Happy Mommy Ako!

Could you be a Courier? Start a Business in Three Easy Steps

2011-05-09T18:06:00.002-04:00

Couriers are in demand with businesses, government agencies, and even medical offices, so there is ample work for those wishing to start a courier business. When something absolutely, positively has to be there, couriers are typically called upon for their reliable and prompt service. Today's couriers deliver documents, money, and packages of time-sensitive materials and most of them are completely self-employed, or subcontracted to companies who arrange the small shipments and earn a little as the middle man.

Starting a courier business can be as simple as letting businesses know that you are available to help with deliveries. Of course, this is a simplistic view, as you will also need a vehicle of some sort to use for the courier runs. In warm climates and during the milder seasons, it is possible to make deliveries in downtown or other high density business areas by bicycle. Otherwise, you will need a car, van, or other vehicle that you can use to make your deliveries. Assuming that you already own a vehicle that runs well and will not strand you and your deliveries along the highway, you can be in business fairly quickly.

Business Plan:

As with any other start-up, your first step should be putting together a business plan that outlines your business: what kind of deliveries you will make, where you will deliver, what you will charge, how you will get customers, etc. are all vital points that need to be addressed after you have done your due diligence research.

Insurance:

Next, you should look into insurance. Of course, you probably already have automobile insurance. However, your car insurance policy almost certainly excludes coverage when you are using your vehicle for business purposes. You will need business auto insurance or commercial van insurance instead. The exact type of commercial or business insurance that is needed depends upon who your clients will be, where you'll be traveling, and what type of cargo you will be delivering. Additionally, some companies will cover the documents or cargo that you'll be carrying for them, and perhaps even afford you some basic liability coverage when you are working as their representative. All of these things will play into whether or not you are able to get cheap courier insurance.

Customers:

Customers for your courier business can be found in a number of ways. Making local businesses aware that you offer courier services is imperative. In the early days when you do not have many courier runs to make, you can personally visit offices and drop off fliers about your company. You might also join some local networking groups and get to know people at those businesses, and remember to tell friends, family, and others that you know about your business. Joining a chamber of commerce or other business group in your local area is also wise. Do not overlook the Internet as a source of business; even local companies need to be represented online. Google Places now makes it easier for local companies to appear on page one of search results, so be sure to list yourself there. Also be sure that you have set up a website where businesses can find you, and find out about you, and be sure that your web address is on your business cards, fliers, and any other advertising that you do. Don't forget to check into cheap courier insurance.

Are you Looking for a Unique Mother's Day Gift?

2011-03-16T14:55:00.001-04:00

Mother's day is right around the corner. Do you have a gift for your mother? Sometimes finding the right gift can be difficult. You don't want to go with typical Mother's Day gifts, but you want it to be something she will appreciate and enjoy. Here are some ideas for unique Mothers Day presents.

Chocolate

Chocolate isn't always thought of as a unique gift idea, but you can make it great gift. Many mothers love chocolate, and setting up your own unique chocolate gift can be that much more special.

Make your own chocolate. Dip strawberries and other fruit in melted chocolate or use chocolate molds. Does your mother have a favorite candy or type of chocolate? Add a bunch of them to a pretty basket. Add other treats as well.

If you're good in the kitchen, you can bake something chocolate for her. Cake balls and cake pops are very popular. They are made easily with cake crumbs made from a crumbled box cake mixed with frosting. Roll them into balls and coat them in chocolate or candy coating. You can even design fun cake balls or cake pops with different decorations and styles.

Flowers or Plants

A bouquet is always a beautiful gift, but a more practical gift is flowers that will last much longer. You can get a bunch of flowers that can be planted into a garden or watered regularly and enjoyed. Plants also make great gifts such as house plants or bushes that can be planted outdoors.

Go for an Outing

Set up a fun outing with your mother and surprise her about it. For example, do you share a common love for a certain musician who is going to be in town soon? Surprise her with tickets. Take her out to eat, go to a spa, go on a hike, or do something that she loves. Often spending time with your mother is the best gift you can give.

Go in on Something

If your Mother's Day gift ideas are limited because you don't have a lot of money to spend, go in on a bigger gift with your siblings. You may even be able to afford sending her on a vacation. Is there something she's been wanting but couldn't buy herself? It may make a great gift.

Putting a lot of thought into your gift and making it something special will mean the most to your mother. A unique gift will make her feel appreciated and loved.

My Hip Hop Abs Workout

2011-03-11T17:57:00.002-05:00

For a Mommy like me who gave birth 10 months ago via caesarian section, I wish I could go back to my normal form as I really gain weight during my whole pregnancy.Obviously my target area will be my tummy which i feel bloated as i have limited exercise. Not until I discover Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs. I am not into dancing especially hip hop but they made this video workout easy to follow.

Secrets to Flat Abs

I'll show you my exclusive training techniques that target your upper abs, lower abs, and obliques while you burn fat. Just Tilt, Tuck & Tighten and you're on your way to a flat, sexy midsection.(13 minutes)

Fat Burning Cardio

This is not your mama's aerobic video. You'll burn calories and shed fat with my fun, hip dance moves set to the same hot music you hear on the radio. (30 minutes)

Ab Sculpt

I'll give you more of my signature ab moves to get you the six-pack you've always wanted without a single sit-up or crunch. (25 minutes)

Total Body Burn

My head-to-toe workout combines cardio and total body- sculpting with even more ab-defining moves. You'll have a blast while you burn fat and get a lean, tight body. (45 minutes)

Secret to Flat Abs Shaun T will teach you the right moves on how to do the routine exercise, as the tilt, tuck and tighten you will never go wrong!
Fat Burning Cardio easiest and enjoyable routine that keeps my whole family moving and dancing. My husband and my two little kids occupy the floor space and move to the groove which makes our routine fun. My 5 year old kid knew the names of the routine such as Press the floor, Night fever and a lot more.
Abs Sculpt this would be a test if you really enjoy the Fat Burning Cardio, here its much faster and a bit intense and once you feel the routine you will ask for more.
Total Body Burn We've done this routine and from the combination of Shaun T's workout, its a bit hard I must say watch out for your breath and drink water if you need to.
There's more added workout videos aside from these, and I am proud to say I am loosing weight little by little and getting more confident and I could wear some nice fit clothes soon...
Hugs..hugs..hugs to Shaun T, Tanya and the whole team! Very well done! Can't wait for the Insanity Workout!

Happy happy Mommy!

My Shake Weight Workout

2011-02-07T18:05:00.004-05:00

Last December my husband showed me a rather funny looking video of this Shake Weight® for women which is good for upper body toning, he said his officemates were fondly talking about it during their Christmas party dinner. It looks amazing but not interested, no time for exercise as I am too occupied with my kids.

We went to Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, it was my son's 5th birthday and we saw this Shake weight on The As Seen On TV Store branch,. We shared a good laugh, out of curiosity my Husband tried it and he said he could feel the burn right away. He bought this for $29.99 and I wish it would really work for my flabby arms.

Your Shake Weight® package includes: "Upper Body Toning" workout DVD, The 2.5 lb Shake Weight®, Quick Reference "How To" Card

• Shake Weight® Utilizes New Workout Technology Called Dynamic Inertia,
which can increase Muscle Activity to nearly 300% compared to a Standard Dumbbell.*

• Scientifically Proven Results
• Get Incredible Results in Just 6 Minutes a Day
• Designed Specifically For Women

I started last December 21 up to the present for 10 minutes workout guided with the DVD workout of Lindsay Reese Professional Personal Trainer.

As for the result so far I am satisfied with Shake Weight, and of course, its still a long way to go, I am not aspiring to have those sculpted muscles. All I want is less flabby and the arms which I could show off on summer! And by the way there is another workout DVD that I am really crazy about, before I work on my Shake weight I am doing cardio and abs workout, I know a lot will agree with me when you're working out with Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs! Till next post!

Graphics to Read

2011-01-31T03:03:00.004-05:00

Source:www.phlebotomist.net

Source: Online Schooling

Many Thanks to Starfall!

2011-01-24T17:48:00.006-05:00

My little one Jacob will go to school this coming September 2011. We just finished the registration for junior kindergarten and he will join his brother Joshua in the same catholic school not too far from home. As for Joshua, we could say that he is an achiever and we are so proud of him! He claimed to be the smartest boy in his class as what his teacher told him because he's really good in reading. Joshua is also bilingual, at the age of 5 he speak our native tongue tagalog and english fluently. I really love to put him in a school with french immersion as early as senior kindergarten but I am happy with the school he is currently enrolled aside from the fact that its accessible to me whenever I need to go there. I'll be considering that thought with my little girl when she goes to school.

My Welcome to Kindergarten article shows my little boy Josh very excited with school two years ago. I have a little fear with Jacob, before the school starts I hope he will overcome his shyness and not seeing Mommy around. Fair enough to say that he is looking forward to ride the school bus and seat beside Joshua, not knowing that they will not be in the same room because Joshua will be in grade one while Jacob will be in Junior Kinder.
I am so grateful to Starfall.com, i owe it to them for bringing the best to my kids, they are learning at the same time playing and enjoying the interactive presentation of reading. This is not a paid advertisement as they dont need one. It is one way of saying thank you and more power! You are building a good foundation of our children.
Jacob

Joshua

I sent an email to them and joined other parents and teachers of showing our support and gratitude:

From: Liezl
Since my eldest son started schooling on 2008, starfall has been his greatest companion! He learned how to read on his own phase at the age of 3,at junior kinder his teacher was pretty amazed by him. And now he is in Senior Kinder his reading level is already on grade 2.
And now my second son is also learning basics,and enjoyed the interactive presentation and books here, he will be in junior kinder in September.We are so grateful starfall! I highly recommend this site for every parent and preschoolers out there!
And they warmly replied:

Hello Liezl,

Thanks for your enthusiastic support of Starfall! We are so glad to hear that your sons are doing so well.

You might also be interested in our new companion site: more.starfall.com. It has all of the content from classic Starfall, plus a lot more. (Lots of Math, a Talking Library, More Phonics, Motion Songs, Numbers, Math Songs, Colors, Vowel Pals Books, and more.) There is also a great “Teachers Lounge” section on more.starfall.com, with lots of downloadable materials that are perfect for parents and teachers. With a classroom or school membership, teachers can create class lists, to keep track of children’s progress.

I would encourage you to check out http://more.starfall.com!

Thanks,

Ric Beemer

Starfall Education

More Info from Starfall Kindergarten Reading and Language Arts Curriculum.

Dear Parents:

Welcome! Like most parents who are concerned about their children's education, you are probably wondering how to help and encourage your child as he* learns to read. Our research-based methods are modeled on recommendations from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Our website and printed materials are perfect for homeschooling or bolstering the instruction your child receives at school. We're here both online and off-line to help you provide the early language and literacy experiences your child needs.
ONLINE
Starfall.com is easy to use—there are no complicated instructions:

Begin with the Starfall ABCs. Encourage your child to play and explore by clicking on any letter. The order doesn't matter. Your child will come to recognize the relationship between letters and sounds. This is the "Alphabetic Principle," the foundation of phonics.
Move on to Learn to Read row number 1. Each row features one vowel sound. Children listen to, manipulate, read, and eventually master this sound-spelling through a variety of books and games before moving on to the next row. This is systematic, sequential phonics and is recommended by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
With a basic understanding of letter-sound relationships, your child is ready to explore a variety of genres and topics that will expand his reading vocabulary and comprehension in It's Fun to Read.
Our advanced section, I'm Reading, will transition your child from learning to read toreading to learn. These vocabulary-controlled stories introduce children to words they will frequently encounter in reading. Selections read in their entirety model the qualities of fluent reading: intonation, expression, inflection and rate.

Although we recommend your child progress sequentially, there is no harm in allowing him to follow his own interests and create a unique path. Starfall supports your child's exploration. Every word on the site is clickable and will read aloud. In this way, your child's speaking, reading, and writing vocabulary can grow alongside his curiosity.
On occasion, sit down with your child and use the website together. Talk about your shared experience. This supports your child’s sense of accomplishment by allowing him to share what he’s learned. It will also expand his vocabulary at the same time.
OFF-LINE
Turn off the television and the computer and read to your child. Establish a regular reading time every night. Have fun with the books you read, by giving the characters distinct voices, or acting out scenarios from the stories. Have conversations about what you read. Ask your child questions about the stories and encourage him to ask questions in return. Much of the online content can be downloaded for free or purchased in print form, to be read away from the computer.

Practice and reinforce the letter-sound associations your kindergarten child encounters online with our ABC Practice Pages.
Your first grade child can practice phonics with Zac the Rat with our Level I Reading and Writing Journal.
Watch your first or second grade child's creative writing skills blossom with ourLevel II Reading and Writing Journal.
Visit our download center for even more free activities for you to share with your child.
Visit the Starfall Store for high-quality Educational Products.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Starting at a young age, have conversations with your child and encourage her to ask questions. Asking questions is the paramount skill in reading comprehension—the end goal of all reading instruction.
Children learn to read through a long series of tiny steps. When your child reads even just a few words, be very proud! Celebrate these small successes. It will motivate your child and open a world of knowledge.
Sincerely,
The Starfall Team

The Women Men Adore...

2011-01-20T13:50:00.001-05:00

Every woman deserves to be happy especially when it comes with their love life. Whether wishing for the man of their dreams or waiting for their knight in shining armor to rescue them from misery. Or shall we say troubled marriage and you want to do something to save it. They say what's meant to be will always find a way, but who wants to wait in vain? Now there is an answer for all the questions on how to find a man and make him fall in love with you. What about that?

I found this bestselling E-Book and I know for sure a lot of women out there will be interested to know and understand how it works the woman men adore and never want to leave. You will learn a lot from Mr. Bob Grant, the author of four bestselling e-books and a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 17 years, he specializes in relationship advice, he invites women into the world of how men thinks.
An excerpt from the preview chapter of the e-book:
"This is about positive changes you can make in yourself that will ultimately
result in positive changes in your relationship. These changes will lead to better
communication, more intimacy, and a better understanding of why problems
arise in the first place. That being said, let’s begin!"

The Ultimate Paintball Deals!

2011-01-04T16:04:00.002-05:00

I just has a long chat with a good friend of mine living in Seattle, As the conversation goes to what was his and her present during the holidays. She said her husband will receive his extra special gift a bit late for Christmas and quite early for his birthday. She was so into it, bragging about how crazy her husband is to paintballing hobby to the extreme! She started searching the web and happy to find a legitimate site and had the best deal ever! After a few picks, she finally ordered spyder paintball gun online.
Spyder PILOT Paintball Marker GUN Mega Set - Titanium with the MSRP of $279.95 and bought it for only $140.00! How cool was that? And its free shipping as an added bonus! Her husband is really one lucky guy!

Apparently my husband shows interest in the game when he was invited to play during holidays. I looked up the site and I am amazed, they offer paintball guns, loaders an accessories, air systems, paintball barrels, protective gear, upgrade and parts,all of the best brands to choose from. Take advantage of their after Christmas event, and for a beginner like my better half, I will be giving him a surprise! Let me check the best deal. Let's see... Thank you my friend for sharing!

Top Facebook Games for 2010

2011-01-02T16:35:00.002-05:00

As of December 2010, here are the top 25 Facebook games:

*Please note that I haven't played all the games listed here, and I will just provide a brief description of each game as I know it. I will leave the space blank for those games that I don't have an idea what it is.

1. Farmville - set up your own farming empire!
2. Texas Hold'Em Poker - Online Casino, anyone?
3. Frontierville - make your own ranch
4. Mafia Wars - channel your inner Al Pacino
5. Cafe World - for the restaurateur wannabe
6. Treasure Isle - if you're into treasure-hunts and adventure, this is for you!
7. Millionaire City
8. Pet Society - dress up and build a neighborhood for your pet
9. Bejeweled Blitz - the popular Pop Cap game, Facebook version
10. Mindjolt Games
11. Happy Aquarium - whoever said an aquarium is plain and boring?
12. Petville - much like Pet Society
13. Zoo World - run your own zoo
14. Restaurant City - same with Cafe World, different developer
15. Car Town - operate your own garage, and acquire the car of your dreams
16. City of Wonder
17. Happy Pets
18. Crime City
19. Games
20. Yoville - game ala Sims
21. Mall World
22. Social City
23. Nightclub City - build a nightclub empire
24. Bubble Island
25. Ninja Saga

The most popular games are that made by Zynga, as the top 6 games are all from this company. How about you? Which of these games have you played?

