got my first NUTcracker....

its been a yearly tradition that my mom's cousin invite us to their house during christmas day....lots of friends, relatives, and plenty of food.  but what amazes every year is that my aunt goes all out in decorating her house.

**my eldest niece jo trying to avoid getting her picture taken...always!!!

one of the very prominent display throughout the house were nutcrackers.  the size varies from miniature size to large than life.  my sister and i decided to count the total of nutcrackers on display.  we counted 27 in total all over the house and we were told that there's more.  i fell in love instantly on the idea.  so, after work today, i got myself my very first nutcracker....#jealous...perhaps but why not...  :)

**ugly sweater nutcracker from cb2 

**it's tall - about 16.5 inches

#flashrun

as most of you know, i am very active when it comes to running.  i try to run 4-5 miles (about 6-8 km) every tuesday and thursday with my running club.  it's very surprising that i am more athletic at this stage of my life compared to when i was.....well, i was never into sports lets just it leave to that.

this past saturday, 12/21, Nike NYC had a special run on the day considered to be the darkest night of the year.  there were over 100 participants, who started  from different branches of Nike in the big apple, ending in a "secret" location.  

**the 8:30 min pace taking a break at times square...

#flashrun

**some nike freebies...

nike is introducing some of their new running gear...  

oh how i wish i can own the nike allover flash running jacket.  it would be cool to be running at night.  now would anyone be willing to donate 500 bucks??  yes, that's how much the jacket cost.

to someone special...

a simple but very elegant black pearl ring to the most beautiful woman in my life, my mom.  happy birthday...

rock center...

this is my morning view on the way to work...

**rockefeller center

not bad right??  usually this place gets crowded but it was snowing/raining earlier today.  i figured while the place was almost empty, let me take a pix before heading to work.

diy gift wrapping tags...

besides figuring out the decorations for the holidays, i also think of different ways to wrap my presents.  growing up as a kid, i remember watching a japanese show where they mentioned that gift wrapping was an art form in their culture.  i was fascinated by it and since then, i always made sure that besides getting a nice gift, the presentation is also one of a kind.....more personal.

for the past few years, i've been using kraft paper to wrap my gifts and jute twine as my ribbon.  yes, it might sound simple but i would add one thing - always handmade - that will complete the whole package.  i remember creating this neon blue and green flower as a gift topper to my co-worker once and she doesn't even want to open the gift because it was just well made (yes, i am bragging here) and she does not want to destroy it.

anyway, this year, i decided to continue the motif of my christmas tree decorations to the gift tags - circles and glitters.

**my niece love the glitter hearts...

**left over glitters....and i still have some more...

 

**decorative paper from kate's paperie

**my initial idea...

**spreading glue on the desired area...

**let the glitter explosion begin...

**finished product...

NO to black friday!!!

while most people either skip thanksgiving and shop last week thursday night OR wake-up early to do the black friday thing, i decided to stay home and enjoy eating.  and since online shopping is less of a hassle, i got a great deal for a boots that i've been eyeing for a few months now.

**truwalkzero II chukka boots by rockport...

from $150 (original price from the website) to $99.99 (on amazon) to $75.00 (additional discount in amazon).

**curduroy pants from joe fresh...

 from $29.99 to $19.99 to $11.99.

not bad day for shopping....on a non-black friday :)

christmas tree 2013

woke up this morning very early so that i can buy the tree.  i do not like the stare of people while i haul the tree on a cart.  i'm lucky that i live near a place where during the holiday, a pop-up shop sells christmas tree.  it beats the hassle of tying the tree on top of your car or worst, shoving it inside your car - which i did a few years ago when i had an SUV - and trying to remove the needles afterwards.  

anyway, i drag my sister along to help me decide.  i told her that i would prefer something smaller but more plump.  as soon as we get to the shop, she saw this plump tree but it was tall.  we tried to look around but we ended up buying the huge tall tree.

after setting the christmas lights, it was time to decorate...and this year, i opted for a DIY decoration using vintage holiday cards i bought on ebay - all 100++ of them, and plenty of glitters (click here for my post about this)

**it's all about circles this year...

**these are all vintage holidays cards bought on ebay from a collector...

    

the blogger MEME...

i was browsing from one blog to another when i saw a self question and answer post by one of bloggers and suggested that other bloggers should follow through.....as they always say, when nature calls...

what you like most about being a blogger?

not really a big fan of writing in general but for some reason, blogging makes me want to write.

how many bloggers have you met?

this might be surprising but i've met only two (2) bloggers so far.  and i met them not as a blogger at first but in some other ways.

do you ever go back and read your old entries?

every now and then, i do try to read old post especially if i want to link it to a current post....for continuity.

do you share your job skills here?

not that i am aware.  

have you changed your views about anything thanks to blogging?

(trying to think really hard)  i don't think so.

do your coworkers know about your blog?

yes, but i do not share the name of my blog nowadays.  i remember telling one of my coworkers about my blog a few years ago and i had a feeling it had too much information for my coworker to know about me personally - this was when i first started blogging way way back.  also, funny thing is that one of two bloggers i met was also a coworker.  he stopped blogging sometime in 2008 i believe.

what advice would you give for successful blogging?

as long as you enjoy blogging, whether you have a follower or not, for me, that is successful.

what is your opinion of aardvarks?

when i finally meet one, i'll let you know.

do you publish everything you write?

nope.  a few months ago, i remember writing something that never made to this blog.  after i read it a few times, i figured it was too personal that someday, i might regret that i publish it.

if you could make "three rules" for blogging, what would they be?

