Heart of Rachel

Revisiting 2011: Singapore Trip part 1

2012-01-16T22:00:00.000+08:00

Let me begin the year by filling the void I left on my blog. Last year was a good year and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of those memorable highlights.

I'll start with our family trip to Singapore last summer of 2011. It was a very memorable vacation because it was Yohan's first airplane ride and it was our first trip out of the country as a family. It was an adventure from the start because we didn't go on a tour. The tour packages we reviewed only featured selected places so we decided to go on our own. It was a great decision because we were free to choose our destinations. I booked our airline tickets and hotel accommodation online.

Our Singapore trip was tailored fit for Yohan. We know how much he loves animals so we put the top 3 zoos in Singapore on our itinerary.

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo was so amazing! It was an adventure in a tropical forest. We came close and personal with different animals. Just imagine 2500 animals living in that 28-hectare sanctuary.

The animals in Singapore Zoo enjoy living in wide and lush habitats. They have a taste of freedom unlike the animals from other zoos that spend all their time in small cages.

Some of the animal attractions in the zoo.

Here are just a few of the animals we encountered during our walk ...

It was a pleasure to see 3 beautiful white tigers, also called Bengal tigers. walking, swimming and playing in such a spacious habitat.

One of the majestic white tigers at Singapore Zoo.

Yohan and I rode on the back of a beautiful Asian elephant. We also saw several other elephants playing with a huge ball and spraying each other with water. I've always been awed by the intelligence and strength of elephants.

Fun elephant ride.

There were free-ranging orangutans on top of the trees. It was so cool to see them swing, lounge and play right above our heads.

Swinging orangutans.

It was Yohan's first time to see a giraffe. We wanted it to be truly memorable so we let him feed one of the giraffes. Just look at that long tongue!

Feeding the giraffe with carrot sticks.

At that time, Angry Birds was at the height of its popularity. It was funny because a foreigner approached my husband and offered to buy the shirt he was wearing. Jules politely declined. :)

The zebras were so close.

Before going home, we bought several furry pals and shirts as keepsakes.

At the souvenir shop.

Embracing 2012

2012-01-01T16:46:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year! Looking back at 2011, I could say that it was a good year for us. My family and I have been truly blessed. I peacefully bid 2011 goodbye and I welcome 2012 with open arms. I hope that this year will be another great year. I pray for happiness, good health, peace, great opportunities and never ending inspiration. I know that there will be challenges along the way. I pray for strength and courage to rise above small and big hurdles that I might encounter.

Cheers to a great year ahead!

Yohanism #39

2011-10-09T17:17:00.000+08:00

Yohan asked me the following questions ...

Yohan: "What's your favorite mammal?"
Me: "dog"

Yohan: "What's your favorite amphibian?"
Me: "frog"

Yohan: "What's your favorite reptile?"
Me: "lizard"

Yohan: "What's your favorite bird?"
Me: "eagle"

Yohan: "What's your favorite fish?"
Me: "clown fish"

Yohan: "What's your favorite insect?"
Me: "butterfly"

I was in the mood to return the questions ...

Me: "What's your favorite mammal?"
Yohan: "platypus"

Me: "What's your favorite amphibian?"
Yohan: "axelotle"

Me: "What's your favorite reptile?"
Yohan: "komodo dragon"

Me: "What's your favorite bird?"
Yohan: "condor"

Me: "What's your favorite fish?"
Yohan: "aligator gar"

Me: "What's your favorite insect?"
Yohan: "praying mantis"

After hearing his answers, I have to admit, I don't know what some of those creatures look like. ha!ha!

Protect the Hearts of the Young and Innocent

2011-04-28T23:35:00.049+08:00

It’s amazing how a simple smile can brighten the mood of the day. It’s music to the ears when a child’s laughter echoes in the room. It’s rewarding to let that sweet melody play in the air. A child’s smile and laughter have a way of soothing the heart. Sadly there are children out there who have lost all reasons to smile. Pitiful cries fill the empty, cold shell where they hide. There’s no melody. There’s only silence; broken occasionally by a soft whimper.

Children are young and playful at heart. They deserve to be carefree. Kids are entitled to fun activities like flying kites, playing tag, blowing bubbles, watching cartoons, playing video games and so much more. However, in this imperfect world, there are some kids who are forced to grow up fast. Instead of toys, they carry sacks heavier than them. Some children are forced to work to help bring food to the table. At the end of the day, their energy is drained. They use whatever extra time they have to rest and sleep rather than play outside. Youthful years fade without them being aware of it.

As parents, we should nurture, love and protect our children. We should motivate them to learn and dream. It’s so hard to believe that some parents turn promising dreams into nightmares. Some parents rule with iron fists. Why subject a child to a painful blow for a wrong deed? How can a child appreciate the beauty of life when every waking day is ruled by fear and pain?

Child abuse is a reality that some children face in their homes. They are robbed of their innocence and deprived of happiness. Physical scars fade in time but the emotional scars lie embedded deep in the heart.

Don't let your child be another victim.

Remember that every child is a blessing. Embrace your child and let him feel special and loved. Encourage and support your child to become a better individual. Nurture, guide and protect him as he grows.

This post is created for The Blog & Twitter Carnival: Child Abuse Prevention.

Yohanism #38

2011-02-09T23:38:00.002+08:00

The earlier football game between the Philippines and Mongolia was exhilarating. Adrenaline rushed whenever the ball came very close to the goal. My family cheered as Chieffy Caligdong gave the Philippines its first goal. We were ecstatic when Phil Younghusband gave the country its second goal. It was a 2-0 triumph for the Philippines.

Here's a funny conversation after the game ...

Me: "Phil Younghusband is so cute!"

Yohan: "Mom, it's not about the looks. It's all about the skill."

ha!ha! I almost died laughing. Good thing Phil is blessed with both. :)

Congrats Azkals!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T04:21:00.001+08:00

New Year is a wonderful time to celebrate life, good health, love and friendship. May you be blessed with all these things.

May the New Year usher in new hopes, new goals, exciting discoveries and more inspirations. I hope that 2011 will be a great year for you.

Take care and God bless.

Yohanism #37

2010-09-21T12:27:00.001+08:00

My parents recently sent me several gifts. I was so overwhelmed with happiness which made me utter ...

Me: "My dad and mom are the best parents in the world!"

Yohan heard it and seemed baffled. He asked me ...

Yohan: "What about you?"

Me: "My parents are kinder and more thoughtful than I am."

He touched my shoulder and said ...

Yohan: "Mom, don't underestimate yourself."

One Remote That Does It All

2010-09-21T11:21:00.001+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of TiVo. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many people, like me, enjoy watching TV series. You will feel the excitement building inside of you as the plot thickens. Sometimes you might feel anxious to know what will happen next. There's always something worth looking forward to especially when the story continues to unfold. You can find the best and latest TV series on TiVo Premiere. I became a fan. You can do the same by clicking here to access its Facebook Fan Page.

I'm looking forward to the many upcoming TV Fall Premieres especially Glee. I checked out Fall TV and I'm also excited to watch the action packed series Hawaii Five-0. Now you can watch your favorite programs with ease. TiVo Premiere is such an amazing gadget for the biggest TV fans. I'm sure a lot of TV lovers will appreciate it. Now, it's easy to keep track of your favorite programs and actors. You can simply click and find your favorite programs whether its web video, TV, and movies.

I'm fascinated by the features of the the TiVo Premiere and Slide Remote. It's a remote and at the same time, it gives you full access to TiVo. I like its fully retractable QWERTY keyboard. It is perfect in making easy and quick text entries. I don't have to worry about using it in the dark because it is equipped with a cool light sensor. It's convenient to use in the dark because of its automatic glow in the dark feature. The backlit keys and keyboard will surely come in handy at night.

You can enjoy your favorite programs and get the chance to win a a new TiVo Slide in the "30 Slides in 30 Days" Sweepstakes (http://www.tivo.com/30slides). Sweepstakes ends 9/22/10 so don't waste time and click Enter to Win. Happy viewing and good luck!

Undeniable Force

2010-09-20T10:30:00.019+08:00

Life is always filled with thoughts and inspiration. Blogging has allowed me to share fragments of my thoughts, feelings and mixtures of inspiration. I sometimes take a break but later on I always find myself pulled to this same direction. It's like an undeniable pull of force.

I'm back.

Thanks for still being there. :)

Photo Hunt :: Colorful

2010-08-07T11:59:00.000+08:00

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My son had a fun 7th birthday celebration in school a few weeks ago. My husband and I brought some food for the kids and gave each one a personalized birthday token. In lieu of the usual loot bags filled with candies and chocolates, we gave them these colorful miniature pots with wooden animal clips. We had the kids' names printed to give the giveaways a nice touch.

How To Make a Cupcake Tower

2010-08-03T12:38:00.001+08:00

For our son's recent birthday celebration, hubby made a simple 3-tier cupcake tower from scratch. It was fun and relatively easy to do. Even the birthday boy helped out.

Interested to make your DIY cupcake tower? Here are the materials and simple steps.

You will need:
2 large Styrofoam boards
2 even sized Styrofoam squares
ruler or measuring tape
marker
decorative paper (or fabric)
scissors
cutter
tape
glue
long and thin wooden stick (BBQ stick can be used)

Procedure:

1. Cut 3 Styrofoam squares measuring: *8x8, 10x10 and 12x12. Use a ruler or measuring tape to get precise measurements. Use a marker when making measurements so you can easily cut the proportions using a cutter.

2. Cover the Styrofoam boards and squares with decorative paper or fabric. For paper, you can use craft glue. For fabric, it is better to use glue gun.

3. Connect the pieces using wooden sticks. You also have the option to glue them permanently.

4. Clean the surface of the tiers. You can gently wipe the decorative paper or fabric with paper towel. Arrange the cupcakes starting from the last level going up.

Enjoy!

