Watery Wednesday #3

My 3rd entry for Watery Wednesday!

embrace 2010 with high hopes..

I can't think of any wish/list this year other than..

world peace! :)

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Blogversary Part 2 - Contest

Since this is my first year in blogging, I would like to share what I have accomplished and my goal for next year.

I already have 61 followers, including myself. Yes, I'm following myself too. I don't twitt. So I may wish for another 60 and tweet with them too. I'll take blogging seriously next year. :)

First, I want a blog makeover. You think I need it?
Or I need myself a makeover? :)

In celebration of my 1st year of blogging, I would like to give away a little token in form of contest. Don't worry, this is so easy. Anyone can join. You don't need to be a genius, do math problems, equations or long review to join. Just answer the question through the comment page. I will be giving away $5 for those who will get the correct answer. I will pick 2 winners on the day of my blogoversary.

Here it goes... What is the favorite viand/dish of my daughters that they usually request me to cook?

a) adobo
b) chicken curry
c) mechado
d) afritada

You want more prize? Serving platter with any of the above menu will be delivered hot right in your dining table. Half kidding! That will be the prize for next year's contest! :)

Myrtle Beach Golf

Myrtle Beach is offering a very great deal. When you feel stressed out and you need a comfortable and relaxing vacation, Myrtle Beach Golf have all the facilities to accomodate you. The whole family will also enjoy Myrtle Beach golf Vacations and will surely have fun with all the the facilities like car rental, airlines, restaurants and spas that will make your vacation experience a memorable one.

You can check their site to book online for your Myrtle Beach Golf Package. You may check also check the rates right at the site. Another highlight of vacations here are water sports that children will surely enjoy. Spas are also available where you can pamper yourself during your stay. Golf Packages Myrtle Beach is just a perfect for golf lovers where they can play different courses too.

Please check the site now. All the packages, rates, and course guides are just one click away. You can also talk to reservation specialist and choose the wide selection of packages they offer. Booking is so easy! This is one stop shop for perfect vacation destination. Please check the site now for a more detailed information.

Online Book Rental

Reading is just one way of learning. You can now rent books directly from BookSwim, the first online book rental library where you can have the college textbook, bestseller, new releases, and classic books or the option to purchase should you want to keep them.

Here's how BookSwim works:

1. Request: Choose from thousand of lists of books online.
2. Receive: All books that you requested will be shipped directly right at your doorstep.
3. Read: Read books and keep as long as want. There are no late fees to be worried about.
4. Return: Just mail all that books that you have read through free shipping.

So easy! You need not have to purchase all the books that you want, just simply rent it online!
You can also send this to your friends as gift not only for holidays but for all occasion too. By giving them books, you can turn the receiver into a reader too. What a unique gift. So surprising!
To add, you don't have to worry about shipping cost when you want to return it. Bookswim.com already provide free shipping both ways.

Please click should you want to avail and save $10 off now.

blogoversary in 10 days!

I still have ten more days before my blogoversary but I have to write this now before it slip off my mind and leave my blog anniv day by simply posting my own greetings.. happy blogoversary! :)

I started blogging January last year. I really don't know what pushed me to start blogging. All I wanted to do is privately write my everyday routine as a SAHM, until I landed in different blogs, most are moms blog, least are food, travel and photobloggers. When my blog was just four months old, I started to accept paid post through the help of other blogger. Though this is not my real purpose, I opened the site and became a registered paid blogger too. My first paid post was about perfume and I enjoyed doing it. At first I was a little hesitant to accept it, the fear that I might lose followers but I have discovered that I have gained visits and followers with paid post even more.

During few weeks of blogging, I set it privately and was not confident at all but I realized that I was blogging and not impressing anyone, so I opened it. Admittedly, I have typo and error in grammar but I am not an editor nor a writer but a simple mom who just love to share my everyday life here. Blogging fills up my boring moment by just barely reading other blogger wit stories and posts.

This is my 287th post (not to mention my hundreds of draft posts too that were not published and I choose not to publish my daily emo... err my diary) including memes, crazy, short updates and paid post. Today I am just so happy with my stats. More comes when you least expect it. Boring mom no more. I have gained more friends and paid post comes along my way too.

