Last weekend, I finally got the time to work on my PL album again. I started where I left off, my week 7. This was the Valentine week, and even if I initially planned on doing a photo-a-day sort of spread, I can’t anymore as my schedule can sometimes be too busy, I forget to take pictures. So I decided to just do highlights of the week. Well, my week 6 was sort of like that anyway.

And for week 7, highlights were the surprise lunch-and-movie date with the husband; and the weekend lunch dates with my family and husband’s family.

It was also my first time to use my thickers on non-title card.

Whew! I’m back!

A lot of my friends are first-time moms, and I often get questions about the first birthday party preparations I had with my two kids. The most common of all is, what are the things that can be done or created on our own, as a DIY project few months before the party. Here’s my own list:

1. Souvenirs/Tokens – of course, it’s easier to just buy something that match the theme, but sometimes you have an idea on your mind but not available at the stores (or even online). Projects range from paper to clay creations. Search the internet (Pinterest recommended) for instructions on how to do them on your own.

2. Invitations – search the internet for graphics that matches your theme, add text and photo, and you’re set. Internet has tons of step-by-step instructions on how to do these, even pop-up ones.

3. Backdrop (for your “stage” or dessert table) – this is my favorite as this is where you can add the things to showcase the theme. Aside from your banner, you can add actual items (e.g. fishnet for sea/beach theme, toy instruments for rock star theme, etc.)

4. Table centerpiece – so many ideas to do with jars, boxes or fishbowls, fill them with shredded papers, gumballs or m&m’s, and add lollipops, mini placards, or balloons.

You may start with lots of “rejects” but practice makes perfect. By your 50th piece, your project is nothing but perfect. Just remember, if your time won’t allow it, choose to purchase ready-made party supplies. Don’t stress yourself out. What’s important is your kid will have fun celebrating his/her birthday.

I guess it’s time I share how my photos are printed. Unlike others who are also into Project Life like me, I don’t print my photos at home. It’s cheaper for me this way. I only print my cards at home, but not the photos.

I searched for a photo lab that prints the way I like. Tthen, I found Photoline (Manila). They’re not perfect but I like them. Here are the pros and cons.

Pros:
- I like their “silk”, as I love textures. Look closely on the photo (beside a glossy one) and you’ll see the ridges.

- They give 5% discounts if you print 100 pieces or more.
- They reprint if it’s printed incorrectly. I complained that the border I created was cut out, so they printed them again for me. Good service.

Con:
- They resize even if I tell them so many times not to. This is especially frustrating for my collages. The white border around the collage is always cut out. They insist it’s their machine that automatically resizes and cuts it out. I get tired of complaining. (But I may have a solution to this. I’ll share if the outcome is good)

Even with loads of backlogs on my travel photo books, I am again itching to travel. We were lucky that we were able to travel for the past 4 years, since more and more vacations packages are coming out, year after year, and they are becoming more and more affordable. But quite oddly, I don’t want to travel YET to a new country. I want to go back to the places that we’ve gone to. Here’s a rundown of the countries I like to re-visit:

1. Hong Kong – we went there when my daughter was about 3 years old to visit Disneyland. And again when she was 4 to visit Ocean Park. I want us to go back there with my son, maybe when he turns 3 too. I know my daughter wants to see the Disney Princesses again, and my son loves the Toy Story movies. And yes, the Toy Story part of Disneyland wasn’t there yet when we first visited. We may have to re-visit Ocean Park too since my husband missed some rides that he wanted.

2. Macau – we’ve been there twice but I am still not satisfied with my shot of the Amphitheater. Hahaha. We’ll probably make it a side trip again when we visit HK.

3. Singapore – we’ve been there twice, second one when my son was 8 months old. I’d like to follow the itinerary that we had on our first trip when my daughter was 4. I would like us to visit the Singapore zoo (and Night Safari) again for the kids to enjoy. And of course, Universal Studios and other activities in Sentosa.

