Wilmur

I recently ordered these Wilmur specs in Smoky Tort from local optical powerhouse Sunnies Studios. I bought this pair from their online store due to the pandemic. I still have the same eye prescription (only 25 on my left eye as a result of astigmatism. My eyesight remains 20/20!), so ordering online was the best option. It was also a breeze as their website is well-designed and easy to use.

I may be a customer of various local optical shops, but Sunnies Studios remains to be my favorite. Their frames are the most stylish in my opinion, and they give great value for money. Their stores are also chic places to be in. Plus, their employees and directors have been very good to me through the years.

I highly recommend Sunnies Studios as their loyal customer, and not as a paid influencer. This is not a sponsored post! I simply love the brand, and I am delighted to own the Wilmur specs. I hope that you will find the perfect pair for you from their amazing selection!

Gubat Tapa Flakes

If you want to try something new especially during this rainy season, let me recommend the this delicious Tapa Flakes meal from Gubat. The UP Diliman restaurant has become a source of joy for me and my family during the pandemic. We have become patrons of their binalot meals, and they always arrive fresh and hot.

Please support them and order here. Enjoy!

Embroidery Day 4

I recently made my third embroidery piece as The Craft Central’s pattern tester for their Daisies kit. I enjoyed this project, and I even learned some life lessons along the way.

Here were the lessons that I have uncovered while learning embroidery:

  1. It is okay to be a beginner at something new.

  2. Learning a new skill grows our mindset and improves our adaptability.

  3. Starting something new as an adult teaches humility.

  4. Finishing a project gives satisfaction and joy, especially during the global pandemic.

So, if you think that you need some time away from your gadgets, I highly recommend embroidery! Visit The Craft Central to browse their embroidery kits. Stitch tutorials can be found on YouTube! This is a skill that will help you relax as you expand your mind.

Enjoy embroidery!

Embroidery Day 3

I recently finished my second embroidery piece as a pattern tester for The Craft Central. So far, I learned that embroidery takes a lot of patience for the stitches to look polished. Also, I was able to stay away from my phone as I was making this project. It was a lesson on focus and determination during the lockdown.

I recommend this project to beginners like myself, as well as to anyone who wants a new hobby that is not gadget-related! Check out The Craft Central for embroidery kits and future announcements regarding pattern testers.

Embroidery Day 1

They say that you have to do something that terrifies you every now and then. Guess what- embroidery scares me! I may be skilled in crocheting and knitting, but embroidery just intimidates me. So, I challenged myself by signing up as The Craft Central’s pattern tester for their Daisies beginner kit.

First impressions: the kit was packed in bubble wrap. It arrived on September 1st, and I think I have enough time to overcome my fear of embroidery by the challenge deadline on the 30th!

The kit came with carbon paper, three pieces of cloth, two embroidery needles, embroidery floss, stitch guide (in English!), patterns, and embroidery hoop.

The first step is to trace the pattern onto the cloth. Since I used to work in a bank, I am familiar with carbon paper! I can do this, no worries!

I got the tracing done in one go. Now on to the actual stitching!

I used the color guide to match the thread to the appropriate parts of the pattern. Since the first stitch needed was the satin stitch, I did not have any problem with just doing it. Before I knew it, I was stitching yellow petals and I felt confident with my progress!

I may be a slow stitcher, but I will get there! Slowly but surely, I will overcome my fear of embroidery and finish my first pattern.

Wish me luck!

Covid Proof Your Soul

I recently finished reading Covid Proof Your Soul by Marjorie Duterte. The book was “unputdownable” due to its practical tips on how to survive the pandemic and beyond. The author wrote about her goal for the book: for it to become a vaccine for our souls during these unprecedented times. I think that she was able to fulfill this goal because of the following:

  1. She shared her own personal stories on how she overcame personal challenges which strengthened her and emotionally prepared her for the pandemic.

  2. Her experience with grief and heartbreak has allowed her to be more empathetic. She was able to write a book on this and has enumerated steps on how to overcome the emotional challenges that we will experience during this time.

  3. She integrates scriptures into the book. She reminds the reader that God is in control.

  4. She shares online resources that the reader could call or email should the need arise for counseling and professional help.

Get your copy of this ebook today and be blessed! I really hope that it helps you as much as it has worked wonders for me.

Stay safe and healthy!

Unlove

I recently finished reading Unlove: Healing Yourself from Toxic Romance and Love in a Healthy Way by Marjorie Duterte. The inspirational author has been on my radar for quite some time now, but I did not have the courage to read her books- until now. The lockdown has provided me with the perfect opportunity to learn from my mistakes and to improve through reading. This book has worked wonders in helping me let go of self-sabotaging habits that prevented me from loving myself and attracting a God-fearing partner.

It was only when I started working on myself this year that I began to let go of hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism. The pandemic has taught me that life is too short. I should start being the best version of myself now in order to thrive in the new normal and beyond.

