New Year Around the World

Auckland, New Zealand- The first country in the world to celebrate New Year (photo: David Rowland)

New Year is probably the best event celebrated worldwide ever! (yes really! I'm Asian remember?) It's the most celebrated holiday in the Philippines and one I love growing up - just second to my birthday (believe it!) or Christmas itself (believe that too!). Now that tomorrow is New Year's eve, I can't help feel giddy with excitement! I'm a little girl all over again... Ah! Here's a round-up of New Year's celebration around the world from last year's. Enjoy them with me as I reminisce New Year's from my childhood past.

Personal Story: Twas' Odd the Night AFTER Christmas

If you're a writer {even when you're not}, you would understand when I say, just like friendship, inspiration comes in strange ways, forms or setting. Today is a PERFECT example! Although today is really NOT a perfect day.

My Give-licious Reason for { My Birthday } Season

with Emily Nesbitt of Haven of Hope House Charlotte NC
receiving the toys

It feels darn good to be able to do something for others and give them a small token of gift especially on a day where you're supposed to be the one who should be receiving gifts! This is how my birthday is now. Three days before Christmas. It isn't as exciting as one thinks since I always get 2-in-one gifts growing up, but rather than sulking about what the past had been, I decided it's time I do something different now that I'm rather older mature. And that I did! This is the second year I'm doing Zensible Mama Gives as part of my birthday celebration... and it feels wonderful!

Christmas in The Philippines - Traditional Christmas Tree and Lantern

Christmas Tree photos by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

One thing I love about being multicultural is the privilege to enjoy diversities in traditions and celebrations during the holidays. Being born in the Philippines, the way Christmas is celebrated there is as diverse as it's weather. Like clockwork, the country transforms itself into Christmas revelers at the onset of the first day of the first "ber" months. Meaning, if you ever find yourself in the Philippines in September, don't be shock to hear Christmas songs and see an instant display of Christmas decorations everywhere you look! Christmas festivities starts in September!

Photologue: Christmas Elves

Elf at work!

Zensible Mama Gives 2011 - Bringing More Smiles this Year!

My little elf and I officially finished stacking and wrapping the toys for my 2nd Annual Charity Project for homeless children in Charlotte and what a rewarding moment it was! And rewarding is right. All those 2 hours of non-stop back-breaking hard work is so worth it for these underprivileged children in my community. They deserve these toys! I'm simply blessed to have this chance to do it again this year and yet again, be the delivery person of these wonderful toys! Thanks to Cepia LLC - maker of Zhu Zhu pets who provided toys again this year through their RAZ (Random Acts of Zhu) campaign!

Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide 2011

I'm sure you're thinking this is quite late for a gift guide and all that, but not really, let's just say, it's almost late. If you're like my hubby and I, we're not even done shopping yet. So this is for those who love last-minute shopping and all. Also, make sure to check some of my featured items here, they come with a giveaway!

For your little workaholic Elves

$ Lil' Honeycomb cub Cute and Cuddly $10 at Build-A-Bear Workshop

$ Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Magic $8 at Cepia LLC

Build-A-Bear Workshop Holiday Merriment with Happy Feet + Giveaway

If you're a big fan of Happy Feet like me, then you'll love the new adorable penguins in the 2011 Winter Collections of Build-A-Bear Workshop featuring Eric and his little buddies! And if you've been a long-time follower of my site, then I don't need to tell you that we are big fans of BABW since we got introduced to the world of cuddly bears and more through the Chief Exec Bear herself, Maxine Clark! Each year, we look forward to their winter collections and it's always a treat to own one or two of these adorable dolls each time. Last year, we got Clarice. This year, Eric! I can see a squealing girl comes Christmas day!

Heart of Haiti Holiday Metal Angel Tea Light Holder

Heart of Haiti Angel Tea Light holder 

Angels are one of my favorite holiday decorations. And I'm a big fan of tea lights and candles. Heart of Haiti's Angel Tea Light candle holder perfectly fits my requirement! Best about it besides being completely unique is that it's a product that gives back. Makes me quite proud every time I light a tea light candle on my little Angel.

Photologue: Wild Clouds in the Sky

This is Why I Love Being A Blogger...A Whole Lot More!

