The Secret World of Arrietty

This room reminds me of Howl's.


I wish I could paint this scenery.


Even when this typical old lady looks like Sophie.. I don't like her.


The parting scene that broke my heart.


The father and daughter scenes touched me so.


I watched the dubbed version so I can focus more on the visuals. My fave quotes are:

Sometimes it's best to stay clear of danger. - Dad

I hope you'll have a happy life. - Arrietty

My heart is strong now because you're in it and you'll always be. - Shaun

The Spaghetti Factory - Glorietta

We had to stay until number coding is lifted and hubby wanted to treat me on my special day.  So, our dinner started with a savory pumpkin soup served in a bread bowl.  Hubby had fish and chips.  I decided to try three sauces (seafood red, carbonara and asian) on linguine pasta.  Capping off the night with mango pana cotta.

Sarapness!  Mas masarap talaga pag libre! :D

Twenty-Two Forever

I forgot that we do not have Birthday Leave here.  Still, I opted to show up at work.  Mainly because I know my Lunch Buddies will provision a cake for me, yey!  As mentioned, work is crazy and the hour quickly ticked by.  Didn't have enough time to process that I'm officially a year older.

* * *
What does it mean to be a married woman of eleven year at age thirty-eight with a daughter and still very much engaged in the corporate world?

What have I done? What am I doing and what am I planning to do?

kitakitts@38

Here's where it gets tough because I can't compare with or consult my current situation to my close friends who are:
Single with no partner (1) - theoretical advises on marriage
Married with no child (2) - theoretical advises on parenting
Separated with child, currently in a relationship (1) - busy trying to make it work
Married with two child and living abroad (2) - location and timezone challenged

Most batchmates I know are either still single, separated or married childless or with two kids or more.  Sometimes I spy their timelines and try to figure out what's common between us.

What have they done? What are they doing and what are they planning to do?

* * *
Admittedly, I love the fact that I now have more ME time because D is not as clingy as she used to when she was younger.  Hubby and I can afford to cohabit harmoniously at 90% auto-pilot, fully aware which buttons not to press lest we want a fight.  What I meant is, I am blissfully in a plateau but it scares me because a slight change may lift me higher to the clouds of success or plummet downwards an abyss of failure.

I keep tabs on lessons learned when wondering but planning and action is the key.  I will continue to push forward because I am alive here and now.  To love the living and remember the dead.

Less One, Better Than None

Can you keep a secret?

Tying the knot is easy-peasy. Staying married is super hard.

Come closer.. I will tell you my secret.

Change what you can.
Accept what you can't.

Compromise.

Pick your battles.

Speak up or forever hold you peace.

Connect and be intimate: Look at each other. Touch. Hold hands. Kiss.

It's so simple (common sense no?) and yet at times, quite challenging to execute (pardon the technical word haha).

I will try to expound and give specific scenarios on how these words of wisdom helped me in our marriage.

I seldom do this kind of posts as I do not want to share too much or sound like a know-it-all. However, I feel like this might help you guys. Why else would you be here stalking my blog? Please see blog title :D

Serves as a reminder to me as well.

Let's all grow in love together, yes? ♡

Sixteenth Valentines

No scandalous bouquets or gigantic bears. A handmade card from D and my favorite chocolate bar from the husband, both given with adoring kisses and hugs made me feel so loved today.



Mami and V were with us as well!

From my family to yours..
Happy Hearts Day! 💗

Prince of Guitar, Daebak!

Like I said, I am making this month special and I am not going to miss his show like I did the last time.

Opted for the cheapest tickets because I really do not need to see him up close and we all can hear the same songs alltogether, yes? Plus, I'm on a tight budget 😂

Currently listening to him in Spotify as I write. Just to relive his show and recall some of his compositions I am not familiar with. I thoroughly enjoyed his arrangement of Adele's Hello and Bieb's Love Yourself.

If you are not yet aware of his existence, please checkout his YTube channel and start with his cover of Canon D 👍

Neuroscience Tips on How to be Happy

Here’s what brain research says will make you happy:

• Ask “What am I grateful for?” No answers? Doesn’t matter. Just searching helps.
• Label those negative emotions.Give it a name and your brain isn’t so bothered by it.
• Decide. Go for “good enough” instead of “best decision ever made on Earth.”
• Hugs, hugs, hugs. Don’t text — touch.

* * *

Sounds doable, yes? 😊

Wonder Month

Earth will be a friendly place, and when you look up, you may just see a rainbow. 


Feb 3 
- received good news on my benefits already, yey!