For all who visited my blog and left comments, for links exchange and followers, PR3 from Mr. G... Thanks so much!

With blogging, the traffic that I hated most is what I am aiming now and wanting to have here. It's fun blogging! I hope to see you all again, till next and another year of blogging!

another goodbye is coming soon!

2009!

3 more days before New Year,
first off, thanks for all your..
Christmas gifts, greetings from friends and relatives, online friends and co-bloggers, b-box from my in-laws, special ham from Karen and make-up purse too, fruits from Mareng Cel, goldilocks puto from Grace and ice cream from my inaanak, cookies from neighborhood, and more and more.. Again, thank you...
Above all, I'm thankful that God has given me another year in my life with my friends, family, and healthy children around.

For the past few days, I've been a bit stressed. Few pounds just added to my weight and it's the season and can't be avoided. Anyway, I will take my diet seriously now. I have soy meal replacement that equals to 64 servings and is enough for me to achieve my desired weight. I'll include this in my new year's resolution, to post up next.

wait... I still have few more days to embrace you 2009 but I would like to say thank you again in advance for life's so full of blessings!

Festive Christmas Candles

feel the serenity..

and the warmth of lighted
and heavenly scented candles..
the soothing fragrance is so relaxing..
Please click
for more Mellow Yellow Monday.

*These are color changing candles and needs a very good timing to capture the yellow light.

Dream Car

I think everybody is fascinated with luxury car. I love browsing the web especially about car and browsing just gives me few knowledge about it. When I went to my friend's house few weeks ago, we've got to talk about the car. She told me about the possibility of of buying a new car. I recommended this site featuring new cars right away. She was surprised when she browsed the Chevrolet equinox pics, more so when she discovered the features. Both inside and outside features just came to life through images, even the interior and exterior dashboard highlights. In no time after browsing the site, she already knew the exact vehicle that she needed. Everything is in the site, comparison of prices, the best quotes from local dealer and full review of all vehicles.

The images just comes so close in larger size and that makes her more delighted. It was not only the images that caught her by surprise but the best quotes they offer. She was glad and grateful and is now considering Chevrolet Traverse. Seeing more of the features on a slide show makes her decision much easier. The slide show comes like a real one. I can't wait to see her driving her own car and I hope to have a joyride too.

Sunday Citar

Thanks to Tabitha @ Fresh Mommy for or creating this meme. Please visit her blog and see more of the quotes and photos today.


“Love may exist without jealousy, although this is rare; but jealousy may exist without love, and this is common”

OH NO! HELLO KITTY!? YOU SAID YOU LOVE ME
BUT WHY ARE YOU WEARING THIS SHIRT??

"Yet he was jealous, though he did not show it, For jealousy dislikes the world to know it." -Lord Byron-

MM: Christmas Moment

Our MM for this week is Christmas Moment.

Oh I love chocolates! Christmas brings so much happiness for kids. My children went out this morning together with their friends and greeted their godparents a Merry Christmas! BTW, thanks to my in-laws for sending us box of goodies!

Photo taken a while ago.. Usual Christmas visit!

Please click the above badge for more Happy Christmas Moment!

season's greetings!

"May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill
And may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy."
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Magic!

the gifts that he received..

a new outfit and

necklace.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Magic!

our Christmas tradition

The value of gift giving is just one of the traditions that I have taught my kids. I always tell them that Christmas is for sharing or giving.

We attend Misa de Gallo and although we never really complete the Novena masses, we always see to it to attend the last day or midnight mass before Christmas. After hearing mass, Noche Buena is then served together with my family and friends. Traditional food like hamon, keso and pasta are always present in our menu list. My kids usually invite their friends and have dinner with us. During Christmas day, we usually stay in the house and wait for some friends or relatives to visit us. Merry Christmas everyone!

Please click the badge below for more Christmas tradition!

