Tag Archives: bucket list

The Hunt For The Little Black Book Is On

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My annual ‘hunt-for-the-little-black-book‘ is ON. If you’ve read that post I did last year, you know it’s this time of the year I look for the notebook.

I carry a little black book in my purse. You have to read the post here to know the reasons why. Come to think of it though, my reasons are a little bit different now. Sure, I want to write my ideas for my little online shop there or some of my bucket lists, etc. That sounds really great but it seems like this year I’ve gone from happy, crafty, do-it-all mommy to happy, contented, still-trying-to-be-crafty AND REALISTIC mommy.

Why the shift? I’ve realized that work keeps me from doing a lot of the things I’ve been planning to do this year: for the little online shop and for the family. It’s really a challenge to squeeze everything in my daily schedule but I still manage.

It looks to me now that keeping all the lists makes me look like I have everything together, NOT! :) Nevertheless, it helps me keep everything in a wait list sort of way. At least! The more staright-forward reason really — I have been humbled. Officially I am now admitting that I just might me getting just a little bit older. Hence, FORGETFUL! Nope, the tablets do not work for me to remind me where to go or what to buy in the groceries.

I have to see my handwriting, feel something that’s tangible. In other words, I might be the only one in this digital age tablets who still carries a little black book in my purse to jot things down every so often. When I’m lost in a bookstore and read something I want to remember, or got an idea for a jewelry or a craft I want to do, I grab my little black book and doodle something. Yes, I just might be the only human being still doing that.

Thus, my little black book is my sought-after personal year-ender event. I just made that up but if the celebrities and everyone else has some sort of year eneder events, then this is among mine, I know! (Tee Hee!).

Unfinished Business: Conquering The Sewing Machine

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Note: I have to tell you guys something really embarrassing I hope I don’t lose any followers by admitting this.Twentytwo years ago, back in high school we had a sewing class and were taught how to use a vintage sewing machine. At the end of the course we were to submit a Pajama. I never learned how to use the machine nor have any vivid memory if I was even paying attention at all to that class. I think I paid a classmate or somebody to make the pajama for me or I couldn’t have passed the course.

After more than twenty years, I have finally (Finally!) conquered my fear of the sewing machine. Conquer might be a bit of a strong word as the sewing machine still refuses to agree with me. I kid  you not! The first few days was just completely a struggle. I think the sewing machine has a mind of its own as it insists on sewing backwards when I have mustered all my strength to have it stitch forward. Just move forward. That’s all I’m asking..It’s just a real struggle for both of us. Why? why?

I’ve done my homework reading and threading the bobbin correctly, trying to remember how to make it work but when I finally start, it just stitches backward!

This is exactly why after twelve long years I just had to tackle this fear if you could call it that.  Being the self-proclaimed crafter that I am, this  one I have not conquered at all. I ache and envy at the same time watching some people just have this ease and rhythm using the sewing machine. They could make so many wonderful sewing projects. I just watch and suffer in silence (Sob, sob).  Conquering the sewing machine is on my Bucket List and I’ve finally said it’s time :)

I asked around for any sewing classes in the city. Most of it were high-speed sewing classes sponsored by the city government of Cebu like that of TESDA. You will be given a certificate after completion of a six-month course in Dress-Making. I didn’t want that. I have no plans in the future to be sewing dresses although it’d be nice to be able to do that. I just wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine for my little projects. More importantly, It’s something I just had to tackle and check off on my bucket list :)

I found a three-month course on Curtains and Draperies. This is what I just needed. A sewing class that’s manageable. Three months and making curtains, that shouldn’t be that difficult, right?

I spoke too soon…

In class, we use the vintage singer sewing machines (the one your great grandma used) and that’s the machine I told you about. The one that has a mind of its own. I never imagined that a self-proclaimed crafter like me could be struggling so so bad. I have to tell you that I am as of this writing at the bottom of the class. I have not finished a single curtain yet my classmates are on their 4th and 5th projects already! My teacher gives me this look as if saying this might be beyond me. I’m not exaggerating :)

I told my husband about my progress (or the lack of it) and he just smiled and said I probably found the very thing that is so beyond me. He was joking but simply said it shouldn’t be rocket science at all.

Good new is  yesterday I think I’m starting to find my rhythm. It feels so good to finally just concentrate on making a straight line and not worry if the ill-tempered vintage machine is going to decide to stitch backwards like what it usually does. (My teacher tells me I’m using the best machine in class and it does what its suppose). I’ll show you guys my very first attempt with curtains when it’s done. But just no close up shots or you might see the missed stitches, not locked, crooked and everything else that make me just cringe, hahaha!

