A Matter of Perspective

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Not My Kind of Holiday
2007-12-30 23:24:00
I just realised one thing. I don't really like how Christmas is celebrated here. Maybe I am just sourgraping because we weren't able to spend it with our families and friends back home in the Philippines. But it is truth, at least based on our standards.Christmas here was nothing remarkable. I maintain that nothing still beats being with your immediate family during this season. And inspite of that fact, I am as lazy as ever to get back into the daily grind. But the opportunities are beckoning me, so I do what I can. It would be a waste just to let them pass me by. Deadlines are coming up soon so I better hurry up, now that I'm (sort of) on a roll.
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Wish granted!
2007-12-30 23:10:00
The major stocktake sales are on here in Oz and yes, true to his word, J finally granted several items on my wishlist. The grandest one of all was a laptop! We were able to get it at a very good price considering its awesome features which makes it just the bomb! It's a beaut and I can't take my eyes off it. I love it to bits, which explains why I spend so much time on it. J might have to use plasma cutting to pry me away from it. In fact, he too is a bit envious about it and said that he'd also like to get one for himself. But that's another story. I must think of a name for it. Any suggestions? :)

Back But Sick
2007-12-30 22:56:00
What a way to spend the holidays, eh? Yes, I am sick. The sudden changes in temperature has affected our lives in more ways than one -- we're miserable with the extremely warm weather and the little girl and I are down with the colds. It looks like it won't be clearing up in time for the parties we have to attend tomorrow. Absolute bummer, as it's no fun socializing with your friends when you can hardly speak up and are trying to hold back those sneezes every once in a while. Plus, a sick baby is bound to be irritable and crying, which just about spoils the party mood. Well, let's hope a miracle befalls us and things will get better, just in time for tomorrow's lunch get-together with friends. Cross your fingers (and toes!) for us please.
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Latest Celeb News
2007-12-22 00:08:00
I have always been a follower of celebrity news and gossip. For some reason, I find that they make great entertainment for housewives like me. I am sure I am not the only one who is into this as well. I have never bought any of those gossip magazines but I do watch TV shows and read articles on the internet about today's famous stars.Yuddy.com "Celeb rity News and Gossip" is just one of the sites that I go to for the latest buzz. They also have hundreds of biographies of your favorite celebrities which you can browse thourgh. Yes, that is where I get my instant fix and daily dose of star news and I am good to go.

2 Years!
2007-12-21 23:19:00
Today is the day! Exactly two years ago, J and I exchanged marriage vows at Saint James. :)I was watching our wedding DVD a couple of days ago, and I realise I still get very emotional about it. It almost brought tears to my eyes! Given the chance to do it all over again, I really would in a heartbeat. No doubt about that!Happy second year anniversary to us! Here's to more blissful and love-filled years together. :D
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Updating the look
2007-12-21 02:37:00
Our quaint little bathroom is nothing out of the ordinary. It is colored a stark white and has little character to speak of. I would have wanted to get one of those unique and modern bathroom vanities to update its look and make it more homey. But, since we are only tenants of this property, there is not pretty much that we can do. Well, maybe we can add a few things here and there to liven it up but that's about it.

Elf Time
2007-12-21 02:32:00
It's time to send out those warm Christmas greetings to friends and family whether through snail mail or email. Our friend P sent us a cute and funny way of doing this. It's called Elf Yourself. We had so much fun doing ours. Even the little girl finds it very amusing because she always smiles whenever we play it on the PC. Give it a try and I am sure you'll have loads of fun yourself. :)
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Mom-zilla
2007-12-21 02:20:00
It's no secret that I may be suffering from endometriosis. The signs and symptoms are there but I have yet to confirm it by undergoing a laparoscopy. I am not too keen about that though. In the meantime, I dread my monthly periods because they can be truly painful. I tell you, I am not the best person to be with at this time of the month. I do need to have PMS relief because PMS really is making a monster out of me. I miss those days when I was period free.
More About: Zilla

1 day to go!
2007-12-21 01:20:00
Yes, tomorrow is our big day. It's our second year anniversary and I am all geared up for our night out on the city. We haven't been out much as a family because of the little girl. But now that she's more manageable, it's easier to bring her far away places. It's going to be our very first night away from home and since we have the little girl with us, I am expecting to bring quite a number of our stuff (mostly, Erin's stuff, that is.) Even if it is just overnight, we might just bring the big luggage we use when we travel overseas. Ha!

