to everyone of you...

cheers!!!

...and have a very very

party at ruby!

This is a little late post as the pictures I have here are taken during our party at Ruby's Tuesday before Christmas. But for the sake of my readers back home, I am posting this now. It is never too late to try anyway! After all, it's not new year yet until three days from now! Hehe...

It's the mag-ama with our dear friend Fanny.

Yup, it's us! :D

With Triz's friend Taylor's pouty pose! :D


Well, Triz was the star of the party alright! Isn't it obvious?

All the laughters made my little toddler drowsy! Ahaha! The white elephant exchanging gifts was all fun. The foods were yum (but a bit expensive! :P). But all in all, we had fun!

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Last 2007 Feast

Appetizer

Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.
1. Be able to save for a PUJ for my Kuya (older brother).
2. Hopefully, start school, if swithart can work full-time!

Soup
With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?
I am Dexter according to this test I've made! I have a very strong family principle!

Salad
What time of day (or night) were you born?
Looking at my birth certificate, it was recorded that I was born at 4:30 on the 28th of March 24 years ago! :D

Main Course
Tell us something special about your hometown.
Hmmm... About Cagayan de Oro City in Philippines? It is a city in boom and in bloom! It's also known as the City of Golden Friendship. Give it a visit and you will be amazed how friendly Kagay-anons are!

Dessert
If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?
From State Secretary Condoleeza Rice inviting me for a dinner and showing me how good a piano player she is! Now that's a dream alright! :)

Well, thanks a lot friends for feasting with me on this very last Friday of the year 2007! May you all have a happy new year!

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cold thursday

Yes, it's very chilly outside. We're suppose to go out to grocery shop but Triz is still taking her nap and I don't know what time she'll get up. She went to sleep really late today, 2pm, and she's all about playing and climbing, imitating and entertaining us. Of course, it's feels wondeful to be entertained by her silliness and her smartness so all we could do is laugh out loud. Hah! I hope she wakes up soon though, cause you see, we don't have rice anymore so we need to go out and buy a sack or two for a longer stock. Hehe... I am in, too for sale of the week of those fresh vegetables at Wal-mart, Meijer, Jewel-Osco, and Cub Foods. Asparagus, anyone?

Ahhh... it is what I've got in my list right now. You see, it's usually sold 3.98 or 4.29 per pound but seeing the Jewel-Osco flier last night, it's only 1.98 per pound for members so go na! Everybody here at home loves it, even Triz. And what about avocado, ha?

Weeeeh! Aldi Store is the cheapest seller of this kind with only .99 each. But that was then! Now, they have it for 1.39 each na so oftentimes, my willingness to pay is gone! LoL. But Cub Foods is having it on sale this week for only .99 each so again, go na! Now you know how much I missed "home" right now. My mother's relatives in GenSan City grow several hectares of asparagus while we have several avocado trees in our very farm in Bukidnon! I can't find them here so I just have to pay once in a while. Bahala'g mahal ba? Hehe...
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arrived safely!!!

Yes, SIL successfully accomplished her surprise! You see, she left here for 'pinas not telling anybody but us. So imagine how much of a surprise she was bringing to anyone out there. Even Ma and Pa was no earth. LoL. But yesterday evening, we got a text message and an offline IM that she's already there, safely. So everybody was happy. Of course we missed the happiness especially that everybody in swithart's family was around but us. So they were all just longing to have us. We do even more. But we sent gazillion of our latest photos and Triz's videos that are all funny and silly. So they have had enough. We here are hoping they all enjoyed what's inside of our huge box that we sent. So far, we only got a single "thank you" note we received from a pamangkin. Hehe... We're still anticipating for more. LoL. Isn't that the only consolation we want to hear? Duh...
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greetings!!!

It is not too late yet, is it? I think so... It's still the days of holiday season and I believe it is still a perfect time to bring to you our sweet wish of a great holiday now and in the New Year ahead! May you all are safe and enjoying the togetherness of your loved ones. From our family to yours, we bring you this:

Remember that it's not the quantity of time that matters. Whether we're given a moment or a day to celebrate an event, it is always of quality if we spend it with love, sharing, and joy. Such things can be shown in our smiles! I hope to see photos of your celebration soon that show smiles and laughters that paint happiness in your faces! Enjoy the remaining days of the holiday season friends!
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Magic Holdem

Okay, so it's all about games! Yeah, our Christmas here is all about toying each other especially with our so energetic daughter! But with swithart, being intrigued about poker, he's all about browsing magicholdem.com to know all those poker odds and what such game is all about! It's not bad at all. After all, he has learned that poker skills involve playing smartly and having poker calculator and holdem calculator in taking it to the next level! Our holiday days make us learn something about this poker stuff, and there are more days left still to browse magicholdem.com for more. What about you? How's your poker skill?
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IQ. wait, do i have?

I got this blogthings link from Ritchelle's page quite a little long time ago and thought of going back to that page to try it for myself. It's called a dirty IQ test and here, my result showed I got a 90 IQ. Yikes!!! (Laughs!) Well, it's actually party unbelievable and partly not. I've always believed that I am not dull, but I am not "that" intelligent either. But I claim to be smart, and of course, that's up for debate! Haha! Again, it's called quick and dirty IQ test so better see it for yourself why so.

