Spring-ngaling-ding-dong!

04/03/13

SPRING SEASON officially started here in the United States last March 20th. And for someone like me, who got used to a very hot weather in the Philippines, spring is just so perfect!

According to people here, spring time is the best season of the year - a bright sun plus cool breeze. What could be better? :)

Having this lovely season really made me happy. But, another thing to be happy and thankful for is the success of my latest giveaway! We had over a thousand entries and new followers as well. So I must say THANK YOU to each and everyone, especially to those who spent some minutes of their days tweeting and sharing the giveaway post!

So, here are the lucky winners of the Nyce Finds accessories:



 

CONGRATULATIONS!

KARLA SHANE ORINOCO

and

HELEN GATBONTON



As what I've said in the giveaway post, I will only give the winners 48 hours (2 days) to contact me thru my email. Failure to do so would mean another winner should be picked. Also, since there are 2 winners for this giveaway and 2 different sets of items as prizes, the first winner to contact me will be given the privilege to choose the set he/she wants.

So the winners get to choose between the LOVE necklace or the bracelet.
and
1 of these rings:

 

 

Congratulations to the winners! And for those who didn't win, fret not, for a spring-summer giveaway is on our way! Stay tuned and thank you for your support <3

Happiest Place on Earth

03/13/13 - 03/15/13

Happiness, for me, is the greatest treasure no amount of money can buy. We all want to be happy, but we can't be all the time. :)

As a kid, I believed in fairy tales. I always believed that in my own kingdom, I am a princess. I always believed that bad guys around me are the "evil witches" who wanted to trick me and poison me so I can be in my deepest slumber. I always believed that my parents' friends are my fairy godmothers who give me gifts during special occasion and that they are always there to grant my simple wish of having a new toy. I always believed that somewhere out there lived my prince, who will someday come riding on a beautiful horse. And that he will come for me.. someday. Just by reading fairytale books (with illustrations ofcourse) and watching princess movies, I make myself happy. :)

 

The last day of my February was worth-remembering. The day was perfect - sunny with cool winds. And it was a "happy day". I was "adopted-for-a-day" by the Baetiong family. We drove from San Diego all the way to Anaheim, California. On that day, one of my greatest dream since childhood came true. I went to the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland.

Photo taken at the Ariel's Grotto, where we had our lunch with the dazzling Disney princesses! <3

 

The ticket we purchased was a one-day two parks pass. That way, we can hop from Disneyland to Disney California Adventure and vice versa, in a day. It wasn't the family's first time, but they love going back there for almost every year. It's also kinda good that I am with "non first-timers" because they are already familiar with the place and the different attractions there.

 

That day, I had my different FIRST-TIMEs. First, it was my first time in a Disneyland theme park. And then, in my whole life, it was my first time to ride a roller coaster (haha!). As in the really long roller coaster ride (not just the 3D simulation rides that I've had in the past). I was always afraid of riding things like that. But I was challenged to take the ride for the California Screamin' in California Adventure because Nang Nene encouraged me to do so. She said it is best to give it a try so that even once in my life, I'll have that experience. So I gave it a try, and it was crazy. The name California Screamin' really fits the ride! You need not ask me why.

 

It was also my first time to ride the Ferris wheel. You may be staring at the computer screen now and mocking me, sayin "loser!" but it's true. When I was a kid, I have always wanted to try to ride a Ferris wheel but Papa won't let me. And so I've always thought it's a bit scary and dangerous. But the Mickey wheel isn't scary-looking at all. However, we tried to take the "swinging" ride for the wheel. It's the twist, because our gondola doesn't just go up like any other wheel rides, it swings to and fro while going up and down the circle of the wheel. And that made me kinda dizzy. @_@ But still, I enjoyed it! No regrets!

