tgif thoughts

Thank God indeed that it's Friday once again! Time flies by and I have no idea as to how that is, but I am seizing every moment of it so there's always a reason to smile. Today, the sun is shining so brightly, and yeah, it's warmer outside, kayang-kaya to just wear long sleeves, no coats at all! I wish it's always like this, but I know I am wishing the impossible thing! LOL The temperature is in the 60s and I am loving it! Yesterday afternoon, we did stroll in the nearly small park and walked a mile at the constitution trail and Triz was having a blast playing at the playgroud. Hopefully later today, we could go out like we yesterday and have more fun as we don't know if tomorrow or the next days ahead, it's still going to warm, so again, seize every moment. It's just sad though that Triz wasn't feeling so well last night. She was coughing and her nose stuffy and congested. I felt so bad and sorry for her and I just hope the oranges and grapefruits, as well as a little OTC medications I am giving her will work. I have yet to schedule her appointment for the Flu shot over at Walgreens. There's a lot of reasons to be thankful my friends! Even with the little sickness that we have, it's just minor, and being able to breathe and experience a brand new day in our lives, it's worth the thanksgiving. May you all will enjoy your weekend!!!

now, that is yummy!!!

Remember the post I've made entitled "i screwed up..." ? Well, the ending of the story in there is that we threw the dough away! It was too bad, really, because the effort that swithart and Triz exerted in making those were just put away. I was so sorry and I am just glad swithart was able to laugh at it all. I am lucky, yeah. LOL And about the baking pans-- no, we didn't buy any because fortunately, we already found our three pans that were just put away somewhere. So in the past couple of days, we have been baking breads here like a pro! Think about it, the farmer in swithart and the talker in me were able to come up with baked breads like these:

This is the result when one is missing so bad those Filipino breads. When I was pregnant, I was craving for Pan de Sal that we Pinoys love to munch for breakfast. My Kuya [older brother] is so talented in baking as he used to be a baker in one of the leading bakeries back in our place. I was calling him and was asking how to make Pan de Sal and he did teach me the how-to's but I just couldn't successfully get it. We have a Filipino friend here in town who prides herself for being too good in making Pan de Sal and she is even taking orders for it. When we tried it, it was palpak [failure] to me. The quality and the looks were there, but the taste, nah... it was nothing. But with this product of ours, I could say this is the best! Haha! I may sound to be so conceited here, but I don't care. When you can try this, you will know what I am talking about!

Now that looks so yummy, doesn't it?

NTI CD & DVD Maker

For the sake of multimedia fun, and for complete usage of our CDs and DVDs, NTI CD and DVD Maker is the one to beat. We have enjoyed the Free Trial of the software, first, at swithart's computer and now, in mine. You see, we are on the go of copying some of our important CDs and Triz's DVDs to have a backup in case of emergencies and malfunctions and this software is the best in doing it.

Fortunately, the Free Trial version helps. But we're ordering the software for ourselves so we could have an unlimited access to it. It's a little expensive, but being somewhat computer software geeks [minor lang gud] that we are, it will be worth it. Just so you don't know what this software can do, here's what the site tells and what we have been enjoying so far:

[Click to have the texts readable and clear]

staying up late

Yes, I am staying up this late, 2:30am as I have some matters to deal with online. No, I am not writing tasks that I am ought to write but I have to check some mails, bills, accounts, and read some more tidbits and news that I feel like they are of my concern. And of course, Friendster takes a lot of my time as well. Swithart is also minding his computer as he has a lot of paperworks and researches to do and so we're like classmates here. LOL I have chatted with a couple of friends a while ago and they are amazed how I keep up this late. Well, sleeping very late, actually very early in the morning has been my thing ever since so this isn't really new to me. I have finished checking the important accounts anyway, like the bank and credit cards that we have so I will be retiring as soon as I am done with this entry. I was a bit busy today and this laptop of mine has its own task too, so tonight was the only chance to open my mails and these important things. Now I am done, and I can feel my fingers are already tired so I gotta hit the publish button now. My sleeping aide- the pile of magazines are waiting for me to grab them to help put my eyes to sleep. Have a good time friends as you stop by!!! :)

I Luv Black Friday Madness!!!

It's that time of the year again when the rush here and there, to and fro in shopping is at its peak. Few more days to go and then it's Halloween. And after that, Thanksgiving is the next holiday which for me is the best to celebrate [i love turkey, that's why!]. But of course, it's way beyond what's on the table that means so much to me, it's the essence and meaning of the very word Thanksgiving. And then the day after Thanskgiving-- the very early morning of that day, it's what I find the most interesting and challenging shopping day! I do love Black Friday madness, especially when I can get my wished stuff at half a price. Don't you?

So how's your attitude towards black friday? Do you go and experience the rush and the challenge? I am sure that comes with an indefinable tiredness knowing that you will be in line at a certain store on the very wee hours of the morning. I do have the idea of beating the odds doing that this year, but my will and desire to do online shopping is still the most comfortable thing in the world. But hey, there's black friday online, too, do yu know about that? Check iblackfriday.com because I did, and there I am informed about the very latest ads and promos that those online outlets of the leading stores are giving. Circuit City deals are what I am up to, especially that I am thinking of getting a new camera to replace this current one I have that seems like screwing up my photography session every time I am in a candid shot. So what's your black friday plans friends?

out and about

We went out and about this afternoon as I've mentioned in my previous post. I brought with us the box that I was supposed to drop at the post office for mailing to In-in but I didn't make it. There's supposed to be four stores that we should be going and post office was the last stop. But Triz, the very active and energetic toddler of ours made me detoured. LOL. You see, we left the house at 4pm, and Triz hasn't taken her nap the whole day. Our first pit stop was Shanghai Market, a Chinese store here to get some groceries. Just around three minutes of driving, Triz fell asleep. If we will stop any moment, I am so sure she'll get up so I decided to proceed directly to the Oriental store to get some fresh Okra and Eggplant. It's a little farther so Triz will have to continue sleeping. We were there and there were a lot of shoppers so being in line at the counter took us so long. That disabled me to go to the post office because it was already past 5pm when we got out of the store. Swithart said he'll be the one to mail it tomorrow at the Normal post office since it's just a walking distance from his office. It was getting so late and cold and we still have to go to Cubs Foods to see if there's Tuna fish in their meat section. There was none and it's what we were badly needing. So I told swithart to drop by at Kroger as it's there which I know that will not run out of that. Ahhh we were indeed out and about on a very cold night. Unsuccessful in some part all because of Triz's sleeping pattern. Tomorrow, I know I need to go out again. I am sure it will be another detours and reroutes to take. :D

tuesday thinkin

It's a lovely Tuesday right here! The sun is shining so brightly, but I am not tempted to go out at all because the temperature is in the 20s, really really cold. Yesterday, there were some flurries that fell and I can tell how short Fall season is. Uhm... I love snow anyway so I'm still excited for the winter, though it's no doubt I don't like the cold! LOL Right now, I am in the computer room using the desktop for my online tasks because my laptop has some works to do. :D It's in the bedroom, and swithart is too busy producing some copies of our DVDs here using NTI Media Maker 8 which we want to save and some, I am going to send to In-in for Kiks. I hope we can finish copying these discs that we will be sending so I could ship these later today. If not, maybe tomorrow will do. But later today, we need to go out for some grocery shopping so I will have no choice but to face the cold. Haha.

SIL anyways is home today. Late last night, she woke everybody up because of her terrible stomach pain and heartburn. I had to give her my nursing and doctoral [duh, hehe] care because Ma and Pa were in panic. She doesn't want to go to the ER because she thinks it's just bearable but I can tell it was very painful. Thankfully, the medicinal oil I used for the massage, hot water, and lugaw [porridge] helped a bit but it was no relief at all. I slpet at 3am I guess and Triz did just minutes before me. SIL's pain lasted till morning and so she decided to just go to her doctor before reporting for work and at 11am, she came home because her boss told her to stay home. She's tough as she's always been, but I can tell she's in pain. Well, we're praying that the medicines she's taking will help her. Ma and Pa are very worried, and we don't want them to be. We've chatted with their [Jon's and SIL's] brother who's a doctor back in Philippines and he said it looks like it's an ulcer. She mentioned a certain medication for it, but most of all, the meals need not be skipped as that's the best way to not have ulcer and heartburn.

