Random Monday

It's December 1! 23 days to go and it's Chrismas soon! I am still on a long weekend mood. It's Tuesday and I feel like extending the holiday and this conscious feeling is probably the culprit for my being late to office today. Not good considering I'm nearing memo-bingo from our HR officer. Why am I getting so lazy coming to office these days? Uh-oh, this question would probably cause a meaningful smiles from my colleagues. I am hoping my supervisor will not have to cross over this site, that would mean I would go bingo again. Office peeps beware, this is not a good example!

It's been 4 days that I have not gone blogging and today, I just wanna make it up thus the reason why I came with this post random monday - talks about anything I've done within the weekend. I guess, I will have random monday as a regular post everytime we have a long weekend.

Last week, I decided to go for a 'frugal' shopping trip to Divisoria (frugal + shopping = imposible, such a contradicting word lol). Knowing the divisoria corners, streets and malls will be filled with buyers, I decided to go on leave Friday and hit the market.

Saturday and Sunday were another busy days. As you may have known, I have announced the availability of My Chocolate Heaven catering services in Pampanga. Printing and giving away of fliers and calling cards, catching up with friends and of course introducing them my business had kept my hands occupied.

November 30 was another off-work (saya!), this is to commemorate the birthday of our Philippine National Hero - Andres Bonifacio, who fought against Spaniards thus owing him the freedom we Filipinos are basking these days.

I just suddenly remember the lady I've met yesterday at the LRT station in Doroteo Jose. She was carrying large bags - obviously came from buying holiday give aways. She look so depressed. The station security guard prompted her to get into the proper lane. She was replying something and the next thing I heard she'd lost 6,000 pesos while she was busy doing her shopping at Divisoria! I could not help but felt pity for the lady. That's why whenever I went to Divisoria, I don't just hang my bag loosely on my shoulder, I make it sure that I am hugging my bag in front. Also, I don't bring extra cash. I don't put cash on my side pockets, you would not know when a thief would pick your pocket since people there constantly came rushing and brushing on your side often times on your behind. Sling bag is a big no to me, out of carelessness and excitement, you would just leave your bag hanging to your side - an attraction to the hovering thief.

I bought two white shirts with some prints yesterday for 100 bucks each. I feel so sappy and happy that I also bought two shirts for my boyfriend. I will surely take a photo of the shirts and will post it on my next random monday entry.

That's all for my random thoughts. I am not really into blogging of my daily personal activities but to give my blog a touch of my daily activities - I decided to make random monday as a regular monday posts.

Hope everyone had a great long weekend... err, I forgot long weekend did not apply to everyone.

Think and think well

How do you look at life?

Do you see a solution in every challenge or a problem in every circumstance?

Are you hopeful? Do you always see the glass half-full? Or are you seeing it half-empty?

Are you sad because there are thorns in the roses or are you rejoicing because roses have thorns?

The questions above may not have a direct relation to my post below but whatever answers, yours and mine, to these questions are just to prove people have different perspective in life.

Each have their own way of seeing every circumstances, of percieving every single things, of regarding situations and topics. The appearance of things to one person is not the same appearance as viewed by another. All of these affects our judgment.

It is not evitable having few heated arguments arising from every topic - with sense or senseless. People are prone to be subjective in judgment.

Subjective judgment. Rearranging prejudices based on the individual's emotional view and preconceived ideas.

I don't usually give my two-cents and I don't usually contest my side of the argument but when I do, it's done impulsively. People tend to blurt and I'm one of those, the worst sometimes, it is in a wrong tone. And when I do, I could just mumble to myself, "Oh girl I wish you'd just shut up!"

But whatever I think is my standing. I could not force someone to believe in what I believe just as someone could not force me to do the same. However, I always have a space in my mind for the consideration, weighing the pros and cons of someone's argument.

This is my rule of thumb: Think before you say it. But when you do say it and it's too late to hold back the words, think again before you get yourself fuming over the retaliations you've received.

This applies to me and I'm getting myself working on it. And I think this applies to everyone too.

A thank you note

I still have two days left before I should closed my poll 'Would you re-visit my blog?'. Today, I decided to change my layout and I somehow messed up my HTML codes. My widget Poll1 is displaying nothing; questions and the results are all gone! I could not just re-started the poll because it will spoil my purpose. So I don't have any choice but end it today.

