An emotional Friday

Lately, I've been experiencing writer's block. It seems that I lost my appetite to blogging. Things are different compared to the first time I started this whole blogging thing. I mean, I slightly lost my interest and aside from the fact that I'm getting busier day by day. They said if you love something and if you are passionate about something, you'll always find time but in my case, I have lots of priorities than blogging itself and this isn't about the want vs the need. Anyways, for the past few weeks I admit I never had any decent OOTD shots and been struggling on how to have awesome pictures just like any other fashion bloggers. I am totally not familiar with Adobe or Photoshop so I used online editing tools for my pictures, just few brightness and I even use the auto fix so as to save time in editing but I just can't seem to get the whole idea on how they edut their photos. That's up to me to make a research about it. 

Being a fashion blogger is hard and challenging. You know why? Of course, you have to keep up with other fashion bloggers worldwide. You need to be on their level or at least close to it. You need to have an updated blog posts almost relating to fashion or if not, an outfit of your own style whether taken by your amateur friend, a built in camera in your phone or a compact camera or otherwise a well edited picture perhaps would complete a fashion blogger's to do list. I admit, it's totally hard to keep up with other bloggers, I am not competing with them either because I have my own style but somehow you can help but compare and tend to ask yourself, how did they come so far in blogging? How did they achieve such as this and that. I tell you, it's pretty hard my dear. 

If your blog talks mostly about fashion, better be prepared because you need to reach a certain level or standard in fashion and rules to follow. You have to climb more than 2000 steps in order for your blog to succeed unless if you have friends in media which can help your blog succeed but ordinary people like me, hard work and dedication are the most essential qualities that we must possess. If those two doesn't exist, our blogs will remain unrecognized and will forever remain as wallflower. 

At one point or another, sometimes we all need to be acknowledge or be known at least to few people. The world wide web is crazy and very competitive. I know, I've been there and still experiencing the toughness of it. Oh well, let me remind myself the real reason why I started this blog because this is where I can pour out all my emotions regardless if I have followers or not. I blog because I get to write in details and express what I truly feel, I blog because I love to not because I have to. I blog because I just want to share what I'm feeling not because I owe everyone a decent post or just for the sake of money. I'm not like that. I never had sponsors nor I don't ask online sellers to send me free stuff so that I can make review about their products for the sake of having free items. That's not me. Sometimes I blog a certain product or shop because I am amaze of the service and the item that I got from them. People these days call themselves a blogger and then later ask sellers to send them free stuff which should not be the case. 

Being a blogger have lots of perks, to name a few, you get to be invited by some PR and advertising agencies for major and minor events, give you some freebies or GC's, if your blog is known for endorsing products, making product reviews or collaborations then people will send you free stuff, that is up to the seller. And those are the perks of course, perks that shouldn't be abused.

I give my respect to each and every blogger out there. I know how hard it is to start a blog and keeping it. And I salute to those successful blogs. I know success doesn't happen overnight, again, with hard work, dedication and passion, one will surely climb the ladder of success. As for me, I am happy with where I am right now. I am still learning and I still feel the need to learn more. Besides, everyday is a learning day and trials in life are lessons that will somehow remind me that someday, you too will create a name and a signature of your own style, of your own story.

What's your story then? 

A must sale! Easter day sale!

In the coming celebration of the Lenten season, ROMWE is having an Easter day sale! And the good news is that up to 70% off plus freebies! Sounds good, right?

ROMWE Easter Day Sale

Up to 70% Off with galaxy gifts (Bowtie / collar / bag)

Best chance to get spring stuff & save a lot

03/27/2013 – 03/29/2013

Stay Focus: www.romwe.com

Click here! ---- > Plus: Get 15% off at $80 

Like us on Facebook: ROMWE Easter Day sale

Here are my top picks:

Lovely isn't it? 

First timer

The moment we knew that Tatay Carling died, I then told my partner that we should go home. I haven't talk to him that much but I wanted to pay respect to their family and loved ones. And so, days after we heard the news, we hurriedly went to Samar for his wake. Abandoned my work (with my boss permission of course) that I'll be away for a week. I could somehow bring my work with me while I'm there but sad to say, they told me that network coverage there is unpredictable, let's say you are standing outside the house but still you only have 1 bar of signal that seems to be turning on and off, on and off and again and again. That is why I told my boss earlier that I just don't want to make certain promises that I can continue work because of the poor reception or signal of both Globe and Sun.

And so, we left Cebu last Tuesday, March 12 around 4AM via Supercat going to Ormoc. The boat ride is about 3-4 hours. I'm not really that prepared to go because I am worried with my work leaving me last minute rush in finishing my task. And when we were boarded I even had to take care of my baby, looking after him, chasing him and all sorts of motherly stuff. By the time we arrived at the seaport, we then hired a van or a SUV rather so as to make our trip a bit comfortable headed to Tacloban for 2-4 hours drive. It was a long drive all the way from Ormoc to Tacloban. Fell asleep in an uncomfortable position and as I woke up, resulting to stiff neck.

After 4 hours, we arrived in Tacloban. Went directly to Duptours trying to catch up on their 12noon trip. Luckily we were able to make it and then waited for an hour for the van. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, the van arrived and again, another long journey begins, the travel time from Tacloban to Umawas is around 3-4 hours with 1 short stop-over. Luckily, the van is not that full so we were sitting one seat apart. Finally, I was able to have a good nap for few hours and around 4PM, we arrived in Umawas.

