365 items to take photos of...

Got this list from AGGIE who takes good pictures and scrap great LOs!

I started the Project365 in Jan1 but suddenly stopped it and I don't think I could still cope up with it. I take pictures everyday but posting them (in flickr) or blogging about them is another thing. However, this list is a good set of tips to note what photos to take when you ran out of photo ideas.

1. A picture of you working on your next digital layout!
2. After school snack
3. Alarm clock
4. Albums
5. All my favorite socks
6. All of my lotions and potions
7. Anything that repeats is super fun to shoot
8. Anything, really
9. Baby crying
10. Baby eating cheerios
11. Back packs
12. Backgammon with hubby!
13. Backpacks by the door
14. Backyard
15. Barn chores
16. Basket full of stuff
17. Bath - running water
18. Bath robe
19. Bath supplies
20. Bath time
21. Bathroom
22. Bathroom (break time at school)
23. Bathroom nightlight
24. Batman fruit snacks
25. Battery charger
26. Bed
27. Bed head
28. Bed time for our house!
29. Beer
30. Bike
31. Bike practice
32. Billboard of favorite fast food place
33. Bills
34. Bingo
35. Blackboard
36. Blankets
37. Bob the builder
38. Book I’m reading
39. Book on nightstand
40. Book shelf
41. Book that is being read while in the bathtub!
42. Book with glasses
43. Books
44. Books
45. Bottle of wine
46. Bowl of rice
47. Box of floppies
48. Breakfast
49. Brewing coffee
50. Bristles underneath for texture
51. Broken hose
52. Broom and mop vacuum cleaner
53. Brownie
54. Brushing teeth
55. Bubble bath and my book for the night
56. Buttons
57. Calculator
58. Camera
59. Candles
60. Cat
61. Cat food spilled on floor
62. Cd
63. Ceiling fan
64. Cereal
65. Changes in scrapbooking in 20 years
66. Chat notes
67. Chat schedule
68. Checking home e-mail
69. Cheerios
70. Chopping veggies
71. City lights
72. Clean house
73. Clean kitchen - hopefully
74. Clock
75. Clock
76. Clothes laid out for the day
77. Clothes on the floor
78. Coasters
79. Coat hanger
80. Coats hanging up
81. Cocoa
82. Coffe line
83. Coffee
84. Coffee beans before you grind
85. Coffee brewing
86. Coffee caraffe full
87. Coffee cup
88. Coffee ring
89. Collections
90. Coloring books
91. Comfortable chair and cushion
92. Comfy slippers
93. Computer
94. Computer and coffee
95. Computer glow
96. Computer screen
97. Construction work
98. Cooking
99. Cooking with husband
100. Cows
101. Crayons
102. Crossword puzzle I’m doing
103. Cute little frogs =)
104. Cutlery
105. Daughter
106. Dawn
107. Dd scrapbooking
108. Debris from the kids’ daily activities
109. Delivery vehicles
110. Desk
111. Dessert
112. Dew
113. Dew on grass
114. Dh
115. DH bringing me a cup every morning!!
116. DH not yet woken up - walking dead
117. Dh sleeping on the couch
118. DH snoring
119. Dh watching TV
120. Diet coke
121. Dinner
122. Dinner dishes
123. Dinner on the stove
124. Dirt
125. Dirty dishes.
126. Dirty grout
127. Dirty plate
128. Dirty toddler face
129. Dishes
130. Dishwasher
131. Dog
132. Dog sleeping
133. Dog toys scattered about
134. Dogfood
135. Dogs on bed
136. Dogs wrestling
137. Dr. Pepper
138. Drive home
139. Drive to the post office
140. Ds on my lap
141. Ds playing with blocks
142. DVD covers
143. Dvd player light on
144. Dvd’s
145. Eating dinner
146. Elmo toothbrush
147. Empty classroom..kids at recess
148. Empty coffee cup
149. Empty glass
150. Empty guinness glass
151. Empty water glass
152. Empty wine glass… Need refill
153. Emptying the bag
154. Errands
155. Espresso maker
156. Exercise clothes
157. Exercising
158. External hard drives all 3
159. Favorite blankie..
160. Favorite chair to relax in
161. Favorite coffee
162. Favorite cup of tea
163. Favorite shampoo
164. Feed the dogs
165. Filing cabinet
166. Fingers at the keyboard
167. Finishing my algebra class and trying not to get hit with paper balls by the boys’ geometry class
168. Fireworks
169. First light
170. Fish
171. Floor
172. Floss
173. Focus on the rim
174. Folded down covers
175. Folded laundry
176. Folded laundry on the bed
177. Food
178. Fork
179. Forum
180. Framed layouts
181. Framed photos
182. French press
183. Fridge
184. Friends over
185. Frost on the ground
186. Gadgets
187. Getting ready to pick dd up from school
188. Glass of port
189. Glasses instead of contacts
190. Glue
191. Goldfish my son snacks on every night
192. Graham crackers
193. Grocery shopping
194. Grocery store
195. Grounds after the beans
196. Guitar
197. Gym
198. Hair care products
199. Hair or nail appointment
200. Hair ties
201. Headset
202. Highlighter
203. Homework
204. Horses!
205. Hubby home soon
206. Hubby next to me
207. Hubby on computer
208. Hubby walking in the door
209. Hubby’s car
210. Ice cream
211. Icicles out my window today!
212. Idea books
213. Ink
214. Inside of fridge!
215. Iphone
216. Ipod
217. Ipod update
218. Itunes card
219. Jars of ribbon
220. Jeopardy!
221. Jug of ice water
222. Kaluha
223. Keepsakes
224. Keyboard
225. Kids at art, ballet and gymnastics
226. Kids bedtime - stories and teeth brushing!
227. Kids finally in bed
228. Kids going to bed
229. Kids home
230. Kids playing outside
231. Kids playing wii
232. Kids snacking
233. Kitchen
234. Kitchen half clean
235. Kitty curled up on sofa
236. Kitty hair
237. Kitty in the sink
238. Lab
239. Label maker
240. Lamp
241. Landscapes (the golden hour)
242. Laptop
243. Large lamp
244. Late night snack
245. Laundry
246. Laundry in the washer still
247. Leftovers…..maybe that fridge shot now.
248. Legos
249. Light
250. Light bulb
251. Light remote
252. Light switch … Turned down for hubby
253. Lights from electronic equipment glowing all night.
254. List on pad
255. Litter box
256. Lunch
257. Magazines
258. Magazines you read, books next to your bed
259. Mail
260. Mail truck
261. Maker
262. Making a pressed Starbucks for mid aft.power stroke
263. Making dinner
264. Medicine bottles
265. Medicine dispenser
266. Meeting agenda
267. Men’s tee shirts, towels….
268. Mess
269. Messy kitchen table
270. Microwave
271. Minivans
272. Moldy lunch we found UNDER his desk…!!
273. Moon
274. Moonset
275. More coffee
276. More homework
277. Mouse
278. Mouse pad
279. Mug of pens
280. My bed
281. My Bible
282. My children sleeping? Hopefully lol
283. My computer
284. My cork board
285. My craft closet
286. My desk
287. My dh snoring
288. My ear-rings on my ear-ring tree
289. My glasses
290. My guys cleaning the kitchen
291. My hubby in his recliner!
292. My husband finally home
293. My laptop scree with DD on it
294. My new gorillapod!
295. My nice cozy bed!
296. My pillow
297. My reading book
298. My slippers in front of the fire
299. My supper on my lap
300. My town … Seems like everything is changing
301. My Valentine’s Day rose
302. My windows to nowhere
303. Nap
304. Nature,
305. Negative sleeve
306. Netflix envelope
307. New respect for you moms!
308. New Years
309. Newborn
310. News
311. Newsboy
312. Newspaper
313. Nightlight
314. Nightlights
315. Noggin on TV
316. Notepaper
317. Notes
318. Old picture packages
319. Old wallpaper in my kitchen
320. On the computer
321. Opening my cupboard looking for lunch
322. Oreos
323. Outside pics
324. Packed lunch
325. Packing lunches for the next day
326. Page of bedtime story
327. Paint
328. Painting tools
329. Pajamas
330. Paper
331. Paper scraps
332. Park
333. Pens
334. People reading
335. Pets
336. Phone
337. Photos
338. Pico da gallo
339. Pictures
340. Pile of stuff
341. Pillow
342. Pizza guy
343. Planner
344. Pop
345. Post it notes
346. Pots and pans
347. Pots on stove
348. Printer
349. Radio
350. Reading
351. Reading light
352. Reading on the couch
353. Recipe cards
354. Remember the little things too!
355. Remote control
356. Right after you pour the cream in, so you’ve got those cool swirls
357. Roasting coffee beans in the machine
358. Room full of nerdy computer boys (yr 12 programming class)
359. Rub-ons
360. Rug
361. Running
362. Salad
363. Scanner
364. School
365. School bag

