I’m feeling more motivated lately, by inspiring success stories from graduates and board passers especially the ones who come from humble beginnings. I can relate entirely with Cinderella like stories. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon either. Everything required hard work and seeing my grandmother who worked from day to night to support me was one of the hurdles I had to face. After my beloved grandfather died who was very close to me, other relative/s moved in & turned out to be a little hostile. Quite a resemblance which even my daughter remarked, “now I know why you like Cinderella mommy.” Life back then was bleak and most people doubted and looked down on me.
Lady Tremaine
I was focused while doing what I love – joining art/acting classes for free (as a scholar) then dancing in our Pas des tous & Cheerleading school clubs. Then, I was told that I will never make it, “you will never go to the ball” – something like that, the more I fixed my eyes on achieving my dreams. Like fairytales there will always be villains and they are destined to put us down. But they also serve as our motivation. Yes villains are mean and rude but i thought who are they to stop me.
“where there is kindness, there is goodness. where there is goodness there is MAGIC…”
I may be hurt, but I’m determined, as they say the best revenge is massive success. while my best weapon is praying. I’m sharing a snippet of my story, we all have our struggles in life, mine wasn’t that exceptional. We are defined by how we get up each time we fall. And always believing that there’s a pot of gold in the end of the rainbow. I hope this may brought inspiration to some.
Recently, I began my interest on Calligraphy. I’ve always been fascinated with beautiful penmanship since the time I first learned how to write in cursive. Swirls and strokes, seem to be dancing gracefully across the paper. Script is my favorite style of handwriting.
So I purchased my tools on a local craft store and some online.
For pens or penbrushes there are famous brands like Zig (Kuretake), Copic, Tombow, Pentel and my favorite ones are mostly Japanese such as Pilot & Kuretake. Japan is renowned with their excellent craftsmanship and their calligraphy tools are the best for me.
I also collect journals and notebooks, a favorite of mine is from Moleskin their limited edition Le Petite Prince journal – so cute 🙂
With pointed pens, I still have a few, Japanese brand preppypens which is very affordable, then I got Noodler’s fountain pens with flexi nibs as a gift last Valentine. Other brands I got are Pelikano and Parker.
And with nibs and holders, I have to familiarize myself though. Sometimes I don’t like the idea of attaching nibs then dipping it into the ink every now and then. Arduous task, relaxing for some, for me maybe someday 😉
Here’s some photos of my modern calligraphy journey…
And so I continue to practice…. will post more pics next time.
Today, I’m celebrating my birthday, never mind the age 😉 but i just like to thank everyone who loves me, who has touched & motivated me. And above all – dear God who loves me perfectly, with His infallible love.
We hired a private bus as we traversed by land visiting different parts/countries of Europe. The view was spectacular, passing through Pyrenees mountain range, a natural border between France and Spain. And I just couldn’t take my eyes off during that 8 hour drive. Ofcourse we have to make a few stops along the road. It’s like watching scenes from Lord of the Rings with larger than life majestic landscapes.
me – first in the bus!
Our private bus is spacious. We were about 23 (all family-yes!) and the bus has more than 40 seater capacity. Plus our tour guide was very nice. He’s a French married to a Filipina and they own a travel agency which is based in Manila. End result – one noisy and happy bus!
and so they’ve arrived…European highways
In every roadtrip the memories we make may last momentarily. But because of some technological advancements I can now carry either iphone or smartphone with me (or even better – both). I find it difficult though to photograph roadside attractions during sudden turns and stops. so apologies for my blurry images 🙂 still a rookie.
signages
For me a great road trip is about the journey, and as important as the destination. So having a big pile of photos and editing them afterwards helps me a lot in telling my roadtrip story. A story – consist of laughters, endless chatting, occasional napping, humming with fave music, and fathomless munching on snacks and chocolates. I hope you had fun reading this post, till next time 🙂 – mitch more photos…
Chocolate Chimney began as an online shop year 2009. Serving customized treats like wedding & birthday cakes, decorated cookies and chocolates. All handmade and with absolutely no preservatives & no artificial ingredients. Months after opening, I was invited by the biggest mall chain in the Philippines (SM) to be part of their weekly stalls alongside their supermarkets. So we had our prioneer branch at SM Makati then SM Megamall, Cubao and lastly, Southmall.
Like any glorious days, it all ended last year as we have decided to pull out and have a shop of our own. Though, we are still accepting orders for customization online via our Facebook page. Each creation is lovingly made by hand and exhibits artistic skills and craftmanship. Passion drives me to achieve more and to learn from each mistake. Plus the love from my family gives me all the back up I need.
We are currently brainstorming as we plan to expand and reach greater heights. I’m grateful for my family and friends, and for those who continue to believe and support my passion and this company. I’m also thankful for the nonbelievers because of them I’m motivated to achieve what they thought I couldn’t do. Thanks to you all! – mitch
This cupcake I made last month reminds me of my fave song – Sugar 🙂 “Show me good loving, make it alright… need a little sweetness in my life. I want that sugar sweet…” Check out my sugar creations. https://m.facebook.com/chocolatechimneybakeshop Everything is handmade and crafted by yours trully. Happy weekend to all!
You’ll see this cross as you enter the sanctuary. It’s considered to be the holiest site in Lourdes, France.
Before, we thought of owning an apartment here. Though one helpful and local tour guide told us not to, because of taxes and high maintenance fees.
Lourdes has become a favorite place of mine, last year we stayed for 4 days and I went to the chapel daily. Prayed and drank in the sacred spring that welled up for the first time during the apparition of Mama Mary to St. Bernadette. The water was cold but it didn’t feel uncomfortably cold and chilly. Going back to the church, it was designed by Myroslav Nimciv, while its Byzantine interior polychrome decorations were executed by artist Jerzy Nowosielski. A beautiful statue of Mama Mary is standing right in the middle & facing the main basilica.
Her blue sash seemed to be swaying gracefully with the wind. And an intricate crown of gold-embroidered her head and perpetual face. The sanctuary is about 50 hectares with 22 places of worships, includes the sacred grotto, two main basilicas (photo of entrance seen below), and an assortment of chapels for the sick and pilgrim goers like me.
Roman Catholic faith is flourishing in Lourdes, I remember hearing Holy Masses in different languages like English, Spanish and Italian. One morning when I went alone to pray, I was mistaken to be an Italian and asked me to take photos of her group with the church as their background. Delighted and out of courtesy, I agreed and then went on to pray in the grotto.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The rest of the places in Lourdes will be featured on my next posts, and hopefully I’ll have time to post more pictures as well. Much said about this quaint town, I heard it is second to Paris in terms of tourism and number of hotels. Most of my happy memories were also from this place, I was solely raised by my grandmother with strict values and traditions and visiting Lourdes is very sacred to me. I’m planning to bring her here someday, if she is able to travel, God willing.
Year 2011 when I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and ovarian cysts, a condition that made it crucial for me to conceive again. I had Laparoscopic procedures both for diagnosis and removal, but endometriosis in my uterus remain intact upto this day, this is one of the many difficult struggles we have to face. But it has made my faith deeper, so when we went to visit Lourdes last May I was more emotional than our previous pilgrims. I looked at the other hopefuls, some were more ill than I am, and in their stretchers and/or wheelchairs. I know we’re all present to experience the miracle, that one day we will be healed with our faith.
Tearful yet happy, the joy this place brings, never fails to remind me of God’s wonderful grace and love.
– mitch
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