What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
- The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
- Here We are Now by Jasmine Warga
- The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong
- By Your Side by Kasie West
- Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
- Designated Survivor Season 1
- Coco ♥♥♥
- Beyond Stranger Things
- Thor Ragnarok
What special days did I celebrate and how?
- Our Anniversary ♥♥♥
What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
- Thank you dear God for keeping us healthy this month!
What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
- Went to the school fair
What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
- Barrio Fiesta to celebrate little brother's birthday!
- Ooma to celebrate good grades
- Raging Bull to celebrate our Anniversary
What special or unusual purchases did I make?
- Bought tops/blouses online ♥
What have you learned this month?
Another memorable stop in Melbourne - the Hosier Lane.
Walk down the famous bluestone laneway and admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. Take in the dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Pick out everything from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations. Take a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get some background on the artists and their work. Take a detour round into Rutledge Lane and explore the work lining the walls, windows and wheelie bins of this sister 'gallery'. SOURCE.
Once you've had your fill of the colour and mayhem of the street art, slow things down with a refreshing cocktail at Misty – a popular pre-gig drink spot for the Forum Theatre crowd. Alternatively, sit elbow-to-elbow with other hungry punters at Movida – one of the city's best tapas restaurants. SOURCE.
Melbourne's most celebrated laneway for street art, Hosier Lane's cobbled length draws camera-wielding crowds snapping edgy graffiti, stencils and art installations. Subject matter runs to the mostly political and countercultural, spiced with irreverent humour; pieces change almost daily (not even a Banksy is safe here). Be sure to see Rutledge Lane (which horseshoes around Hosier), too. SOURCE.
Since the 1990s, Melbourne's lanes, particularly the pedestrianised ones, have gentrified and their heritage value officially recognised as well as attracting interest from Australia and around the world. Some of the lanes, in particular have become particularly notable for their acclaimed urban art.
The city has several festivals which celebrate the laneways, they are major tourist attractions and frequently feature in tourism promotions, film and television. SOURCE.
7 New Year Parenting Resolutions from Real Moms from MomCenter.com.PH
Everyone wants to improve on something every new year, and the same holds true for parenting. And while resolutions to be more healthy, more creative, or more thrifty are for the betterment of the individual, parenting resolutions are great because it not only benefits one person but also our kids and even our partners. This fact alone makes it well-worth any parent’s time.
To start you on this new year, we have asked real moms about their resolutions. So here are a few simple and totally doable changes you can adapt for the new year.
1. Make the effort to be more healthy.
My number one goal for my family this year is to eat healthily. I sort of put this in the backseat last year, as buying and preparing our food takes too much energy especially with my two toddlers in tow. So this year, I would like to put in the extra effort in preparing healthier and more balanced meals for our family every week.
– Antonette Bacay Montaño
2. End the work day every day.
Working from home sometimes defeats its main purpose for me when I tend to just focus and lose myself on work, instead of also minding my kids at home. So this year, I promise to be more mindful of my priorities by establishing working and mommy times – and stay away from work when its mommy-time!
– Loubeth De Leon Faderes
3. Be more mindful of finances.
I started freelancing again last September so things have been lighter for our family, financially speaking. So this year, I promise to continue building our emergency fund again and open a trust fund for our 3-year old.
– Shiena Rose Castillano-Operario
4. Go minimalist.
Continue minimalism principles so I can find more time for my son, such as spending less and prioritizing expenses so I’m not enslaved to my work. Thereby saving me time and energy, which I can then spend for my family and myself.
– Ena Kristina
5. More patience, less shouting.
I promise to try and be more patient this year, especially when tutoring my eldest in his studies. And hopefully, this will also mean less shouting for me.
– Angel Zosa
6. More kids-time, less busy.
Honor “playground time” with my kid, regardless of how busy I am.
– ZF Santillan
Spend more time with my boy.
– Diana Claire Medina Cervantes
7. Small changes for a better mom.
This year, I promise to do small changes in our routine, such as preparing more healthy food, becoming more strict with regards to bed time, being actually with them during their play time, and lessening screen time for both of us!
– Gianne Karla Realizo
Saving and arranging for more activities for my boy.
– Liway Tayag Etame
While my family and I were in Melbourne, we used the public transportation particularly the trains to go around the city. And boy, did we love it!
How pretty is this?
Ah, this beauty is definitely unforgettable, isn't it?
Our first stop in Melbourne, Flinders Street! Oh what a joy to see so many tourists here. And shops too! I love this part of the city!