Out of 12 votes, I got 9 Yes votes. Not bad! 1 says he/she is not going to visit my blog again. 1 saying what is it for him/her. The other one says maybe. Guess, I could add up that maybe vote to Yes vote haha...

Out of 12 votes only two had left their comments. Sad but anyways, thanks to both of you Yolanda and Independent Queen for sparing time to leave me a message.

I'm a newbie in blogging and somehow struggling to find a spot in the blogging world. My deepest appreciation for all those who voted.

Here are the emblems, feel free to grab it if you like.

Proud am a Blogger

I'm tagging Yolanda and Independent Queen as a friendly blogger.

Hey, you can also tagged fellow bloggers. Just follow the guidelines:

1. Copy the badge and put it on your blog

2. Link back who pass you this tag

3. Spread this tag to bloggers who you think you are friend with.

Until next time, grosses bises

Remembering Chloe :(

After an hour of blog walking, I got bored. But I still have couple of hours ahead before I could pack my things and leave the office. Office bummers out there, you probably know the struggles of pretending you're facing your monitor and doing something important and the feeling of accomplishing nothing at the end of the day, right? I feel ashamed to myself knowing my one month salary is intact despite of long hours doing non-work related. Well, what else could I do? We don't have projects in line, we have no tasks to work on, and so on...

Enough for the office rantings. So just to pass up time, I browsed my old pictures saved in my local computer. Seeing my old self flooded me with memories. I suddenly wished to have my long hair back. As you may know, the length of my hair right now is the shortest I've ever got in my entire life and I'm promising myself with cross fingers pointed at my heart never to have a short hair cut again. Anyway, back to my picture-browsing. I open this folder named "Cat" without a realizing that I am actually opening it.

These are some of the contents:

It's Chloe! My pet in a span of one week. Yes, she's dead and blame it on my bf's dog. She's just a baby. My boyfriend's neighbor found her in the street. My boyfriend remembering me that I love to have a cat volunteered to adopt this cute kitten. She's so cute and I like her the instant I saw her. For a local cat, her fur is different from the usual orange or brown or white. It was like a mixed of white-orange-gray, haven't seen a fur like her.

I remember this one was taken the night we first met. I just finished feeding her and as my bf said, once she's full, she'll just return to her sleeping area, guess it's here comfort zone. Unlike other kittens, all you could hear are their meows. But this one is different, very independent. She's silent and will only make a sound once she's hungry. Anyway, I was looking for her an hour after I had her fed. I looked every where, from every rooms, to bathrooms, corners, under the tables, cabinets. I was calling like mengg... memengg... (that's how me and my sisters call cat's attention, even when we were still kids). It was after 10 minutes when I found her hiding inside this boots. It made me laugh that time. She is just so cute that I couldn't help but grab my phone and take a shot. She was also like grabbing my phone and her eyes widening in horror when the flashes came.

After a week, my bf called with a bad news. Chloe is dead. It was like when his dad arrived home that day, their two dogs were like bouncing and barking and playing around out of excitement. So chloe, feeling so feel at home that time, went out of her hiding and met the master of the house. Tarzan, the male dog, maybe out of excitement grabbed the kitten by the neck, playfully rocked chloe sideways causing her to be throwned over to the floor with a full force. Ugh! A painful death:(

Today those pictures painfully reminded me of chloe.

3 days left to cast your votes

3 days to cast your vote on my poll: would you re-visit my blog?

Emblems are waiting. I only got two who leave their comments. So these two are the lucky ones yet: independent queen, yolanda

Click here for the details.

Petition to Stop Killing Dolphins

I am sure most of you already heard the cruel, gruesome mass killing of dolphins. And I am sure that most of you have seen the pictures below depicting the unmerciful killing of innocent dolphins and whales that are nearing extinction. The question is, have you already done something to stop this inhuman practice?

You could do something now. Click the link below to sign the petition.

Petition to stop killing dolphins and whales

I just got this from an email by a friend. This is already going on for a long time - for Denmark, it was a practice since 1584. I know this is kind of late but it is never too late for the world to hear our plea of stopping this non-sense killing.