Motherhood and acne

2011-01-02T11:29:00.003-05:00

I don't know if it's just the stress or the late nights that I am awake because of the baby, but it seems that acne is one of the things that I can't escape from. And no, it's not just the hormones or a sign of PMS, because a pimple sometimes pops up even after my period has come and gone. I'm not complaining. Lack of sleep and stress are part of being a mother. And I love every single minute of it. Just not the effects of it though: acne and eye bags are those that I dislike most.

There are several treatments for acne, although I still prefer using the "natural" method --- I just wait for it to dry up and go away. It takes days, but it's better than having to prick it and squeeze out the pus inside. That will most likely cause an acne scar, and that's even harder to treat that just plain old acne.

I was given proactiv coupons from my recent visit to the mall. Proactiv is one of the most popular acne treatment solutions in this age. There are even popular Hollywood celebrities promoting Proactiv. I haven't tried using it, but based on some of my friends who have used it, they say that it works. It may seem like a bit pricey, but it's worth it if it helps clear away the acne. There are a lot of positive reviews online and even offline from magazines and newspapers about how effective Proactiv really is. I have yet to try it for myself but I am confident it will work. How about you? Have you tried Proactiv?

An Induction Cooktop for New Year!

2010-12-30T16:04:00.008-05:00

It's 2011! Happy New Year everyone! Time to start making big changes for the better! As a housewife, the kitchen is my favorite place where I stay most of the time, as I am hands on to my family's needs especially with their meals. As the year starts, I am considering buying a new stove top, my fellow moms and friends recommended a brand that is really worth every penny.
For sure you already heard about the Induction Cooking. Upon learning all the benefits of their cooktops, I bet you will agree with me it is the top brand to choose.

Let me tell you about the benefits of the induction cooking my friends bragged about. Presently I am using an electric range with coil burner. Speaking of faster cooking, I would agree that induction cooking surpass the

quality that the gas or electric stove is giving because the heat is distributed directly to the pan not the entire stove. I will have an extra time to rest or play with my little ones after cooking meals!
Next is safety, it means a lot for a mom of three little kids, as they wander in the kitchen, accidents do happen when you least expected. With the CookTek Induction Cooking even if you touch the surface of the cooktops,the heat is generally distributed only in the pan.

Keeping it clean as it is so easy to maintain, a damp cloth will do the job in a snap! No more removing coils

to get rid of the left over burnt foods and all the grease. Now clean it with ease...
What about let say its cheaper? As it is more energy efficient compared to gas and electric stoves. More savings means extra money in your wallet not just one time but all the time.

There is a lot of brands of cooktops to choose from but getting advice from friends and in food business industry the brand they really trust makes me decide to have the best Induction Cooktops available in the market.

The Best Time for Bilingual Education - Early Childhood Learning

2010-12-21T14:00:00.002-05:00

Of course, nobody knows what the future will hold – but if current trends continue, your child will grow up to enter a workforce in which the competition for decent-paying jobs will be nothing short of cut-throat. Despite the calls for greater co-operation and "interdependence," human nature being what it is, it's a good bet that the economy of the the future will operate according to the Law of the Jungle. It goes without saying that a good education is one of the best ways to prepare that child for survival in that economic jungle of the future.

The Bilingual Future

One of the future trends that has become certain is the existence of a diverse, global society. Nowhere is this more true than in the United States. Almost from the beginning, the U.S. has been a land of immigrants, and while the "melting pot" has been an interesting theory, it has not happened in practice. On the contrary, most major U.S. population centers have become more of an ethnic and linguistic checkerboard; Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chinese speakers represent some of the fastest-growing segments of the immigrant U.S. population.

In addition, with the rise of China, English may very well lose its preeminence as the international language of business; at best, it will have to share that top status with Mandarin in decades to come.

Getting Ready

Traditional wisdom has been to start teaching a second language in middle school, or even high school. Yet numerous research studies clearly demonstrate that the optimal period in a child's life for multilingual education is during the preschool years – at exactly the same time they are learning their first language. Yes, it is possible to learn a second and third language later in life, but it is more difficult, because that neurological "window of opportunity" – when the brain is most malleable – has passed.

According to Dr. Fred Genessee, Professor of Psychology at McGill University in Montreal, it's as easy for young children to learn two or three languages as it is for them to learn one. He's not alone; educators throughout the world (in countries that often have two or even three official languages) have understood this for decades.

The way a child learns a second language is by actually speaking it in a total immersion environment. You may recall an episode of the animated series The Simpsons in which young Bart gets trapped on a farm in France – and by the end of the episode, finds he's actually speaking the language. While this was a fictional scenario, the phenomenon is real; anyone who has taken young children abroad to stay with relatives in a foreign country for any length of time has observed this happening.

Enrollment in a preschool program that offers immersion in other languages is the best way to get your child started. This investment will make him/her much more competitive in the job market later on.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the Zionsville day care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of day care preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum.

A Mom's Guide to Finding a Good Cell Phone Plan

2010-09-30T18:44:00.000-04:00

Finding a good cell phone service provider is an important part of being a mom and watching expenses. What is the best way to go about finding a cell phone plan that best suits your needs? Let's take a look.

To Stay or Not to Stay?
If you are already with a carrier, find out if you are still under contract, or if you have already fulfilled your obligation. If the answer is yes, find out how much it will cost to get out of the contract — usually there is a one-time fee associated with breaking a contract. If you are willing to pay it this, you'll have the freedom to consider other cell phone plans and carriers — this could save you money each month. If not, find out what other plans your current carrier can offer you. Maybe you can switch to a family plan or decrease your allotment of minutes.

Decide on a Phone
If you are willing to consider switching carriers, the first thing to understand is that not all carriers support all types of cell phones. For instance, if you know you want an iPhone, AT&T will be the service provider. Figure out which phone best suits your needs. This means you will have to narrow down what is most important to you: Is price the main consideration? Or are the features more important? A built-in camera, email and Internet availability, or Wi-Fi? Or does coverage or reception top your priority list?

Once you determine which cell phone is appropriate to your needs and wants, figure out which carriers support that phone. In most cases, you'll have many options. Look at the provider's available plans, taking into consideration how much you use the cell phone. In addition to major carriers, consider the smaller companies as well; they may be able to offer a better cell phone plan.

I Love Paying Bills at Home

2010-09-30T18:42:00.000-04:00

I don't know if anybody reading this is old enough to remember this, but I know for a fact that people used to have a terrible process to go through every month. And don't be gross, I'm not even talking about that process. I mean the process of collecting a bunch of bills, writing checks (or worse, having to go out and get money orders), and distributing those checks all over town. I mean, some people could just go to the post office. Who wants a mail box all stuffed full of checks that anybody could steal and forge, anyway? But still, even going to the post office is kind of an annoyance, when you think about it.

One of the best parts of being a work-at-home mom is that you get to do stuff, you know, from home. That's half the name of the game, after all. But you know there are some perks. Other than getting to go on breaks whenever you feel like it, instead of having to ask your boss's permission. And being able to see your kids at any time of the day (unless they're in school, of course). One of the coolest parts of being able to stay at home all day long is in being able to just pay your bills online.

I have no idea how anybody ever put up with having to cart your bills around town. I guess they just grinned and bore it. Motherhood teaches you that particular skill, whether you're a natural about it or not. But it also teaches you to find out every little way to wring some efficiency out of your day as you possibly can. Seriously, I am in love with the fact that I can pay my gas bill, light bill, and auto insurance bill without having to pack up the kids and take a trip.

Faxless Payday Loans

2010-09-27T08:43:00.000-04:00

When financial emergencies happen, one of the last things people want to do is borrow money. It can be embarrassing to ask your friends or family for money. Then, you'll end up explaining why you need the money. You may not want to share all this information. Additionally, you may not like the idea of owing money to a close friend or family member. The truth of the matter is that, in some cases, payday loans are the best option. There are several types of payday loans available. One of the most popular is the faxless loan. This loan is done primarily online and can be a quick lifesaver for many people in need.

A faxless loan takes a different view of the normal paperwork process required by emergency loan companies. Pay stubs, identification, and other forms of paperwork are all handled over the phone and through voice confirmation. The paperwork is generally handled with electronic signatures and the process usually takes fewer than 24 hours from start to finish. This quick process is appealing to many individuals who are in need, especially those who can't leave work or their home to fax documents. Plus, many emergencies arise at odd hours of the day and night. Being able to handle the entire loan application process electronically and without faxes is a huge time saver for people who find themselves in difficult situations.
This style of loan can be a lifesaver if the person is financially able to pay the loan back quickly. In your haste, don't forget to read and consider the terms of the loan before you issue your electronic signature. Only take out a loan when you have all the information about the terms of repayment. You also need to begin thinking about a plan for paying off the loan.

The best British Chocolates for Christmas... Check ‘em out now !

2010-09-11T07:46:00.000-04:00

Hotel Chocolat is a great site for luxury chocolate gifts. With Christmas not too far away on the calendar, it’s a great company to know for Christmas presents, Stocking fillers, and Christmas Crackers. Hotel Chocolat are specialist British chocolatier and cocoa grower, who make luxury chocolates from fine cocoa. The company own a 140-acre cocoa plantation in St Lucia called Rabot Estate, where they grow carefully selected cocoa trees which they use to produce the finest quality chocolate. The Hotel Chocolat website has lots of information for anyone interested in luxury chocolates, from recipes to news on how the company’s ‘Engaged Ethics’ programme supports cocoa farmers in Africa and the Caribbean

For Christmas presents the 2010 Christmas range is now available with ‘Truffle-filled Advent Calendars’, two flavours – large fruit and nut or small cookie and caramel of ‘Solid Festive Wreaths’, and novelty chocolate feast ‘Mini Christmas Dinners’.

For the exciting run-up to Christmas, each window of the ‘Ultimate Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar’ contains a different velvety 40% milk or 50% milk chocolate Christmas figure, covered in nibbly cocoa nibs.

There’s a range of stocking fillers too, with melt in the mouth ‘Caramel Drops’ in dinky droplet portions, and packages of eight cute ‘Tiddly Snowmen’; creamy, snow-white chocolate characters well-sized for little appetites or after dinner treats for all ages. Or as romantic gift for a loved one, a ‘Milk Engraved Chocolate Heart’ has sumptuous 40% cocoa milk chocolate molded into a solid heart with a detailed and charming lovebird design.

For dramatic Christmas crackers, there are a number of choices. ‘Rather Large Crackers’ come in packs of two or four, with each cracker two feet long and holding party hats, jokes, and forty chocolates including smooth pralines, creamy ganaches, and champagne truffles all wrapped in pairs to be as fresh as can be.

Fast Cash Advance

2010-07-05T04:16:00.000-04:00

One of the best things about living and working in the US and Canada are the benefits. Aside from the health and insurance coverage, there are also emergency benefits such as payday loans and cash advance. I do know that the cash advance procedures here aren’t as laborious as they are in other countries, since I already have experience trying to get a cash advance from my boss when I was still working back in the Philippines. My husband can get a payday loan or cash advance directly from his employer, or he also has other options such as getting it from an online cash advance company or from a bank or other lending institutions. We personally prefer the online lending companies because it is fast, and we can do it right from our own home. Processing time can be a few hours to a few days, although the bigger companies can get the cash advance amount to your account within half an hour up to a couple of hours max. Isn’t that fantastic? With 3 kids, it’s nice to know that processing is fast and hassle-free when the need suddenly arises. Gone are the days that we have to wait for days or weeks just to be able to borrow money. I hope they will have the same thing in the Philippines too. I’m sure a lot of employees will appreciate a fast and no-frills loan processing system.

Marriage is hard work

2010-06-30T22:44:00.000-04:00

Marriage takes a lot of work from both parties. It is not "magical" and "happily ever after" like the movies that we watch. There are a lot of adjustments, bickering, petty quarrels.. and both people involved really have to work together to make the marriage last. Although a relationship is just between 2 individuals, it helps when there are people around you who give you that nudge towards the right direction. It may be family, in laws, a pastor or priest, and in some cases, marriage counselors. Going to marriage counseling doesn't necessarily mean that it's the worst case scenario and there is something wrong with one of both parties involved. In fact, marriage counseling is a means of strengthening that tie between couples, and can help both see a different point of view when misunderstanding and lack of communication takes place. One of my friends have attended a Denver Marriage Counseling session and it did wonders for her relationship with her husband.

Working with the Right Gloves

2010-06-24T14:40:00.005-04:00

I am very particular to safety gears especially with the men in the house doing mechanical, outdoor or any physical jobs. I make sure that they get the best gear from their head, face,eyes, down to their hands which makes the most of the work and deserve to have the best work gloves. Our hands is precious, always consider using the best we could find in the market. From the simple household chores of cleaning and washing clothes and dishes, i am using the brand i trusted most, for a price that would last for a longer time, and the quality that it would not tear off easily or hard to wear gloves.
What more with the working men in the industrial world? As for my Dad who is working as a mechanic and welder he uses welding and heat resistant gloves, which his friends recommended to him, he chose the brand that suit most of his needs, working with ease and comfort. Even my father-in-law, a machinist, have tested a lot of brands and come out only with the few names he trusted, his partner at work and most love cut resistant gloves
For men and women who need to keep their hands protected choose the brand and materials which fit most comfortably, you can even customize or select your gloves according to your specific working needs.
Remember safety should always be our priority not only in our home but also in our work place.
Be wise! Choose the best and work effectively with the right gloves.

Pajamas in bed

2010-06-02T17:57:00.002-04:00

I am a big fan of women's pajamas. They're soft and comfortable, and they're perfect for stay at home moms like me who would just like to stay comfortable the whole day while doing chores and watching the kids. My favorites are soft cotton pairs instead of the lacy satin ones. And I sleep better too, with a pair of soft, cotton womens pajamas. I have tried wearing boxers with a tank top but it just doesn’t feel the same as wearing PJs. I don’t feel comfortable wearing night gowns as well. They feel so much different, and kind of uncomfortable.

Although I haven't been able to buy women's pajamas ever since I got here, I couldn't wait to go home and buy from the department store for a pair of affordable ones that I could bring back. How about you guys? Do you like wearing pajamas like me? Or do you prefer other types of sleepwear?

Understanding Bond Pricing

2010-05-20T13:59:00.000-04:00

Bond pricing can be confusing. What do all those premiums and discounts mean? Why does it sell at a premium when the interest rate is down?

Bonds have an interest value based on "prime," or the interest rate at a given time. They also have a face value (par), the price at which they are issued and the price at which they can be redeemed. For the sake of understanding, let's say the bonds are issued at $1000 par, and the interest is 10%. No matter what the interest rates in the general market do after that, the bond will pay out the 10%.

Now, let's say the general interest rate goes up to 12%, but you have these bonds that are still paying 10%. You decide to sell the bonds, but who will buy them when they only pay 10%? You discount the bonds—drop the price —so that someone will buy them. They pay less, knowing that they will get less return.

Conversely, if the general interest rate goes down to 6%, the bonds are still paying 10%. Suddenly, they are worth more because the buyer realizes he will get a higher rate of return than the general interest rate. You can sell the bonds at a premium—a higher price than the face value.

There is also something involved known as a "call." If the bond issuer decides to redeem the bonds early, he "calls" them. The threat of immediate call can also lower the price of bonds.

There are formulas that are used to figure out how much the premium or discount on bonds should be, but investors do not have to figure all that out if they use a broker and a good website that rates bonds to help inform them on the best choices.

