Spring !!

With the new season comes new plans, new hopes, new dreams. And even if it is already spring, it is not too late to post (for posterity) the goals I have for this year.
For me, this is my year to CUT OFF. Eliminate bad spending habits, dispose of unnecessary things, get rid of excess weight (LOL!), drop non positive relationships. The sentence may sound too negative. It comes across as restricting.
How could I make these goals sound more spring-like positive?

Birthday Promise

I accept, I've had too much break from blogging. And for no reason at all.

Anyway, as I turn another year - I make another promise to go back to writing, blogging and chattering. Add to that promise is to take more inspired and breath taking photos. Next is to revisit my bucket list, update my life handbook, and continue my daily life records.

The list goes on - which only means I am slowly going back to normal.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Obsession - World Map

For several days and weeks I got so obsessed with owning a world map. I really wanted one that the thought of it consumed my waking hours.

First stop : The internet, hoping to find a good one at zero cost. I did, but how can one fit the whole world in an 8" x 11" piece of paper?
Next - the dollar stores. No luck, but was able to get a mini globe. At the price of a dollar, all I need is an expensive magnifying glass to be able to see the countries.
Third try - at the book stores where maps are so beautiful yet so big and way beyond my budget. Tried the nearby office supply store where I found this small map. Passable, yet not very satisfactory. Fourth stop - at a different dollar store. Finally, a big, colorful, good quality yet inexpensive world map so worthy of my wall.
I ♥ the Dollar Store!

Movies

My bucket list includes watching all Best Picture winners of the Academy since its inception in 1928. I was surprised to know that of the 83 movies, I have only seen 24. So I added these 4 lately.

Casablanca - not only Best Picture in 1943, but also included in the American Film Institute's (AFI) top 100 films. This movie also tops in AFI's love story movies and is present in almost all must-see movie list anywhere. No more said.

The French Connection - Best Picture in 1971, this was the first R-rated film to win as Best Picture. By today's standard though, this movie is nowhere near our current R rated film. It was a nostalgic to watch this film and see New York 40 years ago. I could not imagine Gene Hackman ever being young - but then in this movie he was. Best car and subway chase I've seen.

The Sting - 1973 Best Picture and winning 6 others including Best Director. Inspired by real life con-men brothers, it stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The movie is also known for the melody "The Entertainer" - a piano rag by Scott Joplin. Just like The French Connection, The Sting has been selected by the US National Film Registry for preservation for being being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Rain Man - Best Picture in 1988 and winning 3 more including Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman. Another movie inspired by real persons, this was a poignant story of 2 brothers and improved awareness among the public on autism. Dustin Hoffman was good here and I think Tom Cruise was too.

With these 4, I still have 55 to go.

Bucket List - Take 1

Having started a written list - I thought of sharing it with whoever stumbles on this blog.
*** SO crazy, I stumbled on this list today - May 15, 2017 - and realized I have done a few of them.
 
TRAVEL :
Set foot on all 50 States - 15 states in 2017
Set foot on all 10 Canadian Provinces - 6 in 2017
Stay in New York for 1-2 weeks - done in 2011
See Italy, Rome, Paris. I was in Italy and Rome in April 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY :
Win a photo contest. I did! Won the OPS - East Asian Group photo contest in 1 category.
Visit and photograph all National Parks located in Ontario
To photograph : a perfect sunset, a perfect fall scene, the middle of Hi-way 401

TRAVELS / SPECIFICS :
See Louvre (Paris, France)
See Westminster Abbey (London, UK)
Experience Pahiyas and Sinulog (Philippines) - Yes! Pahiyas in 2012 and Sinulog in 2016
Experience Caribana (Toronto), a Macy's parade or a NYC New year
Attend an Olympic
The Bridges (Brooklyn, Golden Gate, Confederation). Have crossed the Brooklyn 2011, Confederation 2017

ENTERTAINMENT:
Attend a Cannes Film Festival. No, was only in Cannes for 30 minutes. LOL!
Attend an Oscar
Watch all Best Pictures of the Oscars (seen 16 out of 82)
Watch and/or rewatch these "series" : The Godfather, Rocky, James Bond Films, Harry Potter. Have done Harry Potter 2011

HOBBY / CREATIVITY :
Make a journal of inspiring articles, poems, images, quotes, etc
Finish my stamp album
Write poetry; regularly write on my blog; write a personal journal
Study Art History and Design - starting to read Art and History

Litratong Pinoy - Kaarawan (Birthday)

Sa nakaraan kong kaarawan ay sinimulan kong isulat ang aking bucket list. Ang bucket list ay lista ng mga bagay na gusto mong gawin sa hindi mo pa iwan ang buhay na eto. Para na ring life goals, at maaring sakupin ang mga iba’t-ibang aspeto ng buhay, kagaya ng paglalakbay, pananalapi, edukasyon, at iba pa.

Ang pag-gawa ng bucket list ay hindi kailangan sa isang upuan lang. Eto ay pinag-iisipan, sinusulat, rine-review, dinadagdagan, binabawasan. Sa kasalukuyan, may laman na rin ang aking bucket list. Isa nito ay ang pag punta at pag tira sa New York ng mga isa hanggang dalawang linggo. Naka tatlong beses na ring akong nakapunta ng New York , pero palaging 2-3 araw lang. Ang gusto ko ay yung matagal na bisita, maglalakad sa Central Park, pumasok sa mga museum, mag e-enjoy sa New York na hindi magmadali.

Gagawa ka ba ng bucket list sa kaarawan mo?


On my last birthday, I decided to start writing down my bucket list. A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before one "hits the bucket" or leave this world. It can also be called life goals and includes all aspects of life such as financial, travels, education, and others.

To make a bucket list cannot be done in one sitting. It is a continuous activity that needs to be contemplated upon, written somewhere, reviewed, with things added or deleted. My bucket list is getting longer. One of the things I've listed is to spend 1-2 weeks in New York city. I've been in this city for several times but it is always a hurried travel. What I want is a leisurely stroll of Central Park, checking out museums, relaxing in one of the busiest cities of the world.

Are you going to make a bucket list on your next birthday?