Things I Love & Miss About (My) Childhood: Part I

It was around a little after 11 PM and I was watching another rerun of “How I Met Your Mother." Halfway through the episode, there was a scene of Robin and Lily arguing about how Robin doesn’t like kids. To show how she already didn’t like kids even when she herself was one, they showed a flashback of kid-Robin and a girl of a few years younger than her–probably her sister–asking her for help with something. Robin then barked back with something along the lines of, “Can I just have five minutes to myself to read 'Highlights' and drink my juice?” 

Highlights?! Do they still make those anymore? I quickly Googled the magazine and found no signs of defunction. I felt a rush of nostalgia as soon as I heard Robin mention the words “Highlights” and “juice” in the same sentence. I had never even heard of Highlights Magazine in ages, let alone having drank–what I relate my childhood juice to–“Juicy Juice!” Oh, those little juice boxes; and hearing the emptiness enter the box while trying to use the straw to sip the last drop from each corner.

Anyway, Robin’s “Highlights Children's Magazine” moment brought me to recollect not only my favorite magazine as a child, but all the other things that made my childhood–and hopefully yours–special. I have come up with an ongoing list with just those things. Another list to stack on top the countless “missed childhood” lists already online–here it is. 

Literary/Creative Activities

     

I had this huge reading & writing learning set with special light up pens, stickers, books, etc.; everything literarily magical a kid would've loved, but I forgot the name of it...(It wasn't Leap Reader), Leap Reader, Highlights Magazines, Book Orders, Book Fairs, Coloring Books, Stickers, Beaded Bracelets, Square Braided/Scoubidou Keychains, Arts & Crafts, Sanrio stationary lol)

   

Books

    

Classic Fairytales/Stories:

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & The Beast, Goldilocks & The Three Wolves, Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Red Hen, Rapunzel, Rumplestiltskin, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, The Princess & The Pea, Jack & The Beanstalk, The Frog Prince, The Elves & The Shoemaker, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Honest Woodcutter, The Selfish Giant, Johnny Appleseed, Henny Penny, The Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and The Hare

     

Contemporary:   

Junie B. Jones, Horrible Harry, The Babysitter’s Club, Magic Tree House, The Boxcar Children, Judy Moody, Goosebumps, Harry Potter, Dear Dumb Diary, Pippi Longstocking, The Bailey School Kids, If You Give A ___ A ___, Geronimo Stilton, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Dr. Seuss books, The Bernstein Bears, The Rainbow Fish, Roald Dahl books, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Curious George, Mercer Meyer books, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, No, David!, Arthur books, Amelia Bedelia, The Giving Tree, Sideways Stories From Wayside School, Frog and Toad, Chris Van Allsburg books

Toys/(Board, Hand, Singing) Games

     

Barbies, Betty Spaghetti Dolls, Bop It, Legos, K’nex, Monopoly, Trouble, Life, “Bubble-Gum Bubble-Gum in a Dish,” “Miss Mary Mack,” “Slide,” “Down Down Baby,” “Tweet,” Tag, Freeze Tag, Blind Tag, Hide & Seek

Computer Games/Game Consoles

     

PC:

Kid Pix, Paint, The Pinball Machine, Minesweeper (random clicking), Solitaire (random clicking & guessing)

CD-Rom:

Paddington Bear, My Little Pony, Jump Start, Clue Finder’s Adventures, Fisher Price Pet Shop

Online:

     Disney:

Lilo & Stitch Sandwich Stacker, That’s So Raven Chill Grill Challenge, Suite Life of Zack & Cody Tipton Trouble/Pizza Party Pick Up, Jackson's Beach Treat Delivery, Hannah Montana Jammin' With Hannah/Rockstar Fashion Challenge, Mickey Mouse Pack The House, Kim Possible Bueno Rufus/Shopping Avenger/A Sitch In Time,  

     

     Etc.:

Millsberry, Everything Girl, Neopets, Disney Virtual Magic Kingdom, burger making games (lol), Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends Game

Game Consoles
Playstation I/II, XBOX, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance (Crash Bandicoot), Gameboy Advance SP (The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Tipton Caper), PSP (Need For Speed Most Wanted)

