Why Do We Need Friends.

Got this from Kathy.

"We need friends for many reasons,
all throughout the season.
We need friends to comfort us when we are sad,
and to have fun with us when we are glad.
We need friends to give us good advice,
We need someone we can count on,
and treat us nice.
We need friends to remember us
one we have passed sharing memories
that will always last."

Spread the poem of friendship.1. Everyday Life 2. Words of Love 3. Sheng’s Simple Thoughts . . . 4. good thoughts, good trades 5. Ours and Our Kids 6. Jengspeaks 7.Jacque 8. Snippets of My Mind 9.Melisse’s Domain 10.Seize The Day 11. Eds Mommy Life 12. Just Me.. Eds 13. My Precious Niche 14. Scribbles of My Life 15. The Shopaholic In Me 16. In This Game of Life 17. Stripe&Yellow 19.Something Purple 20.Em’s Detour 21.Living the Healthy Life 22.Doll Me Up 23.Vanity Kit YOU 24. kathycot 25. Love. Happiness. Us. 26. You

Protect Yourself.

Cough and colds are very rampant nowadays more likely due to the abrupt recent weather change that we experience. Just in our household, the maid and my younger brother contracted colds recently that's why I'm very cautious that little Asher might catch this contagious illness. Apart from taking vitamins daily, there are some ways that we can further protect ourselves and our household from these pestering bacteria and viruses with the use of certain indoor health products. Indoor tools like humidity sensors and basement dehumidifiers are just some of the things to count on in controlling the growth of molds, dust mites, bacteria, viruses and other harmful microbials that thrive in homes and buildings and often cause allergies, immuno-toxicity and infections.

In Times of Sickness.

More often than not, being hospitalized or undergoing a surgical operation can be a nightmare especially if you don't have a reliable health insurance. Depending on your illness, medical expenses may undoubtedly surge and go beyond the costs that what have you alloted. Just like when I underwent a cholecystectomy (removal of gallstones and the gall bladder), I wouldn't be able to overcome that grueling experience of pains immediately if I didn't have my own health card. I wouldn't know how and where will hubby and I secure Php 100,000 just to have me operated. For emergency medical expenses, having an insurance with wide coverage such as the North Carolina health insurance would grant you and your family peace of mind.

Do You Need To Lose Weight?

You Are Very Thin

Your BMI is 17.6 - a healthy BMI falls between 18.5 and 25 Don't lose any weight. You already are quite slender. You could even gain a few pounds if you wanted. Indulge yourself every once and a while! Don't agree? Blame the government standards we based this test on!

Do You Need to Lose Weight?

Obviously, I need not lose weight any further. I stand at about 60 inches (yeah just about 5 feet small) and weighs, as of my last checking, I'm just 90 pounds. Apart from breastfeeding, the reason why my dropped weight to this from my average of 100 lbs, is because of my little son who's getting heavier day by day and who wants no one but me to carry him. Yes, he's so clingy these days. Tough, but it's okay..I love him to bits.

Windy Alternative

Have you seen the Bangui Wind Turbines in Ilocos Province? Well, apart from it being a tourism spot, the government must assert more similar projects that would make use of alternative means of energy source. I bet you're one of those who have been complaining of surging electricity costs and all those stuffs, don't you think that wind turbines would be of great help?

The Bag Tag.

1. What's the most important thing in there?
My wallet that contains a few paper bills, IDs, ATM and Credit Cards; my passport, my bank book, my mobile phone, and prayer book.

2. What's the most embarrassing thing in there?
Hahaha previous month's paid bills, bills and bills. I need to declutter my bag, I know.

3. What's the smallest thing in there?
My yellow hair clip.

4. Is there anything illegal in there?
There is none.

5. How many pens are in there?
I have three..one red Gelball gel pen, one black Value-OA gel pen, one Dong-A black gel pen (I love gel pens!) and one Parker pen. This makes me wonder how come I got so many pens in my bag. LOLz.

6. Do you keep anything edible in there?
When I was still working, I used to stock mints in my bag. But now, I don't have.

