yes, we've heard from them!!!

...from our very special friends, the Magana Family that is! Did I tell you how much of a chatter I am? Hehe... The last two years since the Magana family went home to Belize were just composed of days, weeks, and months of e-mailing at each other and never did I thought that IMing through Yahoo Messenger could be the perfect way, until this morning. Thing is, Serjio's [the Magana head of the family] e-mail add was not from a yahoo account and so I never thought we could ever add each other in YM. Until yesterday when he e-mailed us using a yahoo account and before attempting to reply to his message, I tried adding him in my YM first and this morning when I woke up, I saw him having accepted my friend request and he was online, too! Whew! I was so excited to tell swithart about it because you see, we have missed each other's family a lot! And then, the start of the chatting through the hi, hello, and how have you been? lines caught up our very long time of exchanging regards and a lot of some other things. And then, the sharing of photos part. Ahhh... it was really good to have talked with Serjio after almost two years.

Almost two years ago, when the family left us here to go home to Belize after Serjio's tenure here in the university was finished [he took up a master's degree at ISU], the kids- our Triz and their Yurik were still very little. The photo on the left was during Triz' dedication when we let them both hugged each other and the one on the right was taken December of 2006 during our Christmas program at church. See how young they were still during those times? Whew! Yurik is the 3rd generation member of the family, Serjio and Consuelo's grandson, Franchelle's [the one who carries Yurik] son and the hippy and cool grandparents used to tell us they want Yurik to marry Triz when they're old enough. lol They adore our little lady a lot and we consider each other as real brothers and sisters. And after almost two years, look how big they've become:

They're like little young man and and lady! Serjio said Yurik is a trouble maker and is becoming so tough to handle. And yeah, he still recognizes Triz because there's a photo of them in their home that's framed and being displayed in the living room. Isn't that sweet? Oh how awesome it would be to visit their place someday as we have the assurance that we have a family in Belize to stay at whenever we could go. Serjio is working as a school principal in one of the schools in their city right now and he's taking his second master's degree currently so he said it's going to be a while till they will be able to come and visit us here. His wife, Consuelo on the other hand has been longing to come back and live here because she has loved the time she has spent in this place but I cautioned her that we might not be here any longer when they'll decide to come back and so she got a little sad. Hehe.. Well, there have been a lot of things that have happened in just a span of less than two years, but nope, our friendship remains to be in our hearts and the Magana family are friends who are so dear to me and swithart; they truly are like our elder brother and sister.

The Magana couple, Serjio and Consuelo during their silver wedding anniversary celebration, April 3.

Can you believe how close our wedding anniversary dates are? Ours is April 5. So we won't be forgetting each other's special dates, huh. They're only in their forties and we are so happy for them as well as honored to know of their so long married life! Their daughter Franchelle, Yurik's mother is living in LA with her husband and I hope we could visit her when we could move to Las Vegas a little later this year. Their son Jonathan, swithart's namesake, has grown to be a very fine and intelligent young man and plans to attend college here in the US in three years so it would be great then. It is so very nice for Consuelo and Serjio to show us a photo of their big house and they captioned it as "this is our house and your house here in Belize". And so anytime we could go, we will always have a family to belong to as they also consider us as their very own brother and sister. And now that we have YM to exchange messages every day, that just gives us another reason to enjoy communicating with each other once more!

The Project Orange Thumb Grant

When my father-in-law first brought a growing plant in our church to use as a decoration and props in the VBS [Vacation Bible School] that we are having, our church friends were amazed with how beautiful the ornamental plant looked like. It showed that it was well-taken cared of, and true enough, it really was because my father-in-law is a plant grower and a gardener. In fact, when he got here in the US more than two years ago, he transformed our back and front yard into a very beautiful vegetable and flower garden. He does that every spring time and we sure are benefiting from it. And then, when our fellow member at church, Miss M, a BS Biology student expressed how she wanted to make a garden and beautify the front lawn of the area where a new church building is proposed to be built, she, without a doubt asked my father-in-law to join her and help with the gardening and the landscaping.

