Thank Firmoo...

Finally, after days of waiting, all fifteen sunglasses arrived courtesy of Firmoo. Soon, I will hold a give-away on this blog for lucky winners to receive one of the sunglasses below.

If you want one, keep posted for the give-away post.. It will be open for all persons with Facebook and twitter accounts.. 

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Lili's Beads...

Lili has been busy making beads this summer. She has acquired the beads from my sister, and she has started making bracelets, necklaces and all other accessories for each of us in the family since the middle of April. All we bought were new strings and locks. We also bought some decorative beads, Pewter beads, and some nice artificial pearls and gems to add to her creations.

Although she is just a beginner, I love all of her creations. They may not be perfectly done, but somehow, that's what drives her to make more, so she can practice making better batches. It's a better pastime and a better alternative than all other bead-related activities that were suggested. I will show you her beads when she is confident enough to allow me to show to the world her creations. 

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Happy Mother's Day, Everyday..

My wall, private inbox and phone inbox had been flooded with"Happy Mother's Day" greetings. And I too, have sent messages to friends and relatives for this monumental day for mothers..

But really, mother's day is a daily fair. Just like Valentines day and Christmas, Mother's day is not counted just once a year, but on a daily basis..

 

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Wanna Order This Yummy Pie?

My mom bought this Pineapple pie from the bakeshop where she usually gets the Buko pie we all love at home. I so love the simple yet effective presentation of the pie inside its box made from recycled material.

What I love about the pineapple pie is the flaky crust and the chewey, gooey filling..

If you wanna know where to get this pie, leave me a comment...

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The Girl and Her Love For Her Car

Most girls grew up with dolls and girly things. But some, like my good ole buddy, cousin, friend and playmate,  "she who does not want to be named", who now lives in the US, grew up with tractors, cars and all kinds of vehicles in her tender age. Not only that, she practically played with pliers, hammers, screw drivers and some mechanics tools. While she is not a tomboy, she just loves spending time with the boys in the family. And while most girls got busy with boys in their teens, she was already busy helping her dad fix her beetle, which was at that time, the car that she was dying to have. Classic taste, but soon after, she has developed a taste for the modern. My cousin told me that she is selling her beetle. Well, it has not been used ever since she left, but was kept in good condition somehow. But how she told me about selling it seems unbelievable now. It was said in a rather not so important manner, as if it was not her all time favorite. Little did I know that she has also been checking St George Car Dealerships for a new car there. My uncle said it she has taken this new liking for a car they saw at Hyundai Dealerships Utah, when he visited her, but is still currently looking for a chance to change her mind. Hahaha, as if she can easily change her mind, once she has set her heart on something. But the thought of her selling the beetle still leaves me thinking. How on earth can a woman sell the car she has married for life? I mean, she has taken a vow to keep it forever. And if someone touched it, she would wage war as if it were some kind of a tyranny upon her and the car, lol. That's just how much she loved that beetle. Does it mean she is not coming home anymore?

Hmmm.... Anyway, I think it's a good idea that she get herself a new car. Change is good. But I think she will get one that she will perhaps marry into again, lol. Seriously, she is like a soldier and his gun, and that's her and her car, if we put it. She can't seem to leave the car behind that if I am to think in a crazy manner, I would say the car had life.  Now, I can not imagine why she has become a nurse when she should have become a car racer or a mechanic with such passion for cars. Oh and the beetle actually has a name. Hahahaha.. So if and when it gets sold, I am imagining a funeral for her beloved Patrick.. 

 

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Business As It Is..

We went to a local seller of ceiling fans, and realized that this summer, their prices have actually increased. Wow.. It's become a great business for some people-- this heat! But of course, whatever is the need for the time is indeed a good business venture. After TS Sendong, when people started cleaning their homes from all the mud from the flash flood, boots, gloves and masks were sold out everywhere. Doxicycline was nowhere to be found for a week or so, and water was scarce. With fans, manual fans, electric fans, ceiling fans, and all others are not scarce, but they come in surging prices. My daughter has a funny way of resolving this problem of heat without using a fan. She simply dipped herself in a huge vat in the bathroom. Hahahaha.. If business people would know about that, they may go high on their prices too. 