4. Japan – I’ve been here only once and I was still single then. And it was a business trip so I had no chance to roam around. I’d like us to see their version of Disneyland and Disney sea; and their Universal Studios too. I also want to see other places like temples (and follow the cherry blossoms) in Kyoto, and that big robot in Odaiba.

I hope we find the budget and time to revisit these places. Let’s travel while the kids are young and we, their parents, still have the energy to run after them! They may not remember the places, but they will remember how they felt spending fun time with us.

Mommies, who have tons of tasks, be it for a job or around the house, find it too difficult to set aside time for themselves. Time is consumed by the daily grind, leaving no more time for personal hobbies, or relaxation.

Here are some suggestions on the best time to read that book, catch up on your scrapbook pages or simply meditate.

1. Before bedtime. This is the most common ME time, highly recommended for things that need your full attention, when everyone else is sleeping, and no one will break your “momentum”. Also the best time to read your book and induce sleep.

2. Family members’ own ME time. The best time to go over your Facebook, Twitter and RSS feeds is when the kids are busy watching their favorite tv shows, and the husband is occupied reading sports betting sites. You’ll have your own time, but wouldn’t mind minor interruptions.

3. Waiting time. While waiting for your kids’ from their lessons, you can opt to window shop, have tea by yourself or even have an hour of massage.

4. Long drives. Or even when driving to and from your workplace. The best time to daydream (which is some sort of meditation for some). Daydreaming is said to help improve creativity and boost one’s mood.

Whatever time you choose, make sure you make time for yourself. This will help you feel renewed and motivated to be a better wife, mom and employee.

Our daughter Mikee had playgroup, literacy/reading, cooking and swimming lessons for her summer activities over the past years. And this year, she decided she wants to try “keyboards” or piano playing. I thought maybe, we can buy a cheap yamaha p95, but my husband said to wait until summer is over, and check if her interest ebbs or grows. Based on that, we will decide.

But I am also considering voice lessons for her too. And painting. And… Just kidding. She pretty much decides what lesson/s she wants.

Mikee: “Mommy, where’s March?”
Me: “Yes, I’ll do that.”
Mikee: “Until December?”
Me: “Yes, the whole year.”

U-oh. Someone’s auditing. Hahaha.
Yeah, I sort of got stuck on my week 6.
Hopefully, I can get back on track this month. Maybe I can do two to three spreads in a week.

My brother is planning to buy fender starcaster at GC this week. I wonder what else he plans to buy. Aside from his guitar collection, he loves customizing effect pedals.

But actually, my mind is racing what items I need to be shopping. Hahaha. I know I can buy something small or thin (like scrapbook papers, right?), and add them into my brother’s box. So I better talk to him again soon, and discuss about the dimensions of his items. I bet I can have another Project Life kit. Hmmm….

Since we have 2 highlights for week 6, I decided to use an insert (design G), to accommodate all my favorite shots. I’ve got photos of my daughter’s field trip to Museo Pambata and Mind Museum on my first spread. While I have our Baguio photos on my second spread.

Credits:
I used “Alphabet soup for boys” kit by Zoe Pearn (SSD) on my first spread, and used “Alphabet soup for girls” kit also by Zoe Pearn on my second spread. These two kits each has a card in them, I used one as a filler card. Awesome, right?

As I was talking to the wife of my husband’s cousin (were you able to follow that? haha), she mentioned they are busy checking some Southport nc real estate these days. They have 3 young kids, and want to invest as early as now. They’re afraid they won’t be able to afford when they start sending the kids to college.

Their kids are almost the same age as my kids. Sometimes I wonder if it was a good decision to stay behind, while others take a chance hoping for a better life. I guess, only time can tell.

~~~
For Filipinos, we often used the phrase “makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa” when people go to another country to try their luck. When you look it up for translation, the word “makipagsapalaran” has two meanings. Either hazard, or adventure.