Singapore and Hong Kong Pasalubongs!

     My parents and my sister went to Singapore and Hongkong recently and they got me really nice pasalubongs!  Feeling ko nag Kinokuniya, Page One and Eslite na rin ako.  Hehe!

Pasalubongs and Bilins!

Watercolored/Lettered Books from Kikki K Singapore (my fave store!)

For drawing

Emily Gregory's lettering book repackaged

Lettering na naman!

Watercolor Book!

Illustration Books

     Now, I really want to go to Eslite, the Taiwanese bookstore in Causeway Bay, Hongkong.  Kahit 3 days lang, hehe.  Habang wala pang Hong Kong visa!

The Constant Reader in Bataan (Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar)

          Luis was turning two.  Because I had no money to spend on a lavish birthday party and I am an introvert, the chances of Luis celebrating with a birthday party are very slim, hehe!  But, really, I find that special occasions are best celebrated exploring new places with the people who matter most.  In that way, we create special memories that will last a lifetime.  Walang kupas, walang laos.

          This year, we went to Bataan, which, coincidentally,  was a good follow up to our Corregidor trip because of its many historical landmarks.

Looking for Historical Landmarks in Bataan= Parang nagdeath march sa pagod

                  Then, we went to the real jewel of Bataan.  And it's not Anvaya Cove, (sorry, Anton), hehe!  It's Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.

At Casa Byzantina with TRAVEL Leisure + Adventure Magazine, Vol. 5, 2013

     Para akong nagtime warp to the past.  Ang ganda dito!  Truly a good place to learn more about our culture and heritage.  It's more fun in the Philippines!

The Constant Reader at Corregidor Island

      Before I decided on this trip, I was worried about a few things.  One, I have a fear of riding boats (and planes!).  Two, I would have to leave little L behind.  Three, the trip might rekindle M's childhood dream of becoming a soldier, hehe.

      Good thing I didn't let these worries get the best of me.  This trip was one of the best and most tiring trips I have ever had.  I hope that with my pictures, I can convince you to go to Corregidor too.

This is me with my fave travel magazine, TRAVEL Leisure + Adventure (vol. 1, 2012) by Mega Publishing

                            

                              

    

Books I Got From The National Bookstore Cut Price Sale 2013

     Hay, both the Bookfair and the National Bookstore Cut Price sale are over.  I can now breathe a sigh of relief(?) ... buying season is officially over. Hehe!

     I was trying to get to as much branches as I could but I only made it to 5 : Glorietta, Greenbelt, MOA, Shopwise Sucat and Festival Mall.  Well, with the sale being on for only 10 days, that's the most I could do.

    Here's what I got from the sale:

Lessons learned during the sale:

1. Grab a cart.  Perfect for that hands free experience.

2. Grab all the books you like before others grab them.  Madali naman ibalik sa shelf ang hindi mo bibilhin.

3. Don't buy a book just because it is cheap or discounted.  Think hard about whether you really love it or not.

4. Don't calculate.  This only happens once or twice a year.  May discount naman e.

  

P.S. I have not read any of my last year's loot, hehehe!

The Constant Reader at the Manila International Book Fair 2013

34th Manila International Book Fair - Sept. 11 - 15, 2013

September is every bookworm's favorite month.  National Bookstore and Powerbooks are on sale.  Then, it's Book Fair time!!!  

photo from mibf's facebook page

 Some tips I learned from last year's Book Fair:
1. Come on the first day.  You'll get first dibs on all books.
2. Now is not the time to be mahinhin, mabagal or courteous. Everyone there is out to buy books, therefore, maraming kaagaw at kalaban. hehe!
3. Have a plan.  Download the lay-out ahead of time so you can head straight to the booths most important to you.  
4. Bring your sugar daddy para bilmoko 'non, bilmoko n'yan.
5.  No regrets! Get what you want because this only happens once a year.

from Ms. Make Ideas Happen

 

I got 4 free tickets from my sister!  Yay, I'm so excited!  See you there!