Well, I do hope you're having a good day wherever you are!

monday music

My toddler's noise, especially when she tries to play any of her musical instruments is indeed music to our ears. At two years old, here's what she can do:

[Click the image for a larger view]

During our evening and morning devotional every day, she has the chance to play that pink guitar of hers and imitate Lolo [grandpa] with how he plucks and strums. Having her own helps develop her hands. And mind you, she sings, too while trying to play! One of these days, I may upload a video of her playing and singing. Hehe... And here's some more poses with Lolo [grandpa] her idol guitarist:

[Click the image for a larger view]

flu shot

How important is it? Do you get it every year? If you do, do you believe it helped you in the previous years?

I am serious in my asking here, because you see, everyone of us is due for a flu shot soon. Unfortunately, the health department here in our county run out of vaccines so when I called today to make an appointment, I was told to call again in December because that's when the supplies will arrive. I can get it for less though using swithart's health insurance at the university and Triz is fine wherever she gets it. But it's MIL and FIL that have the problem of where to get it. There's a Flumist which isn't a shot but a nasal drop that's being given by pharmacies like Walgreens and at Miejer, also at Jewel-Osco, but I've read in the Flumist website that it's only being given to above 2 years old and below 40 years old. So Ma and Pa aren't eligible. Now thay're kind of in a panic, because MIL wants to get one badly. We do know a doctor here though, a family friend who are also Filipinos and has a clinic here in town but theirs cost $35 per shot. So we'll see if we'll decide to have theirs there. We're still inquiring though where we can get it the cheapest. As for me and swithart, nah... we've survived the previous years without it so I guess we'll be fine for this year. Hopefully.

So tell me about it, the flu shot-- is is a need for you?

cold, windy, and restful sunday

Yeah, I must say I have had a perfect weekend! Yesterday, we had a blast with our Sabbath day. It was cold and windy, but the fellowship we had at church the whole morning made our day the warmest! Last night, I talked and chatted with my Ates and saw each other via webcam and we had so much fun talking about many news and tidbits with our lives here, there, and back home. Today, I didn't mind the computer until late afternoon because most of the times, I was in the kitchen and in the laundry room. I made a goody bulalo for lunch, perfect for the very cold weather here! And then, MIL's leftover for the carrots which she made for juice, I turned it into a delicious patties. So I was up almost all day in the kitchen, loving every moment with my so very good helper Triz. And the wind, yes, the thundering blows of the wind outside is too great to listen too, and the swinging of the branches of the trees with the countless leaves falling is just magnificent to look at. It's that time of the year when the wind could almost sway me out when standing by outside, so today, I have had a restful Sunday not able to go out but just inside the house accomplishing so many tasks which, at the end of the day could draw some smile in my face. I hope you all have had a great weekend!

Autumn finally!!!

It's officially Autumn here in our neck of the woods! At least, in my very own criteria of the season. Because finally, I got to put away my toddler's summer clothes and filled her closet with warmer wardrobes for the cold season!

Yeah, I've finally accomplished such task last week, and that includes cleaning up our cabinets, too! This week, it's gonna be our schedule to drop off some goodies to Mission-Mart to get rid off these reusable items, especially the toddler's stuff that she won't be needing in the coming months and years ahead. Just a simple arrangement did to my little one's wardobe. After all, she, like us- doesn't have a lot but has enough for the time-being.

Having me able to send out one balikbayan box of some of the used stuff that we have here helped a lot with my junks. And come December, I will be sending a couple more, in time for the closing of the school year back in the country.

So, Autumn season is really right around the corner, huh. Though the low temperature makes everybody around here feels cold, it doesn't stop us from enjoying the time outside still. The leaves of the tree in front of our house gives Papa a lot of time sweeping and raking, especially that he can't stand watching the lawn so messed up by the leaves.

My friend in Canada who is so excited for her first Autumn and Winter in the place has sent me a gazillion of photos of her whereabouts in the nearby place with the so-common subject: Autumn leaves. Ahhh... how could one missed that, huh?! It's funny because just April, of this year, when my friend got there in Canada for the first time, she was overwhelmed with the beauty of Spring season and was able to state that Spring is definitely her favorite season of the year. And then I cautioned her to wait for Autumn and Winter because she might not be able to hold her joy of seeing how awesome the beauty that Autumn and Winter bring. Now that it's Fall, I am right, she makes Autumn another favorite season of hers!

Anyway, we had a very fun and uberly awesome Sabbath yesterday! I've posted some photos at my Unsealing My Mind blog, and I'll be posting some more in here soon. I hope you all are having a terrific weekend!

a rare kind of fruity???

Does anybody know what this fruit is? Anyone?

We call this Tambis in our native dialect [visayan] and I have yet to research what the scientific name of this is. What I know is that this fruit is so common and a widespread in the southern part of Philippines-- in Mindanao. I remember my aunt's place in Davao del Sur used to have this kind of fruit tree in their backyard. In my childhood place in Bukidnon, we grew a couple of this tree, too. In CDO, we don't anymore, but several of our neighbors in the subdivision has at least one tree growing in their yard. It was its season last summer when we were there that I got the chance to eat a lot, as in unlimited eating, and it is good eating it dipped in a salty and hot vinegar. Yum!!! It is sweet when fully ripe, sooooo crunchy, and most of all, the best when munched together with my siblings and pamangkins! Here, I let my Japanese niece Shai-shai modeled for my perfect shot! LOL

Bring it on, Shai!

This Acne Problem

I have been the most fortunate for not being that prone to acne or such thing. I would usually have a zit or two in my face or sometimes, hidden in my head during my monthly period but they will just appear in just a short span of time. In fact, I have never been problematic with acne treatments. Unlike my niece-in-law Cyndi, who, at a very young age is already on an acne free clear skin treatment that's even prescribed by a dermatologist. Of course she dislikes the fact that she has that hormone of being so easily skin-irritated, and much more, so disturbed by acne in her face. I guess it's every teenager's dilemma. But then again, I am the most fortunate for sparing me on such issue. I hope when Triz grows up, that will not be a problem to her. It would be terrible if ever she'll experience such.

it's been a long day

Yeah, even if I didn't do much today, it really has been a long day. Jon didn't have a class today and so he was just home. We did went grocery shopping- all three of us, but we spent some minutes staying at the university library because swithart has to go to return a couple of books and at the same time, borrow some more, so since I and Triz were with him, we had to go inside the lib to join him. The weather was pretty good today, 59F, a little chilly because of the wind, but if it won't blow, the sunshine keeps us warm enough. Ma and Pa weren't home the whole day as Jerry came to pick tem up to give them something to do in Jerry's house. I can tell the folks are liking it. Tomorrow, I seem to have a task to do: call the health department to try to make an appointment for a flu shot for Ma and Pa. I have been told it's the schedule for giving flu shots for the season has just started and Ma and Pa are anxious to have theirs to spare them from illness in the coming months. Sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit, so it's better to have some sort of prevention you know! I pray we will all be healthy and active all throughout the season.

Cheerios, Anyone?

Yeah, Cheerios, and I meant, the toasted whole grain oat cereal! Ahh... you may not ask me but this is our favorite cereal in the house baby! With a bowl of this and a hot chocolate milk, I am good to go! And so with Triz.

I am glad for the fact that this cereal is full of the nutrients that I simply need to start the day. I am fine with just a sachet pack of skyflakes cracker actually, but since we run out of those easily and the Filipino store that we have here has just been recently closed, The Cheerios toasted whole grain oat cereal is the most accessible, and yet, the best! We stock a lot of boxes of it in here, and when I make cookies, I also use some. It is also best as finger foods whenever we travel.