okay done blogging here :)
off to check this led lighting.

have a good Saturday!

be polite kids!

While scanning through some insurance quotes, I chanced upon this very helpful article from babycenter.com. I am proud to say that my son is a fountain of polite words such as, thank you, welcome, hello, good morning, goodbye, i'm sorry it was an accident, I didn't mean it, so on and so forth.

Yet again, this article would help us mom strengthen the value of respect in our children :).

Everyone marvels at the child who says "please" and "thank you." But if yours is one who often forgets the niceties, you might be wondering what you can do to encourage her to say more of those pleasant words you long to hear.

Experts advise against taking the "What's the magic word?" and "Now what do you say?" approach most of our parents were so fond of.

If you don't want to come home to a kid who won't look up from the TV to say hello, the best approach is to set a good example. If you always greet the family and bid them goodbye, your kids will pick up on your habits starting around age 2.

When Mom comes home, for instance, Dad might give her a kiss and a hearty "Hello! How was your day?" When Dad's on his way out the door, Mom and the kids might give him a hug or say, "Have a nice day, Daddy."

"Please" and "thank you" are other words dearly beloved by parents. When you ask your child to come to dinner, add the polite words you'd like her to use: "Jeannie, please come to the table now." When she cheerfully shows up, tell her "Thank you for coming so quickly." Your modeling will help her learn this habit, and when you hear her saying "please," praise her for it.

Saying "thank you" is a bit slower in coming than please, but generally by age 4 or 5 your child will start saying it. It's helpful to gently remind her that people are more likely to grant her wishes when she asks for things politely and is grateful – and that it makes people feel good to be appreciated for what they do.

