I’m Gonna Have a #MerrySMChristmas This Year!

It’s now mid-November and Christmas is fast-approaching. As a Filipino Christian, my year would never be complete without celebrating the day when the greatest gift on earth was given to us—the human birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so, to honor this historical event, we decorate our homes, sing Christmas carols, and practice gift-giving, which actually makes me soo excited to shop for decorations and presents for my loved ones!

For just a little life update, I recently moved back to Bulacan. It may not be a big deal for everyone else, but for me, it is. You know, I grew up a city girl. I guess I will always prefer bright lights, road traffic, pollution of all kinds, and the likes rather than the fresh air, fresh vegetables, and fresh everything from the province. Not to mention the theme parks, the music bars and oh, the malls. But, hey-- I survived my first two months of country-living and I’m getting to used to it. The reasons? 

1. My minimalist mindset and lifestyle,

2. my family, aand..

3. a Mall! 

Yep, that’s right. There is a nearby mall here in my new uhm, kinda boring place. And not just a mall, mind you. It’s an SM Mall! Why am I so thrilled about that? Why wouldn’t I, when they literally got it all for us. Admit it, everything you need, I bet you can find it in an SM mall.

And because of that, even though I now live far away from the city, I’m pretty sure I will have a very #MerrySMChristmas this year in SM City Baliuag! I can do all the shopping I need for the food, decors, and gifts and I can also bring my family to see a movie, play in the arcade, eat out in the food court, or whatnot. I am really, really happy and thankful to have a nearby SM Mall. It is just like having a city in the province, if you know what I mean. :D

Have you seen this video of the beautiful Mommy Cheska and lovely Kendra Kramer having a #MerrySMChristmas in SM North Edsa?

In this season, surely, us, parents, will remember to give something to our children, nieces, nephews, and inaanaks to make them happy. But let us not forget those lovely little kids who will celebrate Christmas inside orphanages and charitable institutions. SM Cares, A Division of SM Foundation, has a special program for them called "Give a Bear of Joy Today!". For just P200.00, we get two #SMBearsofJoy-- one to keep and give away to a kid in the family and one for an orphan in the Philippines. How cool and kind is that!

Also, various SM Malls will be having different events for the whole Christmas season. Find out how you too can have a #MerrySMChristmas by visiting this site.

Be blessed and have a #MerrySMChristmas,

Hanna

My Monde Mamon Summer Experience

Because I’ve recently quit my day job, my husband and I had to do some budget-tightening strategies since he will be the major source of the family from now on. So for this summer, we will have no outing whatsoever, but I still have plans for us to enjoy the season.


My first plan was actually accomplished already. Last month, we bought Sofie her very first baby pool. It was an Intex 34” x 10” round baby pool and we got it at a good price of P329.75 from Toy Kingdom in SM MOA.





She was scared of it at first, but thanks to her dad’s patience in convincing her to try it, she loved it in a matter of minutes.






Another plan I have in mind is to try out Monde’s Make It Yourself Mamon-Decorating activity with my family. For four years, I have been very busy with my day job that I forgot about the frustrated artist in me and I figured out decorating mamon, which is a little unique than the usual cupcake decorating stuff I see almost everywhere, would be an exciting refresher for me and my husband and a good introduction to art (and food!) for my one year old Sofie.


Here are the contents of the kit:





Here’s their cutesy TVC:


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrXQ6OFiG0c&w=560&h=315]


I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I know that this will surely make my summer with the family a worthwhile and unforgettable bonding experience!


xoxo,
Hanna

20 Ways You Can Be The Best Friend Ever

I totally agree to the principle that to be truly happy, we must be contented with what we have instead of asking or wishing for more. From our material possessions, status in life and most especially to our personal relationships, we must learn to be satisfied and be willing to accept what we have.


But this doesn’t mean that we should be lax and we should go with the flow just because we are “satisifed” with the things and people around us. Still, let’s make sure that we are always trying to be better in areas in life we know very well that we can improve on.


One good example is improving your relationship with your best friend. But instead of asking him/her to be this or that so he/she can be your official “best” friend, why not initiate the change yourself?


Below are 20 ways you can be the best friend ever:


1. Do not tell her secrets to anyone unless you are permitted to. This is the number one rule and the make it or break it trust exam in your entire relationship.





2. Address her in a name she will feel loved like “Bessy”, “Pretty Friend”, “Sis”, etc.


3. Set a picture of you with him/her as your profile photo/cover photo in Facebook at least once.


4. Comment on almost all her activities in Facebook.


5. Be in good terms with his/her family. So the family can trust you, as well.


6. Go to a concert, party or gig she wants to attend to, even if you have no interest with it.


7. Deal with arguments in a calm manner and forget about your pride if needed.


8. Defend him/her to people who insult her.


9. Do not tolerate his/her wrongdoings or bad habits. Be an honest friend and tell him/her on the face that she’s doing something not so nice and you are concerned about him/her.


10. When you are together, try to avoid your smartphone as much as possible, unless you are using it together.


11. Talk about crazy stuff, none sense and laugh together! Appreciate each other’s weirdness.


12. Be an active listener. Learn to discern when you should not talk and just listen to your friend.


13. Bring him/her fruits or a get-well-soon note if he/she is sick. This is a classic yet still a very sweet friend deed.


14. Fulfill your promises but be very careful in making new ones.


15. Allow your friend to have other friends, too. Do not be too possessive.


16. Eat out together or have a sleepover.


17. Help him/her with an assignment/project.


18. Buy her something (anything) on his/her birthday. It doesn’t matter how cheap the things is. It’s the thought that counts, after all.


19. Give him/her time alone. All of us needs to be with our own selves once in a while.


20. If one or both of you are busy with life’s demands, do not fail to keep in touch. A real friend calls (or texts)! To do this, choose a promo that will give the best value to your money. Try Globe’s newest prepaid promo!


With GoUnli20, it’s now easy to call without a need for a prefix and it’s just P20 for unli calls, 15mb of mobile surfing, and 20 texts to all networks! You can now tell your best friend “Kaya if you need a friend, don’t call me, I’ll call you!”





xoxo,
Hanna