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Back From A Short Vacation, Now Working Again...

Last week, we stayed at our parent's place in Opol. It was like a mini vacation in a place that's near, but that which also seems far. We had to buy ingredients like top sirloin and all others for my brother's birthday, which we actually celebrated not just one day, but for all the time we stayed there. It was a breather for all of us. A short vacation of some sort. Well, it wouldn't be a FULL vacation for me if SMART and SUN internet connections were cooperative enough in that location. I was never able to finish online tasks for so many days, and now I am facing deadline, lol.. Hahaha.. Anyhow, I loved the fact that we were able to rest from online work for a couple of days... 

We arrived in the evening, and in the morning of the next day, the day before my brother's big day, we witnessed a FUN RUN as runners passed by my parent's house, then we headed towards the beach. We actually had breakfast there, and went back home at eight.

We usually buy fresh seafoods from beach vendors like the lady in blue in the photo below... See that portable scale to weigh the food?

Well, that's what vendors do before telling you the price, and then advising the client to have them broiled for an extra fee of P 50 per kilo... You do not pay until the cooked food is delivered... 

So after buying the food, we go back to the water, until the food arrives and we eat breakfast...

Well, that's what we had.. Some salty sweet fresh fish broiled to perfection, as well as the huge squids...

It's totally different eating broiled food at the beach than indoors.. I so love that, and looking forward to another short vacation sometime soon.. but for now, I am working on a Sunday to make up for the lost time to finish all my tasks...

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Know Your Weapons Against DUI Charges

When you get arrested for driving under the influence or DUI, you have a lot of potential problems on your hands. At the worst case, you might end up going to jail for awhile. At the very least, this can be a dark smudge on your record, bail money you are never going to get back and the temporary loss of your car to the impound lot. However, you are not defenseless, and the following can help you out.

Your Social Network

When you have a good social network to back you up, your defense is a lot stronger than if you try to go it alone. In fact, a dui character reference letter may even be able to sway the court in your favor. If it comes down to a question of whether to charge you or not, a one-time breach might be forgiven if enough people support the fact that you're a generally good person. Unfortunately, many people frequently forget DUI laws. For these kinds of serial offenders, there really is no saving them.

Your Lawyer

With a bad lawyer or no lawyer, you have a hard row to hoe. For some people working a simple case, this might be marginally passable. But for most people, the law is far too complicated and the legal process is far too scary to navigate individually. So when it comes time to use an attorney, make sure it's someone who is dedicated and experienced. Relying on a public defender is primarily for the indigent, and it carries consequences.

A good lawyer, on the other hand, can make your case very successfully. When your attorney has a solid case to work with and your record is reasonable, your weapons in defending yourself against this kind of charge become even stronger.

Your Past

Your past can ultimately be a very strong indicator of your future. If your past experience has not been good, your future may involve a lot more court appearances and even some time on the inside. If your attorney and the other people in your social network don't have a very good past to work with on your part, they may not be able to defend you.

However, your past can also do very well for you. If this is your first offense, it should be a minimal charge. If there was nothing to exacerbate the problem such as an accident, this also works in your favor. The more good time you've had in the past, the better your time is likely to be in the future.

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Muve Music Brings You Closer to Your Favorite Artists

Music does more than soothe the savage beast. Music inspires and uplifts, making it easier to do so many things. Working out, housework or dealing with work all seem to be better every time you're listening to the tunes you love best. Thanks to advanced technology, you always have access to music through computers, MP3 players and cell phones. Muve Music makes it even more effortless to listen and learn more about your favorite artists whenever you want. For instance, once Muve Music presents B.o.B. to 92.3 NOW, along with many other amazing artists, several fans and Muve Music subscribers will definitely enjoy the opportunity to listen.