Whatever is their reason behind this killing might be reasonable on some level, but it is not good enough as an excuse to continue this as a custom, regarding it and accepting it as a mere convention of what - celebrating adulthood?!

Okay, the dolphins and whales were created to serve specific purpose, we may view them as our source of food and other human needs. But my goodness, we're all living now in a civilization far from the primitive world. We don't need to be primitive in our ways of dealing with this. At least, kill them with mercy! Use our technology to kill them with instantaneous death - not in beach shore, not infront of the world's view, not by using spears and hook, stabbing and slicing them to death, that is so inhuman! And to think that the appalling cries of this mammal are reaching their kinds, no wonder one day, the wild be wilder and the tamed untamed.

The pictures you are seeing above are actually from Denmark. But this is also happening in Japan.

Twilight and New Moon: A healthy movie?

Speaking of heroes in my previous post, my writing momentum was suddenly diverted to the current hullabaloo that started just this Friday. November 20 marks the premiere of New Moon, the second sequel to the Twilight movie released last year, which in the same manner as the first sequel, had caused a stirring in the crowds consisted of teens and tweens and the young at heart.

I remembered having said that I am not to drool over this movie simply because I am not a fan of dark romance. But the curiosity forced me to read the book and ironic is I have survived reading the four books despite having known the story is centered to Bella's pathetic side. I must confessed, I was entertained. No, I guess entertained is an understatement. Captivated is the right choice of word. I guess it was the fantasy that lures me, the swooning and delight to the two beautiful teenage guys staged as perfect by the author. I'm ashamed to admit but I think I'm not yet over with this ridiculous teenage emotion that I so believe I once had.

As I've said, I'm a fan too but not to the nth level of bringing myself sandwiched in between people, rushing so I could get the best seat to view, squealing and still mooning around after having to watch the movie three times.

But let me strip the beautiful characters the movie creates and let me give it a fair judgment.

What does this movie entails? How healthy is it for our young minds to view this movie?

For the good life I had past me, I've watched a fairly bunch of good and bad movies. And believe me, when I was younger, there's always this tendency to internalize the things I've watched. Twilight and New Moon and its sequel are all about fantasy of forbidden love, of a very romantic relationship, and some with violence. It is so enticing for a young mind these days especially those in a relationship that they would try applying it to their personal life which is why it makes this movie unhealthy to the young viewers. Always, a guidance of a parents is required.

I have read somewhere in the net and I would like to share it with every adults out there, every parents reading this post and every young minds the true message that is well-hidden in every heart-warming and heartbreaking scenes of Twilight and New Moon, which are being explained here.

Whenever we are watching movies, let us not just focus on its superficial. Let us draw our attention to the underlying meaning of what we're watching because psychologically we are affected. What we watched influences our behavior, it may not be obvious to yourself but its evidence is manifested on how our youths are reacting these modern days.

Anyway, I'm planning to watch New Moon only after its sensation die down. I don't want to squeeze myself to a movie house packed of people. Again, curiousity drives me about this New Moon. Let's see if this sequel would thrill me as the first sequel did.

Hero

Just almost two weeks ago, I posted here the educational endeavor of our government and most of our non-profit organizations in pursuit of stabilizing the educational system, widespreading it across the country with the objective of reaching out-of-school youths. I mentioned requesting votes for Efren Peñaflorida and his gang's 'pushcart classroom.'

Early today, when I opened my yahoo mail, this headline greeted me.

RP’s Efren Peñaflorida is 2009 CNN Hero of the Year

Our hero won!

He will receive a $100,000; the prize money 'Kuya F', as fondly called, pledge to the children his group is helping.

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be." - quoted from Efren Peñaflorida acceptance speech for the CNN Hero of the Year at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

A hero lives in you, a hero lives in me, a hero lives in everyone of us. The only thing that strangles that hero is the selfishness that we possess. Our concern for our own welfare and disregarding others. Our drive to fulfill our earthly ambitions not minding who we are trampling on. We have our own good ways to reach and help each other. If only each one of us are practicing it, then the world is not enduring the worst it is suffering now.

