Monthly Archives

November 2015

Christmas Bazaar at the Davao Convention Center

I was supposed to be on a spending fast this month not just because Christmas is coming but because we’re on a tighter budget now. Papa is on a lot of medication, still undergoes dialysis, and just had a minor surgery last Saturday.

However, when I learned that the annual Christmas bazaar is happening over the weekend, I just wasn’t able to say no. (Don’t worry; I didn’t spend a lot! I set a budget — and stayed within it. Woot!)

Today is the Christmas Bazaar’s last day so instead of showing you what I bought, I decided to post pictures of the things that caught my interest. If you’re in Davao today, you still have a chance to catch the last day! From what I’ve heard, it’s usually best to go to bazaars during their final day because prices of goods usually go down.

I wasn’t able to take a picture of everything (because the area is so big and there were so many booths), but these are some of the stuff sold there:

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Have you visited a Christmas bazaar lately? What did you buy?

All photos taken using a Huawei Honor 4C.

21 Comments

November 30, 2015 by Maan

Blogger Perks Online Shopping Shopping

Happy Mail: Huawei Honor 4C, BuriBox, and Blogger Freebies

One of my most favourite feelings in the world is receiving a package. I guess it’s because it’s just like receiving a gift, yes?

Unexpected mails are usually the best!

Last week was a good one because I received four lovely packages, two of which were unexpected. You see, you don’t need to send me anything expensive or luxurious to make me happy. Anything, anything at all, especially when delivered at my doorstep, err gate, will make my day. The men who deliver stuff to my house know this. Sometimes, they even ask me whether I ordered new things for my son again. LOL!

Anyway, here are the lovely things I received last week:

1. Our first BuriBox!

We’re so blessed to have been able to try BuriBox for free, thanks to Janice of The Roller Coaster Ride! Actually, I had been meaning to try BuriBox ever since I first heard about it; however, they weren’t shipping outside Metro Manila yet. Good thing they’re already shipping to other cities and provinces now!

I was so excited when it finally arrived, and Yuri, upon seeing what the box contained (while it was still inside the courier’s bag, he kept asking whether the package was for him!), didn’t waste one second and immediately dug into his BuriBox.

Watch out for my full review of it soon!

12 Comments

November 27, 2015 by Maan

Christmas Wish List

Christmas 2015 Wish List!

So it’s exactly a month before Christmas today.

Can you believe that? I can’t.

Wasn’t it just yesterday when we prepared for Christmas 2014 and I was still excited at the prospect of all those desserts because I wasn’t lactose intolerant yet? Or how my dad was so excited for all those savoury dishes because he wasn’t undergoing dialysis yet? Funny how much things change in a year, no?

Anyway, let’s not dwell on the sad things (read: food restrictions) because Christmas doesn’t just revolve around food. It also revolves around gifts. Of course I’m totally kidding, but since gifts are a fun thing to talk about, why don’t we talk about them? Here are the things I want to have for Christmas!

1. A Blank Planner

Here’s a confession: I bought a Certified Positive last year (I started using it in 2013) and even gave away a couple of copies to my readers. And I loved my planner. I used it religiously — until I started attending real estate classes. I was able to find time to update it occasionally — until I got a full-time job with Stay At Home Mum. And then I had to study and prepare for my board exam. Let’s just say the last time I got to write something in it was in June.

(I did pass the board exam, though!)

I’m not giving up on a planner this year. However, I think my best bet would be a blank, un-dated planner so that I can continue using it even if the month — or year — has already expired. I have my eyes on this:

On hand! COLOURFUL PLANNER in 4 lovely floral designs. 122 x188 mm, 87 leaves, back to back. Hard cover It includes monthly and weekly plan pages Open dated/Undated (you can use any time of the year) Send us sms/viber message for orders. 09088114115

A photo posted by Handmade Mason Jar Cozy (@sanderandsam) on Nov 23, 2015 at 4:45pm PST

And while you’re at it, this matching desktop calendar too:

Looking for wonderful high quality gifts at a low cost? Here’s the COLOURFUL MINI DESK 2016 CALENDAR. 3 Floral designs available 8×5 inches Very limited stocks on hand. Perfect giveaways these season. Send us sms/viber message for orders. 09088114115 A photo posted by Handmade Mason Jar Cozy (@sanderandsam) on Nov 23, 2015 at 5:04pm PST

2. A New Tumbler

8 Comments

November 25, 2015 by Maan

Homeschooling Messy Weekends Real Estate Broker Diaries

Busy, Messy Weekend!

Lovely Monday everyone! How was your weekend?

