Thank you series: I Love Talks with my Dad

No matter how old I get, I will always value the time and talks I spend with my Dad. Sometimes I just rant, sometimes I just listen, and sometimes we work on errands together. It's just so refreshing really.

When I was single and under my parents wings, it was always convenient. We were always together and I had easy access to his love, protection, and wisdom. Now that I'm married, life has gotten busier so time for serious talks are lesser and more precious.

Today was one of those special days. I accompanied my Dad in some of his errands and we've managed to make today - a stressful day - into a special father and daughter moment.

Thank you God for today. :)

Thank you series: A New Blog Header

For the longest time, I've been planning to change my blog header. This is actually the original plan I had 2 years ago but only now did I get to make it. It's a very simple look - a photo of me capturing my quirky side with my blog title on the side.

Scroll to the top of the page. . .

That's me with pink feathers, oversized sunglasses and a star-sparkly head band? What do you think? :P

sunnysideup finds: A Reason to Celebrate

During times of crossroads and challenges it's helpful to get inspiration from videos and books. I've always believed that it's always about our perspective and thoughts. We see what we want to see, and hear what we want to hear. Sometimes, however, during times of weakness and doubt hearing words of wisdom from the "older and wiser" is very much enlightening.

Just a few day ago, I visited a friend and she invited me to watch a DVD copy of "Celebrating What's Right with the World." It's a video by Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic Photographer. I loved it! It validated a lot of my thoughts and encouraged me to continue my chosen path. Of course as a photo enthusiast myself, his art and photos helped drive the message further. I can truly relate and I look forward to my future travels and opportunities to see more of the world.

Anyway, the video is truly worth watching. Here is a preview of the video from Youtube by DVDpro but it's better to watch the whole thing.



For more information on Dewitt Jones and the video, you can also visit his website.

sunnysideup perspectives: The Gift of Travel

When I have children, if there is one privilege or gift I would give them, it would be the gift of travel. Of course needless to say, I also want my children to go to the best school, attend summer workshops, play and appreciate every moment of their childhood . . . etc. I want to help and provide them with the opportunity to discover themselves and be the best they can be.

I just came to thinking that who I am, how I view and live life today was greatly affected by my exposure and travel to different places and countries. Big thanks to my parents, former employers, and my hubby, I was able to visit difference parts of the globe, particularly countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Travel not only brings joy and pleasure, more importantly, I think it provides us with a bigger perspective - it makes us more openminded, knowledgeable, and even tolerant of differences in culture, beliefs and attitudes. It challenges our original beliefs and truths - those we learned in school, organizations, and churches. Travel can help create and develop our views, beliefs and personal truths. It allows us to experience life in different ways. It reminds us that the world is not us and it does not revolve around us. We are just a part of a whole and there is so much more to see, understand, and enjoy.

Thank you series: Friends hold your hand as you chase your dream

Especially since the day I got married, the one constant in my life is change. Not necessarily bad or tragic but change anyhow. When I was single, I had full control of my life, my career and decisions. On a hindsight, it was convenient and easy. It was more about ME.

As I got married, opportunities for change came pouring in. Some exciting, some scary. One of the major changes included our relocation to China. With that move came my chance to become a fulltime expatriate housewife with part-time work as an English Tutor/Teacher.

It was a pivotal moment where I decided to jump face forward in the unknown. This is just one of but the many changes and "growing up lessons" of my life.

I won't go into too much detail, I just want to basically say that aside from my husband and family, my childhood friends, were with me through the years. No matter how busy, moody, or unavailable I was; they were there. They were there to push and hug me (at just the right moments). They were there to always hold my hand.

My friends were always there to hold my hand. Just as I, will always be there to hold their hand because that's just how we do it. We hold each others hand - whenever and even if.

Thank you series: Refreshed from a 3-day weekend with hubby

Simple things make me happy. Like:


- a feel good friday night relaxing while watching a feel good movie
- a drink of wine while overlooking a great view
- going out on our 100peso (equivalent to 2 USD) challenge dates. That means getting to spend just that much on a date and focusing more on the company rather than the environment or things.
- a cup of vanilla ice cream (sugarfree of course)
- a hug from my hubby
- a compliment from a friend
-drinking my favorite coffee or milk tea
- a comical moment with my dog



and of course,



- a long holiday weekend that provides quality time to reconnect and talk and relax. Something I just had last weekend. It was refreshing :)



Hubby knows how tired I was so he cooked and helped me clean the house. Thanks babe. I'm now fully charged for the week ahead. :)