Mall Rat

I’m Filipino, and I love going to the mall. There, I said it. It’s true. Many people don’t know that many Filipinos actually love going to the mall. It’s part of our culture. In fact, if a person were to visit the Philippines, they’d see that there is a huge mall culture taking place. Why do Filipinos love the mall? Obviously, there’s the shopping. But also it’s place for people to congregate, to escape the heat and enjoy the AC, to eat, to window shop, to do just about anything! I didn’t get it at first, but once you visit a mall in the Philippines, you will see what the hype is all about.

Most malls in the Philippines are levels high! There are so many stores, levels, restaurants, even movie theaters, that is would take days, if not weeks to get through the entire thing. There’s so much to see and do, that you would never run out of options.

Don’t get me wrong; I do appreciate thrift stores, boutiques and mom and pop stores, but if I were to spend copious amount of time somewhere, besides the library, I’d go to the mall. I love going to different stores and enjoying the customer service where everyone greets you with “M’am/ Sir” and if you are looking for something in particular, they would never leave your side. You can’t find that level of customer service anywhere else. It’s like having your own personal shopper with out the hassle of them trying to sell you something you don’t need.

I admit. I actually have’t been to mall in months, possibly a year. Since the pandemic, I’ve grown accustomed to online shopping and have rarely needed to step foot into a store. And since moving to Las Vegas, the closest mall is near the strip, and I try to avoid going to the strip unless it’s absolutely necessary. Yet, I realized that going to mall is something I enjoyed doing with my family. I remember the days when we would go to our local mall, and my mom would buy a fresh baguette inside the cafe and my brother would head to the game store to get a video game. My sister would shop for clothes at contempo casuals, and my dad would sit at the lounge chairs and read a newspaper. Sometimes we’d eat crunchy tacos at Taco Bell and we’d stroll the mall together as a family. Now that I’ve moved and my entire family lives so far away from each other, it seems almost impossible to meet at the mall like old times. But the mall brings so much nostalgia to me that going to another place to go shopping wouldn’t be as enjoyable.

Although, it’s been while since I’ve gone to the mall, I think it will be on my to do list for this month. Perhaps the stores I once patronized are no longer there, I can create new memories and tell my family all about it. Maybe it will inspire them, too.

My top five Holiday movies// Blogmas #2

If you’re like me, then this time of the year, nothing sparks the holiday spirit than getting cozy on the couch, sipping on hot chocolate, wearing thick wool socks, putting my hair in a bun and watching a cheesy holiday movie. To me, this is the epitome of relaxation! Watching romance with holiday glee is a recipe for pulling my heart strings. Although the holiday season just started, I was fortunate to get a head start on watching new holiday movies. Below are my top for now:

On the Hallmark Channel

1. Jingle Bell Bride – I enjoyed this movie because of the leading characters- both people of color. The main character is a work driven Latina New Yorker who unexpectedly finds herself in a small town where the people and relationships inadvertently spark her to reexamine the most important aspects of her life.

2. Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater

When it comes to movies, especially Holiday movies, it’s often difficult to balance romance and comedy; often times, most holiday movies tend to be more romantic than they are funny. What I loved about “Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater” is that it offers the balance of both- love and comedy! Just the title alone is a little obscure and enticing!

On lifetime:

3. The Christmas Aunt

Who doesn’t remember Rudy? I always wondered what happened to Keisha Knight Pullam. I assumed she continued to act, but I pondered if being time casted hindered her from furthering her career. She shined in this movie! Very memorable!!!

4. Feliz NaviDAD

Of course I am not the one to change the channel when Mario Lopez plays a doting single father and a high school principal who also delivers packages on the weekends to make extra money for the holidays. I’m an educator, so I appreciate any movie that offers a small semblance of my life. I may not be a parent, but I know what it’s like to be work with high school kids and be in the need of a second income. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy staring at Lopez’s dimples?!?

5. Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding

I’m watching this tonight, but I already know it’s going to be a home run. Two words: Kelly Roland! If the 1/3 of Destiny’s Child is involved, then chances are it’ll be a success.

I hope you enjoy these movies as much as I did. And let me know any movies you recommend!

Happy holidays!

Christmas movies in October

On top of supporting teachers during distance learning, moving to a new place, occasionally being the moderator for my husband’s twitch show, posting on my blog, I am also taking a class to fulfill my TESOL certificate. Every weekend, I spend about 8-10 hours reading articles and textbooks, watching instructional videos, posting and responding to the class discussion board, and completing tests and writing papers or assignments. At the end of a long work week, although I like learning, the requirements for the class are a bit overwhelming for my schedule. Nevertheless, I’m committed to staying on schedule and taking the classes as they are offered. I started the journey in March and this is my third class. I hope to complete my certification by March 2021.

I usually spend Saturday and Sunday doing my assignments, but this weekend was a little more complicated; I had to complete everything today (Saturday) because I need to focus tomorrow’s time and energy preparing for my reading on Tuesday. I don’t want to be distracted.

When I opened up my computer and saw the long list of assignments I had to do, I was immediately engulfed in panic and stress. There was so much to do! I had to take a test, watch instructional videos, post a comment and respond to two classmates’ comments, read four chapters, and turn in a 4 minute voice recorded assignment. I sat on the couch, and plopped the laptop on my thighs and noticed the time –1:00 PM — and began typing. The next thing I knew, I looked up at it was 5:00 PM. At this point, although it felt irresponsible but at the same time necessary, I took a break– a two hour break! In fact, I actually watched a Hallmark Christmas movie called “Jingle Bell Bride,” and I lOVED it. Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of cheesy, Christmas movies and if they are on Hallmark, even better. When I saw that the Hallmark Holiday movie count down to Christmas started today at 5:00 PM, I had no problem with putting my computer aside and getting hella comfortable with my throw blanket and fluffy pillow. I figured that I had a a strong start, why not celebrate.

Believe it or not, but as soon as the movie finished, two hours later, I went back to working on my assignments. Even my husband looked at my sideways and asked how I can transition so quickly from being cozy to being studious. I told him there was something about the movie that inspired me to keep going.

Who knew that if you ever need to finish a long list of tasks and have impending stress about it, all you need to do is watch a Christmas movie and let it fill you with cheer and hope, knowing that anything is possible, especially when you’re in need of a little bit of Christmas spirit and miracle.

P.S. I highly recommend “The Jingle Bell Bride”. If you want me to post my Hallmark holiday movie recommendations for this year, let me know.

PPS. I completed everything by 9:30 PM today! Hence why I am posting on my blog at 10:15 PM on a Saturday. LOL

Escape in Art

I applaud all the artists and creatives who are providing so much escape for me right now. Thank you for healing me with your artistry.

Chadwick Boseman

I didn’t follow your career closely, but I remember seeing you light up the screen watching Black Panther and thinking then how fortunate the world was to witness your talent and the long standing career we were going to be lucky to witness. Then I saw videos of you during interviews, commencement speeches and award shows and heard your message about living with purpose and how it was not tied to a career but rather sharing the gift that God has bestowed on you.The wisdom and talent you displayed on and off the screen cannot be measured. How can they? You were immeasurable, as an actor and as a man, through and through.

My heart is heavy today mourning your loss. You gave so much in such a short period of time– more than many people accomplish in a lifetime. You influenced us with your art, your words, your glorious soul, even when you were suffering in pain. How fortunate to be in such resilient company. I pray that you are resting peacefully and powerfully, and may your reverent spirit and Wakanda live forever.