There's the Mickey wheel over there! ;)

After the rides, we had our yummy royal lunch at the Ariel's Grotto. It was a good thing that we already had a reservation because there. I saw lots of cute little girls dressed up in different Disney princess costumes/gowns. They were all lovely. Would you imagine even a little 2 year old is portraying Cinderella too? :)

Meet my yummy food for lunch *nomnom*

Then, off to the other park - Disneyland! :)

This is what welcomes the guests upon entering the Disneyland park :) Mickey's face!

Just like in California Adventure, I also had some rides, but no scary or dangerous ones this time. I am quite aware that Disneyland is more child-friendly than the Cali Adventure. Hehe. I never wasted time going around anywhere in Disneyland.

Featuring the beautiful Disney castle!
Photo by Michelle Marimon

 

I have always dreamed of seeing that castle for so long.. <3 At last! :)

 

Nang Nene and I take a pose at another wonderful Disney attraction - It's a Small World. Too bad it was closed that day :(

Roaming around the Disney parks reminded me of how happy I was as a kid. It reminded me that I was indeed a "normal" kid, who gets mad with the tiny little things and enjoys even the most nonsense TV shows of animes and cartoons. Disney has been a great part of my childhood - is, and will always be a part of me. Now, who wouldn't want to visit the happiest place on earth? :)

I can't actually narrate everything here on a single blogpost (which I actually plan to publish today). And I have more photos to share! Grr. Maybe I'll have the other features on a separate post. *fingers crossed*
The So Lovely & Nyce Giveaway is still accepting entries! Please click HERE to join! :)


All photos (unless otherwise stated) and text contained in this blogpost is © Gayle Yu. 2013

I Skate!

01/31/13

Today's the last day of the first month of the new year. And what's next to January? It's the LOVE month, February! <3 Oh, how fast time can fly. Anyway, before we head towards Spring season and bid farewell to Winter, lemme share to you the exciting experience I had last Monday.

 

It was last week when we found out that my nephew would be having an Ice Skating Party as part of their school's activities this week. I have never tried ice skating before, and even roller skating (street skates with roller blades). And I've had several chances before to try ice skating but I never dared to. This time, I said YES to my sissy when she asked me if I wanted to go with my nephew.

 

I didn't skate before (about a month ago) at a highland here in San Diego because it's an outdoor ice skate rink and it's superdooper cold! We just went to that place because we wanted to do some shopping, actually. Then we saw there was an ice skate rink, I kinda thought of going for a try. But I backed out because I was chilling. Think about being on top of the ice, outdoor, in the middle of winter, and I have just arrived from a tropical country (I haven't adjusted well with the weather yet). So, I gave it a NO.

 

But no, it wasn't a NO. It was actually a NOT YET. :)

 

However, last Monday's scenario was different. It was an indoor skating center. And I think, I am excited to try. I wanted to brave enough to try. I want to toughen myself. Though I am aware that there is fear - Fear of failure.. fear of falling on my butt, to be specific.

 

So after I changed my shoes to ice skates, I slowly got up and walked towards the rink. I was feeling kinda nervous because there is actually quite a big number of children and adults skating on the rink. Making me nervous? Yes. Because it increases the possibility of me bumping into another skater. Or worse, knocking us both down.

 

And yes, I fell down on my butt.. so hard, it still hurts until now (about 3 days after the fall). The first fall was a few steps away from the sides.. just when I have just begun to let go of the sides. And it was one hard fall. But, I never gave up! :) I stood up. And I tried to skate again. Just slowly. There were countless times that I felt like I'm about to lose my balance, I just kinda swing my body so I'd be in control. I fell down again. But I don't cry, I smile. Stand up. And try again. Until I learned how to do it. Just the neophyte-kind-of-skating. It's actually more of walking. Haha! But it's fine, at least I can move thru the ice now. *winks*

 

Photo captured by my bro-in-law :)

 

Falling down can cause pain. But it helps one to be stronger, braver, more determined. If by the first time you don't make it, try again. Maybe the second try would be better. Well for me, learning the thing was difficult. I fell hard. I got hurt. But it was worth it. In the end, I am happy.

 

Let's skate through the ice of life! :)