Another useful word – "sorry" – is perhaps the most important of all. But parents often overuse this word, says Betsy Brown Braun, author of Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents. Embarrassed over their child's gaffes, parents push kids to say they're sorry in the heat of the moment.

"It's far more important to teach empathy than to force a child to parrot hollow words," says Brown Braun. "Don't just start demanding that your child say sorry. Explain to him why what he did was wrong: 'See how sad that boy is that you took his car?' Then show him how to make it better: 'Should we give him his car back and bring him a tissue?'"

By age 4, many kids can:
* remember to say "hello" or "goodbye" to parents
* sometimes say "please" and "thank you"

By age 8, many kids can:
* ask about a parent's day without prompting
* say "thank you" and "please" reliably in most situations
* say "I'm sorry" – and mean it

Unconscious Mutterings on L-O-V-E.

Last U.M. before I check on this discount light fixtures website.

1. Be mine :: MY LOVE.


2. Ecstatic :: SURREAL.


3. Orderly :: DOCUMENTS.


4. Sebastian :: MERMAID.


5. Sore :: BODY.


6. Don’t need :: NEGATIVE VIBES.


7. Rockstar :: GUITAR HERO.


8. Tinfoil :: LEFTOVERS.


9. Addiction :: FOOD.


10. Where? :: HERE.

Random Questions #21

1. What are you doing​ Sunday?​​ Working and Studying and Cleaning.
2. Do you feel awkward when stran​gers say hi to you? Nope, it's normal here.
3. Is anyth​ing upset​ting you right​ now? My Stomach! Too much eating!
4. Have you ever seen someone you knew and purposely avoided seeing them? OH YES! lol!
5. Do you know anyone with such a terribly annoying voice that you can't even stand it? LOL! yes :)
6. Any message for your ex love? None.
7. Do you announce when you have to pee? Nope save when I am in the middle of something, i need to excuse myself you know :).
8. Do you give out second chances easily? sadly, yes.
9. Have you ever cried from being so mad? yep.
10. Last time you read a text message and smiled? Hmmm, 2 days ago.

Thanks again CHIKAI!

Unconscious Mutterings: Oscars 2009

1. Carpet :: RED


2. William :: PRINCE


3. Oh! :: HELLO!


4. Board game :: EASY


5. Sunlight :: YELLOW


6. Delay :: TACTICS


7. Winner :: ALL


8. Concubine :: UH-OH


9. Comatose :: SLEEP


10. Satisfy :: BLESSED

second time

I do not know with you but I always tell my husband about my dream of renewing our vows thru a very small and intimate wedding, let say similar to those destination weddings I saw at karismahotels.com. It will be very intimate that only less than 20 people will be invited. I am a sucker for weddings, bridal march and wedding vows. I could say that ours was a wedding of my dreams but I think it was too big of a wedding. This was kinda inevitable because we have a lot of friends and hubby and I come from huge families. However, with the renewal of vows, I want it very intimate and small-numbered. Let's see if that will happen in say 10-15 years from now :).

Random Questions #20

1. If you just drank 15 beers, what you would be doing? Knocked down and sleeping!
2. Do you think you've changed over the past year? A bit. I hope I learned and become wiser :)
3. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable? depends on whom I am making conversations with.
4. Do you ever think about stuff and start crying? sometimes.
5. How many pillows do you sleep with? 4.
6. Do you think​ befor​e you speak​?​​ I try to.
7. Do you make the wrong​ choic​es often​?​​ I try not to.
8. Do you have a busy week comin​g up? SUPER! Case study deadline next Sunday!
9. Does it make you mad when peopl​e stare​ at you? Yes especially if I do not know the,.
10. Have you ever falle​n for someo​ne older​ than you? Yes.

Thanks! CHIKAI!

fill-in

1. How ________?
is the weather at your end?

2. What ________?
are you thinking about?

3. Where ________?
are you heading from here?

4. Why ________?
do some people stay so thin yet they eat more than what I can? hee hee.

cleaning web space

I am in the middle of cleaning up (and even eliminating) some photo sites. I realized I have too many photos all over the web and for some reasons, I want to keep some photos private. However, there are some sites were I have already forgotten my password, can you believe that? Even the email accounts I signed up with those photo sites are nowhere to be found anymore. Although, I must admit that these photo sites have helped me a lot during my wedding preparations as those where I kept my wedding details planning pics and other related photos. Also, I put up a Wedding Website at weddingchannel.com and it helped hubby and me consolidate all our wedding details, schedules and plan. Make one for your friends and family members who are in the process of planning a wedding.

3x thursday (022609)

1. Do you have a calendar on your wall? What's it of? Do you like it? Why/why not? If you don't have a calendar on your wall, what do you do when you need to look at the days and months ahead?
>>>Yea we do have one in our Kitchen. It's actually a cork/white board. Hubby makes sure to update it each month read: bills, utilities payments etc...

2. Do you wear a watch? Why/why not? If you don't wear one, how do you keep track of your time, appointments, when to eat, go to bed, etc?
>>>I can't go out without a watch. I just have to manage and keep track of time always!

3. How do you keep track of appointments (of all kinds) in your life?
>>>Post-its, reminders, journals!

Wordless Wednesday #33

Love watching him sleep!
Keeps me wordless always :)

Have a good Wednesday!

