I got my flat tops, Cloud 9, and other priceless stuff. Seriously, just a thought is more than enough. I thank each and everyone. At this point, my birthday wishes, except for having a good health, are directed not for myself (the fate of the Philippines, included).

Good night. Tomorrow’s another day to live by. :)

Share/Bookmark

Read More