How about you? Do you like cereals? Which kind? Hey, Cheerios has so much more than just this that I am featuring. I love the flavored fruity and apple cinnamon, too, but swithart prefers this most of the time because of its neutral taste of sweet and salty so we most of the times pick this than those with flavor. Now I am enjoying my time browsing the Cheerios' site because they've got recipes to offer and I feel like making some one of these days. :) I love the fact that my toddler is in the stage now of being such a good helper [bisan samok-samok gud] that whatever I do, she always wants to be a part of it. Baking and making food is one good thing to involve her with so I am in for her.

[Photos are taken from cheerios.com]

Franchising

Had I stayed and remained in our place in Philippines, I could have been an owner/manager of a fastfood franchise by now. Familar of Jollibee foods? If you're a Filipino or has been to Philippines, I bet you do! Yes, it was my older sister's initial plan to get us a franchise of that food chain. I inititiated the processing and I have learned that a whooping 18 million pesos [around $400 thousand] was enough to invest in a single franchise. That's been six years ago and by now, I would be sure that the rate has maybe double, or really increased. Yeah, it was supposed to be my desire to engage in business and we should have had made a good decision for it, BUT, I chose to got married and came here, and my sister won't trust anybody else to run a certain business so we were just until the planning and initiating days. I didn't regret it though, because looking back, I think I have made the best decision. There are still days ahead, and we do still have some business plans in the coming years. Meanwhile, I love browsing franchisegator.com for some very relevant information about franchising.

break

It has been a tiring Monday that I had yesterday. No, I didn't go anywhere; just here at home doing a lot of tasks and playing with Triz for most of the times. I got tired, even though I didn't make a lot of entries in this blog. I kind of had a break yesterday with my blogger account. It was so cold and making my self active here at home helped. Triz is being such a good helper with whatever I do. Too bad though that it has been some time that I haven't resumed hula hooping. Now I missed a lot of days. I am thinking of doing it again soon but because I am having a constant ashthma attack, swithart reprimanded I won't do it heavily. I just have slight shortness of breath though so it's very bearable. I think I had a break yesterday, but just a break from the pressure of writing, though I must admit, I got three tasks which expired on me. Hehe...

Why Is It?

Why is it too hard to lose weight and yet too easy to gain it? I was just reading People's mag with Beyonce in the headline expressing how easy and tasty it is to gain 15 pounds to characterized herself for real with the person she'll be doing in a movie. I do agree with her. It is so much easy to gain weight than to lose them! That has been my problem for a couple of years now. Very recently, I got reconnected with an old, old friend and just like me, she now has her own family, too with a too cuddly, bubbly, and big one-year-old boy. I noticed that just like 12 years ago when we last saw each other in person, she still is too slim and skinny, despite of the fact that she just had a baby a year ago. Now that surely made me in awe of her metabolism that resulted to her body statistics being flawless. I told her about that and she claimed she's been trying so hard to gain weight, eating here and there and maintaining a regular exercise, and yet, it seems like it's not working for her. She gasped, "it is so hard to gain some pounds, even a few!" Of course that is not my case! I even am thinking of including Hydroxycut hardcore in my regimen just to go back to my old curve when I won't have any problem fitting for clothes that I adore. Hah, gone are those days indeed, and swithart would remind me every time to just accept the fact that I am not a size 0 or 1 anymore! :D

up and about

It has been really really cold today. Last night, we set the thermostat at 70F and I've observed the furnace has been venting out those hot air to keep us warm but MIL was still cold that she asked if she can use the portable heater because she seems like chilling and started to have some gas pains. This morning, she seriously pondered if we have someone we know in California or Las Vegas, or anywhere somewhere warm in this country and if it is possible to go for a vacation and spend the winter months in there to spare her and FIL from the snowy season. Poor mama. I could sense she and Papa would love to go home to CDO for this season but their papers won't allow them to. If they will, then they will have risks to face with their immigrant status. We've talked with SIL about it and SIL figured they could spend some times in Vegas since SIL's close friend is based there, and if it will be pushed through, SIL might moved in there soon so I think Mama's complaints of the cold will be given a solution. She actually seems to be jealous of our friend who is an elderly, too and has just flew to Arizona today to spend her winter months there. But I truly understand Mama because even I myself wish to be in a warmer place during this time of the year. But I'll hang on there... I know it's the best I can do for now.

Anyway, I have been up and about earlier. Just here at home though. I haven't done a lot online, have not even dropped with my other blog yet. Some times, I browsed the net but most of the times today, I played with Triz because I just couldn't resist her invitation of me for play. We watched her Barney, Wiggles, and Boz the Bear together, colored her coloring book together, cuddled each other, and laugh together with her silliness. And mine. Yes, she is that adult now to join and imitate me with the goofiness, silliness, and funness that I do. She helped me when I cleaned the bathroom, changed the mats and rugs, and washed them. She is momma's little helper now, and she would even cry if I won't allow her to use the dust pan and the broom. Ahh... such big girl that I won't dare trade anything for her. :D

i screwed up...

...and I am truly sorry. I know swithart understood and has forgiven me right after it happened. Hehe... See, I made a 99.9% wrong move when I let the lid of the tupperware container got into the oven under a 350 degrees Fahrenheit heat. Imagine that? It's because I really really thought it was alright since the plastic stated it is oven safe. And also, I have used the main container once when I baked a banana bread under the same temperature, but was without the lid. And this time around, it was just the lid that I used because we weren't able to find the baking plate and pan that we have. Arggghhhh! So this is what we enjoyed doing this afternoon:

Yes, we tried making a bread "our version", which is based solely on my tastebuds. Swithart diligently mixed the ingredients and all I did was just instructed him on what to do. I did the measuring and all, which again, is based on how I would like the taste to be. I missed Filipino taste of breads so much that I have thought of making some today. We used to make this kind when I was still pregnant because I craved for a pandesal real bad and I just tried following what my baker Kuya instructed me on what to do.

I tell you, Triz enjoyed helping dadi did the mixing and she has a stuff in her hand that she loved rolling and making keeping her hands real busy. When it was time to put it in the oven, we couldn't find the two other pans we have for bread and I kept on thinking what best way to bake it without the pan. I experimented it using just an aluminum foil and a baking paper but one fold was enough to fill the upper layer and we still have some more without pans. And so that was when I decided to use the tupperware lid wrapped with an aluminum foil still. Swithart insisted not to because it will melt, but I argued it will be fine. And yeah, I was too rebellious and self-righteous [LOL], and persistent and insistent! Started turning the oven on at 350 degrees F, and ater 15 minutes or so, swithart called me and suggested to see what happened. But before that, I already have smelled something bad that's burning coming from the kitchen. I was thankful the security alarm wasn't on earlier, if it was, 911 could have came and checked us out. The plastic lid burned and melted, producing a bad amount of smoke in the kitchen, and bad burning smell. I was horrified and so guilty, believe me, and I guess my looks said it all that swithart came behind me and pat my shoulders assuring me that I am fine without me having said I was sorry. Hah, so bad I was, and I screwed up terribly!

I don't know if you could guess what happened to the bread which were halfway done and smelling good when taken out of the oven because swithart has to clean the inside of the oven first. Jon said it wasn't good to eat it after it was blended with plastic smokes but I insisted it's just okay. There I was again, being too insistent. But you tell what happened: did we discontinue baking it or did we pushed it through till it was good enough to eat. What happened was, we voted to either throw it or continue baking it. LOL And if anybody could guess what took place and confident enough to comment it here, I would then reveal it! Hehe...

homey sunday

That's right, today, we are just home-- all of us. SIL didn't go out until later I guess, and I have done a couple of loads laundrying. Earlier, I made some sweetened fried plantain banana [is that how you call it? maruya sa bisaya pa] that everybody loves. Yep, it was our snacks when we held a couple of hours karaoke-ing here at home with the entire household members. You bet we surely had a blast singing songs and contesting for the highest rating or grade that the magic sing offers. Triz became our conductor and she gets to decide who sings next. She did great really and we all had a great time! It's cold outside so we perfectly did an awesome job exercizing our vocal chords this very day.

