Mission: SUCCESSFUL!

Four days, two countries, nonstop MRT transfers, nonstop walking, and nonstop eating (for me, haha!), I can say that we really enjoyed the trip (despite the stress, which I will try not to talk about here. Blog = happy space, remember?).

Touringkitty survived Singapore and Malaysia with a preschooler and her dad, first-time out of the country travelers (my mom, sister and her boyfie), along with a trolley bag, handcarried bag, a backpack, and a stroller (and those luggage were just for my family!). My mom, sister, and the boyfie had just one trolley, and two backpacks, reason to carry so much stuff when they were headed home, haha!

I have prepared so many stories and tips for you travelers out there. I do hope to post it in the coming days, though. So stay tuned!

Meanwhile, I’m off to work (at home) so I could save up for the next trip. Conquer the Great Singapore sale in 2014, perhaps? 🙂

~ Touringkitty

Tomorrow, I will turn 30. I am quite happy about it, contrary to what people imply that “mawawala na ang edad ko sa kalendaryo,” or simply put, I am not getting any younger.

Why would I not be happy? At 30, I am raising a lovely family of three, sleeping in our own home, working from home while taking care of it, still actively serving the church. And I get to sing and teach again! Happy dance! And my family supports me all the way in whatever endeavor I take. Blessing upon blessing.

I made a life list back when I was in high school. Nope, I am not gonna share them to you, cos I have not ticked some of the items yet. Still praying for some things and I hope to reach them before I turn 40.

Tomorrow also, we’ll be having our first family trip abroad. Will tell about it soon. So may I ask for a simple prayer for this trip, that all of us will be safe, and more importantly, enjoy the experience of God’s creation in another country. Likewise, please pray for our dear country, the Philippines, and let’s lift it up again to the Blessed Mother.

I am so excited to ride the plane and live in a suitcase again, after all, it has been my life some years ago.

Forgive the birthday pause, too, as I might not be online in the next days. Will try to post in Instagram and Twitter (follow @touringkitty).

I shall say a prayer tonight for all my friends and family and everyone who gets to read this. May God bless you and your families.

~ Touringkitty

I miss studying in the university. I had the best time during college, even though I had to take leaves for whole semesters because of concert tours with the Madz.

Now that I am a full time mother, I still want to learn, and I do them online, through the free online courses offered by professors of major universities abroad. Sans the university credits, these absolutely FREE online courses offer the same quality education in an online platform and in shorter spans of time.

Recently, I completed my Crash Course on Creativity. It was my second attempt to take it, as I was not able to finish the first time I took it last year. This year, I was so proud to finish the course in between work and household management, and got this Statement of Accomplishment from a Stanford professor, Tina Seelig.

There are lots more coming up and ongoing! Check out Coursera and Novoed (which was formerly Venture Lab wherein the Creativity Course I took is in). At the moment, I enrolled in Coursera’s Crafting and Effective Writer, Survey of Music Technology, and Creativity, Innovation, and Change. I do hope to finish them all, though, else I’ll end up just auditing again.

Hope you also take advantage of technology and education. Best thing, they are all free. No need to fly out to have classes under foreign professors.

~ Touringkitty

I am happy to announce the winners for the first blog giveaway!

Let these photos tell you how the raffling went. Super fun!

And the winner is…

Next winner is…

The last winner is…

BEANS Baby Store shall ship the prizes directly to you. I shall send you all an email or Facebook Message so I could get your complete mailing addresses. Thanks, BEANS Baby Store for your generosity!

Thank you SOOOOO MUCH for joining! Please watch out on the Facebook Page as I announce the next giveaway, probably in two months!

Happy Birthday, dear Ariadne!

~ Touringkitty

Three years ago, I was a beautiful pregnant mommy lining up the poll precinct to exercise my right to vote. Since it was National Elections, my husband and I made sure we voted for someone who could make a significant contribution to our society in the first six years of our daughter’s life.

Unfortunately, our presidential bet didn’t win. Nor did our vice presidential bet. A few senators got the yes of the entire nation. We didn’t mind that much the local officials, though, as we do not know them quite well.

That is why for the upcoming elections on May 13th, I have first researched on the profiles of the candidates especially on the local posts so we could choose who would best do the job.

We also relied on surveys, comments from other people, including taxi drivers, very opinionated TV personalities, commercials (yes so if you got a baduy jingle, we will not vote for you, haha, just kidding!), and most especially their stand on important issues. the last item though can make or break them, so we’d have to be very careful. We come at the time where one can be either lying or avoiding issues.

So just a reminder: select, select, the ELECT. Do not waste a vote that could change. Such powerful vote we could have.

And as close to this post, here is a throwback photo of preggy me, three years ago.

Yes, dear readers. I used to be THIS beautiful! Told you, I miss being pregnant! *wink*

~ Touringkitty