Lavender & Coffee Stains

Dear Me,

Don't you love Moleskines? Well, I do.

I just love to write on it. To fully describe the feeling, it's like the tip of my pen gently caressing the pages of my Moleskine. Forming words inside my head seems to flow smoothly and transporting such beautiful ideas on to my prized Moleskine makes writing all the more inspiring.



The original and stylish Moleskine box comes back again for Christmas 2010 with new themes and combinations.

The selected legendary notebooks will be perfect gift as they always represent the flexible and original tools for use both in everyday life and extraordinary circumstances, ultimately become an integral part of one's personality. This year, there are six ways to show your personal stylish touch for the one you care about, or simply as a special treat for yourself!



The Moleskine box is a collection of 6 special gift boxes in the shape of a classic Moleskine notebook. A selection of Moleskine diaries and notebooks are enclosed according to 6 different themes to match all personalities.

With the choice of the 6 themes, colour box, for booklovers, for fashionistas, for gourmets, for him or for her, you will make sure to celebrate Christmas with the perfect gift with the always unique Moleskine design and style. A perfect way to express your love and care!





I know that a single Moleskine (whether it is a notebook, planner, diary, sketchbook and album) is pricey enough, let alone a box set. But then, it will make a perfect gift for the special people in your life this coming holiday season!



About Moleskine:

Culture, imagination, memory, travel, personal identity. Moleskine is a brand identifying a family of notebooks, planners and travel guidebooks: versatile and essential companions in everyday life and for special occasions, becoming an integral part of each of us. The Moleskine brand was born in 1997, celebrating the legendary notebook of great artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: from Vincent van Gogh to Pablo Picasso, from Ernest Hemingway to Bruce Chatwin. The anonymous, black notebook was a trusty, pocket-sized travel companion, a faithful keeper of sketches, notes, stories, and tips before they became famous pictures or pages of well-loved books. Today, Moleskine accompanies the creative efforts and the imaginary of our time: it is a symbol of modern-day nomadism, closely connected with the digital world through a network of websites, blogs, online groups, and virtual archives.

http://www.moleskineasia.com/

Dear Me,

Right now, I would claim that I'm more of a tv series couch potato than a movie buff. So it is just natural that I attempt to learn more each and every character that interests me as well as the show itself.



Now on its Season 8, NCIS is an American police procedural drama tv series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the US. Navy and Marine Corps.

Something is going to happen to Tony, Ziva or Vance. Any of those three characters will be potentially fatally wounded by an explosive and a special two-part episode to be shown on the 16th and 23rd of November is dedicated to it. With that, his/her past and relationship(s) is going to be explored in the said episodes.



It may be Vance. Although he seem to be so 'in' with the team, he appeared in the show with an unknown past and a 'curious' relationship with Ziva's dad, Eli David, director of Mossad. Also, what about the unread and unopened mysterious file that Jethro Gibbs once had on Vance?



OR

It may be Tony. His own shot in joining the NCIS team was never seen in any of the episodes in the last seven seasons. I also wonder if it has something to do with this girl from his romantic past. I cannot recall if she really died. Another thing is this 'dancing in the romantic flame' with Ziva. What about Tony's dad? Hmm.



OR

It may be Ziva, too. Despite claiming her American citizenship, I think her Mossad past will still haunt her. Papa Eli may be greatly involved, too. Her Somalia experience left some questions hanging as well. The Ziva-Tony love angle may probably dwell in the said episodes. Well, maybe.

I'm looking forward to these episodes!


Official website: NCIS

Dear Me,

Mommy Journey is featuring the 'before and after' looks of our kids while growing up via Mommy Moments. I'm sharing the photos of my little angel, Carlos Miguel. :)




Carlos Miguel @ 3 months old
enjoying rolling over and crawling

Just turned 3 years old earlier this month
all dressed up and ready to go out

And yes, Mommy Chris! He grows up so fast that I was amazed while browsing our digital photo archive. I had a hard time combing through folders and subfolders for there were a lot of them to choose from.

But there is one thing that I realize, time really passes by so fast! While he is still young, I will spend more quality time with him and enjoy the things a little boy like him loves to do.

Dear Me,

I am a self-confessed book lover. I am also a book hoarder and book collector (not the hard core types). My library cards from way back were frequently renewed due to constant borrowing from the school/university libraries. My family and friends are witness to my addiction. My fully-loaded bookshelves and towering piles in every corner of the house are proof of my love for books.

My young reading years were influenced by the following books:

1. Nancy Drew mystery stories - I owe it to Carolyn Keene for my inclination to sleuthing and loving spy thrillers whether in printed format or in films.
   
   
   
2. Barbara Cartland novels - opened my heart to romance and notions of love and being in love, even though it was just a character in the story.
   
   
   
3. Mills and Boon - I read these books in great secrecy. Hahaha. I was shocked!
   
   
   
4. Dirk Pitt books - Clive Cussler's writings shaped my adventurous streak.
   
   
   
5. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky - Reading this book was a big challenge for me. It took me nth times to even finishing the very last page. But it was worth it. It marked the beginning of my appreciation for Russian literature. Add to the fact that their novels are quite long and I even did not mind it.
   
