THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS

24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. And went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?"

28 "An enemy did this,", he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

29 "'No', he answered. 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First, collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

MATTHEW 13:24-29

I just took a test online that asks: 

HOW GOOD/EVIL ARE YOU?

And this was the exact question today at church right before the priest started his sermon. Considering the scripture I shared to you above, the priest explained to the attendees that God planted in us the seed of goodness based on God's image and likeness to distinguish man whom He created different above all else that has life. In addition, he coated that seed with free will only available to man to signify His passion for us all. This gave birth to the virtue of PATIENCE that the gospel of today would like to emphasise on.

True to that fact, the questions that composed the test were all about how much patience you have at a given situation . Everything was about testing your limit and how far your OK meter would go.  And my result was:
You are 71% Good and 29% Evil. That makes you a

"Pretty Darn Good Person."

No one is an angel. (Well, except the people who scored above 85%, but they were probably lying anyway.) The important thing is that you seem determined to leave the world a better place than you found it. That sure does mean a lot to the rest of us!

And that's why the householder stopped the servants from pulling out the weeds. Like the field, you and I can never be perfect. We should know what are the bad traits to be weeded out on our own while the Lord is patient in waiting for us to realise this. The weeds are there to help us grow into our best.

Different kind of stimuli will be present in our lives. These may make or break us. But God is patient enough in keeping the faith that you'd nourish the seed of goodness He had planted in us. He is waiting for you to acknowledge Him in your life. He awaits for you to choose to follow the right path. 

"PATIENCE ain't the ability to wait.

But it is about having a good attitude while waiting."

Related posts:

1. SOMETHING TO PONDER ON EVEN ME - 3 Signs of Spiritual Maturity by Bo Sanchez

2. BE FREE - what I firmly believe in.

3. PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE - read how temptation works.

Products I love

The SKIN is the largest organ of the body. It is also considered one of the first line of defense against harmful substances, dehydration, extreme temperatures and invasion of systemic infections. It is just right to protect, nurture and take care of our skin.

I have actually tried some products that I treat as "good finds" but I have to help you find out what's your skin type first so that you would know if these are also good for you. I found this site that actually gives me a clear and concise understanding of my own skin.

Click here to find out everything about your skin.

So, was that an awakening or what? It is somehow a dillemma when I realized that I have a combination of both oily and dry skin but when I get to be aware of the other skin conditions, I knew there was still a chance to prevent my skin to getting worse. The next thing I know, I was strolling down the aisles of Sasa trying to look for a good moisturizer that would suit my skin type. In addition to being oily and dry, my facial skin falls on the category of aging. I see fine wrinkles not because I'm 60 but because of the nature of my job.

This is one of the roles that requires heavy make up.

I work in the parade everyday. The name of the game is to smile... A LOT! In 7 years, I have earned several laugh lines and crow's feet around the eyes brought about by the gesture. And besides the fact that I'm exposed to harmful UV rays (the parade kicks off at 3:30 in the afternoon everyday and depending on park operations, it may start as early as 1:30pm), we wear make up almost everyday for the show (depending on the role we are about to do that day) and as we sweat, I am aware that my pores open to direct dirt (make up, sweat and other outdoor factors). This is depending on which weather Hong Kong is on. During Summer days, my pores just go wild just to release excess heat from my body and you could just imagine how much of the dirt can seep in thru that opening. The sad news is, we immediately go inside an airconditioned facility to cool off which immediately makes the pores close locking in the dirt adhered on the face afterwards. As far as cleansing is concerned, I'm doubtful that it totally is cleared off of dirt so I started going for facials.

I was doing this kind of treatment for awhile when I noticed then that facials aren't for me and that it usually gives me little bruises that looked like blemishes and /or blackheads from afar as it heals because of the "pricking" I needed to endure. If it's like facial spa, I'm good with it but with the pricking, it DIDN'T work for me as much as it did for others. I found it unnecessary. And because of that much pain, I don't feel good afterwards or it somehow gives me a lower sense of self-esteem because of the little wounds it leaves.

The remedy that I resorted to? Spa at home.

I do my own cleansing, scrubbing, and moisturizing with the key elements in mind that should be considered. I suggest you to make these key elements a habit so being lazy in doing it at the end of the day is a mortal sin. It's a win-win situation for you anyway because it ain't costly and your skin will thank you of this rituals in the future. Trust me!