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...
2007-12-21 01:13:00
I just realised how little number of mirrors we have at home. In total, there are just 3 -- one in the bathroom, a small one on my nightstand and one that's supposed to be part of our dresser but still needs installing. So, in reality, there are just 2 that are truly functional. I need to get one of those makeup mirrors because it's quite difficult applying my makeup on with the tiny one on my nightstand. Plus, if the bathroom's occupied, I am stuck with my itty-bitty ones, which is not much help at all.
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On Online Degrees
2007-12-21 00:56:00
I am a stay at home mom but that does not mean my life is not full. Our little girl alone is quite a handful plus there are the house (and wifely) duties that I must also attend to. There are times when I can't even find time for myself. My life is that hectic.I would have wanted to pursue a post-graduate course to polish up on my skills as a therapist and online degree programs would be really great as I can complete them just at home. Capella University is one that offers them and they have got lots of courses to choose from. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission so you are sure that they are not just some bogus website on the net.This blog post is based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.
More About: Online , Degrees

More of Charice
2007-12-20 23:55:00
Well, here is more of Charice Pempengco. The episode of Ellen where she guested is finally up on YouTube. The first clip shows her singing "And I am Telling You" while in the second, she does an encore by singing Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." The last clip is from a TV News program from the Philippines, reporting about Charice's first visit to the US.

Way to go Charice!
2007-12-19 23:31:00
If you're a Filipino, you may have already heard of the name Charice Pempengco. She's been creating quite a stir in the international scene now and has even managed to guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show.There is no doubt the Filipino race has produced lots of amazing singers, but nobody I think has been able to break into international stardom as fast as Charice has. I reckon this girl will go a long, long way. And she deserves it too!I can't find her performance on Ellen on youtube yet, but here's the link to the video clip from the Ellen website.

Continuing Education
2007-12-19 08:32:00
A friend of mine just migrated to the US together with her husband. My friend was the one who was sponsored by her employer so her husband must be on a dependent's visa. She said that her hubby will just go to school to finish a post-graduate course so that he can update on his skills and have a better chance at getting hired in a foreign land.I just might suggest to them to consider applying at capella university. Since the husband used to work in a bank back in the Philippines, I am sure he will find a graduate degree program related to his field of expertise. Since the graduate programs are done online, he can save on transportation costs as he tries to complete his chosen course. It's going to be very convenient for both of them.This blog post is based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.
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First Gifts
2007-12-19 07:37:00
The little girl received her very first Christmas gift from one of her godmothers last Monday.It is quite timely, which is just as well because Erin is now very much into practicing her standing and walking skills. :)I, on the other hand, got this from my kumare.I have been longing to buy a bottle of this for the longest time. I am sooo glad she was able to read my mind! :)
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Reaching out
2007-11-20 01:14:00
As I was mentioning earlier, my friend and I could go into business one of these days. Since setting up an online store is one our aims, we would probably need consumer lists to increase our chances of getting more customers to the site. Getting the word out through mailing lists and such would be a surefire way to reaching out to potential customers for your business.At Martin Worldwide, they can provide you with the list that you need. They boast of a rather large database of over 290 million consumers so you are sure to have success in your direct marketing efforts. They have been in the business of database acquisition for a decade now so you are guaranteed results.

Our aging population
2007-11-20 00:49:00
With the rise in the aging population in recent years, it is no wonder there has also been an increase in the number of nursing homes. I guess for most people in the western world, the senior members of their family are bound to end up in a care home. It is not an unusual practice anymore.Consequently, there has also been an increase in demand for healthcare workers in this type of setting. Had I fulfilled my family's dream of me working in the States, I too would have been working for a skilled nursing facility. Most of my colleagues are working in this setting as well.The downside though for this huge migration of health workers to the West is the brain drain in our country. Based on my observations, there are so many job openings these days for therapists in the Philippines. But with many of us migrating overseas, there are only a handful left to fill the said positions. I guess you cannot have everything.
More About: Aging , Pula