Things to Look for in a Residential Property Management Company

2010-05-19T15:50:00.000-04:00

Nothing is more important to successful residential property management than the relationship between owner and manager. Residential property management requires all the skills that any business management job requires. Many new rental property owners attempt to take on the job of managing their property and soon find themselves overwhelmed and over worked, taking the enjoyment out of owning the property. It then becomes a matter of choosing to hire either an individual property manager or a management company.

Organizational Skills Important

Hiring someone for residential property management will most likely take quite a bit of time and effort on the owner’s part. Interviewing, background checks, referral checks and personal reference checks will be required. Whoever you hire will both interact with your tenants and protect your interests in the property. Make sure that whoever you hire has the proper management, people and organizational skills to do a good job.

Management Services

A good place to start is to make a list of what you will require from your property manager. If you live far from your property you will require different services than if you live close by. Duties you might want your property manager to cover can include collecting rent, maintenance and repair, emergency repairs and acting as a go-between for you and your renters. You also might want your manager to handle the accounts and finances of your property, including taxes. It is up to you as owner to decide just how much interaction you will have with the process and how much you want your management service to provide.
There are many good residential property management companies available, though you may have to try several to find a good fit. A good place to start is to search for residential property management services on the Internet.

How to Make Your Home Safer

2010-05-06T06:35:00.002-04:00

A home security system is never a bad idea, especially given the FBI's estimate that about four burglaries occur every minute. So the next time a salesman knocks at your door and offers to sell you a home security system, know what you're in for by knowing what you want.

In order to decide what kind of home security will meet your needs, have a risk assessment made of your home. These are usually provided free by home security system companies. You can also self-identify places in your home that could be vulnerable to burglars.

After the risk assessment, you'll need to decide what kind of a product to install. There are two main kinds of home security systems--indoor and outdoor. Both are activated by motion sensors, which detect whether someone is opening a door or window or whether there is movement on your property.

Additional protection can be provided by a home security system by means of video surveillance cameras, which, with new technology, can be connected via a wireless network. This kind of home security system allows you to monitor your property from your TV or VCR, to which the wireless system is connected.

Before you invest in this new technology, however, count the pros and cons. Though wired video surveillance systems are more difficult to install and require more expertise to repair, they are usually more reliable. However, if cost is a factor in deciding which home security system to buy, wireless systems are usually cheaper and can be installed without the help--and cost--of professional expertise.

Even the best home security system can be made even more effective by simple habits like turning on the porch light at night and locking your doors. As you choose a new home security system, do all you can to keep your family safe.

Getting Involved with Sports Book Betting

2010-05-06T06:34:00.002-04:00

Before placing any type of wager, it is very important to know what you are wagering on as well as the rules of the competition. Therefore, when considering becoming involved in the business of sports book gambling, you need to know what this type of betting is all about as well as what you will be betting on.

A sports book bet is a wager that a gambler places on a sporting competition. These competitions can be anything from football to hockey to horse racing. So, if you are a big fan of sporting events, you may find that you enjoy sports book betting more than any other type of gambling. However, not all sporting competitions qualify for sports book betting, so be sure to do a little research on which events qualify before getting too excited about the prospect of betting on your favorite event.

You should also know that sports book betting is not allowed in every state. In fact, it is only allowed in the state of Nevada. Therefore, you might want to plan a trip to Las Vegas if you are thinking of placing a hefty sports book bet. A trip to Las Vegas will give you a chance to see how the business works and get a feel for if this type of gambling is appropriate for you.

If you feel you are at risk for developing a gambling addiction, you should take some time to think seriously if this business is the best for you to be in. The majority of those placing sports book bets are just big fans of a sporting event that hope to win some money while supporting their favorite team or player. If you want to learn more about sports book betting, there are many websites that offer information on the game and how to get involved.

The Evolution of Direct TV

2010-05-06T06:29:00.002-04:00

The modern market has become the battlefield for a war of Titans. These Titans come in many forms, and the battles they fight are varied. Sometimes it's the "console war," sometimes it's the "Internet war," sometimes it's the "mobile data" war, and so on. In the "cable/satellite TV war," one of the most notable Titans is Direct TV. How did this company, in just a brief time, become such a substantial success?

Direct TV was launched side by side with the company USSB in 1994. They worked cooperatively with a number of other groups to offer competitive technology and customer support. Using Matrix Marketing for customer care, DEC for hardware, and DBS Systems for billing, Direct TV was able to use established companies as a launching pad for its own success.

Within one short year (in 1998), Direct TV became successful enough that it purchased its partner company USSB outright, and continued on a list of notable acquisitions over the next several years. In 1999, Direct TV purchased PrimeStar. It was a $1.8 billion purchase.

This force might have become even more powerful if a 2003 merger had been successful. Direct TV was going to merge with EchoStar, which owns Dish Network. Both of these groups are substantial giants in the cable/satellite TV war today, and the merged company would have been a tremendous force but the merger fell through. Instead, when the merger would have happened, General Motors sold its controlling interest, and the Direct TV Group was formed (with specific conditions that the company couldn't favor any stations).

Direct TV hasn't been successful everywhere. The company abandoned the Japanese market very early and stepped out of Brazil in 2007, despite the previous popularity of its sports programming. Instead, Direct TV focused its energies on high technology, including HD TV and DVRs starting in 2007.

Get the New Clear 4G

2010-05-05T00:24:00.002-04:00

Everyone is clamoring about the new Clear 4G. But what is it? Clear 4Gcoverage is the next generation in wireless internet, and it provides coverage anywhere you want to be. If you love to roam around the house while you watch TV on the Internet, the Clear 4G home plan has you covered. If you prefer to eat lunch in the park while catching up on your blogs, Clear 4G Internet is in the park with you with the on-the-go plan. If you like to get a head start on your work during your morning commute, the Clear 4G wireless network can support you on the bus, on the subway, or in your carpool with reliability. And because the Clear 4G wireless network is secure, you can feel safe doing your banking or making other confidential transactions on the network.

It's not too good to be true. Consumers who switched to Clear 4G are ecstatic over the fast download speeds, the portability, and the economic savings they experience. While Clear 4G is not available everywhere, it is available in parts of Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, Hawaii, D.C., Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, and the coverage area is ever-expanding.

Get the latest in wireless technology and experience internet browsing like never before. If you decide to switch to Clear 4G, you'll be on the cutting edge of the digital age. In addition to having amazingly fast and reliable internet connectivity everywhere you go, Clear 4G also allows you to use VoIP technology for your home phone, consolidating all of your technologies into the same provider and even reducing your current monthly bill. Take advantage of this new technology and get in on the action now!

ADT Security Protects Protects More Than Just Your Home

2010-05-04T23:46:00.000-04:00

ADT Security, a company most well-known for providing quality home security systems via video surveillance, fire detection, and home alarm systems, has recently been in the news for their effective improvement of public safety. While adt security monitoring systems are used by many government and commercial customers, including all U.S. federal courthouses and many of the nation's large airports, they are less well-known for these municipal and government installations that quietly protect thousands of citizens, students, and workers every day.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is just one institution that has put ADT security in the spotlight. After the school installed an ADT system of wireless cameras, which typically operate 24/7, in one of their remote parking lots, they reported a vast improvement in safety in this area of campus. The ADT security cameras allow these remote locations to be monitored by a security team in a cheaper, more environmentally friendly manner, since the absence of wires eliminates the need to dig trenches to bury the cables.

Campus police reported on several more advantages offered by the wireless ADT security system. The cameras allow them to zoom in on the license plates of suspicious vehicles and even to identify dubious persons who may be linked with crimes. These advantages have allowed them to catch both lone suspects and to apprehend theft rings, increasing campus safety and reducing crime. After the initial success of the first installation, the university installed ADT security cameras in two more parking lots.

In addition to institutions like the University of Texas at San Antonio, ADT security also helps protect places like elementary and high schools, businesses small and large, downtown areas, and even mass transit systems, using intercom systems, access control systems, intrusion detection systems, and fire detection systems to reduce crime and threats to health and safety.

Protect your debit card

2010-05-03T00:03:00.002-04:00

I don’t have a credit card. I haven’t applied for one ever since we got here in Canada. My husband has credit cards, and I just have debit cards to use for groceries and shopping. I have heard a lot of news about people stealing credit card information for their own purchases, and I wasn’t aware about similar cases for debit cards. Good thing I was able to read up on an article about protecting my debit card information.

This information is taken from a press release titled, “Debit card disasters: What to do when you get burned”. To find the entire release, click here.

Don’t think that the same protections you get from your credit card apply to your debit card. If someone steals your credit card number and runs up a big bill, you won’t be responsible for the fraudulent charges — at least not until the card company completes its investigation and probably not at all if they find evidence of fraud. But if someone steals your debit card information and starts charging away, you’re on the hook. The money comes straight out of your bank account. Not only are they your funds — with no one there to cover for you — but getting the money back can be a huge hassle that can easily take a month, if not more, to resolve.

Even if your money is only locked up temporarily, as Greg Meyer’s was, it can still be devastating, especially if you don’t have a large balance to tide you over. Not only that, but if the hold is greater than your balance, it can trip an overdraft protection and subsequent transactions can be denied or add to your overdraft woes.

So how do you protect yourself – and your debit card? “Be alert when there’s an opportunity for so-called ’skimming’ or where people can look over your shoulder to track your PIN number,” says Tim Lukens, a senior vice president at Affinion Security Center, a company that makes anti-cybercrime software for big banks. Also, think twice before using your debit card at a restaurant, where you don’t actually see the server swiping it, or at gas stations, where surveillance cameras can record you keying in your PIN.

Online shopping is another potential danger zone. If you can’t use a credit card for online purchases, Lukens says to make sure you’re only using a debit card when shopping at well-established, trusted merchants. “I think that’s where consumers are at the most risk, when they don’t know a site,” he says. Before you enter your debit card number, look at the bottom of the web page for security seals from companies like VeriSign, Cybertrust, PCI Compliance or Truste, he suggests. Be warned, though: “A number of fraudulent sites will cut and paste logos,” Lukens says. Click on the logo if you’re unsure; if it’s the real deal, it will take you to that site’s security verification.

Nathaniel Lipman is the current President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Affinion Group. Through Nathaniel Lipman's leadership, the Affinion Group has grown to be the world's leader in membership services, insurance providers, loyalty programs, value-added checking programs, and security services.

Using Social Media with Affiliate Programs

2010-05-02T21:02:00.005-04:00

Some of the most popular websites, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are social media sites. Using social media with affiliate programs makes perfect sense. Putting social media and affiliate marketing into practice can be tricky. Here are tips to help you use social media with affiliate programs to generate revenue:
Find the right affiliate program.

If you haven't already chosen an affiliate program, you'll want to do an affiliate program review. A comprehensive affiliate program review will enable you to choose a reputable program and make the most money. Doing your research and careful use of an affiliate program review will ensure that you're on the right path.

Choose your favorite sites.
There are dozens of social media sites. In the beginning, it's a good idea to target only a select few. Once you get the hang of it, you can branch out. Some of the most popular ones are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Choose ones that contain your target market as well. For example, you may want to join a medical social media community if your business sells medical supplies.

Use the same name for all sites.
You should be using the same username for all of your social media sites. It should be easy to spell, easy to remember, and relevant to your site. There are a number of sites that will allow you to check and see if the username that you select is available for all social media sites.

Don't "collect" connections.
The name of the game is quality, not quantity. You want your connections and friends to be people who will genuinely want to visit your affiliate link. You could have thousands of friends but only a handful who are interested in your affiliate link.

Conducting an affiliate program review, choosing a good affiliate, and then using it with social media is a great way to monetize your website.

John Hardy: Unexpected in all Ways

2010-04-20T19:07:00.000-04:00

It seems the most unlikely of marriages -- Canadian sensibility with Balinese artistry; the north tangling with the east -- and yet the John Hardy collection has risen to international acclaim. With its use of silver, bamboo and more, it offers remarkable variety and uncommon design. Content only with change, it is forever finding new ways to create new styles. And this dedication to mastering jewels has marked it worthy of all interests.

Beginning in 1989, it was more of an experiment than a business. John Hardy (founder and namesake) had spent the previous years wandering the shores of Bali. There he was greeted with strange welding and weaving techniques: rantai, tenun, jawan and ukiran. Though these were typical within Asia, he had not experienced them in his own North American culture. He was intrigued and soon that intrigue sparked what would become a sensation.

John Hardy: Exploration and Success

Utilizing the strategies of Bali with his own familiar concepts, Hardy soon began designing jewelry. Bracelets, rings and pendants were all attempted. Within a few short years, the company was selling its wares through Neiman Marcus and the famed Saks Fifth Avenue. Popularity blossomed when the world discovered the blend of metal and mesh. It was without equal and it still is.

The John Hardy Collection is heralded as the perfect fusion of tradition and modernism. While the careful practices of the east are preserved, the sleek lines of the west are also given. It’s incomparable.

And, even as Hardy himself retired in 2007 and sold the company to Damien Dernoncourt and Guy Bedarida, his intentions still remain: offer something new; make something magical; find a way to satisfy. That philosophy has created an empire of the unexpected. Its success will surely continue and its designs will surely flourish.

Dell Coupons and Savings

2010-04-20T19:06:00.000-04:00

Dell Coupons Rock

There are amazing Dell coupons available online, which means buyers almost never have to pay full price for a Dell product again. These coupons will save you money on just about everything Dell has to offer – from computers, laptops, printers and monitors to televisions, camcorders, cameras and navigational systems. These products are only a few of the deals you can find with Dell coupons; there are many other items to purchase. It’s simple to find Dell coupons online. If you decide to purchase the items online, you can even find coupons for free shipping.

The Products and Savings

Dell has a variety of products that you can find savings for. In addition to the items mentioned all ready, Dell also sells luggage, backpacks, ink, MP3 players, alarm clocks and much more. When it comes to desktops and laptops, Dell coupons even work for refurbished items. Some desktops and laptops can be customized so they are exactly what you are looking for and want. While everything is not customizable, with many products there are different color options and various graphics capabilities so you can build the ideal machine for yourself. It is possible to find coupons for 20, 25 or even 50 percent off of some items.

They’re Everywhere

Dell coupons are not difficult to find. There are links to them all over the web and even their main site offers immediate discounts to buyers. Dell coupons make your buying experience worthwhile, affordable and simple. With the amount of discounts offered, you may even be able to find great deals on gifts for friends and family. With the amount of coupons offered, it is no wonder that Dell and deal work so well together.

Perfect Buying Plans for the Perfect Home

2010-04-18T18:35:00.000-04:00

House-hunting can be both a stressful ordeal and an exciting experience. Prospective home buyers must find a home they love with a price tag that they can afford. Just like any big purchase, the really important part is what comes after the papers have been signed.

With housing prices, the sky's the limit. However, most cost between $160,000-$300,000. Almost no one can pay that out in greenbacks, so getting a good home mortgage should be the number one item on your list.

Most mortgages on homes require that you pay a certain percentage of the price of the home before you receive financing. The usual amount is 20 percent, although first-time home buyers get a break with government funding. In addition, remember that just like any other loan, there's interest attached. Home mortgage interest is normally between four and seven percent. Standard mortgages are set for 30 years. That means on a $180,000 house paid out over 30 years, interest would be $8,100 a year. In the end you'd really pay $523,000 for the house.

With that in mind, it's important that you have a well thought out plan before you go shopping. Know what you're looking for, where you want to live, what you want in a house, and what you need in a house. Remember that you will wind up paying two or three times the actual price of the house. Be sure your home will be worth that.

Getting a home mortgage can seem scary, but there's no need to be overly concerned. Be smart, and formulate your home-buying plans. Paying rent on an apartment can seem like a waste of money, but can be a great way to save up for a down payment. The more cash you put down on a house, the lower the interest on the home mortgage and the less you'll actually spend.

Happy house hunting!

