365 Photo a Day Challenge, January 2015

Year 2014 is about to end. Another challenging year is about to begin. And this coming year, I am going to challenge myself. I want to take a photo each day for 365 days. Quite impossible? I think so too... But that is what challenge is all about right? Many did the same and if they can do it why can't  I? Hmmm I am really hoping I can complete it.

Some had made their list, I wanted to follow their lead at first but find it difficult, instead I made my own that is easier for me. This is what I came up for the first month of the year;

January is my birth month that is why there are birthday inspired themes.

You too can take up the same challenge, you can copy mine or do your own list.

Everyday expect me to post a photo based on the themes above. You can share your links on the comment section and we can exchange comments as well.

To all of us who will be doing the same challenge, Goodluck and Fighting!

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A Dinner Date at Roadhouse Cafe

I declared myself on holiday from work last Friday, December 19, 2014. 

I applied for a vacation leave to attend my son’s Christmas party together with hubby, our little girl and their caregivers. Later in the afternoon, the kids were left at home with the caregivers while hubby and I went to meet our Godparents to deliver the two bracelets that Ninang Malou ordered. Stayed with them for 1 hour chit chatting and later went to Centrio Mall. 

It was already past 6PM that we realized that we are hungry and decided to have an instant dinner date just the two of us. Yep! The last time we dine out was like forever, we seldom go out, and it we do the kids will tag along. 

I was craving for a steak, in fact we also have a scheduled dinner date before Christmas with friends and on my menu is a steak. Hubby and I chose Roadside Cafe at Centrio Mall. To satisfy my craving I ordered rib eye steak, while hubby ordered a sizzling pork steak. Unfortunately, the rib eye steak  was not available, they offered the available porterhouse steak instead, which I gladly agreed without asking the price (feeling rich lang!).

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Christmas Lantern Made from Recycled Materials Contest

Our department’s Christmas committee this year came up with a "Lantern Contest" to be participated by the six divisions under the Operation’s department, the office of the head, janitorial and security. Each group was tasked to plot their wild and creative ideas and turn it into a Christmas lantern  made of recycled materials.

After more than a week of planning, researching and trial and errors, each of the groups had finally submitted their work of art, and are now hanging along the staircase of our office building. Here they are, the most creative lanterns made of combined ideas coming from the engineers, technicians, office staffs, janitors and the security guards;

Entry # 1 (Janitorial Services)

Christmas lantern made from empty bottles of hand wash and hand sanitizer, plastic spoons and rugs.

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Help Us Pray

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The Sun is Up!

As of this morning, the classes were resumed except for the pre-school, even though Misamis Oriental is still under storm signal no. 1. Past 12 noon, I went outside and find Mr. Sun shining brightly, what a beautiful sky after the storm had passed.

The eye of the tropical depression “Queenie” is traversing the Visayas and is heading towards Negros and Palawan. Technically, Misamis Oriental has been already free from the storm, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be cautious, especially those residing in the low lying areas and near the river. 

For the sake of our safety let us always be ready and don’t forget to pray to Our Lord Almighty for guidance. Stay Safe Everyone! 

SkyWatch Friday

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A Play in the Beach after His 4th Birthday

Our little boy turned 4 on Saturday. We had a little celebration at home, which I’ll be posting soon in my other blog.

Early Sunday morning, the whole family went for a relaxing and cold and cough healing swim at the Opol Beach, Misamis Oriental. We needed a few hours break after the very stressful week. 

Except for hubby and the little girl, all of us enjoyed swimming at the beach, especially the little boy, who just love the sea water. 

Next time, the husband is on day-off during the weekends, we’ll get back in the very same spot for another sea water swim relaxation. 

By the way, the little boy was wearing his favorite blue clogs, that stayed on his feet in spite of being so playful while in the water.

Blue Monday 

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Stranded Somewhere in Bukidnon

We left my husband’s home town (Cabanglasan, Bukidnon) past 10:00 AM, November 2, not really rushing on a Sunday morning, but only enjoying the scenery of the still luscious mountains of Central Mindanao. Thinking when can we visit the place again, especially now that my husband's parents are already gone. 

Travelling at an average speed of 50 kph, we arrived at Malaybalay Bukidnon @ 11:30AM and decided to have our lunch at Jollibee, the kids favorite food chain. Later, stopped over at Impasugong for a souvenir shots with the giants.

The decision to take our lunch early even though we’re still full was indeed a very timely one because got stranded somewhere in Sumilao. 

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Flowers for Our Dearly Departed

I have been doing the same flower arrangement for a few times already, because this is the only arrangement I can think of that can fit our Angel’s little apartment at Divine Shepherd Memorial.

Our angel that we've 2 years ago...

photo not mine

The rest of the flowers I bought 2 days before, were also arranged in a separate container (an empty water bottle cut to an appropriate size), intended for my parent’s in law who rested in Bukidnon.