* You can also use round Styrofoam boards or ready made cake boards measuring: 1×8″, 1×10″, 1×12″. Replace Styrofoam squares with cylinders.

Wind on my sail

2010-07-31T20:15:00.001+08:00

Smooth sailing on calm waters.

The wind suddenly blew hard and rocked my boat.

What should I do?

I hold tight and pray for balance.

Photo Hunt :: Public

2010-07-31T14:35:00.001+08:00

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You'll find a lot of great bargains in the tiangge. It is sort of a flea market which is open to the public. There are different stalls selling all kinds of merchandise. There are stalls that sell clothes, fabrics, cooking wares, toys, accessories and more.

This stall sell stickers, hair accessories, cellphone accessories and different kinds of small trinkets for a fraction of a price.

I would also like to share an article I wrote before entitled The gypsy life of a magtia-tiangge. It's about a nomad merchant who sells variety of household things in the tiangge. He works hard for the money to give his family a comfortable life.

Sustainable Progress in Small Communities

2010-07-30T16:56:00.000+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

I grew up in the city. I was used to the noisy and busy streets. When I got married, I moved to a nice and relatively small town in the south. It took a while for me to adjust but through the years, I have learned to appreciate the wonderful things around me. I love the spectacular view of the mountain, the fresh air, the peaceful surroundings and the kind people.

Every town can benefit from sustainable progress and development. Big investors who build large establishments bring in new jobs and opportunities for many people. However, there are times when these big establishments threaten small scale businesses. It's quite sad to hear of businesses which have been passed on from generation to generation, closing down because of giant competitors.

I don't mind progress but at the same time, I also care for historical preservation. Take for example, the inspiring story of Ramblers Way Farm. This American company is known for sourcing, growing and producing their fine woolen apparel. The company revitalize small towns by utilizing 100% domestic resources. The company works hand in hand with the people to achieve sustainable growth.One of the company's great achievements is earning the Gold Lead Certification level.

I have great confidence in products Made in America. I expect such products to have excellent quality. Ramblers Way is known for their beautiful and eco-friendly wool garments. They are admired for their highest quality superfine wool. Even their building adheres to environmental standards. The company that is dedicated to help the people around them makes it worth looking up to.

Hi Blog Friends

2010-07-29T15:10:00.006+08:00

I'm sorry I haven't been able to update my blog recently. I've been a little busy. I have a lot of new things to share and I'm excited to blog again. I'll come by and visit soon. Enjoy the coming weekend!

Viva España

2010-07-12T20:33:00.000+08:00

Yohan wearing Spain football uniform.

Congratulations to Spain for winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup! Cheers to Andres Iniesta for bringing home the goal for Spain. It was worth waking up very early in the morning to watch the live telecast on TV. It's amazing that Paul the Octopus was right once again. :)

Photo Hunt :: Free

2010-07-12T08:55:00.000+08:00

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This free birthday cupcake was too good to resist. It didn't last long. :)

10 Years Together

2010-07-08T22:02:00.000+08:00

I remember waking up on this day exactly 10 years ago. It was raining hard and the wind was blowing hard. Two typhoons decided to hit the country that day. That couldn't dampen my spirit. Instead I looked upon it as a symbol of twin blessings.

Happy Anniversary my love.

Photo Hunt :: Open

2010-07-03T11:54:00.000+08:00

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When my son opened page A54 of his Harcourt Science book, he saw this Model of an Insect project. I helped him create an ant model. We didn't have all the original materials so we substituted some of the things. Good thing I still had some googly eyes left in my craft box. Yohan was happy about the final outcome -- a fiery red ant.

Kimono Doll Pens

2010-07-01T21:13:00.000+08:00

I love my Kimono Doll pens. I got them for only P19.75 each at Clipper. I was smitten by their cute little faces and chinky eyes. Now they even inspired me to make a haiku ...

Wind touches her hair

As refreshing as sunlight

Love that breezy smile

Yohan is Featured in K-Zone Magazine

2010-06-29T11:36:00.000+08:00

Yohan loves reading K-Zone. He has a bag filled of old K-Zone magazines at home that he likes reading every now and then. I always make it a point to buy him a new one every month and I even cover each one with plastic.

Several months ago, he asked me if it was possible for him to be featured in the section Birthday Bits. I said it was possible but I told him not to have high hopes. I made it clear that the magazine can only choose one celebrant for that section each month. I didn't want him to be disappointed in case they choose another July celebrant instead of him.

I helped Yohan send an email to K-Zone with his picture and short details around 3 months ago. We didn't get any reply or feed back.

The K-Zone July issue is now out. I grabbed a copy and I was so happy to see my little boy in the magazine. Yohan was thrilled when he saw his picture.

I'm grateful to K-Zone for featuring my son. It's a nice advance birthday gift for him. Yohan's picture appeared again in the magazine's July calendar sheet. :)

Photo Hunt :: Purple

2010-06-26T09:18:00.000+08:00

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This photo was taken at Manila Ocean Park. I noticed the ceiling in the lobby and took a picture of it. The lighting inside gave this shot a purple touch.

Happy Hamburger Day 2010

2010-06-26T09:11:00.000+08:00

Took advantage of Hamburger Day at Brothers Burger. Thanks to hubby's cousin for the treat. Yohan didn't care much about the burger but he enjoyed the fries and onion rings. :)

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T16:01:00.001+08:00

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, hubby and all the wonderful dads around the world! I would like to share this Father's Day card that Yohan made for his Dad. As you can see, he was inspired by the FIFA World Cup. Hubby is a big fan of FIFA. He stays up until the wee hours of the morning watching the games on TV.

Photo Hunt :: Six

2010-06-19T10:37:00.000+08:00

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My son loves the story of Noah's Ark. Last Christmas, he received this wooden Noah's Ark toy. It's composed of one ark and six pairs of wooden characters (Noah and wife, a pair of elephants, monkeys, tigers, lions and crocodiles).

Photo Hunt :: Bubbles

2010-06-12T07:05:00.044+08:00

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These are my betta fish (a.k.a. Siamese fighting fish). I actually have four of but I'm just featuring two for this theme. Betta fish are small and colorful freshwater fish. They come in different colors. I have two red, one blue and one multi-colored betta fish. I guess they are called fighting fish because they are very territorial. They have a tendency to fight until the death if placed together in one fish tank. Sadly some people use these lovely fish for fish fight betting games.

I have a rectangular shaped fish tank with glass dividers so every betta fish has its own individual space to avoid fighting. When they come face to face with one another, they flare their gills and their flowing fins appear larger. They always try to attack one another. Good thing the glass dividers protect them from causing injury on one another

Betta fish are very easy to take care of. They don't need special apparatus like an air pump (for oxygen) unlike other types of fish.

My betta fish tank is always covered with these little bubbles.

Photo Hunt :: Sparkles

2010-06-05T11:55:00.001+08:00

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When you enter the Jellies room in Manila Ocean Park, you'll be tantalized by these dancing fairies in the water. These free swimming jellies illuminate the dark room.

Yohan and his cousins were awed by the jelly fish and the changing hues. Their dazzling natural performance bring sparkles in the eyes of the kids.

Yohanism #36

2010-06-01T18:19:00.001+08:00

I volunteered to make pancakes today for snack. I asked Yohan if he wanted to be my kitchen assistant and he eagerly said yes. I laid out all the ingredients and kitchen utensils on the counter top.

Yohan: "Mom, are you sure you know what you are doing?"

Thoughts inside my head: Ouch! My little boy must be thinking I have no business in the kitchen.

Me: "Of course, don't underestimate your mom."

Yohan: "Ok mom."

Yohan set aside his doubts about my kitchen qualifications as he helped me mix all the pancake ingredients. I heated the pan and made pancakes. I asked Yohan to serve the first pancake to his dad who was upstairs. I placed the pancake on the plate and added some butter and syrup. Yohan took the plate and brought it up. I distinctively heard him say to his dad ...

Yohan: "Special delivery! Pancake from mom. It smells good but it's burned."

Yohan went down ready to serve the other pancakes and I told him ...

Me: "Burned?! It's not burned. It's a little brown but not burned."

Yohan smiled and delivered the other pancakes to our helpers. I reserved the last two pancakes for Yohan and myself. We ate it at the dining room.

Yohan took his first bite and said, "This is good mom. May be you can join a kitchen battle because your pancakes are good."

Thoughts inside my head: Awww, my little boy loves my cooking after all.

But my thoughts were premature because Yohan added ...

Yohan: "But the judges might not like the burned part and remove you from the battle."

Lovely Dragonfly

2010-05-31T16:14:00.000+08:00

When I was young I used to chase dragonflies. These fast flying insects are amazing to watch in the air but they are more captivating when they land to rest. When they stay still, you can appreciate their brilliant colors and their lovely transparent wings.

Dragonflies were so abundant when I was young. Dragonflies flying among the flowers and plants used to be a familiar sight but not anymore. Today it's a treat to see one flying in the garden. Some say pollution has caused the dragonfly population to dwindle. That's a sad thought. I hope these beautiful creatures will be resilient and be able to withstand the effects of modernization.

Photo Hunt :: Memorial

2010-05-29T00:04:00.000+08:00

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It's not easy saying goodbye to a family member. Adults easily feel the pain of losing a loved one but most young children are lucky because their innocence help shield them from such a sad reality.

This photo was taken on the day of my sister-in-law's interment last January. My little niece was curious about the memorial plaques on the ground. She's too young to grasp the concept of death. Perhaps, it's better that way.

Colorful Hustle and Bustle Outside Antipolo Church

2010-05-28T12:38:00.001+08:00

After hearing mass at Antipolo, one will find it hard to ignore the hustle and bustle outside the church.

Local vendors have found a lucrative business selling colorful balloons and toys. Small children are easily enticed by the sight of familiar characters floating on strings, flying winding birds and small toys with wheels that you can push back and forth with its handle. I saw a little girl frantically pulling her mom's hand towards the toy vendors.