Mine was uneventful but was filled with little bits of busy-bee-ness. It was overall a very fun and productive weekend and I was able to do a lot of things (except watch last Saturday’s Kalyeserye episode — I was able to catch a replay of it yesterday, though; kilig!) Here are the little pieces of fun and work from the weekend:

Site Visit

I work remotely for an Australian company on weekdays; I’m a real estate broker on weekends. This particular weekend, we had a couple of clients that we took on a site visit (aka tripping in local lingo). The projects we showed were located on the other side of the city so we had a pretty long trip.

My buntot (tail) tagged along with us:

Christmas Decorations

We (read: my mum and our helper) started putting up decorations last week. They then put up Christmas lights around the house last Friday night.

On a side note, can you believe it’s almost Christmas again? Time flies so fast it’s almost scary! Ahh!

24 Comments

November 23, 2015 by Maan

General Information Tips and Tricks

How to Get Your NBI Clearance Online

You’ve been redirected from DavaoMommy.com.

(This is an old post re-published.)

(Picture above is not at NBI Davao.)

In my city, the words “NBI Clearance” are often met with dread. This is because the office always manages to be full every day, with people. The lines tend to spill on to the streets, and people begin lining up at 4am just to be first!

I haven’t gone to NBI in, like, almost four years because there wasn’t any need for me to go. But because I will be taking up a board exam this May, I have no choice but to get a clearance.

It’s such a great thing that they have the online option now!

I didn’t think much of it mainly because I was aware that you still have to go to the actual office to claim your clearance. However, when my schoolmate from UP, who is also my classmate in my real estate brokerage class, said that she used the online option and she needed to be at the office for only 5 minutes, I was sold. Since I know most are either not aware of this option or do not how it works, let me take this opportunity to be your guide. Let’s begin!

1. Visit NBI’s website at nbi.gov.ph and click on the button that says “Click here.”

16 Comments

November 20, 2015 by Maan

Lifestyle Messy Haul Online Shopping Shopping

Messy Haul: Natural Bath and Skin Products

I haven’t posted a haul post in ages! Maybe because I was too busy? And lazy? (Konsensya: Hello, maybe you just weren’t buying anything post-worthy lately!)

That’s true. All of the reasons. Especially the third! Here’s the thing. I have accounts on many shopping websites and I have a lot of items stored in my cart (just in case) but I haven’t felt like shopping in months. There, I said it! I had a hard time accepting that since I’ve always loved shopping (with all my heart) but maybe I’m becoming lazy? I don’t bother checking out items within 48 hours. Heck, I don’t even impulse-buy anymore. Maybe I’ve become more conscious of my spending habits? Maybe it’s because I’m spending money on groceries instead?

Or maybe it’s because I’m *gasp* maturing?

Then again, there are things I just can’t help but buy, and these include natural bath and skin products. Yuri is prone to eczema while I have keratosis pilaris (I just usually say I have skin asthma even though it’s not the same thing), so I usually avoid supermarket brands that have strong ingredients. And I love discovering different local brands that offer organic and/or natural products.

So here’s my latest haul! I bought these from an eBay seller because she carries different local natural products.

16 Comments

November 18, 2015 by Maan

Personal

Coming Into Terms With Grief

So I got involved in a, well, serious matter concerning an organisation I belong to. I don’t want to talk about it, really, but I’m mentioning it because it led me again to a very dear person tonight.

This person I will always keep in my heart is my brother (fraternity brother) who died last year. Almost exactly a year ago. I’m going to be cheesier than the usual so bear with me. That’s a fair warning, I guess.

That “serious matter” I mentioned had me looking through my old email account for messages that can be used as pieces of evidence. I had to recover my password using my phone number (thank goodness I’m still using my old number – almost 9 years old!) and I was able to log in successfully. However, I didn’t find anything useful, so I decided to install Yahoo Messenger on my laptop in case some conversations were stored there.

I haven’t checked or even seen Yahoo Messenger for maybe 6 years now so I was feeling a bit nostalgic.

The nostalgia intensified when I came across my beloved friend’s name, Rendell Ryan, whom we fondly called “Perper.” 6th of November last year, I just got home from my godson’s birthday celebration when I received the bitter news from a couple of schoolmates and a sorority sister. Our dear Perper had died and in a violent manner. I wasn’t able to sleep that night. At first I was just in a state of morbid shock. Then it sank in and I bawled my eyes out and grieved.

21 Comments

November 14, 2015 by Maan

Mixed Mess Personal

Not A Bad Day

Today was almost a bad day.

1

It all started when I had an intense stomach ache around midnight. A family friend and neighbour celebrated her birthday, and we ate, well, a lot of things. But what caused my stomach ache was that glass of Coke. I forgot I couldn’t tolerate soft drinks (well, not anymore) and I just drank it because, you know, Coke and lechon go so well together. I regret it.