Cooling off
2007-11-20 00:06:00
The heat down here has become quite unbearable at times. It looks like summer is slowly kicking in. We are more concerned of Erin because she gets really irritated and fussy when it gets too hot in the afternoons. Poor baby!To solution the problem, we drove down to the mall yesterday to purchase another cooler for the house. It's pretty compact and even has a remote control. We're test running it now and so far, it has managed to keep ourselves cool and comfortable. I reckon the bigger challenge would be to test it at the height of summer. It's a good thing it has a one year warranty so just in case, it breaks down on us, we can easily have it replaced. :)
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Business plans
2007-11-19 23:21:00
My friend G and I are thinking of going into business together. It is greatly related to our profession and we are planning to set it up in the Philippines where this service is much needed. I have long been dreaming of this, even way back when I was still based in Manila. Now, it looks like it is finally coming true.Part of our business scheme is to also set up an online store to advertise our wares to the public. And it is a good thing that I stumbled upon the Ecommerce Software of Network Solutions. They can integrate a customizable Shopping Cart Software to your website. They can process all credit card transactions in real time so there won't be any delays in payment. In addition to credit cards, you can also choose to accept payments using Paypal and Google Checkout so you can give your customers more payment type options. Plus, they have several security packages on offer so you know all transactions are done in a secure and safe environment. They also provide 24/7 customer ...
More About: Business , Plans , Sine

Baby Tag
2007-11-19 23:18:00
1. Are there any babies in your family or circle of friends?Yes, apart from Erin, there’s Pablo (her first cousin) and Talia (my friend Lam’s little girl).2. Are you one of those people who use a high-pitched, sing-song voice when talking to babies and small children?Actually, I sometimes do. Maybe not so high-pitched, but the sing-song voice yes. 3. If you were standing in line next to a *very* pregnant stranger at the bank or grocery store, what would you say to her?I’d say nothing. Generally, I am not one to start conversations with strangers.4. Similarly, what do you say or do near babies in public?Still nothing. But I have this bad habit though of staring. Haha! If I do find the babies adorable, I’d just say something to J about the baby in Filipino so the parents don’t know that I am talking about them. 5. When walking through a department store, are you the sort of person who can go by the baby clothes without even a glance or do you have to stop to ooh and ahh?T...
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On Credit Cards
2007-11-18 00:53:00
We all know the benefits of having your own credit card. But if you are stuck with something that applies very high interest rates on your balance, you might want to do a Credit Card Balance Transfer to a different one which can offer you lower interest rates.You can explore all your possible options at CreditCardSearchEngine.com because they give you online credit card comparison at a click of a button. You can also choose from a number of leading credit card issuers in the U.S. Once you have found the credit card that you like, you can also submit your application for this on their site. It is a one-stop shop for credit card users.
More About: Credit Cards , Cards

Second try
2007-11-18 00:45:00
We were unsuccessful yesterday at trying to shop for christmas decors because we ran out of time. Also, I have still not decided on a color scheme. J insists that it should be colorful but I'm not so keen about that. I might end up with two tones though. Today, we're going back to the mall and I am going to do whatever it takes to bring home some decors. Wish me luck!

Brand Tag
2007-11-18 00:33:00
1) What’s the brand of your wristwatch? I hardly wear one these days. But if I had to, it's the Citizen watch my mom gave me in 1995. 2) What’s the brand of your bracelet? Don’t wear one3) What’s the brand of your cell phone? Nokia4) What’s the brand of your computer? J had it assembled so there's really not one brand. Our LCD monitor is by BenQ, our printer from HP and our webcam by Logitech.5) What’s the brand of your bags? Marithe Francois Girbaud6) What’s the brand of your undies? Some local ones from the Philippines. Others by Triumph, Target. I can't remember the rest!7) What’s the brand of your flip-flops? Freeway8) What’s the brand of your shoes? Nike, Celine9) What’s the brand of your wallet? MFG, Something by Rusty Lopez10) What’s the brand of your shirts? Bench, GAP, Penshoppe, Pink Soda, Miss Shop11) What’s the brand of your TV? Samsung, Telefunken12) What’s the brand of your cars? Toyota13) What’s the brand of your mp3 player? Don't have...
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Christmas preps
2007-11-17 01:44:00
I still have to decorate our home for the holidays. We have the tree already, yes, but it has still yet to be assembled by no less than me. J and I are planning to do some serious decor shopping this afternoon. On our list are dozens of baubles, meters of clear fairy lights and probably some cute christmas elves as well for Erin. I'm hoping to put it all together tomorrow. I promise to post some pictures soon.
More About: Christmas , Prep