Your IQ Is 90

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Above Average Your Mathematical Intelligence is Average Your General Knowledge is Above Average

I admit, I am a that slow when it comes to logical thinking! Ahhh... I'd love to analyze things and events, but not complicated logics! I don't wanna add pressure to my busy thinking mind these days alright! Hehe... How about you, Darlene, Sarah, Shabem, Bless, Nora, In-in, Roselle, *emma b*, Dauphine Stiles, MaRiE PeEdE, Juliana Snyder, Carrie, Denz, JennyR, raqueL, and witChy bOOp? Care to do this

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test too?
Just for fun guys! I really had fun asnwering the Qs. Makes me forget the pressures of this blogging thing that we do!

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s-u-n-d-a-y!!!

Yippeee!!!! Yes, I love Sunday as we're totally free from works and pressures. But actually, not today cause we're hurrying to and fro getting the stuff we need for this week, and most of all, finalizing our package that SIl will be bringing on her flight tomorrow morning. Yep, she's gonna be flying home as early as six in the morning tomorrow and she'll be gone for a month! Just unbelievable! Well, for me yes, coz I haven't had the chance to go on a vacation for that long pa, ever! LoL. Buts she deserves that you know! So Philippines, here comes SIL! Watch for her in Palawan, Bohol, Bora, and many places in Mindanao! LoL! What a break!!! While us here will be left staring each other for the holidays! Hah! But this is life! Anyways, wherever we are, we are always happy as long as were together so all we could do is just chat with lived ones back home para at least kahit pa'pano we could have a share of their laughters out there, too!

Whew! The wind is so strong outside. I have heard how strong it blew since last night pa. It's 15 degrees F right now, and it's coooold! The forecast said that snowstorm will be expected in the coming days. I hope not tomorrow as I am praying for SIL's flight. We're planning to go out later today. Well, if all things will be well here, I hope I won't be feeling lazy to go out. People must be crowding the malls and stores today for rush shopping and I wonder I could bear it. How about you guys? How's your Sunday?
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Filters For Your Furnace

Ever since I came here and and I am able to experience winter season, I became aware too of how needed a furnace filter is. Swithart's been replacing our furnace filters two times every winter season. Much more when we had Triz, because her pediatrician recommended it especially that we are living in an old house. There is a big difference with or without the filter in our vents. Of course with it comes a cleaner filtered air and it's pretty good compared to not having one. Good thing that SIL is very up-to-date in checking if we still have a stock of those filters that we very much need. Well, webproducts.com is the one that's very reliable when it comes to such stuff. It's just great that they never fail to send email newsletter to SIL's mailbox- reason that we never run out of stocks of those valuable filters. Even air conditioning filters that we need on summertime, we get it at webproducts. You better try getting yours from them! Right now, they offer free shipping on orders $25 and up. Isn't that great?
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Insurance Advantages

I never thought having an insurance is that needed when you're living in this country. Without it, life can really be dreadfully awful. Advantage Term Life is simply right there to help you with getting an insurance by offering you free insurance quotes first. It would help, I am sure, as there are a lot of insurance companies out there that claim to give you the best program they could offer, but it's best to be knowledgeable first before taking into account which insurance company to really apply with. To save money on insurance is a must, especially if you are an ordinary citizen struggling financially to get on with life. Just like us. Our medical insurance is just under a student's privileges with swithart's status as a graduate student in a university, so in applying for family insurance, checking out the best offering out there that would not make our pocket empty was what we needed to do.

Insurances at advantagetermlife.com is an advantage itself! And it is such a good news.

Whether it is Key Man Coverage, Employee Benefit Package, and Term Life, it is supplied at advantagetermlife.com. More information can be found and gathered at the website so learning the Insurance Plans Pros and Cons would be better if you yourself will personally take a moment to visit the site today.

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...at a tree

Nope, we didn't have a tree put up here in our home. I think I don't have to, you know? Hehe... That's why when sisters Lindsey and Jess asked me if Triz already has a picture under a Christmas tree and I said "no", they immediately ran to the tree with Triz at the church and pose for me! Hehe...

So here, I've got them three!!! Triz's pinay beauty shone perfectly in the midst of these two pretty young ladies. Jess and Lindsey adore Triz a lot, like their mom Kathy does, and I don't know, they're just too appreciative of Triz's skin color, big eyes, black hair, and little flat nose! LoL.

It's good to take pictures of kids when they would cooperate. But that won't happen with my toddler all the time! It's just great that with this shot, she tended to behave and act like she loves the click and I could tell it shows in her innocent smile!

Have a happy holidays everyone!!!

christmas-sy!!!

Yeah, it will just be a few nights away and i's gonna be Christmas eve! Darn.... I missed my family in Philippines so bad! Nope, we don't celebrate Christmas eve that much because we prefer the new year's eve. But usually, every Dec.24 evening, we're gathered together to hear and watch fireworks display and talk with neighbors while greeting each other. Whew!!! Exchanging suman, biko, buko salad, and pansit with the neighbors is just what I missed so much! Ahh... and those funny times with my ever dear sisterettes of course! They're just the best to reminisced with! Now, I've got no one here but swithart and Triz! Of course, they're the best people to be around with but my big family is beyond compare as well! My sister in Japan is not going home until early January next year and oh how much I long to be home, too. But nah, it's still impossible for now, so I'll just keep on dreaming for them and their reunion! Hehe... I am just glad that people here reminds me of the Christmas spirit for all time. Yes, I am talking about our friends here who are so kind, generous, and thoughtful to us for remembering us on this very holiday. There's a lot of them, and we will be forever grateful for their generosity. :)

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she's consoled...