Local Wedding Venues

Some people choose to marry out of town while majority marry on Local Wedding Venues just so they could have a well-attending wedding and that everybody they invite would find it more convenient and accessible to come without thinking too much on transportation etc...

The knot which website can be found at http://wedding.theknot.com has a list of local wedding venues and all wedding resources. All you need to do is register and find all of your local wedding vendors at TheKnot.com. You can search for anything wedding-related: wedding venues, wedding photographers, wedding florists and more. Isn't this a conveniet one-stop wedding site?

Friday 5 (200209)

A day late but still I want to do it :).

1. When you travel, what kinds of souvenirs do you like to bring home for yourself?
>>>Definitely, I should buy a fridge magnet souvenir and some local delicacies.

2. Is there a certain kind of souvenir you always bring back for a particular someone?
>>>Hmmm, food and magnets.

3. Of the souvenirs you’ve collected from your travels, what are some that have special meaning for you?
>>>This wooden and ivory figurine from our Honeymoon in Thailand.

4. What’s the silliest souvenir you’ve brought back for yourself, or what’s the silliest souvenir someone has brought back for you?
>>>I find t-shirts with I love (the name of the place) really silly hehehe. No offense meant but it's not my cup of tea but yea, I buy those kind of stuff lol :)

5. If you were going to send someone a souvenir from places you visited today, what might it be?
>>>A postcard :)

BE TRUE!

Snagged from Aggie

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
1. Yourself → Yes of course. When there are doubts, I call a friend hahah! I pray and consult my small circle of friends and family :)
2. Love at first sight → Definitely, not.
3. Heaven → SUPER!
4. Santa Claus → I used to till high school, can you believe that bwhahaha!
5. Sex on the first date? → NOPE. PLEASE! Not too fast!

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
6. Is there one person you want to be with right now? → My Mom, My Dad, My kuya and dico and My bestfriends well practically missing them.
7. Are you seriously happy with where you are in life? → HAPPYness is a choice so yes, but I could be more contented with a little something more.
8. Do you believe in God → YES!

ZEN is my style

I am going gaga over knowing ones own home style. After I did this Ikea Know your Style quiz, I chanced upon another home style quiz at AGGIE's blog. So, instead of looking for sites that offer computer memory upgrades, I did the quiz and I just love the result :)

Zen Style

Goodbye clutter, hello clean! For the Zen style, unlike other contemporary design, the amount of natural materials keep spaces from feeling cold and sterile. Zen style mixes rustic with chic, so there's an incredible level of ease and sophistication about the space.

Plants and greenery are very important in helping achieve the warm and natural feel of the space. Whenever possible, natural lighting is used in spaces to help create openness in the space.

Random Questions #19

1. What's the last thing you bought? To be honest, I do not remember, I am on a shopping ban and hubby does all the spending.
2. Ever called someone loser? in a joking manner yes :) and that's including myself.
3. What are you listening to right now? None just the sound of my laptop fan.
4. Where is the last place you went besides your house? My in-laws' place.
5. What's one thing you've learned about relationships in '08? Nurture relationships that are worth-nurturing and don't spend too much time on people who doesn't sincerely care about you.
6. Where's your favorite place to be in the summer? THE BEACH! I am a beach bum!
7. When was the last time you cried really, really hard? SECRET.
8. What's the most interesting thing that happened to you in the past week? Hubby, all about him, really :). It's like falling in love with him all over again.
9. What are you doing tomorrow? Go to the University and borrow some books for my case study.
10. The best thing about your significant other? His being selfless!

Thanks again, Chikai!

Random Questions #18

1. What is your favorite song at the moment? Anything Taylor Swift :)
2. If you saw your ex love kissing someone else would you be upset? I do not have an ex, well technically none hahah! But if I'd do have one, no, I am married, so why should I even care?
3. Is tomorrow looking good? SUPERB, we are going to check some home and living stuff at this outlet store. Think Sferra linens wow!
4. Is it easy for someone to make you smile/laugh? Yes :)
5. Do you like to wear flip-flops? Used to but not anymore, I'm a flats girl aka crocs!
6. Did the last person you kiss have tattoos? Nope.
7. What was the last movie you watched? Sweet Home Alabama, Notting Hill, How to Lose a guy in 10 days and The Break-Up! Hubby and I had a movie marathon of these chick flicks on the night of Valentines.
8. Can you go a day without laughing? No. Laughing is my therapy and I love to laugh a lot!
9. When was the last time you had a REAL smile on your face? Just a few minutes ago when I was talking to C over the phone.
10. Are you a simple or complicated person? Simple in short madaling spellingin :)

Thanks CHIKAI!

Wordless Wednesday #32

Yay! My 1st time to actually see these tons of bees.
Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Manic Monday (160209)

Of all your favorite foods, which one would you find the most difficult to give up for the rest of your life?
...Chocolates and Chips, sadly they're junk foods hahhah!

Which month of the year do you thing best describes your personality?
...May, because I am a Sunshine-y person :).

If you could be a contestant on any game show, past or present, which show would you pick?
...No Doubt, DEAL OR NO DEAL!

Sleep Questions

A couple more tags before I check this safety equipment.

1. What time do you go to sleep on weekends? Depends really, but I go offline as early as 8pm so I could share with what the boys are up to on weekends. We usually end up staying late.

