Recovering the Mojos

One person who amazingly doesn't lose his writing mojos is my husband Tag.  Apart from writing his full fantasy/romance/suspense book Regions of Passion, he has so far published 4 short stories and novellas that are available in Wattpad and Amazon.

If you want to indulge in some reading, please add him on Wattpad.  His book, Regions of Passion, is distributed as a series for free.

Just sit down and start writing - that is one tip he gave me to end this blogging drought. He said he gets his writing discipline from practice.  I wish it was that simple but really, I think he just has that gift.  He sits down, breathes and starts writing.  That simple.

I'll leave you with a synopsis of his book.  I hope you'll like it.

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Ingrid Semeska is a sixteen-year-old girl living in Ohio, in the summer of 1990. Life is going poorly for her: She is failing high school, her foster mother and brother abuse her, and she has a terrible habit of pushing away the few people in her life who love her. One of these people is Scott Bremman, a twenty-year-old grocery worker who is uncertain of himself and what he wishes to do with his life.

Things are going to change for them both, and soon. After Ingrid is attacked even more violently than usual by her foster brother, she flees into the protecting arms of Scott and her friend from work, Lisa. Lisa knows things about Ingrid--that she was born in another world during a war, and there are currently forces in action intent on destroying that world forever--that Ingrid doesn't know herself. It's time for her to find out, and return to that world as the only person capable of saving it from darkness. 

Regions of Passion is a novel by Tag Cavello.  It is 380 pages long.  You can find it in serial form over at Wattpad.

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Happy reading!

Mother's Day. - Pots, Pans and All

I used to have these thoughts of grand gestures of Mother's Day. It's Mommy's day, we get to celebrate with the whole family over a festive yet quiet lunch somewhere fancy. Maybe even a quick stroll in the park so I can take great snapshots of the girls and their Dad while they play. Maybe some pampering time, my tired and sad feet needing their much needed treatment.

Instead, my day was mostly about washing pots and pans, moping the floor and re-moping them when the girls spilled their drinks for the nth time. Cleaning the bathroom (that's soooo long overdue). My day was mostly about hearing the kids argue and keeping them from biting each other's heads off. Boy, I can tell you that that is NOT fun! 

We did have a movie afternoon. Watched The Incredibles one and a half times (yes, encore!). Ate fast food, popcorn and had soda pop until we couldn't have sugar anymore.  I heard the kids laugh while they bounce and run, while Violet and Dash find their way out of the forest.

Now I sit here on my bed while i look at the girls sleep and watch my husband play video game for a night cap. I can say that my day's awesome no matter what happens. I did not have the grand gestures, the pampering and all. I did get one thing right.  I spent the day with the family - the reason why I celebrate my day.  I'm cool! As my daughter said over and over yesterday, it is the BEST.DAY.EVER!!

I hope you had a great mother's day!

Losing My Mojos

It seems like I make more time on hiatus than actual blogging.  I used to think it was because I have been busy with life but really, I have to be honest about it - I have lost my writing mojos.

I don't know when and why I lost it but I often wake up at night with thoughts of what to write.  Brilliant ideas, I tell ya!  So I do a synopsis. Heck, make outlines of what I want to say but when it comes to the actual writing, my mind just goes...

...

......

It made me cringe to think that I have been trying, and I've had so many things to say but I just do not know how to say it.  My outlines, my checklists are growing.  I hid them somewhere but I am pretty sure, it is sooooo safely hidden that I will not find anymore!

So what have I been doing lately?  Apart from work and taking care of the family, everything's just been auto-pilot.

Where did my old self go??

If you have any tips on how I can get myself out of this long blog-less spell, please let me know. :)

Evolving Valentine's Day in this Household

Who says celebrating need to be expensive?  

For those who know me, it will not come as a surprise that I hate going out on V-day. Without being so bah! humbug! about the "love month",  it gets too crazy and too mushy everywhere.  Traffic is bad, flowers are expensive and people are yucky with the public smooching. 

I have also come to terms that there is a point in your marriage when Valentine's are prepared not just for the significant other but also for the kids.  