Yes, Triz is consoled when it's all about music. Last night, swithart and I were practicing a song that we're gonna sing for church tomorrow and Triz was just so enthralled listening with us. She's used to music ever since. I think we've played our four VCRs of the Heritage singers in concert here for gazillion times. And I could leave her just in front of the TV as long as she's not hungry. Awesome, right? Now, she's starting to really listen to every word of the lyrics and I could tell she's amazed with the music. Last night, swithart discovered youtube videos of his favorite The King's Herald quartet and Triz was also in awe of this music that these guys sang. Here, listen:

So now, when Triz's tantrums kick in, we know how to console her. :D Good music videos from singers we know that are at youtube will do it! :) Just amazing!

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tgif, yeppey!!!

Thank God it's Friday, why not? But.... don't think I'll be work and stress-free today! Of course not! I can't tell you how many are the tasks I am out to do today which I hope I could finish before sundown. Awww!!! I am not a superwoman, but swithart thinks I am a superwife and a supermom so it's a sweet consolation. **wink**! Hehe... Now I gotta hurry here while Triz is still asleep. Any minute now, she'll wake up and then look for "mama", and there- my real job starts! :D Ahhhh mommy-ness, eh? Just have a great Friday to you friends!

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gimme a break!!!

Yes, it's what I have been longing since yesterday- a break! Argh.... I feel I am so stressed out since last weekend. I am so irritable, so ill-tempered, so impatient. Are women who are experiencing PMS really like this? Heck, just so annoying! I am sure swithart's been annoyed by me. Plus, Triz isn't giving me a break at all! She feels like it's the end of the world if she won't see me. And I hate to hear her cry, really! Oh... I am really wishing for my sisters' and mom's presence this very moment. And I am wishing for a perfect getaway, too! A spa maybe? Hehe...

It's actually what I just gave my self- a homemade spa! And I am uberly glad swithart and Triz cooperated! :) Well, I just spend 40 minutes in the bathroom, soaked in the bathtub with lukewarm and salty water with chamomile and lavender fragrance. Ahhhh... just so relaxing! I would have loved to be in a jacuzzi, too but I care less for it! I am so contented with my more than 30 minute-break from the noise of keyboards, Barney, Triz, and swithart! LoL. Now I am ready for bed. Uberly ready. But I doubt I can rest so soon though. Triz's hyperactivity is unpreventable and sure reaching 12 midnight later is not new at all! Hah! Just have a good Wednesday night to all of you friends!!!
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supah nanny tip #3

After more than a week, now I am back to my supah nanny series of posts. This will be the third tip and if you're a little behind with the two previous posts that I've made, simply click here for it!

Tip 3. Give your time. "Children want your attention and approval," says Frost. Make them a priority.

• Don't wing it. Have a schedule that details everyone's activities and which parent is going to cover what.
• Take turns with your husband. Take the morning or evening routine. "Use these times to give your children one-to-one attention," Frost says.
• Focus on family. Quality time can suffer during the busy week, so leave work behind on weekends.

Pretty true. Our time is what our kids need the most. The time when we ask them how are they doing and just inquiring those little things that happened in them- it's what they appreciate most. It's when they could feel that they are of importance to us. Having a toddler, a super hyperactive one, our time as parents become a time when we let our selves become playmate as well.
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snowy snowy

Yes, it's been snowing here in the past several days. Last Saturday it snowed whole day and I was loving it! :D Of course not the cold but the beauty of those white, sugary, powdery snow is just awesome! On Sunday morning, I wanted to stay outside to make some snowman with Triz but I got a very bad headache that I only took a picture and some videos of Triz, swithart, and our good friend Jerry who drove early in the morning to our place just to help shoveled the 6 inches of snow that blocked our path and driveway. So here, let me just show you Triz's poses in the snow!

And here, di yata ako pahuhuli! :D

Of course it's cold!!! It's freezing cold! Hehe!

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thinking tuesday

The ices outside are slowly melting. Though we still have a freezing temperature here, we are still glad and thankful fr the sunshine. It's Tuesday and I am so done with my balikbayan box packing. Finally alright! It's hard when you have a lot to send and the space is just limited. Hopefully soon, I can send some more via shipment at a Filipino store so weight won't be a problem at all. Later, we're gonna go get the fruits we've ordered from church- boxes of tangerines and grapefruit. Oh my... we will be having a lot to munch on. I wonder how could we consume all these. Hehe... It will be good for all of us, espcially on this season of colds. But with how many they are, it would have better to share them with you friends! Too bad we're not neighbors! Hehe... I'll just ask our friends here in he neighborhood if they'll want some. Thinking Tuesday... Ah... I am glad I've got another day to be happy! How are your Tuesdays so far dear friends?
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got ourselves rewarded!!!

Yeah, I am talking about me and the whole family! Well, it's just the three of us basically and this very days, we finally got ourselves rewarded with a Mini DVD Camcorder that we've been dying to get for ourselves! Just the latest model from Sony :P and we're done! Hehe!

So finally, I now could stop my self from blabbing about getting one soon! What best gift to reward ourselves than a brand new camcorder especially now that Triz is in the stage of eagerness, anxiousness, expertise, and showing off her guts and confidence in whatever things she wants to do! What's nice about this stuff is its portability and internal features. I could just use a Memory Stick Pro Duo or a mini dvd so it is way convenient and economical since I could use a rewritable disc. And the recording time is 2 hours! Whew!!! And oh, did I mention the touch screen buttons? Hmm... So there, just great enough for having my number one item in my wish list fulfilled! Hehe... Perfect! And well, how would you like to know that I got this tech with my blogging earnings? Weee! Swithart is more than proud of course! :D
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True Blue

Awardee I am again!!! Hmmm.... sarap ng feeling! Thanks to Ate Tess and Bless, to Yza and JennyR for this! This has been my second batch of handlers. With the first post I've made with this award, I have it in my other blog. Anyway, it feels so great to have found a lot of friends here in the blogosphere. And with that, I am grateful to many of you for having known your likes and dislikes, and just over all, I have had a glimpse of your personality! So I am grateful.