Responsible parenting

2010-03-31T20:15:00.002-04:00

I can’t believe that in just a few weeks, our family will soon be composed of 5 members. Me, hubby, our two little Indians, and our little princess. I think that’s about it for me and hubby though. 3 kids are more than enough, and we have to be practical nowadays. It’s not easy raising 3 kids on your own, and it’s not just taxing physically, but financially as well. We all know how expenses stack up with kids and babies in the house, and I certainly would want all my kids to experience a comfortable life. So we have to be responsible enough to follow a good family planning program. I don’t know yet if I will go for tubal ligation after giving birth to my little baby girl, but for sure, me and hubby will have to choose a family planning method that will work for us. Maybe abstinence until I reach the age of menopause would be best. Haha! Just kidding. If we have to wait until then, hubby might have to go ahead and use levitra just to keep things going.

So excited!

2010-03-31T20:06:00.000-04:00

Now that I only have a few more weeks left to wait before giving birth to our first baby girl, I can’t help but be excited and moon over the cute little baby dresses. I have been spending quite a number of hours browsing through different online stores and looking at the different styles and colors for baby clothes. It’s true when they say that having a little girl is fun for moms. We get to dress them up like dolls. And there are just so many styles to choose from! There are onesies that come in different colors, jumpers, dresses, shorts, blouses.. There are just too many! And I can’t help but feel extremely excited for our little girl to come out so that I can see her in cute pastel baby outfits. That would look really cute and adorable, wouldn’t it? I don’t know how the other moms do it, with the tons of styles and colors to choose from, I think it’s awfully hard to decide which ones to get. Not unless I’m uber rich and can afford to get as many as I want.

To rent or not to rent

2010-03-18T10:33:00.000-04:00

Me and my husband together with our little boys have been renting here in Canada for the past few years ever since we moved here. How I wish we could have a place of our own instead of having to rent. The rent costs quite a lot and eats up a huge chunk of Arman's monthly salary. What we live in now is a flat with one bedroom, where we and the two little indian boys all share. This will be kind of difficult once our precious little baby girl comes out. One bedroom will not give our family ample space to move around, especially since my two boys love to run around the house. Me and my husband have been considering to get our own place. I know it won't be an easy task --- we would need to scour the neighbourhood and find a house that would fit our family's needs, save up some money for down payment, and find a bank or lending company so we could avail of Mortgage Loans. Whew! That will surely take up a lot of work, but in the end, I am sure that it will all be worth it. Who wouldn’t want a place to call their own?

A little humor

2010-03-18T10:22:00.003-04:00

A little something to brighten up everyone's mood from Finkstrom

I demand for a vacation!

2010-03-17T21:50:00.000-04:00

Doing the laundry, taking care of my kids, working part time from home..those are just a few on my things to do list. I can just imagine how I will be even busier once I give birth. It will be quite taxing, I know. How I long to lounge on the sea shore, bask in the sunlight while I sip on a icy cold four seasons drink. I haven't had a decent vacation in years, and as I sit here at home with the little boys bellowing in the background, I can't help but imagine myself and my husband taking a vacation somewhere. There’s a lot of places to go, sights to see, and food to enjoy. I imagine being out in the beach, or taking a tour somewhere in Europe. Or if we had lots of extra cash, I wouldn’t mind taking a vacation on a cruise ship. That would really be the icing on the cake. How I would love to be free from the hustle and bustle and the endless worrying of a full-time wife and mom. I took the liberty of checking out cruise deals online, just for the sake of taking my mind off the boys and household chores. How I wish we could afford it though. I’m about to give birth in a few weeks..

Busy Busy Mommy

2010-03-14T13:01:00.000-04:00

Now that I have my hands full taking care of my two sons and in a few weeks, I will be busy with a baby girl as well. I don’t think I will have any more time to squeeze in and give my son some Math help. I know that I could probably manage my time a little better, but between being a full time wife and mom of 2 can be quite taxing and being that I have a full load everyday as it is, I am now considering to get a Math Tutor for my little boy. I have been looking online and I have listed down my options. I may get an Online Tutor. There are so many tutorial services being offered online nowadays, and there are even sites where one can get Free Online Tutoring. Don’t get me wrong, my son is still in preschool and he probably doesn’t need a lot of help or a professional Math Problem Solver, but I think he still needs a little guidance because Math certainly is a tough subject for many. I have listed down some potential Online Math Tutor for my son, and hopefully, I get to make a decision soon enough. For you moms who are very busy with work, whether at home or in the office, there are a lot of Math Tutors Online..even for other subjects that your kids may need.

Mother Quotes

2010-03-13T13:26:00.002-05:00

I saw this quote from one of the websites online and thought of sharing it with the other moms or women who read my blog:

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.”

- Cardinal Mermillod

Language Barriers

2010-03-13T13:21:00.000-05:00

Since we moved here in Canada, I didn't actually need any translation services because most of the people who are in the area where we live can understand and speak in English. I am very lucky, because moving from from our home is tough enough as it is, but it makes it doubly hard if there is a language barrier to overcome when migrating or working away from home. I, for myself, can't seem to imagine how I will manage my day to day activities having someone translate everything I need to say or every point I need to get across. I don't think that will be convenient, and I also think that it will be very awkward. Of course, being that we Filipinos are very resilient, we can easily adapt and learn their language. I know a lot of Filipinos who work as translators because they can speak a different language other than our native tongue. This alone amazes me, but still I am happy I don't have to bring a translator with me all the time.

How about you? What other languages aside from English can you write, read or speak? Why don't you tell us about it and maybe we can learn a new word or two.

Mommy's Prayer

2010-03-13T13:09:00.002-05:00

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray that my sanity to keep;

For if some peace I do not find, I'm pretty sure I'll lose my mind.

I pray I find a little quiet Far from the daily family riot;

May I lie back ... not have to think About what they're stuffing down the sink,

Or who they're with, or where they're at, And what they're doing to the cat.

I pray for time all to myself (Did something just fall off a shelf?)

To cuddle in my nice, soft bed (Oh no! Another goldfish ... dead!)

Some silent moments for goodness sake (Did I just hear a window break?)

And that I need not cook or clean ... (Well heck! I've got the right to dream!)

Yes, now I lay me down to sleep, I pray my wits about me keep;

Reminiscing

2010-02-25T15:40:00.001-05:00

I have been reminiscing a lot about the Philippines, my family, my friends, and even our neighbors back home. I have been asking my mom a lot about how things are back in my home town, and she told me that everything is pretty much the same. This puts a smile to my face as I remember our neighbor from way back. Their family owned a Toyota Camry (I don’t know if they still do), and it was really a neat-looking car in my own opinion. The husband would usually wake up really early in the mornings just to be able to check engine light before his son would use it to go to work. Their car was really well-taken care of. It was cleaned once a week, every Sundays. And I can vividly remember their kids who would play around with the hose, splashing water at each other while cleaning the car. It’s like their baby, and I don’t even think there was a time that the car needed auto repair or anything. It was really precious to them and my mom said that the car is still with them until now. As I am writing this, I came across a site that offers Chicago auto repair. What a coincidence, right?

Commemorating the EDSA Revolt

2010-02-24T18:45:00.000-05:00

The EDSA Revolution that took place from February 22-25, 1986 in EDSA will always have a special place in the hearts of us Filipinos. It was when we were able to be independent once again, free from the Marcos dictatorship. It was also when the Philippines declared Corazon Aquino as first woman president. Here is a yellow ribbon..which serves as a reminder of how the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr and the late former President Corazon Aquino gave their lives in service of the Filipinos.

Homework and stuff

2010-02-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

My son is currently attending kinder class and since he is just in kinder, he rarely asks me for Homework help. My kids are still too young to ask me or my husband for help with Math problems. And I am kind of relieved that I still have a few more years before my son will start asking me about Algebra and whatnot. I am not an expert when it comes to solving math problems, and I certainly am not very well-versed when it comes to Fractions and algebra. In fact, I think that getting Algebra help isn’t easy, because it is not a simple subject. I am just glad that when I came online, I was able to see that there were numerous sites that offered help on different subjects, including English, Science, Math and any other subject that you can possibly think of. There was one in particular that offered Free Algebra help, so for those mommies like me who aren’t experts in math, you might want to check it out. It might spare you from the headaches of solving solutions and formulas. Getting Math help is so easy now with the wonders of technology

Bible Verse for the Day

2010-02-12T12:21:00.000-05:00

Romans 8:39

" ... neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)

Winter Olympics and Valentine's Day..

2010-02-12T11:50:00.003-05:00

It’s the start of the Winter Olympics right here in Canada! If I’m not pregnant, I would really like to watch even just one of the events live. But I’m really busy with managing the home and my kids..and this pregnancy isn’t really an easy one for me either..

And then there’s Valentine’s Day celebration tomorrow too. My husband asked me if I wanted him to buy me New York Jets Tickets. I would really love that, and I know the kids will enjoy the show. But I don't think that it's a good idea now, because he just bought a couple of Greek Theatre Tickets. And I didn’t want to waste our money since I’m really busy these days so we won't have the time to watch anyway.

If I had any extra money, I would have bought him NEW YORK GIANTS TICKETS instead. I'm sure he would really love to watch the game live. He just loves the Celtics!

Mom Quote for the Day

2010-02-11T11:51:00.000-05:00

“Cleaning up with children around is like shoveling during a blizzard”

Tax season

2010-02-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

Times are quite rough nowadays. With the economic recession, there are a lot of employees who got laid off work the past few years. Some are still trying to get back on their feet. The government has a few benefits for us all, but sometimes, it’s not enough. And then there are taxes to take care of! Of course, we wouldn’t want the IRS getting in on our case too. That’s why despite all the financial turmoil one is going through, everyone still tries their best to pay their taxes on time. I know how hard it is to manage the budget for the home, and taxes aren’t exactly something we want to put off. I researched online and saw that it’s not really hard to get emergency loans, and in this case, I would much rather take out a loan to pay off our taxes rather than have IRS on my back. I mean, I could pay the loan off in installments anyway.

How about you, have you had any experience with taking out loans? How about paying taxes? Do you have an accountant do your tax computations for you yearly? For people like me who are working on a budget and would rather work on tax filing and all that..there’s Helpful tax information online you can get from the IRS website. You might want to try it out.

Bible Verse for the Day

2010-02-07T13:25:00.002-05:00

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Specific courses

2010-02-06T17:39:00.001-05:00

Looking at my sons, I often times can't help but think about the future, especially that of my children. I am one of those moms who dream that one day, my children will graduate and I hope that they will be professionals. I remember that in the Philippines, parents would usually want their children to be doctors, nurses, architects or engineers. But then, we are not aware that apart from the regular medical courses, there are specific courses such as medical management course and others being offered outside the country.

Medical management course for doctors are already being offered in other countries, and this is quite a nice idea. Especially for those who want to be in that particular field but without having to deal with the nitty-gritty of anatomies and what-nots. I heard that there is even a medical teaching course being offered too. It's good now that they offer more specific types of courses which focus on a particular profession. Before, it was just management which is actually more useful towards businesses. But now, they have medical management course for doctors. Doctors do need to know about management too. Running a clinic or a hospital for example, needs management skills aside from skills in surgery and treatment.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I went online and researched about these courses, and I found that there are even courses such as spr medical management course for doctors. And I was even more surprised that they even have a teach the teacher course for doctors! How specific can they get right?

A Reflection for Mothers

2010-02-06T17:25:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 31:10-31 says:

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She looks for wool and flax, And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night, And gives food to her household, And portions to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor; And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Happy Sunday everyone!

2010-02-03T11:03:00.001-05:00

The agreed supreme walks before the pretended governor.

Disclosure Policy

2010-02-03T11:01:00.001-05:00

This policy is valid from 03 February 2010

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Tey.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

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Valentine's Gift?

2010-02-01T16:59:00.002-05:00

You probably have seen the VERY early Christmas present that I received from my husband. And that got me to thinking, how I wish I could buy him a nice present too. Valentine’s Day celebrations are in a couple of weeks, and I have been browsing endlessly online on gift suggestions and ideas. Like any guy I know, my husband has quite an interest in cars. I know I can’t really afford to buy him one right now, since we are expecting my little princess to be born in a couple of months’ time. But I have seen quite a couple of really handsome cars such as the honda insight photos I saw. It’s quite sleek, I tell you. I’m pretty sure my husband would love it in replacement of the one that he drives now. But if I am really rich, I would probably get him a Porsche. I saw these gorgeous porsche panamera pics. Come on, who doesn’t want a Porsche, right? It’s like on every guy’s wish list. Although the Panamera isn’t actually a sports car, but it’s a great sedan for our family. But that’s just looking from a guy’s point of view. Me, personally, I would prefer the an SUV. Since we do have a whole family here. The ford escape photos I saw are really appealing. Not exactly your typical SUV. But this hybrid SUV is compact that even I, who don’t really have a natural liking for cars actually appreciate the beauty of it. Ah, how wonderful it is to be able to afford to buy a car to give to my husband. How about you? Have you already decided what to give your special someone for Valentine’s Day? Look at the honda insight pics and maybe you can get some inspiration on what to get your man.

Thank YOU!

2010-01-31T23:57:00.000-05:00

I would like to thank everyone who has been dropping by my blog even though I haven't been able to do a lot of bloghopping and even posting lately. I apologize for the lack in updates, but once I do get back, I will drop by each of your blogs. Again, many thanks to everyone who has been dropping by and leaving messages in my shoutbox. Really appreciate it, guys!

Our car needs a repair

2010-01-24T10:57:00.000-05:00

My husband has been driving his car for several years now, and I am no expert, but I can seriously say that the car already needs a brake job done. The last time we went out, it seemed that the car went skidding after my husband hit a hard brake. I am not a driver, but hey, I have been riding the car for years, so I know if something doesn’t “feel” right.

I talked to my husband about it the other night, but he said that repairs for Chevrolet Silverado costs quite a lot, and now that we’re expecting a baby on the way, we need to set some money aside for the expenses we’re expecting in the next few months. I guess he’s right. After all, having a baby isn’t really cheap. Baby stuff alone will cost us quite a lot, so I understand where he’s coming from. But being the resourceful wife that I am, I went ahead and checked online regarding auto repairs and checked to see if there are any quotes or estimates. I came across Dallas auto repair, and it seems that they offer quite a good price on car repairs. But, Dallas is just too far from Canada, but I wish they had a branch in our area.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

2010-01-23T23:45:00.000-05:00

Have a happy weekend everyone! Thanks for visiting.. Will be visiting you guys back soon..

Online Shopping

2010-01-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

I am pregnant and expecting a baby girl to join our family in a few months, and I have enjoyed looking at the different products online. I love shopping online because of the convenience that it offers shoppers like me. Especially for stay at home moms like me who barely have time to window shop because we need to take care of the kids. I don’t need to leave my home for shopping online, and there are a wide variety of brands and products to choose from. And of course, there are always free online coupons available to get a little discount of freebie from online stores.

Me and my family reside in Canada, and some of the shops I like shopping from are based in the United States. Shipping don’t usually cost much from the US to Canada, but hey, I love to be able to save, so it’s nice that I get Free Shipping Coupons every once in a while. Helps me save a few dollars off my purchases. Come on, who doesn’t want to be able to save, right? I love saving, and getting free coupons help me a lot in achieving that goal. Like last week for example, I was shopping online and came across Michaels craft store coupons. Now I can buy crafts supply with a discount. Isn’t that cool? How about you? Do you love shopping online? Do you love to get discounts and save using coupons?

Blog Updates

2010-01-21T08:07:00.002-05:00

Just updated the layout, but layout tweaking is still in process. Please bear with me.

This may be a tad bit too late, but wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tag Heuer Aquaracer Watch for one Happy Mommy!

2009-12-11T14:24:00.002-05:00

I received an early Christmas and birthday gift from my loving husband. As early as November I've been seeing him browsing the net for ladies watch particularly the Omega Seamaster. I knew it right away that it was for me, and at this point in time its not really practical to buy such, as December is gift giving month, save more money means a lot of good buys to give.