Having known a person that embodies the spirit of self-giving gives a stirring feeling in our heart that advocates us to do good will. As what Kuya F mentioned on his speech, we could be a hero by just extending help to the next one in need.

This stormy and tragic year of 2009, Filipino embodied a great spirit of 'pagkaka-isa', the volunteerism. Lots of hero emerges. I just hope that this hero continue the spirit of helping each other not only in times of adversity like what we had during the tragic of Ondoy.

Lately Manny Pacquia won his fight. Another Filipino excels in the world of sports. Another Filipino raises the Philippine flag. Another Filipino hero.

Who's the next hero to emerge? Everyone (I hope).

I hope everyone listens to the good will of a hero inside him this coming 2010 Presidential election. Let us wisely cast our precious vote to the leader worthy of our trust. Let us choose the qualified one to represent and run our country. Let’s vote for the right kind of change in 2010!

Some great reads

Reading has always been my interest. It's my form of diversion I remember I developed the first time I learned how to read abc's.

At a younger age, my reads consisted of fairy tale books, nursery rhymes, shool books for basic english learning.

When I reached my adolescence, my reads were reader's digest, gospel books and pocketbooks (tagalog or english).

I am always captivated by narrative of early english era where knights, horses, swords and heroine reigns. Also, stories of historical romance and the early life struggles never fails to imbue my soft side.

A typical hopeless romantic gal, yes I am!

Just today, I have finished reading the last chapter of the online story I was following for over a year. It was a story of a mountain man in the early stage of growth and development of the American frontier.

For a glimpse, here is the introduction of the story written by Judith Bronte.

In the year "Mountain Wild" begins, the American frontier was still in its infancy. The exploits of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett were fresh in the hearts and minds of Americans, for their legends were still relatively new. These famous frontiersmen led the way for a nation expanding ever westward, and those who followed in their footsteps were eager to prove themselves equal to the challenge.

A certain breed of men picked up where America's early frontiersmen left off. They were the mountain men. Rocky Mountain trappers hunted the streams in search of beaver, and explored lands that had never before seen white men.

From about 1824 to 1840, mountain men hired by fur companies formed brigades that trekked deep into the wilderness in pursuit of pelts. The furs they caught were later shipped back to "polite society" and turned into hats and all manner of goods.

The few who did not work for fur companies were called free trappers. These mountain men answered to none but themselves, and like their company counterparts, often became as wild and untamed as the Rocky Mountain wilderness in which they lived and died.

This story begins with a free trapper.

Click here if you like to continue reading.

This is a free read. I've been reading Judith Bronte's story online for good years of four. The first time I came accross her site I instantly added it to my favorites. Some of my great reads were 'The Abigail's Journey' and the 'Greatest of These'. One thing I also like about her writings is all her stories are Bible-based, you will see that every chapter reflects God's grace and love.

Well, I just thought perhaps this time I could reciprocate what Judith Bronte has been sharing me thru her books by sharing my reading experience in my blog. I know that by doing this, I had my share of help in spreading the word of God.

Happy reading!

Are you looking for something?

If
- you have already visited this site
- you are a regular reader
- you are my follower,

you would notice a decrease in number of my posts.

- if you are visiting here again to check out My Chocolate Heaven, certainly, you are not going to find what you are looking for.

Just recently, I decided to create a new blog that will hold all my posts about my chocolate fountain business. Two of my closest friends and offline followers (I say offline because they don't have blogspot account) suggested that I should keep my business posts in a separate site rather than mixing it with my personal thoughts. Make sense! So here I go, struggling to put a site that would hopefully attacts visitors.

Take a look.... My Chocolate Heaven (MCH Pampanga).

Your thoughts are very welcome!

And hey, 9 days left to vote and I'm giving away emblems! Don't miss it!

How to Increase your Page Rank

Few Steps to Increase your Page Rank, a re-post from Ems. Tips I found very helpful.

1. Update your website every day by adding more unique content. If you site has some information for a visitor then it is 100% chance for him to come back to your site again.

2. Provide inside linking to your website. For example you can provide a link of your previous and next articles on an article page. Or you can provide a list of related articles so visitor can remains a long time on your website.

