Autumn, My Autumn.

Autumn is in the air! Oh how I love thee. I love all four seasons but autumn brings a special feeling of calmness and joy in my heart. It's the time I am mostly at peace, inspired, and hopeful. I also love the cool and perfect breeze it has, the transformation of nature, and holidays within that season.

Like I said, this season gives me hope and right now, I am looking forward to what life has in store for me and my family. I can feel that there will be plenty of good things coming our way.

Wherever you are, I hope that you all feel like I do. In this economy and everything that has been going on around the world, it is important to be optimistic. May we all work for a better future and love one another.

National Park No. 1

One of the things I have on my "bucket list" is to be able to see all the U.S. National Parks or at least visit as much of it as I can. Being in the East Coast, the closest one I could visit is Acadia in Maine and Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio.

On August 26, I finally was able to visit Cuyahoga Valley. My husband had a one day meeting in Ohio and we figured  that we all come with him and take a few days off to see the park and also other places and attractions in the State such as the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium (which was totally awesome too), and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (thumbs up as well).

Cuyahoga Valley is so huge that one whole day was not really enough for us to see everything- not even half of it. I love nature and I would certainly come back to see each season in the park when I have the chance. Right now I am imagining foliage must be fantastic there. Plus, they have tons of all kinds of events and activities all year round. Having said that, I still enjoyed that one day we spent in the park. It was still worth going there just to see a few spots of Cuyahoga.

Here are some photos from Cuyahoga Valley National Park:

Ohio & Erie Canalway

Looking down Brandywine Falls

Brandywine Falls

Evergreen Forest

Ledges Overlook

I am happy to have been able to visit my first National Park and I hope to see more soon. Being with nature warms my heart, it makes me appreciate the simplest things in life, that we all can live simply and be happy, it reminds me where everything comes from and that we ought to nurture it.

To Or Not To

I am currently confused, worried, and also torn about so many things lately but I guess it comes with aging. Getting older means more responsibilities and decisions to make. Don't get me wrong- I am not complaining although it could be an excuse for not being able to blog regularly.

I'm getting older and so does my child- she is now 39 months. So now I'm in this "should I bring her to part time school or not?" If then, picking one is another concern. After that, I would also then be asking myself if I should go out and look for a part time job as well and if then, where, how… etc. etc.

Meanwhile, just last week, I found out that we have to move to another place (due to my husband's job). I am excited partly because I like the idea of having the chance to do some interior decorating and such but everyone knows that it is not that easy to look for an apartment or a house that matches all your criteria and budget. Plus the fact that you need to pack and carry your things, and then unpack- oh boy...

These are just a few of the things that are on my mind right now. There are other more stuff that you might find shallow… Like, I have been thinking too if whether I should deactivate my Facebook account or not;) But all I'm saying is that it is definitely normal for problems to arise. Big or small, often or not… It's all still good. We must always take worries as challenges and opportunities. 

Have a good day everyone! Let's all stay positive.

Artful Times In June

Click link below please. Thanks.
Nothing

My Birthday Present

5:35 a.m.

6:05 a.m. 

my sweet angel

This morning at around 5:30, my little girl pulled me out of my bed (well actually from the couch) and asked me to sleep with her.  So we crawled back to her bed and then she leaned on me and put her arms around me to make sure I don't go anywhere. We said I love yous to each other (I said it first) and I kissed her. We were both laying on our tummies and I was pretty uncomfortable with our position but couldn't help capturing the precious moment until she let go of me after 30 minutes.

The day is not over yet but I am sure that this is the best part of my birthday. She is the sweetest and best gift I have ever received. I can't ask for anything more.

Don't Grow Up Too Fast, Madi...

Today, you had your first pedicure. You've been asking for it and so does the aunts and grandmas who have been spoiling you (just like they have also been wishing your dad and I would have your ears pierced). Truthfully, at this point, we don't want you to get nail polish and earrings. Good thing, it's something your dad and I both agree with (and everyone's against us- wink).


However, pedicure happened today! Is it your lucky day? Well I found a good reason to do it- YOU have been playing with your finger nails and toe nails. You've been kind of peeling the edge of your nails until the in between your nail and skin almost bleeds. I thought maybe if I try to color your nails then you'd be hesitant to play with them because you'd be afraid to ruin the color. So for now, I just experimented with the toes. If it works, then I might give you a manicure as well. Lol.


So why no manicure, pedicure, earrings, and all these kinds of stuff? One and only reason, your dad and I think kids nowadays mature too early. Back in our generation, we really stay as kids for a long time. For example: I myself never had a manicure/pedicure until I was in college and I don't remember myself picking my own clothes until I was about twelve. You might say that it's a different generation, yes but I  (even though I said that this is something your dad and I both agree, speaking for anyone else is not really my cup of tea) personally feel that there are certain generation rules that suck and this is one part from yours. I certainly go with some stuff in your generation which I think are okay or really good too. For instance, I am talking to you now and I am using the word "lol" because now, it's in the dictionary. I also teach you use the computer because nowadays everyone should know it


What I am saying is that I just want you to be a happy kid, learn to appreciate the simple yet most natural things in this world, and be smart but also nurture the innocence in you. Now is a world of technology, kids play lots of kinds of video games and get to watch anything they want on tv. They learn a lot from these things but a lot of times they also learn things they are not supposed to yet. So I want you to go out the house and enjoy nature, run wild and play with the birds, butterflies, and the bees. Being a kid is the best and I want you to be it for the whole proper age to be a kid. 


No lipstick and boyfriend until… (wink, kiss)

Hand Made for My Princess Butterfly's 3rd Birthday

Dearest Madi,

     

    Take some time and enjoy your journey to the fullest. I love you and I will always be here for you whenever you need me.

