House hunting...

The husband has finally realized what i have been saying before, it is much better to get our own place rather than rent out since in the end, the amortization is actually capitalizable while rent expense is not.  It's not as easy as buying a car though since our apartment is really in the center of everything and I really like our place and the community and as i said it's near to mine and husband's work, it's near the kid's school, churches, etc. It is really difficult to give up a place like that but now that he has seen the light after almost two years of living in our apartment, we might really be moving into our own place(if we can find one  that suits our budget and preference).

We went house hunting in BF Resort in Las Pinas, Marikina heights, DMCI's Mahogany residences in Taguig as well as in San Juan.  If i win the grand lotto, I will chose the one in San Juan but  the husband is partial to the one in Taguig. Realistically speaking, I am gonna browse on the foreclosed properties muna.  I always admire the husband's resolve, he did not make a face when the prices where mentioned.  I should perhaps just follow his example and believe that we can.  In the meantime, goodluck to us.  And because, I do believe in God's providence than in simple luck, I already prayed about it so it has a greater chance of being granted. It's the optimist prime in me(term borrowed from Chico Garcia)...

Love, love,love,love

There are days when it is just so hard to be peaceful, and then there are days when peace of mind comes naturally without effort on your part.  The same problem exists, it's just that somehow it just doesn't affect you that much.  Now adays,  I prefer going straight home rather than window shopping at the mall or even indulging in a little pampering at a spa.  I find I actually look forward to seeing Maggie's face brighten up upon seeing me and hearing her gurgling laugh.  I also find it heartbreakingly sweet that Alyssa gives me loveletters every day from school which really means that I am always on her mind. And even though Abby tires me up with her constant chatter, she's always the one who is also constantly embracing me whether coming home or going to work , and especially sleeping.  So you see, I am loved like that.

So I am gonna treasure these moments now while their world still revolves around me. Some years into the future, they will find another person to love, whose opinion will matter more than mine, seek other arms to embrace, other homes to come home to. But right now, I am the most important person to them and I am just grateful for that love, and so much thankful to God. 

I also love you, husband. And yes, I am sentimental like that.

Buy Nothing on November 27...

Last Saturday, I was literally exhausted.  What with my Netbook going toast, a friend in Houston needing help with his roaming services(It didn't help that Smart Customer Service takes an average of 30 minutes before being entertained!), and I promised the kids to go swimming at the Condo.(which i was able to do , thank God!)  I went to Greenhills to have my Neo repaired thinking it only involved a re-installation of OS or at the most re-formatting. Alas, after two hours of waiting and having bought Globe Tattoo, my anticipation turned into a big disappointment. The harddrive needed to be replaced but I didn't believe the tech so i went to the Neo service center aalong shaw only to be told the same thing.

I was actually tempted to buy an IPAD due to the Zero percent payment scheme.  It's a good thing, sanity prevailed.  Heck, I succumbed to a little madness, i bought summer dresses for the little kids, a dress that i thought will fit me and the Globe Tattoo which will remain unused in the coming days.  Or just until, I'll be able to buy that mobile hard disk for my Neo which i left at the Service Center along Shaw.  I suspect, I'll already be able to test my Tattoo this week since I already reserved a hard disk at R Sun Computers.  They actually have a good website for online shopping and much more cheaper than the shops found at SM Megamall. Oh, and earlier that weekend mornings,  i woke earlier than usual to go traipsing to Kalentong Market for fresh produce.  Normally, buying something is therapeutic for me but at the rate I am going these days, I seem to be spending much more than I am earning. So I guess, I'm gonna follow Tea with Dee's example and observe the "Buy Nothing for a Day".

Here, maybe I can also influence you to do the same thing.

As in trigger-happy, this post here is logo-happy

This is the new DOT slogan which replaces "Wow Philippines".