3. Create sitemap for your website (XML based for Google and text based for yahoo) then submit sitemap to Google and submit sitemap to Yahoo. Get a Google webmaster account and sign in there to see your website statistics. It will also tell you if you site is indexed or not, and your page rank in Google. click here to Generate Sitemap

4. And the most important tip. Trade your link with other web owners. Put their link on your website and they will put your link in them. This is for free and the very fast way to improve your visibility in search engines. ongsono.com is here to help you to trade or exchange your link

I found the tip # 4 the easiest and effective, although of course tips 1-3 are effective but this one I got results in just a short time.

And here's my personal tips:

5. Keep on reading and following other blogs too. It helps increase your readers and eventually your page rank.

6. Start a contest, a trivia or anything your visitors, co-bloggers and readers can participate.

Happy blogging everyone!

Another career realization

The world is evolving.

The universe is moving forward.

The age and civilization we have now is far greater than what we had before.

Lots of changes happening.

Every thing is in great advancement and the question is are you reflecting the latest changes?

No, I'm not talking about fashion only. I'm talking about every thing in general. What's in, what's new and what's in demand from fashion, technology, profession, etc.

Last Saturday, I happen to take sometime off with friends, actually, all of them are previous office mates.

We exchanged chats and laughs about the silly things we did back days. Of course, matters about work is unavoidable.

With all the bits and pieces of life and career updates from each other, I silently evaluated myself. Where am I now?

Career-wise, I think I am being left behind.

Some years ago, all of us were on the same level of knowledge. Fresh grads, first job.

Knowledge-wise, all of them had moved forward for better career-advancement.

I am an IT Professional, my specialization involves testing the software applications developed to suit the business needs of our client. There are several techniques, process and tools involve that a Software Tester like me should know.

My work is in line with technology. Technology evolves at a very fast pace. Last Saturday, realization again hits me to keep abreast with times. To learn the hottest trends or the latest technology. To KEEP on learning.

Now what would I do?

This is something that needs planning. It would involve shifting career or shifting company (I guess, anyone who read my post 'Stay or Quit? It's your Choice' will understand why I came up with these two choices).

Participate in the poll and get an emblem for your blog

Hi everyone,

I just would like to have a little survey of my blog and the impact of its content on my readers. Please take time to participate. Appreciate it, thanks.

Please let me know thru comments if you had casted your vote. I will be giving a little token for your blog later once the poll is closed.

Here's the deal: Once you vote, I will tag you and include your link in my poll closing post.

Want this emblem? then vote now? Lots of emblems available!



(Thanks for Scrapblog)

Note: Poll closes on November 27, 2009.

Education: Every Filipino Parents' Legacy

My parents have a deep regard for education and I believe same goes to my fellow Filipinos.

It is very common to hear these words from our elders: "Mahirap lang kami. Ang edukasyon ang tanging yaman na maipapamana namin sa mga anak namin" (We don't have riches. Education is the only thing we could give to our children).

We have this view of education as a primary avenue for social and economic improvement.

There were many major changes that already happened in the educational system of the Philippines.

Education during the pre-spanish era is devoid of method, informal and unstructured. Education is mainly thought by parents at home relating to the common occupation of early Filipino people. They maybe devoid of method, they may have less understanding, they may be unable to read and write but the passion to learn is already running in their veins.

During the spanish colonization, education is for the elite. Education is religion-oriented. Education during this era is not enough, suppressed and controlled. Despite of controlled education, Filipinos look for ways to educate and improve themselves. Look at Andres Bonifacio, despite of not having a formal education but he was self-educated. He read books and he continued and looked for other means of learning.

An open, free and secularized education began sometime during the first Philippine Republic of American Period. The early Philippine Constitution enforced, re-formed and re-organized acts and educational institution were established.

Now where are we?

Our Government are still continuing the endeavor of organizing and establishing good education through out all Filipinos. But despite of all the efforts, lots of out of school children and youths are still roaming around slums and far-flung areas of our country.

There are lots of non-profit organizations, foundations, programs and movements that reach out to less privilege Filipino families. Hand in hand they fight poverty through improving the poor quality of basic education.

But aside from those known foundations, there are group of people with big heart silently reaching out and doing their whatever means of giving children the chance to learn and to stay out of bad vices.