   
   
6. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo - opened my eyes and understanding to the social ills that beset our lives.
   
   
   
7. Margaret Truman capital murder series - what lured me to liking and loving crime novels and related tv series.

Now I wonder what other people have read during their youth. What pages of a book they had flipped up that spelled the difference between reading with passion and/or feeling indifference with books.

Okay. So I found the last statement quite extreme. LOL.

Dear Me,

Now that my little boy is growing up, I would like him to engage in activities that he's capable of. Activities that are meant for him to enjoy and mingle with other kids and have fun with.

It is October and fun means Halloween! I decided to check out some events and while at it, compile them up so I can choose which ones to go to.



Active Fun Spooktacular Masquerade Party
October 27, 2010 - Active Fun Quezon City
October 28, 2010 - Active Fun Ortigas
October 29, 2010 - Active Fun Alabang
3:00pm onwards
There will be trick or treat, parade, costume contest, mascot and magic show, lootbags, snacks and unlimited play for one day! Please buy tickets pre-sold for PhP500.00 in any Active Fun branch where they wish to join. Click here for more details.




Cartoon Network's House of Halloween
Spooooky-Fun Halloween Party
October 31, 2010
1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm
SM The Podium
Spend a minimum of PhP500.00 at Toy Kingdom for a ticket to the pumpkin-rific Halloween bash! Also, come in on your most wicked Halloween costume and win awesome prizes from Toy Kingdom. Click here for more details.




Nickelodeon Scarenival
October 31, 2010
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia
If you have seen all things nasty and mean, maybe this time you will like something "slimy and green". Wear your creepiest costume and make your way to the carnival of the kooky and the spooky. Score one (1) FREE ticket for a minimum purchase of PhP1,000 of any toy (inclusive of Halloween items) at participating Toy Kingdom and Toy Kingdom Express stores. One ticket is good for 2 persons. Click here for more details.

Dear Me,

I was just finished having lunch and suddenly a face came to mind. A pleasant girl from college who instantly became my friend despite not being a classmate in any of my general or major subjects.

Prior to my being a student assistant in one of the administrative offices of the University of the Philippines, I used to bump with her at the college library, specifically in the bag deposit section (where you leave your possessions before entering the library). She always had a sunny smile for everyone.

It was in the Accounting Office where we me formally met. She was one of the student assistants there and I happened to apply for a spot (and which I got). Despite whiling my time in the library, I still had so much time in my hands and I wanted to be productive. Anyway, we were introduced and worked together for a couple of semesters.



Abi & moi @ Kenny Rogers
I never thought Abi and I would be such good friends. I was never an easy friend for I never trust anyone to come so close. Our friendship was instant.

If I am to associate Abi with a word of any kind (well, except nice, kind, etc), it has to be the internet. Quoting that was a huge thing for me. LOL. She revolutionized my knowledge about the virtual world, so to speak. If I am not mistaken, it was year 1993 when she introduced me to the world of chatting, emailing and surfing. I even gained a couple of chatmates. Hahaha.

If you can see me now while punching they keys of my laptop, you think that I'm going nuts for I'm smiling to myself. Who wouldn't? Would you believe if I told you that every day during lunch time, we allocate an hour just to go to the internet cafe at the mall just to chat with buddies? Yeah, so true! We even had this cute privilege card from Universe Cafe for being such a patron. We were 'suki' of their cafe during lunch time, on the dot. LOL.

Aside from building our friendship in the internet cafe, we got to talk about our college subjects, known 'terror' professors, gossips about other studes, and of course, good-looking boylets while checking and recording incoming and outgoing vouchers as well as encoding accounting documents. As I said, we were never seating buddies in any classrooms for we did not share the same university course.


Abi, moi & Miguel
Abi is now based in the United States and we still get to catch up with each other's happenings once in a while. We may be miles away from each other but I will always consider her a real friend, one of the fewest good friends that I can count in my fingers.


Miguel meeting Ninang Abi for the 1st time
PS. Did I mention that she also laughs a lot? And when she laughs, you're infected because you will find yourself laughing with her giggly laughter. :)) Now, that's a tongue twister. *winks*

Dear Me,

Year 2010 marks the 5th year anniversary of the Yabang Pinoy - Filipino Pride movement.

Everybody is invited to come and celebrate with Yabang Pinoy in its upcoming event.



Global Pinoy Bazaar 2010
a showcase of Filipino products
made with 100% Filipino LOVE and PRIDE
Nov. 6- 7 2010, 10am - 10pm
Rockwell Tent

Yabang Pinoy is targeting 8,000 shoppers who will come and shop at Global Pinoy Bazaar 2010. For questions, please contact Crissy or Ea at 0927-8263926.



If you would like to volunteer or know more about the Yabang Pinoy movement, please attend the Yabang Pinoy volunteer orientation on Oct 23 (Sat) 2pm - 5pm at Makati City. Please email yabangpinoy@gmail.com if you want to come so they can send the complete details.