I remember he told me the same thing when I was planning to buy him a present for his birthday last June. That its not the right time to buy him a wrist watch as his old watch is still working well. How I love to give him a present because he really deserved to have one. I ended up buying him a Tag Heuer Chrono, which he really appreciated much. Related post here...

So there is no doubt that he will give me something special for my special day! We went to L' Oro Jewellery Shop same place where we bought his watch and authorized dealer of branded swiss made timepieces. I've seen the Omega watch but not so delighted with it, probably because its way much expensive and yet the design is not into me..I moved to the other window and found the Tag Heuer watch and after selecting two models I ended up with the one that I really fancied most.
Such a lucky girl I was! Right there and then, he bought me the present and I am too excited to wear it right away. .

Tag Heuer Aquaracer WAF1410.BA0812

Sporty dial, luminescent hour markers.
Date at 3 o’clock. Coloured TAG Heuer logo.
Marking - AQUARACER 300 meters.
Diamond-polished hands with polished facets and coated in a luminescent material for optimum readability and radiance.
Case stamped in a solid block of stainless steel with a diameter of 27 mm.
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
Unidirectional rotating bezel, Arabic numerals and timer.
SuperLuminova coated marker at 12 o’clock. Finishings in alternating brushed and polished steel.
Screw-in crown and caseback for water-resistance to 300 metres.
Caseback engraved with a diver’s helmet.

Happy Mommy Ako! in the true sense of the word!
One proud wife of a very loving and responsible man and a mother of two smart little boys plus another one coming soon...
Cheers to everyone!

H1N1 Vaccine

2009-12-01T14:53:00.001-05:00

With the flu season just around the corner and the H1N1 virus is getting more and more popular and dangerous, the only way to deal with this is to get vaccinated. As the saying goes "prevention is better than cure". Last week we just had our H1N1 vaccine after almost a month of waiting for the vaccine to be available at the doctor's office.

An adjuvanted vaccine is a vaccine that includes a substance that boosts an individual's immune system and increases their response to a vaccine.

Adjuvanted vaccines are included in common vaccines such as tetanus and hepatitis B. The adjuvant in Canada’s H1N1 flu vaccine is made up of natural ingredients such as water, squalene oil and vitamin E.

Pregnant women were initially told they should wait for a non-adjuvanted version of the vaccine because the adjuvanted version had never been tested on pregnant women. the only difference from adjuvanted is unadjuvanted vaccine has no “booster” element.

Watching the news and seeing the line up of thousands of people outside the clinics is quite hard especially for the parents with kids and babies while the rain is pouring but they have to wait for at least 3 hours just to get in. That is the scenario for almost three weeks since the vaccination started here.

My husband does not want to take the shot like many other who believe there are other ways of preventing the spread of the virus rather than taking the shot. But what worries him most is the fact that I am pregnant and our two kids who are under 5 years old belong to the priority group that needs to get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible. Although pregnant women are not more likely to catch the H1N1 flu virus, but may be at higher risk for more serious illness especially in the second and third trimester
It took a while before we decided to go for it. Weighing the pros and cons of getting the vaccine as some of the residents here in Toronto is still not convince that the vaccine would really be necessary eventhough the death toll from H1N1 rises in the province.

Helpful information from CP24 website

Influenza Q &A:

1: What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu, and how will I know when to seek medical attention?
A person infected with H1N1 influenza will almost always have a cough and a fever of greater than 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). They will commonly experience fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, decreased appetite and a runny nose. They will sometimes have diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Most people with H1N1 flu will have a moderate illness and will be able to recover at home. However, Toronto Public health recommends that if your symptoms are worsening over time you should see a doctor. For infants and children, if there are signs of breathing problems or dehydration associated with the flu, you should see a doctor.
Some signs and symptoms to look for in infants and children include:
• fever in infants less than 3 months
• fever with rash
• fast or troubled breathing
• purple or blue discoloration of the lips or skin
• drinking very little fluid and urinating less than usual
• difficulty waking up or confusion
• irritability - child does not want to be held
• seizures (convulsion/fit) or stiff neck
• flu-like symptoms improve then return with fever and/or worsening cough
• underlying health condition that worsens
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• chest pain
• severe or persistent vomiting
• fever that lasts for more than 2 days
• confusion or difficulty waking up
If your child has any of these, seek immediate medical attention.

2. If I get the H1N1 flu, how long will I be contagious?
The Public Health Agency of Canada says that a person with H1N1 flu is contagious from 1 day before the onset of symptoms, to as long as 7 days after symptoms start. However, there is ongoing research to determine if a person with H1N1 flu may be contagious for a longer time. Because of this uncertainty about the contagiousness, we should all practice universal precautions throughout flu season, and that includes frequent hand washing, covering up coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, keeping your hands away from your face, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in common areas, and if you’re feeling unwell, staying home for as long as possible to rest, recover and reduce the spread of the virus. Perhaps the most effective way to protect yourself is to get the H1N1 flu shot, so consider getting one.

3. Don't more people die of the regular seasonal flu every year? Why is this one different?
The seasonal influenza virus causes serious disease every year and may kill up to 8,000 Canadians every year according to estimates by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Overall, the World Health Organization is calling this worldwide H1N1 flu outbreak “moderate”, but we will only know after flu season is over how deadly H1N1 was in relation to the regular seasonal flu. H1N1 influenza is different because it is a new virus, so most people around the world will have no natural immunity to H1N1.

4. How do I look after my child who is sick without getting the flu?
There are simple infection control techniques that you can use at home when caring for a sick person with a flu-like illness. Frequent hand washing by everyone in the home can help to reduce the spread of influenza viruses. Having the sick person wear a mask can help to stop the spread of infectious droplets. A person with influenza may be infectious for about 7 days after symptoms start, so they should be resting away from others in the home. The sick person’s belongings should be kept separately, and surfaces and objects touched by the sick person should be disinfected. To help the sick person feel better and recover, make sure that they are well hydrated, well fed, and well rested. Treat fever as necessary and be alert for complications of the flu, and worsening of chronic health problems.

5. I take public transit and work in an office with multiple people - is washing my hands good enough to protect myself from H1N1 flu?
The H1N1 virus can live on surfaces for up to 2 days, so you can pick up the virus from objects as well as people. In order to lessen your chances of getting or spreading H1N1 influenza, washing your hands frequently or using a hand sanitizer are effective techniques. Keep your hands away from your face and cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve. In the workplace and at home, keep surfaces in common areas clean and disinfected with a bleach solution or commercial sanitizer. If you’re sick, stay home. And consider getting the H1N1 flu shot – it may be the most effective way to protect yourself.

Vaccine

1. Should I get the shot if I'm healthy?
Public health officials advise that all Canadians consider getting the H1N1 flu shot to decrease their chances of serious illness and death from H1N1 influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) strongly recommends the vaccine for people at higher risk of complications from H1N1 flu, including people under the age of 65 with ongoing health problems; pregnant women; children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years of age; people who live in isolated or remote communities; and people who care for people at high risk of complications from H1N1 flu. The PHAC also recommends the H1N1 vaccine for all other Canadians who can take it.

2. What is in the H1N1 flu vaccine?
The H1N1 vaccine contains:
- purified pieces of the killed H1N1 flu virus
- a small amount of the preservative, thimerosal
- an adjuvant called AS03 (that makes the vaccine more potent)
The vaccine also contains trace residual amounts of egg proteins, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate, and sucrose. Thimerosal contains a small amount of mercury, but it has been determined that there is not enough mercury present to harm a child or adult.

3. What is an adjuvant?
An adjuvant is a substance added to a vaccine to increase its potency. In the case of the H1N1 vaccine, the adjuvant is called AS03. It is an “oil-in-water” adjuvant and contains squalene, (a natural, biodegradable oil), vitamin E oil, and polysorbate 80 (which maintains the stability of the mixture). Squalene occurs naturally in the human body, and the squalene in the H1N1 vaccine comes from sharks. Because it is processed and purified, the squalene in the H1N1 vaccine should not be a problem for people with fish allergies, according to the Ottawa Public Health department.

4. Is it true only kids, elderly and immune compromised people are at risk of the serious complications and death from infection with the H1N1 virus?
Seasonal flu is a serious disease – it kills up to 8,000 Canadians every year, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In general, the elderly, very young children and people with chronic medical problems are at the highest risk of severe illness from influenza. On the other hand, the evidence thus far indicates that H1N1 influenza seems to severely affect children and young, healthy adults more often seasonal flu does. Having said that, the majority of people with H1N1 flu in Canada have had mild illnesses and were able to recover at home.

5. Is there a shortage projected for the H1N1 flu shots? Should I wait until the “at-risk” patients get their shots first?
The Canadian government has ordered more than 50 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, so there should be enough for everyone in Canada. Naturally, not everyone can be vaccinated at once, so public health officials have decided to vaccinate those at greatest risk first and then offer the vaccine to everyone else. Every community in Canada has its own plan for how it will get the vaccine out to the public, so you should check with your local public health department to find out when and where you can get your shot.

Here are a few tips to help prevent infection with H1N1 influenza and to lessen the impact if you do get sick:

--Get lots of rest. Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Vitamin supplements, especially vitamins A, C and D, can help boost the immune system. Exercise regularly.
"Anything that helps our immune systems stay robust helps prevent us getting infected with any disease," says Dr. Bonnie Henry, an infectious disease expert at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. "So the whole healthy lifestyle does help prevent you from getting sicker and in some cases can prevent you getting sick in the first place."

--Do not smoke. Tobacco use makes a person more vulnerable to respiratory infections, including influenza.

--Wash hands with soap and water frequently. Use alcohol-based gel if soap and water are not available.

--Avoiding crowded environments like theatres, malls and public transit, if possible, could help prevent exposure to swine flu.
"There is some evidence that social distancing -- that is avoiding crowded places during the height of the pandemic -- may be protective," says Dr. Andrew Simor, an infectious disease specialist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.
If a person is at high risk for complications from H1N1 influenza because of pregnancy or an underlying medical condition, "it's something to think about," Simor advises.

--When the pandemic flu vaccine becomes available, get inoculated.

--Ask your doctor whether you should be immunized against pneumococcal infection, the most common complication of both seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza.
The pneumococcal vaccine is routinely given to children aged five and younger. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization also recommends that the following individuals get vaccinated: all Canadians over 65; those aged between two and 65 with diabetes, lung diseases like COPD, a compromised immune system, and heart, kidney or liver disease.

--If you do come down with swine flu, stay home.
"The most important thing if you're sick with the flu is not to go into work, not to go to public places where you might expose other people who are at higher risk," stresses Simor.
"I think our society really has to rethink the concept of work ethic in light of having a safe or healthy workplace," he says. "It doesn't do any good for someone to come in to try to get their work done when they're sick with the flu and then end up infecting the people they work with."
"If someone has symptoms of the flu, that's a setting where it's quite appropriate for them to phone in sick and not go to work."

So far we feel safe and protected from the H1N1 virus, Our youngest son will get his second dose of the vaccine after three weeks, my little boy goes to school without me worrying that he might catch the virus, i spoked to one of his classmate's mother and she said they will never get the flu shot for her kids because she never believe this will give them enough protection.
Well I guess its just a matter of being cautious as everybody is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs.
Be safe and be healthy!

Mandarin Buffet Restaurant

2009-10-31T16:15:00.001-04:00

I would like to share with you our favorite buffet restaurant in Toronto. The Mandarin Chinese Buffet Restaurant with twenty one branches in Ontario. Photos were taken when my husband celebrated his 35th birthday few months back.
"With a buffet as fresh and distinct as Mandarin’s, it’s hard to be satisfied anywhere else. The selection varies by location and is also adjusted throughout the week, to provide a new taste adventure every time you visit. The award-winning salad bar beckons you with crisp vegetables and delicately flavoured dishes like Mushroom Salad, Chickpea Salad, and Tortellini Salad. On dinner and weekend brunch buffets, enjoy heaps of our Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp. Or indulge in Kiwi Mussels."

My plate with roast beef, mixed veggies but I picked most of the shrimps and young corn ( I confessed I am not a veggie lover :( ) and steamed rice. I just had my soup and appetizer earlier and forgot to take some photos of it. Anyway looking at the food in the buffet area makes me full, I just picked some which I surely eat and made a passed on the others stations..

"From there, sample flavourful soups, like the popular Wonton Soup or hearty homemade Boston Clam Chowder. Or if you crave cooler refreshment, visit the sushi counter for California Rolls, Vegetable Rolls, Teriyaki Chicken Rolls, and beyond. If pizza is more your style, check out our delicious thin crust Pepperoni and Vegetable Pizzas." quoted from Mandarin Website.

My husband's plate full of lobsters which is the "dinner treat special for the day" its not always available but lucky for him, its was one of the best he had that day!

"And then, the hot buffet tables, where East meets West in a glorious offering of entrées and sides! From Chicken Balls to Barbecued Spareribs to Black Pepper Steak to Shanghai Noodles, each dish is carefully prepared by Masters of Taste. You can also see their mastery firsthand at the grill table, where everything from chicken to beef is grilled to order. Of course, you’ll need to save room for the custom-carved Canadian Grade A Prime Rib, if you’re here for dinner."

Another treat was the shrimp tempura and the crab legs! I had my share too!

My sweet treat for Joshua who love their mango pudding and mini cakes! A few more rounds in the buffet before he surrendered...not to forget the ice cream :)

"Don’t forget dessert to finish off your feast! Choose a classic favourite, like delectable Black Forest Cake or Cream Caramel, or try Honey Twists and Almond Cookies for a touch of the exotic. There are also fresh waffles, fresh fruit and the make-your-own sundae bar with 8-10 ice cream flavours and toppings galore!

This is what our table looked like after dining. Its just me, my husband and my two little boys but with so much plate it was such a feast!

Beverage is not included, so we have to order extra.

History of Mandarin Buffet Restaurant

James Chiu, George and Diana Chiu, and K.C. Chang moved to Ontario in 1979, after working for many years in restaurants in New York and Montreal. They purchased a small Chinese restaurant with traditional décor and menu at 239 Queen Street East in Brampton called the Mandarin.

The attention to customer service and food quality soon made the Mandarin so popular that there were long line-ups. The size of the restaurant was increased three times in order to serve more customers. However, there were still long line-ups. As a result, the buffet was introduced to serve customers faster and to allow sampling of all the items on the Mandarin's menu. This change increased the popularity of the restaurant so that even more people drove for miles to wait to enjoy the Mandarin Experience....read more

Finish off your meal with a fortune cookie and a smile!

Pregnant Again! :)

2009-10-19T13:23:00.004-04:00

For the past month I've been inactive in the blogging world... Since the time I learned that I am pregnant again, my world turned upside down. My husband and I felt so thrilled another little angel will be coming our way next spring, but at the same time we were surprised because I am using oral contraceptive pills as to not get pregnant again till next year. Plans were already made up, I was able to convinced my husband that I could work at least four hours during the night I was excited to look for one, and vacation to our home country next summer to be with our families again as one of our top priorities for next year, such things make us look forward to those events.
But....lol! things changed! No more work for me especially during the night, an extension for being Stay At Home Mom granted as per wish of my boys! No more summer vacation because I'll be due to give birth on May 2010 its impossible to go home then. My husband needs to use his two weeks vacation leave to take care of us. And its not enough... :)

FIRST RESPONSE® is over 99% accurate at detecting typical pregnancy hormone levels from the day of your expected period.

Eating a well-balanced diet and taking a daily prenatal multivitamin helps ensure the health of mother and baby. Continuing to take a prenatal multivitamin during the breastfeeding months is also important. Your body needs extra vitamins and minerals to keep both you and baby healthy during the lactation/postpartum period.

This is an unexpected situation that would really change our world. But still thankful that God will give us another little one. Although my first trimester doesn't seem to be smooth when you feel the need to throw up every once in a while or I need to take a rest but just can't, morning sickness attacks anytime of the day. I need to take care of my two little boys.
Pregnancy Week 10 according to Pregnancy Calendar
Mother
You are still tired, and nauseated, hang on only a few more weeks for most of you! Your abdomen may begin to pooch out, but it will be more from bowel distension than the uterus. Your waistline is slowly disappearing.

