Last November 8-12, 2010, I spent a five-day vacation in Metro Manila with my mama. The first two days were so busy for me because I had to do something very important in Makati City.

I only enjoyed walking around the busy streets of metro Manila on our third day onwards. I met my best friend Kara whom I kidnapped for about 2 days and 2 nights to be my tour guide.. Hahaha.. thanks for her.

The best place to stay in there is I think Pasay City, where there is an array of cheap hotels. Like we used to, we stayed again in Kabayan Hotel for a lot of reasons:

1. It is very convenient because it is

a. near MRT Taft station

b. near LRT station
c. surrounded by lots of 24/7 restaurants and shops

d. walking distance in Baclaran (where there are a lot of cheap but fashionable clothings and accessories)

e. just 5-minutes away from the Mall of Asia.

2. It is reasonable.

3. Hotel staffs are very hospitable.

On our third day:

We surely didn't miss shopping in Baclaran. There are a lot of good boutiques and chiangge where our pocket money could afford. hahaha... Seriously, with my Php 3,000 pesos, I had bought 1 doll shoes, 1 gladiator sandals, 5 blouses, 1 cardigan, and 5 pants. I thought, where on earth could I buy those cheap stuffs in other places but Baclaran??? hahaha.. I wonder, perhaps, If I had brought a hundred thousand peso with me, I could buy the whole shop's products and even more. :D

On our fourth day:

Because it was raining cats and dogs, we didn't go too far. We only spent our time malling in Trinoma to buy my dearest a birthday gift. Then late in the afternoon, we went to Star city together with Pop and Faye.. Thanks to their camera, at least We had some pictures taken.. :D hahaha.. (Camera is one of the most essential things to bring when travelling).

Then late at night, we headed to Mall of Asia and ate our dinner in one of the many restaurants along the seaside.. That's one of the best places in Pasay. I wanted to go there again and again.

I will upload some pictures soon.

Sewing 101

It was just an ordinary Monday night. I came back home at 8:30 in the evening, ate dinner and took some rest. I was caught in boredom while waiting for my favorite dramas on TV.

Then, suddenly, a spark of idea flicked in my mind. I wanted to try to do something very new. So I scavenged some stuffs from my lola's old box and ola! I found some pieces of fabrics I could use for materializing my desire to create some self-made clothes.

*Sewing 101 mode*

I grabbed the light aqua fabric and trimmed a simple pattern from it (a very simple, yet suitable for novice like me). Unsure of what to do, I asked my lola about how to run the sewing machine. It was indeed my first time to run a sewing machine with a *little* success. hahaha.. I must admit that it was so tough to run the machine. The thread sometimes ripped off causing the machine to jam. But It didn't stop me from pursuing my desire to learn. =D


I tried and gave my best to make a nice blouse. Basically, I just experimented. I was able to make an oversized plain shoulder-strap blouse. But I wasn't satisfied with the outcome at all.
It was already 1 am, tired and sleepy, but I wanted to finish my first-ever trial and error project with some glamour. So I spent another two hours to make it a little bit presentable. I embellished it with a lace and an adjustable tie and made an inch wide strap. And... (drum beat).... I finished my first ever self-made blouse with success.

As soon as I had the finished product, I enthusiastically tried it on. But I noticed that it was too simple, so, I added some accessories. Next time, I'll wear it and post a picture.

So here is the final product!

A piece of an art

While I was waiting for my student to log-in for our lesson, I spent my time browsing some interesting arts and crafts projects. I really dont know why, but I really had strong affinity with arts and crafts and all that since I was young. Fortunately, I came upon the website of Jo-ann (check http://www.joann.com/) which has full off ideas and wide range of free arts and crafts projects for people who share the same interest with her. Ironically, I just don't like her name though (hahaha, it just reminds me of someone whom I never really liked from the start). Actually, the website does not only offer free projects but also it is also an online shop where people could also buy some materials they might probably need.

Interstingly, I saw a picture of a model of decoupage Monograms which spelled my name "KIM".