Happy Father's Day!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day pretty much the world over. Boutiques encouraged us with purchase calls-to-action, restaurants were mostly filled with happy celebratory patrons, and even Facebook had no shortage of so many heartfelt messages for these special men. I know most dads would rather forego the "cheese" any day but please indulge me on this one! Hehe :)

To MY DADDY:

Happy Father's Day Daddy! Thank you for everything - yep, that includes being very strict with (us), me lang pala hahaha! Now I know why ;)

Seriously! When my college classmates had their 'curfew' at 1 a.m. on school nights, I had to be home 1.5 hours from the end of class - that's to account for my commute. In effect I was mostly home by 6-7 pm. While my classmates were allowed to see movies whenever they wanted, I on the other hand, had to ask permission at least one week in advance -- and there was no guarantee that permission would be given. You could say that I was able to save a lot of my allowance, but I also had to say "good bye" to friends who led a different lifestyle. Until the day I got married, oh they were so very strict!

We also used to clash as both of us are short-tempered. Remember when I dared to ask permission on the day of my 2nd anniversary with then-bf A? It was supposed to be a sweet dinner at Aristocrat, trying our luck to get tickets to the Manila Bay cruise (which we weren't able to do, by the way) and a movie? Yes, you were ballistic and I couldn't understand why. You were phoning me every minute that's why sayang ang bayad ko sa movie! Hahaha...And when I got home at 10.30 pm, you were so mad - and I was grounded! I can laugh now but let me tell you, I was so scared then. It was scary to think that my dad could possibly un-love me because of a date. I'm really glad we were able to reconcile.

You're also quite the disciplinarian. Sunday mornings were strictly for attending Mass. If I wasn't ready by the time you guys were, I had to commute (wet hair and all!) to follow belatedly. Etc, etc, etc..and so many more! Aaccckk..those were the days.

Even if it sounds like I'm complaining (haha, medyo lang..peace!), I'm really grateful that you did your very best to guide and protect us. Underneath all of those, we can feel your love. Thank you so much Daddy for always bringing me to and picking me up from school. I remember you used to tease me pa about 'having a boyfriend' in nursery (guys relaaaxx, it was just a boy classmate I was on the swing with), and then we'd go somewhere near Greenhills to have my siopao. Our car was very nice too! A stainless jeep and it got me so scared while rolling down the hills of San Juan! I remember my first spanking way back 3 years old though I can't recall what it was for. Haha! Thank you for always cooking yummy meals for us, I sure hope I'd be even half as good as you. Remember the Asian financial crisis in '97? I was so scared while listening to the radio, very sure we'd be homeless the following day..I asked you if we were in danger of going broke and you reassured me that we'd be okay. Thank you to you and Mommy for doing your very best in providing for us and our needs. I used to hate the traffic before we reached SM's parking lot because sure you guys would give a sermon (fittingly, on buying things and how you always withheld purchases and how we need to learn to save) and then once we step on the mall, you'd still buy for us most things we need and want :p A random thank you also for installing grills on practically every window in our home - because you said you have a daughter. You were also 99% the reason we got married in Caleruega - hahahaha, A and I still laugh about that now. And thank you for doing your best not to cry during our father-daughter dance, otherwise I would've broke down too and we'd both look kawawa..... 

There are so many things Daddy, thank you so very much! Next year naman yung iba :)

Thank you so much too for loving and doting on little Z as your own (ate lang ang peg ko?). She's really lucky to have you, Nonno! We love you so much! smile emoticonWe love you so much!

To DEAREST HUBBY: 

Happy Father's Day to our Big A! 

smile emoticon

 Kampante na ako that Z and our future children will be kind, smart, funny, athletic, good-looking (naks!), God-loving and everything in between because of your guidance and influence. Thank you for EVERYTHING! Thank you for signing up with me on this wonderful world of parenthood! We love you! 

grin emoticon

P.S. You're really doing a great job being a dad - promise!

