Ever wonder what it feels like to live in a country that experiences the four seasons? I do. I was born and raised in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and the countries that I've been to have only been around Southeast Asia, too. The coldest I've ever experienced in a place would be in Baguio City, Philippines.

Here are a few walking tours uploaded on Youtube that would give us a glimpse of what it is like for other countries during the winter season.

Walking Tour around a snowy Seoul, South Korea

What do you think of these walking tours that are uploaded on Youtube? I think these are great resources for those who can or are not able to travel. These videos give us a glimpse of what it would be like in these places. For someone like me, who grew up in a tropical country, it probably will feel like a nightmare having to endure the crazy months of winter. But, who knows?

FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART

A Boy Called Christmas film is adapted from a 2015 book by Matt Haig. It is about a determined young boy named Nikolas who meets his destiny in a magical land inhabited by elves on a quest to find his father – and bring home the gift of hope.

Rise of the Guardians is based on the book series The Guardians of Childhood. The film tells the story of Jack Frost who teams up with Santa, the Tooth Fairy and others to battle a malicious spirit determined to destroy the innocent beliefs of children.

Also, rent on Youtube: Php220.00

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022) is an adaptation of the timeless Charles Dickens Christmas story. On a cold Christmas Eve, selfish miser Ebenezer Scrooge has one night left to face his past – and change the future – before time runs out.

CLASSICS

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) is an American Christmas fantasy film drama based on a short story and booklet “The Greatest Gift” and loosely based on the 1843 novel “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

When a guardian angel finds a dejected George Bailey poised to jump off a bridge, he shows George what life would’ve been like had he never been born.

Also, rent on Youtube: Php150.00

Little Women (1994) is an American coming-of-age film based on the book of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. Raised by a strong-willed mother, sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy share growing pains, family tragedies and personal aspiration in the 19^th-century America.

Also, buy the film on Youtube: Php540.00

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is a book from Dr. Seuss children’s book of the same name and the first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into film. The film tells the story about The Grinch who decides to rob Whoville of Christmas – but a dash of kindness from little Cindy Lou Who and her family may be enough to melt his heart.

Also, rent on Youtube: Php220.00

The Polar Express (2004) is based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name. It is a story about a young boy who takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and discovers the enchanting wonder of friendship and the holiday spirit.

Also, rent on Youtube: Php150.00

FOR THE TWEENS

The Princess Switch (2018) is the first installment of three films released for Netflix. It is a romantic comedy holiday film about a Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess who discover that they do look like twins, and hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.

A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019) is an American teen comedy film and the fifth to be released under the A Cinderella Story film series. It is about a teen who aspires to be a singer-songwriter who, despite her vain stepmother and mean stepsisters, works as an elf at a Christmas tree lot and finds her holiday miracle.

Let It Snow (2019) is a film adaptation of a young adult novel of the same name by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle. A snowstorm hits a small town on a cold Christmas Eve, affecting several high school seniors' friendships, love lives, and futures.

This coming new year, we all think about finding a healthy way to live. Make air fryers available for you and everyone at home. What is an air fryer? Think crispy chicken wings, french fries, and vegetables with hot air using little or no oil. Say goodbye to deep-fat frying. There is an air basket type of air fryer, an oven type, and a toaster type. Here are the best 3 products rated at shopping online sites.

This 5-star rated Air Fryer from Tough Mama easily tops the list.

8L Capacity
Cooks with 80% less fat
With 30-minute timer
Double safety cut-off
High-speed air circulation
With secure knob
Detachable Griller
Rust Free inner Body
1800 watts

Learn more of the Rokesby Series, here.

"Because of Miss Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn is a prequel, one generation before the popular Bridgerton book series and Netflix TV series, which is called the Rokesby Series.

The book started with the introduction of Billie Bridgerton. She has the wild, capable but a soft-hearted personality that booklovers know of the Bridgerton women.