Dear Me,

I am looking forward to leaving my comfort zone when it comes to preparing food at home. I need to diverse my cooking skills into the next level. Hahaha.

Although I am not a food-preparing expert like some of my dearest cousins (they're Cabalens aka hailing from Pampanga), I surely love to slave in front of the stove. The only thing that is hindering me from doing a cooking spree is being able to pick out ingredients that are so alien to my ears.

But...those days are gone. I'm going to venture out of that box and scour the supermarkets to do the search. Besides, there are online friends who are so willing to share what they know.

I'm not a chicken lover but I would love to try how to do the Chicken Inasal.



I snitched the recipe from the Del Monte Kitchenomics homepage, which, as of this writing is not a trusted site (reportedly an attack page of some sort).

One of the ingredients that I need to procure is called "tanglad." I have no idea what it is. Thanks to the people from Plurk, I got the answers. Apparently, TANGLAD is lemon grass. An herb plant that is popularly used in Asian cooking because of the light lemon flavor that it renders to the food being prepared.

For visual purposes, this is how tanglad looks like.


tanglad aka lemon grass
I was also informed that it is widely available in supermarkets...and SM (where I normally shop for groceries) has it! Woohoo!

Dear Me,

I haven't taken my dinner yet. I can feel some stomach crumps already. Not really the grumbling type. I'm planning to grab a sandwich which I prepared a while ago.



Participating in Estella's Revenge Six Word Celebration mini-challenge:

six-word celebration to show our appreciation to Dewey for starting this thing in 2008 and to our ongoing book blogger community for making it such a monumental event and such a great time twice per year.

And since I am feeling so famished, forgive my contribution to this mini-challenge. *winks*

Cheers, Dewey!
Books, Bibliophiles, Bloggers, Unite!

Not that sound so lame. LOL!

Dear Me,

I'm off to a slow start. My 3 year old boy is still up at this very hour! Blue's Clues is keeping him up his toes and if ever I attempt to switch that thing off, he's throwing tantrums. And he's wailing. Concentration lost. *sigh*

Anyway, I'm still reading Perfect Switch by Plumley and I am definitely sure I will still be at it for two more hours. Hayayay!

To divert the frustration, I'm heading to Miss Wisabus' Back-In-The Day Children's Book mini-challenge.

What were some of your favorite children's books when you were younger? Do you have any new favorites now that you're an adult? Have you included any children's or YA titles in your Read-A-Thon stack this year?

~ I grew up knowing and loving Nancy Drew's mystery stories. In fact, it was Nancy Drew who lured me into reading. I remember my first time in our school library and bumping into one of her mysteries.

I also love Dr. Seuss.

Anyway, to relive that Nancy Drew influence, I am building up my collection of her books.

Unfortunately, I have no YA books in my read-a-thon pile.

Dear Me,

Because of some factors unexpected or not, I was not able to accomplish any of my weekly tasks. It was only yesterday that I was able to work on them. The good thing was that I was somehow able to tackle the majority of it this morning. And boy, I was so happy because I could now see that I could participate in tonight's reading marathon.



The last thirty minutes, I was able to hunt for the books I would like to get started on as well as the snacks I would like to devour in-between flipping through hundreds of pages.

I am only gearing up for five books (as usual).

Where are you reading from today?

~ from our bedroom (Manila, Philippines)

3 facts about me:

~ I collect stickers (name of countries on them).
~ I love Mr. bean.
~ I am and will always be a coffee lover.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

~ Oh, only five. Photo above. :)

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

~ First and foremost, be able to finish the five books that I have for this read-a-thon. Next is to be able to wander around and visit other book lovers. :) It would be fun to discover and meet other bloggers who love books as I do.

If you're a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?

~ I really do not consider myself as a veteran (participated a number of times, though) but for first-timers, I suggest read with a smile. Don't pressure yourself with the volume of books others are reading. Also, it will help if the books you pick for this event is lighter in terms of pages.

Enjoy and have fun! I am currently reading Perfect Switch by Lisa Plumley.

I will be updating every four hours. :)

Dear Me,

It's Aloha Friday over at An Island Life. Hosted by Kailani from Hawaii,

Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too.

I'll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you'd like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don't forget to visit the other participants! It's a great way to make new bloggy friends!

We only have seven days a week to do the things we need to do. But if we are granted one more day, what would you do? The condition: that extra day will be solely and exclusively for yourself only.

Given that, plus all conflicting factors considered, I would definitely be in a zen-like place trying yoga and tai-chi; or I can also be engaging myself in an adrenaline-rush situation like having a mega zipline adventure or whitewater rafting experience. It would be such an intoxicating and well-spent day!

Dear Me,

Yes, it's my favorite day of the week. Here we go and be wordless on a Wednesday.



my little boy, Carlos Miguel reading with...

For more Wordless Wednesdays,
take a peek at the WW Hub and 5M4M.


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