Tracing Cellphone Callers

I have always had the same mobile number since I got my own cellphone in 1997. It's a post paid account. I noticed that during the recent years, I have been receiving many unidentified calls on my phone. Majority of them are calls from telemarketing people. It would be nice to have the Reverse Mobile Phone Lookup in order to screen the calls before answering ti.

Crossing Paths With An Old Friend

I find it rewarding whenever I cross paths with an old friend. It feels great to spend time with an old pal and reminisce about fun and memorable moments shared together. I have many friends who moved to other countries but we still manage to keep a good line of communication. If you have friends whom you have lost touch with, you can try looking them up through People Locator.

Blood Donation Experience

Last Wednesday, we received an SMS from my BIL that his wife was at the hospital and needs blood transfusion. The hospital was requesting that the blood consumed by the patient be replenished, regardless of blood type. After picking up our son in school, my husband and I went to the hospital.

Here are the steps of the blood donation:

Step 1: Interview Data Sheet
At the hospital's Blood Center, hubby and I were asked to fill out a Blood Donor Interview Data Sheet. Many of the questions pertained to health status and medical family history.

Step 2: Health interview & brief physical examination
Nurses took our respective blood pressure, weight, temperature and pulse. Then a doctor interviewed us based on the info sheet we submitted.

When the doctor found out that I just finished my period, he told me that it was best to wait for another week before donating blood. I was not a eligible for blood donation at that time. My hubby on the other hand passed both the interview and physical examination. A small amount of blood was extracted from him to test hemoglobin level to ensure that he was eligible to donate. After a few minutes, hubby was told to proceed to step 3.



Step 3: Blood donation
My hubby was asked to sit down on a reclining chair. The medical technician initially inserted a sterile needle into hubby's right arm but had some difficulty locating the proper vein. I found out that it's harder to draw blood on some people. The medical technician was able to draw blood on hubby's left arm. It took around 10 minutes to collect one pint of blood. After the draw was complete, the needle was gently removed and hubby's arm bandaged. Hubby rested for a few minutes.



I learned that for every 'bag' of blood used by the patient, the hospital requires three 'bags' of blood in exchange, regardless of blood type.


The blood are stored in this special blood bank refrigerator.


My SIL is doing much better now. She experienced some bleeding in her stomach but I'm not quite sure what caused it. She has been discharged from the hospital but will be back for check ups and further tests.

Reverse Phone Lookup

My friend, a fellow mom has been complaining that she has been receiving a number of prank calls several times a week. It's weird because most of the time, she hears a child's voice at the other end of the line. A very bored child must be calling her. She is thinking of changing her land line number. A reverse phone lookup feature would be great to trace any unidentified calls. You can always find out Who's Number Is This.

Weekend Snapshot #44

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Star Wars

Yohan had fun playing with his Tita Monet's Star Wars action figures. He got acquainted with the the characters that he is not familiar with. How was your weekend? May the force be with you.

Star Wars action figures

R2D2 and Young Anakin Skywalker (former child slave who grew up to be Darth Vader)

Camera Critters #21

Hi friends! I posted my Camera Critters #21 at my other blog. Have a nice day!

Photo Hunt :: View

Come and join the hunt here

My son had the privilege of witnessing the enchanting life cycle of a butterfly - metamorphosis. He watched his caterpillar spun a silk "girdle" which is referred to as the chrysalis. Yohan waited patiently for it to emerge. His patience was rewarded last Thursday when the transformation was completed and the butterfly finally came to view.

Yohan mesmerized by the newly emerged butterfly.


The butterfly up close.

A few minutes before letting the butterfly go.

You can view the video of how Yohan bid good bye to his butterfly in the earlier post below.

Aloha Friday #42 : A Butterfly's Journey Part 2

Rules: Post any question on your blog on a Friday, share your answer and sign Kailani's Mr. Linky. Then have fun answering the questions of fellow participants by visiting their blogs.

Share something nice you shared with someone special recently?

Last week I posted about the caterpillar that Yohan brought home. After a few days it formed a chrysalis.

Yohan waited patiently for it to emerge from its chrysalis and finally after more than a week, it finally emerged from its protective covering...



I really enjoyed sharing this moment with my son. It reminds me how beautiful life is.

Trace Those Unwelcome Calls

It's Friday, time for much needed rest and relaxation. I'm sure most of you look forward to the weekend just like me. Weekends are supposed to be fun and stress-free. There's no pressure to wake up early to prepare my son for school.

How would you feel if you were woken up early during the weekend by a phone call, only to find out it was a prank call? Some people seem to lack something better to do on weekends. I'm sure you would not appreciate the unwelcome phone call. You can trace prank calls using National Phone Search.