Yohan didn't ask for any of those this year but when he was younger I bought him one of those ingenious mouse toys that move by pulling its string (made of scrap cloth and rock pulley-like mechanism).

There are also vendors selling candles outside the church. Lighting candles is a popular Catholic tradition. One usually light candles to pray for blessings or ask for divine intervention.

I always see these peculiar man and woman wax figures whenever I go to Antipolo but I have never asked what they are for. Some say the man and woman wax figures symbolize marriage but I may be wrong. Please share if you know.

A visit to Antipolo church will not be complete without buying casuy and suman (cashew and rice cakes). I took this quick snapshot when I noticed a lone red cashew among the yellow ones. I didn't buy any but hubby bought plain cashew nuts.

Back at home, we enjoyed eating fried suman with some sugar. It would have been better with ripe mangoes but it was still yummy.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo

2010-05-26T23:08:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday, we went to Antipolo to hear mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Going to Antipolo church every month of May is an old tradition of hubby's family. We left the house before 5 a.m.

The drive from Batangas to Antipolo was smooth and quick. The traffic started as we approached the church. Parking was really tough. A guy in a white shirt helped us secure a parking slot in one of the nearby streets. He ran along side our van as we made several rounds in the area. He must be really fit to be able to endure all that running. To my surprise, he politely declined the tip from my brother-in-law. He just requested that we go to his food stand if we decide to buy suman and casuy (rice cake and cashew nuts) after the mass. Suman and casuy are popular products of Antipolo.

The sight of the huge crowd made my knees weak. I doubted if we could get inside the church.

Slowly we inched our way near the church entrance. It was still early but the sun was already beaming its hot rays down on us.

We eventually managed to go inside the church. Luckily, my hubby, son and I were able to get some seats. Other family members had to go back outside because there were no more seats available. There were so many church goers that day.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, popularly known as the Virgin of Antipolo (Birhen ng Antipolo) rests above the pedestal. Many church goers ask Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for blessings for a safe journey or passage (especially those who are going to another country). The image was brought to the Philippines by Don Juan Niño de Tabora in 1626. It was sculptured by Mexican craftsmen using dark hard wood similar to the Black Nazarene in Quiapo.

The Antipolo church has been a center of religious pilgrimages for three centuries. One of the popular annual pilgrimages is the "Alay Lakad" from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo Cathedral.

There are LCD screens placed in strategic areas of the church so that people outside can still see and hear the on-going mass.

Store Online Documents Safely

2010-05-25T23:46:00.001+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of iSigned.com - Safe storage for your important documents. All opinions are 100% mine.

I just signed up for my very own iSigned account. For those who are not familiar with it, iSigned is a great way to store legal and important documents online. You can now easily secure documents like travel documents, ID's, contracts and more. You can be assured that your documents are safely stored online. It's very easy to sign up for one. It took me a few minutes to register for my own iSigned - secure online storage for legal and other important documents. I registered for a free trial and got an account immediately. I uploaded my first document with ease. It's easy to use and you can share your documents with other signatories/parties if you wish. I like the system because it's user friendly and provides easy and secure storage for my important documents. I like the idea of being able to control who can view and share my uploaded documents with. The expiry date option is a good way to monitor pending expiry. The system will warn me about it, thus giving me ample time to take action.

iSigned may be used by individual users and businesses. An individual user like me can take advantage of an unlimited storage from only $0.26 per day or $7.95 per month. It's a good price considering the storage and the security it offers. Firms, on the other hand, will only pay $14.95 per month (minimum 2 users) and enjoy added features such as fine-grained user permission controls and detailed reporting. System users can wait for an API and other upcoming feature. I'm happy because iSigned is currently giving all users an unlimited-period 5 document free trial.

Durian candies

2010-05-24T08:29:00.015+08:00

My brother-in-law recently went to Davao on a business trip. When he went home, he gave us assorted Durian goodies as pasalubong. Keats gave us Durian pastillas, Durian candies and Durian yema. I'm not too fond of the Durian fruit but these Durian sweet treats are delicious.

Photo Hunt :: Monthly

2010-05-22T16:08:00.000+08:00

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My hubby, son and I love good food. We make it a point to eat out at least once a month. I guess you can say that dining out is one of our monthly bonding moments.

We recently had dinner at Buon Giorno! It's a lovely and cozy restaurant in Cliffhouse, Tagaytay that serves Italian cuisine.

You can dine outside al fresco or you can choose to eat inside. The interior of the restaurant has a homey feeling to it.

We ordered Buon Giorno's Special (crisp crunch of mixed lettuce greens, cucumber and tomato with feta cheese and dressing).

We also had New York Pizza (assorted meat, bell peppers and cheese topping on a crisp,crusty dough).

I wasn't able to take a photo of Yohan's order. He had kiddie chicken fingers with curly fries and a tall glass of Mudslide freeze (blend of chocolate shake).

This is Buon Giorno's most reserved place - the Opium Bed. It has big fluffy pillows and white canopy. When you reserve this place, you can enjoy the scenic view of Taal as you dine.

Buon Giorno! Caffe & Bistro
Unit 4, Cliffhouse Tagaytay
Gen. Emilio Highway
Tagaytay City, 4120
(046) 4132102

Custom Fit Vehicles for Special Needs

2010-05-20T01:46:00.000+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association that aims to help consumers avail of safe, reliable and specially modified vehicles for better accessibility for people with special needs. Consumers are encouraged to buy from a NMEDA qualified dealer in order to benefit from on-site evaluation necessary to custom fit vehicles for special needs. This personalized approach is important because no two people with disability have exactly the same needs.

There are available adapted wheelchair vehicles in the market but they may not cater to specific needs. Take advantage of “in-person” evaluation to make sure you get the best driving solution patterned to your particular lifestyle and needs. NMEDA is also a dependable resource for additional training as well as production modifications and refinements.

Purchasing from a NMEDA qualified dealer simplifies things because your vehicle will be custom fitted to answer to your needs. Take note that NMEDA has Dealers AND Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers. The Dealer handles vehicle sales. QAP happens to be the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. The goal of the program is to increase the level of dealer performance to effectively meet consumers’ transportation needs through safe measures.

My husband’s grandmother is turning 90 years old soon. She has a wheel chair but she can still manage to stand on her own and walk very short distances. It’s a little difficult for her to ride cars. Someone should be inside the car to assist her as she goes in and another one outside to guide her. NMEDA qualified dealer can help transport hubby’s grandmother with ease. In fact, a NMEDA dealer can help both the elderly and disabled to live an independent life.

My husband’s grandmother used to live in Maryland. I used the dealer’s locator on the website and typed in her ZIP code. It was a quick search and I got a list of dealers near her area.

Give it a try and see if there’s a qualified dealer near you. Let me know when you do.

POC: Kuwentong kababalaghan: Manananggal, kapre atbp

2010-05-19T23:45:00.000+08:00

I grew up listening to stories about Pinoy "elementals" -- like tikbalang, kapre, manananggal, aswang and dwende/nuno. Such stories are already part of the Filipino culture and have been passed from generation to generation. Some stories were used by elders to scare young children from going out at night.

Please check out my Buhay Pinoy article: Kuwentong kababalaghan: Manananggal, kapre atbp . The actual feature is written in Filipino (without translation).

Jollibee's Brief Appearance in Glee

2010-05-19T23:14:00.001+08:00

Our very own well-loved Pinoy fast food chain, Jollibee makes a cameo in Glee. Jollibee’s appearance on Glee was brief and yet the online world couldn't get enough of it.

The much talked about Jollibee appearance in Glee can be seen on the episode “Dream On” which was directed by Joss Whedon. Dream big --- that’s what Artie (Kevin McHale) did as he and other dancers strutted in a flash-mob style daydream sequence to the tune of “Safety Dance” (originally performed by Men Without Hats in the 80’s).

When Bryan Ryan (Neil Patrick Harris) asks Artie to write down his greatest dream, Artie wrote the single word "dancer." A person in wheelchair who dreams of becoming a dancer will touch anyone’s heart. It’s a really a heart-wrenching moment.

Viewers are used to seeing Artie confined to his wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury. It’s a pleasure to see Artie rise from his wheel chair and dance with such explosive energy in the dream sequence. The unadulterated Glee flash-mob dance is a captivating scene filled with vibrant moves.

Honestly, I thought Artie was a real wheelchair bound person. He portrays his role very convincingly.

While people are mesmerized by Artie’s great dance moves and flexible maneuvers, a familiar red sign peeks at the corner of the screen. Jollibee's brief international exposure in Glee even became a trending topic in Twitter.

Please check out my POC Sosyal article about it. - Jollibee is in Glee!

Happy Meal features Shrek the Final Chapter

2010-05-19T01:45:00.001+08:00

I still remember back in 2007, Yohan collected Happy Meal Shrek 3 characters. Almost three years later, Happy Meal is featuring the cute characters again. After a eating few Happy Meals, the gang is complete. You'll see familiar faces but you'll notice a definite change in some.

Gingy, Little Wooden Puppet, Puss In Boots, Brogan, Princess Fiona, Donkey and Shrek

"It ain't ogre 'til it's ogre!"

"After challenging an evil dragon, rescuing a beautiful princess and saving your in-laws' kingdom, what's on ogre to do? Well, if you're Shrek, you suddenly wind up a domesticated family man. Instead of scaring villagers away like he used to, a reluctant Shrek now agrees to autograph pitch forks.What's happened to this ogre's roar? Longing for the days when he felt like a 'real ogre' , Shrek is duped into signing a pact with the smooth-talking dealmakers, Rumpelstiltskin.Shrek suddenly finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of Far Far Away, where ogres are hunted, Rumpelstiltskin is king and Shrek and Fiona have never met. Now, it's up to Shrek to undo all he's done in the hopes of saving his friends, restoring his world and reclaiming his one true love." - source

Photo Hunt :: Half

2010-05-15T10:29:00.001+08:00

Come and join PhotoHunt

My dear friend gave me a box of assorted Toblerone triangles. It was a treat trying all 5 varieties of Toblerone namely Milk, White/Milk, White, Dark and Praline.