1# try to be courteous to other bloggers even if you don't like their blog.

2# there should be an "out of office" type setting when a blogger is going on hiatus....just saying.

3# promote world peace LOL!!!!

do people help you write your blog?

a blog ghostwriter?  i can't afford one so what you see is all me...

who are your blogger super-heroes?

everyone that i follow, who follows me, and who post comments on my blog are my blogger super-heroes (trying to be politically correct)

final question (if you dare!):

have you slept with any of your fellow bloggers?

yes i dare...and my answer is no.  

more movember...

got this antonio glasses holder yesterday @ the container store...i like!

glitter explosion...

every year, i tried as much as i can to either use all the holidays ornaments i purchased throughout the years or better yet, make everything from scratch (which i prefer) to decorate the family christmas tree.  this year, i opted for the DIY...and just finished everything yesterday.  i hope that it works...

materials:

• over a hundred vintage used holiday cards (bought a month ago in ebay from a lady in wisconsin)
• silver tinsel from target
• leftover glitters from 3 years ago....and i still have more leftover afterwards.

**from top L to R: vintage card, red glitter, gold glitter, and silver tinsel. 

can't wait for thanksgiving.  i usually buy the tree during that weekend.

us political cartoons about typhoon yolanda...

from different sources here in the US of A...

**by Bill Day

**by Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News

**Unknown

**The Miami Herald

**by Joel Pett, Lexington Herald Leader

**by Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

**by Mike Smith, Las Vegas Sun

**by Tom Toles, The Washington Post

**by Nick Anderson, Houston Chronicle

**credits are given to the artist and the newspapers.

join the revolution, it's movember...

movember is a month long event in which men from all walks of life grows moustaches to provide awareness in combating prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges that men faces.  and since it's for a good cause, why not join.

**i cheated, i started mid-october.  what can I do, i'm not a hairy guy. :)

click here - movember - to learn more...

my BIG pantry...

before doing anything for the weekend, going to BJ Wholesale is always a must.  

just discovered they are selling naked smoothie.  for the price i usually pay if i buy this on a local deli, i am sold of buying this in bulk....way cheaper!!! 

 

heaven, i'm in heaven...

not sure if it's just me or if there is something in the atmosphere but work seems getting unpredictable lately.  i was thinking of going out for a drink or two after work but my sis text me that she and my eldest niece were nearby.   not really sure where to take them but they both complained that they were hungry.  since they were looking for a mcdonalds, i figured to take them to burger heaven instead on 53rd street between 5th and madison ave.

**burger heaven burger with sweet potato fries and cole slaw

i am in!!!

wow.  it's been over a month since i last posted something here.  too many things going on right now especially with work.  so many projects happening at the same time.  by the time i get home, i just want to relax and enjoy the break.

in any case, i am semi-back.  i said semi because i might have to step up my training for the 2014 NYC Half Marathon.  don't get me wrong, i run about 3-6 miles every tuesday and thursday.  but preparing for a marathon (and my official 2nd race to date) is something else.  and to think that it will be during the late winter season, i'm hoping it will not be as cold as this year.

dip on this...

while doing my grocery shopping earlier today, i found these colorful small bowls.  handmade/hand painted ceramic potteries by del rio salado from spain.

finally, i have a dipping bowl...

souvenirs...

some souvenirs during my recent trip.  don't judge, i know you do it as well.  and it was begging me to take it home :)

**keepsakes...

bacchanal...

**sunflower display @ bellagio

we save the best for last....for our last day.  we decided to do another buffet restaurant.  this time we went to bacchanal @ ceasar's palace.  i was informed by a local vegas resident that this is the best buffet at the moment.  and for the price of $50.99 per person, it was worth it.  too bad that there's no kid price.  there goes my savings...

**grandma, em, and sis @ bellagio...yes, my niece likes to make faces...

**mini burger with dom at the background...

**the 1 hour waiting line to get in to bacchanal for lunch...and it's 2 pm...

**spicy italian sausage, andouille sauage (underneath somewhere), THICK brisket, and an old fashion mac&cheese...

left vegas at 9 pm.  arrived in los angeles at 1 am for a flight back to NYC at 7 am....

hoover dam, arizona, and wicked spoon...

venturing in a very humid nevada dessert, we all decided to take a short trip to hoover dam, NOT the vacuum.  it was great, it was big but it was just flippin HOT!!!!  i dropped everyone on the Arizona side (yes, I was another US state) and made them cross the bridge while i park the car on the Nevada side.

continuing the unbearable HOT tour, we went to red rock national park.  it's a sight to see but the fact that it was very very hot, everyone just want to go back to the car, get something to eat for late lunch and head back to the hotel.

the kids wanted to go to mcdonalds but i had something planned already.  i took everyone to wicked spoon @ the cosmopolitan hotel.  i know it's not a cheap lunch but what the heck, we are in vegas.

**didn't realized we went to another state, arizona...

**sorry but i just had to take a pix of this...it was hot but this bathroom as blasting AC...

**lake mead...

**art deco statue @ hoover dam...

**wicked spoon, cosmopolitan hotel, plate # 1...

**plate # 2...after that, i gave up taking pictures.  i just want to eat...

**not sure how many plates i had already.  by the way, that's gold leaf on top of the two desserts...

**my sis enjoying her selections of desserts...

**botanical garden @ bellagio hotel...