I can only wish now that I bought another pair of crocs for the little guy, when the hubby and I availed of the up to 80% sale Crocs had at Mega Tent some months ago. I only got him a pair and because he prefers to wear crocs whenever we go out, his pair is already blunt and worn out.

Because we are currently on a tight budget, buying him another pair on regular price is out of the question. It is just crazy how good branded stuff cost nowadays. I would have gladly bought him a local brand that is good quality. But I just don’t think we have one that is. Usually, it will just be altogether a waste of money. Because it ends up not being used at all. I can only wish we have Black Friday sale locally, where stores drop their prices crazy. That will be a great way for us mommies to save and shop for the things that we need.

We are hoping that more people will blog about this and appeal to the owner of SM tycoon, Henry Sy, to look into this matter. Although we have initially planned to have the second floor of the house constructed this year, it will have to wait until we will be able to afford it. We cannot just yet. It will be nice to be able to throw in outdoor chaise lounges in the patio. But more than the aesthetics, it will also serve as our refuge if ever another big flood happens again. Which we have been faithfully praying for God to spare us from. We are at peace that if the Lord will want us to have that second floor constructed, He is going to provide for that.

Last night, my husband and I passed by the place where the former business we ventured on once stood. We have observed that there was not an available burger stand around the area. It was not long until the business went kaput. Brought about by an unreliable supposedly business partner and yet another unreliable device purchase.

We’re hoping that if ever we will attempt into another business venture, it will be a successful one, whether it be printing business again or that of a food store. Whatever it is going to be, we will surely be praying about it first and learn from our mistakes in the past. No more unreliable partner and we will be equipped with good branded products.

It was only recently that our son found out he loves board games. The thing about this thought, is we would have to make ourselves available for him for some hours a day to be able to play. He gets creative sometimes as he plays by himself, but just as he said, “It’s never fun to play alone!” This is also one of the reasons why we would love to have another child. He has been bugging us for sometime now, even as he insists that he will take good care of the baby for us.

My son’s uncle ninong even made him a board game from scratch! Such talent. Another board game he is fond of is this one game that has gold bars. I love that these games can easily become spring boards to learning. Like whenever he plays monopoly, he learns how to use money (even if it’s just play money) and when he got curious about gold bars, we google what it was and told him what gold bars are and what they are actually used for in real life. Our little guy is so curious about everything around him and I love that I am able to indulge him in his curiosity. One of the many advantages of working from home.

I recently bought a small fan to take care of the problem. Because apparently a laptop cooler is not going to be enough. So far, so good. For obvious reasons, I do not have a laptop warranty to claim after anymore given that it is close to its third year of service. Praying that it will still hold up for another year or so. I am just not ready yet to say goodbye and budget cannot accommodate the need to have it replaced, if ever.

Piolo Pascual is known as a man with a great passion for pursuing his dreams. No longer just an awarded actor, he has ventured into producing, photography, charity work, running and singing. It seems he can go as far as his dreams will take him. Yet, he also knows the importance of protecting his dreams from uncertainties or for whatever challenges the future holds. This is why it was fitting for him to be the latest spokesperson for Sun Life’s It’s Time campaign, specially on the lesson of proper financial planning in order to protect one’s dreams.

Piolo himself believes that Sun Life is the best partner he has in ensuring his financial preparedness. “I trust Sun Life because Sun Life has been in the Philippines for 115 years and it has fulfilled its commitment to its clients throughout this time. The It’s Time advocacy is such a noble initiative, one that can help millions of Filipinos fulfill their dreams. This makes me proud to be part of the Sun Life family and their advocacy”, shares Piolo.

Aware that life can throw unexpected surprises, Piolo is confident that he can cushion himself from life’s uncertainties. The shy boy whose attention was drawn to the stage for acting in his younger days has now evolved to the confident personality that he is.

Relying on his fame is something that he will not leave to chance. “Since life offers no guarantees, we must always protect our dreams from uncertainties,” explains Pascual. “It is never too early to aspire for great things and never too late to protect your dreams, not only for yourself but also for your loved ones. It’s Time,” shares Pascual.

Sun Life takes to heart its intent of spreading the message about financial security and saving up for the future. To do this, the company will launch another wave of advertisements on via a multi-media platform beginning this month, promoting It’s Time! and the financial lessons that it espouses.

1. London Alternative Fringe Festival

The festival began in 2009 and spans the month of August. Performances range from
cabaret to burlesque to vaudeville and are not for the faint of heart, but are more
interesting than many traditional theater offerings.

