I'm Saying It Now

If you're wondering about something I said here, here's the answers to your silent questions.

I'm Asian. I'm a Christian.

I have my character flaws (and I have an attitude) but I think I don't have a discriminating bone in my body. Not one.

Come as you are. Treat me fine. I'll treat you good and I'll treat you fine. There I said it.

Something About...

You might have read one of my Thankful Thursday post at Makimeji where I mentioned about financial opportunity. I purposely left the specific detail out but few days ago, I had this burning desire to blog about it. Not so much to brag but to say my thanks for the people or group of people instrumental to this blessing.

One goes to Maiylah, for introducing it to me (or me to it). Another to Elina, the moderator, first for taking me under her wing (accepting my blog Verb even without a PR rating to speak of) and for giving me a chance to be a part of a growing community of bloggers who have taken the great leap to monetize their blogs - now collectively known as the Blogs Do Make Money community.

Yes, I was referring to BDMM in that post. For the most part, that is. I’ve worked for them c/o Elina for less than 2 months and boy was I satisfied. I am satisfied. I am really grateful to Elina and her team for coming up with good projects for everyone. Although one cannot have it all, I’ve been real blessed to have been able to avail of some great project slots.

*******

A month ago, I was in this blogging crossroad of deciding whether to keep Verb or not. I have just started Makimeji then and on top of mothering and keeping an 8-hour job, I just had too much on my plate. (Can you hear my mother already screaming in the background and my son threatening to push the power button again?)

I still do the stressful balancing act from time to time, but I have decided to keep Verb. One because this is where I first started. I know, I know, I’m silly sentimental. Second, I just discovered the wonders of auto-posting with Wordpress (Makimeji) so it's easier to manage both blogs. Lastly, I’m honor-bound to keep Verb alive because of an advertiser who has bought “space” in this blog for a year period (and hopefully it’s going to continue ‘til I grow old! Heheh. Wish!). But, imagine to be paid in advance – again thanks to BDMM (time of payment is never an issue).

Why I'm Not Switching Credit Cards

I’ve been in a barrage of telemarketers lately which makes me think that the marketing world is ganging up to annoy me. They are mostly representative of credit card companies offering the best credit card deals. Because I am so diplomatic, I never tell them to get lost straight out no matter how much I wanted to. Almost always, I give them time, no matter how short, to deliver their generic marketing spiels.

But reality is I never wanted to switch cards or add more cards to my name. One is enough and the thing is, I am contented with the services of my card company. Apart from the fact that I am assured their system is secured and protected, their online banking service is superb. And that’s means a world to me.

Not Anymore

So I’ve been doing paid post here. But for the few months, I’ve only done one review for a casino or online casino. Of course, I have nothing against those who review these sites but for very personal reason – one which I subtly stated in my first review, I’ve always tried to do away from making reviews for these sites.

But now, I’m doing my second review for an online casino site but I’ve only taken this opportunity because the description didn’t specify the tone of the review. I can write as I please as long as I make my content “unique.” So now let me just say that I’m not going to do any more review for these sites. Even if it has a list of online casinos with best bonuses. Even if the page looks appealing because it’s green - and you know how partial I am to shades of green (although this online site I'm browsing now doesn't really look all green and appealing). I just know, as sure as I know myself, that I won’t be doing more review for these sites.

Guilty!

How time flies! Although I still feel it’s Christmas because we still have our Christmas lights and my son still sings Christmas songs, reality is Christmas has passed and Valentine’s Day - another gift-giving occasion -is fast approaching.

But tell you what? Love was all I gave my husband on Christmas. Isn't that great? He didn't complain (and he is not the type who complains) but it felt awkward especially when he gave me an iTouch (though still in transit), while I gave him nothing - not even a book or a pen. Shame on me.

But now, as I browse through online shopping coupons from CouponChief, especially the Nike coupons and Adidas coupons, I am reminded of that 'love thing" and I am guilty - and I know I have to do something about this Valentine's.

Thankful Thursday

I was searching through some files early this morning so I can post a Wordless Wednesday entry. I was still deciding which image to post when I received a call and I was jolted into the realization that today is not a Wednesday! I’m a little put off with myself for this minor lapse – not that this is the first. *wink* But moving on...