The Philippine Blog Awards 2008

I had the privilege of attending The Philippine Blog Awards 2 last September 21, 2008 at One Esplanade. It felt great to be part of such a big blog event. When I started my blog in 2004, I never imagined that blogging would become a big influence in my life. I'm grateful for the opportunities that blogging has given me. I value the wonderful friendships I formed through blogging.

It was an honor to be nominated for the Blogger's Choice Award. Although I did not bring home the trophy, I still felt a sense of triumph because of the support of my dear friends. I will always remember their kind words and gestures.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards 2008 especially to Dine of The D Spot for winning Best Blog: Family and Living Category. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers and sponsors for making the event possible.

It was a wonderful evening spent with friends. I would like to share some photos taken that night.

L-R: Chats, Dine, Feng, Cookie, Cess, Julie, me, and Noemi.
(Photo courtesy of Chats)

Mommy bloggers with Senator Mar Roxas, a fellow blogger.
(Photo courtesy of Chats)

Moms squeezing inside the Clique Booth. :)
(Cookie, Chats, me, Julie, Feng and Cess)
From Clique Booth

Note to self: Practice making wacky poses in front of the mirror. Ha ha!
(Cess, Cookie, Rowena, me, Julie, Feng and Chats)
From Clique Booth

I was happy to meet a fellow blogger, DongHo in person. He is very warm and friendly in person as he is in the blogosphere.

Congratulations to lucky mom, Cess for winning the Nokia N95 that night.

Cherished Thoughts ... Note of Gratitude

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you for your overwhelming support. Thank you for voting for me for the Blogger's Choice Award at the Philippine Blog Awards 2008.

I did not win the Blogger's Choice Award but I feel like a winner because of wonderful friends like you. I will always remember your kind thoughts and words.

"A kind heart is a fountain of
gladness, making everything in
its vicinity freshen into smiles."

~Washington Irving~

Special thanks to the people who took time to write these wonderful posts. You've touched my heart in so many ways. Your kindness will always remain as cherished thoughts ...

• "Rachel's site shares so many new things from parenting, child-rearing, cooking tips and recipes, gardening, travels, education, new good finds, a little on sports and a journal of her family activities. The said site is a recipient of countless awards from fellow-bloggers." - Rowena
  

• "I would like to congratulate Rachel for being nominated in the Philippine Blog Awards 2 (click the link to find out the mechanics). I'm sad that I'm not qualified voter since i just started blogging last month so i promise to make this campaign post for her." - Misyel

• "Rachel is such a wonderful blogger and a great friend. I encourage you all to go to Philippine Blog Awards and vote for Rachel." - Tammy

• "What struck me most is her tag "Happiness is a place between too little and too much". Very true. And I need not say more on that. Not to mention, Rachel and I have lots in common. Flicks, music, books and perhaps personality as written in her "About Me" section. " - Ryan
  

• "If you are a mother, you will love it. If you are a sister or a brother, you will love it, too. If you are a grandma like me, you will always come back to it. Just look at her site's statistics and you will agree with me that she is well loved in the four corners of the globe." - Princess

• "The first time I met her, I thought that her sweetness and gentleness in her blog also shines through in her personality. She really is one of the nicest blog-friends around. I also love how she lovingly shares her daily family adventures through candid posts and photos. Her blog is one that you will easily enjoy reading." - Chats

• "All I know is those traits of sweetness, combined with lots of thoughtfulness, equals my sweet and thoughtful Mommy Blogger friend Rachel." - Feng

• "She’s sunshine and rainbows, tulips and butterflies. Rachel’s blog always makes me feel good. It’s definitely a blog that radiates good vibes, and that is why I am drawn to it." - Toni

• "Rach, the author/owner of Heart of Rachel, a fellow mommy blogger is one of the nominees at The Philippine Blog Awards 2." - Mitch

• "My friend, Rachel, author of Heart of Rachel, is one of the nominees at The Philippine Blog Awards 2. I hope she wins. Her blog never fails to make me smile whenever I visit it." - Tani

• "I am voting Heart of Rachel for the Blogger’s Choice Award—for Rachel’s creativity, love for Yohan, and care for us, her blog and real life friends. She posts interesting and relevant articles regularly, taking time to keep her blog pleasant with pictures, caricatures and nice things." - Dine

• "I met Rachel in person and my perception of her was correct except for one thing. I thought she's one petite lady. Oh but she's actually taller than I am. Meeting Rachel was no different from what I read on her blog - she's soft spoken, very warm, always with a smile on her face." - Lynn

• "I would like to vote for my friend, Rachel of Heart of Rachel, for the Blogger's Choice Award at The Philippine Blog Awards 2. I like her blog because
  it is very interesting blog and more interesting informations,too." - Vicki