2. What time do you wake up? I sleep 10-12 hours on weekends (even weekdays hahah!). I have become lazy, you know.

3. Do you snore? Hubby said sometimes hahah! I guess when I'm really really tired.

4. If so, do you snore loudly? Not too loud as hubby does.

5. Do you sleep talk? Oh, are you referring to hubby??? It runs in their family and even my 3-year old sleep talks!

6. What’s the worst thing you said in your sleep? I don’t know.

7. Ever said any secrets in your sleep? I hope not.

8. Do you sleep walk? Once when I was in gradeschool, I was so close at opening our gates!?!!! My mom freaked out lol!

9. Have you slept into someone else’s bedroom? Yes :)

10. Are you a light sleeper? Nope :( Even when my son is sick, I sleep so heavily! Hubby is the one who is a light sleeper.

11. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal(s)? No.

12. Do you hate to be woken up? SUPER!

13. If someone wakes you up, what do you do? FROWN hahah!

14. How many pillows do you sleep with? 4.

15. Do you have a favorite pillow? YES.

Thanks ALPHA!

Tag Train #18

1. The phone rings, what is your ring tone? I don't know how it's called hahah!

2. Who was the hottest person you talked to today? Well for one, I am surrounded with friends who are hot lol! So there, my bestfriend who hails from Canada :).

3. Last time you talked to your mum? Email, yesterday.

4. Favorite gadget in the kitchen? Microwave.

5. Have you been in a car accident? YES! 3 years ago.

6. Who’s the 1st person on your missed calls list? Hubby.

7. Do you care if people hate you for no reason? I try not to, because those who matter, understand and those who mind, do not matter :).

8. Doing this weekend to come? Weekend just ended and I don't know what our plans will be for next weekend.

9. Do you consider yourself a study freak? Diligent not study freak.

10. Do you speak another language other than English? Yes. Filipino, Bicol, Ilonggo and some basic French and Chinese.

Join us HERE!

Weekend Snapshot #38

What a fun Valentines Weekend we had :)
How about you, how did you celebrate it?

Anyways, we went to this living museum and saw this very interesting wall art!
Reminds me of cereals and pirates altogether hahah!

Have a good Monday everyone!

how have you been?

I've been pretty busy and lazy after I completed my midterms leg, hence the no updates. But yes, I have some photos to share in a little while. We've been going out lately as the weather is getting less chillier each day. I am so excited for Spring! So did you get to celebrate the hearts day? We did and it was a blast! The more I think of it, the more I am overwhelmed with the many stories to share hee hee, they're just too many! Anyways, when we were strolling at this living musuem, one of the exhibits were about rare coins and this reminds of the this reliable coin dealer which I chanced upon the other day in the internet. I did not realize that there are indeed a lot of people who are collecting coins and even making money out of this kind of collection. If you are interested, you can get more information at zoomcoin.com.

Random Questions #17

1. In 1 word, explain today. Why? HAPPY :).

2. Who made u smile today? My boys and my highschool friends, our email threads are just hilarously funny! :)

3. What were u doing this morning at 8am? Sleeping!

4. What were u doing 15 minutes ago? finishing the mexican rice that hubby brought.

5. Something that happened to u in 1985? Nyay! that's too hard to remember. All I know was I was grade 1 then :)

6. Worst thing currently on television: Haven't been watching too much TV lately.

7. How many different beverages have you drank today? Water, Orange Juice, Tea and Apple Cider.

8. What is your favorite part of the day? Night time, when we are all tired and my son is endlessly talking!

9. Your current To-do list? Read, read, read and study for midterms on Thursday!

10. Any plans for tomorrow night? None.

THANKS CHIKAI!

Random Questions #16

1. Say you marry the last person you texted, what’s your new last name? That's hilarious! I could not marry a cousin bwhahaha!

2. When’s the last time you fell asleep watching a movie? I forgot :)

3. Are any of the text messages in your inbox locked and why? What do you mean locked? Saved, yea :)

4. Is there that one guy/girl that you’ll always have feelings for no matter what? Yup!

5. How many cell phones have you had in your life? More than 10 I guess.

6. What’s the last thing you laughed really hard over? Hubby's antics, a recent one. Mind you, he tops our son's funny antics lol!

7. When was the last time you were told you were cute? Hhaha yesterday, in school!

8. What was the last drink you had? Apple cider.

9. Last night, did you go to sleep smiling? YES!

10. Any summer plans for 2009? Hitting the beach, finally!

CHIKAI!

reinventing yourself

I often get comments that I look different in every picture. Actually, a photographer once told me in a photo shoot that my face has the ability to morph into different looks :) I do not know if I should be flattered or not, really. Anyways, I take it as a compliment to hide my true identity in some pictures hahah! I know of a friend who constantly reinvents her look through new hairstyles, clothing style and accessorizing herself through costume jewelry which she gets from Holsted Jewelers. Have you heard about them, better check out their site, they have some unique jewelries that are hard to find elsewhere :).

Random Questions #12

1. What payment do you hate paying the most? Right, it's our cable, phone and internet package, there are just too many hidden charges!
2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Last night at a steak-all-you can dinner :)
3. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be? hmmm. I chose not to go back, past is past and I'm looking forward to happy days :)
4. Name of your first grade teacher? Madam Prado!
5. What do you really want to be doing right now? Eat! But it's too late already.
6. What did you want to be when you grew up? A dermatologist.
7. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It’s my favorite!
8. What are your thoughts on gas prices? indifferent, slightly unaffected.
9. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? I'm still sleepy!
10. Do you miss being a child? Yes of course and playing with my childhood friends!