Streamlining Your Experience

One of the great things about programs like Muve is that you no longer need to juggle a bunch of electronics. Cell phones can do just about everything, nowadays, from giving you directions to calling restaurants and making reservations for you. You no longer need to carry a separate MP3 player either. Listening to music on your phone makes life that much easier. With the benefits of Muve Music, you can enjoy the ease of listening to music right on your phone, even as you carry on conversations, play games, send text messages and surf the web! No matter where you are, Muve Music can get you access to the songs of your favorite artists.

Getting to Know Your Favorite Artists

Many people who love music also enjoy getting to know their favorite artists. Besides music, new tracks and special collaborations, Muve Music also provides their users with special Q&A sessions and performances, featuring your favorite musicians and bands. Events like the one where Muve Music presents B.o.B to 92.3 NOW, helps fans learn more about the artist's inspirations, visions, his music making processes and lots of other personal information. Besides B.O.B, you can also have access to information of other artists. Other exclusive offers from Muve Music will include limited releases and special edition songs, commentary and recordings.

People who enjoy music definitely appreciate the opportunity to get to know their favorite artists more. Whether they may be aspiring musicians or singers themselves, or were just simply inspired by the artist's music, fans enjoy an inside and exclusive look into the life of the musician they look up to. Getting the chance to be the first to obtain special tracks, commentary, interviews and access allows each fan to feel a little closer to their favorite artists. Users will have less hassle in transferring their favorite music, less research on exclusive information and definitely more time to enjoy the benefits of having Muve Music.

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A Little Boost Helps a Lot!

I read in a magazine that low levels of testosterone can not only cause impotence, but can also trigger prostate cancer. That is really scary. It should be balanced in both men and women and although women need a little of it, still it important for conception. That's why there are now many vitamins and food supplements that cater to the giving testosterone a boost. That, plus eating foods that can enhance it, will surely do the trick. In case you do not know yet, bananas can help. So with oysters and beans. You can also have honey and lots of garlic, as they too can be of so much advantage. Now, for those who are conscious about avocados, try them as they can also help if your problem is a low level testosterone. But a word of caution though, too much of it can do so much harm too. 

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Philippine Homeschool Conference 2012

The Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) recently made announcements that the country's 4th Homeschooling Conference has been scheduled to happen on May 19, 2012. Set to take place at St. Francis Square Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong, the event will gather parents, academe, and homeschooling experts in one venue to promote awareness of the program, as well as provide guests with access to homeschool-related tools and services.

Homeschooling is a practice that, over the years, has rapidly gained popularity in the Philippines. Providing children with a familiar and relaxed learning environment that allows parents to tailor-fit certain aspects of their education based on their needs, remote education shatters the long-standing concept that prime education happens only within the confines of the classroom, and is also proven to unlock certain hidden potentials of the student—presenting more room for growth and enhancement.

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That Cardigan

Mother's day is near and I am looking forward to that cashmere cardigan to be wrapped and given to the recipient. My daughter is crazy about whatever occasion would come around as she would then prepare her cards and make one for each person she will be giving her labor of love to. In fact, when she saw the different designs of cardigans in the catalog, she was ecstatic, and asked me if she can make one in the future. So I gingerly told her that she will need to learn how to do it, otherwise, she should simply buy them from the boutiques, lol.

Anyway, I am loving the cardigan as the color is just right. It will surely match the eyes of the person, to whom it is intended for. I chose to give her a cardigan this year as she requested for it, but somehow, I managed to trick her by saying that I wouldn't be able to do so. When she gets my package, I am sure she will have a really wonderful surprise.. 

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Vote for Jessica Sanchez

This image was shared in Facebook. When I saw this, I saw how it went on television. I was even crying for joy that Jessica Sanchez was saved by the judges so she won't have to lose her chance at becomning the American Idol. But what struck me was when one of the judges said that she is one ofthe best singers in America and that the contest is a quest at finding who the best is. 

