Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than

2015 found me sorely ignoring my bibliophilistic tendencies.  I've experienced dry months before, where I find myself not wanting to pick up a book, but 3 months is usually my max.  A year?  Unheard of.  Until 2015, that is.

What I did find myself craving for is a return to simpler times.  Admittedly, the big move (again) to Singapore drained me -- both physically and emotionally.  Missing family, taking care of my own little brood, and adjusting to everyday life (including work) in another country took a toll on me.

I find that one of the ways I could cope was to start doing things I enjoyed doing when I was younger.  And nothing more exemplified my childhood than hours spent with a good stack of Archie and Harvey comics (which I have my one of my titos, who was an avid collector, to thank for).  And so, that was where I reverted back to. 

Waiting for someone?  Read a comic.  In the MRT on the way to work?  Run through a few pages before my stop.  Archie and Harvey comics are an easy read, requires no heavy mental effort to appreciate, and was always a surefire way to perk me up (even until now that I am in my 30s).

But man does not live on these comics alone.  And eventually I did have moments when my favorite comic characters were not able to lighten my mood.  So on one particularly bored night, I came across a review about Zen Pencils.

Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than (SOURCE: http://zenpencils.com/)

I Wonder What Heaven Would be Like...

Like everyone else, our family too, have not been immune to the experienced of losing loved ones so dear (who is, anyway).  Having a few years back (2010 to be exact) lost both an aunt and a grandma, we are recovering but still feeling the effects.  

I read somewhere that the pain of this type of loss never goes away, but does, instead dull itself over time.  It still has not stop, in fact, from deeply unnerving us as to mortality and what image and memories we leave to our loved ones when we are gone.

© 2008 Hartwig HKD, Flickr | CC-BY-ND | via Wylio

What's the Deal with Going Solo? Thoughts on the New Year

Happy New Year, everyone!  Hope everyone's off to a good (and safe) start this new year.

The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS (OR Merry Christmas!)

Before I officially start this post, I'd like to great each and every one a Merry Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

I hope all of you are happy this season, celebrating the holidays with the people who truly matter in your life (whether they are family or not).  J

"Invulnerable Faith" by The Catholic Clips

Captures our exact sentiments nowadays...


SOURCE: The Catholic Clips



I Miss the Old Scooby-Doo Cartoons (A Nostalgia-Infused Post)

Like most kids, cartoons also played a huge part of my childhood.  

My Favorite Singapore Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in the Lion City - Part 2 of 2)

Singapore is a shopper's haven.  So it's no surprise that there are malls here left and right.  It's unnerving, really, just how many there are (and here I thought we Filipinos were obsessed).  Take, for instance, the whole stretch of Orchard Road and its surrounding streets (considered the Lion City's main shopping area) houses a number of malls lined up side by side along its stretch.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

In fact, the very first time I came to the Lion City, my head started spinning, taking into account all the malls there are here.  And if you're like me, you'll be just as overwhelmed, too.  So here's a list of malls in Singapore (not just along Orchard Road and in no particular order) that I love going to and my personal reasons for why they hold a special place in my uhmm... wallet heart (and I promise not to let my emotions and feelings of nostalgia run away with me here.  Well, not too much, anyway.  J)

Changi City Point Mall, Singapore

What’s Missing in our Local Philippine Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in Singapore - Part 1 of 2)

Like most Filipinos, I too, love going to malls.  I'm not very picky with the type of establishment I would visit.  Big ones, little ones; they really don't make any difference as long as (1) they're clean, (2) equipped with working air conditioners, and (3) are full of stalls and shops with interesting items for sale.

But ever since visiting and staying in Singapore (that mecca of commercialism and anything shopping-related) for a while, I find that there are a few, make that, a lot of things I wish we had in our local malls.  I'm not talking about the presence of more well-known international brands here (since I believe that Manila will slowly be littered with these shops very soon, anyway).  I'm talking about the installation of various conveniences and services that make it so much easier for shoppers to go about their business in the Lion City.

What am I talking about?  Well, here's just what I think is missing in our local Philippine malls.

Me in front of the old Borders bookstore at Wheelock Place, Singapore (circa 2008)

A Short Message of Hope

This week has been full of challenges and trials, what with the continuous rains and flooding that we've been experiencing.  But in the midst of all these hardships we are encountering now, I pray that we all never lose hope.

SOURCE: The Trevor Project website

Because things are never as bad as it seems.

TAGGED! My A to Z

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Get a chance to win travel-sized Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries from their Avocado, Olive & Basil collection.  Visit this post (link here) for more details.
 
I haven't been joining tagged post activities for a while now.  Been a little busy with other stuff.  But thanks to Michi for tagging me here! 

So without further adieu, here are a few tidbits (from A to Z) you may not know about me.

Tagged!

Airport Etiquette 101 (OR What To Do To Become a Decent Human Being)

I hate to start off my "return to Singapore" posts on a bad note, but I feel that this should not be left unsaid.

Home Sweet Home (The Non-LAH Version)

The first 3 months of 2013 saw both the Little One and I enjoying the company of family in the Philippines.  And I just have to say, there's really no place like home.  *sigh*

The Little One lazing about at home

So expect a few (and I mean really few.  Man, most of our time were simply spent lazing about here and there and meeting up with friends, too.) posts from me about our stay in the home country.  J

Of Sacrifice and Penance this Good Friday

Allow me, folks, to be a little more spiritual this Good Friday of 2013.

Thoughts on a Good Friday

Grocery Shopping in Singapore

I've never really been much to do the grocery shopping at home in the Philippines.  I mean, really GROCERY SHOPPED as if the family's everyday nourishment depended on it.

I lived with the paternals (my Parents) for most of my life so the madir and padir were more or less in control of what type of food we'd have at home.  When I did start living on my own during my mid-20s, I'd usually opt to either eat out, have take out meals at my place, or simply survived with chicken and the makings of a lite salad in the fridge.  I knew how to cook a few dishes; but living alone made me really lazy to harness my inner culinary diva-ness.  Naks!

That being said, I've only appreciated the finer arts of grocery shopping when I moved here to Singapore to be with the Husband.  And let me tell you, it was a huge eye opener for me.

Cold Storage, Harbourfront Centre, Singapore

A New Year; A Fresh Start for 2013

Happy New Year, everyone!!!

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours...

Just a short post to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope you and your family are happy, well, and content.  May the season bring more hope and good cheer to everyone!  J

Christmas in the (Lion) City

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... in the Lion City.

Huge Christmas tree at Marina Square mall

A Lesson on Love From Lola

NOTE: The Average Jane blog will be inactive for a while in order to pay respects to our beloved Lola who has passed away yesterday afternoon.  New entries to be posted next week.  Thank you for your kind understanding.

Two in a year when 1 was certainly more than enough.   =(

The one thing I remember about my Lola was her holding hands with my Lolo while they were sleeping.  That memory will forever be ingrained in my mind and serves as a reminder of faithfulness and everlasting love and devotion to one's partner in life.

Whatever your plans may be, Lord, we are heartened by the fact that Lola is in the best hands.  She is now finally reunited with Lolo, holding each other's hands again.

Lola with Tita and the Little One during the latter's baptism

Be happy now, Lola.  You will be forever missed...

Praying for Everyone's Safety

Hello, everyone!  Hoping everyone in the Philippines is safe and well. 

I'm posting some important numbers to remember from PhilStar's facebook page in case of emergencies.

Emergency numbers

 Be safe, everyone.  And keep the faith!

We'll Be There (For You), Little One

I'll Be There (For You)

Martin Nievera