OK, I'll follow the steps on how I keep my face clean and well kept as I introduce my 

"good facial finds"! And for the longest time, these are the products that have stayed with me thru all the years.

1. CLEANSING

I'll be very honest, I am not that much of a freak when it comes to cleansing my face. I make sure that my hair isn't in the way by putting it up in a bun, I wear a headband to also clear my forehead of the little hairs and my cheeks of the side burns. I follow the simple luke warm water procedure to open the pores of my skin in preparation for thorough cleansing. After damping my face with luke warm water, I clear off my face of make up by using facial wipes or facial cotton soaked with Biore Cleansing Oil.

*Tip: Facial wipes may sometimes be soaked with at least a certain amount of alcohol to give you that tightened feel. This dries up the skin. So, unless specified as "ALCOHOL-FREE", rinse it with running water before dabbing it on the face soaked with a generous amount of your cleansing agent.

Now, I want to remind you that cleansing, being the first step in the needed daily facial skin regimen, doesn't mean you should be harsh and that you have to almost scrape off your skin in wiping away the dirt off it. Be careful also with too much rubbing as this takes away the natural oils that keeps the skin healthy and supple. Just make sure that you cover all of the areas that you had put make up on. Don't neglect the ears and the neck.

Some people use soap or foam cleansers. If you resort to these, may I remind you to do gentle circular motions in going thru the entire area. Besides completely clearing the entire face of dirt, you facilitate good circulation that enhances oxygen into covering the areas that aren't usually reached by good blood supply that they become wrinkly.

My skin has the tendency to be oily by the T-Zone but the corners of my lips and the orbital area tends to dry up. I for one need to be extra gentle when cleaning my face because I may be using too much of the agent or I may be rubbing too much.

2. EXFOLIATION:

I love using St. Ives' Apricot Scrub for fresh skin and St. Ives' Blemish Control because it helps in exfoliating dead dry skin cells off my face. The exfoliating beads help remove the remaining dead cells after you clean your face of make up and it helps unclog your pores of deeply trapped dirt. But after you wash up, it doesn't feel dry at all. It's non-oily natural elements leave the skin nourished. It scrubs and cleanses your skin deeply of its excess dirt but it leaves it supple. You'll feel your face a little tight as you dry because of the effect of apricot on your skin but don't worry, it's 100% natural and it will leave your skin refreshed.

Again, it's important not to miss any section of the face. And to be gentle with the cleansing motion you'd do. I love how smooth the skin feels after exfoliating. And I love how minimal the scent is from this product. It's plainly the apricot's smell that you'd sense which means, no artificial cosmetic product is added to it. 

*Tip: If you are using just a mild soap in exfoliating your face because you're skin is extra sensitive with apricot, or with the touch of the granules, you may use a damp warm cloth or a gentle sponge in rubbing off dead, dry skin.

3. FINAL CLEARING OF THE FACE WITH A MILD CLEANSER

Combined with the make up remover earlier, Biore Mild Facial Cleanser serves the type of skin I own. This always leaves my face rejuvenated and by this time, I feel that my skin is free and light. Probably because my facial skin is now free of make up, dirt and other harmful agents plus the circulation induced by the gentle circular motions had made it absorb oxygen from one whole day of entrapment.

*Tip: With every article from the magazine, online and cosmetic salons, I have always read the ideal number of times in cleansing your face should not exceed twice a day. Suggestively, upon waking up and right before you sleep.

As you finish washing your face, use a soft cloth to dry your face.

4. MOISTURIZE       

to be used during the day

I use different products for moisturising during the day and night and during cold and hot seasons. Non-greasy products or the least oily ones are very good investments for me, as my skin easily breaks out when it's too oily. Amongst all the products that I have used, the moisturiser that's right for me was the hardest to find. Thankfully, I found Olay Aquaction that is super perfect during these summer months. As soon as you open that container, the aqua blue content gives you an instant endorphin release which already brings out the "I feel good!" vibe. Upon application, it lets my face drink on that much needed moisture and that fresh fragrance feeds your mood, all at the same time.

*Tip: In moisturising, apply in an upward motion to prevent your facial skin from sagging.  From neck up, be gentle and generous as you moisturise.

Applied at night.