So today is a Thursday! And what better way to start my 2008 post than with a Thankful Thursday post! Great!

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

Today, I’m thankful to be alive. To be well and working at this very moment. Oh, actually not working but blogging at this very moment.

I’m thankful for time my hub was home. What glorious days we had! My son – and my hub, too- couldn’t be happier. I had some free time to finish chores, do a little reading and even go to a salon to have my Fido Dido hair tamed. (No, I’m not exaggerating about the Fido Dido hair- the past months, it’s been sticking out of my skull like that!)


I’m thankful for the time I have had - to relax and rest in the past few days.


I’m thankful for all the blessings I received in 2007.

I am thankful for all the lessons I learned from my experiences and mistakes, and lessons I learned through my friends and loved ones.

Thanks, thanks, thanks all!

Happy New Year!

Happy New year, everyone! Stay safe and be happy all throughout the year.

I'm going home after the last period of this post and I'm excited of the fireworks we're going to set up tonight. My son would love it. I bought some few days ago - just little fireworks, and definitely no firecrackers.

I'm also hoping for some mad singing tonight -plus some munchies. I have some CDs and our mike prepared already (and tested it last night ...hehe). Now, I'm not sure if the mike loves me (doesn't have a choice!), but I sure do love it - with or without Dutch courage. Shshsh.

Introducing EarthFrisk's Meta – Social Search Engine

Good news! EarthFrisk.org is introducing an alternative search engine and page ranking system by creating the first Meta – Social Search Engine.

So what’s new with this Search Engine? Apart from providing results –integrated or separate - from Yahoo, MSN, Google and other search engines, EarthFrisk.org has created an improved engine that limits spam down at minimum.

What's interesting, to me, is with this engine, EarthFrisk.org is paving the way to a ranking based on what the community thinks. Yes, it is introducing a new CV rating using a color value (CV) that is dependent on “real responses and comments by your peer.” This means that no one – definitely, not any company, can lower the rating of websites, blogs and people at will. Now I wonder what the Big G will say to that.

Thankful Thursday

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

I know this is a late post.

But before I slept last night, I'm just amazed at how God has blessed me with so much. What did I do? What have I done to deserve such blessings?

I'm just this tiny, tiny speck of dust before God and yet I know that He loves me. And that is SO much to be thankful of.

Thankful Thursday

I am so good at complaining. Sometimes. Okay, out with it - most of the times. I complain about how my back aches after I carry my kid. Or when I stoop low to lift my toddler. Or when I go about the household chores.

Some days, I complain about my seemingly lack of energy. And the torture is everyday, I get to see a kid who has the supply of energy equal to a hundred horses. Boundless, even. I wonder if I can get that from the drugstores.

There are times when I try hard to stifle a vain scream as I frantically rummage through my kikay kit for a cream... or a concealer or something, anything to help me cope with the new indentations on my face that I noticed in my reflection on the mirror.

I frown when my clothes suddenly feels tight and then blame my slower metabolism for the excess flabs.

I am getting old, I always say. I must ruefully admit that, at 30, indeed, I am so good at complaining about getting old. Me, getting old.

But one afternoon of late, on my way home, I heard someone over the airwaves say: Do not resent growing old because many are deprived of this privilege.

Although I did not resent growing old, I did not like it either. (But then the prospect of growing old leaves little to the appeal, ey?) So I felt that was meant for me.

That statement - it showed me the prospect of getting old in a different light and I just could not look at growing old the same way as before.

I'm not dumping out my prevarication tools but I thank God for giving me the chance to age gracefully. It's just great to be alive. And yes, I thank him for those tools, too.

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

Interesting Video

I was searching for funny videos this afternoon and found some over at Mohamad Zein's Channel. It works pretty much like Youtube – with cool categories, too. You can also download, submit or upload a video.

And here’s one video that I love.


Why Women Rule The World!



And here’s something that I wanted to show my son – not now though. Maybe few years from now.


Easy Graphical Multiplication Trick

The last one can be found under the Best of Producer Rewards 2007.

