Stuck on telling stories to your little ones? Not anymore with these cool books!

We discovered the Stuck on Stories by accident at the Relay shop at Changi Airport  on our way home. I was gathering all my loose change in order to dispose them (read: last minute “syeping!”).

It was literally last minute, as we were about to board when we got to the gate. I saw these board books and settled on the Dora the Explorer book.

Stuck on Stories have 10 suction cup characters and a story board book inside. What you do is stick the suction cup characters along the story. It’s as if you are telling the story yourself!

I am not quite familiar with the other characters. All I know is Dora, Boots, and Swiper. So, I interchanged Tico and Isa, hahaha! Good thing Aria was quick to correct me.

Back in Manila, Aria got interested in Disney Princesses. So, we scoured book stores to find one, and had it reserved even!

We got to meet the Princesses’ furry friends as we read along the story. Aria got to familiarise herself with the characters and their own stories.

And of course, the resident Kitty did not miss researching on this.

This is not yet available in the Philippines, but Toys R Us abroad has this already. Can’t wait for it to come here.

The suction cups we have used in other ways, like counting, as seen in my Instagram (follow me @touringkitty).

Phidal carries a wide variety of children’s books which aid them in learning and having fun at the same time. Since 1979, the company has been developing safe, innovative, and creative products that spark the imagination of children and children at heart.

For more information visit their website www.phidal.com.

~ Touringkitty

Disclaimer: all products are purchased by me. I am, in no way, connected to the company, and did my own research about the products cos they’re just so cute and collectible!

Before the First Week of Lent ends, allow me to share a few words of reflections.

The Gospel passage last Sunday was about the Big T: Temptation.

When God created the world, he did not expect it to be flawless. Remember the Scripture only said that it was good, He did not mention that it had to be perfect. God wanted balance, that’s why He gave man freewill to do things. Exactly what Adam and Eve displayed with the forbidden fruit.

They were tempted. And they gave in.

Giving in. Yes, temptation is everywhere, BUT we can choose NOT to give in.

It is probably still the hardest thing yet to achieve, even ice creams are named Temptations!

Someone even argues why we should NOT resist temptation. E. H. Chapin says:

“The trouble with resisting temptation is that you may not get another chance.”

Cruel Life! Here’s something even more cruel.

Giving into temptation, I believe, is far off from taking chances. I think that if we pray for it, we would better discern the two, and we can make a really good choice between the two.

Clearly, the Big T for me is the cause of the Big C: Cancer. Cancer in society that is rooted by GIVING IN TO temptation.

What do we choose?

~ Touringkitty

Check out the collective of Singapore travel posts at this link.

Date: September 28

Location: Singapore 

So, the night before we have sent off the family back to Manila. Now, we’re three!

We had our final breakfast for the trip at Kopitiam.

Then we hit the MRT, without stroller this time. I dared bear the little girl in the sling all day long! Love my Next9 sling!

First stop: Raffles Hotel!

We passed by the Civilian War Memorial Park and saw this! Yes, our favorite bread is originally from Singapore! 

Then we went to Esplanade, the famed arts hub of Singapore.

We saw this exhibit inside.

We also saw a familiar word in a postcard.

We went back to Ion Orchard for lunch. We settled in this place.

Then we went back to the hotel to check out and pick up our luggage. Off we go the airport!

When we got home, Aria immediately unpacked her new kitchen set which was a gift from my cousin Mark. She did not wait for the next day to check out her new toy.

It was indeed a fun trip for all of us, especially that this was the first family trip out of the country. We learned so much about Singapore’s culture in those four days. Such a fast-paced country with super efficient public transport system, lots of buildings, lots of things to do and see, and lots of yummy food.

And we are all happy that Aria was really really happy during this trip. Even if we had crying bouts during sleeptime (homesickness, small room and bed), she had the best time cos she still remembers everything up to now, even if she doesn’t see photos and videos of it anymore (imagine she watched the videos for weeks after the trip, even several times a day until she got tired of it!). She calls each Ferris wheel here Singapore flyer, to the amazement of taxi drivers.

Huge thanks go to our cousin and his wife for taking time to meet us and tour us around! Lastly, we thank the Lord for covering us under His protection for the duration of the trip and always. That no one got sick or harmed. Thank You for the opportunity!

And that this happened during my 30th birthday, it was such an amazing experience. All praises for the gift of life, love, and happiness!

Will we go back? Definitely! We’d definitely plan another family trip in two years perhaps, something we’d all enjoy. Any suggestions where?

~ Touringkitty

While picking up the customised shirts for my kids at Maestro Rio Shop before the holidays last year, I found my friend, Nadia, packing some custom-made mugs and saw a familiar face. A very familiar face, in fact.

“Sumi Jo? In Manila? No way!!!”

“Yes way,” she said, “and it’s on February 1st next year.”

I would not miss it for the world! I know I could save up some money by that date, and I am so happy I did, and chose orchestra seats.

Fast forward to that date, my husband and I had events around BGC as well before the concert, so it was indeed a day well spent. However, he went home to our daughter ahead and I watched alone. Good thing we had so many friends watching as well.

I have been a fan of Korean soprano Sumi Jo even before I entered the College of Music. She was my instant favourite because of the Queen of the Night aria, Der Holle Rache.

I was looking forward to it, but unfortunately, it was not part of her repertoire.

Her program was a variety of opera arias, art songs, even musicals. The program seemed simple, yet her interpretation of each song was fabulous, riveting, and brought tears to my eyes (and I am sure to most audiences, too).

Despite the early difficulty of having the noisy airconditioning turned on, Sumi Jo displayed her virtuosity and professionalism, really deserving to be called diva. She then asked to have it switched off, and so even the Samsung Hall got a little warm, the audience did not protest and just enjoyed the diva’s voice and quirkiness.

I almost cried after her first song, Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark. It was so beautiful, her notes precise. Her interpretation of Lascia Ch’io Pianga still rings in my ears. The modern arrangement of Ari Arirang, the signature Korean song was powerful. What impressed us the most was her beautiful dimunuendos. She does it naturally!

What’s even more laudable are the collaborating artists, Najib Ismail on piano and fellow collegemate, Raymond Sarreal on flute. The three made wonderful music together, and the instrumentalists were going beyond being mere assisting artists.

For the second part, Ms. Jo wore a white gown, but since it was unfitted, she threw in her funny side to still carry it well.

We found out she donated her honorarium for UNICEF Philippines, especially for the relief operations of the typhoon victims. She also visited the beneficiaries of the concert, Tanging Yaman Foundation, a few days before the concert. Such a great act of charity!

She did not end the concert with her program, but with three more songs — Verdi’s O mio Babbino Caro, a Korean popular song especially for the Korean community in attendance (she was even the one who played on piano), and Schubert’s Ave Maria.

But wait, there’s more! She also conducted a voice masterclass the following day. I really would have wanted to sing for it; unfortunately I found out slots were already filled.

It’s always a learning experience to attend masterclasses even if you’re just observing. This is a good venue to find out more about the singer’s performing and teaching styles.

To all who made it possible, thank you for bringing Sumi Jo here! Kamsahamnida!

~ Touringkitty