The castles of feudal Japan was very different from the medieval ones that I was more familiar with in Europe. The Himeji Castle was the largest castle in Japan. It was registered as an UNESCO heritage site since 1993. “Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji which is located in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan. The… Continue reading Visit To Himeji Castle
Netflix Movie: Rebecca
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia This was a remake of the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock classic of the same name. The original movie was the movie adaptation of the English paranormal novel by Daphne Du Maurier. Summary A lady’s companion met and fell in love with a handsome aristocrat, Maxim de Winter. His wife, Rebecca, had passed… Continue reading Netflix Movie: Rebecca
Book Review: Penchant For Trouble
This was the first part of the book series about Trish Penchant. She was a foster child who had been hopping from one foster home to another. From the very beginning, Trish knew that she had to hide her secret…. The very secret that caused to leave each foster home each time. Hence, she tried… Continue reading Book Review: Penchant For Trouble
Netflix Movie: Cadaver (Kadaver)
Image Courtesy of IMDb This was a Norwegian film that was based on an post-apocalyptic or nuclear disaster Norway. Everyone was starving to death. Daily life was horrible. In the middle of this chaos, a mysterious and wealthy man arrived in Leonara’s town. The man was offering a free meal with a promise of a… Continue reading Netflix Movie: Cadaver (Kadaver)
Product Feature: Vegan Halloween Gummy
Every year I would send treats and goodies to each of my child’s class for the teacher to hand out for Halloween. This year I discovered some vegan, and common allergen-free healthy gummy candy to give out! Look, the Halloween design was very cute! There were two types to choose from: 1) less sugar, very… Continue reading Product Feature: Vegan Halloween Gummy
Book Review: The Nymph’s Escape
Image Be StoryOriginApp This short story was inspired by one of the main characters in the Eva Chronicles series by Livia Lance. What Is A Nymph? “Different from Greek goddesses, nymphs are generally regarded as personifications of nature, are typically tied to a specific place or landform, and are usually depicted as beautiful maidens. They were… Continue reading Book Review: The Nymph’s Escape
Art Inspiration: Rukia Kuchiki
Who Is Rukia Kuchiki? In the anime “Bleach”, Rukia was a Soul Reaper, who was in charge of eliminating evil souls, Hollows. In my eyes, she was a strong and extremely brave female character in the series. The relationship that developed between her and the protagonist, Ichigo Kurosaki, was quite hilarious at times…. She was… Continue reading Art Inspiration: Rukia Kuchiki
Netflix Movie: Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street) 2007
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia A barber was wrongful thrown into prison for over a decade. When he finally made it out alive, he was devastated to discover that the judge who gave him the sentence raped his wife and took his daughter. Ultimately, he was told that his wife then took her own life by… Continue reading Netflix Movie: Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street) 2007
Netflix Series: Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
Image Courtesy of Forbes I remember that I used to watch the original Unsolved Mysteries as a child in the late 80s with the late Robert Stack as the host. This updated version didn’t have a host, instead the owners of the cases told the stories. There were a total of twelve episodes (season 1… Continue reading Netflix Series: Unsolved Mysteries (2020)
DIY Halloween Milk Jug
This year, I decided to take an empty milk jug and to decorate for Halloween with some acrylic paint pens. First, I used a pencil to sketch out the details. Then, I went over the lines and filled in with the paint pens. This was fun! I might continue to decorate more! Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle… Continue reading DIY Halloween Milk Jug
Reblog Feature: Ways To Keep Toxic People At Bay
Pay no attention to toxic words. What people say is often a reflection of themselves, not you.– Christian Baloga How many times have you felt … Ways to keep toxic people at bay! This is such an informative blog post by Pratha of Thoughts With Ink. Do you have any toxic people in your life?… Continue reading Reblog Feature: Ways To Keep Toxic People At Bay
The Face Behind The Blog Tag
I was tagged by Jan On The Blog! Here is a brief background info about me! Meet Jan from Jan On The Blog !! Check out and subscribe to her blog too! Jan’s Rules You’re tagged! To my blogging friends – I love reading your posts and would love to get to know more about… Continue reading The Face Behind The Blog Tag
Art Inspiration: Tempers Arise
Slowly bubbling, Steaming through The pores Of numerous Geysers, Gushes Become intolerable. Blasting through Each geyser Was a shot of painful And Resentful Tears. —– Chocoviv Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Book Review: Dirk Goes To Church (A Prequel To Children Of Kathaldi)
This short story by Ron Lahr was sent to me when I subscribed to his newsletter. It was a prequel to The Kathaldi Chronicles. Image Courtesy of StoryOrigin Situated in an imaginary world, Dirk, our protagonist was asked by his friend, a Kefnakian priest of the God of War, to be his body guard. Vone,… Continue reading Book Review: Dirk Goes To Church (A Prequel To Children Of Kathaldi)