So as this award says, "WILL ALWAYS STAND BY YOU", I am gonna pass this on to my precious blogger friends here! And that's of course all of you in my list! Feel free to take this friends... and know that whatever happens in this blogging thing that we do, I will stand by you! As long as you're not a plagiarist! Haha! Have a great Monday friends!!!!
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party party!!!

Finally, done with the party! Yeah, of course I've got pictures! But I need time to download them and post them here so that will come out in the coming entries. I am tired right now. It's been a sooooo long day for me. I've got headache when I woke up this morning brought by the PMS thing, been playing in the snow outside with Triz while swithart shoveled and cleared our path and driveway. A long afternoon nap helped a bit, but a fun time at the party made my day! Not to mention the expensive Ruby Tuesday menus, wahihihi! Good thing that SIL offered to pay our orders as she said it'll just be her Christmas gift to us. I'm game. And off we enjoyed the big meal! The white elephant exchanging gifts made it all more joyful and I could tell everybody had a blast! Even my toddler Triz!

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sunday okay? hope so!!!

We'll be attending a party later tonight. It will be fun I am sure. We're ought to brings gifts to exchange with each other with the requirements that gifts should not exceed the $5.00 price. Awesome, right? But for the meantime, we're enjoying the sooo thick snow outside. Yesterday, it snowed the whole day. Well, I think for 24 hours talaga. We went to church still and it kept snowing. Oohhh I just loved its beauty. This morning, I was awaken by our good friend Jerry's presence outside already shoveling the snow that blocked our path and drive ways. I quickly told swithart to go out and help Jerry and I took photos of them and videos of Triz. Weeeeeh! Triz loved the snow and the cold. Her first time to play with it as last year, she was just a baby. Now we have all the time in the world to stay outside and play. Make a snowman maybe? We'll see! Maybe tomorrow or next time it will snow! Hehe... How are you all friends?

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So Poor!!!

Just chatted with families back home. It's funny because swithart and I talked with each of our families separately. So we're beside each other using different computers at the same time. The funnier thing is, Triz is torned between me and her dad on whom to sit beside with for the cam. LOL. But one thing isn't funny at all- the quality of living of every ordinary citizens back home. Yeah, it's what we have discussed for most of the times. My mother expressed how poor people there are these days. They badly needed cash and are looking for credits and Payday loans that they could apply for so they could have even a little celebration for the New Year. It's hard when everybody complains of being poor and financially struggling. It's just a consolation that sites like paydayloanquotes.com are accessible to us here in the States. With them, emergency cash and short term loans are being served so we could always have them to turn to!

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sweet guitar?

Utah mommy Darlene I tell yah never runs out of tags. A good thing, yeah. And what's even better is that she never fails to include me in her list of to-be-tagged! So thanks for it Darl, bisan kapoy sige answer answer ug pangutana! Haha! The recent one she threw on me is what type of music do I listen, too. Well, here's what I got! Uh... what the test got for me! :D

Well, I listen to different types of music except those punky or funky rock! I used to watch the INXS Reality show as I like watching the contestants perform. But one thing I am soooo particular with about music is the lyric. Even if the melody doesn't sound so good, I could appreciate the words put up by the composer. If it brings good story, I am all for it! When i came here, I became more of a country music fan. Hehe... Sweet guitar? Sounds sweet... too bad, I can't play guitar at all! But swithart can so I'll just do the singing then! What about you? What type of music do you listen to? If you'll try this test, let me know that you did. I'd love to read what you come up with! :)

Friday's Feasting

Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.
"Ugacon"-- meaning, ugly and confused! Hah! Can anything gets worse than that? :D

Soup
What is currently your favorite song?
"One More Day" by Diamond Rio. It has always been my favorite since I first heard it! If you're not familiar of this song, lemme share with you the chorus' lyrics:
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again, I know it won't be through
Cause I'd keep wishing still for one more day... with you!

Whoah, isn't that sweet? Corny me!!!

Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
A Mini DVD Camcorder! And anyday soon, I'll receive it. That is, when FedEx will not delay the delivery! Yeheyyy!!!! Actually, I wanted to send much much moolah to loved ones in Philippines but I only have little. Hehe!

Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Hair Pomade! Weeeeeh! My late father used to be a sucker of that! Hehe...

Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
The whole crew of Jerry Springer's Show. Duh.... I just hate that show!

Thanks for feasting with me people! Enjoy your Friday!!!

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Bedding

I missed my favorite older sister. She lives in Japan right now with her husband and one thing I will never forget about her is how tidy and neat she is. We used to share a bedroom together when we were younger and I understood right then how much she hated clutter and mess that our room was always organized, clean, and arranged giving me the feeling of comfort and relaxing all the time. One thing she does best is making sure my bedding was always good and clean. Yes, she loves arranging my bed for me. I wish I could give her a Surfer Bedding soon. I am sure she will be delighted to have one especially a personalized kind that I could get at Vision Bedding. May be a custom bedding with our photos together? That would be lovely!
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happy b'day Amy!!!