Yesterday was a total rest and relaxation for us. The whole morning we were at church and it was fantastic to have Pastor Ed Barnett from the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventist who did the sermon. He did pretty good, and mind you, swithart and I did a duet for the special music with Papa playing the guitar for us. Hehe... I have had a slight ashthma Friday evening which made me still had some shortness of breath the following morning, but thank God we made our part for the day. Last night, I got to talk to Ate Eve and Yaya via my new cellphone and they both are happy to know I now have my own private number that they can call when they want to talk to me very very privately. LOL Well, so far, everybody's doing good here at home, though it's getting late now and the toddler hasn't taken her nap yet. I guess I have to go get her to take a pause from her Barneying and let her take her nap for today. May you all are having a blast with whatever you're doing right now!

really surprising

I just can't help but express my gratitude to PayU2Blog. It's only been less than a year since I am working with and for them and I only have a single blog active with them so I only have few opportunities to receive. When most of those who have two or three blogs with them would receive two or three tasks to write at a particular releasing time, I only have a single. But they surprised me this morning, really. Imagine, when I logged in to my account to do the one opps they gave to me for this week, my eyes grew big to see six more assignments with a star logo of each of the new ones. And this is what they tell me with the additional tasks:

Now that's surprising and flattering, huh.

At least to me. And I am happy and grateful to them for eyeing on me after all these months. And take note, the rate of the three tasks is even higher than the usual ones they give out. :)

Anyway, I am happy as well to have found a couple of DVDs at eBay which I have been trying to get for personal copy. It's pretty cheap compared to getting them both through Adventistbookcenter.com which is my initial plan. These two would cost me a whooping $54 at ABC:

and
It's really a knockout in the pocket so I tried searching them both at eBay. And this is what I found:
and

Both for only $23! See the difference? Take note, these are no-ordinary films. If you want to get the same copies of these two, take a very serious look at the characters and the productions, because there are a lot of the same films like these, but not as accurate as these two. Now I can't wait to receive them both. These two are really great films, greater than most of what is found at Family Video or Netflix. LOL No offense friends! I am gonna end my week with a wish that you all will have an amazing weekend ahead! Keep a smile....

Chatting and Kidding

My brother-in-law Nicanz, Jon's youngest brother is a resident physician at the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City, Philippines and often, when we chat with him, he seems to be always tired because he works 18 hours a day and he is on duty every night. We would always ask him if he is just fine with the schedule and he would just say it's not a problem. He's single anyway so no one stops him from working overtime except when his nurse girlfriend will. LOL. But he asked us something he wants us to send him: a multivitamins that he could take to keep his immune system going and strong since he's up almost all time of the day. And so we've sent some in the box that we packaged and we also sent a couple of bottles through Nora who flew home last week.

It's good to have a time to chat with him to know what's the latest about his life because you see, he's miles away from his immediate family. And each time we talked to him, Jon is so silly to kid him to take bodybuilding supplements instead of those multivitamins he wants because we could see he's loosing some weight which we believe is caused by his lack of sleep. Jon's silliness would always makes Nicanz laugh and he would say he is the doctor so he'll be the one to prescribe someone of those bodybuilding supplements. Hah, so that gives us all a good laugh really.

It Has!!!

I may sound too redundant here and boring, and somewhat bragging because what I am going to be telling you is all about my new cellphone once again. :) Yep, I am going prepaid and kind of loving this new gadget that I have but a little fearful as well that I might hit the WAP button every now and then because if I do, it would cost me a good amount of credit. Yes, because the center button would connect me to the global mobile access and it has a GPS function as well! Jon was all smile when he learned about it because of how useful it will be when traveling. You know what I mean, the GPS thing? Well, he's thinking of getting a new one for himself, or it doesn't even matter if it's a refurbished item and being an excellent online shopper that I am, I forwarded him the link of buy.com's portable GPS products. Hehe... he did give me a go signal for it, but now now. No, we aren't traveling soon yet so it's just going to be in our to-have list. :)

busy busy-han

That's how I am doing right now! I've changed the linens of our beds and put it in the laundry and I've finished a couple of loads already. I cleaned up our room's flooring area, took some dust by brushing the carpet off, arranging the stuff underneath our bed and boy do I have my asthma attack right now because of the dust I have encountered! Hoooh! Swithart called me up earlier and asked me how am I doing because he was aware I did some cleaning which he didn't want me to do and when he learned I started to have some coughing, he demanded I should stop and here I am now, back to facing this lappy again. What a break! It's cold right now but I was all sweating with the cleaning up I did!

I haven't cooked something yet but MIL friend some fish and beans so it was good enough for them. I took out a frozen beef stew to thaw it and I will have to make some goodie meal later tonight. Gotta do some dropping later, too as I am almost done with my writing stuff. At least for today. I wish you all well and a great weekend ahead! Stay warm...

Curiosity or Excitement?

My father-in-law never hesitated to ask SIL what will be the stuff that SIL should she take with her when she moves out and transfer residency. [I've shared about the Las Vegas opportunity and how everyone of us here is dealing with the decision-making part.] The TV set, he wondered, should it be brought as well? SIL refused to say yes, but she said we could always get a new one, a flat screen with a flat panel mount and it would be perfect then. I wondered, was it curiosity or excitement that led Papa to ask SIL about it? We all, except him are willing to let go of this Sony 27-inches kind of old TV set that we have here. This is so heavy you know and if we will take this wherever we go, hah, what huge lifting problem do we engage ourselves in! Don't you think?

Asparagus, what else?

I have a confession:

[Photo grabbed from justhungry.com]

I have been craving for a stir fried asparagus for days now. No, I am not pregnant, but I think it's because it's harvest season now and I have taught myself to start craving for this green, fibrous vegetable come harvest time because the price of this really is at it's off. Hehe... During peak season, this usually costs $3.98 to $4.75 per lb. here in our place and I just am not willing to pay for that price. [Waaaah poor frugal me!] Now I got the weekly ads from Jewel-Osco and Cubs Foods and the asparagus has gone down to $1.98 per lb., how's that? So even if it's this cold today, when swithart gets home from his class later this afternoon, I am uberly willing to go out and get a bulk to satisfy this craving aka confession of mine. :)

cold!!!!

It sure is so cold today, can you feel it?

I definitely can, and I don't even want to go out of the thick comforter that swithart has given me earlier when I requested him to go down the basement and turn the main switch of the furnace on. But you know, it's Friday and I've got a lot of tasks piled for today. I have slept well last night though so I am good to go for now. :) I just wanna express it here, summer indeed is officially over! I am not liking this time of wearing baggy and bulky clothing but I have to bear this once more! So I wish you all to stay warm and happy for the rest of the day!

