Minion Beanie

I finished another crochet project! A minion beanie for a newly minion fan - my son! He loves it and it's perfect for the cold season. For this beanie, I watch this tutorial over at Youtube. I made some adjustments and modifications to fit it better for a 3 year old boy. It came out nicely and my son is happy with it.

I want to make a Totoro amigurumi next but I can't find a nice tutorial yet. But my next project would definitely be a 3D crochet!

The Right Way to Fly

They say the best things in life are free. Well, not always! One good example is travelling. Given the chance I would like to explore the 7, 107 islands and the 81 provinces of the Philippines. But such adventure needs money and a budget. The first thing we need to spend is for the transportation whether it be bus, or ship or airplane. Yes, the best things in life are not always free. But the second best thing in life is when you get affordable price for a good service that can take you to different places!

AirAsia, The World's Best Low Cost Airline, is partnering up with Zest Air. They are now called AirAsia Zest. This partnership or rebranding will prove to be a blessing to all travel bug out there! It means more choices, better value, and enhanced services for every Filipino. A value for our well earned money. Wait, there's more! AirAsia Zest is now moving to NAIA Terminal 4 for it's domestic and international flight. It means easier access for more passengers unlike before where you have to go at Clark, Pampanga. Now whether you chose to travel in the Philippines or to travel in Asia, AirAsia Zest will take very good care of you. You don't believe me? Check out their websites here. Planning a trip and taking a vacation couldn't be more easier than that. They already have the promos for the Holidays this early! Go book that flight before seats run out!

AirAsia Zest, The Right Way to Fly

Now we have our way of transportation, let's proceed to destination shall we? As I've said earlier, I would like to explore our beautiful country. AirAsia Zest offers flight to Cebu, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Cagayan De Oro, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Incheon. But if I were to chose only 5, my list would be Cebu, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa. Here's what I plan to do when I get there:

1. Cebu. I want to see the Magellan's Cross. This place is very historic as the cross signified the Spain's greatest influence in Filipinos - Christianity. 

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2. Davao. I'd like to witness Kadayawan Festival and to eat durian! 

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3. Cagayan De Oro. Whitewater rafting! I wouldn't pass the chance of experiencing it here! 

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4. Boracay. One of the world's best beaches. I will try some of the water sport that this place offer. Like banana boat, para sailing, snorkeling. The white sand and the pristine blue water is something not to be missed  for.

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5. Puerto Princesa, Palawan. I want to explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River! It makes me proud that it was included as one of The New 7 Wonders of the World. After seeing it, then I'll only have 6 Wonders of the World to visit! :)

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I'm excited to go to these places! Now all I need is a schedule and I'm off to my dream vacation! I know it's possible with AirAsia Zest, The Right Way To Fly!

20 Before 40

This is not planned. Not at all. I am searching for stuff that my son can do for our "mini school" tomorrow. But since I am awake I might as well greet myself first. "Happy Birthday to me!" There. It's not a secret anymore. I am officially not in the calendar. Yep! I am 32 years old right at this moment! :)

Being older is not something I look forward to but is something I have accepted and make peace with. We're all going to get old. But how did we live this one life God has given us is the BIG question. I have to confess that before Riley, I was a lost soul. Didn't know what to do with my life or what I want. If I had only known that he'll be mine to keep, I would have made better choices while I was younger. Like maybe took a college course that I am passionate about. Or took risk and pursue some dreams. Or be braver and not mind other people.Yeah, I have regrets in life. But my son made me believe that nothing is ever too late! I want to set new goals, dream new dreams, and live the life Riley and I deserve. And we're only just beginning.

So, I came up with this list: 20 things I want to accomplish before I hit 40. Some are just downright OUTRAGEOUS! It's my birthday so I can write whatever I want to write, ok?! Haha. Okay, let's get down to it. This is in no particular order.

1. To have a house for me and my mother (and Riley of course!)
2. To experience a Mediterranean cruise.
3. To manage a tutorial service center together with my sister.
4. To be a certified CISCO Network Administrator.
5. To touch the snow at Mt. Ruapeho at New Zealand.
6. To watch a Mariah Carey's concert live.
7. To write an article in a magazine or newspaper or website tapos may nakalagay "written by Joyce Ann Magtanong." :p
8. To have my own car, a Volkswagen Beetle to be exact (and drive it!)
9. To see the cherry blossoms in Japan.
10. To be an active volunteer of Red Cross or World Vision.
11. To explore the Underground River at Palawan.
12. To eat a sumptuous meal while cruising the Loboc River in Bohol.
13. To finish a 10k run.
14. To walk while holding hands with Daddyfriend and Riley in Boracay.
15. To see the pyramids in Egypt.
16. To create an iPad apps (and hopefully my bumili so I can earn money from it.)
17. To have a business of my own.
18. To travel to Greece.
19. To have a stable and enjoyable job where I can use my creativeness.
20. To inspire, touch lives, and serve God.