It's not the perks (though that's part of the fun) nor the "fame" (which can be overrated at times) that goes with being one. Truth be told, though to me, these are well-deserved ( hey, who sleeps at 2am or 3am just to finish a blog post or review and making sure it's close to perfect? I do!), they are hard-earned outcomes of all the hard work and integrity I put in to achieve them. But "success" comes with a price. Heck, they do! And I tell you, they come in all forms and sizes beyond one's wild imagination. But you know what makes it all right?

Toy Review: Mega Blok Squad Construction Site Set

My 7 year old daughter loves playing with building blocks and constructing things together. It fuels her creativity and also a great way to stimulate her brain (and develop her patience if you ask me). She owns a Lego set and is one of her favorites, but she's also one to not turn her back from similar versions as long as it offers the same fun and creativity for her. Mega Blok fit into this category and they recently provided her some challenge through their Blok Squad Construction site set.

Photologue: Lanterns and A Twinkling Snowman

As if a star, just a glittering speck amongst a million others;

Chose to leave its home in the sky;

And captivate us with its supernatural brilliance.

Heart of Haiti Holiday Ornaments that Gives Back

Christmas Ornament, Papier Mache

Christmas will be here in no time! I bet all you decor' buff are buzzing with fabulous ideas and excitement at how to decorate your tree and your home this year. Now if you're like me who keep a different theme each year as a tradition, you may want to consider a decor' with a cause!

Charlotte Scene: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Came to Town

Jeff Kinney, Author of Diary of a wimpy kid

Long line. Long wait. That about sums it all up at the book signing of the Diary of the wimpy kid's new book "Cabin Fever". A good indication that a lot of kids truly love his book which was enough for them to weather the long wait that took about almost two solid hours for a less than a minute of time with the author, Jeff Kinney to sign their books. What's quite funny though is that most of us, not even the kids themselves, knew how the author looked like - and that added a trivial quest to endure the wait. What's more? Two of the lead actors were present to the children's utmost delight!

Social Buzz: Simply Homemade Bread Mom Mixer Charlotte

Local Charlotte Moms and bloggers having a blast!

Zensible Mama recently worked with Fleischmann's Simply Homemade Bread to put together a much-needed Moms Night Out for local moms and women bloggers in Charlotte and gave them a chance to unwind and simply have fun! It was also a way for SMB to introduce their new innovative product that recently hit the shelves of selected stores in Charlotte. One of them is Harris Teeter.

Photologue: Grandeur of the Majestic November Sky

"November's sky is chill and drear, November's leaf is red and sear." - Sir Walter Scott

A dreary November afternoon showing the Autumn sun nestled behind dark clouds.

DIY: Fall Leaf and Tree Branch 3D Wall Art Poster

Fall is almost over and most of the trees are about all bald and spines. Before that last leaf fall, try your hands on this attractive 3D Wall Art poster that I put together as a creative reminder of how beautiful the leaves of the trees around my yard are each Fall. One of my walls was also naked and this project was the perfect decor' solution!

Geek Week: The Curse of Triberr and Klout Death by Stats

If your business or brand thrives online, there's a huge chance that it not only live and breath by numbers and statistics a.k.a SEO to power up its' success, but you most likely rely on good ole' simple social networks to make your brand go viral. Unfortunately, social media tools are as imperfect as the world we live in. Yes, this tools, they can be a real tool at times. If reality sucks, so do they. You either love 'em or in the case of Triberr and Klout these days, you just hate 'em.

Charlotte Scene: Mummies of the World Unwrapped!

Body of Baroness Schenk Geiern

photo courtesy of Discovery Place

Do you love anything kind of creepy and scary and a big fan of horror-inspired stories be it real-life or fiction? If you are, then walking through a darkly lit hall into a room full of dead people and artifacts may be your best challenge yet! 

Consumerism: Black Friday... An Unbelievable Deal

We are not Black Friday crazy but out of curiosity and to simply humor ourselves (after a great Thanksgiving dinner at a friends'), we took a detour around our neighborhood Rivergate Shopping center to take a peek at how the big shops are lookin'. The sight we saw made us chuckle in amazement.

Thankful for Muppets, Mummies and Muffins!