2. Sunrise Celebration

This festival takes place in Somerset, and is one of the country’s most earth-friendly, with
over 50% of profits channeled to local charities, and a focus on sustainability. There are
several music and dance acts, and even an eco-friendly fashion show.

3. Beatherder

Beatherder is a rave-like festival that happens in Lancashire every year. It focuses on
electronic music and has a wide variety of performers and several stages. In addition, it’s
kid-friendly (but unfortunately, not dog-friendly).

4. Buddhafield

Buddhafield, as you might expect from the name, is a festival that focuses on the
benefits of healthy living. There are musical acts, but also group yoga classes, meditation
sessions, and a variety of alternative healers. You’ll come out feeling healthier and more
peaceful than when you went in.

5. Green Man

To call Green Man a hippie festival would probably be apt, but if you don’t have a beard,
dreadlocks, or homemade clothes, you’ll still be welcome to partake in the folk music
performances and beautiful views of nearby Sugar Loaf Mountain.

The number of hours I spend on the computers everyday is taking its toll on their performance. Now, I’m actually contemplating on going back to using a desktop computer instead. But I’m not doing just that without first reading through desktop computer reviews. I’ll have to make sure I get a good quality and durable desktop, if ever.

my right foot embraced by my favorite Pietra FitFlop

I browsed through random pictures I’ve used them since I got hold of my pair of Pietra FitFlop early this year.  Here is one picture during one of our trips to Paranaque early March for my son’s graduation practice. I was well buried in one of my books while another mother practices her daughter’s line while my son and one of the teachers were watching.

Here’s a closer look…

I cannot emphasize enough how I love my pair of Fit Flops. The few times I chose not wear them, I always end up scratching my head why I did not at least bring it to the car with me. Driving in it is so comfy too. Here’s another photo of me wearing my FitFlop in one of the more splendid gatherings I’ve been to recently –  The launch of Heaven ice cream at A.Venue.

I did hear though that there’s this comfy brand of ballerina shoes in the market today – Sole Sister. While I still haven’t tried those yet, I hope to be able to grab a pair and maybe enjoy wearing flats once again.  I know it has been a while. Thanks to Earth for coming up with this contest. This post is for Earthlingorgeous.com My Sole Sister Shoe Contest”

“I’ve always liked stories that have a magical element, and this film is one of the great magical stories of all time,” he adds. “We thought it would be tremendously exciting to develop the core of that concept into a brand-new story set in the modern world.”

From Walt Disney Studios, Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub comes “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”—an innovative and epic adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.

In the film, Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can’t do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners pit their powers against those of the fiercest—and most ruthless—practitioners of all time. It’ll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes `the sorcerer’s apprentice.’
Set in modern-day Manhattan, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” might have some New Yorkers looking over their shoulders. “The idea is that sorcerers and the ancient art of sorcery are alive and well in present day New York City,” says Turteltaub. “It’s much more entertaining to show audiences the magic in things they recognize than to create something.”

Indeed, the filmmakers transformed New York into a vortex of science and magic, home to battling sorcerers and playground for their powers. While the film isn’t a remake of the classic Disney piece from “Fantasia,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” pays proper homage to it, a fact that didn’t escape the director. “’The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ has such a great Disney pedigree to it,” says Turteltaub, “and I knew right away that I’d be dealing with something that had to be excellent, had to be special, had to live up to its important role within Disney and the history of film. That piece from ‘Fantasia’ is as iconic as any eight minutes of film that has ever been created, so to be part of that was really exciting. You think, ‘all right, where do you go with that’—and that’s where all the creativity starts jumping.”

This new sorcerer and his apprentice are a far cry from Mickey and the blue hat. The live-action film is a contemporary take on the ancient art of sorcery, exploring good versus evil in a city where magic is abound in plain sight. “It’s a story about two quests,” explains Bruckheimer. “Balthazar has been searching the world through the centuries for his apprentice, and Dave then has to discover his true potential as a human being. Dave is a very serious student, and doesn’t need or want Balthazar in his life, or to be a sorcerer. If someone showed up at your door, and said that you’re really a sorcerer, you wouldn’t believe them either. But Balthazar is like a fly that keeps buzzing around, tormenting this poor kid until he succumbs to becoming this magical character, which I think every kid would want to
Opening in SM Cinemas nationwide on Thursday, July 15, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.

Visit www.SMCinema.com or Facebook.com/SMCinema for the branch directory, promos, and events for “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”.