Since my little girls are so exposed to different celebrations through television, they have asked me a few times how we intend to celebrate Valentine's - by we, I mean, me, the hubby and them two little monkeys, er ladies.  This year, I am planning to make it extra special with a special lunch on a beautifully decorated room.  I've decided to surprise them by decorating one of the rooms while they are in school.

Here is one reference.  You just need crafty tissue papers (red and pink will be the colors for me), sticks, strings and glue.  Very MacGyver.  Heh.  I am going to have some lovely pompoms hanging from the ceiling and origami flowers for the hubs and the girls.

Video credits to RealAsianBeauty in YouTube

Maybe doing some balloon accents will be cool too.  

Do I set an movie night?  I am considering it.  Take the LED TV out and watch while the whole family cuddles outdoor.  Pretty spiffy, right?  

Not discounting the efforts of the past years, I think this will be the best love month in years.  I will update you more next week. 

Have a Great 2014!

I cannot believe how long I have been away from this blog.  It seems like only yesterday when I was aiming to rant about the holiday traffic, crazy mall sale crowds, rowdy jeepney drivers etc.  Now it is not even Christmas and the holiday vacation has long been gone.

There are a lot of stories and, frankly, I do not know where to start. I think it is fitting to wish you and your family a happy, prosperous, memorable and healthier year. 

Here's to a promise that I will touch base more often as much as I can and will try to shy away from procrastinating because...

...  I know my 3 regular readers would be dying to know what I am up to. Haha!

Credits to mileychile.com

The Richwell Sale 2013

It's been long overdue.

I am pretty sure a lot of the mommies and daddies out there have been toy shopping for their kids but I want to share it nonetheless for those who have not chanced upon the schedule.

The Richwell Warehouse Sale has been going for two weekends already but you still have time to visit.

I love it that they have upgraded their venue as they are on a fairly-airconditioned floor in the Richwell Building.  You won't miss the banner!  It's still by Scout Torillo and Scount Limbaga near Jade Garden Restaurant.

What can you expect?

• This year, the bargains are not as good as the previous years.  You will still see some Barbie dolls, bikes and Hotwheels tracks that are below the 500 peso-range but apart from that, all toys are on the 20% to 40% discount
• The bargain toys are not so dusty as the previous years (possibly because the venue is air-conditioned)
• A lot of the new, excellently packaged toys are 20% off.  You will chance upon some toys, like the Dora The Explorer Megabloks tub, that are 50% off
• Long lines never go out of fashion.  Prepare to fall in line for an easy 1 hour before you can get to the checkout counter

What Did I Get To Buy?

• My 6-year old girl is into Winx Club dolls now.  I bought two dolls that have 20% off the regular price of Php1,150 each
• My 4-year old bought a tub of Dora The Explorer Megabloks (regularly priced at Php1,500 but have a 50%-off sticker on it)
• A Barbie Rockstar guitar at 20% off (It was Php1,000 but paid Php800)
• RoseArt color pencils, mechanical pens and Art stuff at 50%
• A cute stuffed animal for Php200.
• Hotwheels cars for Php79 (previously Php100)

There were a few more knick knacks that I do not remember right now.  Overall, it was still a good buy.  If you have the patience to look around for shoes (Ollie, Barbie, Fisher Price etc) and dresses, shirts and pants (Big & Small and Orange Juice) then you'll more value for your money.  With two girls who run around to look at toys, I didn't have the time and the energy for dresses and shoes.  

Happy Christmas shopping!

Motherhood and Mush

I was watching The Voice 5 Marathon on AXN yesterday afternoon while I was working from home.  These days have been so stressful that I need to have music (or any sound in the background, really) to prevent myself from thinking too many thoughts.  I don't know if that makes sense.  Do you ever encounter that?

Anyways...

I was watching the early blind audition episodes and one 16-year old contestant and her family caught my attention.  It was just a typical interview and song number; she was quite good that she had a four-chair turn.  She was still singing when the camera was panned back on her family.  Focus on her kid brother - he was teary-eyed.  Then he said, "she is wonderful."  I swear that scene just made me cry!  A LOT!

What the heck, right?  I used to be a "toughy" when I was younger.  Now I think motherhood has brought out the mush in me.  I can cry as fast as Porsche's 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.  It's amazing!

So what other things made me cry so much recently?