Flinders Street is a notable street in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Running roughly parallel to the Yarra River, Flinders Street forms the southern edge of the Hoddle Grid. It is exactly 1 mi (1.609 km) in length and one and a half chains (99 ft, 30 m) in width. It is named for the explorer Matthew Flinders, erroneously credited with discovering Port Phillip at the time of its naming. It extends eastwards as far as Spring Street and the Treasury Gardens and westwards past Batman's Hill to the Melbourne Docklands. As the closest street to the river, Flinders Street serviced Melbourne's original river port. Customs House, now the site for Victoria's Immigration Museum, is on Flinders Street. SOURCE.
Opposite Federation Square, on Melbourne's busiest intersection, the neo-Gothic St Paul’s Cathedral is a Melbourne landmark, built between 1880 and 1931.
Constructed in sandstone, the current building replaced an earlier bluestone church, built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836.
Designed by William Butterfield, the cathedral’s architecture is described as Gothic transitional, combining Early English and Decorative Gothic styles. Highlights include the fine polychromatic brickwork, beautifully patterned floor tiles and mosaics, banded stonework, fine timbered roof and tiled dado walls. SOURCE.
After a couple of days in Sydney, we were off to Melbourne to visit some relatives!
The flight was just an hour and a couple of minutes and then we are in Melbourne!
EVERYTHING I saw in Sydney was just marvelous. And I'm sharing a couple of random finds before I post about our flight to Melbourne and our adventures there. ♥♥♥
After Bondi Beach, we couldn't get enought of its beauty so we decided to walk along the popular Coastal Walk...
A cliff top coastal walk, the Bondi to Coogee walk extends for six km in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The Bondi to Coogee walk features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. The beaches and parks offer a place to rest, swim or a chance to eat at one of the cafes, hotels, restaurants or takeaways. SOURCE.
Most beaches offer picnic shelters, play areas, kiosks, toilets and change-rooms, Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee and Maroubra have free electric barbecues. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk is a medium grade urban walk but there are some steep gradient paths and several staircases along the track. SOURCE.
There are rest stops with great views and seating along the Bondi to Coogee walk. It takes about two hours to complete the Bondi to Coogee Beach section of the walk and another hour and a half if you choose to continue to Maroubra. SOURCE.
Although an urban walk the Bondi to Coogee walk is open to the elements, please make sure you wear comfy shoes, bring a hat, sunglasses, sun screen, water and in colder weather wear appropriate clothing. SOURCE.
Tamarama Beach, aka "Glamarama" is a small beach with great surf where the beautiful people hang out. SOURCE.
- World famous Bondi Beach, swimming, surfing, eating out
- Icebergs swimming pool with amazing views of Bondi and the surfers
- Hunter Park where sculptures from previous additions of the annual Sculpture by the Sea are on display
- Marks Park with spectacular views of Bondi Beach and the coastline to the south. The park is the base for the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition
- McKenzies, a rocky outcrop popular with surfers. It is also the smallest beach in the state of NSW when it apperas at low tide
- Tamarama Beach, aka "Glamarama" is a small beach with great surf where the beautiful people hang out
SOURCE.
Our next stop in Sydney - BONDI Beach!
Bondi Beach is an iconic stretch of fine sand and curling waves and one of the world’s most famous beach destinations. You’ll enjoy Bondi at any time of the year. The beach is flanked by sandstone headlands, which are popular for walking, golfing and whale watching. SOURCE.
Bondi Beach is 30 minutes from Town Hall Station by train and bus, and offers visitors insights into Australia’s easy-going beach culture. You can learn more about the beach and its history and meet a Bondi surf lifesaver on Lets Go Surfing’s Discover Bondi Walking Tour.
Picnics and fish and chips on the beach are popular or dine out at one of the vibrant cafés and bars overlooking the beach on Campbell Parade and in nearby streets. SOURCE.
Shopping for beach fashion and swimwear by Australian and international designers is a great way to spend a few hours. Places to stay range from hostels to stylish apartments. SOURCE.
Even complete novices can learn to surf at one of the accredited surf schools. Marvel at the skill of board-riders surfing near the beach’s southern end. On weekends mingle with locals at Bondi Farmers Market on Saturday and the Bondi Markets on Sunday. SOURCE.
Eating out is one of the attractions at Bondi. You’ll find award-winning restaurants with great views at both ends of the beach, which stretches for 1.5 km. Sean’s Panaroma is at the northern end and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is to the south. SOURCE.
How was your first day of the year? WOW, I can't believe we said goodbye to 2017 already and hello, 2018!
Time flew by so fast last year. But I think it's going to be the same this year because we have a lot of adventures to look forward to!
