28 Ways to Unwind

Don't you just hate it when a bed gets crumpled that you just recently made up? Or when you were doing almost four things at the same time? Or when you wanted badly to sleep but you can't because you still have to make your baby sleep? Stressful, don't you think?

I was a subscriber of Parents.com and they have emailed me some tips for unwinding. Moms, let's all de-stress ourselves once in a while, just to keep our sanity. Find out more, maybe we can learn a thing or two. Here's the summary:

1. Take a step back.
2. Stroll down memory lane.
3. Try tea.
4. Ditch your 3-a-day Diet Coke habit.
5. Be a water guzzler.
   
6. Bring along baby.
7. Stocks sneakers everywhere.
8. Pay attention to your energy ebbs and flows.
9. Splurge selectively.
10. Find three good things about your day.
11. Redefine your stressors. (I love this one)
12. Pre-chop your veggies.
13. Make your own breaks.
14. Read something stimulating.
15. Start snapping.
16. See your stress dissipate.
17. Time your breathing.
18. Play the old-fashioned way.
19. Change up your path slightly every day.
20. Be the early bird at after-school pickups.
21. Deck your desk.
22. Find one spot in the house that makes you totally happy.
23. Use soothing smells.
24. Pump up the volume.
25. Treat yourself to some tulips.
26. Have two kinds.
27. Use it to delegate.
28. Consider anti-stress karma.

Saturday Photohunt: SHOES

My friend Jay, used my cellphone to take a picture of her feet - this was taken when we had our get together last March 2008. She's cute! Belated photo hunting!

Islands: Views from Malipano

How beautiful this man-made island is, hope this stays:




Well, I kinda overdone editing this one...






(Credits to: Seonsaengnim Justine for the pics)

You can see some pics on Pearl Farm here.

Daybreak

**Transferring an old post here.

I was thinking. That is, I know I am thinking something. Scratching my baba, what am I thinking anyway?

Time to sleep actually. I just said aloha to my hubby after we chatted on Skype. How was my day? It was ok. Now that I'm three-fourths at-home mom (sometimes when I get a stint, that would me out in the evening to teach) it was kind of relaxing and taxing. My favorite hours were at around 10AM where I get to watch a fave series called 'Hana Kimi' and at 10PM where I tried to make subaybay the Kseries 'Lovers'. Aside from that, I think this PBB Teen Edition Plus is really interesting compared to the other editions of teen housemates.

This morning, when I want to scream out because of routine and seeing all four walls of home, I decided to coax my kids to ice cream and go to SM to just lounge with the coolness of centralized aircon. So hot these days, and it was reported that last Saturday was the hottest and highest Celsius ever reported in the history of Davao City.

Then, when they get to Playhouse, since I don't want to wait, I walk around, windowshopping and carrying my 4-mos old baby (this was enough exercise for me). After several minutes, I really have to sit down because I have a squirming baby and my back killed me from my own weight and Ouri. Enough of windowshop, it's time to go home.

And here I am, day's events cited, but can't remember if there's anything in particular that's learned. Think, think. What did I learn today?

I guess it's to try end this barking nonsense. Got to upload those ice cream pics we took from Igloo.

Goals

Making a sensible resolution:

*Long term vs. Short term
*General vs. Specific
*Unrealistic vs. Realistic

==========

Set measurable goals.
Think about your decisions.
Re-evaluate.
Plan ahead.
Be realistic.

==========

Know where you are starting from.
Know where you want to go.
Design a plan to go there.
Follow the plan.

Resolutions

Ok, I got this from Cosmopolitan Dec 97-Jan 98 Vol. 1 #8 Issue. I'm picking those 'resolutions' I wanted to do or been doing...

1. Organize files. (got too many things to organize)
   
2. Save 1/4 of every monthly checkpay. (this is very hard to do!)
3. Think before you speak. Don't inflict moods to those around you.
4. Offer to do something for mom.
5. Get to bed by eleven and out by seven. (its actually 12am and up by 6am)
6. Schedule grocery trips on weekends and limit to twice a month maximum.
7. Do at least one fun thing every weekend that does not involve family.
8. Do something creative at least once a week.
   
9. Read unread books before buying new ones.
10. Volunteer some time for a cause.
11. Read at least one good novel each month.
12. Keep your word.
13. Do 200 abdominal crunches a day.
14. Write a good letter to someone.
15. Start your novel.
16. Read, read, read.
17. Learn something new everyday.
18. Don't be lazy. (bwa hahahaha)

Motorbike Days

Nice bike, don't you think? I grabbed this pic from Deepak because i was really taken with the elegance of this vehicle...quite chic.

I remembered when I was still in college and my mom bought a motorbike for me. It was the coolest thing I had. I was basically drawn to it. But a few months after, my mom sold it to somebody else. For two reasons:

1. I was almost arrested for driving without license, but I got away with it. The incident happened when there were lots of traffic enforcers outside the subdivision and there are two routes out. I opted to go to the route where I thought safe for me to refill gas, unfortunately for me, when I arrived at the gas station, a jeep with two police officers were also there! Grrr...and they looked at me and asked me where's my license. My answer: Nagpagasolina ra ko (I just refilled my tank). The answer was really out of this world because of nerbiyos. And I hastily left the gas station.

2. I got into an accident. The casualty? Me. As I was still learning to control the bike, I went biking in our subdivision and going to places I thought I won't be encountering anybody. As I turned right, I was shocked to see several kids with adults walking silently towards me! Out of astonishment, instead of braking, I accelerated! Afraid of colliding with those kids, I jerked left and found myself in a heap of garbage (which unfortunately, was piled with big bougainvillea stems - aaargh, those spikes!), and I even got my leg burned from the motor. The adults helped me up, I was totally bruised, with burns and cuts, but I did not go to the hospital. I just went home, shaken more than hurt. The next day, i can literally say I'm black and blue!