Olay Total Effects kept my skin from getting too dry. This has very little oil and is unscented that's why I resorted on it and here are the other benefits that may help you in knowing this fabulous find:

Features:

• Olay Total Effects Moisturiser 50g- 7 in 1
• Day cream- Nomal Skin
• SPF 15
• Fights the 7 Signs of aging
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Age spots
  • Uneven texture
  • Dryness
  • Dullness
  • Pores
• Oil free
• Dermatologically tested
• Non-Comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• 50g bottle
• Made in Thailand

I hope that somehow helped you out in finding the right product.

I'll introduce you to some of the cosmetics I use next week.

Related posts:
1. SPA IN YOUR HOME - for those who love using organic ingredients in taking care of their skin
2. NO MAKE UP SELFIE - a campaign for breast cancer patients
3. WHICH DO YOU EAT MORE - Some of the most common eating disorders.

Affordable food in Hong Kong that will surely make you come back for more!

This post is dedicated to the explorers out there who aim to see and taste the world while being on a budget. Gaining knowledge about different places around the world need not be too costly, most especially if you just wanted to get immersed into an adventure as far as being a local of that place is concerned. And one thing that you should start planning for any trip is, which food is that country known for because to experience it, tells a lot about how people, basically, are. Their preferences says a lot about what kind of people they are. It tells alot about how they come together as families, it tells a lot about their economy and simple as it may seem, it may tell how people move around and about it.

Hong Kong is known for the following:

1. PEARL MILK TEA

This is one of the most sought after here in Hong Kong. Gong Cha, in particular, presents an array of tea made of taro, oolong, plum and many more. This could satisfy your thirst for a good drink in Hong Kong as you conquer its streets of ladies markets, souvenir shops and good food most especially during these summer months (June, July and August).

To some people, they are weirded out with the jelly pearls at the bottom. But for me, it is the best part in finishing up this drink. In addition, I love how I can control how much sugar can be mixed into my drink. The cashier may or may not ask you, how do you want your sugar? But they welcome this annotation. And they give you a percentage. I always go for the 50% or mild amount. Take a look at their menu so that you'd have an idea of what Gong Cha could offer.

There are actually a lot of milk tea stations that are immitating them but Gong Cha just simply is the BEST. It's safe too the way they prepare the drink because you can actually see how your drink is being mixed altogether and you can see them gloved while packing it up with the necessary plastic sealed cover and they make you pick your own straw from the bunch so as to show courtesy not to touch the part where you're supposed to sip the milk tea from.

The places that I know that has Gong Cha stands are Tung Chung and Tsing Yi MTR and Wan Chai, Exit A4, afront Paissano's Pizza. Write it down in your itinerary. Trust me.

2. HONG KONG SIU MEI

As I grew up in the Philippines, I have developed fondness to siu mai. Come to Hong Kong, I was educated with the right term to use. It's called "siu mei" and the local dimsum stores offer it in large servings here in Hong Kong. Hen Lin of the Philippines just offers 1/3 of Hong Kong's real serving.

I came here 7 years ago and it was just HK$10 for 4 back then. Now it just got up to HK$12 but the size is still the same and it's still worth your money. Sometimes, when my co-parade dancers and I miss it, we go to Fu Tung Shopping Centre (in Tung Chung) and they offer an array of dim sum there that you'll surely enjoy if you're touring around Hong Kong with an aim of tasting the local food on a budget. A HK$20 worth of siu mei partnered with a drink (Gong Cha, Pearl Milk Tea for me is the best to combine with this) is enough for you dinner. To some Filipinos here in Hong Kong, they take it home to combine the meaty siu mei with rice.

Siu mei and other dimsum delights can be experienced in doing yum cha. This is tea drinking that allows you to eat dimsum on the side in replacement of breakfast or lunch. It is a traditional (Cantonese) Chinese way of spending the morning and gathering with families during the weekends. It is a good thing to experience when a first timer in Hong Kong arrives because of the wide array of dim sum a yum cha restaurant could offer.

3. PORK BUN (TIM HO WAN)

My good friend Bobby and I
are Tim Ho Wan virgins no more.

Now for sure you have somehow heard of how Tim Ho Wan had been branching out here in Hong Kong and abroad (as the latest one recently opened in the Philippines) because of the great demand for pork bun from the fans. 3 pork buns literally just costs HK$19 to be exact but it's more than rewarding once the robust flavor of the barbecue pork melts with the sugary coated pork bun in your mouth.