Having said that, I would like to bring to you the Project Orange Thumb grant, a very special thing to know when you are involved, or you know someone who is, with any sort of gardening project because it is a great resource to provide the tools and funding needed to either begin a garden or enhance an already existing one. It is a grant, therefore, if you or someone you know are eligible, you may apply for the said gardening grant program and have the chance to be chosen as one of the 20 grant recipients who will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800.00 in gardening-related materials. It is a group applications and not individual, and so I wonder if Miss M's gardening project has an organized group. If so, then this great Project Orange Thumb grant must be worth the telling. Application deadline is on February 17th, 2009 and so there are still a lot of time to share this amazing grant to aspiring group pf gardeners that you know!

more colder days

It snowed a bit the other night and last night. It's not very thick though but with the very low temperature, it sure had accumulated on the ground. It's very cold today, still below freezing, and I hate the fact that I'll be conquering the cold when going out. Hmp! How I wish of being in the warm and tropical place these days! I really am in a very nostalgic mood right now because of my sister's presence in CDO since last weekend and in the next two weeks. I truly envy the time she and Kuya Tom with my nice Shai-shai is spending there even though they're very busy with things that they need to do while there. She and her family are enjoying the warmth of the place and the people back there while I am stuck here at home in this very cold place. lol I can't wait for their pictures to share. They've been texting me every now and then about the updates of their activities every day and the only thing she's been complaining back there is how everyday it is rainy and wet. Oh well, tropical eh?

Meanwhile, I can't get enough chatting with friends these days! The funny thing is, I keep discovering friends over at friendster and facebook and having their e-mail addies make me add them in my YM account and then, the chatting starts with an ending that is so hard to find. lol I am just a chatter myself and it is a great feeling to know what's the latest about good old friends. Guess what, swithart has been infected by me, too and his addiction right now is the MSU Alumni Global Network. He is invigorated to see his college buddies and best friends through the site and trust me, they sound so silly and crazy voice conferencing with his friends scattered around the world, too!

Targeting Branson, MO This Summer

Have you been to any of the cities in the state of Missouri? Well, I have been to St. Louis in the summer of 2005 and to Lake of the Ozarks when fall season kicked in last year and I must say, I have loved our escapades! My sister-in-law, a huge adventurer herself clearly defined Branson, Missouri as the Las Vegas in the Midwest and surely is worth visiting. So, this year's summer, I think it is just right for me to take my elder sister there and maybe enjoy a stay at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing!

The plan actually for my sister's whole family in Japan is to come visit me this coming summer and I can't wait for it! We both are a sucker of shopping and so the biggest outlet mall in the state of Missouri will truly be a hit! Hehe... While his husband is a chef cook, I am thinking he will truly enjoy the fine dining and many restaurants as well as some other attractions that Missouri offers. Yaya, my elder sister has been checking out Hilton Hotels and it would be great to stay there during the trip. And oh, don't get mistaken, Branson, MO is not only a perfect place during the summer but all year round! Even during wintertime, like this season, there are also a lot of entertainment and shows, as well as exhibits and events that one will truly enjoy. The Third Annual Ice Carving, the exciting 2009 Polar Plunge, and the 2nd Anniversary of the Hilton Promenade with live entertainment and theaters are just few of the worth mentioning activities in the place and so it is really a good reason and a perfect place for escapades and fun. If you are planning for a trip to Missouri, consider staying at Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. It will be worth it I am sure!

oh this early '09 fuss

I have not been very good in starting my year with regards to my online job. Though I have been spending a good amount of time dropping my cards, blog hopping, friendstering, facebooking, looking at swithart's page in the MSU Alumni Global Network, and chatting, my writing task seems to have been put in the last priority. My blogs don't have a lot of updates when the year kicked in. Writing assignments didn't pop out like they used to so I am finding one reason to just write a new entry in each of my blogs. My eyes are not completely healed yet as well, I still tend to have them turned red and itchy and watery when I stare at the monitor for more than 10 minutes. And so, my break is being continued.

Offline, I managed to do so many things here at home. I started this new year with everything clean; meaning, I changed every linen, mat, and rugs and washed everything that needs to be washed. :) I was like an OC last January 1 but I liked it because it felt good to have everything new and fresh and clean from our bedroom to the kitchen and bathroom. I even cleaned up our fridge and threw anything that I felt needed to be thrown and believe me, I seemed to be the busiest during the first day of this year even when I was just home. Hehe..

