Out of time

 

So much so do and always so little time to action! I don’t know if it’s just me and my (lack of) time management or whether I am being short changed by time. 24 hours seems to be just not enough to do everything I want or need to do. I am re-reading Purpose Driven Life again and I am reminded about my priorities in life... Still I can’t seem to cope. Life is going by way too fast! I wish I have an extra couple of hours just to “run my errands”. Errands which are really things that only I can do the way I want done. C’est la vie.

Somehow I am reminded of the movie with JT and Amanda Seyfried "In Time." Really, time is a sometimes felt like a commodity we are always wanting more of and never seem to have enough of. I liked that movie. I suppose I should watch it again now and it might shed some new thoughts on my current chaotic sense of time. Hmm - note for the weekend!! *Yes, if I actually find time to watch it!*

 

Revisiting an old photo of mine from 2011

Past... Forward

Recently my friend and I have been pondering about what's happened in the past, wanting to re-live the moments. And yet, partly wanting to fast forward to five years from now - anticipating what the future chapter beholds. A lot of times we are reliving the past and yet living in the future as well, when really we should be living in the "now" and just cherish the current moment!

Yesterday's fate has already been, and we get that comfort knowing we know what has already happened. And yet, we continue to try and anticipate everything that will happen tomorrow. There is a fine line's difference in planning for the future and being obssessed with controlling things that we can't possibly hold. Sometimes I find myself caught in between these..

Here is a photo I took many years ago, back when things were quite simple (but at that moment seemed like a complex dilemma). Was I so wrong in thinking they were endless tangled strings! Surely, life has a way of deciding for us sometimes - for the best, hopefully.

Taken @ Intramuros, Manila - 2007
 

Missing SG and family time

Lately all I have been thinking about is my trip to Singapore in a few months time. I don’t really have a say in the hotel I am staying at (as I am travelling for work) but I can’t help but browse through TravelSphere just to read about the destination, promotions which are currently being offered among the many other information available on the site. After all, you can’t really take out the travel agent in me.

 

It has been more than 5 years since I visited the lion city and surely there are a lot of new things, attractions to see (Universal Studios and the Marina Bay Sands). Hopefully I get to take a few days off after my training that way I could have a look see what the fuss is about! At this stage I am even imagining hubby and the little girl accompanying me – if possible! And dreaming on further, having my parents, sisters and nephews meet up with us there!

 

I really wish I can have more days off to spend with my family in SG. The last proper overseas vacation we've had was back in 2010! Seriously, I need a break. And I won't even start enumerating the reasons why I (or rather, we) need one. On the flip side, if we don't get to take time off this October, there is January to look forward to!!

 

So much for something

It's 6AM and 9 degrees (C) outside. I've been awake for about 2 hours now. Somehow I am now thinking about the following weeks to come and the unexpected change that is about to happen. All for the best of course, is what we are all hoping for.

An opportunity knocked at my door a couple of months ago, but I declined it then. There were lots of things going on and change back then would have just rocked our boat big time. Uncertainty can do that sometimes. It was a tough choice to make since this was something I have been wanting to pursue (maybe for at least 12 years now!). But then timing was just so wrong, or so I thought it was. For all I know I was resisting too much something that was meant to be. I struggled deep inside to not take this chance even if I wanted it so bad.

Now, this same opportunity fell on my lap again last week. Quite unexpectedly. And this time around it will happen. I am longing for the less stressful work environment and the great hours.

Taking this opportunity means I have had to put on hold a few business plans for a while. I am praying so hard though that this is the right decision. I guess something that's blessed on you cannot be bad and can only lead to even better things. Surely when the timing is right the universe will conspire and inspire you to not resist the flow.

Girls Getaway

I'm planning our big girls' getaway to the West Coast USA as early as now, to avoid any disappointment in securing our flights and accommodations. I probably won't worry as much about booking our san francisco airport shuttle just yet, as I know there are an abundance of sfo airport shuttle companies available (visit the site for more information). Nonetheless an sfo shuttle is still on the list to do of course!



Somehow this girls getaway is very late and long overdue. Four of my best girlfriends live on four different continents. The last time we were all together was when we were young and lived in one country (oh, those were the days!). Now that all of us have our own families and live very different lives, we haven't been able to spend as much time with each other as we need. Coming up with a plan as to where to rendezvous was quite easy. Two of the ladies live in countries right next to each other, one having the youngest child which would be a challenge to be away for too long. Who would have thought it possible to meet internationally after all these years!



Being the travel agent in the group, naturally I was tasked to look for accommodations and source activities we could do. My other friend is looking for restaurants we could visit, while one other one is in charge of driving. Wouldn't it be great if all trips were planned like this? Everyone tasked to do something equally important - takes the stress out of planning a trip if I may say so.



I am off to do research about hotels now, and contacting the ones which I know sales representatives at (free upgrades?!). Just thinking about it all is getting me really excited! I can't wait for August!

Travel Guides from Yesteryears

I believe there are not enough travel guides out there, but having one like Eyton would be a good source of real information from a reputable source. Somehow the products to view from their website give one a clearer picture of what to expect from a city (or a hotel) in a particular country. I wish I had that knowledge stored somewhere in my brain, that way perhaps I would be a better travel agent, but I suppose that is the purpose of the internet nowadays - a very good source of information.