Thanks CHIKAI!

I'm Back!

Hee hee. Apparently, my boys opted to finish their xbox games so they could move up to the next level before we hit off the DVD. So here I am back online again trying to finish some tasks. Anyways, before that, I was so off the news the past days because I was busy studying for my midterms. The only current events site I visit is perezhilton.com which obviously, covers mostly showbuzz! I was surprised to find out that the Stimulus Package got its approval already. But when I checked Yahoo news this morning, this is what I saw: 15 companies that might not survive in 2009!. Scary scary sad!

1. Rite Aid
2. Claire's Store
3. Chrysler
4. Dollar Trifty Automative Group
5. Realogy Corporation
6. Station Casinos
7. Loehmann's Capital Corp.
8. Sbarro
9. Six Flags
10. Blockbuster
11. Krispy Kreme
12. Landry's Restaurants
13. Triump Entertainment Resort Holdings
14. Bearing Point
15. Sirius Satellite Radio
    
    
    

amazing kava.

Ever heard of the root called kava? Well if you still do not know how good this can bring to your system, read on. Apparently, kava came from an indigenous tree in Thailand. This is the Oak & Maple tree of Thailand. They call it a hearty tree because it provides so many good things in your mind and body. Isn't it amazing to know an herb can help you get through with a very challenging day at work? Hmm, I have yet to read about this and will probably tell my dad who is an herbal supplement fanatic. For now, I have to log off as the boys are ready to hit off the dvd play button and I do not want to miss a single scene in the movie that hubby rented out :).

Ciao!

Random Questions #11

1. Is there​ someo​ne on your mind that shoul​dn'​​t be? None. I am too busy for that.
2. Do you care what peopl​e think​ about​ you? Not anymore :) I am becoming wiser hee hee!
3. If you could​ move out of the house​ right​ now would​ you? NOPE. And why should I???
4. Is there​ anyth​ing pink withi​n 5 feet of you? Yes, my PJs are pink!
5. What do you have plann​ed for tonig​ht?​​ Still waiting for hubby and when he arrives, logging off then we'll catch up with our stories while we play with our son :) Simple joys!
6. Who was the last perso​n you cried​ in front​ of? Hubby, I think.
7. Do you care if peopl​e hate you for no reaso​n?​​ DEADMA. That is my barkada's mantra for 2009, good vibes in, bad vibes out, throw all bad beings outside of the universe lol! Life is short to be wasted on ill and negative thoughts :).
8. Look behin​d you, what do you see? My son glued on his xbox360!
9. Do you have good eye sight​?​​ NO, and I badly need an eye check-up!
10. What do you do when your angry​?​​ I'm trying to be less reactive and breathe in and out. Talk it out with hubby, my bestfriends and my mom. OR EAT! bwhahah!

Thanks CHIKAI!

Rihanna scandal

Have you read or heard about the Rihanna-Chris Brown scandal? It's really disgusting :( I feel sad for Rihanna, any woman does not deserve any form of violence! And it's sad that she has to put up with all the news and even embarassment because she is a public figure :( I just hope that slowly, she will regain her strength back and even self-esteem. Because I read somewhere that most women afflicted with violence loses their self-esteem one way or the other.

Anyways, THIS NEWS did not surprise me, because usually people who inflict violence on another party has a history of violence itself. But this is not to generalize everyone because some have healed from the wounds of their past but for Chris Brown who seeks revenge, well...that is another story. That is why revenge is really not a good thing, even harboring anger for that matter. Really sad for Rihanna. Anyways, here's an excerpt from the article.

"Whatever behavior kids see and hear growing up serves as a model for
how men and women should behave," she says. "And even if you know the difference between right and wrong, those impressions can be difficult to overcome."

Wordless Wednesday #31

Isn't he such a happy and healthy kid :)
And I so love the birds!!!

Happy Humpday everyone!

Weekend Snapshot #37

We had a good weekend, it was animal-packed :) We visited the nearby zoo.
As soon as I got home, my bestfriend since childhood texted me asking that we chat over YM.

Here is a shot of my son kissing his Ninang Bes.
Gawd, I miss all of my childhood friends :)

and to cap this WS entry, here is the best forwarded email I got by far :)
Happy Monday!!!

I've learned..... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned .... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned..... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned ... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

I've learned .... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

teach them while their young

With the ongoing financial crisis, I cannot help but wonder what kind of economy and world my son would face when his adulthood comes. I realized that one of the most important lessons we should teach our kids is that of how to handle finances. Here's a nice read I got from baby center.

While it may seem you have more pressing priorities than teaching your child to be a smart spender and saver, keep in mind that the consumer culture is working on your child already. "Kids are constantly being bombarded with messages to spend money, and we need to counteract that," says Sam Renick, financial consultant and children's author. "The earlier kids start developing good money habits, the better."

The good news? Teaching your child how to handle money is simpler – and more fun – than it sounds. Here are seven tricks to turn money lessons from a fight into a delight:


1. Hand your preschooler a buck.
Just because a child can't change a dollar yet doesn't mean she shouldn't experience the dollar itself. Exposing children to money sets the groundwork for financial literacy in the same way that reading out loud to them sets the groundwork for literacy.