I tell you, IT IS WORTH LINING UP FOR!

So don't get intimidated with the full packed branches. The rest of the delicacies offered here isn't a failure all at the same time so, just avoid lining up while you're too hungry. It will upset you because too many tourists are taking their time in chatting and catching up with friends while they savor the pork buns the poor you are longing for. While you remain outside, that is a frustrating scene to see, right? So, maybe, just the right range of hunger with a good company to chat with is the best to have as you wait.

The least crowded location I believe is at Shop 72, G/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui Olympian City Mall, Hong Kong, China (Mong Kok). Going thru the Olympian City mall is the best and easiest route. No reservations are honored so come at your own risk. I suggest you go there before lunch or dinner time sets in. We reached Tim Ho Wan around 6:30 in the evening and we had a whole 16 seater table all to ourselves plus 3 2-seater tables. Nobody complained since people didn't start coming in yet 'til 7:30pm. By that time, our friends were around to fill up the table already so no harm done. I spent HK$60 for the entire night because I shared the bill with 4 of my friends. I enjoyed the food and I believe, so did the baby in my tummy.

As you can see, the pork buns come in three's, the siu mei in fours and the chicken feet, in a serving that can be shared. After ordering these for 3 rounds (There were 4 of us), we have had more than enough. If you are up for congee and other dim sums (I heard the sponge cake too is good plus char siu pao are also awesome!), here is a list of the rest of the choices. Trivia goes, Tim Ho Wan is one of the best dim sum places that it ranks #67 above all 4,348 restaurants in Hong Kong and owns an Excellence Award for the year 2014! (Source: Trip Advisor)

Other info you may need to know:
- No parking for this particular franchise.
- Contact number: 2332 2896 (Maybe if it's not too busy, you can do a reservation.
- Payment Method: Cash Only

4. SAIZERIYA

It offers a wide range of choices from Italian, to Western to a slight Mediterranean but in a very cheap price. This is particularly famous amongst students because of its food's affordable prizes yet the servings are enough for one person. It also comes with limited drinks with a whole lot of sodas, coffee, and tea to choose from. It's up to you if you want it cold or hot.

My own personal favorites here are the following:

Baked Spinach with Cheese

Garlic Garnished Steak

Sizzling Plate of  Shellfish

Cheese Pizza with extra Mozarella

Many people who crave for Italian dishes plus grilled lamb steaks and baked casserole food but are on a budget ease their way to Saizeriya. Needless to say, it's jampacked most of the time too. So to try and experience, come on a week day, on a non-lunch or dinner time and be ready that you have to wait for a long time. For temperamental people, think twice. We truly enjoy coming here though one suggestion for the branch manager in Tin Shui Wai, clean the place thoroughly. Because of how busy it gets in a day, they need more personnel to cater to the restaurant's sanitation.

Basic Info:

- Location: Shop 216, 2/F, Tin Chak Shopping Centre, Tin Shui Road, Tin Shui Wai.

- Mode of payment is Cash and food costs HK$50 up.

- Sitting is on first come, first served basis. Come at your own risk.

- Seating Capacity in Tin Shui Wai maybe around 60-80 people at a time.
- NO outdoor seating is available.
- Contact number: 2617 3004.

- Opening hours: 11:00 to 22:30.

- For tourists, I'm sorry but there's no wifi.

- They don't offer delivery.

- Serves alcoholic drinks.

- No 10% valuie added tax

Source: openrice.com

If you do have encountered restaurants or treats that belong to this post, please do let me know by leaving a comment below. Splurge in these delights as you visit Hong Kong next time!

Related posts:

1. DIN TAI FUNG - another famous Shanghai Dimsum place amongst tourists visiting Hong Kong

2. 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT HONG KONG - Besides the food, check out the list of why I chose to become a Hongkie!

3. HOMEBAKERS TURNED ENTREPRENEURS - Looking for affordable cake masters to grace that dessert table with the works, find out who to contact here.

BABY SHOWER TIDBITS

One of the most enjoyable time in pregnancy

(most especially amongst first timers), is holding a Baby Shower.

It shares the same principles with the traditional "Bridal" Shower. The only difference is that, the belle of the ball is is now carrying a "ball" in her tummy. And the focus shifts to the baby

and the bride no more becomes a mommy to be.

