Wednesday, 20 November 2013

7 Wonders of Yuletide : Pretty Little Surprise

Posted by clapalisoc | Wednesday, 20 November 2013 | Category: , , , , , , | 0 comments

Sometime in October, as I was "busy" Facebook-ing on a laid back weekday night, I came across one item in my news feed - my friend liked a post of Starbucks Philippines about a survey. I clicked and it was about writing an essay with the topic "Why do you love Starbucks?" Since I was bored, I answered the survey and wrote a short essay. Honestly, I didn't even save a copy of what I wrote and I remember that it was a really short one. I think I just showcased Starbucks being more than just about coffee and all. They were to choose hundreds of winners anyway, who will each receive a set of Starbucks Card, so I thought it will just be a raffle and the content will not matter too much. 

Weeks passed from the day that I answered the survey and I have to say that I have totally forgotten about it. Besides, I already have a Starbucks card. Then, towards the end of October, a friend asked me if I joined the contest since she saw my name on the list. Could be me or someone with the same name. I searched my news feed and didn't see the post. Then I realized that I did not even LIKE the page of Starbucks Philippines in FB. LOL!!! I checked out their page, liked it, checked on the list of winners and saw my name! Indeed, I won! Wow!

Pretty little box of surprise was delivered to my home address via LBC.

Letter from Starbucks that was included in the box.

See, I'm not one lucky gal when it comes to raffle promos. I NEVER won, ever. This was the first time! Such an early Christmas gift. Might be petty for some but for me, this is no wonder a blessing and an opportunity to bless other people as well.

A card for me and for two dear friends.
One box, 3 Starbucks cards...Since it's the season of giving, Starbucks was generous enough to hand over three cards for each winner. They were meant to be shared and meant to spread the love. One came in with a card holder and was pre-loaded with 500php while the other two were pre-loaded with 300php. It just feels so good to be able to share even the simplest blessings!

Limited edition card holder that was given for free during the first days of the launch of the planner if you avail of the Christmas Edition Card, pre-loaded with 1500php, with free 300php load. It came in some other colors like the festive red!

Thank you Starbucks! Thank you Starbucks Philippines! It's indeed the start of a happy happy Christmas!


--- Starbucks Card Page : https://starbuckscard.ph/SBCard.aspx

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

7 Wonders of Yuletide : Making Them Smile

Posted by clapalisoc | Wednesday, 6 November 2013 | Category: , , , , , , | 0 comments

Have you ever taken a moment to stop and appreciate or even observe those people working in parking areas? Could be in malls or in any other parking space? Most times, we hurry up as soon as we get the ticket or as soon as we have paid our parking bill. Always looking forward to the place we're about to go to or in a hurry to go home. Since I do not drive and always on the passenger side of the car, I have a lot of time to observe them. Most times they are alone in their booths, with no one to talk to. They seldom smile, except if their day has just started which usually coincides with the opening of a mall or the place that we are about to go to. They seem like robots with no reaction at all or when the day gets old, you'll see them frowning. 

What about those people in toll gates? I bet you only see the toll fees - then curse the government every time due to the high price. I believe that both group of workers are under appreciated. We just pass them by which is very normal since we can't really stop and talk to them for a long time. That's just it - that's their job and it should be done as quickly as possible, as many cars as possible.

Whenever Cherienne joins trick or treats, we would go home with tons of candies and other sweet loots that we would never be able to consume even after several months. About three years ago, while in Serendra for dinner on a Halloween night, we decided to give out candies to parking attendants. We only had one simple goal - to dispose as much candies as we can! Then the day after, we still had a lot so we decided to extend the act until the 2nd of November. We were hesitant at first since we have never seen anyone do such thing before and we were afraid that the loots will get rejected. But then something heart warming came about. As we give out treats, we've seen them smile. At first they looked all grumpy and tired but as soon as we hand them the sweet treats and greet them "Happy Halloween" (not really sure if our greeting is legit), their faces would light up and they would smile followed by sincere thank yous. Since then, this has become our yearly tradition not only because of Halloween but most importantly, it signals the start of the gift giving season that is Christmas. 

NLEX and SCTEX - Northbound
This year, after Cherienne's trick or treat party in her school, she went on a vacation in my home town - Tarlac City. We were practically home on a Halloween night and we didn't have loots to give out since she took all the treats with her. I thought there'll be no opportunity to carry on the tradition. But on that night, we were set to travel north to fetch the little girl. You see,  there was a 3 day bazaar in hubby's office days before the 31st and I joined in to fill my time while the little girl was away. We sold some baked goods and had some ingredients left. To put them into good use, I baked some goodies -packed them and had them ready to be given to Toll Plaza people.

NLEX  and SCTEX - Southbound
One toll gate at a time. I've got some candies, biscuits, cookies and brownie bites prepared. I've got more than enough to last even on our way back to Manila. Each personnel from each stop had this tired look in their face. Everything changed as soon as we handed over the treats - they smiled, that kind of smile that's just so natural. Some would get confused at first but as soon as we said "Happy Halloween", they got what we were trying to do. Each smile, each thank you was just so uplifting. Knowing that you have touched the life of someone who's a complete stranger to you, in even the simplest way, gives a priceless joy. 

I believe everyone needs to be appreciated at one point. Knowing that someone remembered you especially in your most tiring day gives a positive vibe that will surely be remembered for a long time.

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Yuletide Blessings

Posted by clapalisoc | Sunday, 3 November 2013 | Category: , , | 0 comments

Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year for me (and maybe for the majority of the people I know), aside from the summer season (which means triple celebration  for my family - my birthday, Cherienne's birthday and our anniversary). The cool breeze, the carols, the Christmas decors, the gifts, the shopping, the joyful and loving spirit embracing the whole world are just so heart warming. Honestly, I get overly excited when the "ber" months kick in. Each year as the month of June approaches, I tell my husband that I could almost feel Christmas. Too early, you think? Not for me. June is the start of the school year here in our country and from then on, each day and each month becomes so busy that you will not notice how fast time has passed you by. Then you'll just realize that September has kicked in and Christmas countdown has begun, yet again.

 Each year I make it appoint to write about things that make my Yuletide season special. People I love, gifts that I have received, places, food and surprises. I wasn't able to carry on last year due to a busy schedule that's beyond imaginable. This year, as I lead a relaxed and housewife mode kind of life, I vow to continue with this simple tradition of mine. 

7 Wonders of Yuletide - Simple Blessings, Simple Joys. 7 of the most special gifts and happenings in my life as we approach the jolly season. No fuzz, no frills, no extravagance - those simplest things that light up the season even more. 

Join me as each day, each moment and each blessing takes me closer to Christmas and the new year!

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)