Traumatic. To this day, I never ride a bike nor travel in one!

Beauty Secrets Tag

I snagged this from Greenrose...Thanks!

My Foundation:
Mary Kay...liquid, but I used only once (when does it expire?).

My Blush:
Don't use any...hapakon lang aron mupula2. Kusion aron pula.

My Day Cream:
I bought this Body Recipe Daycream with goat's milk. I like it kay dili sya heavy sa face, can be found in HBC.

My Lipstick:
Clinique. Hinatag pa sa akong Lola. hahah.

My Essential Beauty Product:
A moisturizer.

My favorite Make-up product:
Avon? Avon ra man ang dali lang paliton nga di musiga akong mata.

My Perfume:
Red Door. Hmmm.

My Nails:
Cleaning once in a while kung makagawas ug balay. Pag way time, nah, murag mag-uuma akong kuko sa tiil ug kamot.

My Feet:
I'm using caronia green tea scrub and moisturizer.

My hands:
Maski unsa, basta ma-moisturize.

Three Products to bring on a deserted island:
flashlight, chocolate, quality sandals.

Women I admire for their beauty:
Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Jessica Biel

Women with the best Sense of Style:
Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansonn

My ultimate dream:
A farm, a spa, and jetsetter's life.

My favorite fashion Publication:
Cosmopolitan.

****Tagging Jenny, Shieryl, Yenny, Wendy, Recel and Junelle...

The 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet

***I got this email from Ruby and I wanted to share this with you since these foods can really help one way or another in our pursuit to live longer lives.

The following is a "healthy food hot list" consisting of the 29 food that will give you the biggest nutritional bang for you caloric buck, as well as decrease your risk for deadly illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Along with each description is a suggestion as to how to incorporate these power-foods into your diet.

01. Apricots

The Power: Beta-carotene, which helps prevent free-radical damage and protect the eyes. The body also turns beta-carotene into vitamin A, which may help ward off some cancers, especially of the skin. One apricot has 17 calories, 0 fat, 1 gram of fiber. Snacks on them dried, or if you prefer fresh, buy when still firm; once they soften, they lose nutrients.

02. Avocados

The Power: Oleic acid, an unsaturated fat that helps lower overall cholesterol and raise levels of HDL, plus a good dose of fiber. One slice has 81 calories, 8 grams of fat and 3 grams of fiber. Try a few slices instead of mayonnaise to dress up your next burger.

03. Raspberries

The Power: Ellagic acid, which helps stall cancer-cell growth. These berries are also packed with vitamin C and are high in fiber, which helps prevent high cholesterol and heart disease. A cup has only 60 calories, 1 gram of fat and 8 grams of fiber. Top plain low-fat yogurt or oatmeal (another high fiber food) with fresh berries.

04. Mango

The Power: A medium mango packs 57mg of vitamin C, almost your whole-recommended daily dose. This antioxidant helps prevent arthritis and boosts wound healing and your immune system. Mangoes also boast more than 8,000 IU of vitamin A (as beta-carotene) . One mango has 135 calories, 1 gram of fat and 4 grams of fiber. Cut on up and serve it over leafy greens. Bonus: Your salad will taste like dessert!

05. Cantaloupe

The Power: Vitamin C (117mg in half a melon, almost twice the recommended daily dose) and beta-carotene - both powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from free-radical damage. Plus, half a melon has 853mg of potassium - almost twice as much as a banana, which helps lower blood pressure. Half a melon has 97 calories, 1 gram of fat and 2 grams of fiber. Cut into cubes and freeze, then blend into an icy smoothie.

06. Cranberry Juice

The Power: Helps fight bladder infections by preventing harmful bacteria from growing. A cup has 144 calories, 0 grams of fat and 0 fiber. Buy 100 percent juice concentrate and use it to spice up your daily H20 without adding sugar.

07. Tomato

The Power: Lycopene, one of the strongest carotenoids, acts as an antioxidant. Research shows that tomatoes may cut the risk of bladder, stomach and colon cancers in half if eaten daily. A tomato has 26 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber. Drizzle fresh slices with olive oil, because lycopene is best absorbed when eaten with a little fat.

08. Raisins

The Power: These little gems are a great source of iron, which helps the blood transport oxygen and which many women are short on. A half-cup has 218 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Sprinkle raisins on your morning oatmeal or bran cereal - women, consider this especially during your period.

09. Figs

The Power: A good source of potassium and fiber, figs also contain vitamin B6, which is responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin, lowering cholesterol and preventing water retention. The Pill depletes B6, so if you use this method of birth control, make sure to get extra B6 in your diet. One fig has 37 to 48 calories, 0 fat and 2 grams of fiber. (Cookie lovers - fig bars have around 56 calories, 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of fiber per cookie). Fresh figs are delicious simmered alongside a pork tenderloin and the dried variety make a great portable gym snack.

10. Lemons/Limes

The Power: Limonene, furocoumarins and vitamin C, all of which help prevent cancer. A wedge has 2 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. Buy a few of each and squeeze over salads, fish, beans and vegetables for fat free flavor.

VEGETABLES

11. Onions

The Power: Quercetin is one of the most powerful flavonoids (natural plant antioxidants) . Studies show it helps protect against cancer. A cup (chopped) has 61 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Chop onions for the maximum phyto-nutrient boost, or if you hate to cry, roast them with a little olive oil and serve with rice or other vegetables.