Fetus/Baby
The baby now enters its fetal period. The average size is approximately 27-35 mm crown to rump length (CRL), or 1.06-1.38 inches. S/he weighs in at 4 grams, or 4 paper clips. Tiny toes have formed. The eyes are largely open, but the eyelids are beginning to fuse, and will stay that way until 25-27 weeks. External genitalia is beginning to differentiate. External ears are formed, as is the upper lip. The biggest accomplishment this week is the disappearance of the tail!
Life is really full of surprises! Super Happy Mommy Ako for having a wonderful and supportive Husband and two smart and cute little boys and another one coming soon!

The "Total Effects" of Olay

2009-09-29T12:15:00.002-04:00

I've been a loyal Olay user since I hit the age of 30 :) especially with their anti aging products, most women are really conscious about their appearance, trying different products available in the market just to have a soft and clear face free from blemishes. We just want to look and feel beautiful at all times...
Here are some Olay products which I have been using for the past years:
Total Effects Daily Moisturizer

Why is Total Effects daily moisturizer right for you?
For those concerned about multiple signs of aging, this daily facial moisturizer provides the benefit of 7 anti-aging therapies in 1 formula.
The result?
Visibly younger-looking skin with an appearance that's more resilient to aging.
How does it work?
It provides the total anti-aging power of moisture fused with vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Total Effects UV Moisturizer + Touch of Foundation

For those looking to smooth away the appearance of wrinkles and uneven skin tone without looking too made-up.

The result?
Visibly younger-looking, even-toned skin you may not want to cover with makeup.

How does it work?
This daily facial moisturizer combines the benefits of 7 anti-aging therapies PLUS a touch of sheer foundation to delicately even out skin's tone.

OLAY age defying anti-wrinkle replenishing night cream

VISIBLE RESULTS
Renews skin's appearance at night when it needs it most while visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – awake to skin that looks younger, smoother and overall firmer.
PROVEN INGREDIENTS
Olay Anti-Wrinkle Replenishing Night Cream, with Pro-Retinol and Beta-Hydroxy, is a wrinkle fighting formula that works deep within the skin's surface to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Olay intense moisture with Vitamin E replenishes skin without added oil – leaving skin soft and smooth.

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS- Advanced anti-aging skin care is ideal for women who wants to look younger. I could say Olay has an excellent line up of beauty products from facial to body care. Just choose which one put a great value on your money and try the product if it does a lot of extra work on your skin to make it look better..

The Best Oriental Pearls

2009-09-22T12:44:00.016-04:00

If you are thinking of giving somebody close to your heart a present, like your mom, sister, friend, or simply for yourself? What would that be? That is a tough one eh! Woman of all ages would love to receive jewels. But what kind? Let me tell you something about Pearls, they don't just look good in you while wearing it, but it spice up your looks and lighten up your aura... with its different colors, sizes and shapes, whether you wear it in casual or formal occassion.

Any jewelry you are wearing represents your personality.
8-9mm Teardrop Pearl Pendant in 14k White or Yellow Gold
Have you seen the Oriental Pearls Website? They are the World's Largest Freshwater Pearl Farm....

Its so amazing that they offer all kinds of pearls you ever wish for, good thing is you will pay less because it comes direct from their farms and to the loving hands of good craftmanship, that's why they can create a piece that is just right for you!How about making your own set of jewelry by ordering pearls of your choice with the accessories and tools. They got it all! Cool isn't it!

Real Pearl in Oyster

Click here to know more! And find out how to order on line!
pearls
discount pearl jewelry
gold and pearl earrings
jewelry making pearls

Find the best pearls that describes you most, and share it with our readers!

Be a Friendfinder Affiliate and Earn!

2009-09-19T14:19:00.011-04:00

I have been promoting Paid To Click Sites (PTC) I have joined and eventually had some referrals too. From 15 sites it was reduced to 10 and now down to 5 trusted sites because most of them were scam or suddenly their sites is nowhere to be found, so sad it was gone too soon. This happened when I almost reach the minimum payout! I could say it was really disappointing but then more opportunities to earn online would always come... and I hope we will gonna hit big time!
Click the banner to join the affiliate program:

A co-blogger Solidus37 from Talkph. forum posted his proof of payment from Friendfinder, he was paid $78.00 thru Payoneer mode of payment. I got interested and upon learning from him how their programs work, I decide to register. Instead of clicking ads for 0.01 cent why not promote sites that pays more!
Sounds interesting?
FriendFinder is the pioneering personals site that revolutionized online dating, with nearly four million members from every country. FriendFinder features a friend network, blogs, chatrooms, and much more, and converts traffic.
It is the largest online dating personals site with 1,800,015 registered members and award-winning content. This site is targeted toward singles looking for love, romance, and even marriage. Excellent revenue for any website.

Get a flat $30.00 for every order, regardless of the purchase amount (starts at $19.95) or up to 100% of the membership fees (between $19.94 and $139.95 plus bonus) or $2.00 for every woman and $1.00 for each man who signs up for free!

AFFILIATE PROGRAM OPTIONS
(you will be able to promote all of the programs once you register for one)
Option I - Per Member Payout: * choose this option
Option II - Percentage Program
Option III - Per Order Payout
Broker Programs - Get 10% of other webmaster programs

As a FriendFinder affiliate, you are ready to promote any of the other 20+ sites in our network!
Click "Start Promoting!" to get program information, linking codes, promotional tools, etc. for a specific site, or click "Read More" to get an overview of the site and it's affiliate program.

I am just starting to explore this new online gig and I hope you'll join me too! Here is the catch! For the first buddy who can make it to the payout within one month or less of joining will get a bonus of $ 10.00 from me and $5.00 each to the next two ! All I need is a proof of payment. Nothing to worry everything is monitored on my account! Definitely no cheating!
I'll be posting from time to time about the progress of our contest...
Happy earning folks!
Goodluck to us!

My School Boy!

2009-09-15T16:42:00.004-04:00

It's school time for my 3 1/2 year old son! Yesterday all of us were excited as we drove him to school around 8:30am and took a cellphone picture of him before going to his class. He was not nervous at all as we left the room, probably because he met his teacher and some of his classmates last wednesday for their one hour junior kindergarten orientation. No dramas so far!

Honestly he is exploring his small world on his own...He would only come to me if he needs to ask something that bothers him and that's it. I tried to teach him letters and numbers but it didnt catch his interest at all. With the right discipline he knew when to use the internet to learn and play interactive games and lessons, the time to play and quarrel with his little brother Jamie, the time to take his nap or nothing at all....
Of course there is still a bit of naughtiness and where on earth you got those reasonings...He is still a kid! We never expect too much from him either...As parents we are here to guide him and eventually he will learn along the way! How nice to become a kid again and play!

I was surprised that he could even write his name without me knowing it! We're proud of you Josh!

His drawing of sun shining brightly as he told his teacher Sun starts with S and yellow is his favorite color! =)

It's really a different experience for parents seeing their little ones going to school, meeting a lot of people, making friends with other kids...
Opening a new door for them to see a whole new world!

Stir Fried Veggies with Beef and Cashew Nuts

2009-09-10T15:37:00.006-04:00

My fellow Girltalk blogger Fickleminded the creator of Food Trip Friday invited me to join her group in Facebook and I am so thankful for that. And at long last I got my entry!
My first entry was taken from my husband's lunch packed last friday. His lunch would always be a combination of rice, ulam, dessert and sandwich for his snack. Pinoy na Pinoy talaga!
It's my morning cooking routine during weekdays before he goes to the office. Pretending to be Rachel Ray doing a marathon cooking in less than 30 minutes, preparing two meals for his lunch and our breakfast...How about that? Well I'm so used in to it!

Stir Fried Veggies with Cashew Nuts
In a large pan, fry beef fillet in a small amount of vegetable oil until done. Add the onion, ginger, broccoli, bell pepper continue stir frying then add a tablespoon of cooking wine. Put some cashew nuts at the end of the cooking when the veggies are tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Happy Eating!

Quality First Esprit

2009-09-03T17:50:00.007-04:00

I am a fan of Esprit since 1994, from tops, shirts, jeans, shorts and pull overs. I could only wear some of them now, the fact that size becomes my issue, well some things change! from small to medium size before, now i am kind of use wearing larger size...
Though we have to be practical nowadays all we have to do is find smart buys without sacrificing the quality of what we are wearing. There are huge sale or inventory events in the area which we could not resist, mostly range from 30 to 50 percent off depending on the style.

Esprit is an international youthful lifestyle brand offering smart, affordable luxury and bringing newness and style to life. The Group offers 12 product lines encompassing women’s wear, men’s wear, kid’s wear, edc youth as well as shoes and accessories through over 640 directly managed retail stores and over 12,000 wholesale points-of-sale worldwide, occupying over 817,000 square metres directly managed retail space in more than 40 countries....
Although the company focuses on the product and price/performance ratio, Esprit also invests continuously in quality and fit – high standards that are also maintained in manufacture.

ESPRIT CLUB
Do you like shopping? Wouldn't it be nice to be rewarded for it as well? As an Esprit club member you can take advantage of many benefits from the moment you make your first purchase.

Good thing with being an Esprit Club member once you earned enough points they will send you vouchers that you can use right away. The last voucher they sent us was worth $17.50 CAD for 350 points...
It's worth spending for a quality branded clothing!

Update on Linkfromblog

2009-09-01T15:36:00.004-04:00

I just received a $4.00 sign-up bonus from linkfromblog! I am just excited and hoping to get some offers from the advertisers soon.
If you are having hesitations on what is linkfromblog is all about, but then too busy too look up to the site thinking it might be a waste of time... You're missing a great online opportunity!
Click the banner and join us!

Here are some links to frequently asked Blogger's Questions
Blog activation.
Where should I place the counter to activate my blog?
The counter should be placed either at the beginning or in the middle or at the end of the post. There is no need to insert a counter in the header, menu, or in any position in the page not associated with the post. There is no need to paste it on all pages of your blog. The counter should be present only where there is the post. We don't need to count all the visitors of your blog, but only those who read a specific post for the day.

The day passed, and the blog has not been activated yet. Why?
All blogs are reviewed manually by a moderator.. Your blog can be tested a little later than 24 hours, and sometimes earlier. It all depends on how clear for us will be very the picture of attendance. If the blog will not be activated in two days, then write about this to our support.

Are the readers, who read blogs via friend-feed or RSS, accounted?
Accounting is carried out using the counter, which is a small invisible image downloaded from our server. Thus, if the images are loaded into the friend-tape or via RSS (and it usually happens so), then these readers will be taken into account.

Why my blog was not accepted?
Usually we take majority of blogs, because we believe that an advertiser should choose blog for advertising on his own. Your blog may not be accepted, if it is still very new, ie, was created only recently, or, at the same time its traffic is equal to zero. Also, we do not accept blogs closed to public access. In addition, if you have not added actiovation code (invisible counter) in your last blog permalink page, which count and shows us traffic statistics, we can not accept your blog. An exception to the rules are the high traffic blogs ( that being on a daily basis visited by hundreds or thousands of users).

Bids submission and approval of them by advertisers
How long does it take to receive an answer (approval of a bid) from advertisers?
How do I know whether my bid was approved by advertiser?
Why the approved bid has disappeared?
Can I submit multiple bids?
I wrote a post immediately after the activation of the blog, but I have not received any money for this.
Why does the advertiser offer a lower price?
I understand what are the brief and detailed overviews, but what is the 'Post'?

Tasks accomplishment and reviews writing
An advertiser offered the price for writing the post, but I want to bargain, but there is no such a possibility?
How can I abandon the approved bid?
Before the bid was approved by the advertiser, I had forgotten its contents. How can I see what is the task?
Should a paid review be designed as a separate post?
Can a single post combine several tasks?
May I say in my blog that this is advertising?
Why the finished post is being checked so long?
The second week is about to pass and my post still has not been checked. Why?
How often are the written posts not counted?
Can I remove the advertising posts after a certain period?

Other concerns
How can I find a suitable offer for my blog?
How rating of my blog is estimated?
Can I spend earned money on advertising?
How can I earn bonuses?
How often new offers appear?
What frequency of paid posts is the best?

Goodluck to us!

Join, Write and Earn: Link from Blog

2009-08-27T19:44:00.011-04:00

Here comes a very promising online money making gig for bloggers...
Thanks CalienteMamma for introducing me to these site!
All you need to do is register your blog, upon approval, it will be activated, write a review for advertisers products and services and earn money!
How about that? Sounds interesting eh!

One thing that attracts me to join Linkfromblog is after you send your first invitation, they will send to your email a free e-books full of tips, tricks and secrets.
"How to make $1000 a month by working at LinkFromBlog"
"Tips For Success Blogs Advertising"

"There are no limits to the number of referrals you can make and the money you can earn."
Click EARN MORE MONEY to join!

I just hope i'll be posting more from Link From Blog soon... =)

Oven Grilled Chicken

2009-08-20T14:30:00.012-04:00

I was inspired by my fellow Girltalk blogger Utotmopink's perfect grilled chicken recipe so I tried to to make my own version for our dinner.

Since its just me and hubby, the fact that my little boys prefer to eat Macaroni and cheese above anything else, I marinated two pieces of chicken legs thinking it would be just enough for us.

Mix soy sauce, lemon juice, some salt, pepper and garlic powder to enhance the taste.
Since I only have two pieces of chicken, I did not measure how much ingredients to use.
Just a bit of this and that works perfectly fine.. =)
I place the marinade and the chicken in a Ziploc bag, it makes turning easier, to absorb the marinade, leave it for 2-3 hours.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in baking tray.
Preheat the oven at 350 degrees farenheit and place the chicken in the middle rack.
Bake it for 40 minutes till its done, removing excess oil from the baking pan once in a while.

I used the excess fats from the chicken in my fried rice and added up some powdered garlic.
For the side dish, buttered veggies to add some color in the plate to look more appetizing.

To complete the dinner, I made ice cold black gulaman...
And it turned out to be a hit!

Ameriquest Funny Commercials

2009-08-16T09:33:00.007-04:00

My husband shared with me some funny videos from Ameriquest ad campaign and it's worth posting just for laughs!
Yet, we may find it funny but its true!
So don't judge too quickly!

CAT

DOG

DAD AND DAUGHTER

SEXY

HOSPITAL

Pick your choice!

Getting to Know Each Other!

2009-08-13T12:50:00.010-04:00

Thanks to Marice of Life Can't Wait Blog for tagging me! I've been tagged a lot of times before but then I was not able to post it... And I really have to make it up with my co bloggers for exerting an extra effort doing this and its been an honor to be chosen .

