I miss Rue d’Alger and the fact that it’s so conveniently located within walking distance to the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Champs Elysee, Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde and the Opera.

I miss Paris. There’s nothing quite like it. Please don’t say you love New York more. I love the Big Apple too but they’re entirely different beasts and cannot be compared. Ever.

I miss walking to wherever my feet will take me. No worries. It’s just not possible to worry so much when there is so much to inspire you wherever you look.

This is a photo of the apartment building we stayed in for 2 weeks.

There’s something about shots like this that inspires my imagination. I can totally see a lady sitting on the bench reading a letter and holding a locket that contains the photo of her loved one – a WW2 soldier. She’s all dressed up like they did back then with not a single hair out of place, red lacquer and those classic stockings with stitching at the back. I know, I know, there’s absolutely nothing romantic about war but the love that endured during that period, totally inspiring.

Took this photo at Chateau Amboise in France. It’s got a lot of history and awesome views.

by Robert Fulghum

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don’t hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life- learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the real world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup- they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned- the biggest word of all- LOOK.

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in Kindergarten.

Some say it’s the pollution… Whatever. Manila sunsets are awesome. Took this while on the sunset cruise. Was it worth it? Of course! It is less than Php 500 with food that I was unable to eat at the time because I was full but judging from my bf’s reaction, was actually not bad. Please don’t go all hoity toity expecting a yacht and all that – you’d have to pay more for that. Seriously. In any case, it took my appreciation of Manila to a whole new level. I love Paris, I love Lucerne and I love New York but I love Manila most of all.

The pic is quite large so you’ll have to maximize your browser window to see the whole thing.

Anyhoo, as I was saying, we (as in the hundreds of folks who live in the same area as I do) really live in small spaces and come holiday time, that can be a problem. Not only is it hard to find space for the traditional Christmas tree, more often than not, it doesn’t match the modern interiors that appear to be the popular choice for condo dwellers nowadays. Inspired by the fact that I’m actually excited about Christmas this year (something that I haven’t felt in years), I did a little research and got some great ideas on alternative Christmas trees. To all condo dwellers out there, this one’s for you

The “Flat Screen” Tree

The Tea Light Tree by Blomus

The Laser Cut Tree by Design My World

The Graphic Decal Tree by Subhuti

The Plywood Tree by Buro North

The Lumen Tree by Adam Frank

Credit: Design Milk

Anyway, I discovered Yang Liu during one of the many discussions I’ve had with my co-workers about the differences of the Eastern and Western cultures. One of our directors happened to see some of her work and thought it was funny, smart and spot on. Needless to say, I was piqued and did a little research. I understand that her drawings do not necessarily apply to all countries and individuals but there’s some truth in them that just needs to be shown. I’d like to think Yang Liu created her drawings not to criticize or value one culture over the other but to create an awareness that will help folks from all over the world be more understanding of one another. I will be sharing some of her work from time to time because they’re really something to think about.

Legend: Blue = Western; Red = Eastern

Need I say more? When faced with problems, Westerners tend to take the most direct approach. On the other side of the coin, Asians tend to go for more complex methods.