Caddy Concepts

Who needs a laundry hamper? I certainly did when we were on our vacation back in Philippines this year's summer. You see, we didn't have our house there, so we got to stay in two places-- in our home in one spot of the city, and in Jon's, around 15 minutes ride away. So we dealt with moving to and fro, spending a couple of nights in their home and another couple or three in ours. It was fun and tiring, and the most tiresome thing was the laundry. I wasn't used to washing our clothes in their place so everything I need to clean, I bring it to our house for it is where I do my laundry, with the use of an automatic washing machine and a spinner. So you bet a laundry hamper should have been my best friend then! But I didn't have one so what I used for our stuff to be carried here and there was our carry-on luggage. Hehe... It looked okay, sure, and more neat and casual, but seeing caddyconcepts.com's portable laundry hamper is just unbelievably gorgeous! Just take a look at the image in the right side, you see what I am talking about? I surely would like to get one soon because I can see its usefulness 100 percent!

thankful thursday

I can't believe it's Thursday already! Wow, can you imagine how time flies that fast? I have no idea why and I won't probe any wanders about it [LOL] because God is in control. I was friendstering [always] earlier and I've got three new messages in my inbox, each from old friends-- 2 in high school and one in college, and the common thing they told me in three of their messages?: "I have a wonderful family and my daughter has grown so big already!" They think Triz is now a lady, but for real, she's still our 2 years and 3 months toddler. LOL As if they were there when Triz is still a baby, huh. Haha! Of course I got their point, and I can't blame them, as I've said, time flies by that quick, and if you get to be near this toddler of ours, her hyperactivity, her moods, and her skills will really tell you it's unbelievable how this 6 pounds 1 ounce newborn turn into one most active toddler. I am but all in awe of the growing process, and it's hard not to be grateful for HIS goodness. So many things to be thankful actually! SIL has gotten a new job offering in University of Nevada in Las Vegas and she's convinced to take the job, the only thing is: when and would she really get it. Hehe... It's a great opportunity, her position is surreal, the salary is of good rate as a starter, but her daughter- it's hard to be away with. Ahhh... another decision to make, but surely, one great reason to be THANKFUL.

my $20 wal-mart gift card

Yes, I have one, and I just got it today! Am I not lucky? :) Well, it pays to read e-mails and give a certain site a click! Thanks to mypoints.com for this one!

I actually am glad to receive this because you see, I have ignored the site in the past many months when I left here for our vacation back home. Because of my dial-up connection back home in CDO and my lack of time to go online, it kind of an abandonment to respond to every mail I got in my inbox from mypoints.com. But last week, I was sent an e-mail with a subject "urgent from your mypoints account" and with the subject, I immediately spent some moments to read it. I was told I gotta log in to my account and claim my rewards before it will expire which is soon. So when I checked my reward points, I learned that I am eligible to claim a $20 worth of gift card from either Wal-mart or Target or $15 from ToysRUs so without hesitation, I get what I want. The place to shop-- Wal-mart! Yes, I am a fan! Hehe... Thanks MyPoints!!!

can't wait...

I've finally made my decision on which cellphone to get. After being torn from two of the gorgeous phones I've looked at AT&T, I've settled for a different one! LOL Well, just different in color that is. Red. Ahh... my best friend loves red! And I used to love it, too. Well, it's what it can do best to me that matters. I am going prepaid here, and if you don't know my necessity for a phone, I've mentioned about it in my other blog.

What is great about this model is it's a world phone. Its wireless technology is quad band, so whether I am in my home country, I don't have to worry or to buy a new cell that would work in there, this Samsung can let a Smart or Globe or Touch Mobile sim card works. I have ordered it already and I got an awesome package deal. Now I can't wait to have it in my hands, activate it as soon as possible, and spend the good amount of airtime that's included in the bargain package I got. I first wanted to know if I could save more if we'll go prepaid, and reading the hundreds of reviews online, I would say yes. SIL has suggested I could get a cheaper or even free blackberry which is a quad band, too, but it would be with a plan. Hah, it won't be that practical to get one with a plan right as we don't see the necessity for it. Also, I prefer a flip design so as to cater to Triz's playing. LOL Hmmm... I guess I have had a good deal with this! Tell me about it, do I?

absent? not really!

It has been a total absence to my blogger accounts the whole day yesterday. Just with the posting though, because I have been allowing a couple of publishing to the comments made in my other blog, and I have been entrecarding big time yesterday. Imagine, I have made it to drop 300 cards per blog, meaning, I have dropped 600 of my cards yesterday! In fact, it's even more than that because several of the Entrecard widgets where I have attempted to hit the drop button told me me 300 per day. O diva, bongga! LOL I couldn't believe I could do it, but I did, all because I have nothing to post, no tasks from triple p to write, thus, I got an awesome amount of time just by jumping from one site to another.

And I loved it! Very well.

Simply because many sites have caught my attention and I was tempted to stay for a while and read a lot of their posts. Those blogs about travels are what I love the most. Makes myself felt I am one of the travelers as well when the author posted about his stay in London, another in Italy, etc. Of course, the blogs in parenting category are perfect, for me. I could relate almost all of the details in what's been shared. And then, there were those radicals and free minds. Blogs that expressed political and philosohical views. I liked those, too. Maes my mind react and I was able to interact by commenting and posting some thoughts I have had. And the sports category blogs. there aren't many of them, but I liked it, simply because it entails the sporty thinking that I have. The wins and the loss of a certain team, the challenges faced by the athletes themselves-- those are really interesting. There was even one who posted about the football trophies that a huge football player has acquired in his entire sporting life.

I loved the fact that I was able to rest my hands from typing a lot yesterday. Maybe I was being paid off by what I have done last Friday. Imagine, I was able to it the publish post button for 14 times just in a day! I hope today though I will have something to write. And of course, I will be in your blogs dropping and reading some more!!! :)

A Pact? Sort Of!

I was showing my best friend Charis the photos and videos that SIL has taken during her and Nora's visit to Las Vegas. Yes, the dancing fountain is what I was totally in awed with. The same thing did Charis liked about it. Of course the fabulous hotel las vegas and some more of the nice places where people are flocking to are worth to be visited. Well, Charis and I have made a sort of agreement that one of these days we will go and tour the place, if our husbands won't go with us, then just by ourselves! LOL It's not bad, is it? For some reasons, swithart is just not into the place. I even suggested to him of sending a job application to one of the campuses out there that hires a Mathematics professor but swithart is just not into it.So when Charis and I could make it financially, sure, a trip going there would be fantastic! It just won't happen anytime soon though, but it will be in my wishlist once I can allot a good amount of fortune for a great getaway with a friend! :)

mixtured sunday

It has been a sort of mixed emotions and stuff that has happened here. Overall though, I had a great Sunday, mostly, spent in bed. Hehe... so you see how much beauty rest I got this weekend. I loved it of course! I was late with my EC dropping today because this morning, I had some trouble with the entrecard loading once again. I think it's the site's problem and not mine, but I am somehow thankful that it happened that way so I was able to give not much attention to the site. Hehe. I have had a very lazy morning, makes me affirm even more that I am really an afternoon or a night person. Nocturnal being. LOL There were a lot of things I wanted to do earlier but my laziness stroke and I kinda felt dizzy and tired from standing for a little longer in the kitchen making lunch for everybody. I wanted to go down to the basement to arrange something but nah, it never happened. I did was able to give SIL a trim to her hair though so it was a task. And played with Triz a bit outside. I have had a simple Sunday, not much event had happened, not even went outside for some drive [and oh, the gas rollback price printed a smile in our faces :)]. For many others, this kind of a day can be spelled as bee, ow, arr, eye, en, and jee. But heck, it is one of those days that I have loved, just hanging around, goofing with the two most important people in my life.

Hope you had one fabulous Sunday there!!! :)

unbelievable!!!

I thought I am done with my tasks for today and the very recent one I did in my Written xPressions blog would be the last one, but it seems like I have one more to write. Yay, even if you will disagree with me, I am just unbelievable today! LOL I have written more than 10 entries for today and I couldn't believe I did it, with a toddler in tow! Hehe... Maybe I am making up to my absense in the last two days. I don't know, I even could not believe my power today! I have made lunch here, I have taken care of the toddler, I have cleaned up a little in our bedroom, and I have hit the publish post button 13 times already! Whew! Now I have to let swithart do some reading in what I have written here to see if I am talking sensible stuff. I might not and shame on me! LOL I'll wait till swithart gets home and I have to let him do some rereading. For now, I have one more to accomplish before I'll call this day a day. But I think I have to go out first to do some grocery shopping which I badly need for tomorrow. Maybe later I can do my final task. Have a great weekend guys!

Panama Condo Hotel

Who doesn't love breaks? Those getaways that will let you stay in a place like this one?