If you've been tagged or you are reading this, you have the honor of copying all these goofy questions, writing your own response, and tagging some other victims. You have to tag me so really you just need 24 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you ;)

To do this, Create a New Blog Post, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your title as "Getting to Know Each Other!", then tagged as many people as you like :) Don't forget to leave a message to those you have tagged so that they will know :)

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8am as always during weekdays
2. How do you like your steak? Well done, that's how i like it!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Indiana Jones or Transformers not so sure but that was year 2007...Yes its been two years since I last watched at the cinema.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Hell's Kitchen
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Monte Carlo, Monaco
6. What did you have for breakfast? Rice and Pangat na isda
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian and Filipino
8. What foods do you dislike? spicy foods and foods with a lot of veggies!
9. Favorite place to eat? Mandarin Buffet, Swiss Chalet and Sbarro at SM City
10. Favorite dressing? Creamy Caesar by Kraft
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Hyundai Sta. Fe SUV
I'll drive soon need to take my G2 roadtest exam.
12. What are your favorite clothes? jeans, shorts, tank tops,polo shirts
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Disneyland Orlando, Florida
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full
15. Where would you want to retire? Philippines
16. Favorite time of day? morning
17. Where were you born? Manila, Philippines
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Tennis
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? no idea
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? the one who's not so busy
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? Most of them
22. Bird watcher? not really
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? night person...love to sit back and relax after a looong day!
24. Do you have any pets? none
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I am addicted to PTC (paid to click ) Sites
26. What did you want to be when you were little? Singer =)
27. What is your best childhood memory? those times that i am in charge with the household and my siblings would follow everthing i say...alipin ko sila! (they were my slaves!)
28. Are you a cat or dog person? dog
29. Are you married? yes happily married!
30. Always wear your seat belt? definitely yes
31. Been in a car accident? Once yes, i was 9 months pregnant with my eldest and a delivery van bumped our car and it hit the door near the passenger seat, damaged was not much but the trauma, I was hysterical. Hope that would be the first and last.
32. Any pet peeves? =)
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? pepperoni and cream cheese pizza
34. Favorite Flower? roses and tulips
35. Favorite ice cream? Selecta cookies and cream
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? McDonalds, A&W
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none so far
38. From whom did you get your last email? From my friend Iggy Strong (Rodrigo Malacas)
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Superstore, Walmart, Esprit, mostly with on sale items!
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? taking care of my two little indian boys!
41. Like your job? Stay at Home Mom?! Love it to the fullest..lol!
42. Broccoli? One of the few veggies i love!
43. What was your favorite vacation? our US vacation 12 hours long drive with my husband and two little kids.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? hubby
45. What are you listening to right now? my kids laughing out loud watching cartoons
46. What is your favorite color? pink, yellow, red, green and blue
47. How many tattoos do you have? I got one 14 years ago! A dolphin tattoo..=)
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? 5 ;)
49. What time did you finish this quiz? done some editing, it took me an hour.
50. Coffee drinker? addicted to coffee

Now here are some of my friends I am tagging with this note:

Bie of Bie Azreena
Badet of Everything Nice
Sansan of Realm of a Dreamer
Sam of Random Post
Schema of Xschema
Yuuki of Its not always about me

Privacy Policy for happymommyako.blogspot.com

2009-08-13T11:55:00.003-04:00

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at teyjoshyet@hotmail.com.

At happymommyako.blogspot.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by happymommyako.blogspot.com and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, happymommyako.blogspot.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
happymommyako.blogspot.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on happymommyako.blogspot.com.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to happymommyako.blogspot.com and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense

These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on happymommyako.blogspot.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

happymommyako.blogspot.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. happymommyako.blogspot.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

Updated Google Privacy Policy

2009-08-10T10:52:00.007-04:00

Many thanks to my co-blogger, my Talk.Ph and Girltalk sister Schema for reminding us about the Privacy Policy for Google Adsense Publishers. Of course we have to abide by the rules to stay in business with them. As a new blogger i dont want to get banned just because of not having the Privacy Policy posted in my blog sites...
Better to be safe than sorry...
As Google have changed the Terms and Conditions of their Adsense program, one of the requirements now is that all Adsense publishers should have a "Privacy Policy" on their websites.

Google updated quotes:
"You must have and abide by an appropriate privacy policy that clearly discloses that third parties may be placing and reading cookies on your user’s browser, or using web beacons to collect information, in the course of ads being served on your website. Your privacy policy should also include information about user options for cookie management."

"When you access Google services, our servers automatically record information that your browser sends whenever you visit a website. These server logs may include information such as your web request, Internet Protocol address, browser type, browser language, the date and time of your request and one or more cookies that may uniquely identify your browser. Also, in order to protect you from fraud, phishing, and other misconduct, we may collect information about your interaction with our services. Any such information we collect will only be used to detect and prevent fraud or other misconduct"

For more information regarding Google Privacy Policy modified March 11, 2009

March 23, 2009, Serprank updated the Google Adsense Privacy Policy Generator to include a mention about the DoubleClick DART cookie, which is now required by Google to be included in your privacy policy. You can read more about the DoubleClick DART Cookie on this LINK

To help make life easier in preparing this privacy policy
SERPRANK have created a "Privacy Policy Generator".
Simply enter some basic information in the form,
Privacy policy specific to your individual website will be created for you. Once the policy has been created, simply copy and paste it onto a page on your site.
You can easily make any modifications you wish.

Privacy Policy Generator click here
Note from Serprank:
Please note that the Privacy policy that you will create is in no way a legal binding policy. This generator has been developed to provide you with an easy and quick way to create a Privacy Policy to keep in terms with the recent changes to the TOS of Google Adsense. Serprank.com cannot be held responsible for any situations that may arise due to any wording or misunderstanding relating to the generated Privacy Policy

Want to earn a little more?

2009-08-07T13:27:00.012-04:00

I would like to share some of the PTC (Paid To Click) sites that i have joined through my blogger friends from Girltalk and TalkPh. just trying to maximize our time in front of the internet, blogging, at the same time clicking ads, or making product reviews or visiting ARS forums, there are lots of ways to earn money online!

10Bux.net
you get paid to click on ads and visit websites.
The process is easy! You simply click a link and view a website for 30 seconds to earn money. You can earn even more by referring friends. You'll get paid $0.01 for each website you personally view and $0.01 for each website your referrals view. Payment requests can be made every day and are processed through AlertPay. The minimum payout is $10.00.
Earnings Example
» You click 10 ads per day = $0.10
» 20 referrals click 10 ads per day = $2.00
» Your daily earnings = $2.10
» Your weekly earnings = $14.70
» Your monthly earnings = $63.00
The above example is based only on 20 referrals and 10 daily clicks. Some days you will have more clicks available, some days you will have less. What if you had more referrals? What if there were more ads available?
Join now and receive a $0.05 Sign-up Bonus

Basically i am clicking like 17 ads a day, most of the time...
I just hope that I'll be able to meet the minimum payout so more friends would register.
for most of the PTC Sites the process of earning is similar

BUX.GS
$0.01/click, $9 minimum cash out.
I usually click 5-6 ads a day.

"there are currently 947 unreferred users available for purchase"
This is applicable to most of the Paid to Click Sites, so its better to join under a
referral= happymommyako= somebody who may return the favor to you... =)

NEOBUX
$0.01/click, $2 minimum cash out.
Click 4-5 ads a day

Trekpay
Earning money is easy with Trek. The more active you are, the faster you get to our maximum payout. A member is awarded credits each time they do one of the following.

1. When a member does a search and visits one of our Clients websites, credits are given.

2. If a member refers another person to TrekPay or Trek Advertising they are awarded credits.

More PTC sites in my right side bar!
Goodluck to us! Happy earning!

Are you kidding me?

2009-08-06T11:12:00.011-04:00

I was surprised upon seeing this Manila Bulletin article dated August 6, 2009 at my sister's facebook account a while ago, so i guess its still worth sharing for those who have not seen it yet.
What's wrong with the picture? Nothing!
Filipinos are still mourning for the loss of a great leader whom we fondly call Tita Cory...
An Icon who made a big impact on our much celebrated democracy.

Read the caption... and tell me what is on your mind!
Somebody from the newspaper agency needs a lot of explanation to do... especially with Malacanang... Is this what we call adding insult to injury? Knowing a lot of people from all walks of life including the late former President Cory wants President Gloria Arroyo out of the office?
Better clean up your act now for those who are responsible for publishing this article...
Because this is not funny at all....
The late President Corazon C. Aquino deserves more respect...

My first real haircut!

2009-08-04T11:35:00.015-04:00

My 20 month old baby needs a haircut! But I am scared to let him have one "real haircut". Once I tried to cut his hair just a bit short because he sweat too much and it's like coming out of the shower all the time. When the little pair of scissor touches his little nape I was not aware that he will moved fast, I cut him a bit, I just saw blood. He cried much and I couldn't bear not to panicked. I gave him a hug and clean the small wound, I showed him a Go! Diego Go! band aid and pacified him for a while. Since then I never dare to cut his hair again, seeing a little scar on his nape... Poor baby!
But then last Sunday we finally decided to call it a haircut day for our two little boys... After strolling at the mall we went to the parlor. We thought this would be a tough day for Jamie's little drama....

Jamie is very familiar with this place, we usually accompanied Daddy and big brother Josh to have a haircut

he would run to the car ride before Joshua goes first,as if he enjoys their race while Kuya stayed at the pony waiting for his haircut and make faces while the electric razor tickles on his head.

Probably he was thinking "Mommy should have done this before...
leave my hair to the expert next time!"

A little tickle here, there and every where! It was just amazing!
Bravo Jamie!

Now its Kuya Joshua's turn... seeing how Jamie behave,
its seems much easier now, no more twist and turn...
Good job boys!
Daddy and Mommy were so proud of you....

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Watch for Him

2009-07-15T18:46:00.018-04:00

As promised... I got to have something really special for my Man as a post- wedding anniversary present...
From his desire to own a Tag heuer wristwatch last year, then later on has been eyeing for an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean watch instead.
Sudden change of mind huh!

We have done some mall hopping and forum search in the net since March, just to get the best deal... It was supposed to be a birthday gift long overdue even before our wedding anniversary!
But then, a Swiss watch for almost $5,000 is not practical for now... and besides, I don't even have that much, to be honest...
So again I tried my convincing power, that it's too early for him to wear an Omega wristwatch, probably when he gets older and ummm earning more!
Decision... decision... Until final decision made...
Tag Heuer Formula 1... would be a good choice! And I'll be paying! lol!

TAG HEUER Formula One Grande Date Chronograph
Model: CAH1010.BA0854
Size: Gents (44.00mm)
Series: Formula One Grande Date Chronograph
Band: Fine-brushed Steel Bracelet
with double safety clasp
Case: Fine-brushed Steel
Dial: Black
Movement: Quartz
Retail Price: US$ 1550.00

Purchased at L'ORO Jewellery Authorized Dealer of Tag Heuer located in Markville Mall.
They gave us a good discount compared to other dealers, but then we waited for almost two weeks until they have it ordered and delivered from the US.
Remember aside from the regular price you need to pay an extra 13% for the tax...

Visit L’ORO JEWELLERY to view the newest in TAG HEUER’s exciting line of luxury Swiss sport timepieces.

Side view shot

My husband loves me more than ever... =)

Oreo Sippy Cup Commercial

2009-07-13T14:31:00.006-04:00

My sister shared a YouTube video of Oreo Commercial.
She told me, it reminded her of my two boys...
And I am so glad I was able to watched it...
To my surprised they looked like my boys!
And I can't wait to show it to their Dad!

The commercial is so cute and witty...

Take a look at some of their pictures

Joshua, my 3 1/2 years old son

This was taken after their Jr. Kindergarten Orientation last February.

Jacob my 1 1/2 year old son.

This was taken yesterday after a trip to Yorkdale Mall...
So nice to see them together sitting quietly just looking at a magazine...
It doesn't happened all the time.
They are still in the process of learning how to share just like the brothers
in the Oreo Commercial...

Free Blogger Templates

2009-07-10T21:40:00.014-04:00

Want a new look for your blog to be more alive, appealing and interesting to your readers?
I found a site where you can choose from their wide array of fresh templates for FREE!

Cuenta Cuentos
1 column template
Designed by final sense

Toggery of mine
2 column template
Designed by EZwpthemes

New Moon
Adopted from Wordpress
3 column template by Lecca

Beauty Blog
4 column template
Author: templates novo blogger

Blue Diamond
Elegant Design
Author: Falcon Hive
Designer: Skinpress

Showcase
For photoblog
Author: Dante Araujo

Looking for more? Click here
I really love their templates...Cool,elegant, classic,wild, formal....your choice...
Here is another site.
Enjoy!

Chanel Essentials Sunglasses

2009-06-30T16:19:00.010-04:00

Just got lucky! Hmmm... from everything! I may not be even close to perfect, but I am a good wife and a mother... Well from my husband's point of view... And as a reward to all my effort
a gift from him on our fifth wedding anniversary...

My husband had been telling me that he would buy me a new pair of sunglasses and he was suggesting brands such as Armani, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana or DKNY... Very tempting indeed, but it's not really necessary at this time. I may be wearing my old XOXO shades but absolutely fine with me.
The day after celebrating our anniversary with the kids, we went out malling to Yorkdale Mall here in Toronto.
As we passed by the Seen Vision Care Authorized dealer with most of the well known brands, he stopped at the display window. He was so good in convincing me that this Chanel sunglasses was the perfect pair for me...
My husband has a potential of a good salesman....Want a career change Baby?

After some discussions outside the store and looking at the display, which one looks better and nicer not discussing what matters most.... which is the price...We decided to take a peek inside the store... And i found this:

The Retro Style and Butterfly acetate frame

Ingenious pivoting button, varnished on one side and signed with the double C on the other side

I just fell in love with this... Chanel

Happy Wedding Anniversary!

2009-06-26T12:16:00.024-04:00

Who would think that this short romantic relationship could lead us to marriage?
Call it destiny... I was just in the right place at the right time, so were you...
Now married for five years and you made me a proud Mommy of two little boys who looks exactly like their Daddy...
These are abundant blessings from heaven, I should be thankful for everyday...
How I wish we live longer to enjoy each other more, to see our kids grow and to take care of our grand children....
Thank you for being a good husband, a responsible father to our kids, a great lover, a friend,
my enemy, my critic...
Thank you for making me laugh, cry, smile, get mad at times...
Still "All I wanna do is grow old with you...."

Our relationship could not be measured on how long we have been together, as long as we both get along well...
It feels so good waking up every morning and as I open my eyes there you are beside me...
And during the night before I close my eyes, you would be there to give me a warm hug and kiss me goodnight...
I am one of the lucky gals who wishes that their Prince Charming will soon come to their rescue.
Well somebody came and rescued me... Its you...
My Knight in shining armour... My Man...
I love you more than life itself....
Happy 5th wedding anniversary Baby!

An ideal wife is any woman who has an ideal husband... Booth Tarkington

After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her... Mark Twain in Adam's Diary

Pictures were not taken from our wedding album... I took some shots from my raw DVD wedding video...Just because I would love to share some photos with you.

My favorite marriage quotes:

Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it is also remembering to take out the trash...
Joyce Brothers

Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up...
Joseph Barth

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person...
Mignon McLaughlin

Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets..
Ogden Nash

For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked...
Bill Cosby

I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life...
Rita Rudner

Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can't sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can't sleep with the window open.
George Bernard Shaw

Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.
Barnett Brickner

Creamy Tilapia Delight

2009-06-19T13:58:00.016-04:00

It's cooking time for Tey!
My husband is so choosy when it comes to buying fish... When we go the grocery store, it would always be him at the fish/seafood section while Tey at the meat and deli area. I would not be surprised looking at him empty handed, he had so many comments, that the fish does not look good, the crab was too light and small or the squid they were just leftovers...
What do we have? Chicken, beef, pork but no single fresh fish...
And very little vegetables, now blame it on me... Not a big fan of veggies.
Lucky me, he saw live tilapia and asked me if I would like to have it for dinner, of course Darling!
I got an idea how to cook the tilapia in my own quickie way...

CREAMY TILAPIA DELIGHT

1 big Tilapia
2 medium size tomatoes
1 small ginger
1 small onion
4 pcs pechay
1 can of coconut milk
fish sauce or salt to taste

Cut the tomatoes, onion, ginger, onion into small pieces.
In a wide pan layer the pechay leaves, some cut veggies at the bottom
Place tilapia in the middle
Add the remaining veggies on top, then add the coconut milk, fish sauce or salt.
Cover the pan and bring it to boil until the coconut cream thickens...
Serve while its hot and with coke to drink on the side.... Enjoy!

The two of us finished the whole fish...How I wished I got a picture of the fishbones and the pieces of ginger left on the plate...
How about dessert? A piece of cheesecake topped with fresh fruits? and coffee?

Weeee for Wii!

2009-06-15T16:47:00.016-04:00

Wii Nintendo is a great family entertainment. All you need is a big space so not to break anything while playing...I love Wii Sports most likely tennis..I promised you'll gonna sweat! Nice exercise for not so athletic type like me, who will probably spend more time in the kitchen cooking or playing with my kids... Even our elliptical machine trainer doesn't work for me as well...
or diet pills! Tell me I am lazy working out but I really am.