Thankful for the simple pleasures in life ALL enjoyed in one day... (seemingly) brought to you by the letters MU and the beauty of double letters in a word!

10am - MUPPETS 

Movie Screening

Movie Review: The Gang Unites, The Muppets is back!

Preview clip provided by Disney

Rating : ♥♥♥

Genre: Comedy

Running Time: 120 min

MPAA rating: PG (for some mild rude humor)

Release Date: Nov 23, 2011

Disney's The Muppets movie finally premiers on theaters tomorrow in time for Thanksgiving. For anyone who grew up watching these adorable fuzz and fur characters during their heydays on TV,  a movie such as this is like a nostalgic journey in the past. A revisiting of an old love and rekindling those emotions past. Like a rebirth of a long-forgotten love story so unique, it's oddity is what made it so endearing to young viewers back then such as I who never saw the irony of a Pig and a frog romantically involved. Perhaps it is what made it so captivating and unforgettable.

How to be THANKFUL When You Are Feeling Like A Thanksgiving Grinch

Thanksgiving is just a few days away. Everyone seem to be in auto-control mode and all thankful and grateful. Nothing wrong with that I guess since it's part of a yearly tradition. Yes, Holiday dictates it like remote controls in our brains! And much as anyone wants to admit it, we're like automated gratitude machine for about a week leading up to the day of the feast itself. Fine and dandy I say. But what if you're feeling like a THANKSGIVING GRINCH? You're just too overwhelmed with cares in the world to even care to be thankful? Will you still say thanks and partake in this day of thanks?

Geek Week: Internet Safety Resources for Parents to Keep Kids Safe Online

Last week I had the opportunity to present at the Family Online Safety Institute’s Annual Conference, a place where lawmakers, companies, educators, and non-profits come together to discuss issues relating to keeping kids safe online. One of the topics that came up, not only on the panel that I spoke on, but was a common thread throughout the conference was about whose role it is to teach online safety.  Like most parents, I spend my days relying on technology to stay connected with my friends, colleagues, and family and feel that part of parenting is to arm my kids with the ability to make good choices about on and offline behavior.

Geek Week: Tired with Klout? Twitterize Yourself with Visual.ly

Twitterized version of @MaricrisG

Are you one of those currently frustrated, confused or most likely annoyed than anything else {raising my hands!} with Klout's newly implemented, supposedly more accurate scoring system? Then seriously, you deserve some fun distraction to un-Klout yourself! Have you tried twitterizing yourself via Visual.ly yet?

Perfect Indian Chai Tea

Chai Tea is one of my favorite comfort drinks especially when the weather gets cold. My only problem is, I couldn't seem to find the perfect blend around town. Not even Starbucks, Caribou or any other Cafes' I've been to have what I wanted. Most of them are either too sweet or the black tea isn't strong enough! The only time I was happy with this drink was when I had it in an Indian restaurant which unfortunately is not that close to me or I would have easily been the mayor of it on foursquare! So, to remedy my dilemma, I blended my own drink and yummo! I've been sinking ships eversince! Well, figuratively speaking that is.

DIY: Bookmarks From Repurposed Christmas Cards

This is the Bookmark Tutorial which is an accompaniment to the first series of the DIY project using repurposed Christmas cards. These bookmarks came from the same cards where I created the set of 4 adorable coasters from. You can see the first part of the DIY project here: Coasters Tutorial.

DIY: Coasters and Bookmarks From Samples or Old Christmas Cards

I'm a sucker for cute things and I don't want them to go to waste if possible, so most of the time, I try to find ways to re-purpose seemingly useless but cute items that obviously belong to the trash or the recycle bins. Recently, I was invited to attend a TinyPrint party and received sample holiday cards which are unusable for personal use but too cute to simply surrender to the recycle bin. My creative brain went to work right away and came up with two ways to re-purpose the cards royally fit as a holiday gift!

Geek Week: 5 Top Social Media Applications for Real-Time Delivery of Your Holiday Greetings

My family is all over the world and having families scattered all over the world simply makes traditional communication skewed if not highly expensive. A factor that makes my communication skills a bit slightly imperfect every year especially during the Holidays. Relying on traditional medium like the snail mail, though I'm still a huge fan of it, just don't cut it. Even phone calls are not a viable option during the holidays. Too many people trying to call at the same time, the line gets jammed - big time! Which means time sensitive messages can't be delivered in real time as needed. But I found excellent ways to get around this...for free... and they're just right on your fingertips! Well, literally and figuratively.

