Surviving September

A few years ago I was introduced to the concept of ghost month. Yes, apparently in our Chinese household this was not a concept we followed so it was quite foreign and well, not something I really believed in.

According to traditional belief, the gate of the “Lower Realm” or hell is open during this period and spirits of the dead are free to wander the earth “for 29 days.”

This makes August “the most inauspicious time of the year” to undertake important activities such as “weddings, engagements, opening new businesses or closing business deals, starting new construction or renovations and other major actions and decisions.” - 

Sourced from BusinessInquirer.net

 But this year was a different story. August was a slow month for me. Not a lot of things happened and well, I was able to relax and take things easy...a prelude to the hell September was going to be. Let me tell you about why this blog has been on stand still...

I personally cringe every time someone I know says "wake me up when September ends" once we hit September. Ok, ok, we get it...you know the song...move on already. But then again you never realize how true those words are until you've lived it. Maaaaan, I thought September was never going to end. Although let me clarify that, I am very thankful because I  had a busy month thanks to the many blessings that came my way. But maaaan, did it tire me out. There were actual days when I felt lost because I didn't know what task to do first. They were all URGENT! WTF right?!? Lucky for me I always had people I could turn to for help and once you put everything down and take it one step at a time things just get done. :D

So what have I been up to this month? Well, work has been awesome. This month has been my best month so far! :D See, not complaining, just saying. Work has been crazy busy, I do some things on the side too and that has been crazy busy as well. But what I personally made sure I did not miss out on was Luke's First Birthday! Yaaaaaaay!!!

See, I'm a stage godmother! That little boy will grow up to be spoiled loved and I'm going to make sure of it! For those of you who don't know, Luke is my brother's son. He is the cutest little boy ever. He knows exactly when to give you the smile making sure you don't have a choice but to do what he wants.

See what I mean...
***photo from Ninong Laya

Because I went crazy and bought him 2 football kits the parents and I agreed, yes I was part of the decision making, we would throw him a sports themed party. Both my brothers grew up as football players, they both sadly lack basketball skills but they know how to kick some balls. hehe...and you may not believe it but I used to be sporty too. "Used to" being the operative phrase. 

Since I've recently discovered the wonderful world of pinterest I thought it would be a great idea to make our own decorations. Yes, I thought it would be a great idea. Halfway through I wanted to bonk myself on the head. It was not so much a great idea as a what was I thinking idea. I need a team next time. hehe...but I think we were able to decorate the place well enough. 

I had my younger brother make the field centerpieces using a green mat that had a grass feel
the bu and I spent the whole night making the centerpieces.
Figuring out how to make those things stand was hard.

since the tables were tiny we only put the candy centerpiece

I printed out those Thank You cards and design panels and sis-in-law put them together

I bought a new printer because I wanted to try out making stuff
found awesome sports themed banners and made this myself. :D

printed out all sorts of sports themed toppers

The party was actually an adults party, Luke only has 3 other cousins his age and 1 wasn't able to come so the guests were all mainly friends and family of the parents. 

Despite the extremely busy and tiring month, I don't have anything to complain about. I am blessed beyond anything I ever imagined and thankful for everything that has come my way. :D

Look who fell asleep during his party.
As tired as Ninang.
 

But before I end this post let me leave you with my favorite photo of Luke. I had them printed out on A3 sized boards and posted them around the room. This is by far the cutest. :D

Lucas is Love. :D

Let's all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the last 2 days of the longest month of the year. Wake me up when September ends.

tvN Kpop Starhunt 2 PH Winners!

After a very long week aren't we all excited to have some "me" time this weekend. I sure am! But before that. Sources tell me the tvN Kpop Starhunt 2 in the Philippines came to an end this week too! That means 2 people's lives have been changed!

Want to know who they are?

Congratulations to Sheila Eunice Ona and Liahona Flores!!! 

tvN KPop Starhunt 2 Official List: 150 Shortlisted Contestants

Hi guys! I know it seems completely out of character for me to be publishing something like this on my blog. But I got the list and I thought it would be awesome to share. 

You see I've been quite invested when comes to this contest. We ran ads for it on the NN network during the first year and did so again this year! So having this list and not sharing it would be evil. 

So for all of you who are wondering, here is the complete list of the Top 150 Shortlisted Contestants who have qualified for the local auditions.