12. Artichokes

The Power: These odd-looking vegetables contain silymarin, an antioxidant that helps prevent skin cancer, plus fiber to help control cholesterol. One medium artichoke has 60 calories, 0 fat and 7 grams of fiber. Steam over boiling water for 30 to 40 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice on top, then pluck the leaves off with your fingers and use your teeth to scrape off the rich-tasting skin. When you get to the heart, you have found the best part!

13. Ginger

The Power: Gingerols may help reduce queasiness; other compounds may help ward off migraines and arthritis pain by blocking inflammation- causing prostaglandins. A teaspoon of fresh gingerroot has only 1 calorie, 0 fat and 0 fiber. Peel the tough brown skin and slice or grate into a stir-fry.

14. Broccoli

The Power: Indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, which help protect against breast cancer. Broccoli also has lots of vitamin C and beta-carotene. One cup (chopped) has 25 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Don't overcook broccoli - instead, microwave or steam lightly to preserve phytonutrients. Squeeze fresh lemon on top for a zesty and taste, added nutrients and some vitamin C.

15. Spinach

The Power: Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that help fend off macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in older people. Plus, studies show this green fountain of youth may help reverse some signs of aging. One cup has 7 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber. Add raw leaves to a salad or saut� with a little olive oil and garlic.

16. Bok Choy (Chinese cabbage)

The Power: Brassinin, which some research suggests may help prevent breast tumors, plus indoles and isothiocyanates, which lower levels of estrogen, make this vegetable a double-barreled weapon against breast cancer. A cup will also give you 158mg of calcium (16 percent of your daily recommended requirement) to help beat osteoporosis. A cup (cooked) has 20 calories, 0 fat and 3 grams of fiber. Find it in your grocer's produce section or an Asian market. Slice the greens and juicy white stalks, then saut� like spinach or toss into a stir-fry just before serving.

17. Squash (Butternut, Pumpkin, Acorn)

The Power: Winter squash has huge amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which may help protect against endometrial cancer. One cup (cooked) has 80 calories, 1 gram of fat and 6 grams of fiber. Cut on in half, scoop out the seeds and bake or microwave until soft, then dust with cinnamon.

18. Watercress and Arugula

The Power: Phenethyl isothiocyanate, which, along with beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, may help keep cancer cells at bay. One cup has around 4 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fiber. Do not cook these leafy greens; instead, use them to garnish a sandwich or add a pungent, peppery taste to salad.

19. Garlic

The Power: The sulfur compounds that give garlic its pungent flavor can also lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, lower blood pressure and even reduce your risk of stomach and colon cancer. A clove has 4 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. Bake a whole head for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft and sweet and spread on bread instead of butter.


GRAINS/BEANS/ NUTS

20. Quinoa

The Power: A half cup of cooked quinoa has 5 grams of protein, more than any other grain, plus iron, riboflavin and magnesium. A half-cup has 318 calories, 5 grams of fat and 5 grams of fiber. Add to soup for a protein boost. Rinse first, or it will taste bitter.

21. Wheat Germ

The Power: A tablespoon gives you about 7 percent of your daily magnesium, which helps prevent muscle cramps; it is also a good source of vitamin E. One tablespoon has 27 calories, 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of fiber. Sprinkle some over yogurt, fruit or cereal.

22. Lentils

The Power: Isoflavones, which may inhibit estrogen-promoted breast cancers, plus fiber for heart health and an impressive 9 grams of protein per half cup. A half-cup (cooked) has 115 calories, 0 fat and 8 grams of fiber. Isoflavones hold up through processing, so buy lentils canned, dried or already in soup. Take them to work, and you will have a protein packed lunch.

23. Peanuts

The Power: Studies show that peanuts or other nuts (which contain mostly unsaturated "good" fat) can lower your heart-disease risk by over 20 percent. One ounce has 166 calories, 14 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber. Keep a packet in your briefcase, gym bag or purse for a protein-packed post-workout nosh or an afternoon pick me up that will satisfy you until supper, or chop a few into a stir-fry for a Thai accent.

24. Pinto Beans

The Power: A half cup has more than 25 percent of your daily requirement of folate, which helps protect against heart disease and reduces the risk of birth defects. A half-cup (canned) has 103 calories, 1 gram of fat and 6 grams of fiber. Drain a can, rinse and toss into a pot of vegetarian chili.

25. Low fat Yogurt

The Power: Bacteria in active-culture yogurt helps prevent yeast infections; calcium strengthens bones. A cup has 155 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of fiber. Get the plain kind and mix in your own fruit to keep calories and sugar down. If you are lactose intolerant, never fear - yogurt should not bother your tummy.

26. Skim Milk

The Power: Riboflavin (a.k.a . vitamin B2) is important for good vision and along with vitamin A might help improve eczema and allergies. Plus, you get calcium and vitamin D, too. One cup has 86 calories, 0 fat and 0 fiber. If you are used to high fat milk, don't go cold turkey; instead, mix the two together at first. Trust this fact: In a week or two you won't miss it!

SEAFOOD

27. Shellfish (Clams, Mussels)

The Power: Vitamin B12 to support nerve and brain function, plus iron and hard-to-get minerals like magnesium and potassium. Three ounces has 126 to 146 calories, 2 to 4 grams of fat and 0 fiber. Try a bowl of tomato-based (and low fat) Manhattan clam chowder.