I kept communication lines open, and so, our phone bill would surely go up and my prepaid cell phone's load has been consumed! LOL But it's always worth it to have talked to our very special loved ones especially during those times so it'll just be fine. Now, my heart is breathing like I am back home in Philippines. Haha.. It's because my Yaya, Kuya Tom, and Shaira from Japan are there right now enjoying the warmth of the people and the place! It is no doubt I am truly jealous of them back home. And I hate it even more because they're not sending me pictures of their getaways. We do update every now and then through text and e-mails and they are asking me to call them but when I do, all I could hear are screams and a whole lot of laughters! Hah! And... they don't have time to chat with me so I could never see them live and kicking! lol Oh well, the two weeks of their vacation will be over in just a span of a very quick time and I hope that they'll be done with their very important mission over there.

It's been the sixth day of January, can you believe how time flies by so fast? Last Sunday, our toddler turned two years and six months old and oh MG, she is just the most wonderful creature here at home! She's the one who keeps everyone sane and talking right here and who keeps the dad being grounded and feeling relaxed. Hehe... His time spent in his paperworks aka dissertation always seem to be getting more and more and he's becoming more and more busy especially that next week, spring semester starts and he's going to be teaching in the university so another busy-bee hubby right here!

Ma and Pa in-law I can see are getting bored each passing day. Though I salute their ability to choose to be happy and occupied no matter what, I really pity them for being stuck here at home. I am hoping that February, March, April, and then the summer will come too soon so they will be able to join SIL in Vegas and live there and enjoy! Well, one day at a time, and for now, we are trying our best to enjoy these days of cold and no work. The most important thing is to have a warm hearts and feelingsand I think we have that. It's my FIL's 70th birthday by the way this coming Saturday and for sure, he will be surprise on his birthday! Hehe...

Should I ask For It Next Time? Hmm...

Okay, I am back to blogging mode this time and all I am up to sharing are still holiday blues and madness. Hehe... It's been back to working hours now, in fact, I've made all the necessary appointments I have to schedule for my child's checkups and stuff this morning right after I woke up. Also, I've finished packing up my boxes which I am about to send to Philippines and I already have called the shipping company about it. So everything is back to normal now, goodbye holiday fun and blues! BUT... I still have not clearly stated yet what I got during the holidays. Does that mean I got nothing? Nah... This medium-size box from Hong Kong is very special and it contained stuff for me, for the hubby, and for our toddler.

Can you guess what's inside? Hmm... I think I've mentioned in the previous post that I got three Fendi stuff from my elder sister in HK who was so generous and sweet enough to give me those and I truly was grateful. The pumps below is just one of the three stuff I got from her and I so love this high heeled shoe that I undoubtedly wore this last Sabbath for church. Hehe...

Isn't that gorgeous? Now I wonder if I could ask for one of those Fendi watches at kenmarwatches.com from my sister, again, on my birthday. Thing is, when she asked me what I want for myself last Christmas, her first thought was to give me a Fendi watch which she thought I would love to have but because I just got myself a new watch which I paid from my own earnings, I cautioned her not to. But look at this Fendi watch from kenmarwatches.com:

Ahh... doesn't that looks like perfection? lol Okay, I am a bit exaggerating with that, but being a type of person who doesn't wear any accessories at all but wristwatch, this one sure captures my utmost attention! So, I maybe asking my Ate Eve for this watch in March.. if it's not too big of a deal to ask! Meanwhile, Kenmar Watches website has a lot of brands to offer. I love their free shipping policy most of all as with that, I wouldn't be thinking of paying too much which will be an additional cost when shopping. It is an authorized retailer of new, factory sealed watches with full warranties so you don't have to worry. It is where I bought my Invicta watch less than two months ago and paying them through Paypal is sure the easiest way. The site is very user-friendly and so I never had any problem with them! You might want to check leading brands of watches from them, go ahead and expect a smooth transaction from them! I know it because I experienced it myself. :)

new year yum and a smile :)

Did I tell you it was just the five of us [Ma and Pa in law, Jon, Triz, and myself] when the new year kicked in? Yeah, and to think, I made some goodie foodie that I thought many would be munching with! The temperature was very low that a party invite that we received was turned down. Well, we chose to welcome 2009 just here at home, with a thanksgiving prayer right when the sun set. In CDO, I did hear the fireworks when 12 midnight [Philippine time] stroke and I was so happy to have talked to my mother. It was great because our cousin was there celebrating the new year with my mom and brother's family so they all had fun having media noche together. I missed them undoubtedly but I still managed to make these stuff that we here enjoyed as well:

My version of the spaghetti and macaroni salad that most of those I know of longed to eat! Hehe... My sisters were telling me they surely missed my cooking!