But I am proud and humbled :)

Another item on my Bucket List checked off!

p.s. This is what’s keeping me busy lately. Sorry I haven’t said hello for a while. I hope you guys are doing great.

My First Attempt At Sugar Flowers – Bucket List Checked!

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Let’s set things straight: I was not on speaking terms with the OVEN. That’s a fact. I prefer cooking rather than baking or making beautiful fondant creations.

The past couple of days though was a milestone for me (Tee! Hee!). I had the pleasure of taking Chef Jesuit Paul Nugas’ class on “Life-like, Life-sized Sugar Paste Flowers” at Caro and Marie.  Chef Jess trained at The Heny Sison Culinary School, Enderun Extension Colleges and The Academy of Pastry Arts in Malaysia. The nice thing about Caro and Marie is that they offer half a day classes for baking/cooking and is very affordable compared to those 6 months-2 year courses from Culinary schools that can cost you an arm and a leg!  When I don’t know how to follow a certain recipe or when I need to see how one is done like this particular class, I take classes there.

I’m not really good at baking or not even a flower kind of girl but lately I find myself drawn to sugar flowers. I’ve even included this on my bucket list and I’m very proud of myself for having checked that off already! **curtsey**curtsey**

It was my first time to attend his class and I must say Chef Jess did a very fine job sharing  his expertise on making sugar paste flowers. He showed us step-by-step how to make each flower.

I didn’t say though that I’m pretty good at it, not even close. Aarrghh! In fact, I wasn’t able to do the cymbidium orchid and I was hoping I would’ve tried doing it. Yes, that’s right! I think we were asked to make six flowers but this slow woman finished only five of those in that two-day class. I probably took so much time kneading, looking at the petals, curling the sides and feeling like a little girl amused by the ball tool. How cool are those gumpaste tools?

I was rolling and pinching and in the middle of all that rolling I must’ve pinched myself and thought I was actually doing it, haha!

Another item on my bucket list checked off! The last couple of days went really well, meeting new friends and best of all, discovering or more like affirm something about myself: that I truly am The Slow Woman and is suffering from what my husband calls ‘analysis paralysis’ :)

I hope you guys had a great weekend!

’til next post!

Marryl

P.S. Chef Jess, if you’re reading this, I just want to say thank you for doing an impressive job teaching a slow woman like me how to make sugar flowers. I tell you, teaching me requires a great amount of skill, haha! Seriously, you’ve been very accommodating and I wish to join your other classes pretty soon. Hugs and kisses from Cebu :)

p.p.s. If you fancy learning how to cook or bake, head on to Caro and Marie. Who knows, you might bump into me :) If you would like to learn how to make your own fashion accessories like earrings, bracelets, etc Please visit Marryl & Lauren for our Beginner’s Bead Jewelry-making Class next month.

Ten Things I Need to Do This 2012

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Warning: This post I’m afraid is going to bore you. It’s really meant for my self.

I stopped making New Years Resolutions for many years now. They just don’t work for me. By the first week of February, they don’t exist anymore. haha! I just end up feeling bad about myself.

In 2004, I started making my bucket list and with that was my goal for every year. Since then, I had noticed a different kind of commitment and enthusiasm about life. It felt so good knowing that I’m in fact in charge of my life. Goals or my To Do List I think is better than writing Resolutions where I make empty promises to myself. These Goals or simply To Do List is something I have to finish or do like a simple grocery list.

It’s true what they say about the power of writing your goals in paper. When we write our goals, we write our own future.

Last week I wrote a post on Five Reasons Why I Carry A Little Black Book In My Purse. This week, it’s time to go public on my goals for 2012.

So here goes my 2012 Goals hoping you guys will be part of it and will give me enough love and encouragement to see it through this year:

1. I will learn how to become an entrepreneur or find an opportunity to find a business. I have put this off for some time now. Now, more than ever, I finally have the wisdom and understood what we ought to have learned in school (which they never did teach in school) – that we shouldn’t be stuck in this rat race, haha! Seriously, this year I want to meet people who have their own business (happy entrepreneurs, not enslaved by money) who are pursuing their passion. I hope I meet  or even just talk to them. It would be nice to pick their brains.

