The Last Project

I have mentioned in my previous post about my lack of creative mojo these days. I had it few months ago before it went into hibernation without prior notice. I am quite worried because I don't know when I'll have it back or if it will come back. That's the biggest worry I have about this dilemma.

I am glad I already finished the special scrapbook page I made for my friend's 50th birthday last April. Imagine if I had lost it then; it would really break my heart because I had set my mind (and heart) to create the page for her as a special birthday memento. I am so happy I finished it in the nick of time.

Here are the pictures of the last project I made. I do pray and hope it's not the last because I seriously miss making handmade cards for my family and friends. I still have tons of patterned papers and other craft supplies in my cabinet and I don't want to spoil them.

Please, please creative mojo, come back! I miss you!!! I will welcome you with open arms... and mind.

Planning a European Trip

It's still early to decide what to do on my 40th birthday but I am considering a European trip with my family for a week in April. Although my birthday is in March, my daughter's spring break will be in April.

I am thinking of themes to do for my 40th birthday trip. One recurring thought comes to mind - seeing the beautiful tulips in full bloom in Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands. I have been imagining the colorful vista in my head already. My decision is leaning towards the trip than a party bash or a birthday Louis Vuitton bag.

My travel bug is biting me again and I have always dreamed of seeing the wonderful Keukenhof, the windmills, the beautiful canals of Amsterdam, the Edam cheese factory and the tiny village of Madurodam. I may throw in a side trip to Belgium since it is close by and is also a part of the Schengen.

I am already looking for budget hotels and transportation available in Netherlands should I decide to take the Belgium side-trip. My husband has a relative in Denmark so we may also squeeze a day or two there before flying back to Dubai.

My 40th birthday will probably be a trip to Europe. I'll narrow down the options before the year ends and once I have my daughter's school time table for 2011-2012.

Europe, here we come!!!

Birthday Flowers for My Mom

I shouldn't have told my mom I was coming home for a 2-week long vacation because I wanted to surprise her for her birthday. She's turning 63 this 23rd of June. I only realized to surprise her recently. Too late! I already informed everyone in my family back home of my vacation.

I have asked my brother to order flowers for her so at least we can still have a little surprise. I want to see the look in her face because she loves receiving flowers. I'll scout around as soon as I settle there. I already bought her a gift here. It will be very nice to give her something she really adores.

Birthday Gift in Advance

Well, yours truly will turn 39 in few weeks time. I have just been given an advance birthday (and surprise at that too!) by my sweet darling hubby last week.

He knows I do not fancy high-tech smart phones because I barely answer my own mobile. However, as sweet and generous as he is, he took me to the mall last week. He was so casual to just ask me to go with him to buy some grocery. So I just went and even told him I did not want to buy anything because I was saving money. He said it was okay. So, to make the long story short, I went along. The moment we entered the mall, he led me to the mobile section and casually asked me, "Okay Honey, you choose which BLACKBERRY you want." You should have seen the surprised look plastered on my face! I was so embarrassed because I really and sincerely did not want anything for my birthday. I am just happy to get through being 39 and go on with my life. There I was, almost on the verge of crying because my hubby knew I secretly admire the BlackBerry but did not want to buy one. He was planning to buy me for sometime already and he took the right opportunity to do just that because of the Dubai Shopping Festival. I chose the very cheap one but he asked me if that was what I really wanted. I actually had my eyes on the BlackBerry Curve 9300 which was slightly expensive than the older model I was checking out. He asked the sales person to give me the BB Curve 9300 and the rest was history.

I love my advance birthday gift so much. I even sleep with the BB next to me which I normally don't do. Dear hubby has been teasing me a lot lately by telling me how he regret giving me the BB because all I do now is chat incessantly with the BB messenger ;)

Anyway, what more can I possibly want now?

Top pic: My daughter caught and snapped me tinkering with my BB (which I named after a famous gay actor in our country - BB Gandang Hari) and of course, the diva dog had to be in the pic too!

Below is the wonderful BB Curve 9300 hubby bought for me. Oh, what a bliss!

Hello? Who's Calling?

I have retired my very old (7 years old!) P900 Sony Ericsson this year because my husband gave me an LG mobile phone for my 38th birthday. He took me to the mall one day, few days after my birthday and asked me out of the blue if I wanted a new mobile phone. Oh, my eyes lit and had a big smile of my face which was enough to mean as "yes." I was thinking of htc desire hd for my birthday gift of choice. However, I know my husband had a budget to stick to so I gladly went along with his whims. He did ask me what I wanted but decided to choose the inexpensive and simple phone. I seldom use my mobile phone anyway. Phones and myself just don't go too well. So, I am happy for the phone he gave me. It's enough to use to communicate to love ones.

A Plasma or LCD?

I really don't care which one as long as I have either of the two HDTV. I am sure my viewing pleasure will be promoted to new heights with the latest technology on the flat screens these days.

My birthday is coming very soon but since we are strapped for cash due to the ongoing recession, I can only wish and dream about owning a Plasma or LCD TV. I have been gawking at the product displays in the electronic shops here for some time now. The Dubai Shopping Festival last month ushered offers of sale up to 50% off the tag price. We can't afford it at the moment. Besides, we still have our old and utterly reliable big TV. Maybe I will wait for the sale next year.

Birthday Favor

My daughter just turned 12 today! She is so excited because she is handing out party favors to her classmates. Jokingly, I asked her, since when does a birthday celebrant give gifts? Isn't she supposed to get gifts and not give them? Well, I was just pulling her legs.

I love to give gifts so off I went to Ikea 2 weeks ago and bought those cute and small spice canister in pack of 4's. A set costs AED 9.00 so that is about US$ 2.50. Not bad I thought. She has 37 classmates and 5 extra teachers so I bought 11 and I got to keep 2 for my scrap trinkets!

Then last week, I took her to the supermarket so she could choose the yummy treats to put inside. We bought chocolates, heart candies (since her birthday falls a day after Valentine's), toffees, and Chupa Chups mini-lollipops in various flavors. We really had fun going around the sweets aisle and wished we could grab more.

I made small tags for her birthday favor with a handmade ice cream cone as embellishment. So cute! So yummy too!

I just dropped her to school a while ago and I can't wait to hear her story about the favors and if her classmates liked them. It is a functional birthday favor, I must say. Not only that you get some treats, you get to keep the container and put your what-have-you there. Also, the small tag can be used as a bookmark. Now, that's super functional! :)

Here are pictures of the favor and tags. Hope you liked them too. So next time you have kids who wants to give out party favors and you are pressed for time and on a tight budget, just take note of this. It won't burn a hole on your pocket.

Girls Talk - Fave Gift!

Oh, I hope Niko dear won't kill me for posting this too late. I am so sorry but I am not one to renege a commitment so here is my very late post on Thursday's GT topic.

I have received so many gifts in my life that if I account for each and everyone of them, I may take several posts to do that. However, there is one very close to my heart... my hubby's birthday gift to me when I turned 30 many moons ago.

He gave me a diamond pendant chain. It's one of the few jewelery I have which I guard with my life. I rarely buy myself something very valuable so this gift is special.