A Visit at SM Aura...

We went for the first time at SM Aura yesterday. SM Aura is the newest big mall to open in town. It was the talk of the town especially since Sarah Jessica Parker from New York came by to grace the opening ceremony. That’s why we were excited to drop by to see what the fuss is all about.

When we went there we were disappointed to find that it was not completed yet. The basement parking was still under construction. The elevators were nowhere to find and it was not conducive for our grandmother who is already old.

Maybe next time we will find another destination since all malls are just the same. We’ll just buy an suv bike rack, drive out-of-town, and bike along the countryside. This way we can get some fresh air and get some much needed exercise too.

Chocolate Treats...

My brother just came home from the US. He is planning to stay here to study. Because I’m a chocolate lover I asked him to buy me some chocolates and he generously bought me several bags. I was so delighted because it means I will be eating chocolate for a month. haha!

If I don’t take it easy I would definitely start to shop plus size swimwear for women. Hmm, maybe I’ll just diet later. For now I’ll just enjoy these yummy chocolates.

Guitar Collection...

My husband is into guitars as of the moment. His favorite brand is Martin. Martin guitars are known for their craftsmanship and sound. We have compared it with regular guitars and theirs are really higher a notch up in quality.

As a matter of fact, the quality of their guitar is so good that hubby can only think of one brand that can beat them and that’s Tayloy guitars which he plans to purchase next. He is currently checking the taylor electric guitars at Guitar Center and analyzing each guitar to see what kind of guitar would be perfect for his collection.

Clarinet Lessons...

For summer we are looking for something worthwhile to do for my son. He is already 8 years old and it is high time for him to learn to play different instruments. He has already learned the basics of guitar thanks to his Dad. But we want him to learn to play another instrument, something different because lots of people already know how to play a guitar.

Anyway, we might try to buy him his own clarinet with the best clarinet reeds and enroll him in a clarinet music class. Hopefully he shows the same dedication he has shown when he was learning to play his guitar.

New Business...

My cousin went to Manila for a visit. He wanted to attend a workshop for baking. He needed to put up a new business since their old one has gone. It was the business set up by his now deceased parents so it meant a lot to him. But time changes and he must change his strategy now to be able to sustain his family.

Anyway, despite the hardships I am proud of him because he was able to send his younger sister to college. It took years but she is now finally a certified nurse. His other brother is not doing as well though. He must be taken to one of those dual diagnosis treatment centers. He took the death of their parents harder so he needed all the help he can get.

Remembering Grandma...

I remember when my grandmother was still working as a teacher she received one of those engraved plaques for the long years she spent teaching at her old school. She was a strict teacher but well loved by her students. She was one of the most hardworking women I know staying up late at night to finish her schoolwork and rising as early as 4am to prepare for the day.

She’s gone now but her memory still lives on. I only wish I’ll just be half as good as her. It’s only now that I’m a mom that I realize the sacrifices she had to make to make sure we have a good life.

Advertising for our Online Store...

Today I’ve experienced making my first adwords ad for our online store. Actually, the ad has been live for a month but it’s only now that I have optimized it for viewing. I am nervous about the cost but I have no choice but to push through if I’m serious with my business.

Anyway, even though I have already an advertisement at google it doesn’t mean I will stop there. I have lots of plans to gain more followers through social media. I am even thinking of having cheap brochures printed so word about our business will travel in our neighborhood. Anyway, wish me luck for my plans!

Living with a Guitar Crazy Husband...

Living with a musician I have learned to live with his different musical instruments and gadgets as well. To date he already has three guitars in the house. That may seem too little for my guitar crazy husband but that already occupies too much space in our house. Sometimes I find his guitar sitting on the sofa leaving me without a space to sit on. Sometimes I have to jump over one of his guitars sprawled on the floor.

The problem is he doesn’t want to keep his guitars away because he said he’s always using it. He doesn’t want to store it vertically either because it will damage its neck. And that’s the reason why his guitars are taking up too much space.

Anyway, I may be ranting a bit but I love my hubby so much I am willing to live with this. It also helps that our house will be finished soon and he will have his own music/office room. Maybe I will even allow him to buy this roland cube 80xl at guitar center that he wanted to have for a long time. As long as he stores them in his office then I wouldn’t mind.

Guitar Strings...

My husband is an avid guitarist. He currently has three guitars and is planning to acquire some more. That’s why when we go to the mall we are always on the lookout for affordable but quality guitar strings. He said he needs to replace his strings every couple of months to maintain the quality of sound.

Anyway, I found out about these GHS guitar strings at Musicians Friend and how these are quality strings at an affordable price. I’ll tell him that next time he can do his shopping online instead of the mall.

Holiday...

I’ve been working like a horse these past few months. It all started when I opened my first ecommerce site last November. A few months later, I am now selling furniture online in full swing.

It’s been both euphoric and heartbreaking. Euphoric because a year ago this has been just a dream to me. Now I’m already doing it, actually selling furniture and helping people furnish their dream homes. Heartbreaking because I want to do so many things but I can only do enough. I am after all first and foremost a mom with two kids. I have to make them my priority no matter what. I get sad too because I have to leave them everyday in order to learn more about the business.

Anyway, in two weeks I am going to temporarily leave work behind so we can have our annual holiday. We will be at Boracay beach for six long days. I look forward to playing with the kids and bonding with my family. I also look forward to date nights with my husband. We plan to be adventurous, maybe smoke some famous cigars on the island and just enjoy life.

This is going to be our only holiday for the year so we better make the most of it. Wish us luck!