To MY FATHER-IN-LAW: 

Happy Father's Day Papa David! You are truly one of the kindest persons I know...thank you so much (to you and Mama Medy) for raising A the best way possible. Thank you for being a dad to me full of sage advice, and a great and loving Angkong to Z. Much love! 
smile emoticon 

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Hola! I'm back!

Hello dear readers, I'm baaack!! It's been more than a month since I last blogged, yikes..ang tagal na pala! In between then and now, I...

• was swamped with expiring digital Photobook vouchers/coupons so I had to really devote time and do the lay-outs. Otherwise, sayang ang pera..I bought them pa naman on sale! I really enjoy doing albums as family keepsakes but my gosh, it does take a lot of time, creativity and attention!

• had to attend the required 45-hour Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Real Estate Brokers. It's just 9 days nights but it was really gruelling! The great thing is that I really did learn and actually enjoyed the sessions. Of course, it's nice to see familiar faces and get to know new broker friends :)

• wrap up my baby's swim lessons..and by the way, we're not finished yet! But I'm not complaining...I actually looooooove it, ditto on the food and venue! Hehehehehe :)

• attend back to back weddings, North and South! You know what, despite the distance, I absolutely love weddings! Given our age, it's the new reunion na naming mga Ate's of Manila (too young to be a Tita!!!!)

Well, life happens, sometimes busier than other times; I really can't find the time / strength / right frame of mind to blog. For those times, I have to reassess my priorities and why I do what I do. Looking back, really, no regrets...it was a FUN month! And even that is an understatement.

So stay tuned for more updates from Mommy Meowmeow! Catch you later! :)

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Product Review: Vlogging with JVC Everio HD Camcorder

During last month's check-up with Z's pedia, we were utterly surprised (myself teary-eyed) when the doctor said, **beep beep, magyayabang lang po ang mommy!** "Wow! So galing naman ni Z and she's so funny pa! She's much more developmentally advanced than a significant number of my baby patients!" Friends, pagbigyan na po ang proud mommy but I promise, that's really what the doctor said! [Well to be fair, we still have some catching up to do in terms of Z's ideal weight but that's another topic altogether]. Daddy A and I were all smiles until doc mentioned, "Dapat i-video niyo yung milestones.."

That's where I got the idea and I guess that was also the point when Daddy A's huge smile turned into a poker-face-I-heard-nothing look. Hahahaha... And so it got me thinking, "Oo nga, we have lots of photos but not much videos. Should we look into getting a camcorder now?"

The ever-prudent Daddy A said that the Fujifilm X20 mirrorless camera would do. After all, it was a huge expense investment from last year. My only beef was that, it took too long to track and focus for video...not good from a first-time mom's perspective. At times it could barely keep up with baby's dancing feet and the output became super blurred. And don't get me started about using the mobile phone for this task. Super low/no storage left for even a few pictures na siya talaga!

So I started researching from my favorite Amazon.com and whittled down my option to three, based on the specifications listed and also the verified customers' reviews. For a few weeks I went back and forth with the different reviews for Canon VIXIA HF R500, Sony HDRCX240/B & Samsung F90. Medyo hard din pala to research on camcorders because it's not as extensively reviewed as cameras like DSLR's, mirrorless, micro 3/4, etc. There's also the variation in naming conventions across international markets. Take for example Canon's offering which is named Vixia in North America which is called Legria in Asia. Ganern! :)

But the good thing, at least for us (excited and excitable) parents, is that it seems that there really is a camcorder/videocam segment devoted to us so we can document our children's milestones. Features would even include baby mode! If you need more "artistic", documentary feel shots some also have grainy chrome modes or time-lapse feature which is just so cool!

The following were also important considerations for me:

1. Budget - I would've been okay with my Flip Video (which was a freebie at an event, by the way) but it broke down already *sigh!*. Considering we just bought a camera last year, we wanted something that wasn't too expensive. Preferably something in the less than USD $300 region.