In the preschool years, some hands-on experience is enough. Preschoolers learn best when they can actually hold what they're learning about. So get over any germophobia around coins and bills and let your 3-year-old hand a fiver to the cashier. Let your 4-year-old help you drop spare change into a savings jar. Pretend games like "store" or "bank" are also a fun way for preschoolers to grasp that money buys things.

And don't stress if she confuses a penny with a dime or if you catch her using a stack of play money for a doll bed. At this age, it's all good.

2. Dispose of "disposable thinking."
From broken toys to outdated TVs, almost everything gets tossed in our culture. By teaching your child the value of things, you set a cornerstone of financial literacy. "Kids can learn that possessions deserve our care. If your child throws a book, explain that throwing books can damage them, and that treating them gently helps them last a long time," says elementary teacher Laura Gerrity.

If something does break and your child cavalierly says, "It's okay, we can just get another one," take advantage of the teachable moment. Gently explain that replacing it would cost money, and that you'll need to decide whether spending that money is a good idea. This may lead into an interesting discussion of all the other things that cost money, such as food, rent, and gas.

When your child outgrows some clothes, ask her to help you wash and fold them so they can be passed along to a smaller neighborhood kid or to a family shelter. Shifting from a "break it, chuck it, replace it" attitude to a "waste not" attitude can help even young children build a foundation for sound money habits.


3. Encourage delayed gratification.
"I want it now!" How many times have you heard that – this week? Kids by nature want immediate gratification, but learning to wait is vital. "The ability to hold off, to not have to have something right away, is a building block for when kids eventually do understand money," says Jerlean Daniel, deputy executive director of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Learning to wait can be taught even to kids who aren't using money yet. If your child requests a glass of milk while you're sweeping the floor, don't immediately put the broom aside. Explain that you'll get it when you finish. If she requests yet another princess outfit (even though she already has several), suggest that she put it on her birthday "wish list." "Creating opportunities for delayed gratification is one of the best gifts parents can give their children," says Sharon Lechter, coauthor of Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money.

Around age 5, kids can start practicing with money itself. "Start with a short waiting period," advises Laura Busque, Outreach Manager for the Ohio Credit Union League. "For example, help your 5-year-old save up for a Popsicle or piece of candy. Give her a quarter and explain that next week you'll give her another one, and that you can then go out and get the treat." Alternatively, you can have her earn the money by doing an extra chore.

As your child gets older, her capacity for waiting will increase. When your grade-schooler requests a new gadget, tell her that she can't have it right now but she can save up for it if she really wants it, and help her plan how to save the money. You'll probably hear more whining up front, but your child will get a boost of self-esteem when she does manage to get what she wants on her own.


4. Table the taboo.
Some feel it's inappropriate to discuss money with children, but experts say kids benefit from being in on the discussion. Otherwise, they may develop misperceptions like thinking that a debit card never runs out of money or that if you break something, hey, you just go get another one. "You don't have to be afraid to share money concepts with your kids – even if you're having financial challenges," says Lechter. "Think of it as a chance for the whole family to learn new skills together."

Day to day, this can be as simple as talking out loud. "While withdrawing money from the ATM, you could say, 'I put money in the bank earlier, and now I'm getting some of it back out,'" says Philip Heckman, director of youth programs for the Credit Union National Association. "This conveys that money doesn't come out of nothing."

When out shopping, explain your thought process: "If I buy this beautiful tablecloth, I won't be able to pay for gas for the week. Gas is more important than the tablecloth, so I guess I'll have to skip the tablecloth." These kinds of comments show that there are times when the best spending decision is not spending.

But keep things cool and casual, and don't push the point. "Many brief explanations work better than a few, long money lectures," Heckman explains.


5. Be a role model.
What you do will have a much greater effect on your kids than what you say. If you want your child to learn to save, make sure you're saving some money yourself – and that your child knows you do it. If you want her to learn the value of generosity, consider: Are you donating to charity or volunteering your time for a cause? Involve your child in these activities, too.


6. Let them practice.
Learning good money management takes practice. So invest in a little play money (or make some!) for your preschooler so that she can play "store" with you, and consider giving your big kid an allowance.

Piggy banks are a good idea, even for kids who don't have an allowance yet. Your 5-year-old may surprise you by finding a "lucky penny" and immediately dropping it in her bank. Even if she doesn't understand the concept of saving for a goal, she's practicing saving – and that's a great start.

7. Skip the lecture – tell a story instead.
Give a lecture on responsible spending, and you'll get a glassy-eyed stare. But tell a story about a boy who must decide between buying lunch and buying a new action figure, and you'll likely get rapt attention. "When I use stories and music to break down the concepts, the kids really get it," says Renick.

SOURCE.

Warren Buffet's Thumb Rules for Financial Crisis.

I got this from a friend and thought I'd share. It's worth the read :)

We begin this New Year with dampened enthusiasm and dented optimism.

Our happiness is diluted and our peace is threatened by the financial illness that
has infected our families, organizations and nations.

Everyone is desperate to find a remedy that will cure their financial illness and help them recover their financial health.

They expect the financial experts to provide them with remedies, forgetting the fact that it is these experts who created this financial mess.

Every new year, I adopt a couple of old maxims as my beacons to guide my future. This self-prescribed therapy has ensured that with each passing year, I grow wiser and not older.

