I AM BACK WITH A NEWSFLASH!! :)

CRAFTY BLOGS I LOVE

When I was young, wild and free ( no weeds though haha) I love crafts,colorful papers and anything hand made goodness! After college, I was drowned with work and I forgot all about these amazing goodies. Crochets, water colors, cross-stitch, embroidery, scrapbooking and my creative imagination were locked in a cellar 6 feet under. It was a thing of the past.

Thank goodness creativity is alive in the presence of my wedding supplier friends such as Vatel Manila and Fozzy Book. And thus I am excited about the future ^_^ I'm starting to dig deep and resurface the  once creative Sweet there was :)

And Im gonna start with listing down my favorite blogs on crafts and designs ( aside from the two above :

1. Bugs and Fishes 
2. Etsy
3.Threadbanger
4. Cluck Cluck Sew
5. Dear Lizzy 
6. Pink TeaCup
7. Crochet Geek
8. Two Peas in A Bucket ( online store)
9. Happy Together
10. Daily Digi
11. The Long Thread
12. Cute Tape 
13. How About Orange
14. All Around Us 
15. Felt and Wire  ( store)
16. My Paper Crane
17. Spoolofthread ( BC)
18. gotcraft ( BC)
19. talkcraftytome
20. flourish calligraphy
21. Feelin Crafty
22. dandee design
23. Ginko Paper
24. Crafts Unleashed
25. Gerbera Designs
26. Gantsilyo Guru ( Crochet) - I attended her crochet workshop!
27. Tinythingsarecute 
28. Craft Gawker
29. Fancypantsdesigns
30. A Beautiful Mess
31. Oh Lovely Things
32. The Ink Nest
33. OhsoBeautifulpaper
and I'll add up more blogs once I discover them :)

What is on the other side? ( Vancouver, BC)

In my calculation, I might be leaving my beloved country in two months. It only makes me wonder what is waiting for me on the other side of the globe. I started to research on a lot of things about Vancouver, of course first stop was fashion hahaha! This is my chance to wear those lovely coats and eye candy boots ( rainproof!) but since I love to travel,  I also took time in researching what this city can offer. I embedded few beautiful videos below :

Mrs. Superman

My first blog...as Mrs. DLS ^_^

After the very busy month of May here I am back to my little nook in the cyberspace. Our wedding was one happy day with all the family and friends who joined us! I'm excited to blog about the details, pictures, videos and our dearest wedding suppliers! For now I'd like to share our Same day edit Video brought to us by a dear friend in the industry, Master Videographer - Chug Cadiogan



Yipee,
Sweet

Superman's 30th Birthday

From now on, we will be spending our birthdays together :) I love you superman!

the hours are long, the days are short

It's 8pm.

image from http://liveandsucceed.com/law-of-attraction/

Later by 9:50PM, Superman will arrive and this time around he will be staying for 45 days...
I am having an unexplainable feeling right now, it's a mixture of happiness and (wedding) jitters!

45 days of sunshine coming up and then the rest will be a lovely history!

Can't wait to sign as Mrs de los Santos ^_^

WEDDING JITTERS..so it's TRUE?

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK..

2 MONTHS AWAY...*HAPPY JITTERS*

Wedding Invitation Front cover handpainted by Abba Mendoza of The Goldfish pool

SIGNED,SEALED, DELIVERED

Alvin and I are very happy! My application finally arrived at  the Citizenship and Immigration of Canada office in Mississauga, Ontario this morning ( in Canada). Whew, one step closer. I'm a bit nervous and excited at the same time. It's like applying for a "new life" away from the dearest people I've known for the past 30 years.

We spent countless days making sure we covered all our bases, Alvin  and I engaged in some petty, sweet fights along the way, laughing in between because of the mind blowing details we needed to accomplish. I say everything will be worth it in God's perfect time. We hope to get my application approved in the shortest possible time without any problems! ( calling all the angels and saints in heaven)

I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you my love...Kahit saan pa tayo dalhin ng tadhana..*wapak!*

Oh happy day : First Anniversary

February 11, 2011
 - I said yes to forever *fade in romantik musik*  hehe :)

You are an answered prayer, Happy Anniversary love!

Forever,
Sweet

My little gift for you this day :

Ready to roll : what's in my 2012 suitcase

Hello world.

This is my second blog post this 2012. Wow, so much for 2011! Many great things happened, I got busier and yes my 30 before 30 project was put on hold. I tried a couple of times to start a post but for no apparent reason I delay some immediate but not important things. I am happy now I know how to prioritize! 