2. Features - Full HD is a must! Good optical zoom and image stabilization are also preferred knowing that we would be doing mostly hand-held shots. I also wanted something that can take good videos in low light and good battery life.

Did I want wi-fi? Not really, since I presumed the transfer rate would be ultra slow. How about internal memory? Well that's a plus if offered!

How about one with an optical viewfinder? We decided we were okay with the LCD screen (for our needs). Hot shoe for external microphone? Not really part of our list.

3. Baby Proof - As a rule in our home, everything should be baby-proof. And that should include our gadgets. We want to be free to explore as we make and capture memories, without having to ever worry about spills, bumps and the likes. 

4. Warranty - If we were buying from abroad, we definitely wanted to have International Warranty so that we will still be covered here in the Philippines.

5. Ease of Use - I have no delusions of being a pro videographer. We just want something that's nice, easy to use and plug & play as much as possible. Should also work with Windows Movie Maker / iMovie or have its own bundled video editing software. A light, handy and solid form factor would be great as well!

We were lucky that my brother was in Hong Kong at the time and had the chance to shop for us. While I we were so bent on getting the Canon Vixia / Legria, the lack of international warranty became the deal breaker for us. Good thing, the salesperson at Fortress Hong Kong was able to recommend an alternative that would've fit our needs the best.

Introducing - the JVC HD EVERIO. If you would notice it's not even included in my original list of options but what drew me to this particular model (aside from being recommended by the Fortress staff and by my bro) is its Quad Proof feature - meaning, it's water-proof, dust-proof, shock-proof and freeze-proof. How amazing is that?? I was hesitant at first because the Canon had more reviewers (and I assume, more buyers) but I trusted my brother's opinion on this. So we gave the JVC Everio a try and so far so good..we love it! 

Just to be clear, I'm not saying this is a perfect camcorder; it also has it share of drawbacks. Some due to its very nature of being a quadproof videocam. Like its internal microphone's performance for instance, which is a bit restricted because of the water-sealing feature. I also wasn't impressed with its performance in low-light conditions. If you want the nitty-gritty's, blogs like Reviewed.com and Videomaker.com provide complete and transparent technical reviews for us to appreciate so you can be guided on your buying decision making process. But again, over-all, we're happy because the JVC Everio is more than enough for our family's particular needs.

JVC HD Everio GZ-R50

Here's a sample video I've edited using the JVC Everio bundled software. If you wanna know how long it took to make, it's roughly the entire time of the recent Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. 

I enjoyed dabbling with it and I hope I can do more and better work with the iMovie and Windows Movie Maker. Enjoy watching and stay tuned for more Mommy Meowmeow Vlogs coming your way! :) [Thought bubble: now how about that glider? Hehe *wink, wink* Daddy A!]

UPDATE: Please subscribe to our Mommymeowmeow.com YouTube Channel :) 

JVC HD EVERIO GZ-R50 In the box:

• Read Me First (a 6-page booklet)
• AC Adapter (AC-V10M)
• Power Cord (x2)
• Adapter Cable
• USB Cable (Type A - Micro Type B)
• AV Cable (QAM1322-001)
• Core Filter (for AV Cable)
• Link to User Guides (Detailed | Mobile)

Other Features of the JVC HD Everio GZ-R50 you might like:

• Full HD 1920x1080; 1080P Output
• Water proof 30 minutes at depths up to 5m (with other precautions for waterproof function)
• Dust proof equivalent to IEC Standard publication 529 IP5x
• Drop proof: compliant with "MIL-STD-810F Method; 516.6 Shock:: dropping onto plywood 3cm thick from a height of 1.5m"
• Freeze proof: Allowable operating temperatures: -10 to +40 degrees Celsius
• 4.5 Hours built-in battery
• 60x Dynamic Zoom / 40x Optical Zoom f=2.9~116mm 1:1.8 Konica Minolta Lens
• Internal 16G Memory (expandable memory through compatible cards)
• Recording Effects: Baby, Food, Grainy Monochrome
• Other Special Effects: Date/Time Recording, Time Lapse Recording
• HDMI / AVCHD / SDXC / K2 Technology compatible
• Other Specifications

Ours also came with a JVC Everio bag and a Transcend 16G SDHC card courtesy of Fortress HK.

