It's Christmas Time in the City

After all the quarantine hoops we had to go through, some of us are already thinking that Christmas season is going to be cancelled. Usually, once the "ber" months start, people get excited about the holidays and malls also start putting up decorations. 

Christmas trees and decor abound in the mall.

I checked out one of the biggest malls and checked to see for signs of the Christmas spirit. I'm happy to report that the holiday spirit is still alive and well.

Longing for The Outdoors

It's been 4 months since I last went out to work in the office or to eat at a restaurant with friends. Many of us are longing to spend time outdoors again. Travel is not an option at the moment and meeting up with friends is not viable either. 

Nostalgic View

Virtual meetings are a blessing but there is something missing in these meetings since participants are unable to actually interact physically. As that is not possible now, all we can do is reminisce memories of scenes outside that we usually take for granted. 

H-Art Space: Art Therapy for Inner Healing

A lot has happened this year and while I'm stuck at home, let me recall some memorable events from the past 6 months. One of them is the Love @ HArt Opening Party for the HArt Space Center organized by the Philippine Academy of Intuitives (PAInt).

Tiger - one of Maya's latest art work.  |  Source: Maya

The party itself was quite festive but the highlight of the event was the art therapy session conducted by Maya Banawa who owns H-Art Space. Maya provides art therapy sessions for kids and adults alike. You can book a session with her individually or as a group too. You don't need to be good at drawing or painting and she provides all the art materials for each session. You only need to bring yourself, open your mind and heart, be in the moment and let Maya guide you through the process.

Confusing the Signs: What's Really My Zodiac Sign?

Hello blogosphere! Hello once again that is. A couple of years have passed by since my last post here. More than a couple of things have happened which changed my life drastically. That really kept me busy and unable to update this poor blog of mine. But this quarantine period has given me plenty of time to reflect on many things; one of which is to start writing here again.

I post anew with a very (not really) controversial issue that recently came to light (in my eyes at least).

Source: CNN

This pandemic has forced everyone to reevaluate their lives. While we are in the middle of trying to adapt to the planet-wide changes in our daily routines and trying to figure out how to make do and eventually rebuild, our health care and economic systems (to name just the most critical ones at the moment); a cosmological event had occurred which has been ignored for so long.

I Went Vegan for a Month and Here's What Happened

Wanting to start the year right is always part of our goals when January turns around. Having positive thoughts and maintaining a positive outlook is also one of my goals for this new year. This is why I am sharing here a positive experience I had a few years back. I decided to switch to eating vegan and I did it cold turkey.

I started a vegan diet cold turkey and I'm still loving it.

I had started researching about healthy eating when my grandmother started getting sick. I particularly looked for articles which offered information on how to reverse diseases and this is how I came to know more about vegetarian and vegan eating.

Vegetarian / Vegan Find: A Healthier Choice at Hap Chan Tea House

Based on experience, the challenge of sticking to a meat-free diet becomes even more difficult when you go out of familiar surroundings.

Chop Suey Guisado Rice Topping on Hap Chan's menu.

The most convenient option is to go into a restaurant and request for vegetarian and vegan options or ask them to veganize your order. Not all restaurants would fulfill this request but I was lucky that Hap Chan Tea House in Eton Centris accommodated me.

Kala and Karin Soak in The Sunshine on A Roadtrip

Kala and Karin have been on many road trips; some short, some quite long and even boring. Through all these trips, we have learned that the journey itself has its own rewards and attractions. 

Is that a meteorite speeding across the sky? Is that a volcano erupting in the distance?

On this particular journey, our destination was quite far away and so we needed to start our trip very early in the morning, at 3AM. This meant that we were sleepy or asleep as soon as we got on the van. A few hours later, we were witness to the spectacle of the sunrise. It happens every day but we seldom appreciate its beauty. Since we had the scene unfolding right before our eyes, we could not help but click away.

A Fun, Fur-filled Day at Barkin' Blends, Katipunan

Scientific studies agree with pet owners and pet lovers that owning a pet or being around them can relieve stress and anxiety. However, it can be challenging to keep a pet around when your days are always busy and you can't bring them to work. Luckily, some pet lovers came up with the idea of bringing dogs and humans together to have fun with each other.

Lots of furry friends at Barkin' Blends.

Barkin' Blends is a dog cafe that allows stressed out humans to chill out for a while and have fun with all sorts of furry dog friends, in all sorts of sizes. We visited the place just to be with some furry friends and we couldn't get enough of the dogs. You know what's coming next, right?