So why am I writing again? I terribly miss it as much as I miss traveling, even with my grammatical errors and non sense post, writing liberates me. 

What’s up? I wasn’t able to travel much last year except for two Boracay trips and countless Tagaytay getaways. But 2011 was very significant. 

I turned 29, my last year on my twenties *squint*, I lost a pretty big amount of weight and I finally met the greatest gift God got me so far.  I found myself engaged to an amazing man (I’d love to share the story behind that next time) and started to get busy preparing for the big day.

Now, January 2012 is almost over and I’m welcoming my favorite month in a few days. It’s my birth month and yes I’m turning “three-zero”!  I was not disappointed that my project was put on the back burner, I am still happy for the mere fact that I’m breathing, Im in love , dreaming big dreams ( and acting on it!) and growing as a person. 

I finished reading Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin this January, I expected to learn new techniques to be happy but I was amazed that it is still the simple things that matter the most and can make you happy such as being kind and being tidy and did I mention being in love already? :p

This 2012 will be a transition phase for me.  There are a couple of important events that will happen in the duration of 12 months and I pray that I  keep my sanity until the year ends. 

Here goes :

1.       My 30^th birthday – which I will be welcoming in Thunderbird Resort in La Union ( it just so happened I have a hosting gig there on the 11^th of February haha)

2.       Alvin’s birthday on April 9 and he is turning 30 too! It’s his first birthday to celebrate in the Philippines after 15 years of being away  

3.       I will submit my requirements at the Canadian Embassy

4.       Oh happy day! May is the big month for me and Alvin!

5.       Singapore trip with my mom and my beloved partners in the business

6.       My passage in earning a “VP” income by second quarter of 2012

7.       My move to Canada *keeping my fingers crossed*

These are just 7 of the most important highlights 2012 has in store for me, making no. 4 and no. 7 the two toughest of them all. Perhaps I will just share my deeper thoughts on each one of these in the coming days.

It’s going to be one heck of an awesome ride this year! I will make things happen and Thank you God for it is done!

Stay in love,

Sweet 

we need all the powers to make things happen this 2012 :)

A New Beginning

"He has made everything beautiful in its time"- Ecclesiastes 3:11
I could have been somewhere else… but one evening, 27th of January, I was at the perfect place at the perfect time...and my gift from God was waiting.

 

DECEMBER 2011

ganito ang december ko, lalo na pag walang oras gumawa ng blog ^_^

our CHARISMA

I cant help but feel sad and happy at the same time. We will miss you Ate Donna!

All I want for Christmas!

Love, All I want for Christmas is You ^_^ 

Cocktail #1

I need a break.

It’s November and I am overwhelmed. I miss those days when I’m just happy with the simple things that are going on around me like capturing a beautiful sunrise with Peaches, waking up in the morning  from  a Yoga session ( I overslept on my mat) or devouring on a cup of blueberry yogurt, damn I miss yogurts!

There are so many things happening at the same time  and I can’t catch up, been busy earning my first million I guess..Congratulations, I am still P999,999 away from it.

I even neglected this small haven of mine, I haven’t been writing much. Believe me, I sat down countless times these past few months trying to compose something in my head  but I always end up pressing the cancel button.

What’s wrong blueberry girl?

Oh, I have been meaning to write down one of my accomplished 30 before 30 activities – Wedding hosting in Boracay, but  I’ll have that on another article instead. I just remembered , since I have this 30 b4 30 project, I might be appealing for an extension.  I have to be honest with myself, I wanted to be all positive and stuff but I am an inch away from changing  this project to 30 during 30 list *big,fat sigh*. With the hectic schedule ( I have no intentions of expounding) I am afraid I have to postpone some things on the list..like eating okra and talong ( dude, this is  serious)

Actually I made up my mind, the decision is final ( F! I have to change my logo too! L )  As a mature individual ( just for the moment) there are things I need to give up for the sake of some imperative milestones in my life. Every penny counts, every activity matters so much that I don’t have the luxury of time ( damn it, I normally have that!) to have fun fun fun.  Realizing this makes me wanna drop on the floor and cry. Something just pricked the happy bubble again, but this is to pave way to bigger and greater rainbow colored bubbles.

I think my blog entry doesn’t make sense. I just wanna end this blog with few things that filled up my simple bucket of joy this week:

I  can wear medium sized clothes again

I was able to go on a solo back packing trip for 5 days, it was not Siquijor but then again it’s worth it

I witnessed a ray of sunshine in a happy place, Boracay :)

    

Thank You Steve!

Farewell Steve, you will be missed.