Without the wrappers, you can easily spot the two-toned Toblerone triangle. It stands out because the lower half is milk chocolate and the upper half is white chocolate.

Everyone in the family has a favorite Toblerone. Hubby likes Dark, Yohan likes Milk while I prefer Praline.

I therefore conclude that chocolate bliss is easily achieved when there is no chocolate conflict. ha!ha!

Vote Casted

2010-05-10T23:49:00.011+08:00

I exercised my right to vote today. I lined up patiently for one hour to cast my vote. Things went smoothly. The PCOS machine accepted my ballot without a hitch. It felt good when the machine confirmed my vote.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T06:41:00.000+08:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms especially to my loving mom, caring mother-in-law and loyal yaya.

I'm on my way out to attend my son's mini soccer cup and we're celebrating Mother's Day after that. I'll catch up with you soon. Take care.

Photo Hunt :: Mother

2010-05-08T01:27:00.001+08:00

Come and join PhotoHunt

The blue whale is the biggest animal on earth. This is a model of a baby blue whale displayed at the mall. Just imagine how enormous the mother blue whale is. I don't think there's room at the mall for such a giant creature. A big blue whale can measure up too 100 feet long and it could weigh as much as 150 tons.

Here's a little trivia: A blue whale's heart is about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Its aorta is big enough for a person to crawl through. Incredible!

A blue whale is a wonderful mother. It will do everything it can to protect its calf from harm.

Advance Happy Mother's Day!

How To Make a Race Car Using a Box

2010-05-03T20:36:00.002+08:00

Transform a big cardboard box into something fun and useful. You can make a race car using a big box. It's a great project for the family.

Materials:

Big cardboard box
6-7 paper plates
4-6 red cartolina (poster board)
colored paper or construction paper
glue gun (ordinary glue if you don't have a glue gun)
scissors

Procedure:

Fold the two long flaps of the box inside. Do the same with one of the short flaps. Glue them permanently using a glue gun. Another option is to cut the three said flaps.
Fold the remaining short flap at the middle and form into an inverted V. Glue the lower sides of the flap to the box.
Cover the outer box with red cartolina (or any preferred color). You can use the rest of the cartolina to cover the inner box.
Enjoy designing your own wheels using paper plates. Use colored/construction paper and cut-outs to make desired details. Simply attach the four wheels on the box using a glue gun.
Make a steering wheel using paper plate if desired. You can glue the steering wheel or secure it with a button fastener just below the dashboard.
Use two paper plates for the headlights. Adjust the size by cutting it into smaller circles. Use red colored/construction paper for the outer border and yellow for the inner circle.
Cut red and yellow circles and glue them at the back of the box to serve as tail lights.
If you have a printer at home, you can search and print pictures of a speedometer, fuel gauge, tachometer (rpm gauge), etc. Glue them on the dashboard.
Have fun adding more details to your car.

My son requested for a Ferrari. It was fun watching my husband and son create a cardboard Ferrari. All I did was print the Ferrari emblems. When it was done, Yohan grabbed his small chair and placed it inside. He hopped in and he let his imagination take him to his destination. Vroom ... vroom!!!

You can also use this cardboard race car as a toy chest. I'm sure you can use this project to encourage your child to be responsible by putting away his toys after he play time.

Photo Hunt :: Black

2010-05-01T00:31:00.001+08:00

Come and join PhotoHunt

This is a black rhinoceros beetle. It's called rhino beetle for short. Males usually have large horns which they use to fight other males during mating battles. Rhino beetles have amazing strength. They have the ability to lift up to 850 times their own body weight. Just imagine that! In some Asian countries, rhino beetles are used for gambling. Beetles are placed on a log and the first one to knock its opponent off is the winner.

Koi Action and Water Taxi in Nuvali

2010-04-29T22:19:00.000+08:00

Nuvali is a nice and refreshing place where you can dine, relax and unwind with family and friends. Aside from restaurants, it also has a multi-functional lake, outdoor trail and wide open spaces. Visitors can feel close to nature because of its green surroundings.

Nestled at Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Nuvali is becoming a favorite place by many.

A great activity that you can enjoy in Nuvali is fish feeding. Fish feeds are sold for P15 a pack. Take note that only Nuvali fish feeds are allowed. So don't make a mistake of throwing a piece of bread or chip in the water.

I've seen Koi ponds before but this is the first time I've seen a lake with a massive number of Koi. Adults and kids will surely be delighted by the overwhelming abundance of Koi swimming and eagerly hoping for Manna from heaven.

The moment you drop some feeds in the water, the exuberant Koi will swim frantically to get some of that coveted treat. It's an amazing display of fin flapping and fish tail movements. You might even see one or two Koi doing a cartwheel in the air. No kidding!

Perhaps the Koi are doing it on purpose so that you'll go back to the booth to buy some more of those feeds. ha! ha!

I surely fell for it because I went back to the booth several times to buy fish feeds. It was worth it because my son had a great time feeding the overzealous Koi.

Fish feeding at Nuvali is from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

Riding the Water Taxi is another fun activity for the family. The short boat ride costs P30 per head.

Enjoy the refreshing wind on your face and watch birds flying nearby. Expect to feel gentle water splashes as the boat makes a turn.

After feeding the Koi and riding the Water Taxi, my family settled for appetizing snacks at Conti's. Hubby had halo-halo, Yohan chose chicken empanada while I enjoyed a slice of Bananalicious Pie.

It was an afternoon well spent.

Soccer Summer Fun

2010-04-26T22:39:00.002+08:00

Kids nowadays prefer to stay at home. Inactivity among kids is often fueled by television, game consoles and computer games.

My son used to be a homebody. His activities were not limited to television and computer games because I made it a point to interject activities like drawing, painting, educational games and fun crafts. However, I realized that something was missing. He lacked agility and flexibility.

This summer hubby and I enrolled Yohan in soccer. I admit I wasn't keen about the idea at first. I was concerned that the summer heat would be a problem since soccer is an outdoor sport. However, Yohan was insistent and his dad backed him up. I knew Jules would support Yohan's choice because he is after all, a soccer player himself.

I gave in and bought him soccer shoes. That sealed the deal. It was my way of saying yes. Both boys were happy. :)

I'm happy that Yohan chose soccer for his summer activity. I've seen him in the field and I'm so proud of his developments. Soccer has definitely improved his motor skills. He is more agile and flexible. I also noticed that he has more endurance for physical activity. The running and sprinting will surely help build his muscles and strengthen his bones. The best thing about soccer is that Yohan is enjoying himself. He also made a lot of new friends.

I talked to Yohan's coach and he said that soccer will help the kids learn about coordination, determination and self-discipline. It's also a good way to promote teamwork and camaraderie.

Sports like soccer can help encourage kids to turn off the television, set aside computer games and get some much needed exercise.

Find out what sport your child is interested in. There are a lot of great choices like soccer, tennis, basketball, badminton, Taekwondo, swimming and more. Summer is a perfect time to enroll your child in one.

Yohanism #35

2010-04-12T23:59:00.001+08:00

Yohan: "Mom, I feel cold."

Me: "Just adjust the knob of the air-con so it won't be too cold."

Yohan: "I have a better idea... body warmth."

He climbed on my lap while I was typing on the computer and gave me a tight hug.

Yohan: "I have forgotten how good body warmth feels."

Chipmunks Fun

2010-04-10T02:42:00.002+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you enjoy watching Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel in the movie theater? If you did, I'm sure you would be delighted to hear that the Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel DVD is out. You can even buy the Blu-ray version or if you prefer, you can get the Digital Download. It's a great purchase because the Double DVD includes a bonus disc featuring The Squeak Along. Let the family enjoy more fun music. The whole family and even your friends can have double the fun.

I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel at the movie theater with my husband and son. We had our share of good laughs. The movie was funny, amusing and entertaining. It's a movie for the whole family. Now that it's available on DVD, I can't wait to get my own copy so we can watch it all over again in the comfort of our home. Combine it with popcorn and it becomes a fun in-home movie experience. If you love the movie too, then you have the opportunity to buy it now.

I visited http://www.munkyourself.com and I tried to munk' myself! I enjoyed tweaking my Chipmunk character and my son had twice the fun. Give it a try.

I have always adored the Chipmunks. When I was young, my Dad gave me a Chipmunks cassette tape featuring different songs by the Chipmunks. It even has a Happy Birthday song by the Chipmunks. My younger brother and I enjoying listening to their cute songs. I told my son about my cassette tape and he was very interested. Cassette taps are now obsolete but the Chipmunks continue to remain in the spotlight.

Check out More Munk Mayhem to get access to Alvin, Simon and Theodore games, activities, gift ideas and a lot of family fun. Visit http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com and explore the fun things on the site.

Summer Sport

2010-04-09T10:34:00.014+08:00

It's summer and it's a perfect opportunity for kids to enjoy a new sport. Jules and I gave Yohan some time to choose a sport that he finds interesting. Among his choices are badminton, Taekwondo, swimming and soccer.

Yesterday he made a choice. It's going to be soccer! We bought him a new pair of soccer shoes. Yohan is very excited. I'll share more about it soon.

Appreciating Preschool Years

2010-04-01T23:32:00.000+08:00

Yohan graduated from preschool last Friday (March 26). I'm so proud of my son for earning three awards on graduation day. He received three medals namely Word Smart (English), Nature Smart (Science) and Academic Excellence. My husband and I took turns going up the stage to give Yohan his awards. It was a heartwarming experience.

Preschool is a fun and memorable part of a child’s early years. As a parent, I appreciate how preschool has helped my son learn new things, build confidence and harness his strengths as an individual. Preschool is also a great start for early academic milestones.

Social Skills – My son is an only child and preschool gave him a chance to socialize with other kids. I witnessed how he learned to overcome his shyness. He learned how fun it is to play and interact with other kids.