Baby Showers are not done just by women but by couples as well, gathering around guiding the parents-to-be into becoming the best as they could by offering advices, sharing experiences and giving gifts that would be needed during the much awaited birth. To some cultures, it remains taboo to them what is the importance of holding it. But it is very helpful in the sense that you get to be prepared at least during the first 4 months of having the baby. Read on to find out why and how.

Aima and Nathalie

As my good friends Aima, and Nathalie coordinated the event with me, I learned a lot about what to prepare doing it all on our own and not needing any coordinator. We are big fans of DIY that's why. So, I followed a time frame that I found in a website in preparation for the event and shared it to them as we all thought about the theme, the guests and the vibe altogether.

Of course, like any other party, you need to take note of some etiquette to consider in hosting it and some nick picks as to what games are to be done, how to decor the place and how to let the guests enjoy every moment with you.

1. VENUE

We rented 2 bbq grills. Here are the boys cooking some to
bring in the function room for the guests to enjoy.

My husband and I have a lot of friends that are beyond ecstatic about the news. As much as we want to invite "everybody", we are again challenged with Hong Kong's limitedly-spaced function rooms. There are big venues but taking into consideration my condition (34 weeks pregnant), we needed a bigger place near where we live (than our room) to hold the event. We were able to book a function room, a barbecue area and 2 bowling lanes of Central Park Towers Club House with a wishful thinking that it would fit to accomodate everybody and cater to their preferences too. It was just across the building where we live in. The baby shower games maybe just too much for the gentlemen so, after dinner, we programmed that they may enjoy an hour or two in the bowling lanes or do their boy thing in the bbq area. As proposed by my husband, this was agreed upon in a jiffy.

2. THEME

In my invitation, these words denoted our chosen theme for our baby shower:

"We find that the color YELLOW represents the sun

and the LAVENDER colour symbolizes tranquility and calmness.

As our little sunshine brings peace to our hearts,

we request that you'd dress up in these shades to join us in anticipation and excitement.

If in case you got nothing in lemon yellow and lavender, white could do better."

- Hogan and Kyte

3. INVITATION

It's good to let the family, that are miles away, whom the couple or the mommy-to-be would want to be in the baby shower, know way ahead of time. For them to at least think it over if they can make it or not. We did e-vites so it was pretty handy to get hold of the people rsvp-ing and it totally gave us an estimate of the expected number of guests. I missed giving out instructions on how to get to the place, that was an error on my behalf. But over all, everybody made it to the location. The only ones we gave the invitation to are the ones who didn't have a Facebook account. 

4. FOOD

The choice of holding a baby shower should come preferably from friends so that it's not like the family that's expecting a baby are begging for gifts. It need not be too costly and may be thought upon within a group and the best choice always is to come up with a potluck. So that's what we did.

Besides the games, imposing a potluck party is a good way to involve your guests to make them feel at home and welcomed. It depends on how you want it to be intimate or informal. As for my baby shower, Ms. Bongiwe, our good friend from South Africa, suggested that since so many people are gathering up but are coming from different countries, why not make the potluck be based on the specialty of that country where they're from and bring it over at the party? So, as far as the food to bring is concerned, there was no limit.

My family maximised the use of the barbecue area by deciding to cook chicken and sausages for our share. Everybody is welcome to bring their tribe's own specialty so delicacies from South Africa, India, Samoa, Tahiti, America, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and China were present and it made the whole buffet table so festive. I believe people enjoyed the food and I for one missed on tasting some of the delicacies I was eyeing early that evening. But seeing the people laugh, talk and share the food was good enough for me. I actually forgot to ask somebody to make me a plate 'til people approached me if I was alright and if I needed help. It was hard to explain. Hahahaha!

Because some of them don't know which is the PALUSAMI (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk from Samoa), EMBOTIDO (ground meat with boiled egg and spiced up with raisins and herbs molded to a long and bigger than usual size of a sausage, a delicacy from the Philippines) and SAPIN SAPIN (dessert made of glutinous rice, coconut and ube, also from the Philippines), those were the ones that remained. Hahahaha! Yes, I know majority of you don't know what they are. So, I just ate while the games were happening when the people were not overcrowding the buffet table.