• "I truly enjoy reading her post special when it comes to her kid Yohan, since I can also relate to her shared experiences. She exudes the aura of the image of how Proud Pinay Mom should be. Her blog embodies family empowerment." - Cielo

• "When I started my own site I was really very touched at how supportive she was of my endeavors. I can honestly say that I had met a real friend. And when we finally met in the flesh she was everything that I imagined she would be. Sweet, thoughtful, and sincere." - Cookie

• "Her sweetness that everyone is talking about? That is true. Her blog posts as well as the comments that she send our way, these are all consistently sweet and nicely worded." - Julie

• "I’m casting my vote for her.Because the blog Heart of Rachel is indeed about the pure, simple, sweet, warm and friendly heart of Rachel. May you get this award, Rach. But if you don’t, you’ll remain my heart’s choice." -Cess

• "I’m posting this entry is to vote for Ms Rachel of HEART OF RACHEL and for her informative, creative and family - oriented blog site that gives joy to the readers while touching their hearts. To me, You’re a winner already.!" - Cora

• "Her blog is a testimony to how she views life and her love for her family. I really love the little tidbits she shares every so often about her son Yohan and the pictures that she shares with her posts. She's one modern mom with just the right touch of traditional values inside, something which seems to be lost (or gone awry, lol) in this super internet-paced world we live in! :)" - Maiylah

• "My blogging buddy Rachel is a nominee to the Philippine Blog Awards 2. And I am happy for her. It is a well-deserved nomination. I like reading her posts. The warmth of her personality shines through in her posts. And I always look forward to reading "Yohanism"." - Josiet

• In Heart of Rachel, the blog, the reader can follow the everyday life of a modern
  Rachel, but one whose family is intact. This is the life that revolves around Yohan (Rachel's one and still only child) and her loving husband. I haven't seen Yohan but I am privy to his sweetness, pranks, and wisdom, prodigious for his age -- including what Rachel has called 'yohanisms.' I guess I am one of hundreds who have followed Yohan's growing up with much delight and anticipation, through the blog. It is for me like having a virtual grandson. :)" - Annamanila
  

Weekend Snapshot #43

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Fun, Fun, Fun

I had an eventful weekend. I had three times the fun. Last Saturday, my family attended the 7th Birthday Party of Ram and Marco, sons of our neighbor. The party was held at Museo Pambata (Children's Museum). We had a chance to go around the museum. The party was held in a separate function room.


MUSEO PAMBATA (Children's Museum)

Me and Yohan at the Body Works room. It was a fun and informative journey inside the human body through a tunnel maze.


Say What???


Yohan with one of the clowns at the party. Yohan was afraid of them at first but he gradually lost his fear as the party progressed.

SNOW WORLD @ Star City

We experienced snow for the first time. It's not the real thing but it was good enough for us. Blue jackets were provided at Snow World but we brought Yohan his own winter jacket (given by my parents). He was the only one in red. It was cute how he stood out of the crowd. It was freezing inside. In fact it was -15 degrees Celsius inside the area.

Too bad cameras (not even cellphones with cameras) were not allowed inside. There were so many beautiful ice sculptures. We had fun on the giant ice slides.

There was a long line to get in but Yohan was very patient.


Brrr!!! (taken by official photographer inside Snow World)

DINO ISLAND @ Star City

Yohan is a big fan of dinosaurs. We took this opportunity to check out Dino Island. It features life size moving dinosaurs.

Huge Dino attraction just outside Dino Island.

Intimidating T-Rex.

Before going inside the Dino Island Museum.

PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS

Last night I attended the PBA night at One Esplanade. I met up with fellow mommy bloggers. This is just a peek. I will share more about this evening in a separate post.

Sticky Post: Philippine Blog Awards Nominee

** This is a sticky post. You may scroll down to read the more recent posts. **

* update: Deadline of votes is 11:20PM (23:00) September 20, 2008, Philippine time. *


I have known for several days now that my blog, Heart of Rachel is an official nominee at The Philippine Blog Awards 2008 for the Blogger's Choice Award. Honestly, it took me a while to make this post. I guess I felt overwhelmed at the thought of being part of a prestigious blog event.


I would like to thank Rowena of The Sweet Life for nominating me. When I received her text message letting me know that she nominated me at The Philippine Blog Awards, I was so surprised. I never expected it. I was a follower of the event last year but I never thought that I would be nominated this year.

There are 47 nominees for the Blogger's Choice Award this year and I feel so honored to be part of this list. Thank you Rowena for believing in me. It feels so good to know that someone like you thinks that my humble blog is worthy of being recognized. That by itself makes me feel like a winner.

Voting for the Blogger's Choice Award is now open to Filipino Bloggers. Please click here for the rest of the mechanics.