Today is our very good friend Jerry's and Janice's daughter's birthday. Her name's Amy and she turns 8 today. The celebration party is gonna be on Sunday so this post will just be my celebration of her! Here she is with Triz and Jess!She's the girl in yellow shirt beside the yellow balloon! A bright young lady growing so respectful and responsible under her parents care and love. Surrounded with protection and providence, I could say she is very lucky. And Triz is sooo lucky too! All of her outgrown toys are all passed to Triz so we don' need to buy and spend. Hihi! Happy birthday Amy... May you'll grow to be a more loving and respectful child under God's guidance through your wonderful parents... God bless you little lady!
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preggo she is!!!

Yooohooo!! I am gonna be a little showbiz-zy out here! I just can't get enough of this so pretty face in Jessica Alba's persona. You all know who she is, don't you? Ahh... I just adore her looks. I don't know, she seemed to resemble a perfect beauty physically.

Of course, I look at the inner beauty as well, in fact, it's what I consider the thing that will make me define how beautiful a person is. But physically, this lady just rocks! Hehe! And here's the thing, it's been reported that she's currently preggo and is due next spring (now you know how chismosa I am!). Whew!!! Imagine how pretty her baby will be once she'll come out!

I am not really a fan of her movies but I am aware how many her adoring fans are, but I reckon she will have a gorgeous kid soon. Hah! Enough of this tidbit alright! I am just trying to be chikadora in here! Wahihi! Thanks People Mag and Yahoo News!
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i've a young helper

Oh my, oh my!!!! Pretty soon I'll be able to taste what my toddler would cook for me, eh? She's seen me do most of the cookings here at home. Ever since she was a baby, I have to let her stay in the kitchen when I make meals. There were times her stay in her bouncer seat was just okay, but many were those instances as well that I have to carry her up while I continue my doings. But now, she became my helper. Look!

So then, that just gives me the idea of how she will be when she grows a little older. I hope though that she won't changed. She's been so eager to imitate us adults here with whatever we do. You can tell that she's too exposed to little things like opening cans. She loves maja blanca like everybody here at home and she sees me each time I open the cans of condensed and coconut milks. So there, she has all the idea in the world on how to use the can opener. That sure made us laugh! I am thankful I've got a young helper in her! Hah!
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Better Caring For Them

A visit to a nursing home two times every month is a fun thing for us. You see, it's how we spend our Sabbath afternoon every second and fourth Saturday of every month. Not only do the nursing home staff and management appreciate what we do but the old folks- the residents themselves so loved our presence! Especially when we bring Triz on that time! It's so nice to see how children's presence could paint smiles of happiness in every elderly's faces. It's good that nursing homes are available here in the US. At least, old folks are being cared in there by experts in better caring. Though it's sad to see them living apart from their very own family, it's a consolation that they still have a lot of home mates to associate and socialize with. And what's more helpful for family members than having a site like bettercaring.com which provides services like answering all of your questions about how to better care for your old folks. Such a very informative site and you can even find a featured nursing home within your area. Give them a browse now!
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Bodacious Daw!!!

I got awarded by this Bodacious Blog Award by Ate Tess, Bless, and just recently, my chikka buddy In-in. It's my first time to encounter this term, a little strange actually but somehow, it sounds like bootylicious or bonggacious! Yaaay! I am thankful of course. Makes me feel special in a different way. Ehe! I don't long for people to say I am bodacious, I know I can only hear it from swithart's and Triz's lips. But I am happy my blog is one...

Yehey!!! Thanks a lot ladies and fellow mommies!
Now I am gonna forward this cool award as well to the ff blogger friends' blogs: Darlene, Denz, Eden, Emmyrose, Jen of New Zealand, JennyR, jOyce, Rissa, Shabem, Vicky, Ritchelle, and viEnnA. Enjoy friends!

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emotion test here!!!

This came from Ritchelle all the way from Ireland! Huh?! Can you tell the distance? That's why it took me this long to do it! Wahihi! Thanks a lot Chelle, you are one good friend! :)

Emotion test...DON'T CHEAT. Write your answers underneath the question. The answers are at the bottom, BUT don't cheat. Then repost this for others to answer.

1 .Which color is better- red, black, green, blue, or yellow?
* Where's the white in here? Hehe! Blue.

2 . Your first initial?
* R

3. What month were you born in??
* March

4. Which color do you like more, black, or white?
* Aha! So here you are! White.

5 .Name one of your friends?
* Which ones? Oh men... I've a got a lot! I just won't mention one as I've got 6 HS bffs and 7 in college! :D Yes, I am that friendly! :)

6. Your favorite number?
* 7

7 . Do you like flying or driving more?
* Driving

8 . Do you like a lake or the ocean more?
* Ocean

- - Answers - -

1. if you chose:
red- you are alert and your life is full of love.
black - you are conservative and aggressive.
green- your soul is relaxed and you are laid back.
blue- you are spontaneous and love kisses and affection from the ones you love and give good advice to those who are down.
yellow - you are a very happy person..

2. if you're initial is:
a-k - you have a lot of love and friendships in your life.
l-q - you try to enjoy your life to the maximum & your love life is soon to blossom.
r- z - you like to help others and your future love life looks very good.

3. if you were born in:
jan-mar - the year will go very well for you and you will discover that you fall in love with someone totally unexpected.
april-june - you will have a strong love relationship that will last forever.
july -sept - you will have a great year and will experience a major life-changing experience for the good.
oct-dec - your love life will be great, and eventually you will find your soul mate.

4. if you chose:
black: your life will take on a different direction, it will seem hard at the times but will be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change.
white: you will have a friend who completely confides in you and would do anything for you, but you may not realize it.