Relaxing Afternoon

It's already Wednesday and two more short days and Christmas is here. The weather seems to be gloomy today but I love it. I hope that cold temperature today extends for another month. My kids are asking me to go to supermarket to avoid the long lines tomorrow but I am sure by this time, supermarkets are crowded with shoppers already. I felt so lazy today with swinging moods. Well, I guess I'm pms-ing again. All I want to do is lay down in my bed. I have one couch in my living room but I want a modern sofas like the one I saw in my friend's house. I wish to have one too.

I am still thinking what to prepare this Christmas. I want something that is easier to cook and prepare but my kids requested for some grilled foods or barbeque and spaghetti. Ahmm, you have to taste my spaghetti and discover why everybody else is requesting for me to cook this pasta. No, I'm not boasting about it, just taste to believe! :D

For now, another one lazy afternoon on the couch, relaxing and enjoying long holidays! Merry Christmas everyone!

Just Click Local

If you are looking for one particular place, business or anything, there is one website that answers all your searches. With just click local, everything is right at your fingertips. If you ever happen to be at Atlanta, GA and want to look for restaurant, just click the place and all the restaurants in Atlanta will appear accordingly. That's so easy!

When my friend asked me about women's clothing in Buffalo, NY, I recommended this site. She was surprised because it was organized and the information was detailed. She never thought that in just one click, everything under women's clothing just simply appear. What an easy way again in looking for the business. You need not have to do more effort in walking and searching because in JustClickLocals, you can modify everything that you want to search.

If you have business in St. Louis, MO and want to be listed too, simply click the website and join the most organized way of searching. Simply log-in and register, provide the information in the site and they will include your business in the listings.
That's how easy it was! Please head over now to site and see the wonders of searching in your locals in just one click.

Watery Wednesday

the next best thing to summer sunset

is to hear the

sounds of beach waves..

oh so relaxing...

thanks to you,

"We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere."
-Tim McGraw

TCP: A Merry Christmas Movie

Yay Christmas! And yes, Christmas too in my blog and my entry would be: Home Alone.
Home Alone is a movie about the adventure of Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin. It all started when Kevin McCallister's family flies to Paris for a Christmas vacation and Kevin was mistakenly left behind and instead head to New York and spend his Christmas alone. While he was enjoying his time, two intruders came into the house. The film was shown 19 years ago but I still remember the scenes on how Kevin outwitted the two intruders in the house. There's no dull scene and this film made me laugh a lot.

Please click the above badge for more Christmas movie.

Mellow Yellow Monday

My second entry for Mellow Yellow Monday and the story behind Gumamela.

Everytime my daughter sees Gumamela or "hibiscus," she would always say, "look there's gumamela here."

Few years ago when my daughter was in prep school, her teacher asked them to bring gumamela flower. After looking around the nearby garden and asked some friends for gumamela, we arrived home nothing in our hand. Gumamela is seldom seen here in the city. We went to Dangwa, "flower shop in Manila where you can buy different kinds of flowers," but still there's no gumamela. To her frustration, she brought roses the following day but her teacher said that it can't be used to study the different parts and only gumamela is perfect and has the complete part of the flower. All the sterile and fertile parts of the flower are present in gumamela.

This photo was taken last year during our vacation in Laguna and my daughter so told me to take photo of it. I never knew that taking photo of this last year has its own reason, to share in my today's Mellow Yellow Monday.

Sunday Citar

It's been two weeks already since I promised myself to lose at least ten pounds. So I'm sharing my favorite quote now.

My second entry for my favorite quotation. Thanks to Tabitha @Fresh Mommy for creating this meme. Please visither blog and see more of the quotes and photos today.

"I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is two weeks." Totie Fields

Yummy Sunday

It has been some time since I last joined the Yummy Sunday. Today, I am posting one of my usual menu in the kitchen, all-time favorite Afritada,

and my first time to use Delmonte Tomato Sulit Sauce with liver spread.




It may not be as yummy as the pic but my kids requested to include this in my Christmas menu list."

For more Yummy Sunday, please visit Perfectly Blended. Have a Happy Yummy Sunday!

mommy moments: favorite entry

Our theme for mommy moments today is about our favorite entry. Mine is Dress-up Day. I always love seeing my kids wearing gown or dressing them up for any occasion even participating in school events.
So here is my favorite entry:

-0-

My little girl was five years in this picture as flower girl in my cousin's wedding.

