Angpao Loot Bag–NBS Exclusive

I just lost a perfectly good draft. Next time, remember to SAVE the draft, just in case. Ugh. Let’s try this again.

Ever heard of National Book Store’s AngPao Loot Bags? If I didn’t read Daphne’s post, I wouldn’t have known of it either. I took some time out to check my email and browse a few blogs on the afternoon of the Chinese New Year and saw the post. Lucky for me, I still had time to swing by an NBS branch before closing time. Of course it meant delaying my return to the vigil for Papa’s wake (related story).

From home, I had decided to pass by the Church to find out if anyone needed anything. Before getting there, I saw Che and her daughter Hannah. I offered them a ride to Puregold. Che needed to get a white shirt for her and her hubby, for the burial the next day. I said I’d take them if Hannah agrees to pick up something for me at the National Book Store. Deal.

So Puregold was the first stop. While Che went to shop, Hannah and I checked out the food stalls for some snack. Our tummies were very welcoming of alternative food to what we’ve been having since Papa died. Hannah opted for the rice meals, while this was what I had:

8 slices of salmon sashimi cost me a hundred pesos. It wasn’t the best, but I wasn’t complaining. I know I’ve always said that a good sashimi is ruined by the ice that clings to the fish meat from being frozen, and these still had ice on them, but I enjoyed them anyway.

While Hannah finished off her rice meal, I told them about my agenda at the NBS: the AngPao loot bag. Che was interested. She wanted one too. National Book Store at the Federaland Condo along E. Rodriguez was on the way back to church. Unfortunately, the sales ladies didn’t seem to be aware of any angpaos other than the paper envelopes they carried. So no luck there. I thought I’d have to wait until Chinese New Year 2013 for a chance at this deal, but Che said we might as well checkout the Panay Avenue branch. Good decision!

The contents of our bags (Che got one too) were very similar, except for the card and paper bag designs. Daphne’s loot was the same too, except for the book. We got Toxicology, by Jessica Hagedorn.

Image is from this review of Toxicology from the Philippine Daily Inquirer website.

I am looking forward to using all the stuff in the bag. Pencils, markers, ballpens, and scrapbook stuff. I’d love to start reading the book too, but it will have to wait.

It’s 12 months away, but already, I’m looking forward to next year’s loot.

A very belated Kung Hei Fat Choi!

A Binchy and DPP #41

 

Last month, Alfred and I discussed getting a brand new laptop so we won’t fight over PC time.  It’s January, a new year, and we’ve almost forgotten about it. We’ve given presents that we both really love, so there’s really no space left for a new laptop. But then I saw this page with reconditioned laptops, and my first thought? Do they carry Ultrabooks?

Anyway.

Saturday was a short day. Alfred went out with the boys on Friday night and ended up finding his way home at past 5 in the morning. Because I had been asleep from Thursday afternoon until the morning of Friday (suffering from migraine), I stayed up too. This meant that we didn’t get up until noon time of Saturday. I missed morning playtime and kisses from my nephew, as well as a date with old friend Joy to visit National Artist Abueva at the NKTI.

As expected after sleeping in, I felt like staying home the entire day. But Alfred had lens to buy, and I'd arranged to still see Joy that afternoon. So off we went. While the boyfriend went ahead to meet the seller, I hung out at Fully Booked – SM The Block.

I had no intention to, but I ended up leaving the store with yet another book:

It was 40% off and I just couldn’t resist.

I also picked up some alpha sets from the scrapbooking section. Those will be for Project Life.

For himself, Alfred also picked up a photography tips magazine as well as the latest issue of the Digital Photographer Philippines (image source):

Looking forward to read my new book, but it will likely go at the bottom of my TBR. Might sneak a peek at the magazine too, been awhile since I skimmed through a DPP ish.

Oh, and while on the subject of photography, please take time to respond to this post.

Autographed Book Plate!

I don't really put book plates on my books, but when "The Happiness Project" author Gretchen Rubin posted on her blog of the same title that she would be glad to send out autographed book plates for those who already own the book, I signed up!


The book plate, with a handwritten note (short and simple: Enjoy!) actually arrived here before I even opened the book. The book was a Christmas present (Thank you Lally, if you're reading this!).