I cant help but create a simple post for Steve Jobs. He is truly one crazy innovator and always challenging the status quo. He is a genius. A man who thinks differently. 

He disrupted this era with his world changing contributions.

Indeed by year 3000 you will still be remembered as the Thomas Edison of the 21st century. 

Thank you for the inspiration to be different, to be unique.

I will stay hungry, I will stay foolish.

Cheers Steve. We are celebrating your life.

Inspired

***

Sweet 

*click on the inspired word to read/ watch Steve Jobs' complete commencement address at 2005 Stanford graduates

excerpt : No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

UPDATE ON 30B430 : No. 6 Lose 20 lbs

Being fit and healthy is a lifestyle change! It is not even  weight loss but more of a weight management and educational training. Welcome to THE RIGHT APPROACH!
This blog is dedicated to all individuals ( including YOU) who already DECIDED to BE HEALTHY This blog will contain a lot of information about this program but before that, please allow me to share my personal story.
—–

I have always been known as the chubby girl.  Well, there are times I lost weight but unfortunately  due to tragic “love” reasons. Depressed during those times, my tendency was not to eat and just cry, no wonder I shed the extra pounds in a matter of a week ( record is 10 lbs in 7 days). Then eventually things got better and it’s all sunshine and flowers again *BOOM* I regained the weight, worse I accumulated more pounds than before.

 

I was never insecure or experienced self pity because of my weight but reality bites that there are actually more options if I were thinner – oh please the gorgeous clothes I would want to wear but I terribly cant :_( Sometimes I would still buy small sized blouses to motivate myself but guess what, I was never been able to wear them.

 

I also tried a lot of fad diets- slimming tea, GM diet, 3 day diet, carbo diet, protein diet, blah blah blah – and yesiree  rebound was kinda painful. I promised myself I will never starve again.

You see, I am in love with dancing ever since I was a fetus ( ohhkay I am exaggerating).  I’m a die hard fan of this art,but due to my ridiculous  busy schedule after graduating from college I wasn’t able to dance as much as before so I  spent a big chunk of moolah on gym memberships- Slimmers, Fitness First, Gold’s, even 30.00 peso gyms per hour clubs – but none of it worked for me. Then I realized I was to blame for my failure,  my commitment to wake up freakin early morning to torture my self at the gym was my issue.

I also did some sports – I used to play badminton, run and occasionally entertain my hands with my pink boxing gloves at Elorde’s boxing gym. A few months back I was at the first 30 minutes of my boxing training and I almost collapsed! Blurred vision, panting,oh boy am I getting older?!

Is losing it really that hard? Why some people can painstakingly lose those extra pounds? Why are there sexy bodies flooding the news paper and the television? How come they eat and they never get fat! It’s unfair!!!!

 

Then one day, a good friend of mine told me that probably one of the biggest reasons I stay plum is because I am not DECIDED to get healthier and sexier.. I think it really all starts with desire, then faith and eventually ACTION.

 

I will be walking down the aisle very soon and ever since I saw My Bestfriends Wedding more than a decade ago , I have always imagined the perfect me on my wedding gown, of course with my perfect groom^_^ waiting at the altar  and so  that sparked a desire in me. I WILL LOSE THE EVIL EXTRA POUNDS! I am to blame this I am the only solution.

 

I learned that It is all about Lifestyle change but my main concern was the extra  time – I will never be able to waste time at the gym with my chaotic and hectic schedule. Good thing  found The Right Approach and I was determined to lose weight once, forever! With the program, exercise is encouraged but not necessary ( the best part everrr) when I found out about this I was jumping with glee! I am into the medical field – a nurse- and I was so impressed with the program because It doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients. I don’t have to starve and I will not only lose the extra pounds but it will also help me lower down body and visceral fat. Now that make sense because I have always been skeptical with all those fad pills and I was so thankful to have found a safe way to say bye bye to  my love handles. How? The Right Nutrition, The Right Supplement and The Right Education.

 

So, after a month of being into the program, this is the new me ( look below fellah)  I  lost 8 lbs ( I can hear you say – just 8 lbs?!) but I do not fret because I gained muscle mass  and I lost a layer of visceral fat – that is more important! Look, look! I have never been happy on a weight management program – I don’t have to calculate calories every time I eat, I don’t have to perform boring exercises ( but I am planning to study capoeira, pole dance and get back to dancing in the near future), I can still dine out and I know I can keep the fat away forever My medium sized clothes are out again!

