I enjoy urban sketching—plein air sketching, sketching on location, or whatever you may want to call it. I may not be very good at it but I find it incredibly relaxing. Seeing my travels captured in watercolour and pen is the best way for me to keep those memories alive. Here are some of the…
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That “Money Shot” Family Christmas
Trying to get that perfect “money shot” with family and kids is an adventure in itself. Blinks, giggles, distractions everywhere… but somehow, those imperfect moments become the best CLICK: Oooops no one’s ready! CLICK: Tita Mari and Marion not looking at the camera. CLICK: Well everybody looks happy here, but Remi got hungry and a…
Travel Diary Kyoto – Day 8 (Part 2)
Jack and I continued our walk and reached the Kamo River. The Kamo River (鴨川, Kamo-gawa), runs through Kyoto and is a popular place for locals and visitors to wander, sit by the water, and enjoy a slower pace of the city. Enjoyed a lovely lunch overlooking the Kamo River. Honestly, it doesn’t get much…
Best Christmas Surprise Ever!
I had the surprise of my life this morning while Jack and I were having Brunch with Pat. Out of nowhere, someone tapped me on the shoulder … and boom … it was my son Tim! I was still talking about how we hadn’t planned our Manila trip yet because he’d been so busy with…
Travel Diary On the way to Kyoto – Day 7
Another long day of travelling awaited us, with around four hours on the bus ahead. We started the morning with an early breakfast, took a quick walk around the hotel grounds, and then began our journey toward Kyoto. It was one of those quiet travel days where you just settle into your seat and watch…
Balcony shadows shaping the morning light
During one of our walking tours in Kyoto, i saw this apartment building with its beautiful, symmetrical balcony shadows. For Becky’s November Shadows and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Proof we were here…
Proof we were here… courtesy of our shadows. On our last full day in Osaka… at the Osaka Castle grounds. This is for Becky’s November Squares.
Tree Shadows
The eye is always caught by light, but shadows have more to say. – Gregory Maguire Caught this shadow of a tree while walking with my tour group in Kyoto. I am linking this to Becky’s November Shadows.
Porto Cathedral Windows
Porto Cathedral is located in the heart of Porto’s historic centre. It is one of the city’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. Here are windows for Monday Window challenge
Tuesday Streetart: Dimmey’s Richmond – 101
Dimmey’s clock tower in Richmond has been a local icon since 1910, standing tall through Melbourne’s changing times. In 2003, for Dimmey’s 150th anniversary, a massive mural by Hayden Dewar was added along Green Street. Stretching over 60 metres, it tells the story of Australia’s past—from gold rush days to pop culture moments. Thankfully, when…
Tuesday Streetart: Giant Spray Cans – 92
Before the earthquakes hit Christchurch in 2011, street art was mostly seen as graffiti or vandalism. But after the quakes, the damaged buildings gave artists a chance to turn the city into something more colourful and creative. In 2017, these giant spray cans were set up as a way to give artists a proper space…
Colourful Benches
I don’t know about you, but there’s something about colourful chairs and benches that I find so irresistible. Maybe I’m just a vibrant kind of gal—drawn to bold murals, splashes of public art, and anything that brightens up a space. Haha! Here are benches for Jude’s Bench Anniversary Challenge which I found on our trip…
Serenity found Outdoors
Being outdoors brings a kind of peace you don’t find anywhere else. There’s something really calming about a misty day. Sometimes it’s in the rustle of trees as the wind moves through them. Other times, it’s the stillness of a lake, or the soft ripple of water as ducks glide by. Even clouds drifting slowly…
Florence Windows
From the grand arched windows of Renaissance palazzos to the charming wooden shutters of centuries-old homes, each tells a story. Photos from Florence, Italy in 2016 I am linking this to PR’s Monday Window
Windows of the St Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral, a Neo-Gothic Anglican church in Melbourne, stands opposite Flinders Street Station. Built in 1891, its twin spires and glowing stained-glass windows are especially striking at night. I am linking this to Monday Window Challenge and for Becky’s GeometricJanuary.