This year, I invite you to tap into the financial wisdom of our elders along with me,
and become financially wiser.

Hard work: All hard work brings profit; but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Laziness: A sleeping lobster is carried away by the water current.
Earnings: Never depend on a single source of income.
Spending: If you buy things you don't need, you'll soon sell things
you need. Savings: Don't save what is left after spending; Spend what is
left after saving.
Accounting: It's no use carrying an umbrella, if your shoes are leaking.
Auditing: Beware of little expenses; a small leak can sink a large ship.
Risk-taking: Never test the depth of the river with both feet.
Investment: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

I'm certain that those who have already been practising these principles remain financially healthy. I'm equally confident that those who resolve to start practising these principles will quickly regain their financial health.

Let us become wiser and lead a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful life.

Warren Buffet

tag A-Z

LETTER ‘A’
1. Are you Available? Very much married.
2. What is your Age? 30.

LETTER ‘B’
4. Do you live in a Big house? Nope, it's a cozy townhome. 2 floors.
5. When is your Birthday? September.

THE LETTER ‘C’
6. What’s your favorite Chocolate? Lindt Truffles!

THE LETTER ‘D’
7. Do you Daydream? Sometimes I do.
8. What’s your favorite kind of Dog? POODLE! They are the most intelligent dog!
9. What Day of the week is it? Thursday. Deadlines are piling up again argh!

THE LETTER ‘E’
10. Have you ever been in the Emergency room? Yes when I had CS.
11. Did you have a crush that starts with letter E? Hmmm, none that I remember of.

THE LETTER ‘F’
12. Favorite Flower? Stargazer and Tulips. F also reminds me of those beautiful Festina watches.

THE LETTER ‘G’
13. Do you chew Gum? Sometimes.
14. Are you a Giver or a taker? I can be both.

THE LETTER ‘H’
15. What’s your Height? 5'3.
16. What color is your Hair? Oh it's a mess, I need to redo it.

THE LETTER ‘I
17. What’s your favorite flavor of Ice cream? Cookie dough!
18. Have you ever Ice skated? Yes, once.
19. Do you play an Instrument? Piano and a bit of Guitar.

THE LETTER ‘J’
20. Have you ever heard a really hilarious Joke? I love jokes!
21. Do you wear Jewelry? Yes, can't go out without them :)

THE LETTER ‘K’
22. Do you want Kids? Super.
23. Where did you go for Kindergarten? SJS.

THE LETTER ‘L’
24. Have you ever Lied to your parents? Yea.

THE LETTER ‘M’
25. Last Movie you watched? Slumdog Millionaire.
26. Do you still watch Disney Movies? A lot because of my son.
27. Do you like Mangoes? yes siree!

THE LETTER ‘N’
28. Do you have a Nickname? Em, Toks, Tokne, Apple, babs lol!
29. What’s your favorite Number? 5, 19, 26.
30. Do you prefer Night over day? Depends.

THE LETTER ‘O’
31. Whats your One wish? Good health and long life for me and my family.

THE LETTER ‘P’
32. What is one fear you are most Paranoid about? death!

THE LETTER ‘Q’
33. Are you Quick (to) judge people? I avoid judging.

THE LETTER ‘R’
34. Do you watch Reality TV? Yes.

THE LETTER ‘S’
35. Do you prefer Sun or rain? Sun.
36. Do you like Snow? Sometimes but not all the time.

THE LETTER ‘T’
37. What Time is it? 9:13 am.
38. What Time did you wake up? 7:33 am.

THE LETTER ‘V’
39. What’s the worst Veggie? None, I love veggies.
40. Where do you want to go on Vacation? Pinas.

THE LETTER ‘W’
41. Will you go back to the past? I'd love to hahaha! That would be fun!

THE LETTER ‘X’
42. Have you ever had an X-ray? Yes.
43. Do you own a Xylophone? used to.

THE LETTER ‘Y’
44. Do you like the color Yellow? Super.
45. What Year were you born in? 197#

THE LETTER ‘Z’
46. Whats your Zodiac sign? Virgo
47. Do you believe in ZODIACS? depends.

reminiscing

Last night, hubby and I were a bit melancholic about stuff. We were staring at our sleeping son after he gave me an hour of full body massage. Obviously, both of us want to have a 2nd bundle of joy soon as we miss having a baby in the house, our son is growing so fast each day and everyday he's turning into a very independent boy. How time flies, really.

Although, we both wanted one soon, it's not advisable to have one this year. I am in school which requires a lot of my attention (and sometimes stress!) and of course, it can get very expensive. I guess, next year would be ideal as I would be able to go back to the working pack and have additional funds for disposable diapers and milk for the 2nd bundle of joy.

Then, we shifted our thoughts to our dream house and went scanning some great designs at desiretoinspire.com :)

My current favorites: This wall is amazing!

and this got to be my ideal kitchen :)

3x thursday (020509)

List the 3 most important things in your life, and why they are important to you:

1. Family and a handful of trusted friends. Because they make life easier :).
2. Education and mortgage life insurance. These give me the security I need.
3. Values, most especially my faith. A reason for living.

Care to share yours?
Have a Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday #30

Have a colorful Wednesday!

Weekend Snapshot #36

One of the most beautiful churches I have visited, Happy Sunday!
Hope you did not skip Church this Sunday :).
Have a good week ahead y'all!