Also in wedding of my cousin. My older daughter was six years old here.

Please click the above for more Mommy Moments favorite entry.

too many santas

it's Christmas in my blog. obviously, i'm publishing a post with few words and i hope a photo for now will do. have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Insurance

If I buy anything before Christmas, I call it a present for myself. I bought one magazine last week and so it's already a Christmas present for myself. I was planning of buying a DSLR few months ago but until now, I'm contemplating whether to buy it now or later next year or put it off till next season. So therefore it won't be a Christmas gift anymore. It costs too much for me right now and I can't afford yet the price.

While I got my present for myself already, my sister is planning to get a vehicle before the year ends. It is not a dream car but a vehicle to give comfort in going out of town trip or just shopping nearby malls. I told her the options in acquiring one by checking the websites or asking a friend with knowledge about cars. I pointed out things that she needs, like the Motor Trade Insurance and check the options and quotes on how much it would cost, whether for a new vehicle or used or second hand car.

What present are you planning to give for yourself? I think love is still the greatest gift of all this Christmas. Have a happy holidays everyone!

Today's Image

My daughter with her classmates after the party. It's Christmas, so I just let her join with friends to go out for Paskuhan. The holidays are so much fun for her. Yay, it's a long holidays for me too... :)

Time for Sleep

I can already smell the Christmas in the Air. People in our town were already busy preparing for holidays. Some are still decorating their houses. Others are attending Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi, "midnight mass" or "mass of the rooster." After attending mass, it is already a tradition of buying rice cake, puto bumbong (purpple rice logs), with salabat or ginger tea.

Last night, we do the Christmas rush. It was already 8 o'clock when we went to mall and do the shopping. My daughter still needs more gifts and it was already late when we decided to go on shopping. Mall time usually closes at 9pm but during the season, they extend their hours to 11pm. My daughter completed the people in her list for today's party. It was already past eleven when we reached home and was too late for their sleeping time. I prepared childrens beds at once and made sure they find the greatest comfort in bed for a very tiring and long day. I saw them tired asleep few moments when we got home. Tired but sleeping with a happy face on a very comfortable bed.

My older daughter woke up with a big smile on her face. She was so excited this morning. I can see it in her eyes. She said that she might be a little late today for Paskuhan celebration.

GT: Christmas Decoration

This Christmas tree is my only Christmas decoration this year.

There are no presents yet under the Christmas Tree.. :)
More Christmas decor by clicking the badge below.

Tuesday Couch Potatoes

Thank you Kikamz of Just About Anything, the host of TCP for featuring me in today's TCP. This week theme for TCP is Musical Movies and mine is Dirty Dancing. Let me first say that I miss Patrick Swayze (RIP) with this entry , the leading actor in this movie.

It all started when Baby (Jennifer Grey) and her family spent one summer in Catskills.
He met Johnny (played by Patrick Swayze), a one talented dance instructor. When Baby takes the place of Penny as Johnny's dance partner, Johnny teaches her some sexy and seductive moves. Because Baby's father believed that Johnny was the creep on Penny's pregnancy and abortion, he furiously ordered Baby to end relationship. But Baby fights for their love as she believed that Johnny was innocent.

Soundtrack of film Dirty Dancing has sold two multi-platinum albums and multiple singles, including "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" that won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a Grammy Award for best duet.

The production company of Dirty Dancing after twenty years is looking for a remake this coming 2010 with no exact date yet. Please watch for it. I so miss Patrick Swayze in this movie and who wouldn't miss this hot actor. He was one of the greatest talent/icon in my generation and he will always be missed.

More of Dirty Dancing here and here..

Please click the above badge for more of Musical Movie entries.

Mellow Yellow Monday

My first time to join Mellow Yellow Monday. Please bear with my poor photograph. I only had few photos with yellow right now. My daughter craved for sweet oranges and when we went to supermarket last Saturday, she put this in our cart.
Please click the above badge for more Mellow Yellow Monday entries.