My beef stew that swithart and FIL love! :)

And the steamed puto maya. [Sweet rice with coconut milk, sugar, salt, and ginger] O di ba? :) We just don't have tsokolate here but hot Milo will do! :)

I also fried some bulad [dried fish] and I had a great time! MIL made soup out of tuna fish. So typical. So we all shared these foods during our new year's eve dinner and even if we're so far away from our loved ones whom we missed so much, we still felt being home with what we have eaten and with each of us being together. It's the first weekend of the new year friends and here's our new year smile to share and leave you while I take an off for the Sabbath.

If you're still continuing your celebration, have fun and keep safe! May peace and good good health be in each of our homes today and in the coming days of the new year! Have a wonderful weekend friends!

New Year, New Host?

The start of the new year 2009 brings a lot of good fortune to many of us. I know of a lot who are looking forward to this year and like them, I am too because of too many things and opportunities that I feel like doing and grabbing this year. I am truly excited first of all for my husband who expects to finish his Ph.D. program by summer of this year and by then, things will start to fall in its proper place with regards to working and going back to school. As for my blogging career, I think it will not be as busy as it was in the previous couple of years. Why? Because opportunities and writing assignments I can see are not that many right now. Therefore, my blogging for this year will definitely change as to how active I am going to be in the next months. But blogging for the sake of expressing and sharing with you guys what happens to my daily life, that, I believe will never stop.

I was once advised to consider taking my blogs to the next level by having a website hosting that would help my site stand on its own and until now, I still am in the process of searching for the web host that could do it. I keep reading WebHostingReport.com because from them, I get to compare pricing, plan features and also read articles that let me know what to learn about web hosting. I think what to look for in a web hosting company is one of the most important things to know if you are a beginner to web hosting search so the website is truly a huge help. I do know of someone who just had her site hosted by a famous web host when the new year kicked in and having her tell how fantastic the move was, it is interesting. New web host for the new year? Hmm... I might consider such idea but for now, if you are looking for web hosting articles to read on, give webshostingreport.com a visit as they've got a lot of informative web hosting reports and other helpful resources.

happy new year to one and all!!!

It's only 6:10pm right now but biblically, it's already January 1st! I am all set with my kitchen preparation for our new year's eve dinner. I've talked, texted, and chatted with my family and friends. In short, I am all ready to leave 2008 and start the new year with so much courage and joy! It's not as wonderful a celebration as it is back home in CDO but it's worth the thanksgiving for this another new year in our lives. So to all of you... have a wonderful time celebrating! Resolutions, anyone?

new year thinkin'

I chatted with two of my older sisters in CDO and right now, they're busy preparing for their media noche. They're in two different homes and my mother has been texting me to call her too as she wanted to talk to me. I am really missing everybody back home as New Year's Eve is one of the best and most loved holiday I consider and it's really different this time because everyone of my siblings has each of their celebration in each of their respective homes already. My mother is left at home with my niece; it's just a good thing that my older brother and his family has lived in our house since two months ago making Mama to have some other companions back home. Tomorrow morning, I will be calling everybody as New Year in Philippines starts tomorrow daytime here in the US so I'm gonna be talking to them and feel the spirit. As for me, I am all set to make my special spaghetti, lumpia, fruit salad, puto maya and roast a turkey for our New Year's Eve dinner right here. It's just five of us, but it's always worth the celebration and thanksgiving. I can't wait for the year 2009 to kick in. Hehe... There's just so much to look forward to. For the meantime, happy new year everybody!!! Peace, love, joy, and good health to you and your home!!! Cheers!

Oh Naughtiness!!!