Read here the Highlight of Efren Penaflorida and his gang. Please don't forget to vote.

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• My Ako MISMO pledge: Maliit na basura, ibulsa muna
  

There are many plans in man's heart but only God's plan will prevail

I have always been passionate about life. This was how I was raised: to embrace the life I was given and make the most out of it. By high school, all my plans were laid out. I pretty much know what I want to accomplish. The plan was just simple, I thought: continue my studies to college, get a degree, graduate with flying colors, work corporate, buy a house and lot, help my parents send my siblings to school, marry at age 27, and don't be a nagging wife (lol).


Continuing college

How I finished my schooling is a very long story. I stopped for a year after graduating high school. For financial reason my parents could not send me to college. I'd took a chance here in Manila, I ended up staying at my half-sister in Pampanga. I didn't have the advantage of choosing a degree course so I ended up taking 2-yr diploma in computer related course. I worked hard. I landed several small paying jobs while studying: grocery cashier, assistant in an office insurance, jollibee crew. In two year time, I graduated. I never got the degree I was planning to have (one down from my plan) but I graduated with an award.


Going corporate

I was still in my first year college when I decided to apply for an office position in Cybercity Clark. I haven't heard any feedback from my application until after a year they offered me an encoder position for a project based which will only last for three months. I was still a Jollibee crew then and two months away from receiving my diploma. I submitted my resignation letter and right away signed the contract. Never did I know that this will mark the very first step of my ladder to working corporate.


The challenge

After two months that I was working, my family (residing in Leyte by then) decided to join me and live in Pampanga for good. To add to my difficulties, the project I was working on was terminated. It was like the burden of the world was placed upon my shoulder. No work. No savings. Mouths to feed. Responsibilities. For a moment, I wanted to just *puff* and be gone. But life was not design that way. I knew I have to go on striving to live and never to lose hope. I was fervently praying to God to help me find a job - a better job. I applied for different companies in Clark, I did not mind working in a factory anymore. I gave up my dream of working corporate. I was accepted as a Quality Control in Luen Thai. With a pending medical examination, I was good to start with my new work. It was a twist of fate, my half-sister passed me the job application she was hesitant to have. I went for it and I was instanty considered for the position. I didn't have the background or the experience of working on softwares but they considered my experience in Cyber City as a good credential. Who would thought that my two-month involvement as encoder in a well-established company wil be my edge in landing the position? And who would thought that this will be the turning point of my career? Guess, only God knows the plan.


Continuing the journey

After three years, I decided to move forward. I sought for changes, improvements and of course challenges. I prayed and what I seek I have found. Answered to my prayers were expressly delivered. And here I found myself the job I so wanted in a busy city of Makati.

But then again, only God knows what will happen next. He gave me something big because He knows the size of problem that will soon greet me. Financial problem? I wanted to help my parents send my siblings to school? That's why He gave me a high paying job! I think, His plan was already there before I laid out mine.

I may not achieved the things I want to have the way I planned it to have. But I'm grateful that God gave me things I need. Following my lists, only one thing is left. Or rather I could say two things: getting married and the enivetable (lol) - don't be a nagging wife. And these two I'm sure are not due to happen soon or let me say again, it depends on the great architecture of my life.

You might wonder what happend to my other plan: buy a house and lot?

As I mentioned earlier, I have achieved things but not the way I want it. My boyfriend and I decided to buy a house and lot as an investment. I may say, we're thinking of future. You see? I have it but it's shared :)

It is very true that we have so many plans at heart but all those plans will never happen if it's not according to God's purpose.

"There are many plans in a man's heart, but Yahweh's counsel will prevail."

With this post, I would like to thank my ate, Ate Amy who had help me financially during my college days. Your kindness dwells in my heart's memory.

And to Suzette. For the love of my first and number one avid reader and supporter, I took the time to add more details and to further improve this post. Thanks for your honest feedback and support dude, really appreciate it :)

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• Thank God I am still Alive
  

Blog Love Award

I took the opportunity of copying this logo from AprilHeart. Thanks AprilHeart for unknowingly passing it to me :)

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.
3. Pass this award to your BLOG LOVER Friends.
4. Add your link to the list of participants below.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

BLOG LOVERS:

1. Soul Anchor
2. Cookie's corner
3. Life is good and beautiful
4. My Life Story
5. Memoirs of a Pinay in America
6. My So Called Life
7. Aprilheart
8. In Between Breaks
YOU'RE NEXT! Add your blog to the list above.

