Happy 2011 to you all !!!!!!

Last night at Camsur. . .

Today. . . cherishing Ascertain Bliss-full 2010 that's about to end this midnight.
Thankyou all for spending time tinkering over my blogs_ mostly created out of this mom's so random lifestyle, I bet every mother in the neighborhood is doing the same.
Thankyou for letting me be another me.
Thankyou for appreciating and for letting me know you do.
Thankyou for following me on my trips.

Tonight as we usher in the newest year_2011, may this a blessed start of a year better and larger than this year.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!! May God bless us all real good this coming 2011!!!!!!

I wish to see you as always  here at Ascertain Bliss!!!!

2.5 @ Resorts World,Manila

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! This is my final Christmas greeting to you since I've been greeting you in every post I made this whole month of December. Sure, holidays not over yet with New Year about to be ushered in just few days, but that's another story.

But today has been the big day!!! Everything was perfectly put into place and our Christmas was pure merry-ness.

The "eve", which included the mass and noche buena, was thoughtful and fun with my hubby's side of family. Early part was spent in another family home affair in my side of family.
Already, claimed to be a tad claustrophobic by the in house celebrations, after lunch, my girls (are always just another kids in the city ), wanted to check a mall. Really? Ofcourse, by this time girls wallets were beaming with aguinaldos and this was the rare time that kids felt doing what the adults do_ shop with their own money!!!!




A good use of 2.5 hours of the special day were spent at the Resorts World, Manila.




When I saw the Casino, it reminded me to claim my membership card which I've long procrastinated to pick up. With my hubby and Cuz' Che_ we had lil' fun initiating ourfor adults only - Christmas day.:))))

cards ( yep, them also) at the slot machines and were happy to take home some beginners' luck. Not so much thu', just enough to perk-up our day.

While the girls were enjoying their freedom time roaming around the place. Seeking an opportunity to spend a partial portion of their Christmas fortune. . .

Only to realize and later reported to the parents that the place was too expensive for their meager a day's work income. ha haha!!!!

The kids were right, it's a high end place and so far_ mostly expensive international branded shops ( I saw only one local brand shop) can be found. Restos are also mostly of the top end.

But the kids didn't give up and was relieved to find a McDo on the upper level :))))




Well, it was a happy 2.5 hours of our Chrismas day.How about you? Hope wishes came true today. Full of love to you all !!!

ps : I almost forgot, the girls were dying to see the play _Kaos at a theater in Resorts World. . .

. . but totally were not interested to shell out thousand bucks ( lowest price starts at almost P1k, must be the cheapest seat ), well they said they would think it over and decided to leave the idea of seeing the great play when left to get back home. ;D

Christmas Fairies

Have you made it to the ( annual December) Noel Bazaar this year?



Yeah the Christmas tiangge at World Trade.






If I got it right_ it's closing today as its last day. If you missed it, you didn't only miss the cheap sale but the beautiful fairies enchanting the lobby of the fair, as well.

Christmas fairies, can I make a wish?. . .

. . bet father Santa is also willing to give me a gift. Santa knows how good I've been this year, right Santa?.



. . deadma - no answer :))))

May all your wishes come true. Merry Christmas everyone !!!!!!

Native Parol

The mall was already close when we cut our family concert ( whaaattt??) in one of the rooms of this KTV bar which I'd rather not mention the name cos malls are usually allergic to DSLR. It's normal that a guard would try to stop you to take photos. Stop you_ that's all. But wouldn't care if you had already taken a hundred shots of the place. What's the point??? who knows.

Anyway, before the guard appeared, as usual we had already taken photos, ( reminds me of action movies where police arrived in crime scene only when the exchange of gun bullets of the lead stars were already done and it was about to end. Dead victims on the floor). and what would I do to those photos? Share to you ofcourse.

We chanced upon giant parols (lanterns) hanged on the lobby of the mall. They caught my interest cos of the materials used for each parol. They were made from indigenous and recycled materials.

Take a closer look at this one_ made from disposable plates, forks and some straws.

More colorful straws. . .

This one used recycled plastic materials.

Woven leaves of Anahaw?

This one layed out mix of different edible raw seeds including peanuts in shells on top of native woven mat.

Apparently, this was a contest and above photo won the first price.
Abrupt ending. The guard stopped us at this point.

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!

Waiting to Exhale. . .

- nightly dinner out and bar hopping

- parties left and right

- binge shopping

- traffic jams

- relatives and friends coming home

- tummy bulging

- wallet starts to thin out
- popping chocolates every minute

- credit cards overlimiting

- stressfull cashier queue

- ham crowding in the fridge

- wrapping endless gifts

- diet crashing

- late beds, early morning rush

- crowded malls and tianges

- makeover rush

- party.party.party!!!!!

-@#$%^&**()_~!@#

Well, just make sure to save your spirit for the ultimate day _ Christmas ! For those who had too much of busy city holidays , why not hop- in the car/ a boat or fly with your loved ones this holiday for a quiet, intimate nature bliss celebration. Check my destination archives to your left. All are guaranteed to be as fun places to visit and spend your holiday in.

Stay tuned for Ascertain Bliss holiday trip ;D See ya ;>>>>>

Merry Christmas everyone !!!!!!!!!!!

Tam-Awan Craft Shop

A whaaat???. . . can't figure it out. Can you?








Now let's get to an easy-peasy ones. Miniature Igorot huts for P1k++ each, which authentic-life size ones could also be seen in this museum village _ Tam-Awan Village in Baguio City.

I love visiting ( and buying..) souvenir/craft shops of the places I go to with my girls. It's one way of exposing them to the culture and arts of that certain place.




It's educational . It's like going to a museum sans the ingestion  of a lonely boring place . Apart from the culture and art enhancement, it's also my way of cultivating individualism to my girls.




I always see my girls' eyes light- up with mine everytime we see others' creations. They evoke mixed beautiful feelings of appreciation, amazement and motivation_ moving us to either purchase ( only if we could afford it) them so we could mark an ownership or to awaken our own sense of creativity and put it to work later when we get home.

Products are limited, normally hand made/crafted and only sold here. Unlike those that can be found in the malls which are mass produced and everyone has access to. I always instilled to my girls the beauty of being different and not to be just another one of them. Fashion is a personal statement not a thing to be followed but to lead is a glory. Wow, how's that from your stay home mom ;)))




Well, another sure thing_ creativity is a way of life here. An ignition to fire your own, in case it's presently sleeping or it hasn't risen ever yet.

wood crafts showing tribal culture

wooden mask wall decors

chess set made of weighty metals

wooden pipes

trinkets box or an urn for your ashes ?

bamboo flutes




souvenir key chains for everyone

voodoo doll rings which my witch daughter  couldn't resist, she bought plenty.




more tribal creations for your living room and kitchen




Now, since this post started with a mind boggling art work of a Cordillera artist, I'm leaving you this : Which living thing you think was used as inspiration for art work items above if not a mushroom?