Photo-A-Day: February 2013

Ta-Dah! Something to preoccupy my mind during the love month. Check out Fat Mum Slim's blog for details if you want to play along.

2013 New Year's Resolution

A new year. A new beginning.

2013.

Today marks the beginning of a new year. Another year added in my lifetime and another chance given to me in order to redeem myself. I'm thankful that although the things that happened to me during 2012 weren't part of my original plans, they still helped me in realizing what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be. Last year was probably the 'jump-start' I needed to get back on track. And now, I have a whole new year to push through with my plans. 

And as part of MY tradition, the year wouldn't be complete without my new year's resolutions. Warning: This list is most likely a re-post of my previous year's new year resolutions. I really should work harder in crossing off this list. I'm tired of seeing the same items on this list every friggin' year. Hahaha. Whose fault was it anyway? 

1. Be more Punctual.

This year I should strive to be on time for my new work; always come 15 minutes before get-togethers; and not use my sick leaves and annual leaves, unless when necessary.

I have to admit that I do have a problem with punctuality. It seems that no matter what I do, I still end up being late. So instead of completely eliminating this bad habit (which is rather impossible for someone like me), I opt to make changes little by little. Since it is impossible for me to not be late, I will just try to limit my tardiness to at least once or twice a week. And by continuous practice, I'll probably be able to completely let go of this bad habit. 

2. Save Moohlah!

Another persistent, re-occurring problem. This year, if I'm fortunate enough to secure a new job, I promise to allot a portion of my salary on savings. It's about time that I save up for the future. I should also keep track of my expenses and learn to budget my money wisely. 

3. Renew my faith.

Attend mass and other holy days of obligation; pray the rosary; read the bible and the purpose driven life; do not forget to thank God for all his blessings; and go to confession.

4. Live a healthy lifestyle

Exercise regularly; sleep before 11pm; avoid staying up late (except on weekends); no more coffee after 6pm and limit coffee intake to at least one per day; take multivitamins everyday; take a shower at night regularly; do skin care rituals every night without fail; drink tea at night; eat more fruits; and learn to eat more vegetables.

5. Reinvent myself

Wardrobe change and update at least once a month; wear accessories; learn how to apply make-up; and change the color of my hair. If I can get away with it, I want to get another piercing on my left ear.

6. Take up a new hobby

Try out something new this year: knitting, sewing, or dancing; Learn photography; update my bucket list; make art crafts more often; start the outline of my scrapbook and travel photo-book; or get into any kind of sport, most likely, badminton.

7. Learn

Learn a foreign language: Korean, Japanese, Spanish, French, or Mandarin; study world history; review other subjects like Psychology, etc.; search a topic that interests me and read more about it; read one book per week; get subscriptions at National Geographic, Time and Reader's Digest; and get into the habit of reading newspapers daily.

8. Travel more

This year, I should go to a place that I've never been before; If possible, be able to go out of the country again. If I'm not fortunate enough to go out of the country, I want to revisit Baguio, Antipolo, Tagaytay, Intramuros, and other places that I haven't been to for years.

9. Accomplish something on my bucket list

Again, I should work harder on crossing off items on my bucket list. I made that bucket list for a reason, not just stare at it and imagine things about it. I should be able to live it and experience it for real.

10. Own a pet

Fishes. When I finally have the resources, I'll buy the 13 angel fishes that I've been meaning to buy since 2008 and name them after Super Junior. Also, I'll decorate the coolest aquarium ever.

11. Redecorate my room

Another plan that I keep on postponing. Nothing much has change with this plan. I still want fashion spreads on my wall, collage of pictures, and a world map and a map of the Philippines so that I could mark the places that I've already been to.

12. Smile often

Smile. Smile. Smile. In order for me to not be mistaken as a snob, I should learn not to keep on frowning. I should also be more welcoming, accommodating and a lot friendlier to others. No matter the gender, status, or even political views... hehe.

13. Learn my way around the kitchen

It's about time I start to learn how to cook something edible. Something other than instant noodles, canned goods, and something other than fried whatever. Hopefully, learn how to bake too. Watching all those cooking shows made me envious of the contestant's skills in the kitchen. That is why I became inspired to learn how to cook too. 

14. Fall in love = Give love a second chance

Hopefully, by this year, I'd be able to find the one that is right for me. ♥

15. Try out something new this 2013.

Paintball, Go-Kart Racing, Bowling, Ice-Skating, Target shooting; or eat something that I haven't eaten yet: sushi, isaw, dinuguan; or experience something new: watch a theatrical play, play lotto, or visit museums.

