Aimless driving is now part of our norm. In fact, we started this ‘crusade’ last month when our car once again failed in the annual NYS inspection last September because of its very low mileage.
A few weeks ago, husband and I decided to just drive around. Armed with our trusty GPS, we navigated the highways and expressway until we no longer knew where to go and that was when we consulted our GPS. We wound up ending at the IKEA store in Long Island. It was a fun ride sans traffic but that was because we intentionally got on the road during off peak hours.
We left the store empty handed. We spent a good half hour inside the store plus a good half hour to eat inside their restaurant. We had decent but cheap Swedish food.
We were then ready to take on the road and head back home with our tummies full. It was a simple but fun day.
In July 2008, I went home (Philippines) to bury my Dad. Earlier this year (April), I did the same to bury my Mom. These were two unhappy occasions, but in spite of all that, they were cherished times, as I was reunited with family and the more important people in my life.
Friends come and go, and that is a fact of life. But there are a few of these so called friends that remain, regardless of the distance and the many years of separation, as well as the misunderstandings that come in between. I don’t have tons of friends, I have tons of acquaintances, but I only have few real friends. Friends who continue to be there for me through thick and thin, and whom I continue to do the same for.
They were there during those two unhappy occasions except for the few who are now residing in other parts of the globe. Last April, one of my BFF’s expressed her longtime desire to buy a necklace similar to a piece that I was wearing. She tried and fitted mine. I watched her eyes glow at that very moment. She could very well afford to buy hers, as she is gainfully employed but more often than not the scarcity of the piece is her deterrent.
I was moved. I wanted to give her my old piece, but no, I was determined not to give something used and old. I secretly went looking for an identical piece at the Tiffany boutique in Rustan’s. Unfortunately, it was not available.
Two days before our departure for New York, she met up with us once again. Incidentally, that same necklace was on my neck. I took it off, and I offered it to her. She was hesitant to accept it at first. I recounted to her my search for the same piece, but I was unfortunate in my search. In spite of my hesitation on giving something old, prior to meeting up with her, my husband convinced me that it was okay. That was my way of extending my appreciation for her presence during my time of grief. On both occasions (my Dad and Mom’s passing), she had to take a week off from work just to be with my family.
I knew I gave away a long cherished piece. It was a piece that used to be a part of an ensemble, therefore, I missed it. But I didn’t hesitate giving it away as she is a very dear friend. But I soon realized, I can’t be separated with my heart tag toggle necklace forever, and that it has to be returned to me (by me) LOL.
I did the next best thing. I bought the replacement during Tiffany’s Night Out last September. Now, my friend and I have another thing in common.
The birthdays of my two Scorpio best friends, and another precious new friend who also happens to be born under the sign of Scorpio are over, but my search for one of a kind birthday gift ideas does not end there. There’s way too many important people in my life, and each of them deserve to get the best treat on their special day. Birthdays come only once a year, and I believe that bringing joy and smile to your gift recipient on that very important day, makes them feel special and appreciated.
I can be very meticulous with gifts. I go all out, all the time. That is just me, and when I do it, I believe that the recipient is deserving and important to me, and the gift is well thought out and given with the most sincere intentions. One thing is for sure though, I’m not the type of person who is being generous to a fault. I give what I can afford. I give what I’m happy to give, and what I know will be appreciated and treasured by the recipient. And I’m not the type who will go in debt just to give someone something nice. I’m so grateful that my husband and I don’t owe a penny to any one, not from any institution, not even a mortgage. We owe nothing but just the recurring utility bills, and that’s a fact.
I must take gifting way too over the top sometimes, though. But that is something that I love to do, simply because I like nice things for myself, therefore, I also want my gift recipients to have something nice. In fact, there is one rare occasion a little more than two months ago when I gifted someone whom I considered to be all worth it, but it turned out that it was all a dud, and later realized that I was taken for a ride. In the end, my intelligence was insulted big time. Don’t ask me how and why, because I may wind up typing away all the details for the whole world to see. Nonetheless, I don’t regret what I did, as I believe that there’s always some lessons to be learned from any experience, whether it be good or bad.