It has been fun and great shopping with swithart and Triz in the last couple of days. Did I tell you how much savings I got with the clearances that most retailers are having during this post holiday time? Ahh... I loved it! We hit Eastland Mall some days ago and getting inside Victoria's Secret outlet for those on-sale bath and body products, I spied a sexy lingerie and kiddingly asked swithart if he ever thought of getting me one of those. Haha! Shame on me! I couldn't even dare looking at my body statistics where unwanted fats have been layering all over my belly! Hehe... I know, it was just some of those naughty questions I've raised and swithart was too kind and sweet enough to have complimented my figure of finding me s-e-x-y despite my proportions. Hmmmp! Wickedtemptations.com by the way has a huge selections of sexy lingerie just in case you're wondering where to get one for yourself or for someone! As for me, I'll stick to the thought that swithart finds me the best, no matter what! :D Ohlala!

this giant sofa book

It has been our thing here to go to the public library once or twice a week. The children's story time is perfect for our toddler unfortunately, I get to take her there only once a week, and sometimes, never. And each time, it's no doubt Triz always enjoys playing with all the kiddie toys especially the puzzle and the children's books with colorful pictures of animals and flowers. There's also an aquarium where the toddler loves watching the fishes and during those moments, I love my me-time where I just sit on the couch comfortably. Hehe... But there's this super large sofa that's no-ordinary because it's a book. And the first time Triz saw it, she exclaimed, "look mum, book! big book!"

Well, it is indeed huge and very nicely laid. It's soft, cushioned, and smooth-- perfect enough to enjoy a good seat when becoming tired from roaming around the vast area of the second floor of our public library here. And when I say Triz sits comfortably, I meant to say.. just like this:

Frequenting the library has been a good thing for her as she gets to enjoy a lot of educational toys and books that we don't have here at home. Also, she gets to interact with other children too during story-time and just as long as we have the time to take her there, we will always do it. We also rent DVDs for us as well as her The Wiggles so it saves us a bunch from renting or buying. Hehe.. Well, it's just one of those library stuff that I am liking to share right here. :)

Traveling But Not Me

I have shared about my friends going out of the country for a cruise and Italian getaway. My sister-in-law as well is painting Manila town red with all her tours and escapades to the neighboring provinces. While my very own elder sister and her whole family in Japan are going to fly home to CDO this coming Saturday. Yay, I am missing a lot of travels as I am so stuck here at home! I am not alone though, I've got my daughter and my husband with me to celebrate the holidays as well and my parents-in-law are here, too. We still enjoy chatting and reminiscing events while sharing or holiday dinners 'round here. If only we could go for a trip, New York would be a wonderful place to go to, especially for the New Year. We've got family friends in Brooklyn who always are willing to accommodate us whenever we could go for a visit.

There's JFK Car Service too, an online transportation that offers affordable rate for family or group tours within New York area and its neighboring suburbs. This would be perfect for us as we are a large family. We already have in mind the best NY tours and attractions that will cater to our kind of enjoyment, and it's only me and Triz who are first-timers in the city so it's going to be a lot of fun. Well, traveling plans are put on-hold these days as we couldn't squeeze in the husband's availability given the fact that he's so 100% in concentration with his dissertation. But if you guys are up to visiting New York, check goairlinkshuttle.com for your airport transportation needs. You can inquire for a fare quote at the site, or book a ride, and see their special offers. It will help you with your travel plans big time!

shopping, one more time!!!

Who will not be tempted with sale signs big enough to capture one's attention? Clearance and 75% off, anyone? Ahhh... commercialism and a whole lot if 'em!

But I love the fact that shopping for better-than-usual-deals take place on post-holidays! Hence, it gives me much easy task to get what I want to be put in my box that I am about to send to my loved ones back home! I didn't hit the stores and malls last Dec.26th but I did a day after that. I was at Von Maur and Gordmans and oh boy, the sales were really incredible! I can tell you that a huge balikbayan box has been filled up just in a single packing day because of what I got from all those sales. It's my smart way of shopping because I get to save more than 50% off the regular price. At Wal-mart and Walgreens, 75-80% off on all their holiday merchandise are just awesome and I got to enjoy getting a whole lot of packs of chocolates, sweet treats for people back home who love to destroy their teeth! LOL I am more than broke right now, not to mention we also sent both swithart's and mine's families good amount of $$$ for new new year and it's our way of celebrating with them.