I pass this award to the following: Ems, Mel and Chuchu

Holiday Rush Gift Guides

With the holidays fast approaching, most of us surely are again into our own moment of listing down gifts and must-buy things we want to give away as christmas presents to our friends and loved ones.

Of course, with the holiday rush comes the difficulties of selecting what could be the best present. Here I listed some gift-buying-ideas you could follow to lessen out your anxiety.

If you're dying to give someone something they would not just stash in their closet, get or know their wish list. Scope some information from his/her friends or colleagues. Or you could get what he/she wanted straight from him/her. You don't have to ask directly. A little instinct and thoughtfulness will help you achieve that surprise look on his/her face when you finally handed out the gift.

If still you don't have no idea on what to give, follow these simple guides:

1. For that very special someone, be alert when you both go shopping. Your companion might have spotted thing he/she is dying to have but could not afford to buy it for a reason. Take that us a hint. Next time you go shopping (of course make sure you're alone so as not to spoil the surprise), you can just drop by the same store and get the thing. Your special someone will be surprised and will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness and effort.

2. For the always stressed out office mate, you can get a mini-massager that he/she can store in his/her office drawer.

3. For a workmate who always bring baon, get a hip lunch kit.

4. For the kikay friend make up fan, get her a vanity mirror, perfect for her dolling up.

5. For the shopaholic babe, a cute shopping bag will help her lug all her great fab finds during her shopping spree.

6. For a friend who collects bags, totes and purses, get her the ultimate organizer that will keep her precious position in prime conditions. I know there is one kikay bag organizer available in Avon and it only costs PHP299.00. Sometimes it is offered on a discounted price. Friends you can drop me a message if you are interested of buying this must-have :)

7. For the out-going-never-to-carry-big-wallet-type, give her a magic wallet that he/she could stash his/her cards and bills. I bought one last year that only costs PHP100.00. It's very hip.

8. For the beach bum, a catch-all-you-can-carry beach bag is perfect. Or you could for a kikay flip-flops. No need to be so extravagant but if you have money, you could opt to buy Havs or Ipanema.

9. For a fashionista friend, a practical holder for her baubles will be greatly appreciated. Get her an accessory organizer to make it easy for her to store and locate her precious trinkets. Again, this is also available in Avon. You can send me message if you like to own one.

I hope you find these simple guides helpful. So what are you waiting for, avoid the holiday rush, start your list and go for a shop. Remember to be practical when buying things. Make sure to buy something useful. After all, it is always the thoughts that count (not the price).

Happy holiday shopping!!!

You might also like these:

• Stop Throwing Away your Money
• Wildlife in the City
• A Trip on a Budget

22 Things to Keep (by Dero Pedero)

I would like to share an article of Dero Pedero which I happened to read yesterday night from an old 'The Philippine Star' newspaper. I hope that you get the same insight I got upon reading each line.

You are what you eat, and what you don't eat. Similarly, life depends on what you kee and what you don't keep. There are many things in life that people may keep but only a few are truly worth keeping. Here is a list of what to keep and how to keep yourself for a brighter, happier and more fulfilling life.

22 Things to Keep

Keep calm. Life can be unnerving and if you don't make an effort to keep collected and focused, you could easily lose your cool. Take regular, conscious deep breaths to calm and center yourself.

Keep your chin up. Not only is it good for your posture and diminishes your double chin, it also helps you maintain an "I can handle it" attitude. By keeping your chin up, you can keep your head above water.

Keep your word. The true measure of a man is if he keeps his word. Honorable and trustworthy is the man who stands by what he says and promises. It is important the think well before speaking because once a word is uttered and releaased into the universe, tits vibrations could no longer be erased.

Keep in time with your inner drummer. Don't be swayed by others into following the confusing beat of their drums. Although it s sometimes necessary to adjust to the pace of others, it is best to keep in step with your persona rythm and dance to your own music.