Bed Bugs Bites

I can't wait again for another long weekend. My kids are now excited for this coming holidays. We're planning again to spend our weekend before Christmas in my sister's house and it is just two hours away from Manila depending on the traffic situation. Most people are now rushing at the malls and stores are crowded with Christmas shoppers and so expect heavy traffic everywhere.

We oftentimes spend family get together when everyone is on vacation. For us, having family reunion is a great bonding time, even if it is not Christmas holidays. Two weeks ago, we went to one of the resorts in Laguna. We stayed their overnight. Since my daughters are very sensitive, I always make it a point to bring along all medicines with me. The resort where we stayed in was so relaxing. It was so cozy where you can feel like you were in your own room sleeping and waking up without this symptoms of bed bug bites. My kids enjoyed the hot spring. They missed their cousins very much and they're looking forward already on seeing them this weekend.

And what is she doing??

Freshwater Pearls

I've been searching for a couple of days already about the best gift I can give this Christmas. Upon searching online, I found a fresh pearl farm offering high quality cultured pearls at a very affordable price. They offer different kinds of pearl. What's surprising here is that, you can buy the jewelry at a cheaper price since they own the farm and have it's own manufacturing site. Discounted price is also available for volume order.

Freshwater pearls also offer custom made jewelry based on your taste or your preference. Whether you like it with diamonds or with 925 Sterling Sliver. You will be guaranteed of its high quality. If you are thinking of accessories like weddings or any formal events, set of pearl jewelry is just perfect for the occassion.


What else is surprising here? Even if you buy a set of pearl jewelry only, the price here is still lower than buying in jewelry store. What more if you buy in bulk order. Please visit now and see for yourself the best freshwater pearl jewelry.

whats up santa?

Take a look at my title. well, it has nothing with the post. I just want Santa's attention for my wish list.. :) and the answer is, a wish is just a wish.. :D

I was so dismayed yesterday but I didn't let my emotions totally spoiled my day. We went on shopping but not really a Christmas rush due to financial crisis. Cost cut! I already have lots of gifts to give, unwrapped. it's unconditional, it is love! :D

I just bought party dress for my little girl. She likes everything in blue, blue accessories, blue dress, blue shoes. She's a happy girl and not really blue. This picture was taken few minutes when we got home from the mall. She paired the dress with blue shoes and it fits her. She isn't that excited, huh! So this will be her outfit next week plus the accessories and blue ribbon for hair on the day of the party. :)

short update/smartbro

just a short update. i don't want to talk much about the network that ruined my day. i went to smart wireless center yesterday but nothing happened. i had no proof to present that they received/acknowledged termination of my contract and I had to blame myself for that. the customer service who attended my concern, noted my visit as inquiry and not termination of contract. and where's the form, the ID, that I submitted? it's nowhere.. i was disconnected because of non-signal but the accumulated bill that came to me was due to non-payment. i'm updated in all my bills and pay only to what i believed i've conscientiously used. it's a big regret to get their service. so disappointed!

Finally, I got my first payout!!

After several days of waiting for payment of my paid post, I finally got my first payout. It took several days for me to finally transfer and withdraw payment in my own account.

I have Media Whiz from review.com, unfortunately due to my pending status at reviewme, verifying my paypal is impossible because of $1.95 charges from paypal and that card has no fund yet. MediaWhiz Master Card is an exclusive card for bloggers from reviewme.com. My status is still pending for approval.

Steps on verifying paypal account through Union Eon Debit Visa Card.

• Apply personally at Unionbank. Submit two valid id and one photo.
• Wait for a week to process the debit visa card.
• When the card is ready, pay 350 pesos for annual charges and deposit 100 for charges amount to $1.95 intended for paypal verification. In my case, I deposited 500 in my account.
• Wait for another one week for activation of account. During activation period, you may already use your debit card for withdrawal and deposit transaction. Please note that deposits and withdrawals with EON have limits since the card is designed for online transaction. There are limits for transaction, one (1) for over the counter and two (2) transaction for atm's. Additional fees will be charged for exceeding limits.
• Enroll your EON for online banking. Wait for another two days or 48 hours for activation period.
• Go to your paypal account. Click the get verified button.
• Enter the paypal code which can be found in your card statement. There, you have it. You're account is now verified, you can now limit your sending and receiving money through paypal.

