My Dream Vacation for 2011

I have been thinking about visiting Japan this year. I really love anything Japanese, from the language, to the clothes, culture, arts, food (except for the sushi and sashimi!), climate, Cherry Blossoms, and Mt. Fuji.

This is the reason why I took up International Studies back in college and had a major in Japan Studies. I almost got into the exchange student program with the Japanese government back in college but I bailed. I should have gone though. That was a "free" chance to see and feel Japan.

I am saving right now for a my dream vacation. My daughter also loves to see Japan as she is fond of animes. What is the best way to make her understand anime than to visit the country who started it all, right?

My husband has been to Japan so he is not as excited as we are. I want to see a lot of place there like the shrines, the numerous zen gardens and the beautiful Cherry Blossoms. I want to soak it all in and be one with nature.

Japan is one of the expensive countries to visit. I may need to really tighten my belt if I want to visit the country this year. If not, then I can delay it for another year or so but I will definitely visit Japan. It is one of the places I need to visit. And I will!!!

(Photo credit: http://www.doit-dongnai.gov.vn/)

Lady Antebellum's Need You Now

I am not a very big fan of country music. I neither love nor hate the songs. It actually depends on the melody, lyrics and probably the artist singing it. I listen to Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and lately to Lady Antebellum. Their 'Need You Now' song has been playing in the local airwaves here on and on. So, I decided to check it out from iTunes and add it in my iPod so I can listen to it in a "loop." The song is just beautiful. Let me just share to you the lyrics I got from the net. After hearing the song and knowing the lyrics, tell me if it's not beautiful. I doubt it. Hope you'll love the song. I just fell in love all over again ;)

NEED YOU NOW

Need You Now lyrics found at elyricsworld.com

(Credits: Lyrics and music code courtesy of: www.elyricsworld.com)

Praying for Haiti

Our volunteer group here has barely recovered from the Ondoy incident in the Philippines. We are now gearing for another set of fund-raising activities and donations to aid the victims of the calamity in Haiti.

I was watching CNN a while ago. I knew I shouldn't have. My threshold for showing emotion is low that I cannot help but cry for their suffering. I pray that we all do our share to help these people who are still homeless, hungry, tired, sleep-deprived and broken. Do your part to reach out. Let's all help and pray for the people of Haiti.

The House by the Sea

I have great fascination on anything vintage and that homey country or cottage look on furniture and fixtures. I remember my summers spent in my grandma's beach house when I was young. I used to admire her cream curio stand, the beautiful vanity table in her bedroom, the dainty bed and its thick mattress, the rich linens all in light hues and so much more. The accents of the furniture were truly enchanting. There were adornments of foliage, angels holding votive candles placed on the side table, white frames around the big mirror on the hallway, curtains cascading from the window valance with rich lace and wonderful floral prints. Even her beach shabby chic furniture were off-white and looked regal. I felt I was I big doll living in a big, country charm doll house. It was really a charming house by the sea.

I would spend endless hours checking out her stuff and always told her that one day, my house would be filled with shabby chic furniture appliques. I loved the way she would tell me how those dreams would take me to places and that one day I would definitely have those I dreamed of.

So, it came as no surprise when I had my first home at 26. I recalled how my grandma's summer beach house looked like and I wanted the same furniture and fixtures in my home too. If not the same, at least something similar I could afford then. I bought white vintage-looking furniture for my small living area. I had a spare room which I was not sure what to do until I found out I was pregnant. It was at that precise moment that I knew and decided it would become the nursery filled with shabby chic baby furniture. It was just like how I envisioned it when I was young. I used to daydream about how my future house would be like my grandma's - cozy, warm, accommodating, regal, charming and full of love.

Many years passed and she is long gone but the memory of my happy summers in her beautiful house near the beach is still fresh in my mind.