TV Shows/Movies

    

Cartoon Network:

Tom & Jerry, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby Doo, Powerpuff Girls, Cow & Chicken, Johnny Bravo, Dexter’s Laboratory, Courage The Cowardly Dog, Spaced Out, Codename: Kids Next Door, Ed Edd & Eddy, Ozzy & Drix/Osmosis Jones, The Life & Times of Juniper Lee, Hi HI Puffy AmiYumi, Class of 3000, Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends

    

Disney Channel:

     Older:

Out of The Box, Bear in The Big Blue House, Rolie Polie Olie, Boy Meets World, Smart Guy, Pepper Ann, The Weekenders, Recess, Even Stevens, Kim Possible, The Proud Family, Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Phil of The Future, Naturally Sadie, American Dragon Jake Long, The Buzz on Maggie

     Newer:

Hannah Montana, Jonas L.A., Sonny With A Chance, So Random, Good Luck Charlie, 

    

Nickelodeon:

     Older:

Rugrats, All That, The Wild Thornberrys, Are You Afraid of The Dark, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, The Amanda Show, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, Kenan & Kel, Clarissa Explains It All, Secret World of Alex Mack, Hey Arnold, Rocket Power, 6teen, 

     Newer:

My Life As a Teenage Robot, Danny Phantom, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, Victorious, iCarly

PBS Kids/WB/4KidsTV/Etc.:

Arthur, Sesame Street, Teletubbies, Barney, Winx Club, Mew Mew Power, Totally Spies, Darcy's Wild Life, Flight 29 Down

Movies: 

     Disney:

Aladdin, Thumbelina, Pinnochio, Winnie The Pooh, Mulan, Tarzan, Hocus Pocus, Don’t Look Under The Bed, Seventeen Again, Zenon film series, Brink, You Wish, Smart House, Life Size, Even Stevens Movie, The Ultimate Christmas Present, The Luck of The Irish, Halloweentown movie series, Johnny Tsunami, Cadet Kelly, Stuck in The Suburbs, Get A Clue, You Wish, Gotta Kick It Up!, Model Behavior, My Date With The President's Daughter,  The Lizze McGuire Movie, Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-off, Max Keeble’s Big Move, The Kim Possible Movie, High School Musical movie series, Twitches movie series, The Cheetah Girls movie series, Go Figure, Cow Belles, Read It & Weep, Jump In!, Minute Men, 16 Wishes, Princess Diaries

  

     Pixar/Cartoon Network/Etc.:

Harriet The Spy (the one with Michelle Trachtenberg, not Jennifer Stone), Matilda, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story movie series, Finding Nemo, Monster’s Inc., Ratatouille, Up, Scary Godmother, James & The Giant Peach, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (the older version), Holes, Freaky Friday, Mary Kate & Ashley Our Lips Are Sealed/Holiday in The Sun

Maybe reading this has suddenly sparked a memory or two in you or even have you wanting to YouTube, Google and Netflix your way to a personalized childhood-cartoons marathon after reading this. Maybe it has inspired you to make a pact with yourself to have your future child only grow up on the things (music, television, technology, etc.) that you grew up with! And strictly nothing contemporary. Hey, it’s an idea.

(*I've decided to make a second part to this, as I didn’t even include a Music, Clothing or Food category in this, which are as important as the rest! That’ll be coming up later.)

How To: Successfully Kill A Bug

*DISCLAIMER: I am in no position to advocate the killing of endangered, indigenous, rare, or special (Yes! They’re special too!) insects, bugs or species. There is a time to kill and a time to just let the thing crawl or fly away on it’s own. Let it. BUT if you’re in the act of trying to get rid of those nasty little things (food flies, the thing that rhymes with the words “block and approach” put together, then by all means, do not let me stop you. Carry on.


1. Figure out its weakness

     Some like the water, and some completely despise it. Some need the sunlight in order to survive and some shun their quick little abdomens from it. Either way, figure out what your creepy crawler or flyer tries to avoid. Try googling the situation, as there should be a fairly huge chance of another () person from across the globe trying to get over one of their biggest fears. Online forums should be crawling (sorry, I just had to use it–and yes, pun intended) with answers and suggestions for tackling the postponed act. 