Self-Confidence - He gradually abandoned his timid self and became more sure of himself. I still remember how he enjoyed talking in front of the class about his favorite pet during Show and Tell day.

Problem Solving - There are many preschool activities that let students think for themselves. This motivates preschoolers to solve problems and overcome challenges independently.

Arts and Crafts - Yohan enjoys making art projects in school. He is always excited to show it to us when his he gets to bring home his work. He loves to draw at home. I always make it a point to buy bulk paper for his drawing inspirations. Even my husband and I enjoy conceptualizing costumes for Yohan's school activities.

Math Basics - My son appreciates learning numbers the fun way. Preschool has interesting ways of teaching addition, subtraction, time telling and fractions.

Reading Books – Thanks to preschool my son is becoming a little bookworm. Every student has a ‘reading passport’ in class. It encourages parents to read to their children at least once a week. The parent records the title of the book on the ‘reading passport’ and the child also brings the book to class to share with classmates. I read to Yohan every night and I invest in books for him. The school also has regular Reading Festivals that the kids enjoy tremendously.

Creativity - Preschool allows my son to express his creativity in a lot of ways both inside and outside the classroom.

Music & Rhythm – Song and dance numbers by preschoolers during special events are worth watching.

Listening – Young kids often have short attention span so preschool teachers incorporate fun activities with lessons to encourage participation and listening skills.

Exploration - Preschool is not confined inside the four walls of the classroom. Field trips give the kids a chance to explore new places and learn new things.

Independence - The Preschool Camp gave my son a taste of independence. I admit it wasn't easy on my part to let him go but I'm glad I did because Yohan had a terrific time with his classmates and teachers. It was a learning experience for both of us.

Writing – At the beginning, his unsteady hands slowly learned to write the alphabet. Now he can write sentences and even a short story.

There are many more great things that make Preschool memorable for kids and parents. These memories will live on and bring smiles to our faces.

Enjoying "Chili" Moments with the Family

2010-04-01T21:29:00.000+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hormel Foods. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sometimes after a tiring day spent working, whether at the office or at home, it's nice when you don't have to worry about what to serve for dinner. Dinty Moore and hormel products can be great dinner salvations. Imagine getting one from the cupboard and your dinner is ready in just a matter of minutes.

Aside from dinner, these products can be great movie companions too. My husband likes making Hormel® chili cheese dip. It’s very simple and easy to do. Simply open a can of 1 (15-ounce) can Hormel® Chili No Beans and add some cheese cut into cubes. Just combine both ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat. Remember to stir frequently until the cheese melts and the chili mixtures become hot and bubbly. Once the dip is ready, open your favorite brand of tortilla chips and start dipping. We also like using taco chips. For more great and easy recipes, check out http://www.hormelrecipes.com for ideas.

For 75 years, Dinty Moore® and Hormel® brands are first in mind when it comes to stew and chili, respectively. In the 30s,Dinty Moore® advertisements featured characters Jiggs and Maggie from “Bringing Up Father”. Later, signature thumbprints of a lumber jacked proclaiming “First name’s Dinty, last name’s Moore were placed on every can. Using celebrities helped Hormel® chili become well known. Print ads featuring Ray Milland, star of “Copper Canyon” also came out. The most striking one for me is probably the ad of pro football player Fran Tarkenton in the 80s when he promoted Hormel® chili.

I remember how my mom enjoyed preparing tacos with Hormel® chili and loads of grated cheese. It was such a hit with my high school classmates during study and project time. Check out my Tweet about their 75th Anniversary here.

Have a Meaningful Holy Week

2010-03-31T17:07:00.005+08:00

It's a long weekend for many of us. I hope that you'll have a meaningful Holy Week. For those you are going out of town, have fun but try to find some time to reflect as well. Take care.

Tagged :: Hershey's Easter Basket Blog Hop

2010-03-25T14:02:00.000+08:00

Willa tagged me with Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop. I'm doing this for a good cause.

Here’s what to do:

* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this Better Basket Blog Hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.

* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).

* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

I'm tagging Alice, Sheng, Kay, Louann and Jo. If you were not tagged, you are still welcome to join this worthy cause.

POC Expat Files: Isang Kakaibang Biyahero

2010-03-25T13:04:00.002+08:00

I would like to share a very short story close to my heart. It's my own little way of honoring hardworking overseas Filipino workers. I hope you can find time to read it. You may find the story here. (It is written in Filipino language.)

POC Buhay Pinoy: The Gypsy Life of a Magtia-tiangge

2010-03-19T23:32:00.002+08:00

I met Mang Ver, a hardworking entrepreneur who makes a living by putting up a tiangge (bazaar) from town to town. His gypsy way of life is very interesting. Please come and read his story here.

Tagged :: 7 Red Things At Home

2010-03-17T13:20:00.002+08:00

I love red! I was tagged by Dexie to do this meme. This is long overdue. Sorry Dexie.

Here are 7 red things I have at home:

Planner - It's where I keep contact info of family and friends (including birthdays).
Shoulder bag - My mom gave this to me a few years ago as a birthday present.
Shoes - I love this pair. It's very comfortable and ideal for walking.
Babushka dolls - I saw this at the mall and made a hint to hubby that I like it. He didn't mind buying it for me.
Christmas stockings - I hang our personalized Christmas stockings every Christmas and Santa fills them to the brim. :)
Vanity kit - Perfect container for my face powder, lipstick, lip gloss, comb, small cologne and hand sanitizer.
Baby spoon - This is very special to me because it was my son's spoon when he was a baby. It brings back happy memories.

This tag is open to everyone. Please let me know if you decide to join the hunt for red things at home. :)

Top in Class and a Valedictorian

2010-03-16T11:23:00.002+08:00

His family’s love for good food and his mom’s delicious home cooked meals helped fuel his passion for cooking at a young age. He was inspired to do his own cooking and he learned to experiment with his own dishes through the years.

He has always wanted to take up Culinary Arts but he was sidetracked to another field. When a culinary school opened nearby, he took it as his cue to pursue his interest in Culinary Arts. He's grateful that he was given a chance to learn new things and hone his skills in cooking.

I'm very proud of my husband for completing his 6-month course in Culinary Arts at MOST Institute. He graduated top of his class and best of all, the Valedictorian of the graduating batch.

Congratulations Jules! I'm happy that you are following your dreams.

POC Health Article: Rabies: the deadly bite

2010-03-13T20:35:00.001+08:00

March is Rabies Awareness Month. I would like to share my health feature on Philippine Online Chronicles about rabies. Please do your share to fight this deadly disease. Be a responsible pet owner. You may click here to read the full length feature.

Yohan's First Camping

2010-03-08T18:32:00.003+08:00

At first, I was not keen on the idea of my son going on an overnight camping. I felt he was too young for such an activity. I was reluctant to let him join the Prep camping. We had a family talk about it and ...

I was outvoted by the boys. Jules had no problem with it. He said it will be great experience for our son. Yohan was thrilled about the thought of camping with his classmates and teachers. He told me he would be sad if I didn't let him join the group. It was two against one so I conceded. Hubby and I also went to school to talk to our son's adviser. She reassured us that the camping activity would be safe and fun for the kids. It was a good way to teach the kids a little independence.

(Night Before) I felt a little sad as I prepared Yohan's things for camping. I packed his clothes and labeled them accordingly. I guess you can tell that I love zip bags. :) I made sure Yohan had enough drinks and snacks.

(At Bluroze Farms, Lipa) Jules and I brought Yohan directly to the camp site. I felt better knowing that the kids would be sleeping in a house rather than tents. Yohan was welcomed by his teachers and classmates. Yohan asked where his bed was and I saw his face light up with excitement. Hubby and I kissed Yohan good bye. With a reluctant heart, I walked away from the house. As I followed the path leading to the parking area, I couldn't help but look back every now and then. On the road, I silently prayed for my boy's safety.

(Camp, Day 1) Yohan told me that he had a great time on the first day of camp. They had a nature walk around Bluroze Farm. All the Prep students were given small bags so they could collect little treasures along the way to remind them of their camping experience. Yohan's treasures were feathers, plants and flowers.

Using leaves they found in the nature park, the kids did their own t-shirt painting.

Laughter filled the campsite during the evening. There were fun games, camp fire and hotdog grilling. Meanwhile, at home, Jules and I couldn't sleep. It was not easy being away from our son for the first time. We had a DVD marathon and slept early in the morning.

I asked Yohan if he slept well that evening and he said "I cried silently that night because I missed you and Dad very much." His teacher told me that Yohan had a hard time sleeping at first because the lights were on. His classmates, on the other hand, couldn't sleep with the lights turned off. Dilemma! The teacher turned off the lights when most of the kids were already asleep and Yohan finally dozed off.

(Camp, Day 2) The kids enjoyed singing, story telling and making arts and crafts. They also made pizza and dessert.

(Reunited again) Yohan gave me a very tight hug when we picked him up the following day. I noticed he was teary eyed. I felt a tug in my heart. Awww ... my little boy missed me as much as I missed him. Before going home, Yohan showed us inside the house. His face was beaming with pride.

I'm glad we let Yohan join the camp. It was a fun and enriching activity after all.

Majority of the photos courtesty of Yohan's teachers.
Camp site: Bluroze Farm, Lipa
Camping period: Jan. 26-27, 2010

POC Health Article: Colorectal Cancer

2010-03-05T11:05:00.002+08:00

I'm happy and proud to be part of the weekly online publication Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net). My first health feature about Colorectal Cancer is now up on the site. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Remember, awareness is the key. You may click here to read the full length feature.

Inspiring Health and Wellness Site

2010-03-05T08:14:00.002+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm struggling to lose weight. It's not an easy task. Recently, someone I know suffered from a stroke. He survived the stroke but he will be needing long term therapy. I realized that it's about time that I take good care of my health. I'm a mother to a young boy and he needs me to guide him in his growing up years. I don't want to suffer the same fate as my friend. I want to be healthy and strong for my son. I know I have failed in the past to maintain a healthy lifestyle but it's never too late. Perhaps I just didn't have the proper tools and motivation to keep me on the right track.