They cried when they saw the coffin that welcome them in the front door. There was a moment of silence, I stood there and was being silent the whole time. And so, we spent our days talking, playing with the kids, going to the beach which pretty explains the pictures that you will be seeing. Sunday came when its time for the burial. The house is filled with crying ladies and kids and families making their last wishes before the coffin will be finally close. That moment when you will see the person you love at the very last minute. It hurts and I admit, tears were welling up my eyes, then I cried. I wasn't really bawling but I cried because I realized how valuable our life is, I realized we only have a short time left to spend time with our family because we can never predict what will happen next. I felt sad but I know that he is with the good LORD and that he could no longer feel the pain in the earth. I know that he is happy with GOD. May you rest in peace Tatay Carling.

My apologies loveys for making this post a bit long. This may not seem quite catchy or something that will pull your interest but just wanted to share my thoughts and my experience last week wherein I was missing for a week. This now explains why.. and the pictures that you will be seeing are captured moments in my first stay in Umawas.

Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?

Lately I lost my appetite in blogging. I realized I lost the essence of what truly is to blog and that all I ever wanted was to compete with other bloggers and I somehow forgot the real reason why I started this blog in the first place. Apart from my hectic schedule with work, I went to Samar to extend my deepest condolences to my partner's family. Stayed there for a week with poor network coverage, no TV and no internet connection. All I ever did was look after my baby, eat, stroll in the beach and sleep. I then realized that technology have made a big impact in the society today. Based on my experience, without technology, everything is so dull and boring and I feel uneducated, illiterate. I don't mean it in a negative way but these are based on my own opinion. Of course books are always there to save you from boredom. But I then realized how hard it is for me growing up in a city and all of sudden live in a province with no connection to the real world at all.

All I'm saying is that, I find it challenging especially that I grew up in the city all my life, technology have played a huge part of my life. I was stuck there but glad it sunk in to my mind the real purpose why I came there and that is to sympathized for the loss of a loved one.

It wasn't really what I expected it to be. I experience life in the province but not the same as this one. Went to different provinces because of leisure not because I will be attending a ceremony, a wake and a burial. This one's different, a sad story somehow I will never forget.

Met Tatay way back 2-3 years ago. Haven't got the chance to talk to him personally. Just a few hi and hello's and exchanging of smiles. But seeing their families cry and feeling the pain that they are feeling, I can't help but cry too because I know how it feels losing a loved one. That's when I realized, life is valuable, that life is too short. GOD loves him so much that GOD doesn't want him to suffer much. I pray for his soul and I know that he is with the good LORD. May he rest in peace and be with GOD. This serve as a wake up call for us to make the most of your time by spending it with the ones you love. Spend it with your family, cherish every moment while they are still alive because we never know what will happen next. We can never tell and only GOD knows.

Death is inevitable and we can't do anything about it but be glad that somehow those who died will forever rest in peace and be with the Father. And while we are still alive, we have to make every second count, every moment valued because in one snap, anything can happen to us or to our family. And the only thing we can do is just to pray.

So I pray for Tatay Carling's soul and I just want you to know that we all love you. Thank you for everything... I know you are a good guy and you will forever be missed.

RIP Tatay Carling

First and last picture with Lucas

Blowing his last birthday cake

with the grandchildren

His last birthday cake

 We'll someday see you in heaven..

When work gets in the way

I've been MIA for a few days to weeks. Been having a very hectic schedule and been focusing much on work. I've committed full time in my work so as to finish the task given ahead of time in order to meet the clients quota. Though the work requires me to be online almost 24/7 plus I have to be available on the phone 24/7 for updates, inspite of this I am not complaining because I love every single thing of it. It inspires me to do good, and the good news is that work always excites me not only because its a bit compensating though not much just enough but what matters is I'm learning a lot and I'm charging it to my experience.

My apologies for not being able to update my blog resulting for decreasing stats and rank in blogosphere. Anyways, I am in the brink of making money for my baby's future and I still have lots of priorities than blogging. I can squeeze in 25 minutes to blog but most of the time I experience writer's block thus making me not to blog anymore. But rest assured, I just need to include this in my daily to do's list because I just don't want blogging to be forever forgotten. Being busy is not an excuse, I know. And the truth is, if you love blogging, one will always find time to update such blog and my blog is not an exemption.

Oh well, lesson learned. So here's to the backlog outfits shots that I wore last week.

Beyond discovery

It's always a challenge to keep kids from going crazy with cabin fever in the winter! Below are 5 fun picks to keep the kids entertained and their brains active while they're stuck inside.

Glob’s Natural Paint Packets
Whether the kids want to paint-by-numbers or have more fun outside the lines, this 6-pack of natural vibrant paints will help them tap into their creative side. And they're great for egg dying too! $12.00

bObles Multi-functional Furniture
Instead of climbing up the walls, have the kids climb on the furniture. bObles created a line of fun, whimsical and well-designed kids furniture in shapes like elephants, crocodiles and chickens that turn into steps, boats, tables, seats, balancing pieces and more. bObles encourages motor function, imagination and, most importantly, fun! From $49.00

CitiBlocs
Who doesn’t love building things? Think about how much fun kids can have with Citiblocs, eco-friendly, affordable wooden toys. They encourage your kids to spend hours at play, exercising their minds and building up cities with the 100- or 200-piece block sets. From $25.99

Box Play For Kids
Looking for ways to encourage your kid’s creativity while also teaching him about being green and eco-friendly? These adorable sticker sets are made to be used with boxes you’d normally recycle, including the numerous milk cartons, mac & cheese boxes and egg cartons you no doubt go through. So they’re having fun while you upcycle something that would normally get tossed. From $3.00

Wee Can Too Veggie Crayons
Little kids love putting things in their mouths and with these vibrant crayons made from organic fruit and vegetable powders, it’s OK! We’re not suggesting you substitute the crayons for their regular, healthy regimen of produce, but now they can color and have fun while you know the products are safe. $11.00