 

Now, I enrolled myself to the second month of the program and will continue until  I reach my goal.. I know the finish line  is just around the corner ^_^ Next time, I’ll share more about what I did to lose this significant amount of weight. This does not only make me extra pretty on  my wedding gown but I know it can also help a lot of my friends get back their health and say adios to degenerative diseases like hypertension, diabetes and even fatty liver.

 

Friends, I gained back 5 years of my life  

 

I wish you too a healthy life,

Sweet

All photos © mypocketfulofsunshine.blogspot.com unless otherwise specified. Please do not steal them, use without permission, or make a profit out of them

Eiga Sai 2011

It's Philippines- Japanese Friendship month again :) It only means one thing.. JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL!!! Last year I was introduced to Eiga Sai  and I was able to watch Tokyo Tower: My mom and me sometimes dad and I really cried a bucket of tears, the whole auditorium actually produced a lot of sniffing too. Anyway, now it is back and I'm so happy I'm just a few skip and hop away from Shangrila Plaza. I really encourage you to watch this year's movies, below is an overview and schedules each day from July 1-10, 2011 for the Manila showing. Source : clickthecity.com

Eiga Sai flyer

Departure is one of the featured films this year, I was able to watch this
 already last year but I think it is worth watching again :)

SHANG CINEPLEX CINEMA 4:

JULY 1 (Friday) 
Opening Night by Invitation at Cinema 2 
Departures (131 mins ) 7:00 PM 

JULY 2 (Saturday) 
The Chef of South Polar (125 mins) 1:00 PM 
Departures (131 mins ) 4:00 PM 
The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones (139 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 3 (Sunday) 
Summer Days with Coo (1:38 mins) 1:00 PM 
The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones (139 mins) 4:00 PM 
The Chef of South Polar (125 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 4 (Monday) 
Yunagi City, Sakura Country (118 mins) 1:00 PM 
Villon’s Wife (114 mins) 4:00 PM 
Climber’s High (145 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 5 (Tuesday) 
Your Friend (125 mins) 1:00 PM 
One Million Yen Girl (121 mins) 4:00 PM 
Feel the Wind (133 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 6 (Wednesday) 
One Million Yen Girl (121 mins) 1:00 PM 
Climber’s High (145 mins) 4:00 PM 
The Summit: A Chronicle of Stones (139 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 7 (Thursday) 
Feel the Wind (133 mins) 1:00 PM 
Climber’s High (145 mins) 4:00 PM 
Your Friend (125 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 8 (Friday) 
Your Friend (125 mins) 1:00 PM 
Yunagi City, Sakura Country (118 mins) 4:00 PM 
Departures (131 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 9 (Saturday) 
Departures (131 mins) 1:00 PM 
One Million Yen Girl (121 mins) 4:00 PM 
Villon’s Wife (114 mins) 7:00 PM 

JULY 10 (Sunday) 
Summer Days with Coo (1:38 mins)  1:00 PM 
Feel the Wind (133 mins) 4:00 PM 
The Chef of South Polar (125 mins) 7:00 PM 


Here's an article from Japan Foundation,Manila :

Philippines-Japan Friendship Month Opens on July 1 with Eiga Sai—The Japanese Film Festival An exquisite Japanese cinematic masterpiece at all levels—visual, aural, emotional, spiritual, awaits Eiga Sai fanatics this July featuring Departures, winner of the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009. The Eiga Sai opens on July 1 (Friday) at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA, Mandaluyong City as a kick-off event of the month-long festivity. Departures takes a bizarre and unique subject with heartwarming scenes and outstanding acting performances by Masahiro Motoki, who played the role of Daigo Kobayashi, an aspiring cellist who eventually takes the job of an encoffinner, sending the deceased body off to final departure with dignity. He coveted the Best Actor awards (32nd Japan Academy Prize in 2008 and Kinema Junpo Awards in 2009) for his role in the film complimenting the brilliant mind of its acclaimed director Yojiro Takita. The film festival officially reels off with an invitational screening and special performance of Mr. Renato Lucas, the principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra together with pianist—Ms. Naomi Sison, at 7:00 P.M. at the Atrium Plaza, Shangri-la Plaza. “Eiga Sai,” which literally means ‘film festival’ now on its 13th year is organized by the Japan Foundation, Manila together with the Embassy of Japan, The Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, UP Film Institute and supported by Lyric Piano, and ClickTheCity.com. All films will be shown with English subtitles. Admission is free. Screening venues are at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 4 (July 1 to 10), Gaisano Grand Citimall, Davao (July 22 to 24), Ayala Center Cinema 4, Cebu (August 2 to 7) and UP Film Institute (August 17 to 20). For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, please access the Japan Foundation, Manila website: www.jfmo.org.ph or call the JFM telephone numbers (+632) 811-6155 to 58