I found out that www.wellnessdaily.com is a good source for people like me looking for a motivation to live a healthy life. Sometimes inspiration is needed to take that very first step. The site is a new, online community where you can read latest news about health related topics. I have browsed through the site and I found several inspiring healthy living blogs. I found an amusing blog post about chocolate confessions. I'm also a chocolate lover and I find it hard to resist the temptation of chocolates. The blog post highlights how the author learned to control her craving for chocolates without necessarily abstaining from it forever. We don't have to deprive ourselves from something we love as long as we learn to eat food in healthy proportions. The site shares various nutritious recipes to help you in your goal to live healthy. Another good thing about the site is access to expert opinions. You can even check out health videos about various health topics such as proper weight loss, healthy eating, proper excercise and maintaining well-being.

Be inspired to live a healthy life and get a chance to win a great prize. Simply join wellnessdaily.com, sign up and enter the Twitter contest for a chance to win a WellnessDaily.com prize package which include coupons for a year-long supply of Jennie-O Turkey Store product and a one-year gym membership, valued at $1,250. Learn how to “Enter to win $ towards a gym membership & JENNIE-O turkey products by clicking here. Just follow @wellness_daily & RT this! http://bit.ly/tbd123." Take note that Twitter promotion runs 2/24 through 3/10. I also have my own RT about it: http://bit.ly/tbd123."

Yohanism #34

2010-03-04T10:26:00.027+08:00

I have neglected my blog for so long. I miss blogging and I miss my blog friends. I was inspired this morning to blog because of a conversation I had with my son.

Yohan: " Mom, spider love is tough."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Yohan: "After the spiders marry, the female eats the male. Now that's what I call tough love."

Ha! Ha! I don't know where he got the marrying part but he probably watched a spider feature on Animal Planet.

Haloscan is Shutting Down!

2010-01-28T21:35:00.004+08:00

I received a disturbing email stating that Haloscan commenting service is shutting down on February 11, 2010. I clicked on the link and found out that it's not a hoax. Sad to say, the message is real. Haloscan is discontinuing its commenting platform because "Haloscan hardware and software is physically failing and we have no choice but to discontinue the service."

I've been a Haloscan premium member for years now and I'm very upset about this sudden announcement. I think it's unfair that Haloscan is abandoning its users like this. Members like me have been given a two-week notice to make a decision. Yes, they are offering an upgrade ... for a price! It's either switch to Echo, the new commenting platform (with a 30-day free trial / continue for $12/year) or export comments for free (XML format). I'm not willing to pay an annual fee for a commenting service. The downside of exporting the Haloscan comments is the lack of importing procedure to any of the popular platforms. Haloscan should have at least offered its members a way to transfer comments. I feel as if Haloscan has simply abandoned me in the air.

I decided to revert to the default Blogger commenting platform. With a heavy heart, I face the fact that I have lost all my previous comments.

I feel stripped of something valuable. I have lost a great deal and I'm very sad. :(

How To Remove Haloscan and Revert to Blogger Commenting Platform:

Go to Blogger Dashboard.
Go to Layout.
Click Edit HTML (make sure you Download Full Template for backup before continuing).
Click Revert widget templates to default (you'll see this below the page).
Haloscan link will disappear and replace by Blogger commenting service.

** you will lose all Haloscan comments in the process **

edited: 01/29/2010, 8:53 a.m.: My blog comments are precious to me. I decided to salvage my old comments by manually transferring them from Haloscan to Blogger. I know it sounds crazy but I'm desperate. I might as well save what I can. If by chance, you discover an easier way of doing it, please let me know.

Benefits of Eating Healthy Tuna

2010-01-23T16:51:00.005+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of HealthyTuna.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

My family loves eating tuna sandwich. It is easy to prepare, light on the budget and most of all good for the body. We prefer using hot pandesal buns. I would like to share this very simple tuna sandwich recipe that my family loves.

Ingredients:

pandesal buns
1 canned tuna
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
tomato and olives

Procedure:

Open a can of tuna and drain the liquid from the can.
Put the tuna in a bowl and break it into flakes.
Add finely chopped onions to the bowl.
Add 3/4 cup of mayonnaise.
Add 1 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Mix everything together.
Spread on pandesal buns.
Optional: Add slices of tomato and olive if desired.

Seafood and Pregnancy: There are a lot of confusion about pregnancy and eating seafood. Due to this, some women totally abstain from eating seafood while they are pregnant. Well, it is true that pregnant women should avoid fish high in mercury such as shark, mackerel, swordfish and tilefish. But it is still actually SMART to eat seafood during pregnancy.

In fact, scientific studies point out that eating healthy tuna is good for pregnant women because of its benefits. Eating seafood such as tuna during pregnancy and breastfeeding period can boost the baby's brain. Studies show that eating healthy seafood can promote faster development among babies. Eating seafood can also help fight heart disease.

Thank you For Your Prayers

2010-01-22T14:11:00.009+08:00

On behalf of our family, I would like thank everyone for your kind words of sympathy and prayers. Tomorrow is the last day of the wake. My sister-in-law will be laid to her final rest on Sunday at Manila Memorial Park.

Goodbye Ves

2010-01-19T14:03:00.000+08:00

To Ves,

my sister-in-law

You taught people around you what courage meant as you fought with your illness. You are now in a better place where pain cannot reach you. May the Lord's embrace bring you peace and comfort.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T13:51:00.000+08:00

It's a brand new year! I wish everyone a blissful and blessed New Year. May 2010 usher in many wonderful blessings for all of us.

I know that I have been an inactive blogger these past few months. I hope to pick up the pace this year. Thank you for taking time to visit despite my blogging lapse.

Happy New Year to all! God bless.

A Heartfelt Christmas to All

2009-12-24T12:19:00.002+08:00

It's Christmas eve. Yohan is very excited because the letter that he placed inside his stocking is gone. It only means that Santa already has his letter. He is wishing for Santa to fulfill his Christmas wish.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T18:58:00.003+08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my family and friends in the US and Canada. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on life's blessings. God bless.

Successful Cataract Removal

2009-11-20T20:42:00.002+08:00

Thank you very much to family and friends for your prayers for my yaya. The operation took longer than expected because of yaya's abnormally high BP. She was very tense before the procedure. Despite that, the operation was a success. She had to stay longer in the recovery room so her BP could be monitored.

We are home now and yaya is already sleeping in her room. She needs to take it easy for at least three weeks. The doctor gave me a list of post operation instructions. Yaya is scheduled for a check up on Monday.

Promoting Better Vision

2009-11-20T20:06:00.008+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

The global leader in laser vision correction has good news to offer. Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) has been successful in providing better vision. They have improved the lives of many people. AMO has come up with “You Gotta See This” Video Contest in order to invite people to make a video that shows how significant it is to have improved vision. This contest offers cash and other fabulous prizes. So far AMO has received various entries featuring original music videos; videos on boxing and swimming; and videos that exemplifies the improvement of daily life.

The iLASIK Video Contest is still open for more entries. You may visit the site and submit your very own entry. For those who are interested, you can check out the following guidelines:

First - Submit A Video
Participants may submit a video using one of the following:
• “My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
• “My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
• “You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”

Second - Tell Friends To Vote
Increase the chances of winning by involving your friends. Ask them to vote for your video.

Third - Have a chance to win fabulous prizes such as:
• One Grand Prize winner will win $5,000 — selected from all submitted videos
• Three First Prize winners will win an HDTV package(a $2,500 value) — one per video category
• Three Second Prize winners will win the Flip UltraHD camcorder (a $199.99 value) — one per video category

Users can submit videos, view and vote on all entries at www.GottaSeeThisNow.com.

Cataract Removal

2009-11-20T07:53:00.002+08:00

I'm off to the hospital in a while to accompany my yaya (nanny) for an eye operation. She will be having cataract removal in one eye. It is her first time to have an operation. She is putting a brave front but I know that she is scared. Jules and I will be there to give her moral support. The whole family is praying for a safe and successful surgery.

Exciting Ways To Shop

2009-11-20T07:14:00.009+08:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dirt Devil. All opinions are 100% mine.

People are excited about the upcoming big special occasion of the year. It is only 35 days before Christmas. People around the world are conducting their own Christmas countdown. It is after all, one of the favorite holidays of the year.

Christmas is the season of giving. It is the time when people exchange gifts to express love and affection. If you need some help with your Christmas shopping, check out Dirt Devil Holiday Buying Guide. It is a very helpful site for shoppers because you can access over 300 websites. Learn about great discounts, offers and promotions. You can avail of big savings by getting first hand information about great shopping deals.

When I visited Dirt Devil Holiday Buying Guide, I realized that it offers many advantages for shoppers. Aside from discounts and promotions, the site also helps you save on other things. You can even join auctions if you wish.

I personally like the site because it helps shoppers like me maximize buying power. I like getting my money's worth so I appreciate saving tips. I value advanced shopping tips that can help you become an online shopping expert.

You can take advantage of rebates and Free Shipping Shortcuts. Imagine how much you can save when you avail of free shipping. There are over 300 ways to save with online shopping. With so many shopping options, you are sure to maximize your online shopping experience. Take note that Holiday Deals DirtDevil.com offers the following: Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, and Family Favorites. It only shows you that the site is perfect for all the members of the family.

Do Your Best

2009-11-19T21:30:00.003+08:00

"I have done my best." That is about all the philosophy of living one needs.

~ Lin Yutan ~

Life has many ups and downs. There are always challenges along the road but doing our best in everything we do can make a big difference. Success is sweet but we cannot avoid failing. We can learn from our mistakes and do better next time. If we try our best in each endeavor, success is not far behind.