5. this person is your bestfriend.
6 . this is how many true friends you have in your lifetime.
7. if you chose:
flying - you like adventure.
driving- you are a laid back person.

8. if you chose:
lake - you are loyal to your friends and your lover and yourself are very reserved and not emotional.
ocean - you are spontaneous and like to please people sometimes.

Liked this? Come on, play along!!!

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Ashop's eCommerce

Running a business online would be a great idea if you are a stay-at-home parent like me. There are a lot of online business out there and a lot of online jobs available as well. But before fully engaging your self in any of those, you need one more thing, one more important thing to know with how ecommerce sotware works nowadays. Ashopcommerce.com claims to have a revolutionary online store software that is one of the world's most easy to use web based administrations. So then, a shopping cart software must be the most perfect thing in buying and selling online. Easy installation, comprehensive technical support and integration assistance are fully guaranteed by Ashop. Isn't that what we basically need when we do business online? Having a costumer is the sole target of putting up a business and Ashop's shopping cart's speed and stability can help you gain more costumers. So have you thought about running an online business? Ashop is just right there!!!
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red rose

Weeee!!! I got this tag from bloggerfriend Race and I am too excited to take it! LoL. Because her result is a yellow rose and I thought I'll get a white rose result as a white rose is my favorite flower! But whoah, I got a red rose here! Hmm... I don't mind though, as what it tells about me is almost always true. I am sure swithart would agree to this blogthings.com's findings. Here, look!

Your Love Is Represented By a Red Rose

You love passionately and fully, without any reservations. And while romantic love comes easily for you, you also love many people platonically. You are a true romantic, and you always can see the best in people.

Now I am wondering if Darlene, In-in, JennyR, MarieJ, nOva, Ritchelle, and witChy bOOp are interested to take this test and willing to show to me and to the blogosphere if...

What Rose Represents Your Love?
How's that ladies?

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supah-nanny tip #2

If you're following my parenting style I called supah-nanny entries, then you must be aware that this is my second tip to share. The first tip is somewhere down below but the link is this. Anyway, here goes!

Tip 2. Team up with your husband on discipline. You and your spouse need to back each other up. Children being punished by one parent will go to the other to see if there's any mileage to be gained.

• Established rules with your partner. If you decide on guidelines together, you'll have fewer disagreements about enforcing them.
  
• Discuss differences privately. If you and your husband disagree on a decision, don't argue it out right then in front of your kids. Meet alone later to review family rules and discuss differences.

When it comes to disciplining, I am the strict type while swithart's the sweet and considerate. But that won't clash our ways. I understand him and he does the same thing with me and we respect each other's way. How about you?
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Costumized T-Shirts

Yes, I meant costumized t-shirts-- they are great gifts, aren't they? I remember back in Philippines few years ago, every New Year, swithart's family is giving away custom t-shirts to their employees and their family members and in 2003, it was swithart who bought a bundle of t-shirts and we let them printed. I could say they were nice and the recipients loved them. Bluecotton.com reminds me of that time so well. May be I need to get one for our family too, or for our clan as a uniform for the upcoming reunion. How's my idea, huh? Designs and embroidery are awesome at bluecotton.com and you can choose what you want for printing. Maybe I better get going and learn some more of the design ideas found at their site.
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another break?

Would you believe it? I have had a looong break today! Weeee! Long break from the pc, that is! I've had three loads of laundry earlier including Triz's, and was able to do a lot of household chores here. What an accomplishment! Haha! It's been sleeting outside, thus, disabling us to go somewhere. Swithart's too busy with his writing stuff, as his paper has been corrected by his prof. He's been scheduled to present come January so we're both very much excited.

On the other hand, problem's been solved with smorty. Finally I got a reply this afternoon and they fixed the error for me.

This YM thing is just unbelievable. I just couldn't stop myself from chatting with friends who are around the world. Good thing, though as it's always nice to keep updates from them. I haven't gotten my photocards yet, I hope tomorrow I can get it so it will not be too late then to send them to loved ones and friends. How's your Sunday friends?
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Shopping Cart

Swithart is thinking of making a website for himself that would be educational and all about numbers as he's got a lot of mathematics problems and numbers that he wants to get out of his brain! LoL. Well, I just know about blogging and all I could help him is just get his own domain and there start making entries. I wish it's a business that he wants to put up online. If it is, I could have recommended him ashopcommerce.com, a site that provides shopping cart software that features engineered paramount flexibility.

From small to medium-sized business, ecommerce software will help you gain internet profit more, and with an affordable startup running cost, building and managing an online store would be made possible. Check their site now, if shopping cart is what you need for your online business.
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Do It Online

I've said it over and over again- I never gamble. But I know a lot of friends and even family members who do. Back in Philippines, gambling comes in different types and cases. And gambling, most of the times, can only be done in a certain place where people- fellow gamblers that is, meet together in a place where the thing can be done. But here in America, gambling can be done anytime, when you do it online. Beautiful spots of casino is located in large major cities anywhere in the US, but one doesn't need to travel to play or gamble as online casino is available at pro360.com. Huge selections from hundreds of the best online casinos are being reviewed and featured at pro360.com enabling you choose which place is best for you. Going to Las Vegas is a burden? Then log in to pro360 now and enjoy!