Photologue: DIY Twig Fairy Costume Adventure

Last year's matching diva costume for Halloween was a no-brainer for me, but this year, my daughter put me up to a challenge I almost didn't win. Finding the right costume that fits her taste and style proved impossible to find at any department store, so what did I end up doing? I created the perfect costume for her! It was inspired by her favorite character at the Renaissance Festival: The twig Fairy! Needless to say, we go there every year which also happened to be the perfect place where the costume took on a fun adventure! Now here's a challenge for you. Can you guess what material I used on this costume? Let's see if you can guess. Give me your best shot!

KalsØ Earth Nexus Shoes Review and Giveaway

UPDATE: Congratulations to Angela! Our winner according to Random.org. Thank you to those who entered. Watch out for upcoming giveaways!

Chillin' with my Nexus shoes on a fine Fall day!

I love shoes just like any typical woman in the world but my high-heel-wearing days seem to have passed. I'm more inclined to wear flat, comfortable shoes that fit my feet's need. I have high arches requiring shoes with proper arch support which makes buying or wearing regular shoes a bit daunting at times. Though I try to wear high-heeled shoes to keep up with the fashionistas whenever I go to blogging and Social Media conferences and love how it looked on me, my feet usually don't wait long enough to let me know it's "done" for the day even before the day has started! What a stinker! So, flats it is.

Photologue: Hope in Action at Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Walking for hope...

How to Trick-Or-Treat Safe This Halloween

Witches, Zombies (just like that lady above), scary monsters, even pretty princesses and fairies will soon roam the earth and walk on your neighborhood streets and onto your doorsteps on Halloween night. And while Halloween is meant to be all fun and treats, dangers lurks in the dark of night. (Inject evil laugh here) Yeah, it can be a thriller night if you don't err on safety.

Fall Fun - How to Create Flower Bouquets from Fall Leaves

Fall leaves? I got plenty of them in my front and back yard. Do you? Not sure what to do with them like me, besides watch them fall on the ground until they end up into a big pile of mess? Well, fret no more. Here's a fun and creative project I discovered through haha.nu that I tried my hands on and guaranteed to give you tons of fun creating! Not to say, it's pretty easy to make and highly attractive as Fall decor.

Let's Be Pink Together for Breast Cancer Awareness + General Mills Giveaway

If you haven't heard, I recently lost a sister-in-law to Breast Cancer and our fight with this deadly disease has become a lot more personal to us. This is one reason, I support all causes and organization that come together to help find the cure to end this terrible diseases' reign of terror! Pink Together on it's 5th year is encouraging everyone to join the fight not just to raise awareness but to encourage and celebrate HOPE with those who needs it most by sharing your story in the Pink Together community!

Recipes: 10 Yummy Ways to Cook Pumpkin Pie

Classic Pumpkin Pie baked by @Dalefg - Almost gone I tell ya!

Fall is here and to me that translates to Pumpkin Pies! I love Pumpkin Pie and is the only pie I'll ever eat without reservation. For years, the classic pumpkin pie is the only recipe I knew of until today! Here are some 10 splendidly yummy Pumpkin pie recipe discoveries that Oh my! all look totally delish! 

Mobile Shots: Fall in My Home

Leap Pad by Leap Frog - A Mini-iPad2 for Kids

Leap Frog recently came out with a nifty gadget that seem to resemble the qualities of an iPad2 but the size of a tablet. It features a touch screen, downloadable applications, e-books, built-in camera and video recorder among other things! But before you get excited, the Leap Pad is not WiFi-enabled which makes perfect sense since the target market are young children and it's main purpose is education with wholesome fun thrown in. Though I should tell you, this gadget is so high-tech and entertaining, even an adult like me enjoyed it tremendously. It is addictive - yes it is! But in  a good, rewarding kind of way of course!

Let me show you some digital proof from my Leap Frog-sponsored Learn, Create and Share Party and let YOU decide if my statement is true. These are random photos taken at the entire duration of the event.