Thanks are in order to my Bro A and Ninang V for shopping and getting this for us in Hong Kong. Thank you so much also to my Dad R and Mommy M for deciding to give this a gift to their dear apo :)

If you're in the US, you might want to check out the JVC Everio on the Amazon Site :

**In the spirit of full disclosure, there are affiliate links on this post, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from Amazon. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands :)

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Bringing my Breastfed Baby to Church

Last Sunday as we were preparing to go to church, Daddy A asked me: "So, are we bringing Z with us?" Because I was PMS-ing, I immediately and emphatically explained why we had to leave her to the care of the nanny this time. 

Z with her grandma

You see, since giving birth, I have slipped and became a "Catholic of convenience", if there ever is such a term. I was quick to justify my situation - a super tired, sleep-deprived, breastfeeding mom who gave birth thru c-section to a then-super-fussy baby. Hence for a few months I really wasn't able to go to church. I was lucky if I caught the Sunday Mass on TV. My prayer life was so low that time and I just felt so far from God. This is something that I deeply regret. [Eeeep! Sorry Mom!]

When I "returned" ehrm I mean started to attend regularly, we did not always bring Z. Again, the decision always depended on external factors - is it too warm, does it look like it's gonna rain, is she ill (she might catch a bug), am I PMS-ing, are we bringing a car or just walking, etc. This, despite the fact that she was baptized already.

But I guess God does have His ways. For some strange reason, I was debating within myself if it was indeed the right thing to do. Should I bring my 16-month toddler to hear mass when she doesn't even understand any of it yet? At best she would just point to all the statues and say "Shsus" for Jesus or "Amen". During more challenging times she would want to go up in her carrier or ask for a breastfeeding session or even wriggle her way from our grasp as she tries to show off her walking skills. This is something that we always weigh - going to mass in peace or having to also bear with judgment on parenting style; i.e., "ay, she's big na but is still breastfeeding" or "poor baby in the carrier, kawawa ka naman". Especially on the breastfeeding part because Filipino culture in general would tsk-tsk on mothers breastfeeding in public. What more if done inside the church? Even if you are well-covered and doing it discreetly, you might be charged of 'causing others to sin.'

Or of course I can make it easier for all of us if we leave her at home with grandma or with the help. That way, we'd be able to really listen, understand and participate in the Eucharistic celebration. Z would get her play time at home or catch up on sleep as she needs it. She'll be dry, safe and comfy; and us, adults, can focus more on the mass rather than fussing over the baby. And of course, our fellow parishioners wouldn't be distracted too by a playing or breastfeeding little one. I know, believe me I used to be one who would cringe when children go ballistic in church and mumble to myself, "why do they keep bringing noisy kids here?" Haaay...sabi nga nila, umiikot ang gulong ng palad..hahaha :)

I was further intrigued by the priest's homily in which he shared a story that ran very much parallel to what we were going through. So I proceeded  to see what others thought about this dilemma. Let me just say that most of the things I've read were positive and reassuring. Allow me to share them with you and I hope this convinces you too that our children have a place in Church...and not just in the nursery :)

1. On Breastfeeding Babies in Church

Pope Francis himself encourages us, mothers, to feel free to feed our crying babies:

"Today the choir will sing but the most beautiful choir of all is the choir of the infants who will make a noise. Some will cry because they are not comfortable or because they are hungry," he said in a familiar, relaxed tone to the parents. 

Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are some of the world's most celebrated works of art. The ceiling depicts the creation of man and the altar wall shows a severe God at the Last Judgment. But the pope told the mothers not to feel intimidated by the surroundings. 