Traveling, Daydreaming, Booking

Wouldn’t you love to travel? I do. Actually, it’s my dream to be able to backpack and travel around the globe. That is, if time and budget permit.

I would love to visit Vietnam and explore Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Then, there's the UK. And every time I watch episodes of Prison Break3, I am reminded of Panama and I couldn’t help but long for a chance to watch the sunsets of Panama. And then I am, I must confess, fascinated – no, make that obsessed - with the Taj Mahal (you just don’t know how much! but that's another story).

Dream, dream, dream.

I really could daydream now and I just couldn’t help it when I checked Hotel Reservations and found great vacation packages. You can book for flights, hotels, cars and even vacation rentals to a destination of your choice.

u-n-f-a-i-r Change in Blogger

I got a comment from a friend few days ago, asking if I restricted "comments" from non-Blogger accounts. I actually did not.

It's because the OTHERS option on the comment page went MIA. Just when I was getting the hang of using the OTHERS option when commenting to Blogger/Blogspot blogs, it suddenly went "pop" through thin air. It's gone without a trace. Just like that. You might have noticed it too when commenting to Blogger/Blogspot blogs.

This is the new Blogger comment page:

See, it's all gone. No more OTHERS option which one could conveniently use to direct traffic to one's blog with just one click (and not redirected to a blogger profile).

But I've fixed it using the OpenID system (I hope ;D). For instructions on how to enable OpenID support for your Blogger/Blogspot blogs, visit this link.

***

UPDATE: I actually assumed that getting an OpenID account is enough to make a direct link to my blog when I leave comments in Blogger/Blogspot blogs. I was wrong. Slightly. Because before I could do that, I need to do a little tweaking in my HTML code.

BUT. Again, I found a very helpful post that walked me through the process of making what I want possible. Thanks Debbie!

Then again, this will only work to Blogger blogs that have OpenID support. If a blog has none, there's no other way to leave a direct link other than to include your link in the body of your comment (like what Melanie did here). Also, even with OpenID, I still think it best to do this in case there's a downtime with MyOpenID site.

Thankful Thursday

I slept so late last night. Actually, it was already early morning when I laid my head down on the bed. I had a task to do and it was only when Matt is asleep that I could work without interruption. I decided to bring down some of my son's old posters and replace them with new ones - bigger, more colorful and attractive posters.

Over the course of this task, I was suddenly struck with a thought that put me in a reflective mood. I was thinking of my reason for taking these old posters away and replacing them with new ones, which I believe looks better and more fitting for my son's age.

And yes, I came to realize that this must also be the reason why God took away some things from us. He only meant to replace them with better, more wonderful things.

Click the picture for more Thankful Thursday participants

So today, I'm thankful for everything that God took away from me - material things, relationships, opportunities - because He certainly replaced them with greater and more amazing things, relationships, opportunities.

Thoughts on Care Homes

In a country where the sense of familial responsibility, including taking care of aged family members, is strongly encouraged by parents (to their children), care homes are not an “in” thing here. In fact, the mere mention of bringing relatives in care homes will not just elicit an are-you-crazy kind of look, it could cause major conflict in the family.

Reality is, getting aged parents or relatives in a care home is not even considered an option here because the norm is for able children or relatives to do the caring. Or in most cases, especially for well-off families, hiring a nursing aid or maid to carry out this responsibility, is commonplace but definitely not putting them in a nursing home.

Truthfully, I, for one, will never consider this an option for my parents. And it’s not because that is expected of me but because I know I will be happy doing that for the people who have given me everything and who have made me ME.

How about you, what are your thoughts on this issue?

By the way, if you you have questions about caring for the members of our family or yourselves, there’s a forum at Bettercaring where you can discuss your concerns, ask questions and share your experiences.

Wedding Invitations

Roses for you, roses for me. Don’t you just love roses? I do. Being romantic and all, I do love roses – red, white, yellow, pink and what-other roses. And I would definitely love to receive these flowers anytime. Hint, hint. :D

Wedding invitations for you, wedding invitations for me. Don’t you just get excited when you get invitations? I do. I do get excited when I hear of couples deciding to finally say their resounding “I dos” before men and God. And yes, I am expecting wedding invitations because two of my friends are getting married next year.

