Love Bug

Source: http://www.vwcult.com

I'm no car enthusiast but when it comes to VW Beetle I get caught in a love bug. I've been having a crush on this cute hot wheels ever since.  The whole thing is just adorable that I wish I could collect them in different colors, put in a box and play with them all day. Haha. Forgive me for sounding ridiculous.

My uncle had a powder blue Beetle which he owned since the 1970's. It was his signature ride that every time people see it driving around town, they'd know it was him. The Beetle matched his charisma, being friendly and approachable.

My uncle's restored 1972 VW Beetle (c. M. Ongcog)

This car model's timelessness makes it a darling of the crowd. Being inexpensive, friendly, and easy to maintain its worldwide popularity led it to be called "The People's Car". As a matter of fact, it is the most-produced car in automotive history.

Facing competition with modern cars, demand for the Beetle has declined leading to its last production in 2003. The very last beetle produced in Mexico was nicknamed "El Rey", Spanish for "The King", which resides in Volkswagen's museum in Germany.

Source: http://www.ridelust.com

El Rey rolling off the production line at Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico

If given the chance to own this classic vehicle, I wouldn't hesitate at all. It would be an honor to drive this iconic car. Come to think about it, this is my dream ride... oh, yes it is.


Check out these uniquely customized Beetles you'd enjoy looking at in awe:

1. Vochol

Vochol is a beaded VW Beetle in Mexico. The name is a combination of Mexico's term for the Beetle "vocho" and "Huichol" which is the common name of the Wirrarika indigenous group that transformed this car into a beaded work of art.

Source: http://www.vochol.com.mx



2. Wrought Iron Beetle

Gate and fencing Croatian company MG Vrbanus stripped the VW Beetle and applied wrought iron sections. This is their way of displaying their quality craftsmanship. The company thought of using the Beetle for such advertisement since most people identify with it being an iconic vehicle.

Source: http://www.visualnews.com



3. Wooden Beetle

Mr. and Mrs. Bojic from Bosnia and Herzegovina tiled up their Beetle with wood. The couple carved each wooden tile in their own garden workshop. Before being applied on the car, each tile underwent 23 separate procedures like cutting, beveling and smoothing.

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn

Lion Whisperer

Source: http://oodjee.com

I've seen some videos and photos about friendship between man and lions but this one has been the most touching so far. Right when the lions (Meg and Amy) came running to Kevin and hugged him intimately, it brought me to tears. And all throughout the video I just couldn't stop smiling because I was so amused by the bond between him and these iconic predators. I get inspired by people like Kevin Richardson who see wildlife in a totally different perspective. Wild animals always have a gentler side in them. They're actually just like us, if only we know better.

Source: www.veooz.com

Kevin, also known as the Lion Whisperer, is a South African self-taught animal behaviorist who has worked extensively with wild creatures such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. Unlike most animal handlers who use force and fear to subdue them, Kevin manages to build a relationship with the big cats by using love, trust, and understanding. With this approach, he is accepted by several prides of lions and clans of spotted hyenas.

Source: www.wikipedia.com

He publicized this unique relationship through movies and videos hoping to raise public awareness and to educate the world for the protection and conservation of these beautiful animals who are decreasing in population year after year. 

Source: www.wikipedia.com

I cannot express more how inspired I am after finding out about the Lion Whisperer-- indeed, there is still faith in humanity. People like Kevin still exist and live today, striving to make the world a better place. I hope his efforts will not be in vain and humankind will pay attention to his message that these big cats should not be hunted down to extinction.

Source: http://www.germmagazine.com

"A lion is not a possession; it's a sentient being, so you must pay attention and develop your bond like with any relationship."  - Kevin Richardson

Watch this amazing video of Kevin with lions and hyenas: 

I hope after seeing the video you'd help raise awareness for the protection of the wild animals of South Africa and the whole world. They deserve to exist just like us.

http://www.lionwhisperer.co.za

Box of a Dream Home

Source: http://www.cgarchitect.com/2012/09/shipping-container-house

Everybody has a dream house for sure. Some place to settle, relax, and call home. As for me, my dream home is something made out of a box. Literally. I want a shipping container house. I've been drooling over beautiful designs of these cargo boxes. There are tons of them lying around in docks around the world, hence, using them to build a house is basically recycling. Most of my readings have three things in common to say about this type of dwelling-- it's  eco-friendly, durable and practical. Yup, just the way I like it. I'm psyched to get my own shipping container home. In the mean time... here's a drool fest of lovely shipping container architecture.

1.  Guest House by Jim Poteet

Source: http://www.homedsgn.com

2. A Transforming Shipping Container House by Port-A-Bach Architects

Source: http://humble-homes.com

3. The Nomad by Hybrid Architecture

Source: http://www.tinyhousetalk.com

4. Savannah Project by Price Street Projects

Source: http://www.pricestreetprojects.com

5. Cordell House by Katie Nichols, John Walker, and Christopher Robertson

Source: http://www.thecoolist.com

Inspiring Youth: Malala Yousafzai

Source: http://www.parade.com

Malala Yousafzai gained worldwide recognition after her attempted assassination by the Taliban due to having aired out her concern for education through media. This 16 year old Pakistani started becoming an education and women's rights activist when the Taliban terrorized her town in Swat Valley. She garnered several awards for shedding inspiration to people all over the world. The 2013 Nobel Peace Prize currently shortlisted her as one of the nominees. Her book, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, was published on October 8, 2013. The autobiography's release was in time with the anniversary of the day she was shot on a school bus by Taliban gunmen which occurred October 9 last year .

I immediately admired her courage upon learning about her story. It takes a lot of guts to counter such terrorists with only her voice as her weapon. Malala is a brave teenager who is not afraid to make a difference and who has big dreams-- dream for peace, for education, for women's rights. It's incredible that she has all these ideas and outlooks at a very young age. Her fearless move to be heard has created a huge global influence. May she continue to spread light and awakening in this frightening and chaotic world.

Watch this interview where Malala makes Jon Stewart of The Daily Show speechless:

Designs of the Heart

Weddings are not just a source of beautiful love stories, the set up and designs are too awesome to ignore. From vintage, garden, rustic, victorian, beach concepts, everything falls into place to make the ambiance as whimsical and enchanting as possible. Such are precisely inspirational that these could be suitable as excellent design ideas to be incorporated at home or other certain events. I came across greenweddingshoes.com and found absolutely admirable concepts and arrangements.

Vintage Love

Found these adorable photos by Mandy Bryant while browsing around etsy.com. Her photographs are simply adorable and inspirational. The vintage feel of her shots are warm and cozy that it feels like home.