Book Report: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book is about the adventures of Nobody Owens, a child adopted by the ghosts who inhabit the graveyard where he lives in.

This book is about family, friendships, and growing up. Though its title exude death and darkness, the story inside is more about living and conquering challenges with bravery and wit.

The Wife of Noble Character (Proverbs 31:10-30)

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, nor harm, all days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchant with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her;
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Sneak Peek: Membership Cards

For the past years I've amassed a lot of membership cards from different stores – some got lost and some I chose to discontinue because the amount I spend on fees just cancel out the discounts or savings that I’m receiving from maintaining these cards. Here are the cards I currently have in my wallet and reasons why I chose to keep them:

(starting 1st column, from top)

Body Shop Love Your Body - I only go to Body Shop when they're on sale, which is all the time. I think they're one of the first shops in the Philippines who used the terms community fair trade and recyclable even before it was all the rage. You get rebates and they text you if they have special promos. 

Resorts World WorldCard - Membership is free and you get discounts when you dine in at any restaurants inside the mall. I also got to use the slots machine after I got this. Not bad.

Shopwise Wise Card - One of the oldest cards I own. I don't go to Shopwise as often as I did before so I forgot what its perks are. My mom owns a Platinum Card (given to him by the owner of Shopwise because she pretended to be his companion during an awards night) which lets you use the bigger shopping carts and sit down while the cashier is ringing up your purchases. 

Bench Loyalty Card - Bench makes the most affordable but high quality underwear so I frequent their stores. You can also use this card in Aldo, LaSenza, Face Shop, Dimensione, and Kashieca to get rebates.

Philippine Airlines  Mabuhay Miles - I have this because I used to have an HSBC Mabuhay Miles credit card (remember their slogan "Sayang ang Miles!"?). I haven't touched my points yet but I can't wait to redeem it for a big trip soon!

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Swirl Card - Free wi-fi and rebates. Nuff said.

Powerbooks Power Card - I'm so glad I've used up all my points before they changed their policy. I usually get something I would usually be too guilty to buy when using up my points so I got Carrie Diaries, ha ha.

Etude House Pink Membership - I had a stage in my life when I just go inside the store to surround myself with pretty but inexpensive high-quality stuff. You can make the card into a keychain. They give rebates and also freebies depending on the amount of your purchase.

National Bookstore Laking National - For every Php1,000 you get to earn Php10. The membership is so worth it. I think I've earned around Php1,000 ever since I signed up during high school.

Healthway Health Wallet - Load your card and get 20% off consultations and services.

SM Advantage Card - Because they've got it all for you and they're everywhere. You get discounts and freebies from partner establishments and rebates from the department store and supermarket. 

Healthy Options Green Card - For every Php1,000 you get Php50 rebate. Not bad! Most of their stuff are expensive but it'll make you think twice about the stuff you are buying versus going to a regular supermarket and be tempted by cheap junkfood.

(bottom row)

Chatime Premium Membership Card - I love their roasted milk tea with pearl. You get a free drink for every 10 drinks you buy.

Lay Bare Loyalty Card - They've got great service and a good loyalty system to boot. I wish I could use this more often though!

My husband and I usually get only one membership card per establishment so we can be less tempted to buy stuff when we're apart. He has a Fully Booked Discount card and Mercury Drug Suki card which are used often (the latter, much to our dismay).

So there you have it, what membership cards do you own?

Cheesy Nothings

I just want to share the mixtape I made for our first wedding anniversary :)

Cheesy Nothings from djblithe on 8tracks.

two zero one two

I know it's the new year already but I can't help but look back at the past year and the awesome (and not so awesome) stuff that happened. It will surely be one of the most memorable years of my life. I got married to my dream guy, I traveled a lot (Baguio, Puerto Princesa, Bataan, Marinduque, Boracay, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bali,  Batangas, etc.), learned pole dancing, conquered a lot of fears, and basically lived a wonderful life! I am so grateful for all the blessings that God bestowed upon me and I hope that the year ahead will be as fulfilling as the previous years.

So what's in store for 2012? I don't know yet but I pray that our year will be full of blessings, love, laughter, joy, adventures, productivity, prosperity, generosity, confidence, and kindness. I haven't thought of goals nor resolutions for this year, those will come eventually. Cheers to a brand new year!

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas season is  always synonymous with busy, fattening, spending, and traffic jams. There are parties left and right and only the most disciplined person can focus on her tasks what with the lists that should be done before the mall crowd gets crazy. People are more hot-headed because everyone is cramming for their gifts and party plans.

It's so easy to forget what the season is all about. I won't be a hypocrite and say that I hate how consumerist Christmas has become - I came to love Christmas traditions such as eating mint chocolate anything and listening to songs. But it's also important to remember that Christmas is all about love and sharing. I usually celebrate Christmas eve and day shuttling to and from three families (my dad's side, my mom's side, and my husband's clan) and it is tiring and gastritis-inducing but it's also a nice reminder that I am really blessed with good food and a loving family. It's a happy thought that our future child will never be lonely and that s/he will always associate Christmas with family and laughter and not a day when an overgrown old elf goes down a chimney to give him/her a gift. I also pray that our child will see this season beyond gifts and be a gift to others above all else.

Have a blessed Christmas and be a blessing this Christmas!

Video: Christmas lights display in Ayala Triangle Garden

Mt. Cloud Bookshop

Every nook and cranny is <3

One of my greatest dreams is to have a personal library or a small bookstore and. Mt. Cloud Bookshop's space in Baguio is my ultimate inspiration - their stuffed owl bookends, cozy chairs, and other quirky displays made me want to stay all day.  They also stock locally published books which are hard to find in regular bookstores in Manila (I'm drooling over the Cafe by the Ruins book but it was a bit pricey). I wish there would be more shops like Mt. Cloud but unfortunately they cannot compete with big stores like National Bookstore and Fully Booked. What if small shops unite and do something to market themselves?