28. Salmon

The Power: Cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of cardiac disease. A 3-ounce portion (cooked) has 127 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 fiber. Brush fillets with ginger-soy marinade and grill or broil until fish flakes easily with a fork.

29. Crab

The Power: A great source of vitamin B12 and immunity-boosting zinc. A 3-ounce portion has 84 calories, 1 gram of fat, 0 fiber. The "crab" in sushi is usually made from fish; buy it canned instead and make your own crab cakes. . _

Car Troubles Solver

Don’t you just hate it when you were driving so smoothly and all of a sudden your car gave up on you? In the middle of nowhere? I, for one, do not want to be in such dilemma since I do not know a thing about cars. That’s why when hubby became a member of Paragon Motorclub (one of those motorclubs that helps individuals – SOS – with car problems, and don’t you just love extended auto warranty?), I was so relieved! Why not? If I ever get car troubles, they give roadside assistance – exactly for oblivious peeps like me.

Home Tips

• Plant soil should be kept moist at all times. Plants should not be allowed to dry out or wilt. However, avoid over watering; don’t allow plants to stand in water. Avoid wetting leaves to prevent leaf from being weakened and torn.

• Your red shirt got mixed in with other clothes and ruined them? Don’t dry them! Wash again with detergent and color-safe bleach to prevent color-bleeding in the first place, wash in cold water and add a cup of salt with every load in the washing machine.

• Chemicals can damage metals and precious gems. Apply hair spray, make up or perfume before you put on your jewelry.

• Here’s a jewelry care tip: Put a piece of chalk in your jewelry box to keep your jewelry from tarnishing.

• Packages tied with string will stay tied if you wet the string before tying. As the string dries, it shrinks snugly around the package.

• To prevent “amag” or mold from growing on your leather goods, keep your leather clean and dry when stocking them. Make sure the area where you store your shoes and bags is clean and free from humidity. Air out your leather goods once in a while.
  

• Your sofa is an important furniture in your home. If part of your sofa is stained ‘tamp’ the area with water. Tamping means hitting the stain with the bristles as opposed to scrubbing it which does less damage to the fibers.

• To prevent wax from sticking inside the candle holder, pour a bit of water into the holder then place the candle on top. If you forgot the water and the wax is stuck t the candle holder, put it in the freezer for an hour, the wax will chip right off.

• Glass windows may be a bit tricky to clean. Even cleaning products sometimes leave traces on the glass surface. If windows are very dirty, add 2-3 tbsps of vinegar per 4 liters of water. Drying windows with a wad of crumpled newspaper works well and saves on kitchen towel.

• Here’s a floor care tip: If you have wooden floor, never soak the floor as it will cause the wood to swell and then crack. Place protector pads on furniture legs. Beware of shoe heels and pet claws. Use a pencil eraser to remove black heel marks on the floors.

• Hardened, stuck-on food in pots and pans is hard to remove. Here’s a trick: Fill the dirty pans with water. Add a few drops of fabric conditioner. Let soak overnight. The food will wipe off easily in the morning.

• Get rid of deodorant stain. Sponge white vinegar on the underarm of your clothes. Soak overnight with detergent. Then wash with warm water.

• Going to a big party or reunion and you suddenly discover that your mascara has dried up after a long time of not using it? Here's what you can do to soften it again. Immerse mascara in a mug filled with hot water. Let it stay there for a few minutes and soon it will be ready to use again.

• To increase the life of your pantyhose or stockings, dip them in a mixture of water and starch (7 cups of water and ? cup of starch) for several minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid and allow it to dry. If it's not too late to salvage your pantyhose, don't throw it away just yet. You can use it as cleaning wad for mirrors and other delicate items to prevent scratching. It can also be used as a polishing cloth for furniture or leather.
  

• Kids are naturally active. That's why it's only natural that from time to time they'll get scratches and bruises. Here are inexpensive remedies for bruises: Rub half an onion on the bruised area. You can also try rubbing oatmeal or Vitamin E for quicker healing.

• To remove blood stains in your mattress, mix 1 tbsp of salt with 250ml water. Tip the mattress on its side and dab the stain with a clean cloth dipped in a salt solution till the stain disappears. Blow dry the mattress.

• Keep your memories intact. If you have an old album with photographs in it, you can help preserve them by layering each page with acid-free tissue or photographic conservation paper which can be found in art and office supply stores.

• For an easy way to remove the stain in your toilet bowl, pour a can of fizzy cola in it. Leave it for an hour or so to ensure that the hard water marks will be removed, then flush.

• White vinegar is an all-around cleaner. You can even use them to clean your bathroom, especially to remove build up in your shower head. Here's how: Unclog showerheads by first dismantling them and then soaking them for 20 minutes in vinegar.

• Did your kid's playmates leave water marks all over your wooden floor and furniture? To get rid of these watermarks, apply mayonnaise on a soft cloth or toothpaste on a damp cloth and dab on the watermark.

• When chewing gum gets stuck on your clothes, an effective way to remove it would be to run an ice cube over the area (which will allow the gum to harden) and make it easy to peel off.

• Here's a quick and handy tip for solving the problem of creaking doors. Grab a normal lead/graphite pencil and go over all the joints in your hinges. Work the door back and forward a few times and repeat the whole process. The graphite in the pencil lubricates the brass or iron without corroding it.