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grown up wishes

Darlene and In-in tagged me not a long time ago about what my grown up Christmas wishes are. Ahhh... Darl and In, I've got lots of them let me tell yah. But I didn't have Christmas wishes when I was young. I am not used either to opening gifts on Christmas as we prefer celebrating the Media Noche rather than the Noche Buena. I am just an ordinary person and I do have ordinary dreams. But one great thing I wish once and for all is to have those ordinary wishes of mine be fulfilled in an extraordinary way. **wink**

• My family is a big one, and are scattered around the world, but I wish that one day, we will be reunited again and spend wonderful time of laughter and more laughter like what we used to do when we were younger.
• I wish every one of my loved ones and friends will always be in a good condition and in a safe place for all time.
  
• I wish that swithart gets to finish his dissertation soon. And everything will turn out fine as planned. :)
• I wish and PRAY that our daughter will continue growing up to be a healthy and bright person, looking up to Jesus' examples on how to live well.
• I wish that with how little financial resources we have, it will just be enough for everyone of us who needs it. We do have little but they're absolutely much when we put it in the Master's Hand.

My wishes aren't material things. Simple gifts I received however cheap they are are always appreciated and could make me happy. So don't give your self a problem of thinking what to give to me for the holiday! I am fine with a DVD camcorder! Whoah!!!!
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This Blog's Reading Level...

I have been trying real hard to find out what are my blogs' reading level since I got tagged by Darlene, and in the last many times I checked it, I ended up with an error result. Waaaah! Is that how hard my blog is to be understood? Hehe! Today, when I checked it again, this is what I got!

Whew!!! Am I making myself so complicated here? Tell me about it friends! Haha! I've always wished to write using those simple words as sometimes, my young nieces are my readers. So does this mean then that my elementary readers won't be able to understand what I am blabbing here? LoL.

Now I am passing this on to blogging friends Kathy, BeaKaren, Denz, Emma, Francine, jULia, Norma, raqueL, and viEnnA. Enjoy friends!!!
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...fOOtpRints in the sand

Does this poem/music/composition familiar to you? I don't know, but for me, this has been one of the greatest thoughts ever to be written by a composer. I love the song of this too. Just so inspiring. And while I take a day off tomorrow for Sabbath, I am gonna leave you with the message of this so inspiring poem.

Footprints In The Sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, He looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed You most You would leave me."

The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then, that I carried you."

-Carolyn Carty, 1963

Have a safe weekend friends! God bless...

Smorty Has A Way

I have never enjoyed blogging until I started to blog for money! Yes, it is true. Five months ago when I asked a friend whom I met online on how to set up an account and those other how to's that I needed to know, that's when I started to do the thing that I used to love- writing! You see, I have been a stay at home wife and mother for over two years now and life of being just at home without anything to do other than attending my husband's and daughter's needs seemed to bore me a little. Well, I am not saying that those jobs weren't fulfilling because the truth is they are. They truly are, no doubt about that. It's just that ever since I started schooling, I have this desire within me to write and write and someday make it big with my writing skills. And being just at home will take me nowhere with regards to my desire to keep on writing. But Smorty has a better way for me! Because when I started to blog, and even do blog advertising with them, it didn't helped my skill as a writer be nurtured, it also gave me the chance to earn an honest and good amount of money while just being at home with my daughter. Just amazing! So for you out there who want to get paid for blogging, Smorty has a way for you, at it has for me!
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gotten ready?

It's Friday friends! So what's up for today? Me, I am supposed to do a lot of chores today. Well, it's my usual Friday as it's my preparation for tomorrow's Sabbath but heck, the whole morning ended with a loooong chat with my bestfriend who's in Florida. Oh my... topics seem to not go out of the blue and it just keep getting a lot more! I know you can relate to it. You know, this kind of things that we friends do, commonly do- this neverending talks that we like to spend time with. I am just thankful that swithart's just around. Though he's minding his own pc for his paperworks, I am glad that he's minding Triz too. Ahihi! We are gonna go out later, grocery shopping for tomorrow's church potluck. Men... I hate to go out this cold. Snow outside is so think. Well, Jon's the one driving so I won't complain. Hehe!
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Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?
Is puzzle a game? Oh well, I bought 4 500-pieces-puzzle last week which I am gonna put in a box for my nieces in Philippines! I am sure they will love it! :)

Soup
Name something in which you 'don’t' believe.
SANTA. I never did.

Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Angelina Jolie. I am uberly curious of her parenting style! Need I say more?

Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
To love is to let go. Weeeh! As if I am broken-hearted here! Hah. Yeah, it's really a lesson anyone could learn the hard way!

Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Wow, this is perfect! A room with a spa or a jacuzzi, and with a book which I am anticipating to finish! And one, too, with a window overlooking a vast scenery of nature- either beach or botanic garden! Whoah, now I am dreaming of it even more!

Thanks for feasting with me people! Have a great Friday!!!

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shots done!!!

Have I told you that earlier off we went to the county health department for Triz's scheduled immunizations? Well, it's done now and yeah, our little toddler is somewhat fussy and cranky as it's expected, right? Hmm... too bad swithart's still at school. He's gonna be home later tonight so I've got no help here with my daughter's kalangian. Huhuhu! But I am good. Barney and her favorite concert tape by the Heritage singers keep me company so I can bear. Hoooh... mommy-ness, eh?
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Learn Supah-nanny!!!

Last night, I had a taste of my toddler's naughtiness and silliness. Argh... I felt so tired yesterday as I've done a lot of sort of heavy tasks here at home and when night came, I wanted to go to bed earlier. I know, I know that sounds strange. Hehe! But that's what I really felt. After talking with my sister in HK, I took a shower and end up staying in bed. Without even minding my pc. It was only 8pm alright. That early. Well, I've made 3 tasks for the day so I felt great you know. I asked swithart to watch Triz as I felt that anytime I can doze off. But heck, Triz was playing and playing, enjoying their daddy-daughter time but the problem was, they're in bed with me. So how could I take my rest, huh?! I don't know but I think I was able to sleep as early as 10 pm, and now, I am up soooo early in the morning! LoL.