7. Are there invoices, receipts, etc in there?
Yes..plenty of them. The oldest, the Dad's receipt dated June 15, 2008.

8. Is the color of your wallet the same as your bag?
Yes, they're both black.

9. Are you a bag person? How many bags do you own?
Not really. I just have a few..3 I think.

10. Are you brand conscious with your bags?
No. I have a few branded bags but they weren't bought. They were gifts to me.

Online Wedding.

I wonder if couples who met online and had a cyber relationship tied the knot in this manner:

Win $15 Paypal Money.

In the course of my random googling earlier, look what I've stumbled over.

clipped from youthministryideas.net

Youth Ministry Ideas
For Youth Leaders From Youth Leaders

I'm trying my luck to win Steve's Win It Wednesday $15 Paypal Money Giveaway he's holding over at Youth Ministry Ideas. Joining isn't tough at all as you just have to:
1. Blog about this contest (like what I'm doing now)..and

2. Leave a comment here.

Just plain easy, isn't it? Now if you want to take a chance, you still have ample time to join since it will last until this coming Tuesday.

I'd love to win so I can buy something for Asher on his 7th month birthday soon. :)

Nut and Bolt Wedding Rings?

Weddings nowadays have truly changed. From the advancement and innovativeness of so many things to the weirdest wedding stuffs one can think of, I am always amazed and surprised more often than not. I'm surfing the weddingsatwork blog and saw these cool wedding bands:


Just leave out the sexual undertone it connotes, but the idea is actually cool. It simply signifies how two married people should complement each other like a nut and bolt. Clever, huh? This by the way is brass, 24k gold plate white zircon, designed by Kiley Granberg.

I wonder if there are also rings like a electric socket & plug, or coffee & cream, or nail & hammer. Or wedding bands that signifies a couple's common interest like gadgets, cars, pets or emblems of more specific ones like Superman movie theme, Benz or Ferrari parts. How amusing would that be.

Financial Talk: Things To Prepare Before Getting Married.

Husband: I dreamt I was laid off and you lost all your credit cards
Woman: That wasn't a dream. That was a nightmare!

1. Do an honest evaluation and talk about each other's finances
- Lay down what each of you has to offer and come together where you both stand because your financial lives will collectively become one.

2. Figure out the expenses that your financial standing can afford and how to budget.
- Your lifestyle as a couple, the monthly expenses like rent, utilities and the like must be considered. Make an agreement how your salaries (if both of you are working) will be saved, partitioned (like who pays on what).

3. Plan out a savings goal
- This goes to goals like properties to be acquired in the future (house, car, etc), children's education, and business.

4. To handle emergencies, obtain an insurance
- Study thoroughly and get the best deal on insurance. So spend some time perusing all those disability, health and term life insurance quotes from a reputable insurance agency.

5. Prioritize marriage
- Don’t let anything especially money come between the two of you. Work on your marriage and make it your top priority at all times. No amount of salary will make your marriage solid but quality time and open communication will.

Who Were You In High School?

You Were the All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

All American Kid..cool! My High School years, I believe, were the best part of my school life. I way enjoyed High School than College because it was the time when I most relished my teenage years without having to take life so seriously. Unlike College wherein you have to be deeply focused since your future is nearing to take shape, High School just lets you savor life as it is and the only worries you have is thinking how to get rid of acne, puppy love and crushes, terror teachers and some other minor peer pressures to deal with.

Modern Bathroom Faucet.

I would love to have this faucet in our bathroom:

This is called the Water Ball Ripples and I saw this over at Freshome.com. Designed by Smith Newnam, this isn't actually available yet in the market as it's just a concept right now. It may look complex at first but controlling it is just easy. The electronically-secured metal ball on top of the faucet’s frosted glass surface is moved towards and outside of the center to control the water pressure. While moving it around the center controls the temperature. The surface glows red or blue to denote how cold or hot the water is. Cool, isn't it? Definitely lovely for the bathroom. I wonder if Delta faucets will have such concept in the future.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

You Get Enough Sleep

Although sometimes it make not feel like it on Monday morning... You are getting enough sleep. Want to sleep better? Try wearing socks to bed and turning your clock to where you can't see it.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

If I were to take this quiz some time April, the results would have been otherwise. Thank goodness, my son has been sleeping through the night since his second month. Otherwise, I might have become a total zombie for months already. I can still recall how tough it was during Asher's first month when we have to wake up every hour or so to check why he's crying in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning. I felt my head was about to explode and acne was all over my face due to lack of sleep. But that's how the first part of motherhood is and albeit difficult, it was all worth it. You'll be doing everything for your child.