I cannot imagine how travel consulting would have been in the early days when computers much less the internet did not exist. The information on travel publications would have expired the minute it was published, and amending information would be costly and time consuming. Imagine having to research all about a particular city you are wanting to visit. One would source this from the library, or by word of mouth from friends and relatives who have been there. Alternatively, if one had a very nice experience to share (or a ghastly encounter) that they would like to share - they would have to wait for the right time and of course someone willing and eager to listen (it would be a plus if you are a good speaker and conversationalist). Publishing a travel guide book would probably not have been a good option during those times, but it may have been a good idea if you are a brilliant illustrator who can either paint with words or compose a nice photograph to share with the world.



If I lived back then, I would probably see myself doing just that. Travelling the world, taking awesome photographs, and printing them in a small travel booklet (just like a guide). I would probably have travel coupons attached too to make it even more interesting! However, we live in the here and now, and we have Eyton, with all the up to date information you could want! They have great information on their website, and gorgeous pictures, which I definitely appreciate. It's quite a virtual experience when you visit Eyton.

My little girl's fourth birthday

Ten months is not a long way to go, especially when planning a long island birthday party! I know a couple of years ago I started to brainstorm for my daughter's second birthday party, a year before her birthday. The way I come up with ideas is not over one sitting in one day. I actually work on it for a month. I jot down possible themes and come up with a mock of each theme. Then, based on what is realistic for me to do I choose the best one. I am particularly proud of my girl's second party.



I have come up with a pink lemonade party. I had pink and lemon yellow balloons all over the house, garden and front yard. I also had concocted some home made pink lemonade in pitchers, and had adorned the entire house with lemonade circles, streamers and paper creative garlands. For the food, I had the big birthday cake decorated, I had made brownies, cut up some lemon meringue squares, popcorn, marshmallows, spaghetti, fairy sprinkle bread, etcetera. On each food I had done up a label within a lemon shaped cut-out (yes, even on the lemonade pitchers). The overall effect was fabulous and I was happy and proud of the outcome. More importantly, the little girl was happy and enjoyed playing with the other kids. Click and see products here to give you an idea of how you can liven up a kid's party.



For the coming year, I am still tossing around whether or not I should go all out again and plan a big party or if I should just host a small and intimate party for my little one and four of her friends? After all she is turning four years old then. Well, I have ten months to plan!

Oi Oi Oi

Happy Australia day!

Today we celebrated Australia day with the little girl for the first time (other years we didn't really participate). All three of us had matching Oz tattoos :) went down to the local council's park with the rest of the locals - had the usual Aussie food (sausage rolls, fairy floss, etc).

Here is a photo I took many years ago, when I was very much new to this city I now call home.

Blank canvas

I've been in search for the perfect poster frame to put at home - actually searching for more than one - perhaps at least 7. One for each bathroom, room and the living room and my office.

For the bathrooms I am thinking perhaps a fresh canvas of lavander flowers - to match my statice flowers in heart cans. Or maybe even a collage of a beach scene, complete with bucket and spade, starfish, pathway.

My work space is probably what I can't decide on - too many lovely travel related canvas. One of which is this Paris icon... Hmm, I guess I could rotate the canvasses to suit my mood, the season, and my interest! Perfect solution!

If only I could

If only I could go on another (proper one!) honeymoon, I would choose to go around the world with hubby for a few months. Ideally, that is. I have so many items on my wish list of honeymoon destinations that it would take me "x" amount of honeymoons to fulfill - of course with the same travel companion! Here are some of my ultimate destinations/activities:

1. Paris - which couple does not want to be in the city of love, with their ultimate loved one? Whether it be on a honeymoon or not, Paris is the romantic city to be in. The city itself is full of lovers, and full of lovable picture perfect cafes, bridges, parks, buildings, shopping centres (?) and museums. I have to indulge on this and put on my list.

2. Tuscany - hire a car in Italy and stay in a traditional villa in Tuscany for at least a week! This image should spark lots of magic for any couple - coupled with a bottle of wine (or two), enjoyed over authentic Italian feast, at sunset - overlooking the local vineyard - cool breeze, twilight, perfect. That says it all for me.



3. Santorini - whitewashed walls, cobblestone walkway, endless chatter in town, local market noise, clear blue skies blending with the perfect caldera view and sparkling sea view- holding the hand of your love. Soaking the ambience all day, capped with an evening of traditional Greek merrymaking. The atmosphere will just make you fall in love with your lover all over again. 

4. Dubai - Glowing night desert sky and sand, entertaining belly dancers, pop up tent in the middle of the desert (at dusk), overflowing drinks and kebabs, sexy background music, Dubai Holidays will just leave a special memory etched for a lifetime!

Too quick

The holidays went by too quick and I can't believe I am thinking about this year's Christmas holidays already. Ideally, we'd like to spend it in Manila with family (wishful thinking!). Either way, surely it will be a fun one for our little girl. Last year we put up a tree quite early and she loved helping hang the baubles and ornaments. I know the real trees are nicer (but hard maintenance) but to kids artificial christmas trees are just as fun.

I guess as much as I would love to think about what I want to do 11 months from now, I am more excited to plan about the next couple of months trips first. We are in the last couple of months of warm southern hemisphere weather and visits to the beach should happen more in the next months! My birthday is coming up and so I would love a family getaway. Now, I am off to search the net!