4. GAMES

Since I was worried if the place could truly hold all my guests, I chose games that did not need that much space. We had:

a. TABOO - BABY SHOWER EDITION:

Again, this is a DIY game. There is an existing game of taboo and all that you need to know is that it's a word guessing game. How to play it? Click here.

So, to make it extra special, I made it the "Baby Shower Edition" having only words that is related to being pregnant, having a baby and baby shower to be guessed. I had 3 groups with 3 members each with 40 cards at hand for them to guess. First to get a score of 5 is the winner. Here is a sample 9 cards. You can make your own too. The words to be guessed are the ones highlighted in light blue.

Free Downloadable Taboo Sample Cutouts

Just have this printed out and cut them separately. Paste it on a cardboard for an instant card like appearance. You can change the colours of the cardboard to be used. As for me, I just recycled cardboards at home but it instantly gave it a fun appeal as the gamers drew out their cards from the box.

b. HOW BIG IS MOMMY'S TUMMY

Everybody was welcome to join by guessing how big my baby bump is. The good part is, only one wins so, you just have to invest on one prize for this game yet everybody gets to have fun. All they have to do is cut their piece of string according to how they estimated the actual measurement. The one who measured closest to my actual abdominal girth wins.

c. DIAPER RAFFLE

I have just researched free printables and I came across this source. Basically, it just says, 

"Bring diapers or any size for a chance to win a prize." 

So, I've printed it out, just pasted it on a cardboard background and voila!!! I got instant tickets. Guests would just be handed out of these as they give the diapers and they will be asked to give it back with their names for the raffle draw. Whoever's name get drawn out, will be the winner.

This is a good way of giving some guests, who are clueless, an idea of what to give in a baby shower with an anticipation that their name might be drawn out. The name is usually announced at the beginning, middle and the end of the party to keep the excitement up. Depending on how much prizes you will to give out, you can minimise the raffle draw into more than 3 or to a one-time big-time prize giving at the end of the party.

d. DON'T SAY BABY!

Since it's a baby shower, this game challenges everybody not to say the word "baby" for the entire party. You'll be instructed to tuck 5 paper clips to your sleeve or your collar then everytime somebody says the magic word "BABY", you may steal one paper clip from that person. The one who collects as much pins would be the winner in the end. Our winner had 17 pins on her.

5. SOUVENIRS:

This illustration that I found in PINTEREST inspired me to decorate my baby shower treats. The original plan was to stick my own in a small plastic loot bags then people would just dig in from the dessert table of candies and treats and that would serve as their party favour to go. However, it could end up being out of control so, I bought Hershey's bars and glued my label on it that looked like these...

The lavender glittering wrapper is actually a stick-it-poster paper.
I bought it in Sham Shui Po (less than HK$20).
It turned out pimped as how I wanted it to be.
I did the label in front & just printed it out on a yellow paper,
glued it on & it was ready to go.

The cutest part is the back label.
This again gives it a personal touch &
is specially composed for a baby shower.

You can download this Nutrition Facts label as you scroll down.

Downloadable Nutrition Facts for Baby Shower Souvenirs

6. DECOR

I am a minimalist. I don't like too much clutter so we have decorated the function room alone in the simplest way. We all had just put up a welcome poster, instructions for the game, banderitas in the form of small baby shirts and some finger painted crafts by Nathalie's daughter, Zaia. A poster background where people could consider the background for taking a photo in and we just thought of the dessert table to be kept the centre of yellow and lavender vibe.

We also planned for the cake to be the highlight of the dessert table with its big bump. And the mini cupcakes were planned to be giveaways also. And I'm more than delighted with all the fantastic flavours it oozed out. Chocolate, Red Velvet and Strawberry.

baked by Jarvey along with the cake pops

 mini cakes meticulously
baked by Aima

7. BABY LIBS

Some memorable keepsakes could include photos but there's a good way to hype that up by asking your guests to fill up the baby libs, a.k.a. the sheet for the best advice Mommy could get hold of as she becomes a mom. I encourage you to write your own depending on how perky you want it to be.

Baby Libs 2

So those are the nick picks that I can share to you. I hope that you could get some ideas from this post and if there's something that you need to ask, let me know by writing it down below. Also, you may suggest any source of downloadable printables to us by leaving it thru the comment box below. Much thanks!

Enjoy!