Love,

Mom

Click the link to view our beautiful pictures;)

We've been having some sunny days in April lately.

Cycling Mishaps

My little girl rode her bike yesterday. She could definitely do it but easily gets tired (or should I say lazy) of working her feet with the pedals. And even though she knows her left and right, she just couldn't seem to control the wheels- she goes and then bumps on trees and gutters. She had fun anyway.

Notice: Busy Spring Bee

Yesterday was sort of the official first day of spring for me. On the way to church in the morning was a nice breeze of sunshine, felt good to wear a light trench coat and flat shoes, bought tulips and a few other spring stuff. Ahh… finally it's here...

I was thinking about all the activities that will happen starting Easter Sunday. As always, spring to summer will be full of birthdays, celebrations, and gatherings for our family. Aside from that, I plan to learn some important new things and also spend more time to be creative and productive rather than being the opposite.

I will be a bit quiet but I'll probably be posting pictures every now and then to show off some stuff I've created or anything like that. So I hope you guys stick around or better yet follow my updates on Twitter. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me anytime.

Happy Spring!

Take Flight, My Butterfly.

My baby girl is turning 3 in two weeks. She has been talking about having a birthday party and that she wants a pogo stick as a gift (that's all she wants, if you ask her.). Just yesterday she said she wants to have wings and be a butterfly on her birthday. So now I am collecting all these ideas for her party in my mind and I am getting excited.

It will be a "just family" affair but us alone is already pretty big. Adults would be 30 people and kids 10. For the small place we have, that would be crowded. All relatives have confirmed and I am glad that all Madi's cousins are going to be present. She will definitely have a blast playing all day.

Jon and I have got our menu ready, ordered Madi's butterfly wings, got the give-aways too, and have the decorations figured out. Two weeks to prepare… I hope Madi will love it.

Yesterday, all my troubles seem so far away...

Yesterday was so gorgeous! Just the weather everyone was wishing for. It was in the 80's! 

We just got back from a road trip over the weekend and since I wasn't aware and totally didn't expect it would be nice (I was feeling hopeless with the weather we've been having), I started my day cleaning up and doing all our laundry from the trip. As soon as I was done, Madi and I walked outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm breeze. 

We went up the hill behind our place. I love going there every possible time. It's quiet and all you can hear is the breeze of the air. If I'm lucky, sometimes rabbits pop out of the tall bushes. I love watching them and try to imagine the Peter Rabbit stories.

    

Madi was in the mood to walk. She says to me, "Mommy, I'm having so much fun!" Well to me that is all that matters. All I really want is for her to have a good time so we walked some more and went all the way to the park. On the way, there is this newly built big house with a sheep barn. I feel like I'm stalking this house but it is just so beautiful! We went around it (well not on purpose) because it stands just by the park entrance.

There is the sheep barn behind Madi.

Closer look at the sheeps. 

The big farm house.

This is the back of that house.

We stayed and sat a bit by a bonfire place we spotted by the lake. As the sun was starting to set, we then began to head back home. 

Yesterday was indeed a wonderful day and today is again another rainy day and in the 50's… (sigh) What can we do? We can't control the weather so let's just enjoy each day in any way we can, no matter the weather.

I'm Sort of Being a Drain Today.

I blogged this poster in my Tumblr a month ago or so. The words struck me upon stumbling on another blog of Dan Goodwin about ways to find more energy on being creative. He said that there are three ways and one of them seems to be like the hardest for me to follow which is getting rid of people in our lives that somewhat gives us negative energy and hinders us to reach our goals or creative destination.


I think it's inevitable to get rid of this type of people that Goodwin calls "drains." I'm pretty sure that almost everyone has at least one of this type of person in their lives. I feel like I'd be a bad friend to get rid or ignore these people in mine. So I'm just thinking of a better way to handle it.


I have not thought of a way but Goodwin is definitely correct about trying to ignore somehow such people and I just had to remind myself of his blog today because some fake (to be exact) people and liars are annoying me at this moment that I can't seem to concentrate and do what I need and want to do. It is really not worth my energy at all, I know that but it's obviously affecting me… The good thing is I still have lots of friends, fellow bloggers, and good music that encourages and lifts me up, and thanks to Goodwin's blog! I had added it up to my favorites so I can read it when I need to (like today). 


This was his blog post: http://coachcreative.com/abigcreativeyes/2011/02/20/3-ways-to-magically-find-more-energy-to-be-more-creative/


This was mine in Tumblr: http://eonabritta.tumblr.com/post/3503422932/another-poster-i-got-from-tps-blog


Hoping you are all having a peaceful mind and heart!

Stampington Magazines! I love you!

I've stumbled upon a Stampington magazine sometime last year at a bookstore. First one I saw was a magazine on scrapbooking. Then I noticed they had other more that are all interesting for me. I like almost all kinds of crafts- especially if it's something to do with papers and journaling. In short, I got hooked on all the Stampington magazines- they have everything that I wanted, from scrapbooking to blogging. They are just so inspiring magazines. It is what has made me write more than usual and made me do some crafts. I'm a very busy mom and at least these magazines has made me done some stuff for myself. Small things that helped me get by and grow and happy. Being a full-time house wife could be stressful at times especially when you feel like everything that you are doing is only for your family and you missed out on doing a little bit for yourself. Writing and doing some arts give me a little pleasure and so I do it whenever I can and whenever I need it.

I got a new one today and I can't wait to sit with a cup of tea and be inspired.

Finally A Springy Feeling

Finally A Springy Feeling , a set on Flickr.