"If they are hungry, mothers, feed them, without thinking twice. Because they are the most important people here," he said... [SOURCE: http://www.cbc.ca]

Image Courtesy of: www.cbc.ca

The Pope also used breastfeeding as an analogy to feed humanity:

Pope Francis has expressed his support of breast feeding in public. 

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, the first Jesuit Pope linked topics including recycling food and wastefulness to breastfeeding: saying mothers should not be ashamed to feed their hungry babies. 

He expressed his view via the story of a young mother who attended his weekly Papal General Audience. 

He described how as he approached the mother, her child was “crying its eyes out” with hunger and so he asked her to “please give it something to eat!” 

He continued: “She was shy and didn't want to breastfeed in public, while the Pope was passing. I wish to say the same to humanity: give people something to eat!” [SOURCE: http://www.independent.co.uk]

2. On Parents' Important Role in Bringing up Children in Faith

In Baptism the child is welcomed to the Catholic faith. Let us remember that it doesn't stop there. As parents, we too have responsibilities to help ensure they grow in faith. The operative word here is to grow. I guess it's fair to reason out that we must start to nurture and guide them in their faith starting from early childhood; I mean, we cannot just expect them to just start living their faith starting on an appointed date or age if they haven't been really living it out.

From St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish' Baptism Guide

3. On Why we SHOULD Bring Baby to Church

Okay, this post by Dr. Greg on patheos.com is probably the most enlightening blog I've read on the matter. It also offers some tips on how to plan, prepare and manage having our children with us in church. The most notable ones that were mentioned on Dr. Greg's blog are the following (edited for brevity):

1.  "As far as Catholics are concerned, babies are not merely tolerated.  They have a right to be in Church.  IF YOU ARE BAPTIZED, YOU BELONG.  PERIOD.  END OF STORY." (SOURCE: patheos.com)

2.  "As a matter of Catholic social teaching, it is the duty of every Catholic to support the mission of the family to raise godly children.  Failure to do so is a serious offense against both charity and the dignity of the family..." (SOURCE: patheos.com)

3.  "While I respect the intention behind it, a parent who leaves a child at home “until they are old enough” is being unjust regarding the child’s religious education.  Education begins unconsciously before it begins consciously.  Your baby or toddler needs to be given the opportunity to learn the rhythm, sights, sounds, and smells of the Mass before he is conscious enough to understand the Mass.  Robbing a child of the sensory education makes catechesis that much harder later on.  Spirituality is primarily a sensory call (from God) that leads to a transformative response.  Robbing a child of that early sensual experience of God and His Church is a very serious impediment to future catechesis and spiritual development." 
(SOURCE: patheos.com) ---> This is the point that struck me the most. I highlighted everything for emphasis.

4.  "...there is a difference between a fussing baby and a screaming baby.  As a matter of courtesy to the other worshippers, parents should always remove a child who is being loud and cannot be consoled after about a minute or so..."
(SOURCE: patheos.com) ---> Yes, we must still be sensitive to the rights of other parishioners.

4. Because Jesus Himself said so :)

Matthew 19:14 | Jesus Blesses the Children

13Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.14But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.

Luke 18:16 | Jesus Blesses the Children
15And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.17"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

Mommy Meowmeow's Tips to Minimize & Manage Fussy Time in Church

1. Make sure that they've had a feeding (breast, bottle, or solids) and that you have some snacks and drinks on hand just in case they get hungry again.

2. Dress them appropriately for church. If it's too warm, opt for cotton materials and if it's cold, bring a sweater, bonnet, etc. If the weather is really terrible, use your own judgment if you should still proceed or wait for the next best schedule.

3. Bring church-appropriate toys. For my baby we bring small board books and a little stuffed toy. We try to avoid bringing noisy toys, as much as possible.

4. Breastfeeding? If you want to do it discreetly, it's better to prepare by wearing a breastfeeding top and breastfeeding bra. I guess this will also help deter wandering eyes or unwanted attention (when we're just feeding baby, i know!). If it's too warm and baby hates nursing covers, just bring an extra towelette to cover the extra bit of skin that could possibly show.