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Cut Flowers at St. Augustine Cathedral

Yesterday October 30, 2014 5:00PM PST (Philippine Standard Time), hubby and I decided to purchase the flowers we plan to bring to our loved ones graves on November 1. We purposely visit and bought the flowers early because as much as possible we wanted to stay away from the crowd. And buying the flowers a day before or on November 1 will definitely have an increase in prices.

As expected, the areas in front the St. Augustine Cathedral, where most of the local flower shops are located were still very peaceful with just a few customers dropping by, though the florists had been already busy arranging the flowers they are going to sell. Today or tomorrow will be different, the place will surely be full packed with people.

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Ipanema with Interchangeable Straps, My New Travel Partner

I got my new travel partner last month, after sleeping for months at my friend's office cabinet in Quezon City. A comfy navy blue flip flops with interchangeable straps that I can bring with me to the beach or in the city.

 Blue Monday

Wearing a capri pants + a pair of Ipanema flip flops is my usual get-up whenever I went to the mall or even the public market. 

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A Genius Mobile Application

I stumbled upon an article in a local news website about a newly developed mobile application that will solve your mathematical problem instantly. The application is called PhotoMath, wherein you only have to take a photo of the math problem and it will give you the result right away.

PhotoMath according to microblink “reads and solves mathematical expressions by using the camera of your mobile device in real time”. As of now the app supports arithmetic expressions (+, -, x, ÷), fractions and decimals, powers and roots and simple linear equations. More functions are to be added soon.

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It's Gonna Be a Bright Day!

I thought that my colleagues and I will be stranded in NAIA Terminal 3 because of the very bad weather that loitered in Misamis Oriental the previous day, as always God is good all the time he answered my prayer, because the weather by midday on October 16, 2014 was already very bright and beautiful.

source

The airplane landed ahead of time and without any problem.

 

That is why, I was so relieved and happy to snap a photo of the airport, while the airplane taxing towards the tunnels. 

Blue Monday

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About Guitar Effects

I love music, I love to hear and sing-along with it. Unfortunately, even though how much I tried learning the guitar, I seemed not to get the basic at all.  That is why I envy those musicians on stage who are so skilled and talented with the instrument. 

I thought that guitar alone is enough to produce different and exhilarating sounds, but I was wrong because looking at them, they have these other associated equipment that they use to modify the sound, tone and pitch of guitars. Such equipments can be amplifiers, effect pedals like voodoo lab sparkle drive, simulation software, etc. These gadgets are important in some music genre, because the effects created from them can change the original music into a more interesting one. 

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The City Temple of Shanghai

I thought I’ll be spending the remaining hours I had in Shanghai down and sick. Fortunately, after 2 hours of rest and sleep in the van my back to my old self and at the same time hungry, because I wasn’t able to eat my lunch. 

When Mr. Chen aka Logan came back from where he dropped off the rest of the group, I asked him if he can take me to the nearest fast food particularly KFC. That time I needed something to eat that is not Chinese cuisine.  Logan took me to KFC near the Old Temple of Shanghai, which surprisingly just walking distance from where we had our lunch. I thank him for taking me there and that he can leave me alone, since I already know where the meeting place will be. But Logan insisted to take me to KFC and that he’ll be the one to order for me, I gave in, after all it will be easier for me because I can talk in English then he will translate it to the crew. After, that I told him he can go back to the van, and I’ll take care of the rest. 

The burger + soft drink satisfied my hunger, and I’m now ready to explore the area. The wind was chilling and I wasn’t able to grab a much thicker coat. I went to the Old Temple of Shanghai, peeking through the open spaces from outside, then decided to pay the ¥10 entrance fee and see for myself what’s inside a Chinese Temple. 

I already have the ticket in my hand, and ready to explore the Temple for the first time.

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The Larva (Caterpillar)

I spotted this green Caterpillar on one of the Vinca plant in the front yard. He continuously eats the leaf, never once bothered with the camera pointing in his direction.

This is the second stage of the life cycle of a butterfly called The Larva. The egg (1st stage) hatches on a leaf, and formed into a larvae or the caterpillar. The caterpillar job is to eat and eat, eating the leaf he was born onto. 

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One Saturday in September at Iligan City

One of the many things I love in the City of Waterfalls, is the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. The streets and highways of Iligan City are well decorated with colorful streamers and bantings, making the city a very festive one in the whole month of September.

Because we were in a hurry to meet with the dentist for hubby’s dental check-up and adjustment of my braces, then later to have my eye/eyeglasses checked, it was too late for me to realize that I needed to take some photos of the streets. Huh!

Anyway, even though I don’t have photos of the streets, I do have the photos of the food we had for dinner in celebration of a dear friend’s birthday which I’ll be sharing on my next post. Having to see our friends a.k.a aspiring musicians friends every time we are in the city is truly enjoyable, the chit chats, the food trips, the dramas and everything is truly an unforgettable experience. So I hope you can come back and check out my next post soon.