Big dreams, HARD work. These are enough to keep me busy in the next eight years! We'll see how it will turn out. :)

The Joys of Crocheting

Seeing lots of beautiful crochet creations in Pinterest, triggers my interest into this craft. I woke up one day and decided, I wanna learn how to crochet. It is a simple and non expensive craft if you ask me. All you need is some yarn and a hook and you can create beautiful things with your hands. After searching and watching and absorbing the information in the internet on how to, I finally finished my first ever crochets!

The scarf is supposed to be for my son. But I ran out of orange yarn and can't find the exact color anywhere so I decided to just give it to his teddy bear. Then I made a headband with bow for my very pretty niece. I used single crochet SC in both which I learned from a tutorial online. I forgot the link though. If you like to try crocheting too, I'm sure you can find something just by searching for it.

I think I'm ready now for a beanie! :)

Second Year Adventure

In a couple of days, my son Riley would turn three. It's a bittersweet moment for me personally. I am happy in one side because his Lola Edith is now home and we are together again. On the other side, I am sad because we lost two of his grandparents this year. Riley's Lolo Boy and Lola Ising. They will be missed absolutely. I know they'll watch Riley from heaven.

But life must go on.

A lot of changes, a lot of memories that happened. Laughters and happiness that this year brings. Captured in some photo and locked safely in my heart forever. I'll let the pictures tell all about his adventure as he traversed this wonderful age that is TWO!

Starting off with his second bday party! (9.15.2012)

He was a Jedi last Halloween (10.29.2012)

The first time he met his first cousins! (10.30.2012)


His first time to ride an airplane. And mine too! (11.25.2012)

Meeting Minnie Mouse at Disneyland makes him sooo happy! (11.26.2012)

Celebrating Christmas and New Year with just the three of us (12.25.2012)

Start of an iPad obssession! (2.22.2013)

Summertime at Tanay, Rizal (4.22.2013)

A very helpful boy! (Brigada Eskwela 5.20.2013)

He loves animals.... (Virtual Zoo 4.4.2013)

....and dinosaur too! (The Mind Museum 5.25.2013)

I never knew someone who can watch a movie over and over and over again.

Except this guy. He super love Toy Story and his pal Woody! (6.23.2013)

Making funny faces. He loves to do that nowadays. (Lolo's Kubo 7.14.2013)

His favorite food this year: LM pancit canton. (8.6.2013)
He also loves sayote, siomai, adobo, seedless grapes.

Hyperactive! He loves physical games and wrestling me! (8.4.2013)

He is still as skinny as before.
But it's ok because his hugs fit perfectly to mine. (8.18.2013)

And the highlight of this year:
Reuniting again with his lola! (9.4.2013)

I think he had fun this year, as he always does. He'll turn three but he will always be a baby to my eyes! Oh, how time flies. Don't grow up too fast anak or mama won't catch up. I love you dear Riley!

The Difference a Day Can Make

Yesterday, I was anxious, too excited to eat, restless, worried, praying for a safe flight, sleepless, dying of anticipation, wanting the time to fly fast.

who's that pretty woman walking down the street?

Today, I can breathe a sigh of relief, at peace, can sleep soundly, thankful. 

Well, that's our one and only mother!

Yesterday, I was happy. But today, I am SUPER happy! What a huge difference a day can make! This day ends all the days of waiting. Shes finally home!

My Early Bday and Christmas List

Ber na! Mlapit na bday ko at cyempre ang pasko! So to those meaning to give me gifts (ehem ate, ehem janice, ehem eddieboy) maybe this list would help you decide. Di naman ako excited diba?!

1. Mini sewing machine so I can make a lot of repairs and projects.

2. Friends DVDs (all season) so I wouldn't have to watch the reruns on the tv.

3. Books, books! I'm collecting Mitch Albom now. I already have Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. This one I want:

4. Smart phone. Coz my phone is not too smart that's why. Ok na sakin kahit Cherry Mobile at samahan nyo na rin ng powerbank. :p

5. Wristwatch. One from Timex if you insist. :)

6. Hair rebond. Ako na sana gagastos pero kung sasagutin nyo, mas ok sa akin!

7. USB Flash Disk 16gig. I still can't find my 2gig flash disk until now. Riley, umamin ka na kasi san mo nilagay! 

There. Don't bother to wrap it up, ok?