Top Five Music.

What's yours?

Christmas Shopping and Shipping.

We're almost halfway through September, then just about two and a half months, Christmas is already right here in front of our nose. Don't you always wonder how time flies by so swiftly? Well I do. That's the reason why as early as now, I have started listing down the list of Christmas gifts we'll give this year. I also told hubby to start buying whenever we can so as to avoid the Christmas rush just like what happened last year.

Since it's gonna be Asher's first Christmas celebration, we're the most excited that's why as early as now I have also started listing down his Christmas Wish List as well as things that Santa Claus will be gifting him. I am also excited for the sales that we'll be happening as the season changes. I'm one manic mommy shopper again if that happens. If only Old Navy could have been accepting international billing details, we're supposed to be waiting for a box full of shopping loots that would be shipped by an Oregon-based friend to here. Then I might as well ask her to send a best buy dell laptop I saw online through portland crating services. Fragile and valued items such as these must be via shipping crates portland as they are not safe to be sent via ordinary shipping boxes. Her mom has tried sending a furniture through Industrial Craters and Packers' crating portland services and they were pleased how the custom crates were done. Their services are commendable for they have been in the business and trusted over the years.

"Protect Baby, Protect Mom"

Two former colleagues are about to give birth soon. Two friends are scheduled to pop any time soon as well. Five blogger and twitter friends are also pregnant. Are we having some baby boom here..probably yes. I remember when I was infanticipating a few months back, I have several friends and acquaintances who were also pregnant. Oh well, babies are a blessing and being a mother is the best experience a woman can undergo in life so it's no wonder why pregnancy and birth announcements are always good news, don't you agree?

Now this suddenly reminds me of my own pregnancy. The moment I learned that hubby and I were infanticipating, I read countless pregnancy and parenting books and signed up with several pregnancy journal newsletters to educate me about the things I need to know and learn especially that I'm a first time mom. There are tons of new terms that I encountered and one of them is this technology called cord blood banking where a newborn's umbilical cord blood is preserved for potential use against many illnesses like Leukemia, Lymphoma and Immune system disorders. There are already many pregnant Moms who have supported this undertaking that's why initiatives such as Cryo-Cell's "Protect Baby, Protect Mom" are worth trying out. If you'd like to know more about this program, hop on over Cryo-cell's site and check out their "Protect Baby, Protect Mom" Special Limited-Time Introductory Offer.


Further you might want to check out the other Cryo-Cell Innovative Stem Cell Solutions. This is also entirely new to me. I didn't know that our menstrual fluid during our menstrual cycle aren't unsanitary wastes at all. They are source of vital stem cells that are collected, processed and cryo-preserved that may have value over time as new cellular therapies emerge.

Sports Buff In The Making.

When Asher grows up, we'll definitely encourage him to be involved with sports. Aside from keeping one mentally or physically fit and healthy, sports instills in one's self discipline, interpersonal and social skills (for team sports). I want him to become a goal-oriented person, working and focused to strive a set dream. Further it brings leisure and recreation satisfaction.

There are several types of team sports, mostly involves contending possession for a ball or object. Most common examples and most played are Basketball, Baseball, Soccer and Volleyball. I'm pretty sure that Asher will grow up to be a sports-minded person someday because hubby and I, ourselves, are sports buffs. Hubby loves playing basketball and billiards while I, on the other hand, is into volleyball. It's up to Asher which sport will he choose but I'm making a strong bet, it'd be basketball. Why, you may ask..well just look at the pictures below.