I'm just happy to share the product of nosebleeding in my previous post. Thanks advertisers for approving my not so smart post. :D Anyway, I was paid and was approved for it. I have screen shot of my transacti0n but did not upload for a reason. I am just feeling so overwhelmed right now. Oh no, this fund is not intended for my previous post. Happy blogging!

Smartbro Problem

I had been a subscriber of this network for almost a year from April 2008. After few weeks of getting the service, I already experienced slow or intermittent connection or sometimes no connection for a week or two. It happened several times that I had to call them everyday for technical problem and re-align my antennae over and over again. Because of one year lock-in period, I had no choice but to deal with slow connection over and over again.

February came, (and that's two months away before my contract ends) I called again the customer service because of bad connection. Technical people then conducted on- site visit after several days of numerous follow-up. Upon site visit, the technical support recommended disconnection of service since they can't find any solution to address the probblem anymore. They reasoned out that signal was blocked by the tower. So I immediately proceed to Smart office and filed a termination of contract. There I submitted my ID and filled up necessary form needed to end the contract. The CS told me that my case will be forwarded to the Main Office. And that I clearly remember. For what use do I need Smartbro when it has no connection at all?

Today, I received a demand letter from a law firm to settle a certain amount for a service I didn't even use. Why am I still billed for a connection that I never had? It just so hurting that the customer service never take a look on this side. Again I quote, it was their technical team who recommends disconnection of my internet. I never really post negative things about a certain product, but I'm fed up and my experience at the counter with sales staff was totally bad.

Watery Wednesday

This is my water shot one weekend at MOA where kids can get to play water inside the balloon.


Visit other entries at link provided above and enjoy water shots!

TCP: Adventure Movies

This week's theme is about Adventure and my entry would be "The Beach."
A total adventure of a backpack traveler Richard, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Richard is a young American in search for unusual vacation. He ended in Thailand and discovered about the secret beach. Nothing is impossible for him to discover the mystery of the paradise. The film has many twist, drama and is one ultimate adventure. Though many viewers gave a rotten tomato for the review, I would say, the film is one of the best movie for me. It's Leonardo DiCaprio and I don't care much about the film anyway. I also love the great scenes, never mind about slow pacing of the movie. Just focus on the tropical island and the great beach. A refreshing view awaits in the movie. Please click the trailer for more exhilarating scenes, and see what makes me drawn to watch the film too. Leonardo DiCaprio is more of a pretty face here, he just proved he's one the best actor ever.



Please click the above badge for more outdoor or related adventure films.

Sunday Citar

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha@ Fresh Mommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.


If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep. ~Dale Carnegie

wild life up close

this entry is supposed to be a post from my guest blogger, my daughter, about her experience in the wild at Zoobic Safari but she's already tired and and now asleep. high school field trip is a lot more enjoyable alone than being accompanied by a mom, and i don't think i'll join with them and be called stage mom. again, my role is to keep everything ready for her out of town day trip and reminding the do's and dont's during the trip.

a quick shot at the wild park

up close with the wild

closer..

and closer..

tiger safari (well secured jeep. zoom-in to enlarge and see my
daughter at the mirror busy with her cam)

inside the customized jeep waiting for the tiger to attack.. "oops, i told you to keep your hands off the wild" .. i was a bit shock when i saw this photo as i kept on reminding her the night before the trip to be very very careful..) she replied, "relax mom, it's the hand of a trained staff feeding the animals."
Warning: please do not feed the animals. Do not extend your hand or fingers outside the vehicle. the photo shown is a hand from a trained staff together with the tour guide waiting for the tiger to approach for the dressed chicken.

what are the aetas doing here? "many aetas are employed inside zoobic safari. in this photo, aetas are performing cultural dance. other aetas are maintenance staff, tour guide and group performer."

roaming around the zoobic park

not the croco menu but croco cafe for souvenir items..

tired from the long trip as we fetched her at school together with magic and my little girl with her silly smile again.

by the way, she bought haagen-dazs belgian chocolate plus already melted reeses chocolates from
Duty Free as pasalubong.