(These are some of SMS subscription collected through the years)

Mom on the Spot

There are times in our lives that we feel we need somebody to talk to or somebody we can discuss with things that are connected to home and family that we tend to discuss only with our husband and end up differing in ideas. Like, how does this milk differ from this, should I continue to allow my children eat this or even if I buy this brand on sale, would it differ if I buy that brand with the same price? All those similar scenarios that hubbies would only mutter, hmmm, whatever you say, and off they go to there own stuff. There are just some things that only moms can relate with moms. So when I encountered the phrase Marketing to Women, I discovered a lot of ways of knowing products and ideas from the most knowledgeable arena of powerful women we have in our midst just by voicing out opinions and validating such by actually using these products to the test. What about you mom?

Hair to Restore

It’s a fact that when one grows old, especially among men, it’s expected to see some receding hairline. Am I ready to see that in my husband? Are you? I think I do not want to find that out since I kind of like my husband’s hair right now, of course, that does not mean I would feel less for him). If that happens, I would want my hubby to have some kind of hair restoration. I think that hair transplant cost is not really that expensive, and there are other means of restoring the hair like hair grafts but given the choice, a transplant offers an advantage and minimal cost in the long run. I do not have qualms for now. In any case, I can refer that to Dr. Pistone, who happens to be one of the most skilled hair transplant surgeons as said by the American Hair Loss Association. In that case, what do I have to lose in consulting?

Parents' Heed

While we were on a trip, I couldn’t help but notice some elderly individuals scattered around some blocks with nobody taking care of them. It really was a heartbreaking sight. I couldn’t help but question where could their children be and what have they been doing all their lives that made them that way? I don’t believe in poverty being a hindrance to success and solicited to the way they are now, but I do not want to doubt their capacity to improve their lives when they were younger. I just am mystified why some people can live the way they lived and do nothing about it.

Their children, if they have any that is, should have provided some justice of their roles by providing ailing parents with some kind of place to live in and everyday consumption, meager it may be. They could dig up reviews of hospice care providers for them to know alternatives to better their parents’ status, even just for the fact that they were raised by their parents and they weren't neglected. Well, this is just an estimation of what I've seen and what I feel, and not an enunciation of the general views.

Saturday Photohunt: CANDY

We got a gift from a friend who presented us this box.

So it's a chocolate box with ribbons
(I was so dismayed when I forgot to take a shot of the ribbon)

We were so excited to open it and this was what we saw:

We were like, okay, nice presentation, we wanted the chocolates...

so this:

NOT pics! we want real chocolates!!!

And then this:

We were about to be dismayed when finally,

we opened THIS:

Belgian Chocolates!!!

Happy hunting!!!

Priorities

Hello everyone! I'm back from the dreadful air trips (since we were going through some really unpleasant weather - with the storm Cosme hovering around us and storm Enteng coming), so it's really rough up there, tagging along two niggling kids who kept bickering in almost every opportunity. When I first opened my PC, the first thing I did was write an opp (I've got 7 opps to do and all will expire - NOW!), and I'm only done with 1, and bloghop to some of those who came and dropped a comment...so I'm still in the process of going over all those who commented for the past weeks in the tagboard and in the posts...so, please bear with me. I promise to go over all of the blogs in the coming days. Tomorrow, I'm off to another CFA seminar until Friday (and to think I'm not working at all!)..Busy...busy...busy...BTW, if you're wondering how everything goes with the interview - I think it's approved - hahah - since the interviewer only said 'ok, you're done' and we're off to pay the Delbros fees...I wanted to ask more but couldn't find the voice since I was too nervous and at the same time, my arms were already killing me from carrying my baby (doing the 'hele' motion while being interviewed). I'll have to wait and see when our passports are delivered.

Fish Pose

We went to Ocean Park in Manila and I caught this fish!

Quit looking at me kid!

Yenny's Friends Around the World

Rule:
1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.
2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list.
3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!
5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up!
6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6.Because Life Is Fun 7. Piece o’Kaje 8. Mon a Bric 9. Celebrate Life 10. Abby's Way of Life, 11. Abby's POV Corner, 12. YOUR BLOG!

::End Copy Here::

Tagging Marites, Oswald, Junelle, Shieryl, Retchel, Joy, Sweetpea and Ruby...to those I was not able to tag but feel like doing this tag, ur welcome to grab this!

Where I Got My Baby's Name

I was doing my usual dose of grocery shopping when I overheard somebody say the name Yuri. I turned around to look over the one who said the name and it’s a woman tagging a pesky little boy. And I thought my son’s name is unique but then again, I know it is.

You see, it took me so much time looking for my baby’s names over the net. I decided to finally consider some names and referred it to my hubby (since we have a deal that if it’s a girl – I can name it any way I want to BUT if it’s a boy – the first letter should start with an O) with consideration to baby name meanings. I found the name Uri in one site and I liked how it is defined. Uri means ‘my light’ in Hebrew, and since I have to consider the deal, I just tagged O along and found its way to the first line and it became Ouri. I wanted to name my son Lawrence or Clarence but I cannot insist on it since it does not seem to fit with the name Ouri. Although I first thought of doing ‘O’ Lawrence’ or ‘O’ Clarence’ but my hubby didn’t find it funny, so, it became Ouri Gabriel – my light, God is my strength.

Dilemma

I would want to apologize to all of you if I have not been visiting or reacting to any of your comments. You see, I'm in a tight spot right now because of several reasons:

1. My sons were having their bouts of cough due to, maybe, changes in the weather. I'm particularly concerned with my youngest son, Ouri, who at less than 6months have been experiencing cough that I have hoped to just be transferred to me. I am just so thankful that even if he's been experiencing the worst of his cough (vomiting after that), he has not stopped from drinking his milk. He still takes it after vomiting. Tomorrow, we're going again for the nth time, to his pedia, for me to know if there's an improvement (the last time he was checked, he's got a slight sign of phlegm in his right lung). Please help me pray for his speedy recovery, I am so worried and I've got too many sleepless nights already. My fervent hope and pray for my son to recover quickly.

