Where have all my weekends gone?

Staying away for 1 year and 8 months from this was something I felt I had to do.

I always had excuses why I should keep it and why I shouldn't.

Right now it felt like this was the right time to post again.

This is the window to my life and I feel bolder

maybe in a calmer and more quiet way.

Where have all my weekends gone?

The past year and 8 months have been a roller-coaster ride.

I was blessed to be able to travel to places and be with my family.

It was a moment for us to be together, to laugh, to smile and to heal.

Los Angeles was my first stop. 

It will always be special to me because 

it feels like home away from home.

My mom moved to LA to be with my sisters

(back and forth between there and Boston)

I visited them two months after she left Manila.

There I was able to visit the Getty Museum 

and immerse myself in art and culture of their country.

My sister who is a 'native' there actually enjoyed it.

New York was a different experience altogether!

The city feels alive! Breakfast was something to look forward to.

Bagels, coffee, waffles... with my whole family was priceless.

I would love to go back there and fully be immersed in the city!

I was suppose to visit Parsons and meet up with 

our aunt-godmother but unfortunately she was out-of-town.

and then there is Boston...

It feels great to be back to the place where my youngest sister resides.

I love Boston because I really feel like I am in another country(duh!).

My sister moved to a new house so it was fun seeing them build and decorate their new nest.

It was my first snow experience as well. 

I was planning on making snow angels, castles, and snow mans.

But after a night of shoveling I had to give up my idea altogether.

I know I didn't post anything related to art.

I just had to share what the peaks of my weekends were for the past year or so.

I consider myself lucky to be able to spend my days with my family.

I said at the start of this post that I visited my family in the US because it was a time for us to 'heal'.

Our dear dad my dear dad passed away 1 year and 2 months ago.

I dedicate this post to him as way for me to show that I am ok.

We will all be ok.

I know he is in a happier place and he will always be cherished 

and remembered by all os us he left behind.

So here I am looking forward to more reasons 

to celebrate weekends with families, friends and art.

Happy week to all!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist inspiration #11: A short trip through Hongkong

As you read this I have already arrived in Manila for more than a month already. Passing by the City of Angels on my way back!(more on that one on my next posts). A lot has happened since...been to Hongkong and back.

A trip to hongkong is never complete without a visit to Shamshuipo. A shopping mecca for craft and fashion lovers like me. I always feel inspired just browsing thru the stores.

I've been hoarding art and crafts materials from every visit. Buttons, tassels, paper materials, vintage stickers, swatches of fabrics, and all other what-nots.

Visiting Hongkong has always been inspiring. Their appreciation for fashion and arts is seen everywhere. Whenever I go visit my love for photography has always been revived.
I have always drooled over Lomography whenever I am there. 
I saw this cute store along granville and I really wanna go back on my next trip and probably finally buy a special Diana edition I have been pinning away for! (*sigh*) 

It's going to be a long and inspiring weekend...have a great one!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist inspiration #10 Saying Goodbye

I say goodbye to Boston with a heavy heart... I'll miss Boston because it showed me a different view of America. Life there was simpler(though I think more expensive compared to other states). It's like a retreat from the modern and busy lifestyle I was so used to in Manila.

(Photos above and from the last 2 previous post were all taken from my visit to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts)

photo from pinterest

As you read this I'm already back to my busy life in Manila... I say goodbye one last time to my Boston experience and the lessons it has taught me...goodbye for now!

-the weekend artist-

the weekend artist inspiration #8 Art Appreciation

Stepping inside an art museum is one of my most fave things. Actually any museum gets me feeling giddy inside. I think my love for things old and new (goes to show why it's hard for me to throw things away) and the history that comes with it is hard to resist. 

On a sunny winter day my sister and I dressed in our short dresses and knits to keep us warm went out for a day at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

It was hard not to smile and get all excited when I browsed the list of what's in-store(I'll post my fave artworks in my next entry).

A blurred version of me. =)

My little sister appreciating a work of art.

 Students sketching the modern tower art piece.

The highlight of the trip was seeing Degas in the Nude works

(here is another version of a blurred me again.)

Thanks to my sister for a wonderful and memorable day. 

We finally did it(the whole art app day with the outfit)! I miss you dearly!

Goodbye for now Boston!

TWA

the weekend artist inspiration #7: heArt and Away

November, Christmas and New Year's passed by in a blur for me.

 It went by fast while preparing and actually leaving my work, my life in manila for awhile.

I decided to travel halfway on the other side of the world 

to be with my sister who is recovering from an illness. 

It was quite a roller-coaster of emotions 

and nothing will prepare you for something that happens like it. 

Life has a way of waking you up when your feeling all settled and content. 

Now that she is on the road to recovery 

I now get to appreciate more the wonderful things around me.

I am currently on my 3rd week here in Boston.

Daily walks outdoors has become a general part of my routine

(except on a rainy or flurry-snowish day...which happened today). 

The views are breathtaking and you certainly feel 

that you are in another part of the world

(especially the weather...hey I'm from a tropical country!).

I actually got the coughs and colds on my first week 

while my body adjusted to the weather.

It actually reminds me of London

... the trees, the landscape the architecture and the people.

A beautiful angel found in Boston Common on a beautiful day.

It says: A public spirited citizen whose great gift to the city of Boston provided for the creation of works of public utility and beauty for the use and enjoyment of the inhabitants.

Here's something artistically inspiring which I wish I could do for 2012!  

Do something creative every day.

And lastly a very inspiring New Year's Resolution sign: "Eat More Ice Cream!" =).

Boston has inspired me in more ways than I can imagine 

and more than that it had me thinking about a lot of things in my life. 

I'm glad I made the decision not only to be here for my sister 

(plus it helps me sleep better knowing and seeing that she is doing ok)

but as well as for myself.

I'll definitely miss the place and the people!

Goodnight Boston!

Goodbye for now!

-the weekend artist-