Lovely colors in Scotland. photo: http://thebesttraveldestinations

It’s the best time to go and visit Europe’s wonderful display of nature. Not only is the weather pleasant in spring (ranging within 10°-20°), the flowers, the sky and every other spring colors would surely be lovely to photograph.

On top of my list would be the Netherlands for the tulips. It’s been my fervent hope to see a bed of tulips in different colors, still on the ground and not as a bouquet. ^_^ The windmill would be a bonus! I think I caught a bit of the Tulip Mania — unfortunately though I wasn’t given bulbs to plant.

 

Tulip beds are simply lovely. photo: http://www.thedailytruffle.com

Then there’s cherry blossom viewing (Hanami) in Japan. Although I would love to do that in Washington, DC as well. Being under cherry trees in full bloom with the petals falling on the ground is so magical…yes, even when it’s just watching a movie, I could feel simple joys of spring.

Walking and Viewing Cherry Blossoms. photo: wikipedia

Kate Middleton in a Teal gown by Jenny Packham. photo; http://now.msn.com/

She was regal last year when she walked down the aisle t0 wed her Prince, a real Prince, William, Duke of Cambridge. Now, bearing the name Duchess, she has always hold fashion enthusiasts in awe, truly rightful for being one of The 100 Most Influential People in the World as picked byTime Magazine.

Kate Middleton was with Prince William at the London Olympic Gala concert when she donned this beautiful Jenny Packham teal dress. Fine details,  floor-length dress featured a V-neckline, capped lace sleeves and an embellished waist belt and a see through lace back with buttons down the middle, never could have been perfect.

The duchess was also seen in a £450 ($725) blingy Jimmy Choo sandals, a teal clutch to match and had her hair up, which is not her usual style. It was a good move too since the back details of the dress was given more exposure that way…

Duchess Kate Middleton's teal gown

Santorini at sunset, photo: http://www.smartertravel.com

Breathtaking…is the word that would best describe a sunset in Santorini. Don’t just take my word for it, look at the photo on the left. Captivating, I’d say too because that’s how I felt when I saw  this photo. I would love to stand at the same spot the photographer was and see this same blue domes overlooking the waters as the sun sets. Wouldn’t you?

Santorini sounds like Saint Irene -from which the island’s name was derived, is what remained of after a volcanic eruption in that part of Greece. (Hey, my name is there too, San- Tori- ni, lols.) It is surrounded by steep cliffs and the settlement were naturally built on the slopes, that’s what adds charm to this lovely island.

 The island is also full of history as is the whole of Greece. I would love to explore and walk there and perhaps find a worthy piece of whatnot to bring home.

Lovely. http://500px.com/photo/6369328

Santorini also makes for a perfect window shooting spot. teehee. I’m sharing this two lovely window photos over at Wednesday Windows. Join us!

Minimalist. photo; http://www.fulcrumdc.com/

Window of Numbers

Have you played traditional bingo? It’s a favorite past time for us. Whenever we get together at my Dad’s place it is certain that we’d have a games complete with prizes. Each of us, from the father of the family to the smallest member receives a bingo card (pictured above) and Dad would be the one to call out the numbers from the “plastic bottle.” That bottle comes with the cards and mini-balls with numbers on them.

A bingo game with the family is always fun and you always have that feeling of anticipation that someone would jokingly shout “Bingo!” which also means the end of the game. That’s after completing a set of numbers on certain patterns…like an X, an L or a totally wiped out bingo card.

The Bingo game has evolved through the years and can now be played online, it is also the basis of many games of chance, the lotto in particular.

Calling out numbers and everyone's checking their cards.

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 I do not go to Starbucks that often but today is the first time the barista got my nickname right. He did what other baristas are lazy enough to do, ask for the spelling. He did his job with a genuine smile on his face. This definitely made my day.
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Starbucks Baristas are known for being such and there’s even a facebook page dedicated to them; “Starbucks baristas can never spell your name right” and most fans (now more than 6000 people) would upload photos of their cups with mispelled name or simply post how a barista wrongly spelled their name. That’s ranging from uncommon names to the most common ones. Like the name “Kris,” how could one miss the R there and write Kiss instead? Then there’s a unique name “PIDI” spelled to “PIGGY” – imagine how she felt as her cup was handed!

I think it’s a nice thing if baristas care to ask the spelling of their name, not just because but sometimes one may not now that it was actually her cup for having a different name…hihi.

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