Gratitude for the year that was…
There’s something magical about mornings during the holiday season—everything feels quieter, softer, and full of possibility. I had such a wonderful time soaking in the festive moments, surrounded by warmth and joy. As I reflect, I want to focus on gratitude. There were days when life felt heavier, and I wasn’t sure how I’d move…
Tuesday StreetArt Tuileries Tunnel (2) -53
TUILERIES TUNNEL, PARIS This was during our trip to Paris in October of 2023 and a continuation of last week’s post. My husband and I entered the Tuileries Tunnel from the Pont Neuf side. The street art here features a blend of contemporary art, cartoons, and graffiti. It’s impressive how the lighting changes colour and…
Yesss
3 August – Pinoy Pride-Carlos Yulo wins a historic GOLD for the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise. It’s been a long time in the making, but Carlos Yulo can finally call himself an Olympic champion. And it was impossible for him to hold back the tears. After rocking his floor routine — capped off with a stuck…
Unlocking the Dream
I am a fan of Gymnastics. Nooo I don’t do it myself but I love watching the men and women who do it in the bars, rhythmic, artistic, etc. such flexibility, stamina and determination. Excerpt from Interaksyon The Filipino-American athletes Emma, Levi, and Aleah have ended their historic Olympic campaign when they missed the cutoff for the…
Being a Mother of Two
On what subject(s) are you an authority? Being a mother is a deeply fulfilling experience that evolves with time. It involves nurturing life, balancing care with discipline, and shaping a child’s future—a journey that continues even as my kids are now in their 30s. It’s a role I cherish discussing, though I don’t claim to…
Later…
I am having a lovely time having a cuppa and I remembered this poem that I saw somewhere and thought I might share it with you. Don’t leave anything for later. Later, the coffee gets cold. Later, you lose interest. Later, the day turns into night. Later, people grow up. Later, people grow old. Later,…
Being hopeful …
This week, Patti hosts the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge with the topic of HOPEFUL. I am linking this also to Becky’s SquareRenew In my ripe ol’ age of 60+, there are still many things in life that make me hopeful… witnessing simple acts of kindness, seeing progress in the world, and maybe experiencing personal growth by learning new…
Tuesday Streetart, Bronik in St Kilda – 39
ST KILDA, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Ever since I saw Bronik’s work in Barcelona, I was immediately captivated by them. Mainly because of its lively colours and by her use of the colour purple, which is my favourite. You can read more about her here. I messaged her a few months back telling her how I love…
Life is too short…
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often? Life is too short … be happy … make the most of it … be kind … so try to travel more (haha I really had to include this) … be thankful with what you’ve got … say I love you…
2018 is special
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite? *** Being an Australian, i am defining holiday as not going to work or it’s also a longer break from work such as taking time off to go on a trip somewhere. In 2018, I embarked on an unforgettable journey through London, Prague, Vienna, and…
Happy Anniversary to ME!
It’s incredible how time flies, isn’t it? I now reflect on how much has changed in both the world and in my personal pursuits over these past four years. What began as a way to fill my spare time during the start of the pandemic, has evolved into a meaningful dedication, shaping not just my…
“Lest we forget“
Borrowed from a line in a well-known poem written in the 19th century, the phrase ‘lest we forget’ means ‘it should not be forgotten’. We say or write ‘lest we forget’ in commemorations to remember always the service and sacrifice of people who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. ANZAC stands for Australian…
Saturday Blue Skies in High Street
There are many High Streets in Melbourne, but the one I am talking about is the street that runs through the city’s inner north suburbs of Northcote, Thornbury and Preston. Surprising news this week, as Time Out magazine ranked High Street as the coolest street in the world. In my opinion it is not, but when…
I love doing this…
What activities do you lose yourself in? When I engage in urban sketching, or other art forms mentioned below, I often find myself completely absorbed, losing track of time as I immerse myself in the process. This was in The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick where I went with my friends from the Casey Urban…
I hate to be asked …
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain. “When will you have a grandchild?” That is one question Filipino acquaintance and friends often ask me—a question Australian friends don’t usually pose. It is in our culture to ask these questions. While it may seem harmless, it can actually be hurtful at times. (Especially…