Now, I've adhered it right on the dedication page of the book.

The only thing left to make it perfect, is if she hand wrote my name on it as well. But that would be too much to ask! She was nice enough to take the effort to send out those cards to all who requested, and to anywhere in the world too (can't even begin to imagine how many she had to mail out, the book is a #1 New York Times bestseller after all). So this is already perfectly fine :)

I've only read upto page 26 so far and I am getting a lot of insights already. Love it! Stay tuned for the review :)

To Be Read–35 books!

 

I have 35 unread books!

*I might have read some already, but I can’t be sure until I try to go through the first few pages.

If each book was purchased at a minimum of 300 pesos, then that’s 10500 pesos worth of books! Some are brand new and may have cost at least 350 or more. But most of these books are second-hand, ranging from 100 to 250 pesos each. I bought these separately over the course of 2-3 years. Got a few of them as gifts too. In 6 months, I’ll try and post how many of these remain unread.

Christmas Loot

It’s really the youngest in families that get the most Christmas loot. Dearest Amir, for example, had to have two vehicles carry his stuff and his combined birthday and Christmas loot home to Fairview. Yes. He, his parents and their usual baby gear for a weekend stay and Grandma’s, PLUS all the gifts he received, could not fit into their 4-door sedan. Grandpa and Grandma had to load the Rav up and accompany them home.

And what did his pretty Auntie get for Christmas? A grand total of two presents, one from each side of the family.

 

Nah, I am not complaining. I actually got more presents than expected, even if I didn’t personally hand out a lot of them this year. Truth be told, I am not done with Christmas shopping and gift-giving. I have friends at work that I’d love to give gifts too. At the boyfriend’s suggestion, I plan to get them pesronalized tee shirts. I just have to figure out the best print for each person. This will likely take time. It might even become a Valentine gift already at the rate I’m going. Haha!

What about you, what does your Christmas Day loot look like?

Winner!

 

Remember Georyl’s Christmas Giveaway?

On Christmas Eve, she made the announcement of winners here. I also received an email from her informing me of the post, and that I was one of the lucky winners!

 

Yes, it’s only $5 but, I’ll take that extra $5 dollars anytime!  This will go towards my sewing class funds. Alfred gave me this for Christmas, and I will learn to use it to make fun and beautiful projects!

Ako na ang winner sa best gift received! I was so excited about this and was both surprised and happy that Alfred was on board with my dream of learning how to sew. His dad is a tailor, and he claims to be better at this than me. My grandmother was good at needlecraft. I think I can claim that she was a part-time seamstress because she used to sew sutanas for the Seminarians. She made us cute dresses too when we were kids. She makes beautiful things and was really helpful when I had to sew a blouse for home ec in high school. Part of why I want to do this, is to honor her legacy.

What is your winner! gift this Christmas?

Coming Home

 

The boyfriend and his family will be taking the long road trip home tomorrow morning. He will be back soon and I haven’t done any of the things I thought I could do while he’s away. Oh well. To be honest, I feel a little guilty about not being there with them. His grandmother died last year,  I had offered to follow to the province but Alfred advised against it. This year, I wasn’t able to get a leave because I have work on all four days that they’re gone. Again, I offered to follow, but it wasn’t a good idea. Bicol is a little too far and unfamiliar for me to travel on my own – whether driving or on a bus.

Not sure if there’s a special roadside assistance plan for the holidays at either the North or South Express Ways. I don’t think I can drive through either without one. I’d be a nervous wreck. What if something goes wrong? Will I be stuck in the middle of the highway with no one to help me out? Haha. I haven’t ventured to drive outside of Metro Manila yet, when I do, I will be prepared. But as I was saying, the boyfriend will be home soon, I wonder what he’s bringing home for me?

He doesn’t normally read Between the Covers, so I can say this here: I’m secretly thinking of getting him what he really wants for Christmas. It’s a bit pricey, and with all that’s happening, I’d really rather give more to charity than spend on more gifts. But he’s been dropping hints and I keep deflecting him. Looks I may be able to make a way to afford it though. So we’ll see. Fingers crossed.