A huge part of thriving is the social aspect of my life. I have been vocal about my desire for a life partner, but I carried with me negative baggage (hatred, envy, bitterness, anger, and pessimism) which became my roadblocks in my dating journey. However, God has been good to me and He sent me my partner Lorenz this year. Not only is Lorenz God-fearing, but he is caring, intelligent, strong-willed, and tenacious. He has accepted me for who I am whole-heartedly, that is why I wanted to let go of the negative forces that has pulled me down. This was why I bought this book and answered all the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter.

Armed with a pen and my journal. I healed myself through the book’s guide questions. I felt lighter after completing the book and the exercises. It was cathartic.

I highly recommend this book to every woman who has ever been hurt and would like to improve herself. Buy the book here and learn from home today!

Stay safe and healthy, everyone! May God bless us all.

Finding You

I recently read Finding You by Elaine Marie Factor. It is the author’s memoir on her journey inside the convent, and her realizations about her discernment, faith, and her goals in life.

I knew that it was an insightful read, but I was not expecting myself to relate with the author’s struggles inside the convent. This book gave me the satisfaction of knowing that I made the right decision to follow my heart and pursue dating in the hopes of entering married life. Elaine candidly described enjoying the camaraderie with her fellow aspiring nuns yet she struggled with her health issues. She also felt like she could do more outside the convent.

Her realizations were beautifully written, and her heartbreaking loneliness inside one of the holiest places to be in was palpable. I found myself rooting for her whenever she experienced small wins and when she finally made the decision that would dictate the course of her life.

I highly recommend this to any woman who has ever considered entering the convent, and to those who would like to know how it is like to be inside one. This book will teach you about faith, self-love, and fulfilling your goals. Buy it here to also find yourself and be blessed!

Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp Batch 16

I invested in my personal development by enrolling in Jonathan Yabut’s Boost Your Confidence Boot Camp: Public Speaking & Business Writing last August 28, 2021. I was part of the boot camp’s sixteenth batch. The goal was to learn the best practices of communication during the time of the pandemic, wherein most of us are on WFH (work from home) setups.

I made the right decision because the two-hour boot camp was a goldmine of information and practical tips. My favorite was the positive way of apologizing because I am the kind of person who apologized for every oversight. Instead, I must say “thank you for spotting that”, or “thank you for your patience” instead.

Voice modulation was also tackled during the session, as well as speaking directly to the point. I highly recommend this for prolific writers like myself whose skills may be in demand when practicing creative writing, but cumbersome during real-world business communication.

Please consider participating in the future batches of this boot camp! It is worth the investment. I also recommend Jonathan’s motivational books which you can purchase here.

May we all continue learning, growing, and thriving amidst the challenges of the pandemic!

Eat That Frog!

I recently finished reading Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. I wanted to learn more on project management now that I am self-publishing my first book. I was not disappointed as this book was packed with practical tips on how to accomplish more goals.

Time management and planning were the key aspects taught in this book. The frog refers to the unpleasant tasks that weigh us down, causing us to procrastinate. Instead of wasting time, the author dares us to tackle that unpleasant task first before finishing the other tasks on our list. If that task cannot be done within the day, he recommended breaking it down to steps so that we get to accomplish it bit by bit. It was refreshing how unpleasant tasks were presented as doable, actionable goals.

At the end of every chapter, there were guide questions pertaining to goal setting, ideation, and writing down the concrete steps needed for us to tackle the frogs in our life. I answered these guide questions myself, and I learned that self-publishing was more doable than I thought, at least as far as the things beyond my control were concerned. I just have to be more patient when it comes to the factors on the publisher’s side, which are delayed due to the pandemic.

I highly recommend this book as it helps you finish your tasks so that you can accomplish more and move on to other areas of improvement. Buy it here and learn more on how you can finally eat that frog!

Mama Mary and Her ChIldren Book Six

Are you in need of a miracle at the moment? Here is something that might help. I recently read my copy of Mama Mary and Her Children Book SIx which is a collection of personal faith testimonials edited by Cherry Aquino and Rowie Matti. I attended its book launch last September 7, 2019 to support my friend Rowie. Little did I know that this book would reinforce my faith during a global pandemic.

As of this writing, Metro Manila is still on lockdown due to Covid-19. To pass the time, I have revived my passion for reading. After finishing a few books of late, I decided to read this book as I need prayers. I am currently facing some delays in publishing my first book due to the pandemic. I am also feeling cabin fever, and I really wish that I can go out again.

The book features personal testimonials from Catholics who experienced Our Lady’s intercession. I have reflected on those that have touched my heart, and I prayed the Marian prayers interspersed with the essays. I was not expecting much, but I kept an open mind while doing so.

I was surprised when an overwhelming feeling of peace and serenity washed over me as I finished reading this book. I got to sleep better, and I also felt less anxious about my status quo. I realized that the prayers were working.

I realized that Mama Mary’s got my back.

I am no longer worried about the delays in my book’s registration and publishing. My publisher will handle all the legwork for me. I am also optimistic that the pandemic will end soon. I no longer feel sad about being home all day. I am healthy, and that is all that matters.

I highly recommend this book as it is helpful during these trying times. May you experience Our Lady’s mantle of hope upon you. I wish you all the best, and may God bless us all!