Free Medical Minute Guide

If you wake up one morning and not feeling well, how do you approach it? Do you take painkillers or self-medicate, just shrug off the pain hoping that it will disappear in a minute or so or go to the doctor right away? While there are discomforts and illnesses that don't need an immediate doctor's check up, keeping yourself familiar or abreast of your condition is advisable. After all, you'll never know that a bigger danger might be lurking just around the corner, starting with just one simple symptom. In the age of modern technology, we're lucky readily access tons of information through the internet. In the field of Medicine, Epocrates Inc has this Free Online Medical Guide that is a resource of drug and disease that can be used by anyone patients and health care professionals and the like. It has a disease database where several info such as condition overview, risk factors, tests to order, treatment approach and more. In addition, a drug reference guide supplements the database to determine which drugs can be safely prescribed knowing the right dosage, possible reactions with other prescribed drugs, etc. From the simplest ailment such as colds to a more sensitive one like Genital Tract Chlamydia Infection and more complicated heart diseases, all can be found here. This is definitely one useful and helpful easy online guide.

This announcement was paid for by Epocrates.

Spread the Christmas Spirit

Tagged by Ann.

Starts here.
It’s so simple. Copy the photo below then write your blog and your wish this Christmas 2008. Your wish has to be something PRICELESS and SELFLESS… something that money can’t buy… something that another person will treasure dearly.

1. Bits and Pieces by Jan: I wish Gino and I will be able to convince friends to help us sponsor a simple Christmas party for the children of White Cross Children’s Home in San Juan.
2. The Wifey Diaries by Jannesse: My birthday falls on the 22nd of December. I have always wished to spend it with orphaned or abandoned kids. I’d be super happy to spend my birthday with them. That way, they get early Christmas presents from me. Oh, and can I wish for a baby, too? Please?
3. The Versoza Inc. by: Con: I’d like to have a simple Christmas party for all the children of our employees. Times were hard on our company this 2007, but still, the Christmas Spirit should not be overpowered by it. Christmas is about family. So our Christmas party should not be for employees only, but for their families as well. Also, I wish our clan would make it a tradition to have a Christmas gift giving project. My Tita Doi started it last year with the Antipolo church children. I am looking forward to this year.
4. Mommy On Top: I wish I could help a couple of kids (both are related to my kids’ nannies) finish their education so they can, in turn, help their family earn a living. I could try and help them find a job, but without finishing their studies, they can only go too far. With a diploma or at least some certificate of formal education, they could do so much and reach farther. I hope my efforts in hooking them up with this certain NGO will come out with favorable results.
5. Me, Myself and I: I wish that I could donate something in a charity or for anyone who badly needs a help this year. And of course, WORLD PEACE!
6. Life’s Little Secrets: I wish God will grant those couples who were praying for them to have a baby. I wanted them to feel what happiness a child can give to them, for them to have a family they can call their own. I know this people are capable of rearing a child and I think it’s not that much to grant their prayers and wishes. *wink*
7. Official Chosen Fate: I wish that sick babies and little kids afflicted with serious illness be totally cured so they can just play, grow and enjoy life.
8. Swept Away: I wish that the government can set the NFA Rice cost at Php 1 a kilo (or even for free) so that the impoverished Filipino families have more than a cupful of rice to serve and feast upon on their dining table.
9. Love. Happiness. Us.: I wish to organize a small Christmas Party at Senden Homes, an orphanage for little boys, to bring joy and smile in their faces and make them feel special and that they are loved even though they've been neglected by their parents.
   

Considred yourself as tagged.

What Love Quote Suits You?

Your Love Quote

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.

What Love Quote Suits You?

Clingy.

Just a tip I received from Femme daily text alert for girls:

Don't be too clingy to your guy. Let him be him.
Don't call him every 5 hours.
If he doesn't pick up and answer your calls, he's probably busy.
Being too clingy will annoy him.

Beauty Jobs.

I was supposed to digiscrap today but I set aside it for the mean time as a friend is in need of my help. She's looking for a cosmetology school in Minneapolis to where she can pursue her interest. Luckily, I stumbled upon the Regency Beauty Institute. I find their curriculum interesting most especially the career opportunities it offers after graduation. Recently, it has launched a beauty industry job placement website where their students can search and apply for beauty jobs among its industry partners. Hence, their students are assured of a successful career afterwards in the same way that salon and spa owner partners don't have a hard time scouting for a promising new talent. I bet my friend will be overly delighted with my online find.