Will it not be perfect if you have at least three times a year of going out of the country and relax by staying in a place where it can give you calmness and peace of mind? Ahhh... I am dreaming of it right now! We stayed in a place that's kind of like this when we went to our vacation in Daytona Beach,Florida as well as when we had our Labor Day getaway in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. But I am sure it would be different and something when it's going to be out of the country, maybe, somewhere in Central or South America. Well, the one in picture is a condo hotel in Panama. We do have friends in the place but they're now US citizens and it's great that they have their home place still in the country. Makes them have a secure area when they need to go home and have a break.

I bet a unit in the condo Hotel Casco Antiguo would be a perfect place. And not only that, it could also be a great investment for you and your family! I would love to have a unit of mine and my family, but for now, it is too far from the reality. But if you, yes YOU, are interested in getting a unit of yours, Register for an eBrochure Here and consider yourself being part of the fastest growing real estate markets, not only in Sout America but in the whole world.

Having a place of my own somewhere near the beach or lake, or maybe in a mountain with the freshness and calmness of nature, that would be one of the dreams I will be working for to achieve. I know it's going to be too long still, but thinking about it as an investment, it is really more than an asset when time comes. Check panamaniancondohotel.com for more beauty the place offers.

she got there fine and safe...

...and, thank God for it! Well, it's Nora that I've been talking about. She's our household member here, and last Wednesday, she flew home to Philippines to be with her husband who is settled in Cebu. I don't know [and she neither] when can she come back to work here, time will tell, and his American husband's appilication fo Filipino citizenship status will be what matters, too. We are just thankful and glad that she made it safe and fine. She left here last Wednesday in a no-good weather, raining and wet, but luckily, her flight went smoothly. She left me a message at my Friendster last night saying how tired she was from the long flight. We missed each other and life here is never the same without her. She is noisy and loud, making us more bibo here at home. It's only been a couple of days and all of us are wishing for her to come back. Hahaha! Well, she is still resting in Cebu where their house is, and soon, she'll be going home to Mindanao to her parents' home. Then, she'll be dropping by at our place to give what we've sent to my sister through her and I can't wait for it. Ahhh.... I am missing home even more!

These Best Bible Stories

I couldn't remember how many books, children's story books have been given to our daughter as gifts from friends. Sure, I am thankful for it all, but when it comes to stories that we tell Triz be it during bed time or just on ordinary times when she asks for one, we always turn to Bible stories first. At her age now, we wanted her to learn more about the Bible first, those Bible stories with characters who played the role for real, gifted with God's leading and who in the same way, obeyed what God wanted them to do. I can't help but mention Moses who was a great leader. Then there was Noah who, for me was the greatest preacher. David, who sinned and disobeyed many times but was able to do mighty works and wonders and before his life ended, was able to surrender everything to God. And Job, whose humility was incomparable. But I love the story of Joseph most of all. Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who was sold by his own brothers to the Egyptians, was able to experienced so much hardship in his young life. Became imprisoned for the things he didn't do, tempted by the Pharaoh's wife but was able to resist evil. and temptation. With God's leading, He became a mighty ruler and his line which I quote "I ought to obey God rather than man", is the most courages act of faith. I think it is the same line that Daniel and his three friends dared to voiced out to the king and it was just a total enactment of faith. Truly admirable.

I am always inspired to express my faith as well everytime I think of how those Bible characters were able to practice theirs. Find out more Bible Stories if you are interested through books and the Bible itself. Today's age have many children who seem to be getting a little behind from the Bible stories and truth. Obedience to parents, and being good to our fellowmen are but the few things that one could learn when the Bible stories will be related to one's own life.

towering

If you're a parent like me, I am sure you are always having that feeling of being amazed with what your child does. I understand when they throw their tantrums; each time, it is just so frustrating and oh how much we wanted to be able to find a way to make an escape or temporarily disappear for a moment or two. LOL. Well, if you're not familiar with this instance, then I am talking for myself here. :) But I hear Ritchelle complains about how her Shiela screams and whines showing that "terrible two" that her daughter experiences, so I am not alone. Hehe... Of course, that's just the tiring part. But all those developments that they're showing are truly the funniest. The learning moments are the best and the most awesome part. They have something new to show every day and it's just so fulfilling.

:)

Well, my Triz is into playing a lot these days and most of the times, her hyper activity disables her to take a nap during the day. Trust me, I have done any magic a parent could do just to let the child go to sleep or just take a short nap at that. Hehe... Triz will always finds a way to amuse me and entertain me just so she wouldn't be able to lie down. She would show her acrobatic moves, she would jump here and there, she would talk anything funny, and would demand for us to play her favorite for now: building blocks. She's got her towering moods and skills that even the sticks of crayons, or her sets of pens, she could find anything to do with them to form a structure. Most of the times I am tempted to just allow her not to take a nap but when late in the afternoon comes and she seems to fuss and whine because she hasn't rested the whole time, that's my time to be soooo authoritative starts. Hehe...

my apology...

Ok, so yesterday was sort of a total break for me in my postings. Not only was I able to take some rest because my head ached really bad, I also wasn't able to grab some tasks to write. So I took the time off, until in the afternoon when I seemed to be feeling well. It's then when I logged in to Entrecard to do my dropping task, specially pay back everyone who had dropped their cards on me. BUT, for the second day yesterday, I was having trouble Entrecarding. I don't know if it was just me or what, but I couldn't really go in to my drop inbox. First, I was able to succeed with the first page of my inbox, but when i moved to the second page, I was totally lost as it won't load no more. It's frustrating I must admit because I got two blogs and I was only in my first blog, very first batch at that. So what I did was just go ahead typed those URLs that I am so familiar with and tried dropping that way. I was able to do it to those blogs I have been frequenting every day, but to the new ones who filled my drop inbox, I am so sorry I haven't returned and followed you. :( I will try to make up today, I know I owe you big! :)

Anyway, TGIF. Yes, I am bound to do a lot of chores here today because it's Friday. But again, I will do one at a time. I am just trying to grab this time while Triz is still in bed. We've slept so late last night, almost 2am, simply because.... we did. LOL We were enjoying our time online, I-- looking for a particular DVD that I could get for less, swithart-- minding his paperworks, Triz-- loving her Boz the Bear watching and playing with me at the same time. Now I can't wait for tomorrow to give myself a total break- physically and mentally. Thank God for another weekend! Enjoy you all!!!

tylenol helped...

No matter how hard I tried to wake up before 8am today, I failed. I slept last night after I cut my finger and toe nails with a slight fever and when I woke up, it hit me pretty severely. I could have grabbed a couple of tasks to write but I couldn't bear facing at my monitor so I end up going to bed again, with a doze of 1000mg Tylenol and a little massage from swithart. I stood up at noontime, with a short goodbye note from Nora who left five minutes before eight this morning for her flight to Philippines. I got a little drama here, and I hate to have this headache once again. But I'll just end up complaining so I better wish the day to end soon that I may have a short time suffering. LOL I guess the high dosage of Tylenol helped a lot. Poor Triz because she has eaten a little later as I still had to cook some food that she will eat; she didn't eat what her grandma prepared-- fish soup. I guess she doesn't liked the taste because she knew it wasn't me who made it. Yes, she's that picky.

I was able to make some vegetable patties though which everybody likes, except Papa. Triz ate several pieces and you bet she's full of it. I guess I am getting a very short day today; it's almost 12pm when my Wednesday started and now, it's 4pm, seems like I just had a breakfast. LOL Don't wonder if I will be able to sleep too late tonight. I just have to pay the number of hours I slept the whole morning away!

wednesday

It's good to be awaken by the shining sun which bright sunshines come in through our window. Though I have so much wanted to wake up earlier but I am late. Nora has already left to the airport as she has a flight at 10am. So I haven't bid her goodbye today because sha has mentioned last night that she won't be bothering to wake us up today as she leaves because she hates goodbye. Haha.. I do, too, but in life, goodbyes are inevitable eh? I just hope she'll have the safest flight and will have fun in her stay in Philippines. And I hope to see her though the webcam and talk with her once she gets there. I am sure her husband couldn't wait. :D

It's Wednesday now and I hate to be waking up because I am feeling a slight headache which I think will turn to severity. I know it because I am experiencing the womanness right now. LOL I hope I won't feel dizzy as it's going to be just me and Triz here today. Swithart has a class so we will be left here, as usual. I am just glad I finally was able to give my nails [fingers and toes] a cut. They've been pretty long since last night and I hate them growing so fast. LOL I couldn't find time to trim them all because I need a lot of time for it. So last night, after having done my tasks online, I gave my lappy a break and I minded my nails. Now I could type a bit faster for having them short. :)

I wish you all a great Wednesday friends!!! Keep smiling.

busy me!!!

