These are handmade notepads I made last year after the Christmas holidays when boredom struck me.

I got some colored paper, stickers, rings, and papers used for calling cards as the cover because these are “thick”.

I just cut the papers, punched a hole on top, put the covers at the front and back and had fun choosing the stickers to put. The stickers were just simply stuck on the cover and no need for flat irons nor glue guns to make them stick.

I’ve stopped making these for now but I have a lot of cut papers and more stickers and rings to put together before Christmas season arrives.

Yes, I’m giving more of these handmade gifts to friends

I’m looking for a new mobile phone.

Just “looking for” with no plans to buy yet because that is not a priority must-have expense.

There’s a toss among several brands and specs with blackberry curve (or Playbook? dream on) and Samsung Galaxy S2 (or Galaxy tab). I can look, look and look till I faint with the specs and because there are too many gadgets to choose from, there’d be a new one once I purchase what I chose.

So, how to choose the “perfect” mobile phone for you?

• know what you need and learn which phones support these needs
• read reviews on the mobile phone(s) you are eyeing
• wait for a few weeks before buying that newest mobile phone to see if a newer model will come out by the time you are buying (this may make that model’s price drop a bit if you wait a little while)
• make the most of your budget so that’s you don’t feel guilty or you don’t feel you’ve been “robbed”

Happy mobile phone hunting!

30 minutes ago I saw that bunch of lolos and a lola passed by our home. They were all in a jolly mood, some wearing jogging pants, some in walking shorts and the rest of them have caps and jackets. They are having their morning walks. I used to see them when I used to take my morning walks.

Used to.

I don’t know exactly why I stopped. My first excuse was my mobile phone (a Walkman) which has a broken part where the cable for earphones are plugged and music can’t be played. Yes, it IS boring to go out there alone without music.

My running shoes broke during a Zumba session last summer and I still have to get a new pair since I’m using my daughter’s old pair. I’ve not enrolled yet, as of this time.

Now I’m running out of excuses and I still haven’t gone out for these walks.

And I need to get my ‘groove” back.

My two younger children expressed their wanting to join the Unilab 2011 Run United 2 because we took part in the Unilab 2011 Run United 1.

I’m trapped. I MUST go back because I plan to join Unilab’s 2011 Run United 2.

This will also make hubby “inspired” to go running with me again.

I hope the rains won’t ruin these plans.

UPDATE:

2011 Unilab Run United 2 Registration is now open

My youngest daughter would sing the songs from Nestle’s Kasambuhay Habambuhay TVC. It is her LSS so to speak. Here is the Nestle 100 Years Pag-ibig TVC if you haven’t seen it yet:

So when I had the chance to be invited to last night’s (June 8 ) special screening of Nestle’s Kasambuhay Habambuhay Short Film Anthology at PH Nestle’s HQ, I decided to attend the event, dragging my youngest daughter with me who had her initial session at Global Art yesterday. No rains nor high water can make us not come because my Bunso was not going to take “NO” for an answer. It was after all, a chance for her to see what she has been singing about for several days.

Anyway, I’m glad we went. We sure did have a great time as I’ve written earlier in my Teacher Julie FB page.

So there, I think my laughter was one of those that resonated the venue’s walls where we watched the Nestle Kasambuhay Habambuhay Short Film Anthology. I don’t know if it was obvious when my tears were falling but I know, there were some whose heart strings were tugged just like me.

There are 10 shorts films with 10 minutes each featured in Nestle Kasambuhay Habambuhay Short Film Anthology. Please click on the title to be directed to the YouTube trailer:

• The Howl and the Fussyket directed by Chris Martinez (Genre: a family comedy of manners; Brand: Bear Brand Instant Milk which is my mom’s favorite brand of milk for several decades now). 8-year old Aaron (Gerald Pesigan) volunteered to be his grade 2 class’ representative in the coming English Declamation contest. Will he win the contest despite his obvious difficulties interchanging “p” and “f”? How will his mother (Eugene Domingo) and sister (Kiray) help him prep for the competition? This is a story of perseverance, family unity and knowing what triumph is all about. Guaranteed howls of laughter and “awww…” moments.

• Unplugged directed by Raul Jorolan (Genre: a feel-good adventure of discovery; Brand feature: Milo hands down my kids fave chocolate milk drink). Foot ball coach (Marvin Agustin) brought his team of young football players to his grandfather’s (Eddie Garcia) home in the province to bond. But as the grandpa observed, they are all engrossed with their handheld gadgets so he asked them to give it all up and stay unplugged. The boys had so much fun enjoying the outdoors, coming to the realization that by going offline, they are able to reconnect back to (the simple joys) in life: a life unplugged. Note: one of my personal favorites.

• Silup directed by Jun Reyes. Genre: A Gritty Urban Drama. Brand feature: Bear Brand Sterilized Milk. Silup, Pulis spelled backwards, is about a Manila cop (Sid Lucero) who is a third generation policeman. He sees crime, had been shot at which missed. He is strict and tough but at home, he is that caring person who lives with his grandma (Gloria Romero). Be prepared to see what these cops deal with and believe me, some of the scenes are not something you’d probably want to see in real life. continue reading this entry »

Rainy season has been officially declared as of last week (or two). I’m sure a lot of children are taking advantage of the last few free days they have before classes start.

My children are still in a summer vacation mode, playing with their toys, having games outdoors at night with their cousins in MIL’s home and going with me to work or to spend time just lazing about (like there’s such a thing). I know for a fact that inflatable pools are now stored as well as some outdoor toys like sports equipments, atv winches, and tents.

Are the children ready to go back to school? I think they are.

Are the parents ready for the new school year? That’s a big question mark,

As for me, waking up at 4am is not something I look for ward to for the next 10 months.