Related posts:

1. BABY BRAVE'S REGISTRY - what I thought I would need as I expect my first baby

2. EXTENDING A HEARTFELT THANKS - instead of the usual "Thank You" card, I had posted a note for all those who came in our baby shower and most especially the ones who had helped me out.

3. 9 MONTHS AND STILL DANCING - A ballerina who celebrates her bodily changes during pregnancy and documents her pregnant self on pointe shoes until she was 38 weeks...

EXTENDING A HEARTFELT THANKS

To all of you who had graced us with your presence during Phoenix Brave's Baby Shower last July 4th, in behalf of my husband, I thank all of you.

To Chief Malama, who had started the evening with a prayer, faafetai tele lava. Along with the Samoan boys, I am truly grateful of the "Fa'afetai i le Atua" (Church song meaning, "Thank You God") song that you have shared to us that evening. The BBQ and UMU were such a delight. There's nothing more rewarding to Hogan and I than seeing your presence with your families in welcoming our own Phoeninx Brave.

To Kuki, Hogan's sister, you flew all the way from Taiwan just to show your support and just to show how happy you are for us. I'm glad you were here for those busy 4 days to help out. You always shower us with blessing too. For that, thank you. Frankie and Angela, you helped a lot with the food and in going back and forth just to get the items needed for the entire evening. Thank you very much for that.

To Ate Aima, Ate Naths, Kuya Egay and Kuya Alvin, your extended efforts never fail to show us that your love will always be there. May our friendship stand thru time and thank you for being so helpful, thoughtful and excited for us. I truly appreciate Zaia's drawings and decors. It's undeniably a keepsake. The same goes with Jane for lending me her vases and Cathy for helping me out in sticking letters up to the poster and many more. All of you are angels spurting out just at the very moment I need you all.

I would like to send out a shout out too to Stevenie and Jacky for helping me in booking the venue. The party wouldn't be as successful if not for your help. Annemette, Phoebe and Alina too, you have talked to the Central Park personnels to be able to extend the function room for an hour. Fun wasn't put to a halt because of your huge help. Thank you Jarvey for the beautiful and delicious cake and cake pops, Ate Naths for the cutely arranged mallow pops and Ate Aima for the mini preggies cup cakes; Lhelai for helping out in arranging the venue, Rizalyn for just being available for whatever's needed to be done. Sharon and Candy for extending a helping hand too and Ling for merely asking how you could help plus the wonderful photos. You were there so early. To Ate Janice Gatmaitan for cooking the puto and the fabulous Sapin-Sapin, and to Ate Joey who had brought them all the way to the party, a billion thanks and kisses to you. Bobby, you've made the payment reach Ate Janice thru Ate Joey and it made it all easy so salute to you too. Love you.

To those who had helped out in grilling the barbecue, I am truly grateful for I know it's not an easy job. What's also not easy was for the little kids to sit by the stairs of the bus just to share their time to us. Silver and Renee, thank you for coming. I also know it was Ryo's birthday that day so Ms. Emi Hagiwara, I hope you both had a great time.

I would like to also like to specially mention my husband for making this event possible and wanting to get involved in everything. Hosting, barbecueing, opening of the gifts, entertaining the guests and just being there for me, making it all STRESS-FREE. I love you and like what we talked about, this is one of our markers that the much awaited day is about to come. We'll get thru and I'll be strong for you and Brave.

To the rest of you who had given us these fabulous gifts, it left us crying and asking God what we did to deserve this much love from you all. All these presents leave us more than complete. Even prepared for the near future and growth of Brave. Praise God for all of these blessings and mostly, your heartfelt wishes, words of wisdom and love in the cards that went along with these gifts. Our registry was almost ticked complete. We even have more than one of the necessities we have pondered on. We pray that all of your hearts would be blessed a thousand fold for loving us and Brave this much. There are some who weren't able to make it and just kept on showering more and more of their gifts still, thank you and the little girl will see you all soon.

All the bath products we have collected...

 

Thanks for helping us with the stocking
up of the much needed diapers.
Congratulations to the winner: Ling Lai!!!



"Thank you for the gift that I will soon see,

Mom said it's great, and you picked it just for me.

Mom is writing this blog post for you all because I am yet to arrive.

And even if I do, i won't be able to write well until I'm five."

 

- From Mommy, Daddy & Me