The book is the telling of the history and love story between Billie Bridgerton and George Rokesby. The families have been neighbors for centuries. Growing up, Billie has always been friends with the younger Rokesby siblings while George, the eldest in the family, has always been the serious, the heir to the Rokesby title, the responsible one. They never get along.

Years later, one Rokesby has gotten married and two are away to serve the war, except for George. As George came back to the family estate, an encounter with Billie has them spending time together and both of them realizing that the other is not as bad as one thought. 

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should which is fine because everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. 

Thoughts:

I have read all of the Bridgerton books years ago. I did not love all of the stories so I did not expect much of this book. It's a sleeper book and sad to say, not exciting. The adventurous Rokesby and the wild and bold Bridgeton is how we know the characters we love from "The Duke and I" become. Because there were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings.

There is no news yet when I can have my vaccines but a good friend, who owns businesses, who know my sister, is offering paid vaccines. 

With the strange lockdown ruling throughout the Philippines, again, I'm all but stuck in the house. So, what must one girl do? You make do of what you can and with what you have. Plus, some magic that is online shopping.

What I am enjoying so far:

Every morning, I get pandesal for breakfast. Since I am back home from my hometown with my Mother, pandesal is a must-have every day. It's not helping with the weight gain problems that I am having. I can always blame it with zero physical activities yet I can't help myself when having 4-5 pieces of pandesal in the morning.

Music has always been a great escape. I am loving Sarah Geronimo - TALA the Film-Concert Live Album. This is the only album of hers that I have on repeat for the longest on replay. I am enjoying few singles from Skusta Clee - Dance With You, Angela Ken - Ako Naman Muna, MANILA GREy feat. James Reid - Backhouse Ballin', and EDM music from The Midnight.

Like everyone else, movies and K-drama series take too much of our waiting time. I am running out of K-drama's worth watching on Netflix. I even subscribed to a month of HBO GO in order to watch the FRIENDS Reunion. Old movies are abundant on Netflix and there are so many crime movies that are still goodies.

BTS Run! is on hiatus because they are currently promoting. I don't consider myself part of ARMY and I am not really a fan of their music or of any K-pop idol. But, since the boy band is everywhere I did get to follow them on their own pseudo-variety show on VLIVE. I guess I'm on there just for the laughs.

Half of the year is over and I feel like, again this year, I have not accomplished anything. I'm still in limbo, living like a dead spirit day by day.

 

Online Apps

The pandemic brought in massive loss of jobs. For those who are not as unlucky, it also brought in a change of work setup, converting businesses into work from home. Online apps became even more useful when we can no longer function like before. 

1. GCASH - This is a Philippine mobile wallet, mobile payments, and branchless banking service. This service became very useful when paying bills and making Government service requests. It proved helpful when transferring funds to family and relatives when needed.
2. ZOOM - This is a proprietary video teleconferencing software program. The popularity of this service shoots up since the pandemic. It became useful for those office online meetings and online classes. It has overtaken SKYPE and Google Meets did not even measure up.
3. GrabFood - This is the fastest food delivery service in the Philippines. It has curated dishes, restaurants, and cuisines to help the Philippines grab their food and delivered it at the comfort of their own home. Food delivery service became everyone's best friend during the pandemic when we are no longer allowed to go out and enjoy our favorite dishes outside. The pandemic gave rise to motor rider employment.

Prepaid Renewable Insurance

1. GCASH INSURE - The pandemic also brought in affordable and renewable coverage for a lot of Filipinos who live on an extreme budget. GCASH has provided products for its consumers who wish to be ready for anything and to stay protected. What I signed up for:

• Cash for Income Loss
• Dengue with FREE COVID-19 Cover
• GCASH Monthly Platinum powered by MicroEnsure and underwritten by AXA

2. Sun Life Life Armor (Life Insurance) - Insurance coverage for death due to accident and illness. It is a one-time payment for one (1) coverage life insurance plan. For only P100 a year, you can insure yourself for Php25,000 and also can be bought for a maximum of 4 coverage or for Php100,000.

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