5. Try baby wearing! It has been our life-saver when Z is fussy. Also when I want to nurse ever so discreetly. And especially if she's really knocked-down asleep!

6. Do advanced reading. I'm so thankful for Fr. Francis Salcedo who generously shares his homily on Facebook. If I'm able to read in advance, I'm also able to understand and reflect better. And not feel too guilty that I didn't 'get anything' out of the mass because of the fussy times. Thank you so much Fr. Francis!

Let us remember that as parents, it is one of our responsibilities to catechize our children, teach them our prayers, lead them to the frequent reception of the sacraments (especially the Eucharist) and know and live our Christian faith so we can set a good example for our children.

I know that putting this out on the blog is just one step. Being prepared means it is more manageable but it doesn't automatically make it easier. That's why I hope we can pray for all families especially for those with very young children that they'll be able to 'return' to church and to attend Mass as a family.

To my Baby Z, I'm sorry for the times we left you at home just so we can all be comfy. They are right. Once babies have been baptized (I actually believe that it also applies even before the baptism), they should not be merely tolerated in church. Dear Z, you belong, you will always be included.

Image courtesy of www.jesuspictures.co

Jesus Blesses the Children (Luke 18:16)
15And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.17"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." (Online source: biblehub.com)


So, what age did you finally bring your baby to church? Drop us a note in the comment box if you have more ideas on minimizing and managing fussy time. :)

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Grilling with the Girls: A Charaptor Night

Girl bonding + couple's date night? Who could resist?! It's been a long time since I got together with the girlies so when I received an invite, I immediately made a mental note that we should go and get #Charaptorized!

Grilled goodness!

Since this was an eat-all-you-can occasion, I really had to consciously make room in my tummy for this heavy meal. I also made sure I wore something breezy - speaking of this unbearable summer heat PLUS that from the grill...AND something that's not too tight - this is after all, an eat-all-you-can deal!

On the flip side, if you're not too fussy, it probably is a good idea to just freshen up a bit and maybe skip showering again before heading to this place. Oh how about your friends? Well if they're your true friends, they won't mind! Or sanay na sila! Hahahaha! I promise, that fresh off the grill smell will definitely linger so save water and the effort na lang for when you get home. Let this serve as a reminder for those who are planning to lunch out here before heading back to work.

Mommy Meowmeow with Daddy A

Expect to pay PHP 390.00 (as of April 2015), which is already inclusive of fried rice (they have 2 kinds), mashed potato, juice (iced tea, lemonade or red iced tea, etc) and of course, a whole spread of meat, seafood and veggies - yours for the grilling! 

My friend, Ms. RDS

And let's not forget the sauce...para silang SM of sauces, "they've got it all for you!" hahahaha :) The good thing naman is they have provided a list of combination favorites so you can try which suits your taste buds best!

The sauce boss!

As for your mighty meaty protein spread, they really have lots! I stuck to 'conventional' food fare - pork barbecue, back ribs, chili sausage, herb chops, cream dory, bacon wrap and chicken. Yan pa lang super busog na!

So what did I pass up on? THIS!!!! Lately I have an aversion towards eating seafood outside of home. I also wasn't up to eating innards (isaw) that night. 

 And especially THIS!! I think #ICan'tEven is just appropriate here :)

Seamantis, anyone?

Anyway, I think we can all agree it was an over-all fun night! Yummy food, great company, what else is missing? Ah, paki dala na lang ng tabing-dagat dito! Hahahaha :)

For dessert we wanted to visit SOPHIE'S MOM pa..but since there was already a big freezer of Melona, Samanco and Pangtoa goodies, we decided to take a peek. Yes, peek lang daw!

Oh but they looked yummy enough to eat so..."Why not?" Hehehe :)

Melona popsicles, Samanco and Pangtoa choco chiffon

Over-all good vibes for us, this is definitely a place we'll return to for that unli-barbecue fix!