Some of you may have been aware already of the controversy that the DOT is currently embroiled in due to it's latest Slogan "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" replacing the 8th-year familiar "Wow Philippines". Personally, i liked the colors and the simplicity but what do I know compared to the other well-meaning critics who are much more knowledgeable than me right? But it stinks that we seem to have copied this one from Poland's Campaign. What's more, it does seem like it is promoting the women as opposed to country-branding. But hey, you've researched it so defend it. Just don't get mad if we tweak it a little bit to personalize it, ok?

Just riding the current wave of philippine internet topic here(He he he). If you want one like this click here.

However which way

A palindrome is a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that can be read the same way in either direction (the adjustment of punctuation and spaces between words is generally permitted). Composing literature in palindromes is an example of constrained writing. The word "palindrome" was coined from Greek roots palin (πάλιν; "again") and dromos (δρóμος; "way, direction") by English writer Ben Jonson in the 17th century. The actual Greek phrase to describe the phenomenon is karkinikê epigrafê (καρκινική επιγραφή; crab inscription), or simply karkiniêoi (καρκινιήοι; crabs), alluding to the backward movement of crabs, like an inscription that can be read backwards(Source: Wiki).

You ask why suddenly I am talking about Palindrome.  Today, i got an email linking me to a video on youtube about this certain palindrome. If you're like me, meaning the type to read everything and anything, even the paper used to wrap the "bulad", you will come to see the truth hidden in the poem any which way you will read it.  I personally liked the message when read backwards, it's more optimistic that way.  We all know, we need every bit of sunshine that comes our way.

The Price Margarito has to Pay..

To those of us watching, Margarito's face just seemed like a bloated piece of facial muscle. But to those who understand muscle injury, that was actually equivalent to being in a car crash with your face colliding to a hard object with so much force.  I'm not a trauma expert but i did see my mother's face becoming like that(actually much worse), when we had that car accident back in 2006.

For those of us who watched the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Margarito for the World Boxing Council's Super Welterweight Crown, the image of Margarito's heavily battered face will come to mind as the greatest testament to Pacman's power.  It seems that Margarito was proud to have lasted all 12 rounds and indeed it is something to be proud of to have withstand Manny's punches but that it came with a heavy price.

Antonio Margarito is set to undergo an operation to repair his fractured eye socket.  Check this link for more details.

*images courtesy of larrybrownsports.com and donavictorina.blogspot.com

The Stuff of Fairytales...

I'm gonna wear my sapphires the remainder of this month in celebration of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton. ha ha

Seriously, this is the stuff fairytales are made of. My daughters who are avid fun of the animated happy-ever-afters would love this one, a real prince asking the girl he love to marry him. My daughters love prince and princesses and weddings. To be married to them is to be in gowns, celebrating and couples kissing and loving each other forever and ever.

In my own heart, I wish for each of my daughters to find their own princes. But more than that, i wish for their princes to be kind men. Men who will continue to love and provide for them even when their looks have faded, when wrinkles have replaced suppleness, men who will remain by their sides faithfully even when younger and prettier girls abound. I suppose this sentiment is true for all mothers.

So yeah, i wish all the newly engaged couples all over the world the stuff of dreams..the happy ever after.


*photo courtesy of Paul Hackett/Reuters

If i win the 450M grand lotto...

They say money does not solve everything. True, but money can solve some things.  When you have lots of money, people will think twice, no, make it several times to give you crap.  You can help meaningfully, not just emphatize but really do something.  Lots of instant millionaires from winning become poor again 2 years after their win.  I don't want to go through the anatomy of why.  Here, I just wanna lay out my plans when lady luck gives it to me.  Here's what i will do if i am the lucky winner:



1.   I'll give 10M each to my 2 sisters, my parents and aunt.
2.   I'll give a million each to in-laws, and set-up a trust fund for all my nephews and nieces whether by blood or marriage.
3.   I'll set-up a trustfund of 25M each to my three daughters
4.   I'll buy a townhouse in San Juan/ Mandaluyong
5.   I'll build an apartment complex in Iligan.
6.   I'll buy a several hectares of land in Zamboanga Sibugay for rubber plantation
7.   I'll sponsor a church who will give feeding and sheltering programs for the poor for 5 years.  Hopefully, by then the church and the community will be able to find a way to continue it on the basis of what they have learned by the initial project.
8.   I'll support a foundation for battered women who will be taught to be self-sufficient, confident and financially independent by providing them with know-how and capital.
9.   I will start buying and selling real estate.
10. I will go on a bonding trip with the husband and the kids, my parents, aunt and my in-laws to Europe.
11.  I will open a Petron Bulilit station in Lila , Bohol.
12.  I'll get a list of relatives whose sons and daughters have difficulty going school and sponsor a scholarship for each of them.
13.I'll buy a brand new honda crv for me and the children to use.
14.  I will sponsor the seminar and trainings of a 100 marine personnel who wants to work as a seafarer regardless of sex and inclination.
15.  I will sponsor the renovation of the church in Lila.
16.  And when the husband wants it, i'll buy him his new dream SUV whether he deserves it or not.
17.  I'll make a friend debt-free and give her fresh funds to start on a new life without depending on her married friend.
18.  I will round-up the children selling plastics at Iligan Supermarket, dress them, send them to school.
19.  I will give a million each to Bro Bo Sanchez' charities.
20.  I will buy the apartment we are living now for a premium just so we will continue to live there.

So wish me luck and include prayers because when and if God favors my plea , I will surely do these things.  And I mean them.

*photo courtesy of lifeaftercubes.com

10 that makes me happy..

I feel crappy today. My eyes are swollen from crying. Other than that, i think i look great.  I mean, there are others more beautiful than me and people may not even see me as beautiful. In fact to a certain someone, I am the ugliest woman he had ever had relationship with.  I've been told too many times by two people that i am not beautiful. Even i don't think of myself as beautiful, not even pretty.  But for the sake of being positive and healthy and successful, I need to have confidence in myself.  If i don't do that, I will spiral down to depression.

Right now, I am gonna think happy thoughts. I am gonna push myself to be the most sunshiny person, think the most happy thoughts because crying is not so me.  I am done crying.  I am done grieving over my loss.  I am done trying to fix my relationship with someone because it is not healthy to be in a one-sided relationship.  It is not good for me or for my children to be cowered over by someone and be labeled so many things just because he never did love me.  I am done loving that person.

So I am listing my top ten things that makes me happy, and do these things over and over again until i finally get it right:

1.   Cuddling with my children
2.   Having lots of money( Seriously, as in the 450M  lotto price)
3.   Looking good
4.   Feeling sexy
5.   Reading
6.   Going to the beach more often
7.   Being a self-confident person
8.   Being with someone who values me
9.   Doing a job well done
10. Having a job that pays well and allows me to be with my children most of the time.

Club Ultima's Crown Regency Certificate

Somebody supposedly from Club Ultima called me up and informed me that I won a 4days 3 nights hotel accomodation at any Crown Regency Hotel whether local or international. They said that i need not bring any money or credit card when i come to claim it only that i bring my husband with me and that we stay for a 90 minute presentation on their other hotels.

Initially, i was quite elated(thinking we will be able to experience already the 1st edge coaster in the Philippines) but when they said that i need to bring my husband with me and that we had to listen to a 90 minute presentation, what the heck? It's just another marketing scam just like the one where i supposedly won a free trip to Boracay only that i need to do the same claiming procedure as described above.


Can you just give the certificates without any fuss? Maybe you'll get business that way if having redeemed the certificates we are satisfied. You're just giving club ultima a bad name with this supposedly "great" promo.

Heres a more detailed description of the scam experienced by another blogger.

UnionBank Foreclosed Properties For Auction

If you're interested in real properties like me, Union Bank has released a list of foreclosed properties for public bidding on November 27, 2010.  It will be held at the Conference Room No. 3, 28/f, Union Bank Plaza, Meralco Avenue cor Onyx Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. 

Please visit Foreclosure Philippines for more details.