Netflix Movie: Achoo
Image Courtesy of Far East Films Growing up in an orphanage with his childhood crush (Xin Xin), Wang Yi Zhi was determined to win her love as an adult by becoming a professional boxer. Even though she fell in love with a computer geek/genuine superhero, he did not give up loving her…. Image Courtesy of… Continue reading Netflix Movie: Achoo
Art Inspiration: Lady In The Lake
As I lie Across my bed Of wavering blades, Quivering in the cold, I ponder I wonder On the meaning of life And death. —-Chocoviv Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Netflix Series: The Haunting Hour (2010-2014)
Image Courtesy of IMDb This series was like the next level of spooky stories from Goosebumps by R.L. Stine. For those with school-age children, this could be a nice and creepy series to binge through before they take it off from Netflix right after Halloween. There were four seasons and was nominated/won many awards back… Continue reading Netflix Series: The Haunting Hour (2010-2014)
Reblog Feature: Easy Halloween Spider Cookies (Tarantula Cookies)
Every Halloween we bake spider cookies as a family. A tradition that started when the boys were preschoolers. It’s fun that we are still carrying out… Easy Halloween Spider Cookies (Tarantula Cookies) Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com Go check out this amazing blog for more awesome content!: https://azildeelizabeth.com
Beardie Update: October Feels
The weather has been cooler, so he doesn’t get to hang out on the lawn anymore. Instead, he relaxes on his tree and waits for me to bring him out. As he keeps moulting, he got rounder in the belly and chin…. So, he has a new leash now as his old one is much… Continue reading Beardie Update: October Feels
Netflix Movie: Hubie Halloween
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Salem needed a hero, and his name was Hubie! Something was weird happening, which did not escape the eyes and ears of the town’s famous deli worker, Hubie. He was going to save Halloween… Themes 1) bullying: Because Hubie was different from his peers, he was made fun of all this… Continue reading Netflix Movie: Hubie Halloween
Art Inspiration: Seriously?
Seriously? Did I just hear that? Who is that person to shove Their brainless opinions Down my throat Just because of How I look? Seriously? Why don’t they Focus on themselves? I rather work hard On myself Than work out My finger! — Chocoviv Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Book Review: Greek Myths You Must Know Before You Die! By David Fuentes
Image Courtesy of Amazon Greek mythology is often used throughout history to explain or to label situations in our lives. But, do you know the story behind those names like Zeus, Aphrodite and Hades? This 29 page book gives a very thorough, and humorous run though most of the common myths, beasts, deities and places… Continue reading Book Review: Greek Myths You Must Know Before You Die! By David Fuentes
Netflix Movie: A Babysitter’s Guide To Monster Hunting
Image Courtesy of IMDb This movie is an adaptation of Joe Ballarini’s three book children series. Kelly, the main character, was attacked by a monster when she was 5 years old. But no one believed her and made fun of her even after many years. Then, one Halloween, the little boy that she was babysitting… Continue reading Netflix Movie: A Babysitter’s Guide To Monster Hunting
Art Inspiration: Pondering Girl
I wonder where should I go…. What would I do…. Who would I meet When could I begin… To find out Who I am? — Chocoviv Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Netflix Movie: FREAKS (You’re One Of Us)
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia In a near future German society, certain individuals were deemed mentally unstable and sent to mental institutions. Psychiatrists prescribed medications to keep them normal. Wendy was given these medications as a child when she was involved in a school incident that involved the death principal. One day, she met a homeless… Continue reading Netflix Movie: FREAKS (You’re One Of Us)
The Feelings Tag (Jasmine Rose)
Thank you Jasmine Rose for tagging me. As I go through more and more books, this was a great tag to make me recall them…. Rules of the Tag Thank the blogger who nominated you and give a link to the blog. Answer the 5 feelings given to you. Write the reason in 5 to… Continue reading The Feelings Tag (Jasmine Rose)
Fabfitfun Fall 2020 Edit Box
One of the nice benefits of being a subscriber to Fabfitfun’s subscription box is that every so often they would have a special edit box. It is very different with edit boxes as you actually have a long and extensive list of items that have appeared in previous boxes to choose from at discounted prices.… Continue reading Fabfitfun Fall 2020 Edit Box
Book Review: Spooky Halls (The Unraveling of A New World) by R.D. Shrop
Image Courtesy of Amazon Three young journalists, who were well-known to expose scams and unfairness in the corporate world, received a parcel with information and three plane tickets to a mysterious forest….. This 40 page book actually reminded me of the beginning of a thriller movie. It definitely got me interested in the rest of… Continue reading Book Review: Spooky Halls (The Unraveling of A New World) by R.D. Shrop
AnimeGoodReads’ Nomination For The Mystery Blogger Award