My search for birthday gift ideas at ProFlowers just started. There’s a couple of birthday celebrants on my list, and I believe that adding a great flower arrangement to be delivered on the day itself, together with my usual packaged gift which I will bring personally will be more than enough. At least these two celebrants who are about to celebrate their birthdays will for sure not take me for a ride.
Seriously, do parents of kids nowadays consider giving gifts to godparents of their children? Do I sound like an innocent lamb? Forgive me, but that may be how it is when you are childless. Having been a godparent gazillion times, I only remember getting a gift at the day of baptism as a token from the parents.
Modern times call for modern ways. And even if I’m not that ‘antique’ I must confess that I may be out of touch. A quick phone call to my sister indeed confirmed that yes, she is also looking for godparent gift ideas to give this Holiday season.
Reality sinks in. I’m a childless stay-at-home wife, who’s never had to deal with the baptism of my own child. Although I’m the other half of a non-Catholic (he is Jewish), should we have been blessed with a child, that child would have followed my faith not his.
Case closed. So gifting godparents is now widely practiced. That means additional expense for the Holidays. Thus, it is but wise for many parents to look for unique and affordable gift ideas.
The Bond No. 9 boutique along Madison Avenue is almost always on my itinerary when I’m in the city.The recent trek was no exception. With the refill event invite that they send me every time, it’s a great offer for Bond No. 9 aficionados like me.
Spending a good amount of time in the boutique is one of my enjoyment.I love to try out new scents. Now that my allergies are finally under control, I’m back to using my fave scents after many months of not using them because of my chronic allergies. It’s good that I was restrained from giving away the unused bottles at the height of my uncontrolled condition.
On our way out of the boutique, we ran into the Chauffeur going in, and true enough, the Bond No. 9 NYC car was parked right in front. Cute, right? Perfect ad on wheels!
I took a shot of the car’s interior, and this is what’s inside. The perfume caddy.
There’s not a lot to do around here which is why I’m really into pageants. Since I was a little girl my mom liked to dress me up and now that I’m in my mid-20s I’m still entering myself in tons of pageants to show off my poise and grace. It’s expensive, though, and just the pageant coach alone is about $100 a session but it’s something I love to do and I think having hobbies is really important.
I got internet in ohio for my house so I could look up upcoming shows since sometimes they’re states away and I have to plan for them months in advance. It’s also hard to save up enough money to enter them too, that is, if I haven’t been winning recently. I know I’m getting kind of old and should probably hang it up, but I just love this too much to let it go!
I get such a good feeling from having the judges tell me I’ve done well!
Having been to many major cities around the world, I can say with certainty that nothing beats the ‘beat’ of New York. I’m not trying to be bias, I’m just stating a fact. This city never fails to amaze me. I’ve been a constant visitor for many years prior to becoming a resident thirteen years ago, and even now that I reside in the city that never sleeps, I’m still a tourist at heart.
Recently, my husband and I had a day of ‘FUN’ in Manhattan. Armed with my trusty but powerless Canon point and shoot, I captured quite a few photos before the landscape changes in a few weeks in time for the Holidays.
Around the Empire State Building, tourists were milling around as usual.
I told you, I was armed with a ‘powerless’ cam, so please bear with this capture. It would have been great to snap the top of the Empire State Building. It is also for the same reason why I can’t get a decent shot of the Manhattan skyline in spite of my unobstructed view from home.
The largest and one of the most significant US research library in North America – the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. I can still vividly recall the first time I step foot on this gigantic library in 1993.
For now, these pretty Fall blooms are the centerpiece around Rockefeller Center. The giant Christmas tree will soon take center stage in a few weeks.
The ice skating rink is nothing but…
How can anyone miss New York’s bravest? The FDNY (Fire Department). Something was brewing around the area.
And the highlight of my day? A good hour with John Grisham (no, he is not the famous author). He is a Gemologist at the Cartier flagship on Fifth Avenue. Thanks John for your time and help. I’m still in awe . Too bad, taking pics inside the flagship store, as it has always been is strictly prohibited (security is tight). It would have been nice for you to meet JG.
As many of you know, the best way to explore Manhattan is by foot. I had soreness on my legs at the end of the day but we had FUN.
. Too bad, taking pics inside the flagship store, as it has always been is strictly prohibited (security is tight). It would have been nice for you to meet JG.
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