2. Prep, prep prep! 

     No, I don’t mean prep as in “prep for my three-hour triathlon” or “prep for the long-awaited bar exam.”  I mean prep as in getting your tools and whatever you need handy to go one on one with the thing! 

     We are definitely not, and I mean not going to spend hours, or even days trying to kill the thing. I know I’ve had my fair share of kills (of bugs of course! What else were you thinking?) and I may be in no place to say this to someone who is in fact struggling to kill a tiny bug, but…the bug or insect, or whatever you want to call it, is in fact SMALLER THAN YOU. You may be rolling your eyes at the screen reading this and thinking, “That’s just it! They’re small! Which means they’re fast, sneaky and they can fly! Small does not mean weak!” Yes, yes, I understand that, especially about small not being weak, heh, but I’m going to give out a little secret… Those tiny, yet fierce little bugs you’re afraid of? Those guys are actually afraid of YOU! There, I said it! Yes! They have defense mechanisms because they’re trying to get away from you!

So, for the long-awaited list of tools and preparation items, here are my suggestions:


Bug Spray

You can’t go wrong with this. A few triggers of the thing will definitely do the job. AND if you’re environmentally-aware, like myself, I strongly recommend the “EcoSmart” brand. They’re non-toxic and safe for pets, babies. Yay for mother nature! There should be other eco-friendly brands as well. Check your local stores for any, or search online. 

A “Hitter” (broom, old footwear, swatters, etc.)

What I like to call a “hitter” is anything, really; anything that'll hit the thing or prevent it from getting away counts. The “hitter” goes hand in hand with the bug spray. You can start with the bug spray and once the bug becomes affected by the spray, slowing down and staying in one place, begin tackling it with your “hitter!” OR you can start with your “hitter” and once it’s been attacked enough to stop it’s speedy and sneaky moves, then you can use the bug spray–quick and direct.

Paper Towels

You already know what these are for. 
*Handy Tip: Wet the paper towel with water–it'll be easier for them to stick to it if they try to get away

Music

Yes, I said it, music. These magic tunes have a way of playing with our minds and emotions. Choose a song that gets the determination out of you and pumps you up. Choose a song that’ll have you thinking, “Nothing can stop me, I'm invincible!" and “Yes! I really am the bad b*tch that Nicki says I am!”

             (basic bitches aka THE BUGS!)

Some songs for suggestion would maybe be: The Space Jam Theme Song, Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love,” Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us,” Lady Gaga’s “Applause," Maroon 5’s "Sugar,” Far East Movement’s “Like A G6,” – you get the idea.  

(I could have put Survivor’s “Eye of The Tiger,” and The Rocky Balboa Theme Song for clichés and aesthetics, but I prefer these songs for the motivation of physical endurance, not upbeat confidence boosters. But if you'd like to, hey, that's completely up to you, go for it.) Now that you've picked a song (or even playlist, who knows how long you'll keep waffling around?), play it! 

3. Get To It!
     Now that you've prepared all the things you need to attack, kill and capture the sneaky little bug, not to mention the music you've chosen to accompany the act; well, you know what to do next. Get on with it!

Top 5 Things To Do: The Philippines Edition

An archipelago of over 7,000 islands located in Southeast Asia, with a blended history of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American cultures gives the Philippines a unique and diverse personality. Just as its national motto goes, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” here are the top five things that will make your vacation worthwhile. 
Let’s go!

Get In Touch With The Water

Take advantage of this country’s sunny waters and go for a swim at a beach or resort. Enjoy exploring colorful and vivid marine life under the deep sea of this tropical archipelago, also known as Asia’s Dive Capital. El Nido in Palawan is one of the many popular places for divers and snorkelers.

   

Feeling reserved? Beautifully secluded beaches surrounded by mountains reside with only the sound of waves and palm trees swaying with the breeze. There are many other beaches alive with people as well. With white sand, black sand or even pink coralline bits, to warm turquoise jeweled waters, the countless options of beaches with hidden caves and waterfalls this tropical country has will have you yearning to go beach-hopping. Boracay, Camarines Sur, and Cebu City Resort just to name a few, have great beaches to visit.  