Congratulations Manny Pacquiao

2009-11-15T13:46:00.002+08:00

It's a momentous day for the Philippines! Congratulations Manny Pacquiao for defeating Cotto. It was a great fight.

It's like a wonderful advance Christmas gift for the country. Thank you Manny!

Not Feeling Well

2009-11-09T21:25:00.003+08:00

It has been a fun weekend. There are a lot of things I'd love to share but sadly I'm not feeling well. It started with a sore throat and now I have lost my voice. I also have cough and colds. To make it worse, I have a terrible headache. Oh well, at least it's not the flu. I guess I just need some rest. I'll catch up with you soon. Take care.

Antique Shipping

2009-11-07T23:07:00.016+08:00

Antiques are beautiful things that have stood the test of time. There are many different antiques. There are vintage jewelry, furniture, art pieces, carvings and more. People who collect antiques make sure that their valuable items are safe. It takes time, money and effort to take care of antiques. Transferring antiques from one location to another requires dependable antique shipping. Safety is a top priority among antique owners. It is very important to protect antiques by using durable packaging materials. Special attention is given to fragile and delicate items. Some antiques are priceless and need expert packaging techniques to assure that the items are properly protected from damages.

There are many factors that can affect antiques such as exposure to direct sunlight, humidity, moisture and more. These factors make antiques sensitive. Proper care and special handling are very important when it comes to international shipping. Long travel hours make antiques vulnerable. It is vital to have knowledge of international shipping requirements to avoid problems and delays. Before committing to a courier, it is advisable to check if they have a minimum. Take advantage of movers that do not require minimums. Avoid movers that have a lot of restrictions, particularly on the weight of items. Some movers have the ability to ship directly to you. Some can even deliver to a warehouse for temporary storage.

Many antique owners prefer stress-free shipping of their items by hiring a mover that takes care of every detail. There are movers that can supervise picking up, packing, insurance and delivery to the recipient.

Team Edward of Team Jacob?

2009-11-06T22:30:00.009+08:00

I read New Moon around November of last year. It was also in November 2008 when I watched Twilight on the big screen. Now, a year later, I can't wait to watch New Moon.

Even my son knows how much I'm looking forward to the movie. He spotted the large movie standees at the mall and I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Here are two of my favorite quotes in the book New Moon:

"I thought I’d explained it clearly before. Bella,
I can’t live in a world where you don’t exist."

~Edward, New Moon

"Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf?"

~Jacob Black, New Moon

Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?

I'm fond of Jacob but I've been dazzled by Edward from the start.
Team Edward!

Aloha Friday #79

2009-11-06T20:19:00.004+08:00

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.

Is there any dish that you never get tired of ordering at the restaurant?

I love TGI Friday's Chicken Mushroom Chicken. I always order it whenever we eat at Friday's. I guess you can say that I'm not adventurous when it comes to food because I tend to order the same dishes.

Chicken Mushroom Chicken is deep fried chicken topped with mushrooms and Mozzarella cheese. It is served with buttered corn on the cob and mushrooms. Earlier version included french fries or mashed potatoes. Now Chicken Mushroom Chicken is served with rice pilaf.

Birthday Haiku For Jules

2009-11-05T09:50:00.004+08:00

Today is special,
Blowing wishes in the air,
Grasp, hold tight for keeps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Birthday Jules! I love you.

All Souls Day

2009-11-02T18:02:00.001+08:00

I'm thankful that the weather cleared just in time to give our family a chance to go to the cemetery to offer prayers for the departed.

It has become a tradition for many Filipino families to pay respect to departed loved ones every Nov. 1 and 2.

Yohan offering prayers for his great grandparents.

Yohan's cousin, Tisha lighting candles.

A Pirate For The Second Time Around

2009-11-02T08:56:00.002+08:00

My family and I went to the mall to buy Halloween treats and a ninja costume for Yohan. Superhero and scary costumes were abundant but sadly they run out of ninja costumes. I couldn't believe it! I offered to buy him another costume instead but he didn't like any of the available ones. He told me he would rather wear one of his old costumes.

Yohan was unusually quiet. I thought he was upset about the costume but I found out later that he wasn't feeling well. We were at the grocery buying treats when he showed signs of nauseousness so we decided to go home early.

Hubby and I decided to let Yohan skip the annual village Halloween activity at the clubhouse so he could rest. Surprisingly, he felt re-energized after a short rest at home.

Treats for Trick or Treat

At last year's Trick or Treat, he was Thomas the Tank Engine. This year he donned his black shirt with a skull, striped pants and hook ... a pirate for the second time around.

Captain Yohan

Yohan was able to make a few rounds in the village but the rain came at an unwelcome time. We had to cut Trick or Treat short because of the weather. Thankfully Captain Yohan wasn't too disappointed. He still managed to have fun. The other kids were discouraged to continue due to persistent rain. I have lots of Halloween treats left. Care for some? :)

(edited: 11/06/2009)
In the spirit of Halloween, I helped Yohan make Halloween cards for his teachers and pumpkin cut-outs for his classmates.

Yohan thought of the concept. I just helped him make cut-out figures.

DIY Halloween cards

Adding Personal Touches To Your Aparment

2009-11-01T19:49:00.008+08:00

You may consider an apartment to be a temporary place to stay. It is up to you if you want your pad to look blank and empty or comfortable and cozy. You can make a difference by adding personal touches to your apartment. You can give your pad a homey atmosphere in more ways than one. When you do, chances are it will make you feel much closer to home.

Here are some suggestions that you might consider when you rent apartments.

Furniture - Choose furniture that suit your personal taste and style. Make sure your furniture are right for your space. If you have a small apartment, avoid bulky furniture that take too much space.

Plants and Flowers - Live plants and fresh flowers can make your place livelier. There are some indoor plants that are easy to maintain.

Pictures - Display picture frames of family, friends and people you love. You can be more creative by making a photo collage of people close to your heart. Images of people dear to you can bring life to an empty apartment.

Memento - Bring an item or items that have significant meaning to your life. You can bring an old stuffed toy, a trophy you won, a cross stitch frame, an old vase, a memorable figurine, or favorite pillows.

Pets - Some apartments allow pets. If you have time and dedication to take care of pets, then it's a nice idea to have one in your apartment. A pet would be a great companion. For people with busy lifestyles, small pets like fish and birds are easier to take care.

Preparing Outer and Inner Self Before Giving Birth

2009-11-01T16:45:00.000+08:00

Some factors may help contribute to an easy delivery. It is important to prepare both the outer and inner self. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually can help you prepare for an easy natural childbirth. Below are some suggestions that might be helpful.

Physical
It is essential for every pregnant woman to take prenatal vitamins, eat healthy foods and do some easy exercises. You can ask your doctor to suggest an exercise regime that will help strengthen your body and prepare you for labor. Your doctor may suggest stretching and walking.

Emotional
Some women especially first time mothers-to-be tend to be overcome with worries and fears. Too much worrying can build up tension and lead to stress. It would help if you focus on happy thoughts. Look on the brighter side of giving birth. Think about how wonderful it would be to feel your baby in your arms for the first time.

Be surrounded with people and things that make you happy. Read uplifting books, listen to soothing music, watch a movie with a happy ending or simply enjoy good and healthy food. Spend time with family and friends who can give you the moral support that you need.

Spiritual
Praying and meditating may help you prepare for labor. Prayer has the power to give us courage to face what the future may bring. Believing that God will help you in your time of labor can give you the will and strength you need at that moment. Praying for safe delivery can bring inner peace, put fears at bay and help calm the senses.

Good Riddance Typhoon Santi

2009-11-01T16:20:00.005+08:00

Typhoon Santi brought strong rains and howling winds over the past few days. The village Trick or Treat was rained out. Kids were able to make a few rounds but persistent rain discouraged most of them from visiting the rest of the houses.

I'm glad that Typhoon Santi has left the country. Today is All Saints Day and we have been blessed with good weather. We were able to go to the cemetery to pay respect to our departed loved ones. Filipinos traditionally pay respect to the departed every Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.

3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific

2009-10-27T21:59:00.010+08:00

Travelling has many wonderful perks. First of all, it opens doors to new and interesting places. It also gives you the opportunity to meet new people and build network of friends. Travelling also broadens knowledge because you can learn a lot about new countries and their cultures.

There are so many great destinations worth visiting in Asia Pacific. If you are thinking of visiting Asia Pacific then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Travelers will be thrilled to know that one million hotel rooms across Asia Pacific are available at very amazing rates.

Take advantage of this Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific because this offer is only available on a limited time. Imagine rates starting as low as US$30 per night. Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Grab amazing savings when you book on-line between October 27-30, 2009. Stay period is between Dec 2009 till Apr 2010.

Big savings from your hotel mean that you can have extra money to spend on other things during your trip. You can use the money to shop around or perhaps engage in a fun leisure activity. You can have the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. Make your trip more memorable by spending it with special people in your life.

No Semestral Break This October

2009-10-26T08:45:00.001+08:00

My son is supposed to be enjoying a one week break starting today but he is in school right now. Majority of schools in the country decided to forgo the semestral break this October in order to make up for all the lost time due to numerous suspension of classes. AH1N1 scare at the onset of classes last June and recent typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” caused lengthy days of class suspension. I just hope that Christmas break will not be shortened.

Charter On Demand

2009-10-24T10:47:00.004+08:00

You may not be aware of it, but if you have Charter digital then you have On Demand. Amazingly, it's free to access. Enjoy the privilege of more than 6,000 movies and shows at your fingertips. Just imagine being able to take your pick from all those exciting movies and shows without waiting. There's actually no need to worry about schedules at all.

Sometimes it's disappointing when you miss your favorite shows like Heroes, 30 Rock, The Office and others. Missing an episode disrupts the continuity of the story in your mind. Jumping to the next episode might be quite confusing. It would be nice if you can easily access programs and episodes you miss. You might be surprised that you can access many of your favorite programs the day after they air on TV. The wonderful thing about it is it's free!