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Cotton Clouds

What I love most when flying is I got to see the clouds up close that is why as much as possible I want to sit near the window. 

The cotton like, the specks and whip formations are undeniably beautiful.

SkyWatch Friday

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4 Tips for a Better Sleep

Are you getting better sleep? Nah…  none lately for me. Maybe because I was too stressed out during the day and when I reached home, instead of hitting the bed with the kids, I had to do some family responsibilities first. 

Work + family responsibilities + unexpected events are some of the factors that interfere good night sleeps, though I cannot avoid them, I’m pretty much convinced that I’ll do better with sleep with these 4 tips I’ve read online. Here they are;

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Bowling Practice + the Swimming Pool

More than a week from now, we’ll be having the 2^nd phase of our company sports tournament. Because we have few female players because of scarcity of women employees in our department, we are allowed to play unlimited events as long as it will not compromise the game schedule. 

Liked in the 1^st phase, I’ll be playing again in 2 events in the 2^nd phase, the bowling and dart. Frankly speaking, it was my first time to be involved in those two events. I bought dart pins and joined the practice which until now I can’t manage to get three pins on the same target and also joined the first bowling practice this afternoon. Bowling is a popular pastime and tournament sports, but sadly Cagayan de Oro City only has one bowling center, which is located in an exclusive subdivision. 

Moving forward after my first practice game I managed to get a total score of 90, hmmm beginner’s luck, and 2^nd round was funny because most of the balls ended in the gutter, thus, I end up with a total score of 69. Ha! The game looks easy to play, but honestly, I find it hard to throw the ball straight. Maybe more practice I’ll be able to figure out the techniques of the game. 

Anyway, because heading back to the office, I took a photo of the swimming pool at the country club. I wish we were one of the homeowners and so that we can get to enjoy the amenities of the subdivision. Envious! 

 Water World Wednesday

SkyWatch Friday

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The "Ber" Months have started

The “ber” months have started, and I can already smell Christmas in the air. The malls and department stores are already lining up their stalls and hallways of fabulous Christmas decors from the Holy Family figurines, Santa Clauses, Christmas trees and ornaments and a lot more. I am looking forward for more splendid displays at the malls soon, like the nativity SM had last year.

source

 

Seeing them reminds me that I have to take out our old Christmas decors that we had over the years. They may be old, but when I’ll incorporate it with beautiful and elegant ornaments like those radko from christmasplace, I’m sure it will be transform into a perfect Christmas arrangement.

How about you, have you started decorating your house for Christmas?

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Pink and Purple Spring Flowers

Because some of our colleagues were not done with shopping for their families "pasalubong" yet, we went to the nearest shopping mall where we stayed in Shanghai, China. 

There are some shops that sell branded items at a lower price compared here in the Philippines but most of the items that I have known have almost the same price or more expensive than those we have here. So instead, I just roamed around and later went to our meeting place. 

While waiting for the rest, I took some photos of beautiful flowers in the planters along the coffee shop nearby. Because the colors were so vibrant in pink and purple, I did not hesitate taking some snaps using my Galaxy  Note 3 smartphone. 

  
And in the end, I went home from the mall not empty-handed at all.

Today's Flowers

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The Lone Sunflower

While hubby had to do the grocery at Gaisano Mall, I headed to Centrio Mall particularly to Rustan's Supermarket with a purpose to get a pack of rolled oats and a bottle of olive oil. The moment I entered Rustan's a lone sunflower in a plastic pot stands among the pretty cut flowers for sale.

I knew I had to take a photo of this ever gorgeous flower, I hurriedly took out my smart phone and captured a closer shot of the flower while the guard was looking at somewhere else. Just a snap has been enough, and I hurriedly left the spot before the guard had noticed

Monday Mellow Yellows, Macro Monday 2

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The Huangpu River Cruise in Shanghai China

After our tour at the Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower, we headed to the dock for our Huangpu River Cruise which we were scheduled to board the 11:00AM ferry.

The snake like river is the largest river in Shanghai about 114kilometers long and 400 meters wide with an average depth of 11 meters. Huangpu River divided Shanghai into east and west part, the Pudong and Puxi respectively. 

 

Cruising the Huangpu River lets tourists like us witness the development of Shanghai. You’ll be amazed with the well known the Bund, from the historical buildings that were preserved to the modern buildings made of steels and glasses aligning along the river bank.

These are some of the photos taken using my Galaxy Note 3 smartphone.

The cruise wharf taken before boarding.

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Spring Flowers near Oriental Pearl Tower

It was the beginning of spring when we went to Shanghai, China. Spring flowers bloom not only in Nanjing Road, but in most of the side streets where planters are located. The entire city must be blossoming with different flowers with striking colors at the peak of Spring, how I wished I had stayed longer to see them.

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