So how about roses wedding invitations? Don’t you just think they’re charming? I do. In fact, I had tiny roses printed on the translucent wrap of my wedding invitation. In my point view, roses add grace to the invitation cards. And while writing this post, I am also viewing the cool rose invitations, like the one in the upper left corner, online - and these, I am definitely sharing to my two friends who are tying the knot next year. I'm sure they're going to love them.

Angels of Destruction

I hate termites. They are more of an inconvenience; they are a symbol of destruction to me.

A year ago, we had one of our cabinets eaten by drywood termites. Lots of books were in there. I have my Engineering books and my paperback collection of teenage lovestories :D in there. Our old photo albums were in that cabinet, too. And most of these were destroyed!

I remember feeling the agony of throwing them into fire and seeing them reduced into ashes. Such helplessness! We had not known any drywood termites treatment then and thought that burning was the easiest and fastest way to annihilate these little angels of destruction.

We salvaged a few items but lost a lot of things. I’m just glad nothing happened to my pertinent records like Transcript of Records, certificates, etc. My younger brother was not so lucky though. His College Diploma was among the “casualties” of that incident.

So you can just imagine how grateful I am that there’s an online site to help us conveniently eradicate the termites.

Election Aftershock

Despite the current political climate in the country, I’ve always had hope, however little that is, that things will change. That things will improve one day soon. Maybe that’s because I’ve always looked for the good in everything.

And I've always believed, even if it's a thin-thread belief, that, one day, the people will ferry this country to much-wanted development and progress. Because I believe in the strength of the people, which is the greatest resource of this country and where its power absolutely lies. I believe that the Filipino can.

Do I sound so naïve? Maybe I do. Or maybe I am in denial. Grin.

But when I voted in the recent barangay election, I was carrying that belief in mind.

And then someone close to me said, "...It's sad that some people doesn't want good governance and programs, [instead] they want instant cash..." This she said after observing the massive vote-buying during the election and I felt as crushed as she is.

Millions!

If all these mails were true...

I would be in a Caribbean cruise,

Or sipping piñacolada while lazily lounging under the Hawaiian sun.

And,

I wouldn’t be warming my butt on this gray office chair and monitoring cellular problems.

And,

I would have millions of moolah to my name by now (and have a number of a Swiss bank in my phonebook :D).

If.

But because these mails are hoax, I am right here sitting on this gray ergo seat and patiently deleting all of these.

And just dreaming.

Tagged : Nothing but the Truth

The New Parent likes for me to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. It's about things -or things that people say, do, think.. that don't sit well with me. So here goes:

Abuse. Of any form- verbal, physical, emotional, etc. Drug abuse. Environmental abuse. Abuse of power.

Excuses. There’s no need to make a big production of every apology, a simple “I’m sorry” would suffice. (I’ll eventually ask questions, so save your explanations for later. Grin.)

Extravagance. I’m really okay with this but it's entirely another story if you sacrifice your - or your family's need over a want. And then PLEASE don’t tell me you’re broke and don’t ask me to loan you some money when just the other day you were flaunting the Patek and Louis Vuitton bag you bought over the weekend.

Notions:

• that presents/gifts should be expensive. (It need not be, but if it’s expensive and it’s for me then, thank you very much! Chuckle.) Seriously now, it shouldn’t necessarily be expensive, what’s important is the gesture.

• (or the cliche saying) that history repeats itself.

Expectation that we immediately, with just a blink of an eye, become experts (of whatever). Be considerate (am pretty sure it will be greatly appreciated if you give allowance for some mistakes).

Smoking in a public vehicle (hence, exposing non smokers to sidestream smoke). Again, please be considerate.

Speaking of consideration.. When I see a pregnant woman or an old woman standing in a public transportation while few feet away a number of beings belonging to the young and strong population sit comfortably. Have mercy.

Assumptions. Please spare me.

Flattery will get you anywhere. Please, please, I am begging you, please don’t.

Now I'm tagging: Maiylah, Lutchi, Tiff and ZJ.