An Awesome Developer Contest

First of all, I want to greet everyone again a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope you had a wonderful get-together with your family and friends. So how was your Christmas celebration?

As for us, we had an enjoyable Christmas celebration – pretty tiring but then it’s all worth it (especially when I saw how Matt enjoyed watching the fireworks display around us). For the first time, we spent Christmas Eve with my husband’s family. And I’m happy that we all were able to attend the Christmas Eve Mass together (since my husband is rarely home, going to church together is always a joyous affair for me) and partake the traditional noche buena with his family and relatives.


Okay moving on… I’ve got news to tell –okay, this is apart from the happy fact that my son went diaperless without peeing on our bed. This Mama is just too happy (I always remind myself to take things easy –despite how difficult parenting is!-- and to celebrate little milestones in my son’s life!).

So okay my news is... there’s an online contest sponsored by IDUG for developers -students, professionals and hobbyists alike. This is to help increase awareness and familiarity with XQuery, XML and DB2. The contest has five separate tracks for developers of varying skill levels – but one can enter one track or all of the 5 tracks.

The tracks of this IDUG contest include: a Video Contest, where a participant needs upload a video; a Gadget Contest, where one creates a small widget or gadget; an XQuery Challenge, where a participant answer a series of questions by developing queries in Xquery; Port an Application, where one ports an existing application to use XML, XQuery or DB2; and lastly, develop an application, where a participant develops a brand new application using XML/ XQuery.

Time to Make a Wish

Little blinking lights abound all around town. Merry carols are sang and heard over the air. It’s the time of the year again – the time of cooler nights. It’s actually one of my favorites times of the year - despite the fact that it’s also one of the busiest times. I love Christmastime. Being a Christian, I am so happy in commemorating the birth of our Saviour.

I have the excitement of a child come December time. I actually feel like a child every Christmas –anticipating putting up the Christmas tree, decors and lights at home. I love to hear the happy chatter about Christmas - the happy merry sound of Christmas carols and the colorful decorations you see all around. I haven’t forgotten about Santa Claus – or the thought of sitting on his lap. *Smile* I haven’t forgotten about making a wish – or make it, wishes.

You got a wish, don't you? We can all make wishes everyday but it feels different when it’s Christmas time. Somehow, you have this eager anticipation that it’s gonna come true. (Oh I haven't stopped believing that wishes to come true.)

How about you? How do you feel about Christmas? Are you busy, busy now? I understand though that sometimes going through the “December rush” can sometimes be stressful. And especially in a time of crisis, I could just imagine (but okay, let’s not get into that…hehe).

Anyway, there’s a Christmas contest online called Sit on Santas Lap Experience, where wishes are granted everyday ($500 worth!). If you’re a resident of the United States and/or Washington D.C and at least 18 years of age, All you gotta do is log on, upload a picture of you (funny, cute, nostalgic or whatevs but it will be displayed on the CEIVA digital frame Santa is holding on his lap), make a wish and share your family and friends. Too easy, ey?

So what are you waiting for? Visit http://www.sitonsantaslap.com/?utm_source=b for more info. Goodluck and happy holidays!

Free Initial Tee

If you haven't been to ParentReviewers before, drop by there and check out the cool reviews in the site. They are also giving freebies away.

The latest giveaway is a cool Initial Tee from Tote and Tee.

Contest Galore

From FromDatestoDiapers is having a contest. You could win a Flip&Tumble bag or a tee. Contest will end on Friday, June 27 9PM.

The Opinionated Parent is giving away a cool pillow. Contest end on Thursday, June 26.

Jackie is giving away trendy tadpole's shirt. Contest closes on Tuesday, June 24.

An Excerpt Of My Pants Story

Last year, I had written a post entitled The Pants (War) Story. It’s about the shift in pants style.

Here's an excerpt of my previous post:

I detected few pairs of Skinnies strutting around town. Just a few of them that you could count them by ticking off your fingers. But although there were just few of them, you couldn't miss noticing their attempt to knock the Flared-sies over their firm perch on the fashion ground. They were throwing off stones, shooting arrows, firing water guns, stomping their feet and stepping on toes firmly rooted to the ground.