Charaptor Charcoal Barbeque Bar is located in 9752 Kamagong St cor. Aranga St, Bgy. San Antonio, Makati | https://www.facebook.com/CharaptorBBQ

Charaptor on BING MAPS

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New Kindle books to read

Like most book lovers, I was on the fence for a long time deciding if I should go digital or just stick to my printed books. I noticed that as my collection was steadily increasing, it became more cumbersome just to choose which ones to bring when on a trip; and my hubby was also reminding me to leave precious bookshelf real estate for him. In spite of those things, I still loved the tactile feel of books, being able to scan, skim and well, smell them when freshly opened...aaahh!

My Kindle, my love, my friend...

I guess the thing that led me to really consider digital was my limited mobility due to childbirth. I definitely couldn't spend as much time in book stores as I have before. Oh and the fact that there are a lot of titles that are not easily available here. So the Kindle it is! Ever since I got my Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, I've been seriously hooked!

In the past year alone, I have downed several titles. My favorites, which I finished in two weeks tops, were the Neapolitan Novels of Elena Ferrante (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name & Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay). Touted as a trilogy but from what I've read so far, seems there'll be a next one. I've been waiting for the fourth installment but September couldn't come too soon! Oh please let there be book four!!

So that is why I'm searching Amazon's digital shelves for new reads that could tide me over till Ms. Ferrante's next Neapolitan novel is out! :)

Here are some of the best-selling Kindle e-books...oh I do hope they are G-O-O-D!

Photos courtesy of Amazon 

So I think I'll start off with Nicholas Sparks' The Longest Ride. A romance novel couldn't hurt, right? From the editorial reviews, this love story really seems promising. Oh I could not wait to have this story unfold in my Kindle pages :)

"Ira Levinson is in trouble. At 91 years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together - how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can't possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage. 

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior's life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward - even life and death - loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans - a future that Luke has the power to rewrite... if the secret he's keeping doesn't destroy it first. 

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart."

Alright, ta-ta for now! I better finish this before they roll-out the film version!

Enjoy reading guys, let me know which ones you'll choose from the different best sellers below :) And maybe next time Mommy Meowmeow can host a book club for you, watcha think?

The Girl on the Train: A Novel
No Ordinary Billionaire (The Sinclairs Book 1)
Trail of Broken Wings
The Altar Girl: A Prequel (The Nadia Tesla Series)
Boundary Crossed (Boundary Magic Book 1)
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How to choose photos for your Wedding Album

The past few months have been so much about photos, albums and basically capturing beautiful memories! With our wedding album in the works, it's now coming full circle. Indeed, from bouquet to baby.

So why is this album getting settled nearly three years from our wedding? The long-running task in our to-do list. Oh believe me, our parents have been reminding us non-stop about it too! And even our photographer, Jeri of Reality Box would send us reminders now and then. Now let me make it clear, the delay is in no way the fault of our photographers. In fact, they sent us the photo DVD's in less than a month from the wedding. Photo-finish! 

The short answer is this: it isn't easy to choose just 150 photos from over a thousand images! I guess photographers know this too so they also offer to do it (the choosing) for their clients. BUT, we still wanted that personal touch so we stuck with choosing for ourselves. Plus, life happens. I mean, 'married life' happens...so many changes and just so many new things to do and deal with!

Our Wedding Album Lay-out Proof from Reality Box

Of course, of course, because we want you to enjoy your albums much earlier than us, I'll be sharing some tips to help you with your own journey.

How to choose photos for your Wedding Album:

1. Proper allocation is key

A thousand photos...my, my, how do we even start? Siyempre I consulted with my hubby on this and we agreed to have some measure per 'event' that happened during the wedding. It also helped a lot that our photo team was able to segregate the photos; hence, it was easier for us to choose.