Feb 6 
- money may come quite suddenly, like lightning 
- did my mom stalk me in IG again? :D 

Feb 8 
- a memorable dream 
- see reward for all you have done 
- is fujipix an electronic gadget? :D 

Feb 9 
- your sibling would be lucky for you too 

Feb 13-14 
- you may receive a valuable, luxurious gift 

Feb 22 
- you will be thinking about your partner intently 

Feb 26 
- family, besties and partner will adore you 

Feb 28 
- think about your creative project 

* * *
Have you read what the stars have in store for you this month yet?

Lunch at the Crater

O was kind enough to buy us tapa and barbeque for lunch. Despite our food eaten cold, it was so delish as we relish the view while comforted by a slight cold breeze.

It's so true, food is better when shared with friends.

Stating the Obvious

New Moon on Monday


Send me your warning siren
As if I could ever hide
Last time La Luna 🌝

Pinatubo Trail

Mapped our trek via Nike Running App.  On an average, the trail will take 1.5hr one way.

I tried looking for decent/affordable trekking sandals in Glorietta but to no avail.  Took a peek at some recent photos to check if running shoes will do.

We started with the rocky path where we need to cross some streams.

Twenty minutes from the crater, one has to traverse steeper path covered in lush greenery.

One tired weary soul can only thank the heavens upon reaching the top and setting sight on such amazing view.

Sulfur and Ashes

The trip was set with O weeks ago. I didnt research or prepare much as I normally would.  Maybe, I wanted Mother Nature to surprise me.

I was captivated.

Among stopover site is the Toblerone Hills.  I can only cheer our driver on as he pushed the limits of our 4x4 across streams and rocky paths.  The terrain reminds me of The Martian.

The trek will reward you with this awesome view of the crater.  I encourage you to go visit while your body is still able.  Go! 🙌

Where Do You Want To Go Today

Reserving my energy and time for something.  Will share soon.

Meantime, some wise words from the Cheshire Cat.

MakeOut Monday Songs

Some random thoughts upon hearing MOM's songs:

Twixter
- punk guitar and drums 👊
- 🎶i've got no money and no plans🎶
- 2nd run: what? 🎶you kinda look like my ex-girlfriend🎶
- hmm.. just what is the next best thing?

Sirens
- sweet upbeat ❤
- i'm just waitin'
- 2nd run: not much to say but this is my favorite so far

Jersey
- kinda breakup&makeup
- i'll always be with her, she'll always be just out of reach
- ohh.. towards the end a tinge of bitterness perhaps..
- 2nd run: actually i sense hope

Tall as Heaven
- 🎶all these times spent on you..🎶
- loved the intro of drums in the chorus, simple beat
- *sudden stop* we are as tall as heaven

Hope Less Romantics
- the intro reminds me of this one ATL song (ohwohhoh)..
- throw them ass? haha
- 🎶you'll never feel the trigger if it's you who pulled it🎶

Little Infinity
- ohh.. interesting folky vibe with guitar and drums intro..
- 🎶you're just as weird as I..🎶
- hmm.. partial on the chorus..

January Roundup

Ear Candy:
Keeping Your Head Up by Birdy

Over and Over by Nathan Sykes

No Greater Love by Quest

Movies/TV Series:

Totoro
Death Note Final Episode
Jem and the Holograms

Books:

Itazura Na Kiss vol.2
The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories
Wonder
Auggie & Me

Homefront:
Dani's Room is so done! 🙌 decals na lang.

Hubby got the quotation for the bookshelves for the living room. Just waiting for the 3D renders to further visualize the design concept.

Work, etc.
Signatures for the Tech Refresh RFP, secured! 👊
Once the doc is sent to the vendors, somebody's gonna be a busy bee with Q&A sessions soon.

February, be kind to me! 😂 #typical

Dancing with You

Listening to this song just makes me reminisce dancing with someone you really really like.

Alam mo yung mga pasayaw sa probinsya noon? Minsan may ticket stub pa na bibilhin ang mga lalake na iaabot nya para makasayaw ang isang babae.

I assume this is for a good cause.

Anyway, I got to listen to lyrics of the song the other day.

👦🎶Then the wind of change
candle blown
Oh I should have known
Fairy tales and stories
don't come true
👧🎶I played a part
that hurt my heart
Now all I can do
is stay here
with memories of you🎶

Aaaannd it's actually poignant. Oh yes, this song is already associated to someone. Whoever it is, you don't have to know.  No regrets though, just memories.

Sometimes, a song is not just a song.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0h7npU1TJMlInLIEk3onq4

Love Month

And so it begins.

I can already feel it. The pressure to make it special.

Ikaw ba?

Sometimes, I just want to give up planning and be lazy about it. Treat it like any other day.

No expectations = No Disappointment.

But that would be like..

not.so.me.

So let's make this month extra super duper to the max special, okay?! ❤