Outdoor Activities

Go trekking near the most symmetrical volcano in the world, Mt. Mayon in Bicol or at El Nido beach in Palawan where you can go through rice fields, lush jungle, rivers, and waterfalls.

Zipline across lush views of greenery at The Dahilayan Adventure Park located in Davao City that extends to 840 meters long and drops 100 meters down, making it the longest in Asia. You can even try hang gliding and parasailing too.

Manila

Colorfully refurbished American jeeps from World War II honk and rumble through traffic on the streets. Upbeat pop music from blasted radios and karaoke machines echo away into concrete paths lined with umbrella stands. Aromas of frying oil linger through the early afternoon air. Manila, the exotic cosmopolitan and capital city of the Philippines has all sorts of places to explore. A definite thing to do in this city is to visit some of its flea markets, as they have great bargains. Greenfield Market sells cool knick knacks, local art and different kinds of international street foods while live bands play in the background. AANI Weekend Market provides local and organic produce, seafood and even poultry from different regions of the country.

Visit the SM Mall of Asia, providing local and international chains, an IMAX theater, and indoor skating rink too. After exploring its shiny architecture, take an evening stroll near Manila Bay to watch the sunset. Admire the night atmosphere of palm trees lit up with city lights and decide on where you’d like to eat dinner from sidewalks of neighboring restaurants.

Fill That Belly!

The mix of cultures from the country’s past history can be tasted through some of its cuisine, occasionally infusing Southeast Asian and a bit of Western flavors together.

Satisfy your hunger with traditional belly-comforting Filipino dishes. As the cuisine is served family-style, taste a little bit of everything–accompanied with steamed white rice, of course! As you wait for your (oh so many) orders to arrive, feel free to nibble on some fun-sized lumpia, crispy Filipino spring rolls, filled with chicken or pork, and vegetables.

Some popular stews to try are: adobo, chicken or pork stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns;

and kare kare, a creamy oxtail stew slow-cooked with green leafy vegetables in peanut butter, garlic, and shrimp paste.

Pancit Palabok, is a rice noodle dish that incorporates shrimp flavored sauce, juicy shrimp, slices of boiled egg, green onions and crunched pork rinds for texture, then a spritz of kalamansi, or lemon juice for a final touch. The unique flavors and vibrant colors of this dish will leave your mouth full of savory, citrus-y, mouthwatering goodness–literally.

You can’t go wrong with ordering Halo-halo, a popular sweet treat to cool down with year-long during the hot climate. This particular dessert consists of shaved ice, evaporated milk, jello pieces, sweet beans and bits of fruit like shredded coconut, jackfruit, and sweetened plantain. A scoop of ube, purple yam ice cream and a piece of leche flan tops the refreshing mix. Visit Milky Way Halo-halo or Nathaniel’s Halo-halo for this sweet treat!

For authentic and traditional meals, dine at Binulo Restaurant in Pampanga, the country’s culinary capital or for a more modern presentation of the traditional cuisine, try Mesa Filipino Moderne, located at SM Megamall in Makati City.

Sightsee Some Culture

Visit the Banaue Rice Terraces in Baguio. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these presently-used vast formations of green staggered and ridged rice fields were formed over 2,000 years ago by native Ifugao tribes. Make sure to take lots of picture of this breathtaking scenery!

In Vigan City, discover cobblestone streets preserved of Spanish colonial architecture, and even ride horse-drawn carriages for a quick tour. Be sure to visit street vendors to try Vigan’s popular Filipino empanadas, pastry stuffed with ground beef, mixed vegetables and an egg, deep fried to a crisp, as they differ from other regions around the country.

Cultivated lawns and blooming gardens lay beside the paved walkway, lined with towering poles of the national flag. Rizal Park, a historical urban park in Manila, is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. A monument of Jose Rizal, a Philippine nationalist, writer, and poet stands in remembrance of his execution and revolutionary acts for the country’s independence against Spain during the colonization period of the Philippines. Relax during a night walk while watching dancing fountains and tropical plants adorned with night lights.