Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Postcard Weekly 06-28-2013

Ukraine02
A lovely postcard from Ukraine

Ireland04
a puffin from Ireland

France06
Musee de Louvre,postcard from Paris

France04
Notre Dame de Paris

France05
Tour d'Eiffel postcard from Paris

Israel02
a Falafel recipe postcard from Israel

Germany19
from Germany

Belgium01
my first postcard from Belgium

Friday, April 25, 2014

Postcard Weekly 06-21-2013

Czech Republic08
My first Atelier Nouvelles Images card from Czech Republic

Netherlands11
Windmill and tulips from the Netherlands

USA12
from USA

Germany18
from Germany

Here's a postcard that made it to my list of favorites. I sent an official Postcrossing card to a family living in North Carolina and then they read from my Postcrossing profile that I love Harry Potter. I guess it was perfect timing for they just went to a family vacation in Orlando, Florida so they sent me this beautiful postcard from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! What's more is that there's a red Gryffindor wax seal at the back. It was so thoughtful and touching and I barely even know these people! I so appreciated the gesture that I sent them a postcard while I was in Cambodia haha.

USA13

Monday, April 21, 2014

Postcard Weekly 06-14-2013

Russia16
The State Hermitage in St. Petersburg

Czech Republic07
A very beautiful postcard from Prague. Sigh, it's so beautiful. I need to go before I die lol.

Finland09
My first The Little Prince postcard, from Finland

Bahrain01
my first postcard from Bahrain

Cambodia01
An aerial view of Angkor Wat (bought in Siem Reap last June 2013)

Cambodia02
Ta Prohm (also bought in Siem Reap)

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Postcard Weekly 06-07-2013

USA11
A postcard of Austin from Rachel. Can't wait to visit!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

DIY Cardboard Desk Organizer

For the longest time, I've been meaning to find a way to organize my desk in such a way that everything I need is within an arm's reach and that I don't have to dig though my things to get something. A couple of weeks ago, while browsing through Pinterest, I saw a some desk organizer ideas (here and here) and I knew I had to make my own to replace the plastic cups and ceramic mugs that have populated my desk for years.

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I salvaged some Swiss Miss boxes (they're pretty sturdy), cut them into parts and covered them with white paper. I picked out some washi tape to cover the exterior with and then I used leftover kraft wrapping paper with floral designs for the interior. Finally, I covered everything with two coats of ModPodge (I got a bottle from Deovir in SM North Edsa).

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my choice of washi tape: pastel colors, lace, florals and a map

Some photos in action. Of course I forgot to take a 'before' photo of my desk. And of course, I've no 'during' photos either. LOL.

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I have to say I'm satisfied with how the project turned out. My desk looks more organized and prettier now. Plus, I didn't have to buy anything because all materials are either recycled or has been in my crafting stash ever since.

I hope to keep up the desk organizing. Right now, I'm thinking my next project shall either (1) fix my notebooks and paper stash or (2) fix my drawer and be inspired by this. One at a time, one at a time. 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Postcard Weekly 05-31-2013

Scotland01
my first Scotland postcard, sent from the Philippines by a fellow Postcrosser

Netherlands10
from the Netherlands

Mongolia01
Zaisan Memorial in Ulaanbataar, sent by a high school classmate who was in Mongolia

Czech Republic06
A postcard from Prague, also called "Mother of Cities" or "City of a Hundred Spires"

Sunday, April 13, 2014

In Which I Felt Infinite

The morning before we left for Oslob, I happened to wake up at 5am (morning person here) and instead of sitting down to wait for breakfast, I decided to walk to the town plaza with my camera. I'm glad I woke up early because I was able to see the beautiful sunrise.

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While watching the sunrise, I got this surge of feelings-- I felt so grateful. I felt so blessed. I felt hope. I felt... infinite (heh, sorry for being unoriginal). I've been going though a couple of challenges lately but the sunrise reminded me that in case I fail, I can always rise again the next day and that no matter what happens, there's always, always, always something to be thankful for.

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One of the reasons why I love summer: flowers!

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Coral stones in Oslob Cuartel

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Birds perched on the lintels of Oslob Cuartel

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Friday, April 11, 2014

Postcard Weekly 05-24-2013

Hong Kong12
A postcard I mailed to myself from Hong Kong

Nepal16
A postcard I mailed to myself from Nepal

Lithuania01
Sleepy Lake, from Lithuania

France03
from France

Poland03
St. Mary's Church in Krakow, Poland

Romania01
from Bucharest, Romania (how beautiful! I'd love to go to Bucharest)

Finland08
from Finland

China08
A painting of autumn by a Polish painter, sent from China

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Walking About Oslob Town

After our morning water adventures, we went back to Oslob New Village Lodge to rest. Unfortunately, there was no electricity when we got there so we could not sleep in our rooms. Instead, we stayed outdoors where there's lots of space and lots of fresh air despite the wild summer heat.

While everyone else was playing cards and whatnot, I decided to lie down on a bamboo sofa in one of the patios to read a book while occasionally trying to take a nap. It felt like the perfect weekend afternoon.

At around 4pm, when it got a bit cooler, we went walking around town. Luckily, the town plaza was nearby. At first, I didn't want to get up from my bamboo sofa but eventually, I'm glad I did. And these photos from my phone (silly me left the camera in our room) will show you why...

Cuartel, an unfinished military barracks






A beautiful view of Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church. I just sat on the grass to stare at it. 




Baluarte, an old watchtower made with coral stones


The good thing about the place is that there aren't much tourists. There were people but not much and they seemed like locals (for they didn't speak Tagalog and they didn't carry cameras lol).

I really wish we had such beautiful places in Manila. It would really be nice to lie down the grass while reading a good book or having a picnic.