Anyways, enough of those shopping sprees! LOL Though this I must say, we may be shopping here and there these days, but to tell you honestly, we are so controlled with our spending. We have to manage our budget wisely as moolahs have not been coming in quite easily. It's just a good thing that we still have our needs and we are not wanting more. We buy for others and not for our own selves. Fair treat eh? Well, we're just sharing.

Now I must say something about the weather! Last weekend's almost 60 degrees fahrenheit has continued to give us a great time being outside! I've only been wearing cardigans when going out, so unbelievable! Friends at church even said winter seems to be over but nah... the forecast gives us another fair warning for more snows in the coming days so winter is still until March I think. :D Well, tomorrow, it's going to be new year's eve already and I am thinking of making some goodies for us to enjoy. Hmmm... I hope everyone is having a blast with the holidays! :) I do, with all the breaks I am taking! Hehe... As for my eyes, they still need more refraining because the longer I stare at my monitor, the more red they become. So I still am giving myself more time off. :)

It's Never Too Late To Get Ceiva

My elder sister in HK has patiently wrapped a gift for the three of us and when I received it last week, I immediately called her to thank her especially that I have loved so much the Fendi purse , wallet, and high heels that she bought for me. I also told my other sister in Japan about it and she exclaimed how lucky of me and how thoughtful of Ate Eve to send me those stuff. Now I am feeling a little guilty because I have shopped for everybody back home in Philippines but not one for Ate Eve in HK. I reckoned she doesn't need anything material as I thought she has everything she wants and needs. Well, with what I have learned about CEIVA Digital Photo Frame, I believe I am mistaken with what I have thought about Ate Eve not needing something.

Thing is, she's alone by herself, working in the 16th floor in one of the tall buildings in Hong Kong and her family-- her husband and three daughters are all far from her. Dealing with her lonesome feelings and homesickness makes her turn to her albums and MP4 where she has saved some of the photos of her family's memories. This is where Ceiva digital photo frame makes a perfect gift for her. What makes CEIVA unique is that it can automatically receives photos sent directly to the frame from anywhere in the world through email or phone. Now that's really something. And therefore, without much thinking, I conclude that it's so perfect for my sister! There's a promo right now where one gets to pay $129.99 only with a one year PicturePlan and that includes a Ceiva digital photo frame already. Christmas is over yes, but I think it's never too late to get Ceiva for my sister!

awesome break!!!

Sure, it has been an awesome break I have had! The last time I've posted from my blogs was Thursday last week and since then, I have somewhat abandoned from creating new posts. Well, paid opportunities have not been popping in so it gave me much reason to rejoice during my break. LOL Though I must admit as well that the remaining days of the year 2008 are kinda poor from having less and less tasks and assignments from blogging companies. I am sure you guys, if you're a paid blogger like me, know what I am talking about! :D

So what's up now? Hmm... it's two more days left and then it's 2009! The year has been a great one, and just very recently, there have been a lot of stuff going around in here. I have only been staying at home, no travels done; just those small trips to and from stores, did some shoppings, and a lot of organizing and home chores successfully take cared of. I have just finished packing up one balikbayan box and I have two more to do. I love the 50% and 70% off from all those christmas stuff at stores as I get to buy A WHOLE LOT of chocolates which I am gonna send to my nieces and nephews and some other people back home who like to destroy their teeth! LOL I have been a little successful in getting rid of the stuff right here; I've dropped off clothes, toys and other stuff to Mission Mart and I've put some in the box. By next week, I am ready to be shipping these.

The weekend has beena blast! The weather was just wonderful! Imagine having below zero temperature for several consecutive days last week and then last Saturday, it went a GREAT 58F? Really, really cool and we all have loved it! Meanwhile, SIL is painting Manila red with her friends who got to meet her there for a reunion. It's funny because her luggages have arrived in CDO already but she has not yet. My elder sister and her family are flying home this coming Saturday as well so by Sunday, it will be one wonderful time with my folks in CDO. Hmmm... That I will be missing much! Well, thanks for visiting me here friends, even if I have taken a break from dropping my cards. Later though, I will be resuming so I'm gonna be in your drop inbox one more time! :)

Franchising A Gas Station

I have been talking with my elder sister who is settled in Japan every now and then. Our common concern has always been our loved ones and family back home. In today's trying times economic wise, we have been thinking and really been digging down plans to Start a Business, a franchise business that is. First, the husband gives a thumbs up sign to going for a pharmacy. We have a friend who did the same thing when she started her own business and she has been very successful after eight years of starting her pharmacy franchising. I must agree to how significant and "in" the thought is, however, I do not like the fact that the need to hire for a pharmacist is a must. Unlike a gas station franchise, which, for me, is the best. Yes, franchising a gas station is what I thought to be perfect! Don't you think? My sister has the asset, but the thing is, she wants ME to manage whatever business she'll engage herself with. Yes, she trusts and believes in me that much.

