"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Sunday 24 June 2012

HN+ Accessories Giveaway Winners

I have to apologize for the late posts. This problem has been annoying me since Thursday of last week and it's causing serious delays in work and other communication.

But I have some news for those who have joined my Human Nature and Accessories Giveaway! Here they are:

Fellow blogger Michelle Bugante of Mich Eats and Shops won first prize, so she will be expecting Human Nature Natural Strengthening Shampoo in Jasmine Scent, Tinted Lip Balm in Island Kiss, 100% Natural Hand and Foot Salve in Berry Bliss Scent and a Citronella Bug Spray. Congratulations to the fabulous Mich!

Mich's winning entry is to follow me on Twitter.


The second winner is Mary Avellana Reana, and her winnings are Twistee headband in polka black and white, a pair of Gold Earrings in Turtle design, a pair of Gold Dangling Earrings in Disc and Bows design, one handcrafted ribbon bookmark with Bead Ends in White and one handcrafted ribbon bookmark with bead ends in black. Congratulations to Mary! 

Her winning entry is leave a blog post comment





I would like to remind the winners that they have only 48 hours to contact me through email: raisa513@yahoo.com. 

If you did not win this giveaway, I still have another here: For Keeps Online Giveaway and you can win a necklace courtesy of the sponsor For Keeps Online Shop by Kristal

Congratulations again to Mich and Mary! 

Thursday 21 June 2012

For Keeps + Raisie Speaks Giveaway

So yeah, why wait for the current giveaway to end when I could already arrange a new one, right?

So, here it is, a beautiful necklace sponsored by For Keeps Online Shop. 






For Keeps Online Shop is owned and managed by Crystal, a Nursing graduate who maintained her own online shop earlier. Because time and life kept her from optimizing online sales, she had to give in to other priorities. Now, she conquers the world of online business by introducing For Keeps Online Shop which sells ladies' apparel, accessories, and really cool gadget accessories!

Here are just some personal picks:


Fashionable sunnies that are also super affordable


Bib style necklace


Kitschy-cute charm necklaces


Design your own iPhone/iPod case

I'm giving a big THANK YOU to Crystal For Keeps Online Shop for sponsoring this giveaway.

Here's how you can win this! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to you all! Thank you for supporting Raisie Speaks!

Note: Open to Philippine residents only

Sunday 17 June 2012

What Papa Taught Me


I wouldn't be here without the most important man in my life; Papa. 

He sacrificed so much together with my Mom to give me what he thinks I deserve, together with my siblings. He made sure that I can sleep well, with food to eat, and a comfortable house to go home to, to rest and to live in. 

He made sure I had a childhood, and made sure I got good education, so I could face the world independently. 

I am proud that even if sometimes we both don't agree on some trivial matters, like how to cook this dish and that dish, where to go first, or what to do this year, the bonding moments are irreplaceable. 

He still insists to fetch me if he could, and bring me safely from one destination to the other. 

He makes sure I have what I need. 

He won't sacrifice my security and company to people he does not know or does not trust. 

My fondest memory of being with Papa was when we travelled from Tacloban-taking the overnight ferry to Cebu and then finally touchdown in Cagayan de Oro to meet with my Mom. We did that when I was only eight years old, and backpacking while he carried nothing more than my milk and vitamins in his huge knapsack. 


Father's Day Lunch


Papa enjoying his self-prepared home-cooked, medium-rare steak lunch with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables

He always cooks home-made meals for us, every chance he gets. He is the only one who can satisfy my search for pork sinigang, I got home from college during sem break and told him about how no restaurant in Cagayan de Oro can cook pork sinigang the way I wanted, and he just looked at me as if saying "Told you so". 

Most Important Lesson Papa Taught Me: "Make sure there is food, for your body, for your mind, your soul, and always, always, be grateful for what you HAVE. You will be surprised how this can teach you humility. Share what you have, and always remember that material things do not amount to what you need in this world: love, family, friends and freedom." 

What I have yet to teach him: Computer encoding and how to log in his FB account just so he can play poker. 

What To Look Forward To This Year: Papa and I got promo tickets to Cebu this July to visit Tito Ruel in Ormoc, Leyte and we will be spelunking (without my mother's knowledge) in Samar. 

Happy Father's Day, thank you for everything. 


Saturday 16 June 2012

Journals Collection (?)

I didn't realize I had that much journals and notebooks already in my possession. I've approximately consumed thirteen diaries and journals since I began writing in fifth grade and they are all kept in a box on the second floor of our house because we are fixing the floorboards as of now.

Here are just some of the unkept journals.

Just sharing...

I'm a sucker for lined paper in hard binding... 



Top Left: Shadow in Shadow Journal, Top Right: Happy Panda in Blue
Bottom Left: British Council Journal, Bottom Right: Gray 2012 Planner


This was a present last Christmas by someone really special 


Shadow with lotsadoodley-doo 


And scraps and pieces of what happened to me this year


I yet have to decide what to do with this yellow thingy... 


With this divider inside...


The blue panda smiles like creepy. also a gift from a friend


With different page designs at every flip


Some more 


And this planner is just so heavy


With cartoon-like divider inside


These are all presents really, and people already know that gifting me is easy, either it's books or journals...

Hahaha...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday 15 June 2012

Bloggers Chit Chat with Yuri! (Insert Hugs Here)

Surprise, surprise! I got to chit chat with the ever blooming, super friendly Yuri Choi! Yuri looked absolutely fresh this morning, and I just had to tell him as his follower that:
  1. I definitely love his blogger header, who doesn't? It's so minimalist and so Asian!
  2. He looks good despite a mishap with a facial product he tried, read here
  3. It's nice to accidentally meet, knowing that we both go home to the West Coast.

Don't you just adore a smile from Yuri? Who doesn't love him?

On another note, I was also invited by a representative of the British Embassy this morning with a meet and greet. They gave those in attendance these and mini haul photos to follow:


The story and contents of this envelope to follow

Have a great Friday everyone!