Keep in touch with the child in you. The source of creativity in your life is that little child within you. He questions, he marvels, he imagines and invents. Stay in touch with him, and be young and creative for life!

Keep abreast with times. The world is moving so fast. Know what's happening, waht's in style, what's au courant, what's relevant, what's important. Learn the hottest trends and the latest technology. Don't be caught in a time warp or you'll be left behind.

Keep in shape. Your body shape shows your state of health. Your body is the vessel that you journey through life in. Keep it healthy and strong. Don't be one of those people who sya, "I'm in shape; round is a shape!"

Keep your mouth shut. People talk too much. We language ourselves to our own destruction and defeat. Know when to talk and when to shut up. Avoid being verbose. Oftentimes, silence speaks more eloquently that words.

Keep good friends. Good friends are hard to find. Nurture friendships that make your plight through life easier, more meaningful and wonderful. Truly poor is the man who has no good friends.

Keep great memories, not heavy objects. In the very end, good memories of life are what we will be left with, not jewels and riches that we couldn't bring when we finally go. Live each moment beautifully. Linked together, these magical moments create a magnificient life.

Keep a diary. Writing a journal is therapeutic. Record the important events in your life, your dreams and aspirations, even your failures and disappointments. When you trace back events in your life, you are bound to learn lessons from them as well as find great inspiration and strength.

Keep saying grace and thanks. Blessed is he who says grace before he eats and gives thanks for all the gifts he recieves daily. Maintain a thankful attitude and focus on your blessings instead of dissapointments.

Keep on moving forward. The universe moves forward in time. Don't get stuck in the past; make an effort to move ahead to a better life. Drop those unnecessary pices of material and emotional baggage that weigh you down and keep you from flying to your loftiest dreams.

Keep out of danger. He who exposes himself to danger finds it. Don't court danger; avoid it. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Look out for number one (that's you!), and always stay safe and sound.

Keep up the good work. Success is built upon success. The more you do, the more you achieve; the more you achieve, the better you get at doing it. Make success a habit by keeping up the good work.

Keep young. Do everything in your power to stay strong, supple and youthful. Think young; feel young. A wise man once said "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Remember that age is a number and that youth is an attitude.

Keep on dancing. Life is dance through space and time. Embellish whatever music life plays for you with your own fresh orchestration and creative choreography. Be excited in your heart and keep your feet light with happiness.

Keep on loving. Love is the reason we were created. Love diminishes when hoarded but multiplies when shared. Give it and feel it overflow in your heart. Love cures all sadness, pain and sorrow. Lonely is he who does not give love away and therefore gets none in return.

Keep on dreaming. Most men, even if they are young, are dead, that is, if they could no longer dream. Our dreams are what keeps us young and alive; they give us that sparkle in our eyes. Our dreams keep us going even while everything around us says, "Stop."

Keep on hoping. Never lose hope. Tomorrow will be another day that will bring new hope and greater blessings. Keep faith in the abundance of the universe and the mystery and perfection of life. Hope for nothing but the best and that's what you will be granted.

Keep on believing. Belief is the mother of reality. What you believe becomes your truth. Believe in yourself, believe in the magic of the universe, believe in the power of your dreams. And most of all, believe you can do it, so you can have all your heart's desires!

These you must not keep

Don't keep up with Joneses. Just because your neighbor bought a red Ferrari, you, too, must get one. Don't joine the bandwagon and keep away from being one with the herd. Too mcuh unhappiness in this world is caused by comparisons, comparing yourself and trying to measure up the other eople. There is really no need to give up other expectations if it could just bring you inconvenient and misery.

Don't keep issues and grudges. The reason most of us stay miserable is because we kee issues, grudges, and problems. Detox yourself of complaints and issues that keep you from being the best that you could be. Try to solve all problems that beset you; never leave anything unresolved. The questions and puzzles of life are what make it changing and exciting.

Don't keep painful experiences. Life is not a bed of roses so you must learn to let go of negative feelings and memories of painful experiences. It's hard to go on living with a heavy heart. Pardon, forgive, forget if you can, and move on.

You may also like this: 50 Things to Live By (by Maui V. Reyes)