Playing Tag in Parenting - How You Can Use this Game as a Vital Parenting Tool

I bet ALL of you reading this now know the game Tag and have played it once or more in your life. But... did you know that the concept behind this fun game when "played right" can make for a great parenting tool? Yes it can!

Are You Sure You're NOT Eating Genetic Engineering Foods?

I recently got this disturbing bit of information in my inbox. According to Gary Hirshberg, President and CEO of Stonyfield: "Genetic Engineering (GE) also known as GM (Genetically modified) ingredients are in 60-70% of non-organic processed foods. Most people don't know this, and food companies aren't required to tell you!" - Ok, that last statement is quite a shocker, is it not? If that was the case then we've been fooled for years eating un-natural food just because they can hide it from us!

How to Cut Bagel Fair and Square or Round

Warning: This post is brought to you by a frustrated wife who dislikes eating the bottom part of a bagel. Though there are no foul languages involved, caution is advised. Well, only because you'll be handling a knife. You'll see.

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs

photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

The whole world is mourning the death of a legacy. Steve Jobs the master innovator behind Apples' personal computers, iPod, iPhone and iPad died at 56 due to undisclosed reasons, though the whole world assumes it has to do with his cancer. One can say, what a shame to die so young. Someone like him so full of talent and innovation. What a waste to be taken away by death so soon.

Steve may not have a personal relationship with all the Apple product owners in the world but he has certainly made a connection to each and everyone of us through the innovative products he has created. And thus, we are saddened by his death.

Mobile Shots: Evolution of a Woman

In Memory of Val - A Mother Stolen by Breast Cancer And the Fight to END it!

Valerie Dowd

July 1956 - Sept 2011

You know what? I wish I didn't have to write this. I wish I didn't have a breast cancer story to share but no, I've got one and I'm not happy about it. Losing someone to death is always devastating. More so when it happened twice in a row. After losing my step-father to death, just a month after that, we lost Val to breast cancer. Though her passing was a display of strong faith and courage, no one can deny the agony of losing someone. I wish there was a way that her death could have been prevented...

Can You Fix My Husband?

Denizen Jeans are Jeans with Zen!

Denizen Jeans sold exclusively at Target

If I say I'm in an all-time high with Zen, these are moments like when I find my favorite store carrying an item or product/brand that I love and no one else does. Convenience and exclusivity all in one place definitely equals Zen! This is what Target have to offer with it's recent exclusive acquisition of the Denizen Jeans, a brand by Levis Strauss & Co. - A brand name I grew up with and well-loved in Asia! The jeans itself is a status symbol. Does Denizen jeans have what it takes to be the next big thing?

Singgalot: The Ties that Bind - An Exhibit Highlighting Filipinos' Significant Contribution in the US History

"POSITIVELY NO FILIPINOS ALLOWED"

A discriminating sign at the entrance of a hotel 

I always had this belief that I know my country's history pretty well. But that all changed when I went to see Singgalot: The Ties That Bind currently on display at Charlotte Museum of History. It is a touring exhibit by Smithsonian Institution highlighting Filipinos not well-publicized history in America. A crucial piece of information that never made it into our textbooks in school growing up in the Philippines. A truly revealing information that brought me mix feelings of pride, dismay and disbelief...

Quest For Zhu Movie - Two Thumbs Up! + DVD Giveaway

UPDATE: Congratulations to Becca Ann! Our lucky winner via Random.org. Thank you to all who participated. 

For all the Zhunatics out there, I'm sure you and the gazillion other zhunatics like me can't wait to see the new upcoming Zhu Zhu Pets movie "Quest For Zhu" that's due out on September 27th! And you should be! This movie is truly enjoyable and heartwarming. Not only is it full of adventure and fun, it also brings your favorite popular hamsters to life!

Mobile Shots: Cool Hillbilly Gadgets You Gotta Have - Discovered in West Virginia

Travel is like second nature to my family. And one thing we love about traveling, are the unique and sometimes disturbing discoveries we find along the way. At our recent road trip, we found a rather funny (though it seem like a crude joke) Hillbilly souvenir items at a shop in West Virginia! Get in on the fun and enjoy the pictures!