In no specific order:

1. Jasmine Anne Cuison
2. Camille Guiruela 
3. Grace Evardone
4. Reham Jamaica Nawang
5. Jobie Kaneesha Ko
6. Jan Issa Axibal
7. Danica Imperial
8. Jomari Mercado
9. Tamara Juco
10. Dona Umayan
11. Michael Bernal
12. Kimberly Aperocho
13. 마리아 ??
14. Shaine Glorioso
15. Nicole Anne Roldan
16. Apple Dorado
17. Joana Lu
18. James Carlson Basco
19. Aloha Nombrado
20. Salem Nissi Mayor
21. Kim Fajardo
22. Patricia Dominique Gadia
23. Jazrene Joeanne Maculada
24. Kate Tracy Magto
25. Jere Miah Ang
26. Venus Marie Ymasa
27. Sharmaine Gonzales Glorioso
28. Ian Empedrad
29. Rj Decilos
30. Kenneth Mendoza
31. Johnelle dela Cruz
32. Avigail Santos
33. Cris Jhiro Nene
34. Beatrice Nicole Guzman
35. Jessamine Daguro
36. Imnah Irah Sibal
37. Francis Adrian Florendo
38. Mark Dariel Manzanilla
39. Abby Banaag
40. Christina Marie Tiongson
41. Diane Basilan
42. Alfie Adolfo
43. Ali Jr. Baba
44. Arienne Navarro
45. Isamu Macairan
46. Giewelyn Recaido
47. Patricia Ongkiko
48. Gabriella Luzada
49. Leilani Romero
50. Mart Joachim Salero
51. Marianne Antoinette Sune
52. Michelle Angela Sune
53. Leonelle Pearl Sanchez
54. Paula Beatrice Bueno
55. Alyssa Nicole Garcia
56. Oliver Arevalo
57. Asiana Kate Elorde
58. Popa Racianne Elorde
59. Kenneth Pangan
60. Ynah Carrielle Umayam
61. Bill Bryan Pitogo
62. Alecx Louis Binondo
63. Nina Mae Pitogo
64. Ira Cheyene Conde
65. Jelly Ann Santiago
66. Nicole Chan
67. Marverick Valen Baello
68. Anne Nichole Amolat
69. Renato Duran Jr.
70. Mikko Gusi
71. Carla Dominique Mendoza
72. Joshua Valerio
73. Sylvia Gomez
74. Abigail Alvarado
75. John Arthur Labarejos
76. Anne Margaret Tagle
77. Isidro Apostol
78. John Christopher Litonjua
79. Jean Dumalaon
80. Godgiven Divina
81. Zharamar Ruiz
82. Andre Dominic Solatorio
83. Rommel Dorado
84. John Phaulo Bensan
85. Rhikky Mhae Sajines
86. Manuel Alfonso Aguilan
87. Maria Elaine Lola
88. Chryssel Donna Trajano
89. Maria Camille Caballero
90. Jesher Dizon
91. Misha Macatuno
92. Karl Mazo
93. Augie Grace Carmel Cui
94. Dayanara Lola
95. Mara Jane Lola
96. John Cristopher De Leon
97. Filbert Chua
98. Ian Baclig
99. Jemima Carandang
100. Aira Jeene Montevirgen
101. Blessel Banlat
102. Charina Angela Domasig
103. Bernadette Jane Domasig
104. Angelique Caballo
105. Khelly Gail Magpantay
106. Maria Isabel Gajete
107. Unice Robles
108. Joshua Tamayo
109. Ellyza Grace Tejada
110. P.V. Joy Del Rosario
111. Shawie Okuno
112. Krissie Catbungco
113. Charles Emmanuele Rodriguez
114. Renielle Maglayo
115. James Carlson Basco
116. Dianne Monique Pareja
117. Paula Gil-Ann Maglaya
118. Regine Encabo
119. Aimar Jane Dizon
120. Diane Matias
121. Liahona Flores
122. Dianne Monique Pareja
123. Yna Villanueva
124. Honey Lou Balanay
125. Christina Marie Tiongson
126. Angelique Cabanlong
127. Mara Grace Achevarra
128. Mark Hideki Ito
129. Karla Maye Carreon
130. Jan Mathew Bosch
131. Domingo Coralde
132. Maricris Undang
133. Hannah Heramis
134. Sheila Mae Eunice Ona
135. Jerville de Guzman
136. Mickey Blue Belmonte Puzon
137. Carlo Delfinado
138. Honey Lou Balanay
139. Ghecar Mozo
140. Julius Tomines
141. Mariz Castro
142. Amor Rodriguez
143. Val John Librea
144. Diane Jewell Malang
145. Rachel Gabreza
146. Swirtty Mae Nibley
147. Marichelle Mariveles
148. Christian David Palma
149. Princess Zuhairah Candao
150. Rugie Beth Abaigar

Congratulations guys! :D

I heard that this year they'll be having walk-in auditions too! :D That means if you're not shortlisted you shouldn't worry because you might still get your chance. Catch is, the walk-in auditions are only for a specific time. So keep following their twitter here to find out more!