2. We have an appointment with the embassy for an interview with H4 Visa this coming Monday, May 19, and we are off to Manila this May 16. As most of you have known, the Philippines have been experiencing storm to date, and with scattered rain showers from all over. My concern? The flight. You see, this is the first time my kids will be riding a plane, and I would want their first flight to be a breeze. I, for one, is kind of dreading the said flight, with consideration to the weather, since the last time we flew in an airplane, first time in my life that I never got any sleep. The situation: Me and my husband were late arriving in the airport, so the seats we got were at the tail. The weather was not so fine back then because of the coming storm. It was windy and the sky was cloudy. The result? One bumpy ride. I felt like I was in a ferris wheel, when the plane collides with the clouds, and there were times that there's a sudden "down" motion at the tail, causing several of us to panic. You can just say I've whispered to God: Lord, wa pa koy balak mamatay (Lord, I do not have any intentions to die). But thankfully, we arrived safely - but that experience left me dreading. Grr.

3. We'll be off in Manila, with 3 of us experiencing coughs. My mom, and my two sons. On hot mornings and rainy afternoons. So, I'm kind of considering to postpone the said flight and move the appointment on a later date. We'll see by then.

That's just about it folks so please bear with me if I seem to be neglecting you. I have no intentions of doing so, but I can't really help it. v^^v

Hubby and the Monkeys

Here's a pic taken in Bohol showing our very own tarsier...considered the smallest monkey in the world. BTW, that's my hubby hiding behind the tarsiers!

Good Heart, Healthy Tummy

The cardiovascular and digestive systems are two of the most important systems in our body.

The digestive system extracts nutrients from the foods we eat, while the cardiovascular system distributes these nutrients and oxygen to all parts of our body. That’s why it’s important to take good care of these two systems, especially their main organs – the heart and the stomach.

Healthy Tummy
Our digestive tract is home to a thriving population of both good and harmful bacteria. To keep the digestive system healthy, the intestinal microflora or the population of good bacteria must outnumber the bad bacteria.

One way is to include yogurts in your diet. Yogurts are prebiotics. They contain live microorganisms that improve the balance of the intestinal microflora.

Another way is to consume products with prebiotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth and/or activity of good bacteria in the colon. Preobiotics contribute to gut or intestinal health by improving bowel function and stool quality, thus reducing the risk of infectious diarrhea and other intestinal problems.

Dietary fiber is highly important to a healthy digestive system. Soluble fibers slow down digestion and help the body absorb more nutrients from food. Insoluble fibers, found in whole wheat bread and wheat bran, accelerate the passage of food through the stomach, thus preventing toxins from being absorbed by our body.

Good Heart
Bad cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is probably the heart’s number one enemy. LDL tends to stick to walls of arteries, forms a kind of ‘plaque’ and hampers blood flow, which could lead to cardiovascular diseases. Good cholesterol, known as high- density lipoprotein (HDL), helps prevent bad cholesterol build-up in the arteries. Certain food ingredients, such as Acticol (this is not a kind of cholesterol, it is a natural plant sterol – when inside the body, plant sterols behave like cholesterol and hinder cholesterol from being absorbed), can decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the body.

Our body (primarily through the liver) produces cholesterol enough for our needs. In fact, when the body manufactures too much cholesterol, the risk of heart disease goes up. Bodies of infants and children under two don’t produce enough cholesterol, so it’s important that the foods they eat supply cholesterol.

• Cholesterol is a fat-like substance, but it is not fat. These two are easily mixed up because fat and cholesterol often appear together in foods of animal origin, and their roles in health are intertwined. Cholesterol has a different structure from fat and performs different function in the body.
  

• Only animals produce cholesterol, plants don’t. Cholesterol comes from foods and beverages of animal origin such as eggs, meat, poultry, fish and dairy foods.

Source: Nestlé leaflet

***I am especially conscious about heart and tummy since I noticed that I’ve been encountering friends or acquaintances that are either have high blood pressure level or who got a relative who died from cancer of the colon (Even Cory Aquino now have colon cancer). And these are really disturbing facts that we all have to pay attention with. I know I am not exempted to that fact since even if I know what’s not good food for me, sometimes, mao may lami (that’s what is delicious). As doctors ALWAYS emphasize, prevention is better than cure.

9 Hardest Times of Your Life

o Being questioned when you yourself don't understand.
o Pretending to be innocent of what you know about.
o Trying to forget something you never will.
o Admitting you were wrong after you have been so insistent that you were right.
o Debating with yourself.
o Accepting the fact that some things are not meant to be.
o Trying to understand when you just can't.
o Realizing that you have been tricked after you've given your whole trust.
o Parting and letting go of someone you've loved all your life.

Crossing My Fingers

I am at this point in time worried with our upcoming flight to Manila since I heard from the news that there is a storm coming. I really do not like going to Manila during rainy season because it really can be messy. But crossing my fingers, I hope that by the time our flight is up, the weather will also clear up. I do not want my children having their first take off on a bumpy ride. Hoping!

WordStress: SUBPRIME LENDER/LENDING

Subprime Lender

What Does Subprime Lender Mean?
A type of lender that specializes in lending to borrowers with a tainted or limited credit history. Subprime lending is more concentrated in a smaller number of large lenders than prime lending. The subprime loan market is more tiered compared to the prime loan market, where terms and rates vary little between borrowers.