Here's a brief overview of The Philippine Blog Awards:

"The Philippine Blog Awards aims to recognize notable Filipino-owned blogs in their respective niches. With topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology and politics, Filipinos have become more abreast because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. The Philippine Blog Awards is a venue to showcase notable blogs with quality content that engages readers from around the globe." - The Philippine Blog Awards website

Heartfelt Thanks

I would like to thank my wonderful blog friends who voted for me for the Blogger's Choice Award. I'm very touched by all your kind words. Voting ends tonight at 11:20PM (23:00) September 20, 2008, Philippine time. Even though I don't win I know I will still end up feeling like a winner because I'm blessed with wonderful and supportive friends.

The Philippine Blog Awards Night is on Sept. 21, 2008, 6 P.M. at One Esplanade. Registrations starts at 5 P.M.

It find it so uplifting to read positive Website Reviews about my blog. It really inspires me to do better. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Photo Hunt :: Road

Come and join the hunt here

I enjoy helping my son make all sorts of fun crafts. I love buying craft books with easy to assemble paper crafts. Below is an example of a cute paper project that Yohan and I made before. It's actually a game board that we put together. I love the cute dog houses, colored puppies and the paw prints on the road.

Aloha Friday #42 and Handbag Meme

** This post is a combined post for Aloha Friday and EastCoastLife's Handbag meme. **

Rules: Post any question on your blog on a Friday, share your answer and sign Kailani's Mr. Linky. Then have fun answering the questions of fellow participants by visiting their blogs.



Aloha Friday: How often do you change your bag?

I love bags/purses but I don't change that often because I have the tendency to forget something when transferring bag contents.


Hand Bag Meme:
I was tagged by writer EastCoastLife for The Handbag Meme.

Here are the rules:

1.. Dump the contents of your handbag in a pile
2. Take a photo of your handbag and the contents
3. Be brave and explain to your fellow bloggers what lurks inside the handbag.
4. Tag others who might want to embarrass themselves
5. Answer these questions:

Describe the contents of your handbag.
I always carry a lot of stuff inside my bag. I always have my wallet, coin purse, cellphone, camera, paper and pen, mini alcohol, cologne, comb, powder, lipstick, lip gloss, tissue paper, baby wipes, mints and more.

What's the most important thing in your handbag?
My wallet because it has my identification cards and credit cards.

What's the most embarrassing thing in your handbag?
I don't have anything that qualifies as embarrassing.

What's the smallest thing in your handbag?
Breath mints

Is there anything illegal in your handbag?
Nothing

Website Reviews

If you want to find out more about a certain website, you can check out TalkReviews.com. It offers an open venue to share information and opinions about different websites all over the word. You can read positive and constructive Website Reviews in this site to give you an overview of any website you would like to visit.

Movie Time :: Something's Gotta Give

I enjoy watching old DVDs during weekends. I don't get tired of watching my favorite movies. I just finished watching one of my favorite films, Something's Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

Jack Nicholson plays Harry Sanborn who is a successful executive in the music industry. He is one of those Senior Singles out to enjoy life to the fullest. Harry prefers younger women like Marin (Peet). Imagine how awkward things turn out when Harry suffers a heart attack at the home of Marin's mother Erica (Keaton). Harry is left no choice but to stay at the home of Erica. The two discovers that they are strong attracted to one another. Harry's young and handsome doctor played by Keanu Reeves also falls for Erica. The highlight of the movie is the love triangle.

For those who haven't seen this old movie, I really recommend it.

A Butterfly's Journey

Yohan had a recent field trip to a nearby botanical garden. He had a wonderful time seeing different kinds of plants and flowers. The place is a haven for butterflies.

Yohan became very interested about butterflies. I told him about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. He was so fascinated with the idea of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. I chanced upon an easy to do caterpillar paper craft online and made one for him. It was perfect for our metamorphosis lesson.


It was a coincidence, when the head security at Yohan's school gave Yohan a live caterpillar he found. Yohan insisted we bring it home. I placed it inside an old container. I was worried that the caterpillar might die. I tried to convince Yohan to free the caterpillar but he became so sad so I allowed him to keep it for a few days. I put some leaves inside for the caterpillar to feed on.

After a few days, we were so surprised to find a chrysalis inside the container. Yohan is so thrilled.


We're all excited to see the butterfly come out soon.


The other day, I saw this chrysalis in the garden. I hurriedly showed Yohan.


When we checked it a few days later the chrysalis was empty. Yohan felt sad because we missed it. Then we saw this butterfly nearby. I told him that there's a big chance that this was the butterfly that emerged from the chrysalis.




Yohan really enjoyed our lesson about metamorphosis.

image source

Here are some interesting facts:

• The caterpillars of butterflies do not make a cocoon. They make chrysalids (singular: chrysalis).
• The caterpillars of moths are the ones that make cocoons.