Health is wealth

Yesterday, I was so stressed-out because of something involving a family member. Infact, it started saturday evening and although i have managed not to think about it overnight, i must have carried it in my subconscious thus affecting my health in a bad way.  I say bad because early sunday afternoon, i had labored breathing and i felt tired.  It had been a long time since i felt like that like maybe 2007,2008 when i was diagnosed that i had mitral valve prolapse.  It was a scary time in my life since i really thought that i am close to dying and leaving my kids mommy-less.  It would be mightly unusual for a month for me without a visit to my cardiologist.  I remember also that i had daily monitoring of my blood pressure and heart rate.  I was so stressed with my condition in fact that i had hormonal imbalance and headaches from one of the medicines i was prescribed with.

And i felt it again. And somehow, faced with that kind of situation i realized that the things i wanted recently no longer mattered as much as my concern to be fully healthy now.  It brings to mind my resolve not to be overwhelm by stressors left and right.  I have to re-adjust my perspective again, to value health and to take steps to live a healthier mind and body. 

New Gadgets on my Wishlist

2010 is coming to an end yet there is no end to the bevy of gadgets being offered to us consumers.  I'm sure there are lots out there that are equally fantastic but as i am fiscally-challenged right now(optimistic that I am going to be filthy rich in the future!) I only have 3 toys on my want-list as opposed to my must-haves.  Since i'm not techie, i won't go into the specs but rather only mention why i am chosing this particular gadget.

1.  Samsung Galaxy S

My existing phone is a Samsung S7330 and so far I am most satisfied with it not to mention that it has withstood countless falls, and playtimes from my 6 and 4 year olds. Plus, since I already have an iTouch and there are several glitches being reported on the new iPhone, I'd rather want to try the new Samsung Galaxy S whose technology is said to be comparable if not surpasses that of the iPhone.



2.  Xbox360 Kinect

I am not really a serious gamer, not even  a gamer(but i could try badminton and tennis and marathon?). But, I do love the fact that the Xbox 360 Kinect can be used as my exercise machine without getting all tangled up in wires.  Yep, it's totally under your control meaning it responds your body and even your voice. Yep, no other controller required. How cool is that huh?
 


3.  MacBook Air

If only for it's sheer beauty, I'm gonna love having this one although reviews said it doesn't really have anything new to boast inside.  I guess if you are this beautiful, i could overlook what it lacks in computing power huh? Morag kanang ganahan sa ubang lalaki ba bahalag wala kaayo sulod and ulo basta ba gwapa ug sexy. What? Dili man ko power user so ok lang.

What about you?

Honing an Entrepreneurial Spirit

If you have been an employee for so long and you suddenly find yourself out-of-work because of the economy downturns, you will suddenly be weighing your options, like what i am doing now.  I still have work by the way and my company still exists but financial results somehow foretell what will eventually happen. Been considering lot of things lately and foremost in my mind is to be a work-at-home-mom and an entrepreneur.  But however, much i think about it, i haven't had the experience nor the inclination to be one, to be an entrepreneur that is.  There's this business endeavor that's showing me a good plan to achieve financial success by having an automated income opportunity but somehow the capital outlay makes me hesitates.  It excites me at the same time though.  Venturing outside my comfort zone and achieving monetary success of that propertion somehow titillates me to the point that i even dream about it at night.  And yet when daylight comes, i return again to my indecision.

However, upon seeing the demographics common to entrepreneurs as found in the Daily Infographic website, I am a little bit embolden.  Everything seems to point to that way, and so i am sticking my feet into the entrepreneurial water, ug bahala na si batman.  Here's the infographic(courtesy of the dailyinfographic website)..

Manny Pacquiao vs. Will Ferrel at Jimmy Kimmel Live

It pays to be great about your passions because then time will come when you will be able to do your other passions even when you are not so great about it.  Who would have thought Manny Pacquiao will be able to have tv guestings, sing duets with famous stars? This is Manny Pacquaio singing with Will Ferrell at Jimmy Kimmel Live.