Investopedia explains Subprime Lender
Subprime lenders use a risk-based pricing system to calculate the terms of loans, including the interest rate, which they offer to borrowers with varying credit histories. The securities issued by subprime lenders tend to carry more credit risk but less interest rate risk than securities backed by prime loans. This is because subprime borrowers tend to have a shorter time horizon and fewer opportunities to refinance when interest rates fall.

Subprime lending (Also known as B-paper, near-prime, or second chance lending) is lending at a higher rate than the prime rate.

The phrase also refers to bank loans taken on property that cannot be sold on the primary market, including loans on certain types of investment properties and to certain types of self-employed persons. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Seven Deadly Sins

Pride
A too great belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with one's recognition of the grace of God. It is sometimes called the sin that causes all other sins. Pride is also known as Vanity.

Envy
Discontent and a desire for another person's possessions, qualities or luck.

Gluttony
An excessive and habitual desire to eat more than one needs.

Lust
An excessive sexual desire.

Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility, a kind of fury. Anger is also known as Wrath.

Covetousness
A strong desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring spiritual things. Covetousness is also known as Greed.

Sloth
A reluctance to do physical or spiritual work, a very great laziness.

Xoom.com

I am a client of Bank of the Philippine Islands. If I have to say, I am quite satisfied with the way they've been handling my account and the convenience of being able to access it online, and being able to pay some of my bills online, made me an even satisfied customer all the more.

While I was in a BPI branch some time ago, I picked up a leaflet about Xoom.com. Here's the content:

Remittance@Cheetah Speed

XOOM.com and BPI partner to provide fast remittances
to your recipient's BPI bank account.

BPI recommends XOOM.com for fast and convenient remittance via the internet.

Step 1: It's so easy! Just go to XOOM.com. Enter your contact information, your recipient's information and how much you are going to send.

Step 2: Select a delivery method. The money can be pick-up over the counter, have it delivered door-to-door or straight to the bank account of the recipient.

Step 3: Choose a payment method. Enter your bank account, credit card or PayPal information. Xoom.com's encryption technology will keep all financial information secure.

Step 4: Finally, let your recipient know that the money will be sent. A receipt with a unique Xoom tracking number will be emailed to you shortly. Use the number to check on the status of your remittance anytime.

XOOM.com - the fast and easy way to send money home to the Philippines.

VALUES in Life I Learned From My Parents

I was recalling some emails I received years ago and I could not help but say "ditto!" with this one. I recall my own childhood with memories of reprimand from my parents and was unconsciously instilled in me and doing the same thing with my kids (of course, there are some that I haven't heard from my own parents) but then again, it's something that I've heard and seen from somewhere else! Maybe some of them are applicable with you!

1. Si Inay, tinuruan niya ako HOW TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "Kung kayong dalawa ay magpapatayan, doon kayo sa labas! Mga leche kayo, kalilinis ko lang ng bahay."


2. Natuto ako ng RELIGION kay Itay."Kapag yang mantsa di natanggal sa carpet, magdasal ka na!"


3. Kay Inay ako natuto ng LOGIC. "Kaya ganyan, dahil sinabi ko."


4. At kay Inay pa rin ako natuto MORE LOGIC. "Kapag ikaw ay nalaglag diyan sa bubong, ako lang magisa ang manonood ng sine."


5. Si Inay din ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang ibig sahibin ng IRONY. "Sige ngumalngal ka pa at bibigyan talaga kita ng iiyakan mo!"


6. Si Inay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung ano ang CONTORTIONISM. "Tingnan mo nga yang dumi sa likod ng leeg mo, tignan mo!!!"


7. Si Itay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung anong ibig sabihin ng STAMINA. "Wag kang tatayo diyan hangga't di mo natatapos yang lahat ng pagkain mo!"


8. At si Inay ang nagturo sa amin kung ano ang WEATHER. "Lintek talaga kayo, ano ba itong kuwarto nyong magkapatid, parang dinaanan ng bagyo!"


9. Ganito ang paliwanag sa akin ni Inay tungkol sa CIRCLE OF LIFE: "Malandi kang bata ka, iniluwal kita sa mundong ito, maari rin kitang alisin sa mundong ito."


10. Kay Itay ako natuto kung ano ang BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Tumigil ka nga diyan! Huwag kang mag-inarte na parang Nanay mo!"


11. Si Inay naman ang nagturo kung anong ibig sabihin ng GENETICS. "Nagmana ka ngang talaga sa ama mong walanghiya!"


12. Si Inay naman ang nagpaliwanag sa amin kung anong ibig sabihin ng ENVY.

"Maraming mga batang ulila sa magulang, di ba kayo nagpapasalamat at mayroon kayong magulang na tulad namin?"


13. Si Itay naman ang nagturo sa akin ng ANTICIPATION. "Sige kang bata ka, hintayin mong makarating tayo sa bahay!"


14. At si Itay pa rin ang nagturo kay Kuya kung anong ibig sabihin ng RECEIVING. "Uupakan kita pagdating natin sa bahay!"


15. Si Inay naman ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang HUMOR. "Kapag naputol yang mga paa mo ng pinaglalaruan mong lawnmower, wag na wag kang tatakbo sa akin at lulumpuhin kita!"


16. At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, natutunan ko kina Inay at Itay kung ano ang JUSTICE. "Isang araw magkakaroon ka rin ng anak, tiyak maging katulad mo at magiging pasakit din sa ulo!"