Each couple will have their own preference as to the percentages assigned but it might be useful to know which to include. Or which aspect to focus on. Or just to ensure equity in exposure. For us, we made sure to have the following:

     A. Preparations

          - Details (like the gown, bouquet, rings, etc.)

          - Bride's preps 

          - Groom's preps

          - Family & Entourage

     B. Church

          - Details (floral arrangement, altar, other details unique to your ceremony venue)

          - Wedding March

          - Actual Ceremony

          - Guests

          - Portraits

     C. Reception

          - Details

          - Food! Hahahaha :)

          - Program

          - Guests

     D. Post-nup

          - Portraits etc. 

          - After Party

2. Choose photos that best capture the memory you had that day

Each wedding is unique. Well most of the time, it doesn't even end up being the one that you planned. And that's okay. If I wanted to, I could name a number of things that 'went wrong' on our wedding day. But I choose not to focus on those anymore. 

I had that in my mind when choosing our photos. I wanted it to be real - and not a photoshop version of events just so I could conform to what I considered as 'normal'. And so if you happen to view our photos you'd see there my muddied gown and shoes...yep, very much real!! Besides, the story of (at least) the wedding would not be complete without details and other happenings such as these :)

However, there is always a possibility that not every moment you consider as important will be captured by the team. Sometimes, a lot of things are happening all at once. So I guess prior discussion is important to at least let your team know which moments they absolutely have to document. 

Did you DIY a lot of pretty details for your wedding? Let them know! Did you want a photo of you struggling to pee while wearing your gown? By all means let them know too! It's important to have that agreement so that you will not be left wanting after the event. 

3. Spice it up!

Depending on your taste you could ask them to photoshop or process the photos further. But, it will take more time and might cost more. 

As for us, we just requested for them to add wedding/marriage quotations (we submitted it already!! hehehe) as accompanying text to the photo collage. So we added these romantic quotes from movies, poetry and we also included a few Bible verses. As my hubby and I agreed, it would be a nice touch to the photos, to further evoke the feelings we had that day, and the feelings we still hold till now. Besides, there would be mini-albums for our parents and we're guessing it'd be a constant display in both living rooms. It would be a nice token for them and their guests to read of our love story and to hopefully help pray for our happily ever after..

Cheesy quotes such as: “I fell in love with you because of a million tiny things you never knew you were doing.” to Bible verses such as:  “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres. Love never fails.” are all accounted for.

I love that even our wedding album is wrapped in prayer :)

4. Just do it!

Total number of days it took to choose photos: 2-3 days

Total number of days it took to choose quotations: 1/2 day

Total number of days it took thinking about this task: 2 and 1/2 years!!!

Imagine that! This had been such a huge mental burden for the past few years. Guilt would sweep over us whenever our parents would follow up about it. We were similarly embarrassed whenever our photographer brings up the topic. Regardless of the things that happened in between, we'd like to apologize for the delay and the inconvenience. 

I'm just glad we're now about to finish with this so we can move forward to other things. So dear readers, just do it! I know it's really "painful" to have to choose just 100-150 photos from a ton of gorgeous ones but think about it this way: the sooner you finish and get it out of the way, the sooner you can breathe easy.

So...which ones actually tell your story? You can segregate them already like I mentioned above. OR just choose the ones you like best - no categories, no numbers, no percentages. Purely based on what makes you feel great or what looks very pleasing. And then go through your choices and eliminate the others in any number of ways...as you process your feelings about it (including what happened during your wedding; or, just the pictures themselves). Believe me, it's such a cathartic activity. Ohm.

Mentally belaboring about it is difficult enough; the thought of another unfinished business, it would just keep holding you back! So I say just roll up your sleeves, get your feet wet and start sorting and choosing. And if you decide to showcase more photos than what your photographer offers, then maybe you could negotiate with them for more pages (of course at an added cost), or you could DIY an album yourself. Problem solved! :)

Best of luck to all of us! We're sooo excited for our album! :)


Photo and video coverage by: Reality Box

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