Comparatively, if Flared-sies were Goliath, then Skinnies were David, feebly trying to topple a giant.

Skinnies, persistently trying: "You just wait! When our time comes, it will be a riot!"

Animosity was unmistakably high in the air. But of course, it's not the first time that Skinnies showed up their gorgeous heads, err legs. They've been here before, they graced the fashion ramp, walked all the streets of the globe. Until their time came, a time when they eventually lost their appeal to the fashion gurus. A sad time when they would have to be shelved back
to old cabinets and bauls…

This story was inspired after I bought myself a not-yet-trendy pants that fit perfectly like a second skin. It’s one of those Skinnies, actually my first since the resurrection of Skinnies and it has, though not a Dockers, been my favorite friend.

If you have a pants story to tell, you might want to make a video out of it and submit it to the Dockers contest.

Giveaway: Max Lucado Books

Angie at The Knightly News has wonderful news over her blog. She is giving away not one but 3 Max Lucado books!

Isn't that great? Drop by her blog and leave a comment here if you're interested. Goodluck and Happy Easter, everyone!

Contest Galore #4

• Wanna win a Home Soda Machine? Check contest mechanics here.
  


• There's a Polkadot Papoose Sling Giveaway over at Queen Baby Bean. Simply comment for a chance to win. Deadline is March 3, 2008


• Handmade jewelry anyone? Head over at Rare Birds Finds because they are giving away Sharma Designs
  


• For an interesting book giveaway for parents, click here.


• A Pangea Organics Facial scrub will be given away at Petit Elefant. Just comment to enter the contest.


• Win $50 dollars via Paypal by joining the contest at Blogetition.com.
  

• Another jewelry is to be given away here. It's an exquisitely designed Lucia Necklace by MILARA DESIGNS.
  


• 5minutes for mom has a Dunstan Baby Language System giveaway. If you're interested, head over there now.

That's all for now. See you again next week for my weekend contest round up. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

For Parents Only book goes to...

I should have posted this last night but I unexpectedly fell flat on my back after Matt slept. It was still so early but I'm glad for the long sleep I and Matt had.

So before I sent Matt to bed last night, I asked him to pick the contest winner (so he can have some sort of participation to my blogging activity) among the yellow Lego blocks -where underneath is a paper with a name written on it.

And he picked the block with Grace's name on it. So Grace, email me your address so I can mail the book to you.

Thanks everyone for participating in my little contest.

Go Loco for El Pollo Loco

It is hot! Hot! Hot! And this video will help you win the contest at http://www.wherestheflamegrill.com.

Yes, if you are one of the millions who love El Pollo Loco’s lip-smacking Mexican chicken, then you can dance your way into winning $1,500 in cash plus other prizes. Just submit a video and tell all your familia and amigos to rate your video. The video rated the highest by most number of viewers wins.

So if you are a US resident and at least 18 yo, make that video, go loco and dance like no one is watching you now!

Contest Galore

Andrea is giving away a Super Brite Diaper Cover from Bummis. If you win, you can specify the size you like. She'll be drawing a winner on Tuesday, January 8 so hop in here now.

Wanna win a boy or girl bag? (The girl bag: Canvas with floral print, pink canvas straps. The boy bag: blue canvas with green frog print, green canvas straps). Visit FlipflopMamma now and tell her so.

LookIt! I Spy is giving away an Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer. This contest will run until Wednesday, January 9.






You can also "win and design your very own patchwork sweater ($100) and choose 4 yarn colors from a selection of 55" for the size of your choice (6 months to 6 years). Simply give Jesse Walker a buzz.



Sonya likes to share her copy of the The Divine Appointment by Jerome Teel. Click here to visit her contest.


Also, a free copy of the A Soldier's Promise will be given away at A Christian Writer's World. Check it out.


Lastly, next week I'll also run a contest here. So... until then. Have a blessed weekend, everyone!