My three year old boy is eager to play boxing while Dad is addicted to golf... How about that!
Discovering Wii made me get up and play and because it is interactive its like playing for real with great sound effects. The first time I played tennis,I got an ached muscles which lasted for three days, I could hardly sit for that matter...Well that's what I call real workout that works for me...
Just explore Wii Nintendo and you'll going to have total fun... Enjoy!

Great Info from my favorite site

A New Style of Gaming
Wii breaks down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else. It puts people in touch with games - and each other. Pronounced "We", it's an entertainment system that's designed to universally promote community, interactivity, and most importantly, fun. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.

Expanding the Audience
Over time, gaming has become overwhelming to people. Wii returns gaming to simpler times while innovating game development at the same time. The unique Wii Remote gives parents and grandparents a chance to play games with their children. It gives gamers and traditional non-gamers a chance to share the same experiences in this new generation of gaming. For those who grew up on video games, Wii shows that games have not outgrown them.

Unique Experiences
Wii makes you feel less like a player and more like you're in the game. Frenzied sword battles are no longer confined to pushing a button. With Wii's unique freehand controller, Nintendo puts you in the middle of the action. Forget about pushing a button to start a golf backswing. Wii lets you swing the club! Don't push a button to swing a sword, actually swing the sword. Video games have always been a part of you, now you get to be a part of them. Step up to the next level of gaming.

The sleek Wii console, no larger than a stack of several DVD cases, includes Wii Sports, a sensor bar, an AV cable, a Wii stand, a Wii Remote, and a Nunchuk controller for even more exciting game-control possibilities.

For more information click Pinoy-N.com Forum

Passion for Fashion : Louis Vuitton

2009-06-11T12:19:00.015-04:00

I was wondering why most women wanted to have a Louis Vuitton brand, from handbags, accessories, small purses and wallets to larger pieces of luggage bags and even piece of jewelry...
Is it an obsession? Or passion for fashion? Spending so much money on a bag for instance, which you will flaunt later on, wishing people knew how to distinguished a replica to the authentic one...

As we passed by the Louis Vuitton Boutique I could not resist to looked at the display window... My dear husband asked me if I wanted to get inside to satisfy my curiosity. Well why not? But on the second thought I refused. I told him that I was not really into bags, I had my camera with me and took few shots at the display... Just for souvenirs of LV's collection which I later found out, seems to be interesting "to have and to hold" and I think I am beginning to like it...
Calling the attention of my gorgeous husband!!! I know you will be reading my post soon... Hopefully! Just kidding! How about saving more for my little LV bag... Am I being one of those girls?

A little trivia:
LV is also one of the oldest fashion houses in the world, having started in 1854. It sells its products strictly through its own retail stores, small boutiques in high-end department stores, and online (as an effort against counterfeit). It primarily competes with Versace, Brioni, Gucci, Chanel, Armani, Prada and similar luxury fashion brands.
The company manufactures and markets luxury leather goods, fashion accessories, prêt-à-porter and jewelry. Many of the company's products utilize the signature brown Damier and Monogram Canvas materials, both of which were first used in the late 19th century. All of the company's products exhibit the eponymous LV initials. The company markets its product through its own stores throughout the world, which allows it to control product quality and pricing. It also allows LV to prevent counterfeit products entering its distribution channels. Louis Vuitton has no discount sales nor any duty-free stores. In addition, the company distributes its products exclusively through LouisVuitton.com.

I found this article in Wikipedia in connection with my photos
By 2001, Stephen Sprouse, in collaboration with Marc Jacobs, designed a limited-edition line of Vuitton bags that feature graffiti written over the monogram pattern. The graffiti reads Louis Vuitton and as well, on certain bags, the name of the bag (such as Keepall and Speedy). Certain pieces, which feature the graffiti without the Monogram Canvas background, are created and only available to the customers on Vuitton's V.I.P. customer list.

STEPHEN SPROUSE COLLECTION (INSPIRED BY THE LATE AMERICAN ARTIST)

SPEEDY 30 Bag Size: 11.8" X 8.3" Price: $1,310.00

NEVERFULL MM Bag Price: $1,360.00
---------------------------------

MONOGRAM COLLECTION which I like most...
NEVERFULL PM Cost: $650.00
TOTALLY MONOGRAM GM Cost: $1,100.00

SHOW SPRING COLLECTION 2009
KALAHARI GM BAG Cost: $5,800.00

WINTER 2008
LUTECE Cost: $6,450.00...

How about that? That's for you to find out!

Mister love a Lobster!

2009-06-08T16:15:00.016-04:00

Last Saturday it was my hubby's birthday...We should have celebrated his "BIG DAY" somewhere else, but then the four of us got a terrible cough and colds, with all the news about A H1N1 Virus, some people might think differently. We just had a quick trip to the grocery store and bought two live lobsters (as he was craving for this) and a small tiramisu cake...
We stayed at home...That would be the best thing to do...

We were not expecting any visitors, family or friends. It was just the two of us and our two little ones... A very informal dinner with "Go Diego, Go!" placemats placed underneath the dining table...

BOILED LOBSTER RECIPE

I boiled like four inches of water in a big casserole with some salt then I placed the lobster for about 12 minutes.... And Voila!Done!

I made two kinds of sauces:
Butter sauce (the best!)

Melt the butter in the pan
Then squeeze the lemon
Add some white wine (optional)

Basil Pesto and mozzarella cream sauce (my own creation)

Melt a little butter in a pan
Add a small amount of basil pesto mixed
Put some cream and add piece of mozzarella cheese

For side dishes... Mixed veggies in butter and rice.

His wishes were granted! It was a great dinner!

For dessert ready madeTiramisu and coffee....
Hope you like it Mr. Bombastic!

Laptop anyone?

2009-06-06T08:21:00.020-04:00

Two weeks ago my husband and I decided to find a solution to a small family issue about sharing...
Buy a new laptop... This is the third actually...
The first one was an ACER aspire 5570ANWXCi laptop, we bought it two years ago in one of the shops in SM Mall of Asia. This is more of "me using at daytime and hubby using at night" thing...
Last year Hubby got an IBM thinkpad as a service unit from his IT work, aww... it's hard to share...
This is where the problem begin...
Our 3 year old son learned how to used computer, whether playing his Dora or Diego interactive games from Treehousetv website or exploring his abc's on starfall.com so it's either me or hubby sharing lappy's with him or else tears will overflow...
Even our youngest who is just 18 months loves to play with the laptop...Browsing using the friendly mouse... If you don't share it with him, you know what to expect!
Well, one problem solved! Thanks to Tito Caloy and Tita Restie, a present for this little one... his own Vtech learning laptop...

Now we could enjoy our own little time. Just like at this moment, the dining table is filled with guess what? Food? Nope! Laptops!!!!

HP features:
"HP's Pavilion DV5-1225 laptop houses great digital entertainment features with the latest mobile technology in a sleek, sexy design. HDMI connectivity allows for seamless integration with your HD home theatre, and AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core processing delivers fast and efficient system performance in everything you do."

It's a great laptop... Quiet, slick looking, and works very well. Only problem is the battery life..
It can last up to 2 hours but it all depends how much you use it.

Tey's Pork Embotido

2009-06-04T12:13:00.013-04:00

It's cooking time once again... My kusina in the web. Tried and Tested Recipes by me!
Two weeks ago after indulging to some irresistible recipes I tried this embotido my own version...Every time we go to handaan, I'm always on the look out for this and of course its twin ketchup. Steamed or baked this recipe won't last for long at your table. My man complimented me on this one which he seldom does. And my kids just love it... Can't resist for more. The good thing here is you can prepare it ahead of time if you're planning for a party or potluck.

Ingredients:
1/2 kl ground pork
1 small pc bell pepper
1 small pc carrots
pickles (optional)
2 boiled eggs
1 fresh egg
little flour
salt
pepper

Little note:
For perfect mold
Use freshly used tin can of milk or any kind...Cut the top and bottom.
Suggestion: why not make fruit salad for desert?
For this recipe I used 2 empty evap milk can
Or you can use aluminum foil..the traditional way.

Combine ground pork, bell pepper, carrots, salt, pepper
Add a little flour and egg to the hold the mixture
Fill half of the can so you have enough space to insert the boiled egg and fill it up again.
Cover the can with a piece of aluminum foil,let it stand in the baking tray
Put it in the oven and bake it at 350F for 30 minutes
Or place the mixture in the foil with the boiled egg in the middle
Roll the aluminum foil for a well even long shape.Steam for 30 until its done
Let it cool before cutting...

Happy eating!

After Twilight...Here comes New Moon...

2009-06-02T13:05:00.013-04:00

“In NEW MOON, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with the irresistible Jacob Black. Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of the werewolves, ancestral enemies of the vampires, and finds her loyalties tested.”

New Moon is a movie based on the book of the same name. The
book is the second installment of the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

“After Bella (Stewart) recovers from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life, she looks to celebrate her birthday with Edward (Pattinson) and his family. However, a minor accident during the festivities results in Bella’s blood being shed, a sight that proves too intense for the Cullens, who decide to leave the town of Forks, Washington for Bella and Edward’s sake. Initially heartbroken, Bella finds a form of comfort in reckless living, as well as an even-closer friendship with Jacob Black.”
From Production Weekly: “All is not well between demon-magnet Bella and Edward Cullen, her vampire Romeo. An innocent papercut at Edward’s house puts Bella in grave danger when various members of the Cullen family can barely resist their hunger at the smell of blood. The Cullens promptly leave town, afraid of endangering Edward’s beloved, and Bella sinks into an overwhelming depression. Months later, she finally emerges from her funk to rebuild her life, focusing on her friendship with besotted teen Jacob from the reservation. Bella’s unhealthy enthrallment to Edward leads her into dangerous and self-destructive behavior despite her new friends, and supernatural complications are bound to reappear. Bella’s being hunted by an evil vampire, and Jacob’s adolescent male rage turns out to be incipient lycanthropy: It seems many Quileute Indians become werewolves in thepresence of vampires, their natural enemies.”

Winner list of 2009 MTV Movie Awards:

* Best Movie: "Twilight"
* Best Female Performance: Kristen Stewart, "Twilight"
* Breakthrough Performance Male: Robert Pattinson, "Twilight"
* Best Fight: Robert Pattinson vs. Cam Gigandet, "Twilight"
* Best Kiss: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, "Twilight"

Twilight fans are looking forward to see this sequel...Let the countdown begin...

Time for a movie review....Taken

2009-05-29T13:55:00.006-04:00

Last Saturday we opted to stay at home and watched a rented video. Hubby got a Blu-ray DVD entitled TAKEN...Well he read the reviews and he find it worth watching for...
I am not really enthralled at all...But still give him the benefit of the doubt that I am going to like it as well! Hhmmm...he got me with this one!
So lets go back to the movie...

Movie : Taken
Release Date : January 30,2009
Studio : 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action
Running Time: 93 minutes
Cast : Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Katie Cassidy, Goran Kostic

"A retired government spy, Brian Mill’s (Liam Neeson) daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace) gets his permission after much prodding and pleading to go on a trip to Europe with her friend, Amanda (Katie Cassidy). When they get off the plain in Paris they are met by what is called a “spotter”. A nice -looking guy that greets them,gets in a cab with them, and rides with them to where they are staying. Once the spotter knows they’re alone,he gives the okay for the kidnappers to come and take them. So Kim and Amanda get kidnapped by sex traffickers who drug them and turn them into prostitutes, but not before Brian is able to talk to his daughter before the final minutes of her kidnapping which gives him valuable clues..."

Some reviews:
"Wish the filmmakers had tried to insert some more social commentary for the larger issue beyond the father’s single-minded quest to rescue his daughter (and the film lasts a brisk 93 minutes)..."

"...But, of course, most fathers would not have the strength and skills that Bryan Mills has to even face up to these nasty, brutish human traffickers and the film delivers on its purpose to give the audience-pleasing thrill of seeing the bad guys cower and squirm against a protagonist who already knows where to find their guns as soon when he enters their hideout..."

Frontrow centre review
Score: 8.18 / 10

Critical critics
rated: 3 out of 5 seen better

On the Flix
Grade : A+ All the way

Blog Critics
Bottom line: Well worth seeing.

Mr. Rogers
rate: 4 1/2 this movie rocks!

PARENT'S GUIDE

Sex/Nudity: sexually related dialogue; sexual encounters are implied
Drugs/Alcohol: drinking; smoking; women are drugged
Violence/Scariness: various young women are abducted, drugged and forced into prostitution; fighting; wounding and killing many villains; a person is hit by a truck; torture
Objectional Words/Phrases: approx. 20

Welcome to Kindergarten!

2009-05-28T14:44:00.009-04:00

Our three year old son will be in Kindergarten soon!
Mom and Dad just attended the orientation recently and we were overwhelmed, majority of the parents were present. Daddy's still wearing their formal office attires... presumably left their work earlier just to extend some moral support to their young ones.... Moms looked at their finest... kids playing, roaming around the hall.
They were given some free educational stuff, booklets and brochures and materials as shown in the picture...

Activities to help prepare your child for Kindergarten:

Practice writing his/her first and last name
Practice recognizing and writing the numbers 0 to 10 (or higher)
Practice counting orally and practice counting objects (to 10 or higher)
Practice naming and correctly writing the letters in the alphabet
Practice book handling skills
Practice recognizing the eight primary colors
Practice naming and drawing the six basic shapes (circle, triangle, square, oval, diamond, rectangle)
Practice your phone number and address
Practice coloring within the lines and cutting on the lines

Playdough helps children develop the finger control and cordination they needed for writing...
Here is a very easy recipe for us budget conscious moms...Practical and safe for the kids!
Playdough Recipe

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar or alum
2 cups of boiling water
2-3 tbsp of oil
2 packages unsweetened kool aid (for the colors)

1. Combine the ingredients together.
2. Stir well.
3.Knead the dough and it is ready to use.
4. Store it in a covered plastic container .

Starfalldotcom is a very useful interactive Website for our little ones... Highly Recommended!

Where children have fun learning to read...

Enjoy!

Baking is Fun!

2009-05-27T12:34:00.009-04:00

Last week i tried my baking skills...And everything seems to work just fine...
It's good I have all the ingredients I needed and can't stop thinking about this yummy cake which Ms. Connie Veneracion mentioned in her website as "The Perfect Custard Cake"... as it is!
I considered this a very basic cake that looks so complicated... All of us has a chance to try this recipe and make proud of our baking prowess!

What are you thinking right now? Mmmmm...tempting!

A whole new world!

2009-05-26T12:21:00.002-04:00

This blogging would be much fun that I have to squeeze out whatever creativeness left in me... =)

With so much motivations from my fellow girltalkers.... Now here I am, at last joining the budding stay- at- home moms just like me and to all those really gifted to writing with a lot of things to talk and share about... moments to cherished... Unforgettable events, wonderful places to spend quality time with the family and friends... Anything and everything and a lot more......
Let start the blog rollin'

Let me share with you my sister's letter to her daughter....

A LETTER TO SOPHIE

Dear Pipay,

How time flies! I remember when you were a few weeks old & all you could do was eat, sleep, cry & poop. I loved how I could hold you & cuddle with you, you were such a doll and a very good baby! So many memories to cherish forever..

Fast forward two years, you are a smart and happy little girl. You have such a great personality & love of life. You are super funny (which I have to believe is inherited from me)I love how you jump into things & aren’t afraid to try new things. You love running around & playing & dancing & singing & countless many more that is so ahead your age. You make tatay and I so proud of you!

But I think what I love most about you is the way you make me feel. You make me feel like a million bucks when you run into my arms & yell out excitedly, “Mommy, Mommy.” You are truly one of the most spectacular things that ever happen to me

I love you to the moon and back, sweetie! Happy Second Birthday!

All my love,

Mommy