I decided not to include item 14 from last year's resolution: Make my business successful. I still don't have enough resources to make it possible. I'm still struggling with finding a new job. But as soon as I'm settled, I'll start working on it little by little. Again, kudos to me! Hopefully this year would prove to be a lot better for me, resolution-wise. ~('o')v

Photo-A-Day: January 2013

January's photo-a-day is here! I really love playing along on this project. Check out Fat Mum Slim's blog for details if you also want to play along.

Abby's X-Mas Wishlist

I'm finally done with this year's Christmas wishlist! Yey!!! After much contemplation on my part, I came up with a list that is both practical and attainable. Meaning, I would have the resources to purchase any of them if it wasn't given to me as a gift. Hehe. ; )

Anything that is left on this list after the holidays are done will be subject for evaluation for inclusion on my birthday wishlist. Lol.

In no particular order:

• A new phone (preferably an android phone for Instagram use.) - I'm not particular with the brand of the phone. Sure, an iPhone would be much appreciated but anything that would allow me to post pictures on instagram, send text messages, and make phone calls would do.

• Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy book series (the whole set) - I like Lauren. I just do. I'm like totally inspired by her now. Which is why I wanted to read the books she's written. And what better way to start by reading her first novel, right?

• Heide Klum's "Me" perfume. - A bit pricey and somewhat hard to find here in the Philippines. But... if there's a will, there's a way! (a.k.a Paypal).

• New set of accessories: necklace, watch, bracelet, earrings, ring, and sunglasses. - Just a piece of each would do.

• New pair of jeans (preferably skinny jeans). - the last pair I bought was eight months ago. And the fabric is starting to stretch since I've been using it constantly for work. About time to find its alternate.

• Red lipstick. - my new obsession. I recently discovered that since I have dark lips, I sort of look sickly without a hint of color on my lips. So in order to prevent people telling me that I look like I'm about to faint, I tried using red lipstick. And it definitely did wonders for my appearance.

• New pair of shoes (preferably ballet flats) - I'm not a big fan of stilletto/high-heels (though I would love to try them someday). So, flats are like my feet's best friend. I can move around freely in them.

• A new bag - again, any type or brand would do. I just wanted something to add to my collection. Although I've been eyeing the red baby satchel I saw from a friend...

• Yellow umbrella. - if red lipstick is my new make-up obsession, then yellow is my new color obsession. This year, I saw the color yellow in a different light. Hehe.

• UST jacket (varsity jacket or the black quadricentennial jacket) - any alumni will surely want one. If I can't have them by this year, I'll surely buy them once I got my overtime pay from work.

• Alarm clock - I need one. Badly. Anyone who knows me well would understand why I had to have one.

So, that's about it. No over the top, hard to find items on this list. Hope to cross off even half of the items listed above by the end of this year. I have to admit that I haven't been a nice kid this year, but Santa... I'm constantly trying to improve myself. :)

*photos courtesy of google image, lauren-conrad.net, myhealthandbeautyshop.com.au and make-upforlife.net.

Christmas Bucket List

It's the first day of December. Counting today, it's exactly 25 days before Christmas. Christmas has always been one of my favorite (if not my most favorite) holiday. When I was younger, a lot younger that is, I always look forward for the month of December since they used to feature Holiday-themed cartoons all day. I remember not wanting to attend school because I will miss watching a show (there were no re-runs), and hated mandatory sleep in the afternoons because of that. Another thing I like about Christmas are my new clothes, shoes, and sometimes, toys which my mom would buy from Cinderella (that's a name of a store). And during Christmas eve, I look forward to spending it at my lola's side of the family where there are games, prizes, gifts, money, lots of food, and laughter filling the air. But then I grew up. 

I have to admit that during the past couple of years, I treated Christmas like an ordinary holiday. It seems that the magic has worn off. Aside from no longer believing in Santa Claus, it seems that I outgrew the spirit of Christmas. I no longer watch the cartoons, I no longer go caroling, and we no longer celebrate Christmas at that side of the family. But even as I am saying it now, the little kid in me still smiles when she sees Christmas decorations, and even if I no longer receive gifts for Christmas, my heart still jumps at seeing gifts (even if they're not mine) under the Christmas tree. Watching Home Alone re-runs on TV still completes my holidays. Christmas lanterns are still my favorite decorations. And hearing Christmas carols still fills my heart with joy. So I want to rekindle that flame. That flame that I had in me when I was twenty or so years younger - a time when Christmas for me is magical. So, how do I bring it back?