Yes, I am extremely busy here! I did the tweakings and adding of my widgets in my Written xPressions blog after Ivy changed the layout for me. But that's what I do first thing in the morning when I woke up. I am not even finished doing my blogroll and I am not going to finish it up soon, cause again, I am extremely busy as of this time. Just with the household stuff though, not with any other business here. Tomorrow, Nora has to fly home to Philippines and I am helping her out with the packing thing. I have just got home, too, from our shopping which took us so long because Ma and Pa were with us, and they spent a lot of time getting what they want to get for stuff they want to send to Cebu for Nicanz, swithart's brother who works in Cebu as a MD. I did some laudry too for Triz's clothes which needs a lot of time because of the different process I do with our clothes. Hahayyy ka-kapoy baya. I am longing for my best friend Ate in CDO who loves helping me out with whatever I do. She texted me this very morning and told me if only I am just in the vicinity. Makes me homesick for another valid reason alright. I haven't even done my dropping, but I will for sure try my very best to repay everyone who has dropped their cards on me today.

monday music

It's not a strange thing to me when my now-toddler Triz showed much interest in music. When she was still in my womb, I guess she had too much exposure to music. I had a lot of CD and taped nursery rhymes that I used to play a lot to calm my nerves down when I feel like I was exhausted. But more than that, swithart and I are a lover of music, mellow music that is.

Regarding Triz, she's nothing different to us. Her musical ability even put us all into laughter and amazement. Ever since she could talk, she has shown much singing skill just by humming and she could produce any sound with whatever she's holding. We got her toys that seemed real which could help recognize musical instruments and play with them as well. First, the mini-keyboard. Then the guitar, then a recorder, a xylophone, a drum, and a clarinet. These toys that produce sounds are awesome, too. The same thing with stuffed toys that talk. I think we are just so blessed to have all these here.

Now with her portable DVD player, she's even having a blast. When she first got a hold of it, she immediately knew how to use the headphone that's included in the package even if it wasn't opened yet. When the dad finally had it out of the package, she instantly where to plug it in. She was unbelievable, really.

Now, it's her constant companion for all time. Our friend Jerry told us to not Americanize her too much. LOL I guess he could see our tendency to do so, but at the end of the day, I and swithart are still not losing our sanity. I mean, we still get to evaluate the things that we have done and what we still can do. I can be blame for spoiling Triz with what she can have, and the same thing with the dad. But nah... I don't overdo it. I just let her explore and experiment things that could help her motor and cognitive development really grow. She is into books, papers, pens, and coloring a lot, which according to our parents-friends, isn't usual at her age. We are in awe and are always grateful for her. BUT don't mistake me, she does have her flaw, too and I often wonder what to do with it. She is just too shy whenever we're in public, with people she barely and some, never know. She is too loud and playful here at home, but in places where it new to her, she hardly speak that when she does, her voice is too small and soft. Hehe... It is a flaw to me, as I want her to be just as active when she's inside and out. But people say she's just being shy and reserved, especially that she's a girl. [And she's just like me, too.] It is indeed a flaw, but a cute flaw of her. :)

Shop in the USA, Ship to Philippines?

Yeah, sure! When before that's so hard and even impossible at times, now, you can shop online, at eBay particularly and for example, and even if the item is a USA address you can still buy it and have it shipped in your very home address there in Philippines. Of course, I am using Philippines here as an example because I've got dear friends who have been meaning to shop online but are having problems with the shipping method. Now, with shipito.com, their problem is solved! And that comes with a guaranteed low shipping alright! Now how's that gonna work you ask? Well, it's as easy as just shopping in any online store and have the items shipped in the shipito.com's warehouse in California and it's going to be the shipito.com who will forward the package to you. See how it works? Sign up for an account now and let online shopping be that easy. I am interested to sign up for an affiliate account too. :)

up and about

I woke up a bit earlier today to arrange these clothes that I have folded last night from my loads of laundry yesterday. It's a good start of my weekdays as a sign of being up and about right? Hehe... i didn't even bother to face my lappy until 10:30, how's that? Well, I just have to make this clutter here in the room get fixed so as to give a pleasing sense to my eyes. Plus, I need swithart to do some vacuuming here in our carpeted bedroom because I can sense it's a bit dusty now and with it comes an expectation of an asthma attack which I sure don't want to happen anytime. Swithart is due for school soon and I will be left here with Triz, as usual. It's a little warmer outside so Ma and Pa are out finding some stuff to do to keep their hands busy. I am waiting for the FedEx guy to deliver what I have been so anxious to receive because it's a gift I want to give to Nora as she's going home to Philippines this Wednesday. Yeah, it's so soon and I am so excited for her. Well, I am having a great start of the day here, how about you?

I am crying over a spilled milk :(

Did I mention how much disappointment plus frustration [see how heavy and severe?] I got when my 2GB memory card for my Canon Powershot MP suddenly got error [read: memory card error] yesterday after taking a good 40+ photos at the churchland where we had our vespers and a night of picnic with the church family? Argh..... or should I better state: huhuhu. Yes, I was and am still disappointnted over it. Swithart would said not to cry over spilled milk, the card can still be used, it just needs reformatting, and I can still take more gorgeous photos than those 40+ I lost. Hah. If only that's how easy it is. But it's not. And I didn't bring an extra memory card with me yesterday because I never expect it would happen that way, so my photography was stopped by it. I have taken a lot of beautiful photos in there and I am sure it would have been so precious the memories are. Plus, I have learned I could take shots in a different accent and effect with my camera which I just dicovered yesterday and I wanted so bad to share my first discovery here. I even asked the husband to be one of my model in my portrait mode. Hmp!!!! But then again, I am crying over a spilled milk, which I should not. I just can't help it. It's like losing the whole document which is very important because my hard drive has just gotten infected with virus and I just couldn't retrive it no more. Such a pain! No matter how I tried opening the memory card in my computer and in swithart's. I even borrowed SIL's card reader but to no avail. Now I am using my other extra memory card. The one which has gotten error has not been formatted yet. I feel like I am not yet ready [LOL] and I have the feeling that I could still retrieve it. Hah. I am really hurt. And kinda losing my desire to give my camera its work. I hope I can get over it soon. Hehe...

lazy-me-Sunday

It's just the three of us here at home right now. Ma and Pa, along with SIL, Nora, and Cyndi went to attend a birthday party of Sheila held at O'neil Park and Convention Hall. I have thought of attending when we first received the invitation a week ago but the forgetfulnes in me hit me when I totally forgot to RSVP last Oct.2nd. Sheila said we could still go because we are always counted as inclusion to their number of guests. And so, I have decided earlier to attend with Triz, even if swithart won't go [because he is really verrrrrrrrrrrrrry busy].

But just last night, I have changed my mind. Hehe.. The reason, I forgot that today is the party and I am supposed to go, but at the same time, I will go with a dish to bring for the potluck style party. But [I know, I know my many buts here LOL], the dish I was supposed to bring to the party today was brought to the picnic we had yesterday at the church land. Yes, the picnic and bonfire was impromptu, because I just learned about it yesterday at church when it was announced and because I could hardly refuse when it's church-related activity, I dared spent a good three hours to prepare 2 dishes for last night's outdoor event. We had a blast and I loved it, but I was devastated and so frustrated with the photos I got. Why? I had my memory card gotten error which I don't know why, and I have had excellent and beautiful photos in there which I couldn't retrieve anymore, no matter what I do with my 2-GB sd memory card. It made me unable to sleep early last night because I was very disappointed.

