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! 

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

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. 

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!

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! 

Peeling Skin X Giveaway

I haven't done much writing last week except for post some giveaway alerts. But I have some good news for you though.

I've just recently fallen in love with Human Nature's new Massage Oil, it has Orange, Lemongrass and Lavender and it's very soothing. I am going to post the review this week because I've been stressed out lately.

I've been using it on my annoying, peeling skin and I might show you as soon as the effects show. There is some noted improvement though.

It smells really good, promise and it's non-sticky and is an excellent moisturizer. I can use up the entire bottle soon enough! 

You might be wondering what the products below are for. I am announcing my first blog giveaway by sharing these Human Nature products and accessories with the lucky winners!

One lucky winner will be receiving:

Human Nature Natural Strengthening Shampoo

Tinted Lip Balm in Island Kiss

100% Natural Hand and Foot Salve in Berry Bliss Scent

Citronella Bug Spray 

Enjoy some natural, pampering goodness with these

Another lucky winner will be receiving:

Twistee headband in polka black and white

One pair of Gold Earrings in Turtle design

One pair Gold Dangling Earrings in Disc and Bows Design 

One Handcrafted Ribbon Bookmark with Bead Ends in White

One Handcrafted Ribbon Bookmark with Bead Ends in Black

Accessories for your outfits and books (if you love reading) 

*Bookmarks are handcrafted by yours truly* 

This is the first giveaway for this blog and there will be more since there are many generous sponsors who have expressed interest in supporting this corner of the digital world. This is open to Philippine residents only. 

If you wish to join, simply follow the mechanics below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway I wish you luck and I will be announcing the winners when the giveaway ends. Thanks for supporting my blog! 

Giveaway Alert Jannieology X Krave Minerals

Could you believe I've joined three giveaways this week? Bloggers really are very generous people! Seems like I've been giving giveaway alerts all week.

Today's giveaway alert is Jannie P's, Krave Minerals' Oil Eliminator and Skin Hydrator. I think it's the answer to oily skin. Join her giveaway here.

You could win this! 

Giveaway Alert: Mich Teams Up With Flawless Beauty

Blogging life is so exciting!

And it's more exciting because Mich of Mich Eats and Shops has a giveaway for her readers.

Do you think you are one lucky reader? Head on to her site to join!

Giveaway Alert Love and Elegance

Love and Elegance is having a giveaway sponsored by Korean Fashionwear!

You can visit her giveaway here: Click here! and try your luck. Be sure to enter all the details correctly! You just might be the lucky winner!

Good luck! =D

Visit Korean Fashionwear too! 

Diamond Candles Giveaway For Review Opportunity

If you want to try your luck about reviewing Diamond Candles, here's your chance to do so. Diamond Candles are trending and bloggers will be selected to promote them soon. 

Diamond Candles is giving away some of their products for review and you can sign up here: Form

Diamond Candles 

So you have to hurry and provide your details correctly, don't miss it! 

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Unread Titles and When Can I Get the Luxury Time to Read Them All

I’ve been thinking of retiring next year…

                So I can finish all the books that are sitting on my shelf just waiting to be read.

I’ve been collecting and reserving and buying books and even signed up for the Good Reads Reading Challenge this year (challenge: to read 10 books in 2012) as seen on my sidebar and my current count is only 5 as of June 2012. That’s nothing compared to my friends in Good Reads who can actually finish tons of books in a month. There goes my reading challenge then.

Ursula Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness continues to be my constant companion in the bag... 

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

Here are the books I’m still to-read and are just sitting on my shelf. Some of them are presents from friends and family.

The Island of the Day Before by Umberto Eco

Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama

The Spirit Cabinet by Paul Quarrington

Four Past Midnight by Stephen King

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader

              

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

As if that list is not enough, I‘ve been eyeing the following titles too

The Gospel of Judas by Simon Mawer       

  Procession of the Dead by Darren Shan 

Oh well, if I have more alone time... And more budget to buy books... =D