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.