And so, I woke up so late today, I overslept until 11:20am. [Now that's more than enough rest there!!!] And I am so lazy to do anything today, all because of my 2GB memory card which got in trouble for reason that I really don't know why. And so, I decided to just stay here at home, and become as lazy as I want to be. LOL

tgif and more thanks!!!

Whew, that's all I can say so far. And oh.... burrrrrrr..... LOL. Yes, that's how cold in our place right now. I am feeling the Autumnness and I need to go shop now for clothes that will keep us warm. Later when swithart arrives from school, we're gonna go ahead to Kohl's as I am itching to use the 30% discount card that I got in the mail. Thank God it's Friday because tomorrow, I am gonna have a break! Well, everybody here will have a break since it's Sabbath. It's Sheila's birthday tomorrow but the party will be held on Sunday and I totally forgot to respond to their RSVP. Yay, with that, I am not quite sure if I will be going with Triz and swithart. I am sure though Nora and SIL will be there. Thank God for some news I got to hear last night when Ate Eve called me. It's good to know that Ate Jonah has passed all the interviews that she has underwent regarding her employment in HK. And I am more thankful because just a while ago, I receive my two mails that I have been waiting: one from Avon and one for Triz's learning and entertainment stuff-- Boz the Bear collection of DVDs, a puzzle, and a plush Boz the Bear stuffed. Now the toddler is enjoying and loving what she got! I am, too. :)

i stole these!!!

Do you know what and where Kota Kinabalu is? Well, I was seeing my friend Arlene's profile in Facebook and I can't help but stole her shots of the gorgeous Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. Apparently, I haven't been there but the place sounds so close to my dear country Philippines. My friend Arlene is from there, but right now, she's based in Hong Kong and is teaching in one of the big universities in HK after finishing her master's degree in Choral Conducting [yes, she's a musician] here in Illinois State Univ. She's planning of visiting Philippinese for the second time but only if we're scheduled to go home so she can tour the country with us, at the same time, she is inviting us for a trip to HK and a visit to her native Malaysia. That would be great, but it won't happen anytime soon just as yet. Before Jesus come, we can and we surely will. Hehe... Here, I'll share with you the shots that Arlene perfectly captured of her pride:

What a beautiful spot and shot, really. So pleasant to the eyes. Don't you think so?

it was really a blast!

Our Labor Day getaway for this year was definitely a blast! Remember that I've shared how we spent two days in Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri? Ahhh.... that was just worth remembering. Staying in a sophisticated family condo unit was more than worth the $230 per night and we all of us really had a great time, not to mention their indoor sauna and jacuzzi that we ladies have enjoyed being on. It was like being on one of the Outer Banks rentals that the Carolina Designs Realty has. Well, we would love to go on the same getaway next time, but not too soon though because Nora, our housemate here is going home to Philippines next Wednesday and she's gonna be there in the next 6 months or so. The joy of being free, eh? We're thinking of spending our Christmas holiday in Philippines, all of us that are here, but it seems like it is the most impossible thing in the world right now, moneywise. Haha. I think we'll settle to just be here, if Yaya's plan of coming here together with her husband and my very niece Shai-shai from Japan will be pushed through, then that's another blast to celebrate. For now, I will hope and pray. :)

I Won't Forget

August 28th, 2008-- the date I won't forget in my entire life. Sure, it was my Kuya's [older brother] birthday and at the same time, the city feast of Cagayan de Oro City, my homeplace, but one thing has happened to me on that very night-- my worst asthma attack, ever. I thought my life has to end that time [LOL] when at first I didn't realized that it was asthma, not heart attack. Hehe.. So you bet swithart was all in panic that right after I complained to him that I couldn't breathe, he immediately gave me a go signal to proceed to the ER to hand me to the doctors. Hehe... There I was physically checked, with all those primary monitors like the pulse oximeter to see if I had the normal pulse rate, my blood pressure was checked and found out to be just as normal as it has always been, etc. Then I took the nebulizer so as to help me breathe and after I found out that I was breathing the way my late father breathe back then, I realized, it was indeed asthma and I have had an attack. So now I am no different to some of my sisters who have gone through such attacks. It was definitely not the best feeling and I wouldn't want to experience such ever again. But nobody can tell, right?

beat this!!!

I have been trying to do this hula hooping thing through Wii Fit ever since we got the system. My goal is to have my body be able to partake a good 15 to 20 minutes of exercising with of course the benefit of losing weight. :) I may not be able to loose a whooping 10 lbs as I want to be but the activity of my body every after hula hopping is worth it all. Every time I check my statistics, I am always told I weigh a little lesser than the last time. Whew, that is just a sweet thing to hear alright. BUT with my diet, my food intake that is, I guess it would take me a looooong time to really achieve my goal. This, this is what I have been religiously doing for at least 10 minutes almost everyday:

And I am not the best out there. The most number of spins I made was only 849 so far. It's ranked as number 1 in our Wii Fit system so it's a nice ranking. No, I am not after that number actually but I am after what its definition is: Calorie Incinerator. Hehe.. So I am doing good, am I not?

Anyway, Triz is with me everytime I do this here in our living room so she always gets her time standing and positioning in the Wii balance board. Sometimes, when swithart hasn't left for school yet when I do my this, he gets his share of 5 to 10 minutes of moving his hips in a large, neat circle. Haha. So you can imagine how much fun we have when we do this hula hooping thing.

stuck!!!

I am! To blog hopping and browsing some more interesting sites making me unable to write some more of what I need to write. Hehe... call it slacker and I will agree, cause, you see, for many days now, I am procrastinating on the opps I have reserved via SS. Later will be the vice-presidential debate of the two hopefuls and I am inclined [because I am that curious] to watch. So what have I done for today before I am gonna retire for bed? No laundry and ironing when in fact I have some to be spent some of these efforts that I have [LOL]. BUT, I finished doing swithart's resume which he needs for his website. He still isn't giving me a go signal on sharing his website to the world wide web so I won't tell you about it just as yet. I did my 20 minutes of hula hooping via Wii Fit before I took my lunch at 2pm, so it is an accomplishment :D. I am done doing my EC dropping for today. Barely reaching 300 drops for each of my two blogs but I am able to reciprocate. And, we've gone outside- to Mission Mart, to drop off some goodies that we want to give away, at the same time went inside the store to look for goodies that will spark my shopping interest. Yep, I was able to get some which will be up for the next balikbayan box. Hehe... It's not gonna be very soon though, but maybe end of this year or early next year. How about you? How's your Thursday friends?

thursday thinkin

Yay, time flies really fast, eh? Seems like it's only been yesterday that we were at church the whole day [last Sabbath], and yet, today makes it one more day closer to the next Saturday. How'd it happened, ah-huh, all I can say is that time flies really fast! It's the 2nd day of October and now, the breeze is becoming so cold. Right now, it's:

Isn't it cold? Hehe... That just gives me a push to go shopping for autumn and winter wardrobe that we need for this season. Swithart and I have still several, but Triz needs a lot. I don't know why but this time around, I keep procrastinating the shopping thing. [Huh? Impossible me!] I thought of just shopping online. It's been several of those discount cards sent to us by Kohl's that have been missed. Now that Yaya [in Japan] starts to use her new laptop religiously, I am now addicted to chatting more than ever. I slept at 4am this morning for my evening beauty rest and woke up just minutes ago. What I did the first thing? [Can you guess what?] Uh-oh, not chatting, not even logging in, BUT... clean up my laptop from its very dusty and generally dirty monitor and keys. Now I feel like I am using a brand new lappy. Hehe....

I should have entitled this post Random Nonsense Thoughts. I know I talk silly and nonsense things sometimes. Or, is it just sometimes only? Hah.