Thank you animegoodreads for this nomination! The Rules Display the award logo on your blog. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog. Mention Okoto Enigma, the creator of the award. Tell your reader 3 things about yourself. Answer 5 questions from the nominee. Nominate 10-20 bloggers. Notify your nominees by… Continue reading AnimeGoodReads’ Nomination For The Mystery Blogger Award
Art Inspiration: Enola Holmes
After watching the movie, I was inspired by this amazing little sister of Sherlock Holmes! Here’s my quick pencil sketch of when she used a bow and arrow as a part of her education from her mother. Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Halloween Fun House for the Faint of Heart (From 2019)
I used to visit haunted houses. Before being a mom, I would visit one or two scary “haunted houses” during the Halloween season. These houses were … Halloween Fun House for the Faint of Heart Remembering the good old days of gathering with huge groups for Halloween… this was just a year ago…. Follow Chocoviv’s… Continue reading Halloween Fun House for the Faint of Heart (From 2019)
Netflix Movie: House Of The Witch (2017)
Image Courtesy of IMDb It’s Halloween and a group of high school students decided to visit the local abandoned house for fun. Summary This movie was the classic, gruesome teenage horror movie. Being chased around the maze-like mansion by an unknown, supernatural force, while making some obvious and empty one-liners. Somehow one just didn’t really… Continue reading Netflix Movie: House Of The Witch (2017)
Reblog Feature: DEPRESSION COOKING (Poem)
Cooking when depressed, Dumpling batter over guessed…… Four times more than counted for, It’s not the best! – Last chicken breast for cooking, Made … DEPRESSION COOKING Poem By Jonathan Caswell Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com
Book Review: Louisiana Lores And Legends By Lynn Emery
Have you been to Louisiana? “Some Louisiana urban environments have a multicultural, multilingual heritage, being so strongly influenced by a mixture of 18th-century French, Italian, Haitian, Spanish, French Canadian, Native American, and African cultures that they are considered to be exceptional in the U.S.“—-Wikipedia This book recalled some of infamous lores and legends from that area. Some famous topics: -Marie Laveau -Madame LaLaurie -Louisiana Voodoo… Continue reading Book Review: Louisiana Lores And Legends By Lynn Emery
Silk Road: Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (天池)
Tianchi (Chinese: 天池; pinyin: Tiānchí) is an alpine lake in Xinjiang, Northwest China. The name (天池) literally means Heavenly Lake and can refer to several lakes in mainland China and Taiwan. This Tianchi lies on the north side of the Bogda Shan (“Mountain of God”, Bogda is a Mongolian word meaning “God”) range of the Tian Shan (“Mountain of Heaven”), about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Fukang and 45 kilometres (28 mi) east… Continue reading Silk Road: Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (天池)
Art Inspiration: Turkey
It’s Thanksgiving in Canada today! Hence, I decided to sketch a turkey. Fun Fact Turkeys have been known to be aggressive toward humans and pets in residential areas. Wild turkeys have a social structure and pecking orderand habituated turkeys may respond to humans and animals as they do to another turkey. Habituated turkeys may attempt to dominate or attack people… Continue reading Art Inspiration: Turkey
Netflix Series: The Haunting Of Bly Manor
Image Courtesy of IMDb After a wedding rehearsal dinner, the party surrounded the fireplace of a lovely old manor and felt like telling ghost stories. One guest in particular who had been very quiet the whole time, announced that she had a very long one ….. Themes 1) tragic love: Love doesn’t always end in… Continue reading Netflix Series: The Haunting Of Bly Manor
The Longevity Peach (壽桃)
Whenever someone had a birthday, these little buns filled with either lotus seed paste or red bean paste would appear. But why? The reason was because they resembled the Peaches Of Immortality. In Chinese mythology, Peaches of Immortality are consumed by the immortalsdue to their mystic virtue of conferring longevity on all who eat them. Peaches symbolizing immortality… Continue reading The Longevity Peach (壽桃)
Eating Sea Cucumbers
What Are Sea Cucumbers? “Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea. They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide.“—Wikipedia Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Nutritional Value According to WebMD, sea cucumbers are a great source of lean… Continue reading Eating Sea Cucumbers
Movie Review: Victoria And Abdul
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia As I have been intrigued about the history of Queen Victoria, this movie poster attracted my attention. Themes 1) racial prejudice: Because of his skin colour and religion, Abdul was looked down by everyone in the royal household, including the staff. The more they looked down and excluded him, the more… Continue reading Movie Review: Victoria And Abdul
Reblog Feature: Hotels Versus Airbnb
Often when you go away on holiday, one of the most important questions is where you’re going to stay. For us, we want somewhere that’s central, not … Hotels Versus Airbnb Follow Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog on WordPress.com Go check out Ireland And Elsewhere for more travel tips! Which one do you prefer? AirBNB or hotel?