Abby's Christmas Bucket List.

1. Watch Home Alone 1-3.
2. Make A Christmas Wishlist.
3. Buy a gift for myself.
4. Attend the "Simbang Gabi". And complete it when possible.
5. Hear Christmas Carols.
6. Go to places where there are a lot of Christmas decorations.
7. Watch Christmas movies.
8. Eat Bibingka and puto bungbung?
9. Go to Star City.
10. Wrap a Christmas present.
11. Visit my inaanak.
12. Spend time with family.
13. Holiday dinner with friends.
14. Write a letter to Santa.
15. Create an ornament.
16. Starbucks special holiday drinks.
17. Drink hot choco/cocoa.
18. Get family Christmas pictures.
19. Eat chestnuts.
20. Stuff Christmas stocking with candies and chocolates.
21. Take a picture with Santa.
22. Buy a candy cane.
23. Read the Nativity.
24. Take a holiday photo.
25. Read a Christmas story.
26. Watch a Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) entry.
27. Look at Christmas lights.
28. Attend a Christmas bazaar.
29. Watch a parade.
30. Purchase different holiday-themed treats.

So, that's it. My very own Christmas bucket list. Hope to get them done before the year ends. And maybe at which time, I would have confessed that I still believe in Santa, his elves, reindeer, and yes... North Pole. ♥

XOXO,

AbbyMercs ♥

Photo-A-Day: December

It's finally up! Can't wait to do this month's photo-a-day challenge. Check out FatMumSlim's blog for the details if you want to play along with this challenge. :)

Sharing Love This Christmas...

Today, I participated in a gift-giving program organized by our city's vice mayor for the less fortunate kids in Parañaque. Earlier this afternoon, while we were having merienda (that's around 3PM), a lady came inside our office carrying two small x-mas trees. The trees were not adorned by the usual plastic christmas tree ornaments we were all used to seeing, but with neon green angel-shaped papers. A closer look and it revealed to contain names of kids and the baranggay where they came from at the back of the cut-outs. 

I found out that every year, an employee will get to choose from the trees the name(s) of kids that they want to give a gift to for Christmas  You can choose one or two or as many as you want, and you can even select the gender. One tree contain names of girls and the other, the names of boys. The kids' ages ranged from seven to eleven years old and they all came from District 2 of Parañaque City. When I asked why they don't have kids from District 1 (my district), it dawned upon me that the answer lies in the coming election. Now, I wouldn't go talking about that or my political views for the time being. Anyway, I chose two kids, a girl (Erika, 9 yrs. old) and a boy (Joshua, 10 yrs. old) as my gift recipient. I based my selection according to which names I liked the most and didn't even realize, until I was actually writing my name as the "santa", that they were both from Barangay Sun Valley. I wanted to change it but I like the names!!! Hehe. Erika and Joshua. Erika is a name that I personally like, and Joshua for Joshua Jackson, whom I'm a fan of since his Mighty Ducks days. 

I've never done this kind of thing before, so I'm very excited (and a bit anxious) at the thought of making kids (other than my siblings and cousins) happy this coming Christmas -even with just a simple gift. There were actually no rules regarding the gifts. There's no minimum nor maximum amount, no guidelines, no wishlist... so it's really up to you if you want to go all-out and be generous or be simple and practical. I have to admit that I'm at a loss as to what I'll be giving. But one thing's for sure, I want to give something that is useful and something that they will appreciate. No worries though as I still have three more weeks to figure something out. ♥

Photo A Day Challenge

I recently discovered this project while I was searching the web for an alternative to the 365-day photo project that I'm supposed to be doing. Most of the search results have linked me to Fat Mum Slim's website, and in there, I found this:

I know I'm a late participant (as in five days late), but I still want to give it a try. I'm also thinking of doing the photo-a-day challenges from January to October just for practice -and for fun! Just to see how creative I can be. And instead of using my phone (Instagram), I'll be using my trusty old digital camera. It's a sure way of testing how good I've become at taking pictures. It's kinda like being enrolled in a photography class. Wish me luck!

Test for Dementia

*From an email I got from a friend seven years ago.

Below are four questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You can't take your time. You have to answer them immediately, okay?

Let's find out how clever you really are.