Page rank, shmage rank
2007-11-17 01:10:00
I was surprised at how big the change in my pagerank was this week. From a rank of two for the past couple of months, it has now dived to a zero. As in, zilch! So, that's why I haven't been getting any opps this week.Google has been pretty unpredictable lately so the people over at PPP are coming up with a ranking system of their own called Real Rank . I hope by integrating this new system, I have a better chance at grabbing more opportunities. *crossing my fingers*
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Last minute deals
2007-11-16 23:29:00
Don't you just hate it when you are informed that you need to travel immediately and often you end up with really expensive plane tickets and little choice for hotel accomodation? That would be hell if you were made to pay outrageously expensive rates. Imagine those contestants on the reality TV show Amazing Race. I am sure they needed to put up with all those expenses and the uncertainty of not being able to get a ticket or a place to stay. Well, life does not always have to be that way because these days you can now book for Last Minute Hotel Rooms. Having to travel at the last minute I know is totally not the ideal way to go but sometimes you have no choice but to deal with it. It's a good thing there are online booking sites that especially cater to cases like this. It need not be expensive because at Hotelshop they can even get you a great deal on your bookings and their clients can save up to 70% off on hotel room rates. Now that is an awesome deal, don't you think? I am gl...

Feast 169
2007-11-16 05:42:00
AppetizerWhat was your first “real” job?My first real job was a summer job my brother R and I had back in the early 90's. We worked in our mom's repacking business doing admin stuff and also doing quality control work. We also stickered some labels. We were paid piece rate. I think I managed to earn Php 3,000 net. :)SoupWhere would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?I usually read up on current events or surf the net. Sometimes just having time alone jumpstarts the thinking process.SaladComplete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…... my mom recalls stupid things I did when I was younger. I'd hate it especially if she told other people about it when I'm around. :(Main CourseWhat values did your parents instill in you?Respect authority or your elders and to always have some pride in yourself. Never be a doormat to anyone.DessertName 3 fads from your teenage years.1) Remember Aquanet? Yup, I had made mountains out of molehills of my bangs. :P2) Hgh-cut rubber sho...
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Pimp your car
2007-11-14 08:02:00
Car enthusiasts will surely get a kick out of this. If you are the owner of a Dodge Charger, jazzing it up with some Dodge Charger accessories will surely make it the envy of other hobbyists. My brother R will definitely go ga-ga when he sees this massive assortment of add-ons. He is a car enthusiast himself so keeping his car all pimped up is a necessity for him.
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The century mark
2007-11-14 04:49:00
Woohoo! It turns out my last paid post was actually my 100th paid post for this blog alone. I cannot imagine I have already written such a large amount of articles. It's all about the money I reckon that's been motivating me. Well, I am almost there. Two-thirds of the way to be exact. It won't be long now. Laptop, you will soon be mine! Hahaha! ;)
More About: Mark , Century

Disheartening news
2007-11-14 01:29:00
Have you heard the recent news about this pre-teen girl who committed suicide because of extreme poverty? *sigh* J told me about it last night as we were about to settle in bed. My heart broke again into a million little pieces, especially when I knew that beneath her hanged body was found a letter that she was writing for the show "Wish Ko Lang." According to the news, her parents parents have no permanent work and are reportedly earning P200 a week or P40 a day.To take one's life is such an adult ting to do. But what would trigger a young, innocent girl to go down that path? It is times like this that I feel truly blessed for all that we have. The sad reality is, not all people are lucky to afford to go to school, to buy the things that they want, or even to eat 3 basic meals in a day. *sigh*To point fingers or not, that is the question. I'd rather they do something to remedy the poverty situation in the Philippines fast before another similar incident takes place.Related link:G...
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