Missus Bounty Basket

Palazzo dei Cento Preti, Roma 6 August 2011 Nope, I'm not really into railroads; there's just no appropriate title available right now;) This whole thing is because of our recent trip to Italy, where we took the train from one city to the next. Actually, there's nothing more exciting that train rides, you got to see the scenery but this could be a bit of a challenge when you have 2 small children and 2 big luggages not to forget a pushchair. It could get really stressful, and you wish you were in business class on a Boeing 747 specially when all you hear is "Mama Mia". 85/100+ Present day Italy. I am not sure of the exact moment when I fell in love with this beautiful country.  Was it during the camping adventure where my daughters were free to roam, went to Baby dance and parents stayed late to eat ice cream afterwards and where Lina's stand displayed an array of fruit and veggies grown in her own orto, or the time when I first had apérol accompanied by a tra...

14 June 2011 Frugal living in this expensive Switzerland seems very unlikely for someone like me, but this is what I've been practicing for sometimes now. Though I don't consider myself religiously applying it. So there would be moments of giving in to something, but still in moderation, I think. However, my sensitivity was put to the test when I found out that some people were commenting on the way I dress, also adding that it's because I bought them at a yard sale. Even my daughter wasn't spare of this. It hurts. I then questioned my ability to provide for my daughter. But does buying new stuff for my girls make me a better mother? We each choose how we want to live our lives, and buying second-hand is one of those things which brings me joy.  This is me. And as long as there's a yard sale in Geneva, you guys would find me there. Rummaging through stuff, admiring every knick-knack, and filling my bags with Hello Kitties and Dora books that make my girls and their ...

29 April 2011 You might also like: Sunny Day Liwaliw/Going out and having fun My postcard-like view Getting back into shape Howzat 87/100+ Present day My Nanay Manang's fried rice came to mind as I looked at the plate of dried fish, or what we called "lawlaw".  These days, we rarely eat fried rice in the morning.  Having spent half of my life away from home, I have slowly changed my habits, be it with food, time, or raising a family. Being away, though, hasn't fully changed my values; in a way, I was able to discover and apply to my life what is truly important for me to grow as a person. It is a long process because, along the way, without me knowing it, I still attached myself to my old ways, and relearning to live and be different was a challenge. But as with most people who migrate to another country and create their own family, I learned to adapt- body and soul but not witho...

29 April 2011 The girls, housework, gardening, lessons - these are just some of the things that occupied my time. How I wish to extend the time so that blogging won't be left aside. But anyway, now that we're almost done with half of May, school vacation is just around the corner. There will be other things that will occupy my time You might also like: window garden update Luntian/Green We are family My loving chef Howzat 88/100+ Present day Apart from undusted table, my workspace is finally breathing. A money plant next to my desktop, and some of my pink Post-it reminders were stuck on the latter. Books on writing, "No Dig" to remind me to amend my garden soil for a better planting season next year. Pens and a writing pad I was gifted.  It is 9h19 and filling this draft in with something interesting is somewhat of a challenge on a Sunday morning. But here I am, finally typing awa...

89/100 Present da y New7? Was this a typo?  I am in my 89th draft, and boy, what a joy to post and finish each draft. This is a victory, a personal accomplishment I cannot deny.   I have the option to erase everything. It's easier. Yet there's something significant about finishing what I have started decades ago. I don't know. Maybe I am just being overly emotional with each passing time. And leaving behind an unfinished creation doesn't sit well with me at this time of my life.  This plan to finish my 100+ drafts is like healing, keeping the promises, and making things happen for myself. A sign that I can still do something better -as a midlifer, as a non-income-generating being. That somehow, if I change a thing or two in my plane, something's gonna move, shift, and there's also shifting in my essence. What is important for me as I get older? What can I do as time passes by? What am I missing? What should I do?  I am grateful that, in the absence of an income ...

90/100  Present day  I cannot remember who Kuya Oka is or the reason for using his name as my title on April 20,2011. So today, let's figure out what to write to fill in this draft.  The other day, the girls were both at school,  so the whole house was filled with Bresh and Gazzelle. And today, being a weekend, both my daughters are at home.  So let's be silent and welcome Bach. His pieces are now penetrating the whole room as I type this phrase, and it brings serenity and calmness to my being.  Faint music is coming from Erin's room, but my surroundings are still tranquil. Radio Italia is not on.  Having had noise all day yesterday, I need to subdue my whole being and create quiet.  There are times when I can go on with my day without any music. Just total silence. It's like replenishing my soul with something other than music.  After being surrounded by noise, silence reenergizes me. Being alone, undisturbed, can sometimes be addictive; the...