Viewing the Windmills at Pililla, Rizal

When we visited the artist Leo Meneses for an interview, he promised to take us to the windmills afterwards. So we took off right after lunch, at 2PM to be exact, because we wanted to get back to Manila early and we were excited to see the windmills.

Windmills in the distance got us even more excited.

I have been to the windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte before and I had always wanted to go back. I didn't know there was a wind farm much nearer Manila so this was a welcome surprise. Fair warning: photo blog to follow.

Leo Meneses: Lover of Nature, Art and Life

There are many chances of meeting an actor or singer when you live in the city near the biggest media networks. There are lesser chances of meeting a painter or a musician as you go about your daily commute to work. I have always admired people in the fine arts and getting the chance to meet one was a chance I could not pass over.

The artist in his modest work space.

Mr. Leo Meneses was the artist we were going to meet with in his hometown of Pililla, Rizal. I've always wanted to have a conversation with an artist and learn about what inspired them to pursue their creative side, why they do what they do and many other questions that only frustrated artists like me can relate to.

A Wish For Us All This Coming 2016

The time for new year resolutions is here once more. Instead of a wish list, I am quoting Neil Gaiman in wishing everyone the best for this coming new year.

As I wish for myself, I wish the most wonderful year for everyone too.

Travel Memories and Inspirations for Future Destinations

I love traveling! Most of my travels are with friends and locally. I would love to travel solo one of these days and see how that feels.

I love traveling because I get to meet new people, experience local culture, local food (even if it sometimes leads me astray from eating healthy), and of course, fun and unique memories. A side benefit is you get to bond with your friends and companions.

Facing the Day with the Right Make-up On

So long since my last post but here I am again because writing is my go-to outlet for recharging.

Source: Women's Health

I've been addicted to YouTube surfing recently since I discovered English subs of Korean shows. Sometimes though, you find some interesting and thought-provoking gems like this one.

Lunch in the Middle of the Sea at Manlawi Sandbar, Caramoan

I had recently gone on a summer escapade with some friends to escape the summer heat and the general stress of our daily lives to have some fun, experience new things and hopefully, come back refreshed and energized to face our daily responsibilities.

Our first destination was Caramoan, the island-hopping paradise where we were sure to get lots of sea and sun and sky. Of course, we brought along lots of sunblock because we had no desire to end up looking like toast in the middle of this paradise. (We ended up darker than we anticipated anyway but no regrets!)

New (Out)Look for the New Year

Happy new year everyone! I won't be posting any resolutions for this year but I do wish everyone to have success with theirs as I endeavor to reach my own goals.

To start the year, I decided to give this blog a little makeover to start off some of the changes I want to implement for the rest of the year. Perhaps a change of color scheme will keep this blog looking interesting and also keep me interested in writing and posting regularly.

Christmas Lights!

Christmas lights are the first to go up when decorating for the holidays. The sight of twinkling lights always make me feel warm inside, especially when coupled with Christmas songs as background.

Twinkle, twinkle Christmas lights!

This is what we got treated too at Trinoma just recently. I got an invitation to the opening of this event last November 9, but unfortunately, I had problems with my email and couldn't respond to the invite at the time.

Feeling the Christmas Thrill!

It's the 2nd "ber" month on the calendar, the mornings are chilly but without too much rain throughout the day, yey! I can definitely feel that Christmas is just around the corner and the thought excites me. It excites me even more than my birthday!

It's definitely the BRRRRR months!

Sweet Treats with Friends

Just went through my archive of pictures and I found that I have had a lot of opportunities to indulge in sweets during foodie time with friends. I'm not such a sucker for sweets.

I've never really had a sweet tooth but I do recall finishing off a whole tablespoon of white sugar as dessert when I was a child.

Cat(s) Out of the Bag

There were two kitties who always loved to play.

One morning they woke up so early that even the humans were still happily rested in their beds.

Their mommy was away enjoying the plants in the garden all by herself before her kitties occupy her time for the rest of the day.

Finding Motivation

Haven't written for a long time because I could not find the time. But that's going to change soon. I've been trying to find a new direction in life recently as I'd grown quite restless with my current situation.

Image Source: motivateplay

I don't know what you would call this at this point in life because I'm not in the mid-life crisis stage yet but I'm happy to report that sunshine is filtering through the cloud of confusion one bright and warm beam at a time. So for now, I want to share with you some inspiring words from Mr. Will Smith himself.