Sometimes we are so busy that it becomes a chore to simply get in the car and get a movie. It can take a while for the dvd to arrive in the mail. All that waiting is not fun at all. Availing of On Demand is a better and easier choice. You can easily get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page.

Chances are kids don't understand nor have the patience for TV schedules. Children especially the young ones often want to watch their favorite shows like Dora and Spongebob the moment they open the television. On Demand helps parents avoid the stress of reasoning out with their little ones. You can learn more at charter.net/ondemand.

Since HD is now the in thing, you can now have access to more HD shows. You'll be amazed that there are hundreds of them.

Aloha Friday #78

2009-10-23T17:17:00.003+08:00

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.

My thoughtful mom sent me a text message and said that this is on sale. She wants to buy it for me. Perfect timing because I want a new pair of sneakers.

I made the mistake of asking my 6-year old son if this suits me. He told me that it's for teenagers. Ouch! Shot to the heart! Ha! Ha! Oh well, I'm still young at heart.

Do you like sneakers?

Factors In Choosing An Apartment

2009-10-22T22:50:00.009+08:00

Are you looking for an apartment? I would like to share some friendly reminders to consider when looking for an apartment to rent:

Condition of the Apartment - Take a walk around the apartment. Inspect areas that need immediate repairs, repainting, etc. Make sure you check all the rooms. Remember that safety is very important. Ask someone who knows about wiring to check the apartment. Try to find out if the apartment conforms to safety regulations (example: presence of fire exit).

Cleanliness - Check for signs of possible pest problem. You would not want to make the mistake of renting a place infested with cockroaches or worse rats.

Size - It's always advisable to find a place ideal for the number of people who are going to live in it. Overcrowding is never a good idea.

Parking - This is a big consideration if you own a car. It is better to rent apartments that include safe parking areas.

Security - Renting a place that provides security is a great disadvantage. Take note that this feature often means higher rental fees.

Proximity to Important Places - It is preferable to find a place that has access to nearby market, school (especially for those who have kids) and hospital. It is a big advantage to live near your work place.

Take note that finding the ideal apartment may take time. Avoid being impulsive. Don't be too excited to rent the first apartment you visit. It is good to have some choices. When you find a few apartments interesting, you can compare them to find the one that suits you the most.

A Post Card Between The Pages

2009-10-22T22:00:00.003+08:00

"A letter always seemed to me like Immortality."
- Emily Dickinson

I was looking for an old book to read. I found one of my old pocketbooks. I was about to read it when I discovered an old post card between the pages. It was from my college best friend written many years ago. He sent me a post card when he went to Paris on a business trip. Reading the post card again warmed my heart.

Opening Eyes To Natural Childbirth

2009-10-22T17:45:00.006+08:00

Natural means it is not produced synthetically or changed artificially. Almost everything natural is good. Health conscious people choose natural foods because they are minimally processed and free from artificial ingredients. Food coloring, preservatives and artificial sweeteners are just some of the few ingredients found in a lot of food items nowadays. They enhance the flavor and extend shelf life of food but some of them can be quite harmful to the body. People also prefer skin care products that use natural ingredients because they are safer and kinder to the skin.

When it comes to giving birth, more and more people are realizing the advantages of going through natural childbirth. A woman’s body is naturally designed to carry and give birth to a child. Natural childbirth allows a woman to be in control of her body. Perhaps modern advancements in science have made childbirth easier and less painful, however, the medicated approach has its potential risks.

The process of childbirth is a conscious decision. Every woman should have the right to choose the kind of childbirth best for her and her child. It is normal for some women, especially first time mothers to be overly concerned before giving birth. Fears about childbirth can sometimes be blown out of proportion. Unwarranted fears can influence a woman to shy away from natural childbirth and choose an epidural or a C-section. Proper information can help women minimize and hopefully eliminate their fears of childbirth.

Here are some notable advantages of natural childbirth.

Safer option - Natural childbirth offers minimal medical intervention. Since it discourages the use of sedatives or anaesthesia, there is a lesser chance of complications or side effects.

Feeling of empowerment - Women who have undergone natural childbirth shares the wonderful feeling of being in control during labor.

Inner Satisfaction - Mothers who experienced natural childbirth notes the ultimate sense of fulfillment.

Partnership – Couples who choose natural childbirth often take classes together. These classes help and guide soon to be parents. Time spent together learning about breathing techniques, pain management and more can help strengthen the bond of a couple.

Friends From Down Under

2009-10-22T17:07:00.006+08:00

Three years ago, my former colleague and dear friend decided to take a chance in Australia with her family. Her husband landed a job in a restaurant and the contract gave him the privilege to bring his family with him. They had some challenges along the way but I'm glad that they were able to overcome every hurdle. Now they are happy and comfortably nestled in Australia. In fact, they just bought a new home.

My friend together with her husband and three kids are here for a short vacation. I was so happy when they went to our house yesterday for a visit. True friendship always remain strong despite the distance. We had fun exchanging stories and catching up with one another. Our kids had a wonderful time bonding.

My friend's daughter also happens to be my goddaughter. She has grown up since I last saw her. I gave the kids some gifts. When my son saw me give the gifts, he was inspired to give his own gifts too. He asked my permission if he could give some small toys to his friends. I gave him the go signal and it was nice to see him happily share his toys.

My friend and her family also gave us some gifts. They are still as sweet and thoughtful as before.

Thank you Anton and Cris for the wonderful gifts.

I like this cute personalized brush.

Advantage of Website Hosting

2009-10-20T00:27:00.003+08:00

The Internet is a great marketing platform. Today’s technology has made the Internet a popular medium for advertising. Its worldwide reach makes the web an ideal choice for marketing various products and services. Many businesses have tapped the potential of the web when it comes to advertising their goods and services. A website has the capability of reaching a large number of people worldwide. It minimizes the need to travel long distance to promote products and services. People can easily access your site and learn about what your company offers through a few simple mouse clicks.

Maintaining a website can be less expensive compared to running a TV commercial, a radio ad, a billboard, or a print ad. A website can also be more cost effective compared to telemarketing. In fact, I know a lot of people who are put off by telemarketing schemes.

The overall appearance and user interface of a website can be a great advantage. It is a plus to avail of website hosting. I think my site would be better if I availed of website hosting. A website that appears interesting will entice potential clients to click more and learn about what your site offers. It is also advisable to have a user friendly system for easier access. A complicated interface only creates confusion and lead to loss of interest.

Reaching Level 34 on Farm Town

2009-10-20T00:00:00.005+08:00

Last August 7, 2009 I finally reached Level 34, the final level on Farm Town (a popular Facebook game).

It took me more than two months to reach the last level. I must say I invested lots of time and effort on this game. I love its interactive interface. Farming with friends and even with my son is really fun. I found myself playing Farm Town until the wee hours of the morning. Yes, it's an addicting but rewarding game. I always got a sense of fulfillment every time I unlocked new seeds, trees, flowers, paths, ponds, buildings and decorations. One of my favorite parts of the game is decorating my farm.

When I reached Level 34, I was awarded with the privilege of buying a beautiful red mansion. Below is a screenshot of my farm (taken a few minutes ago). I have pumpkins ready for harvest. I decided to plant pumpkins in the spirit of Halloween.

My very own farm.

I love how Farm Town surprises "farmers" with new decorations. As you can see, I have decorated my farm with Halloween stuff. I have a basket of treats in front of my door. You are welcome to knock on my door on Halloween but beware of spooky things along the way. Trick or treat!

It's Halloween on Farm Town.

Enjoy Chinese Food at Home

2009-10-19T22:55:00.008+08:00

I have always found Asian food exciting to the palate. I'm particularly fond of Chinese cuisine. I love the different flavors emanating from the rich ingredients that are enhanced by all sorts of herbs and spices. I never get tired of eating Chinese dishes at home and at restaurants. My family also loves Chinese food. We have shared countless Chinese feasts together. I believe that good food and family bonding make a great combination.

Preschool Visual Aids

2009-10-19T21:35:00.001+08:00

Today is the start of my son's final exams for the 2nd Quarter. I helped him review over the weekend. I tried to make review time fun and interesting by using visual aids. I made use of flash cards to help him study for subjects like Filipino and Science. I searched for pictures online and printed them on poster paper. I also prepared seat works with colorful drawings. A preschooler easily gets bored with long reviews so I injected some games using the flash cards. Blank poster boards and colored pens were perfect for on the spot drawing activities.

Visual aids I printed to help my son review.

Red Chair Confessions

2009-10-09T21:03:00.010+08:00

I have seen several videos from Red Chair Confessions. The first video I saw triggered my curiosity. The videos' open ended theme has an amazing way of playing with the imagination. After watching more Red Chair Confessions, I realized that the addiction in the videos was a reflection of an addiction for clothes and shoes. My perception didn't fail me because I was right after all. It might come as a big surprise that Talbots is behind the sponsored videos.

I have always had the impression that Talbots' target market is focused on the more mature crowd. To my surprise and delight of many, Talbots has reinvented itself. Talbots now offers hip, modern and affordable clothing line for the women today. Shoppers can expect to find the latest array of women's apparel, shoes and accessories.

Regular shoppers love Talbots' lovely and classic clothing that never goes out of style. One can never go wrong with quality clothes that are perfectly priced. Its touchable textures will make anyone feel sophisticated. It's like a taste of luxury each time you wear one. You may visit their website to see Talbots' beautiful outfits, shoes and accessories. You can share your favorite items with me by leaving a comment. I would love to know about the things that catch your eye. I'm sure you'll find something worth purchasing.

After connecting the videos to Talbots, the videos now make more sense.

Puppy Moment

2009-10-09T19:45:00.000+08:00

I love this photo. It captures my son's thrilled expression as he plays with Jack, my BIL's Pomeranian puppy. For me, it's another priceless moment. Jack is a small bundle of joy and energy. Yohan was more than happy to play with Jack that day.