Anyways, I will be sharing with you here 5 tips for raising kids according to Jo Frost's supernanny's parenting strategies. I am doing this as I believe these are great tips, especially for new parents like us. I am gonna be posing this in series so this will be the first one! Come along moms!

Tip 1. Be consistent
"A rule in your family should always be a rule. And breaking a rule should always have consequences."
~~Be explicit. Instead of saying "Don't bite," explain that nothing that hurts another person is acceptable.
~~Act right away if you see bad behavior. Start with a warning, proceed to an ultimatum and follow through with ime-out.
~~Use a "Naughty step" for time-out. Sit the child on a staircase or in a chair so she is removed from the action but not far that you can't see her. Using the word naughty reinforces that she misbehaved.
~~Get an apology. After she has cooled down, have her say, "I'm sorry". Then praise her for apologizing.

These statements seem to be heavy to me yet as my child is only less than two years old. But if she gets a little older and I need to implement such tip, I won't hesitate. I have noticed that kids in this country are somewhat spoiled, not like kids back home. Or should I better say, kids of today's generations are? Hmmm... This is just one of the 5 tips that I am gonna be posting here. The other four are coming up. Hope you could extract even just a slight point of view here. As for me, I agree that a rule is a rule, and once it is broke, there should be a consequence. BUT... a consequence need not hurt the child. It can also be done in full respect and love.
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peso-dollar rate update

Oh my... oh my!!!
Philippine peso breaks into 41 for $1. How's that? You might say I should be happy. Well, if only it's for the benefit of everybody, then I surely will be! But poor Filipinos are not getting the heck of it still! The other day, we've send a whopping five hundred dollars back home, most are allowances for a nursing stude and a medicine student in review. It's not easy, and I know you knew what I'm saying! Tuitions and cost of living never get lower like the dollar rate, in fact, it even gets higher and higher. Even fares, or worse, if you're running your own vehicle, the gas! So should you expect me to be glad? Hmm....

What do you feel for this friends?
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17 months ago...

I gave birth to our now toddler we named Triz Nicole. It was the time of intense and painful 18 hours of labor. Ahh... imagine how tough that was! But look at the product of our labor! LoL!!!

From this:

...to this!

Seems like yesterday, you know! Those terrible sleepless and colic nights, those backache complaints, those breastfeeding sacrifices, the entire parenting that swithart and I did in the last 17 months, they're all worth the sweat and tears we've shed and God knows how precious this little girl is in our lives. We cannot ask for anything more beautiful. Today and in the coming days and years ahead, may she'll grow doing the things that are in accordance to His will.
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parenthood & college alike?

Hmmm... Is parenthood really just like college? Do you believe so? Come on then, help me delve these common issues and stuff that the two are being likened with. This is an excerpt from 14 Hours 'Til Bedtime by Jen Singer which I figured you moms out there could relate! So here, I am gonna enumerate them for you!

1. You feel like you're constantly being tested.
2. Someone's always smarter than you (or at least they think they are!).
3. Your roommates are slobs, and they steal your food.
4. All-nighters.
5. Theres nothing in your bank account.
6. You get kicked out of the library for leaving behind crumbs, and creating a ruckus.
7. Keg parties and parties at Chuck E. Cheese produce he same kind of hangover.
8. You never seem to be able to get the place to yourself.
9. Naps.
10. You hate your roommates' music, and they hate yours.
11. You can neither identify nor locate the source of that funky smell coming from your roommates' closet.
12. Five in the morning is really. really early- or really, really late- depending on whether or not you've been to bed yet.
13. People talk while you're in the shower.
14. You're too exhausted to retain what you're reading.
15. Oh, now you can identify that smell. You forgot to take that half-eaten sandwich out of the backpack yesterday.
16. You're wearing your college sweatshirt again- it's the cleanest thing you could find.
17. Someone always leaves a party crying.
18. Hey! How about pizza again?
19. You think you're the only one who feels clueless.
20. It goes so fast.

How's that, huh?! So is parenthood just like college really? Well, I don't have a teenager yet, but maybe for you who have, these statements ring a bell. But regardless of what age our kids are, having them is just a dream fulfilled, right? I am sure all of you would agree if I'll say kids are untradable. They're priceless, aren't they?
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SIL's Birthday

Oh well, this will be a belated post as DZ's birthday was last Sunday, Dec. 2nd. But anyway, the celebration has been a little delayed, too, because of the bad weather and the sooo low temperature we have here. As I've said in my entries at my other blog Unsealing My Mind, we weren't able to leave the house last Saturday, church service was canceled because of the dangerous road caused by the sleet therefore we weren't able to buy SIL some goodies for her special day. Sunday was all wet and cold still, rain poured so hard that only Nini was the one who was able to went out and buy our celebrant a sweet cake with those candles to be lighted and just be blown! So here!

It's what we got for our Dec. 2nd celebrant! Can you count those little cutie candles?

Her birthday, her task to light those candles up!

And her other task is to blow 'em! It's all hers! Special eh?

She would always insists that birthdays are just for kids therefore adults need no celebration. But for me, a celebration doesn't need to be big enough, it can happen within. Just in our hearts. Every birthday is worth giving thanks. And every thanksgiving stems from the heart! :) We love her, and she knows that we truly do...
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