Franchiseopportunities.com is the site I frequent to ever since I have the desire to run and manage a certain franchising business. I have learned so much from the site as its resources has so much to offer for business beginners and aspirants like me. If only my sister's and mine's plan of starting a business is possible here, it would have been so much easier. I have yet to convince the husband to let me go home and make the plan real. Meanwhile, I am gonna be recommending to you the number 1 source for franchise information if you have a need to know more about franchising. Whatever industry that interests you, helpful and educational information are available at franchiseopportunities.com!

four eyes :D

My eyes have been so stressed and strained from overly using the laptop screen. Last week, a visit to my eye doctor made me take a break from my tasks online.

Since then, a prescription to use my eyeglasses became a strict prescription in its sense. Hehe. The husband has been so strict in having me wear it. The toddler is just next to the dad that every time she sees me not having my other two eyes, she would exclaim right away "eyeglass mum!" and would go get it to where I last placed it. Hah, good girl! One more thing, even with the eyeglasses on, the muscles in my eyes still need a break so I am prescribed one more thing: to only glance at the monitor 30 minutes a day the longest, for now. Yay! How could that be possible? LOL Today, I can't say no to three of my assignments due tomorrow so I just have to finish them and then take a break! The year is about to end and I am going to make a new year's resolution: refrain from serious online tasks and becoming really serious with putting my new additional two eyes! :D I am lucky to have four eyes, am I not? But only if I don't look that bad, do I? Grrr.....

Protecting One's Future Through Cryo-Cell

It is such a bright hope for tomorrow when we have the knowledge plus the assurance today that anyone in the family who will get sick of any of those illnesses like leukemia, anemia, lymphoma, etc., will be cured and treated. Right now, what hospitals and medical experts have are but chemotherapy and most are not really cured. But Cryo-Cell cord blood banking can do wonders.

I have a friend who is currently expecting and I will have to tell her about Cryo-Cell U-cord blood stem cells and how huge an investment she is going to have when she'll decide to store her baby's own cord blood when the time comes. Cryo-Cell cord bank has been in the business since 1992 and though we find it to be a very expensive way of preserving the baby's umbilical cord blood, enrolling online using promotional code D995 will enable one to receive a UCORD pricing of $995 for processing, testing and first year of storage plus the cancellation fee is waived. It is such a huge promo that will be a waste to let go of.

Our generation today has many new diseases that are being introduced. Most are dreaded as they don't have the cure yet. And if we are parents or parents-to-be, our desire is to have the health security that our kids in the future can have with regards to health protection. I believe Cryo-Cell is with us in this endeavor. When I will become a mother for the second time someday, I surely would give cord blood banking a part of my investment.

A Noblesse Oblige Award

Look what I got:

Yes, it's a Noblesse Oblige Award which dear Lainy of Lainy's Musings passed on me. I am the most thankful sis for this acknowledgment and it's truly an honor.

This Award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:

1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2. The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking..

I hope I really do possess those conditions mentioned above. I am no extraordinary writer and blogger and what I am trying to convey in this blog of mine are simply my thoughts and views on things that matter to me. So I am thankful that Lainy has seen such passion in my blog. I can't thank her enough. :)

Linking In

I was looking for an online seller of calling cards with the cheapest rate possible and I've come across Spectrotel inc, a telephone communications based in New Jersey which I remember SIL has onced asked me to check out and see if their offers can also be applied here in the place where we are in. It actually got interesting offers and linkedin.com makes it even more intriguing because if I have to dig down deeper on what Spectrotel Inc. is all about, LinkedIn, the site where the certain company I am looking for is a member, is asking for me to either sign up if I am not a LinkedIn member yet or log in if I am already one. Now my question for you is, have you tried LinkedIn? Looks like the site is another social networking thing where one can sign up and reconnect with old buddies but the difference though is LinkedIn is much more career-related and oriented as it got inside connections with business opportinuties. Sounds interesting, right? I am actually thinking of signing up in a bit.