The Lockdown Tag
I was tagged by 3YellowDaisies for tagging me! Life’s been like a roller coaster…. But since the lockdown began in March and slowly opening back up through the summer, I have been keeping myself busy. RULES: Thank the person who nominated you! Answer the blogger’s questions. Nominate other bloggers. Questions: 1. Overall, how are you… Continue reading The Lockdown Tag
Silk Road: Tourist In Dun Huang (2005)
Dunhuang is a city located in China’s northwestern Gansu Province, on the very edge of the Gobi Desert. It was an important city in the history of the Silk Road as it was situated at the intersection of all three Silk Roads. The Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel Sorry for the blurry photo! It was the… Continue reading Silk Road: Tourist In Dun Huang (2005)
The Small Joys Tag
This tag helps remind us to be more joyful about the little things in our life. Thank you, Gelina for tagging me! Only 3 Rules: Thank the blogger who nominated you. List fifteen of your small joys! Nominate five other blogger friends who bring you joy. My Small Joys Ice cream Bubble tea Make up… Continue reading The Small Joys Tag
Book Review: Attitude (Discover The True Power Of A Positive Attitude) By Ace McCloud
This thin book is packed with excellent tips about how to deal with internal and external roadblocks to being more positive. My favourite topic was how to avoid negative influences, that included the media, people and relationships, and at work. In this day and age, we are constantly surrounded with negativity. Sometimes, it feels like… Continue reading Book Review: Attitude (Discover The True Power Of A Positive Attitude) By Ace McCloud
Book Review: The Refuge By Jo Fenton
Image Courtesy of Amazon This was the second book of the series. So, the evil mastermind of the Abbey, Dominic, was gone. From the Brotherhood, which was like a cult, the Abbey was transformed into a sanctuary and refuge for women and their children who were hiding from abusive situations. How interesting….. This novel revolves… Continue reading Book Review: The Refuge By Jo Fenton
Silk Road: Lanzhou
In 2005, as part of our Silk Road tour, Lanzhou, Gansu was one of our stops. “Lanzhou (Chinese: 兰州) is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China. Located on the banks of the Yellow River, it is a key regional transportation hub, connecting areas further west by rail to the eastern half of the country. Historically, it has… Continue reading Silk Road: Lanzhou
Outstanding Blogger Award Nomination By A Geeky Gal
Thank you A Geeky Gal for my Outstanding Blogger Award nomination! This award was created by Colton Beckwith. The Rules: Provide a link to the creator’s original award post. (Started here by Colton Beckwith) Answer the questions provided. Create 7 unique questions. Nominate 10 bloggers. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination. Neither the… Continue reading Outstanding Blogger Award Nomination By A Geeky Gal
Netflix Series: Into The Night
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Getting onto a plane with strangers was never comfortable. Then, one hijacked the plane! Ultimately, the sunlight killed everything it’s path….Now, the whole plane had to fly to survive. Themes 1) right and wrong: Everyone had done something wrong in their lives. No one was perfect. Someone who appeared evil on… Continue reading Netflix Series: Into The Night
Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination By Nonso The Writer
Thank you Nonso The Writer for my sunny nomination! “Writing is art, an expression of oneself. This art I intend to share with the world through the creation of evergreen write-ups, fuelled by quantified and qualified research facts. By this, I express myself wholeheartedly.”— Nonso The Writer SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD RULES: 1. Thank the person… Continue reading Sunshine Blogger Award Nomination By Nonso The Writer