We're Moving. Perfect Time For Garage Sales and Shopping Sprees

I have been on a blogging break for month now, just when I promised myself I'd update this blog more, I just stopped.  Why? Because around March of this year, we got wonderful news from the Canadian Embassy. Read about it here. And after that, everything was just a flurry of activities. We held garage sales, an actual on right on our garage, and a virtual one where I set up a facebook page and sold our pre-loved items.  We also posted in OLX.ph. We had to get rid of everything we can't bring with us.

I sold most of my books, planners and planner supplies, along with other stationery goodies like stickers, washi tapes and punches. It was heartbreaking. 

While we sold stuff, we also bought things in preparation for our trip. We took advantage of mallwide sales. We particularly jumped on the chance to shop while SM Megamall held its sale last May 2014.  We bought underwear, socks, rubber shoes and bags! We bought our urban bags luggages at 50% off! what a steal! We bought some bags with TSA locks and some with regular ones. We planned on just putting clothes in the ones with regular locks so nothing suspicious would appear on the xrays, at least nothing airport authorities would want to inspect. Then we intended to place all our excess photography equipment plus other miscellaneous knick-knacks in the bags with TSA lock should they want to peek inside.

It was really hard to decide which of our things we'd take with us and which we'd leave behind. I brought basic make up essentials and nail care supplies. That way, I didn't have to buy supplies there for a while, at least while we're looking for a job.

My Personal Filofax Aston in Purple

Late last year, I really got into paper planners... again. I first started my love for paper planners when I was in grade school, although back then I used them more like a journal, writing down highlights of the day. When I was in college, I got a Tickles planner that is very similar to today's personal Filofax. Too bad Tickles discontinued their planner line. Anyway, in the advent of gadgets and technology, my paper planners were slowly overshadowed by digital planners, PDAs and eventually cell phones. 

Then while blog hopping, I came across a lady who had a paper planner and it was exactly what I wanted. I found out that the brand was Filofax. I really wanted a planner that wasn't limited as to number and arrangement of pages.  That is just what Filofax brings to the table, flexibility. 

Too bad, I couldn't find anybody in the Philippines who's selling Filofax Planners. Good thing I had a friend who is an online seller (Gmet Trading) and I ordered through her. Good thing also that when I went to the Filofax USA site, they were having a huge sale, I got my planner at 70% off because I later found out that they were discontinuing the Aston line. Too bad because it is actually made of good quality, supple leather. I got my planner (along with other Filofax accessories) after 3 weeks, in perfect condition. 

I also downloaded the free month on two pages from Limetree Fruits. I also bought the Leonie Dawson Printable Amazing Biz and Life Workbooks and Calendars.  I also watched loads of youtube videos and made my own laminated dividers. (yes, I bugged hubby into buying me a personal laminating machine just for this purpose) I was addicted for a while... a long while. Ok, I'm addicted until now! haha! I have since bought expensive leather planners and inexpensive cutesie ones and I love them all!

I must admit, my planners has helped me be more organized. Especially during times when I feel so overwhelmed with so many tasks to be done. Writing them down makes all the difference! Seeing them on paper gives me power over them, I get to label these tasks, I get to schedule them and the best part is that I get to cross them off once their done. It really helps unburden my mind!

So now just as the new year begins, I say thank you for paper planners! I will definitely continue using them in 2014!