First Aid

First aid is something that every individual should know. I recall the time that I had my first aid training (which was provided by the company) as we were assigned as the first aid rescuers in our office by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council. It was quite a training and the actual exam made me really nervous. One of the few things we have to own are wound care products that we should carry most of the time (since we don’t really know when, where and how mishaps can happen). It should include bandages (which is one of the most important items in our kit), adhesive tapes, transparent dressings, petroleum jelly tube, to name a few. Here are some of the pictures from the training.

CPR


Demo on Bandaging with Oswald


Practice, practice

actual exam

7 Ways to Improve Site Traffic

I am a member of Freewebs.com and here are their tips to increase site traffic:

Keep Content Fresh - New content is a great way to keep visitors coming back. Search engines also rank sites with fresh content higher. Keeping an active blog is a great way to keep your site new and fresh.

Keep it Simple - Visitors should be able to easily look around your site. If visitors are frustrated and can't find what they are looking for, they are likely to leave quickly and never come back or recommend your site to others.

Help Visitors Contact You - Make it simple for visitors to reach you if they want. Include a guestbook or blog where they can post questions. Add a "contact me" form where they can submit questions to you via email.

Use Descriptive File Names - Use descriptive keywords as names for the files (e.g., pictures, videos) on your site. This will help your site appear more with search engines - especially through things like Google Image Search.

Create Links - Getting links to your site from other websites will help generate more traffic and improve your placement in search engines. Find other Freewebs sites on your same topic and put a link to them on your site -- maybe in a new "Favorite Links" page. Then ask those sites to link back to you by signing their guestbook.

Tag your Site - Adding site tags can increase the number of times your site shows up in search results. To pick the right keywords, try putting yourself in the shoes of your visitors and think what they would search for if they wanted to find your site.

Liven Up Site with Widgets - Add widgets to help your visitors interact with your site, get useful information, or just have fun. They are free and easy to add.

12 Questions

Irish tagged me with this one:

1. What's your favorite color?
= shades of green and shades of lilac, lavender and violet.

2. What's your favorite quote?
= It is not that things are difficult that we do not dare; it's that we d not dare that they are difficult. Seneca

3. Favorite television show?
= dami. Lobo, Lovers, Buzz, CSI, Kim Possible, Totally Spies, etc...

4. What part of the chicken is your favorite?
= Thigh

5. When you get a cold or flu are you touch or a big baby?
= touch baby. I love hugging.

6. Are you more serious or a big dork?
= more serious

7. Use one word to describe how you are feeling right now.
= sleepy. It's already 1AM and I have to get up early for the baptismal.

8. Name your worst habit?
= not remembering names of people. - same here.

9. Name a book that you could read over and over again
= Ganada (a Korean Language Book)

10 Are you a collector of anything?
= Yup. I collect stamps, ballpens, lit works

11. What's one of your favorite blogs to read?
= everything.

12. Name one thing you are passionate about.
= I'm a movie addict so I love watching movie flicks, language.

8 Habits

Ok, I'd like to call this 8 habits since I've already done 8 facts about myself...

Rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment on their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to come back and read your blog for the whole story.

Here's mine:
1. I daydream.
2. I read everything.
3. I buy/do pen hoarding (waaah!).
4. I save every P10 coin I get.
5. I collect lit docs.
6. I love smelling my baby's armpits.
7. I sleep late.
8. I procrastinate.

Tagging Irish, Joy, Liza, Sweetpea, Twinkletoe, Ruby, Nancy and Blessie.

An Email That Made My Head ACHE

I got this email some time ago and up to now I still do a turnaround and nosebleed. Here goes:

The!

We' ve been friends for a long time ago. We come from the same alma mother. Actually, our paths crossed one time on another. But it's only now that I gave him a second look. I realized that beauty is in the eyes. The pulpbits of my heart went fast, really fast. Cute pala siya. And then, he came over with me. He said, "I hope you don't mine. Can I get your number?" Nag-worry ako. What if he doesn't give it back? He explained naman na it's so we could keep intact daw. Sabi ko, connect me if i'm wrong but are you asking me ouch? Nabigla siya. Sagot niya, The! Aba! Parang siya pa ang galit! Persona ingrata!!! Ang kapal niya! I cried buckles of tears.

Na-guilty yata siya. Sabi niya, isipin mo na lang na this is a blessing in the sky. Irregardless daw of his feelings, we'll go ouch na rin. Now, we're so in love. Mute and epidemic na ang past. Thanks God we swallowed our fried. Kasi, I'm 33 na and I'm running our time. After 2 weeks, he plopped the question. "Will you marriage me?" I'm in a state of shocked. Kasi mantakin mo, when it rains, it's four! This is true good to be true. So siyempre, I said yes. Love is a many splendor.

Pero nung inaayos ko na ang aming kasal, everything swell to pieces. Nag-di-dinner kami noon nang biglang sa harap ng aming table, may babaeng humirit ng, "Well, well, well. Look do we hav e here." What the fuss! The nerd ng babaeng yon! She said they were still on. So I told her, whatever is that, cut me some slacks! I didn't want this to get our hand kaya I had to sip it in the bud. She accused me of steeling her boyfriend. Ats if! I don't want to portrait the role of the other woman. Gosh, tell me to the marines! I told her, "please, mine you own business!" Who would believe her anyway?

Dahil it's not my problem anymore but her problem anymore, tumigil na rin siya ng panggugulo. Everything is coming up daisies. I'm so happy. Even my boyfriend said liketwice. He's so supportive. Sabi niya, "Look at is this way. She's our of our lives."

Kaya advise ko sa inyo - take the risk. You can never can tell. Just burn the bridge when you get there. Life is shorts. If you make a mistake, we'll just pray for the internal and external repose of your soul. I second emotion.