2. I (together with my husband) will Read Aloud and Think Aloud to my four-year old daughter at least one story/book a week. Bedtime stories are not included (she has a tendency to ask for books/stories she has heard and read over and over :) ) My belief is that if we nurture our kids and share the joy of reading, they will naturally acquire this habit and eventually help in their success in reading.

3. I will jog, run twice a week within the neighborhood. I will start being committed to my health and wellness this year by starting to be active. I won’t start making promises about dieting or what not (I just can’t give up my lechon, rice and pasta! Not just yet. So instead of telling me to stop eating those, I will just commit to start being active by running/jogging 2x a week. fair enough :)

4. I will add color into my life. Whether on my cheeks, on my bed or my wardrobe, I want to invite energy and be playful. Life shouldn’t be and shouldn’t feel like black and white :)

5. I will continue to invest quarterly that will yield me 18% annually. Yes, I’m proud to say I have finally started paying myself first by saving and investing (I have a long way to go and so my dear friends, please encourage me to keep at it). What will happen to my retail therapy now and then? Oh well, I’ll cross the bridge when I get there, haha!

6. I (and hubby of course) will finish our Craft Room.  That’s one of the things we definitely need to finish this year. We’ve started putting our stuff in the small craft room but it’s not even half-way done.

7. I will go back to making crafts again. I have put off my crafts because of work. Doing crafts and cooking keeps me focused and happy.

8. I will start printing our gazillion digital photos. Who doesn’t? But I have to remind myself to start printing them this year.

9. I will continue to have our weekly dates with my ex-boyfriend (my husband is my ex-boyfriend! Tee Hee!)

10. I will wake up each morning praying “May I bring joy to others today”. I figured that if I am consciously saying it to myself every morning, on my way to work, in the car -That I will consciously make an effort to find a way to bring joy to someone one day at a time. They say that we can’t change the world but we definitely can bring joy to one person, one day at a time. I can choose to do that or I can keep complaining about the terrible traffic, or the institutionalized corruption in the Philippines (that’s what my husband calls it), or the never-ending increase in fuel prices, etc. It’s maddening if I choose the latter, haha!

After all, isn’t life about just two things really? (I’m borrowing the same concept in the movie The Bucket List):

  1. Have you found joy in your life? your family or loved ones, your passion and the things you stand up for.
  2. Have you brought joy to others?

So what do you guys think?

Five Reasons Why I Carry A Little Black Book In My Purse

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I’ve finally chosen My Little Black Book for 2012. Yes, before the year ends I always go through some sort of a hunt, of choosing through hundreds and hundreds of case-bound little notebooks in the bookstore until I find the notebook.

I did that yesterday. I went to a bookstore and spent a good 45 minutes just looking for the right notebook. I was  feeling them, opening some notebooks that were still wrapped in plastic just to smell the pages! Yay! My husband gave me the ‘there-you-go-again-doing-your-thing kind of look’. But he gave me a smile when I said I found it. He’s happy for me! Or, was he just glad we were finally going to the counter to pay?

I know! It’s weird, right! Call me old-fashioned (or weird?) but this works for me for many years now. I carry a little black book in my purse.  I find myself constantly jotting down or doodling something: in the restaurant, while doing the groceries, even while inside the car.

Five reasons why I go through this trouble (Honestly, it’s really therapy for me) of choosing the right notebook and carrying it in my purse:

1. I write my goals or  bucket list in My Little Black Book. They say that when you write your thoughts, you turn them into something tangible. I can actually see them, and touch them and even smell my notebook. I write my Bucket List there. That’s the reason I carry it with me at all times. To constantly remind me of my goals and what’s on my mind. Thus, my goals are no longer my thoughts anymore (which leads me to the second reason).

2. I constantly read my bucket list or goals to keep me on track. Writing down my goal is like making my own map whether it be for my annual goals or just for the day’s errands. Or when I find myself in idle time like riding a cab or something very uninteresting, I grab my little black book and read my bucket list or my thoughts.

3. It motivates me to take action.  There’s something about seeing my handwriting that prompts me to ACT. I know it’s mine because I wrote it down. The words I read in my smartphone reminding me of going somewhere or finish something just seems very impersonal. I just delete the message right away. haha! It does not work for me AT ALL! Plus, writing it down is faster than typing on my phone!

4. It keeps me from forgetting. I don’t need to agonize myself trying to remember an idea for a post or a jewelry design that I had in mind. Whether I’m out doing the groceries or riding the car, I just grab my little black book and jot it down before I lose it.

5. It relaxes my mind. It takes so much load off my head trying to remember something.

Do you carry a little black book in your purse?