Now, our bedroom is on the second floor of the house and we have no bathroom on that floor (long story). So I had to go down to relieve my stomach ache. I knocked on my sister’s door and, because she was still awake, I asked her to look after Yuri, who was already fast asleep. I confidently went downstairs and got to business.

Imagine my shock when I found the doors to both bedrooms closed. I thought my sister closed the door after her and laid on the bed beside Yuri. I entered the room and, voila! No sister, just my 3-year old Yuri sleeping on a bed with no railings and with no one watching over him. My sister apparently got tired of waiting for me and went back to her room to sleep.

15 Comments

November 12, 2015 by Maan

Davao Events

A Night Before Christmas

Announcement to my Davaoeno readers!

Some of you may remember a homeschooling seminar I wrote about in my old blog earlier this year. The same homeschooling group here in Davao City is coming up with a dinner for a cause this November. Here are the details:

Join us in this musical night for a cause on November 14 at Seda Hotel.

Ticket Price: Php700 (inclusive of Meal)

Tickets are limited. Reserve yours now.

For more info, please send us a private message.

Help SHINE Life Skills Center reach out to more differently-abled youth and adults. To know more about the recipient of this cause, visit these links.
https://www.facebook.com/selfhelpforall
http://shinelifeskillscenter.weebly.com/

No Comments

November 11, 2015 by Maan

Lifestyle Online Shopping Shopping

What’s In My Cart: Phone, Makeup, and More

I haven’t posted any haul post lately. Must be because I haven’t been buying anything lately? Haha that’s probably the reason why!

Aside from the obvious fact that it’s almost Christmas (can you believe it) and I’m trying to save money for Christmas gifts (emphasis on trying huhu), I find myself spending on food instead of stuff. That’s unlike me because I usually prefer buying stuff over food – must explain the weight gain I’ve had lately?

But that doesn’t mean I’m not window shopping. Oh no, far from that. In fact, I’ve been doing nothing but check online websites. For weeks now. I’m very busy at work (and I’ve been having personal problems — read: LQ), so I’m relieving stress by online window shopping. Who doesn’t love online window shopping? You get the same happy hormone rush as if you’re actually shopping without the buyer’s remorse.

Okay I take it back. It’s not exactly like actual shopping. But it’s still stress-relieving — at least for me! Here are the stuff I’ve been planning to buy (but keep on delaying because I’m one kuripot lady):

1. Phone

25 Comments

November 9, 2015 by Maan

Parenting Yurisms

An Embarrassing Thing Happened To Me The Other Day

Hey everyone! Blogging just a short and sweet entry today because Miss Joyful Mess is down with the flu. Yes that’s me. I don’t know why, but this year, I’ve been getting sick more often? Does it have to do with weaning from breastfeeding? Or else I’m totally blaming the haze.

The I-have-a-cold-and-I-have-red-nose selfie hahaha. (I didn’t realise how yellow I was until this picture.)

Okay I digress. Something really embarrassing happened to me last Sunday at the mall.

17 Comments

November 4, 2015 by Maan

Events Halloween My Christian Walk Personal

The Thing With Trick Or Treat

I think I’ve already hinted twice (thrice?) that we’re not going to attend our village’s Trick or Treat and Halloween party this year because my big brave 3-year old is still traumatised by the costumes he saw last year.

Well, you can’t blame him. I can’t blame him. Some of my neighbours really go all out, props and all (read: fake blood, fake knives, real wheelchairs) and some of the costumes really freaked me out, too.

So while my mother, sister, and even our new helper, Michelle, joined the party, Yuri and I were holed up in my room the whole evening. When the kids – and adults – got to our house to ask for treats, they were even calling for Yuri. But no amount of cajoling could ever persuade the boy to get out of the house haha.

Someone’s not happy! Lololol 󾍊󾰙

Posted by Maan Laxa on Saturday, 31 October 2015

(Photo above was just taken yesterday, but you can imagine that kind of expression whenever he sees someone in costume.)

Ironically, this is also the first year we’ve had good weather during Trick or Treat. Previously, we always get stuck under a huge thunderstorm!

Littler Yuri as a Pirate LAST year

It’s not like we missed out on the fun. All of the candies my tween sister brought home (adults go Trick or Treating here, too), Yuri also took part in. I tried eating a chocolate bar, but then, that day, I discovered I had lactose intolerance. Permanent or not, I decided to swear off dairy milk completely. But no, not cheese, not yoghurt.

(Side note: I ate our usual quesadilla breakfast today and didn’t have any adverse reaction to cheese. So it’s just probably milk. Yeah.)

I’ve digressed. As I was saying, it’s not like we missed out on the fun. I had a lot of realisations during the “Halloween” weekend. Continue Reading

31 Comments

November 1, 2015 by Maan