chilling out

Holiday greetings through cards online and off have been coming in since December started. It's nice and sweet to be thought of, isn't it? My YM is full of offline messages and my Chikka, too from friends and loved ones who connect with me. My cell phone, is too. It's just a joy to have people around greeting us during this time. Do you feel the same way, too? Yesterday, we hopped in at Wal-mart to do grocery shopping and and I glad the personalized photo mug I ordered was already done and I picked it up and hopefully, I could give this to the person I made this for. We are chilling out right now, playing, videokeing and just watching TV. There are many Christmas programs on TV and they're enough to fill our day with bonding time. Last night, we baked a homemade bread and I made beef stew for dinner. We were so tired yesterday from a very long day and right now, we are waiting for SIL to go online so we will know that she made it to Manila already. Last night too, a terrible news was received when we were told that MIL's dear Aunt in CDO whom she considered to have a huge part of her life passed away. She was devastated that she couldn't be there, but life's like that anyways.

Our families in CDO shared with us how everybody is in crisis financially these times. But they still all had fun with their Christmas Eve because fireworks were still lit up and heard. We've chatted with my brother-in-law who is working in Cebu Memorial Medical Center and he has shared how many people were rushed to the ER and OR who were victims of firecrackers that got burned and were badly hurt. Nah... it's the usual Filipino celebration of Christmas Day so it's nothing really new to us. It's just too bad that I haven't talked to my mother, I have been calling her phone but I couldn't get through. Nobody picks up the phone at home, too. Hmmm... they may be having an overcelebration I think? LOL I may have to dial their number again later. How has everybody been?

A Water Bottling Plant In Our Homes?

Do you use mineral or bottled water for drinking? There's this certain kind of bottled water that I didn't like the taste and I prefer drinking tap water from the very faucet than it. With the tap water, I could save a lot. Back home, we have the electric water dispenser in our kitchen and it gave us a very easy way of sterilizing the water we are drinking. We have have bought a distilling device, too which seems to be like what Ecoquest has-- a miniature water bottling plant that we could buy and we could use in our homes. With it, there is no need for us to buy bottled waters that are getting expensive these days. The process Ecoquest's device involves ozonation, ultraviolet light, and carbon filtration and their product is called Living Water®. With it, there will be unlimited supply of great-tasting water in our homes. I think this will be an excellent idea for homeowners. You can actually check the site at ntllabs.com and see for yourself their many products and offerings about water filtration system as well as their discounted prices. There's more at ecoquestintl.com, too!

sky i've watched

This is the photo I've captured a couple of weeks ago when we got out from the mall from shopping. It wasn't snowing yet that time but the temperature was so low that it was very cold already. I was so amazed by how the sky looked and since I happened to have my camera in my purse, I quickly took a shot of the clouds and this is what I got. The sun has just set and it was when light and darkness blended together. It's one of those times when I am all in awe by how nature reveals it's beauty and this time, the clouds formation seemed to be signaling for a storm, and true enough, te following day, it snowed overnight. Swithart actually was able to capture the same look of it but from another angle and look how beautiful it looks:

Isn't that wonderful?

Schooling Once Again

Dennis C Carey is one of the former fellows of the Harvard University Institute of Politics and I am mentioning him in this post because I came across iop.harvard.edu website and I couldn't get enough of the political discussion featured in their forums and study group. And why the sudden am I involving political tidbits in my reading? Well, not really. I have just liked browsing the site as we all know how tough Harvard-produced lawyers are. I once have dreamed of seeing my self in a Law School but I guess for now, I am close to the impossibility already. Hehe... My sister-in-law though is still aiming to go to one, and her target is whe she gets to finish her MBA program which she expects to get in the summer next year so it's not going to be too long then. Meanwhile, my former college buddy is going to gradute soon from her Law schooling and I think she will like the iop.harvard.edu website as she is one of those aspiring lawyers who look up to Harvard products as really great so I may have to share her the link. As for my back-to-schooling goal, I hope to have it happen so soon.