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2011

Welkam vack Sweet ( hiatus mode kase)

I was introduced to French Film Festival last year, it was unfortunate that I was just able to watch one film. This year I still have until Sunday to stress my eyes in watching french films ( I just can't believe it's for free as always hihihi's)  since I'm just a stone's throw away from Shangrila Mall. I might probably practice watching movies alone from now on. Anyway, here goes the remaining schedule for this year's French Film Festival :


JUNE 16 
1:30 p.m. - Le dernier des fous 
4:00 p.m. - La Tête de Maman 
6:30 p.m. - Joueuse 
9:00 p.m. - Le Marquis 

JUNE 17 
1:30 p.m. - Elle s'appelle Sabine 
4:00 p.m. - Adèle Blanc Sec 
6:30 p.m. - Le dernier des fous 
9:00 p.m. - 7 ans 

JUNE 18 
1:30 p.m. - Arthur et la Vengeance de Maltazard 
4:00 p.m. - Mademoiselle 
6:30 p.m. - Sans toit ni Loi 
9:00 p.m. - Un Poison Violent 

JUNE 19 
1:30 p.m. - A nos amours 
4:00 p.m. - La Tête de Maman 
6:30 p.m. - Dans les cordes 
9:00 p.m. - Tree of Life 

NOTE: Admissions are free, tickets are issued one hour before screening. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice


UP NEXT THIS JULY : JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL!!!!

Where is Canada?

I  love my country - The Philippines. I always will.

 Just a lil slice of history, I actually gave up  the US Embassy  terminated my pending US petition ( well due to non-appearance at an interview hahaha -OK I can explain that!) and that really made my dad frustrated and sad since he is living in Los Angeles for like 20 years and expected me to join him there. I even finished 2 college degrees  and currently ( with an expired license though and to hell with the long lines during renewal :P) a registered nurse but  it  never again crossed my mind  to pursue  a related job abroad.

All because I dreamt of growing old here in the Philippines, I even believe I can get filthy rich even if I do not leave the country  - we have equal opportunities- we just need to find the right vehicle and I am so relieved to have found mine.

But things happen. I realized we can just control our life to a certain extent...in my case, love knocked and I let it in ( cheesy isnt it? hehehe ) and my neatly piled plans came crashing down on my face.So what's the deal? Where is this crap blog leading to? hahaha...I just stumbled upon two fascinating information about a place I never imagined that could possibly be my second home ( Sorry Singapore it's not you anymore)

Where?

*drumroll please- give me some Justin Bieber or Celine Dion song* 

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA  - at the Lower Mainland to be exact

Hmmmm....It never interest me before you know but it is pretty amazing that this country is really something worth considering since I read two articles about it. Let's go check this out :

1. TOP 1 - WORLD'S MOST LIVABLE CITIES 2011 ( click here for the article)

Based on a combination of environment, health care, culture and infrastructure, Vancouver topped the list of the world's most liveable cities for the fifth straight year, according to a new report

Vancouver, BC Canada courtesy of Getty images

cityscape courtesy of vancouver.ca

2. TOP 1 - WORLD'S FRIENDLIEST COUNTRY 2011 is still CANADA
( needs some proof? here you go) - seriously I was looking for the Philippines on the top 10 list but I was unsuccessful.

---
So, most livable and friendliest country ... what else should I consider? A lot! But at least these two are decision boosters already :)

More interesting facts include the beautiful cherry blossoms during Spring - As one popular quote says : "There is no stranger under the cherry tree" - Issa. 

courtesy of www.vcbf.ca ( Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival)

Citizens are being encouraged to use bicycles for Vancouver's Greenest city initiative - great, I never learned to ride a bike! *loser* but maybe this is the opportunity I needed *harhar*. Another thing,  my distribution  business is global so I can still continue it there. Oh and yes, traffic is not that bad on this side of the world!  hehehe...

Hmmm... now I am starting to appreciate things related to this country :) Besides it is a natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair rolled into one! A yoga near the ocean or at Stanley Park wouldn't do any harm.

I guess I have few more things left on my  tick box.

I always love change. Change is good. Hey, I wont be leaving for Canada yet ( a vacation next year would be great) but yes I will continue to pray wherever God will lead me, one thing is for sure.. I will surely go where my heart  is.

I might need to get used of being called a Vancouverites, start cheering for Canucks but errr I will still be a Lakers Fan :P



Share a sunshine,
Sweet