Jessica didn't go home that night, and friends and supporters of Jessica should know that even if she is good, her VOTES count most.. so we should all vote for her to win...

http://www.americanidol.com/vote/

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Questions Dilluted the Process...

How many people ask questions that they already know the answer? Of course, it's not about whether the rain will stop or when it will come. Or, it could go like "does natadrol work?", or "how do frogs sleep?", and a bunch of whatnots. Questions also come dressed in so many ideas relevant or not that is infact conveyed even while the one asking questions is not at all aware of what he or she is doing. Guess that's how people who lie are being found out...

Ah.. My question is, "will I ever finish what I am doing now?" and I could just laugh at the thought that thinking about them simply makes me slack off and finish even later that how I wanted to finish. Not that I do not have the heart to do them, it's just that, I have so many ideas in mind but couldn't quite figure out what to do first. Crazy huh? 

"Questions dilluted the process".. I remember that line from V- Monologues, and I laugh about it. Yeah, it may be an understatement but it does mean something.. Oh pardon me, I am really very sleepy right now..

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I LOve This...

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Remembering My Grandmother

When we arrived here in the house of my aunt, the kids played in the yard and I just took pictures of them having fun while being settled at the modern outdoor seating. While they were busy running around and jumping about, I took pictures of the background too. And so, my eyes strayed on the orchids in bloom.They were so much the same as one of my grandmother's orchids. My grandmother loved orchids that she had so many different varieties of orchids that she personally took care of. 

Looking at the blooms reminds me of my grandmother's beautiful smile and the beautiful person that she was.. We were all blessed to have a wonderful grandmother whose life was generously spent loving all her children and grandchildren, family and friends and everyone who she sincerely showed love in her own way. I remember the pastel too. The pastel she makes out of love, and gives as gifts with personal labels. I also remeber her handicrafts as well as the pictures she patiently compiled in albums for specific persons be it her child, grandchild, relative or friend. Best of all, I am reminded or our small conversations, serious or not. I miss you lola..We'll meet again, I am sure of that..

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YUM!

Thank you Vic for your yummy Peanut Kisses. My sister, Lili and I-- we all loved munching on them. They are our long time favorite treats from Bohol.. And Robstry, thanks for this one too. I just love the crunch on the side plus the nuts on top.. Looking forward to my order to take with me as pasalubong for my family in Butuan..

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Someone Unsubscribed..

Someone unsubscribed from my blog. This is a first time, and I feel bad because this is a real person unsubscribing and not an autobot. I do not know her on a personal level, but have met in our group's page in Facebook. In fact, this person has been asking me for likes and comments, whenever she joins contests at Facebook. Well, things like this can go even more bloody, as my cousins would quote pages from Assassins Creed: Revelations. It is just a subscription, and I am not bothered by it. Truth is, unsubscription has been a great deal for some bloggers, especially when those who unsubscribed subscribed only prior to joining contests from a blogger's blog.  In her case, I have seen her post comments about people unsubscribing and how badly she feels about said people. But then, now, it is she who is doing it as well. Tsk tsk tsk.. bad.. 

On the lighter note, I think it is best that she unsubscribe. For she may not really be reading the posts anyway. It will be a waste of space on her email. NO BIGGIE!!

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FREEDOM

What do you think of this? Do you agree or not? I saw this being shared at Facebook, and I really think the message is clear.. We should all respect each other.

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Funeral Planning

Nobody in their right mind would hire someone for planning a funeral for them or their loved one years before it will even happen. I mean, it's not like a wedding or an anniversary or a birthday party that needs some planning to have a perfect presentation, where a program is set and made beautiful by the choices of songs, music, performances, speeches and all others. In our culture, to even speak about the death of a parent is bad enough as it will equate being too aggressive to get what the parents will leave behind. Besides that, we do not really know for sure, when we shall go back to dust.

But then, maybe, if the person who passed on is a very important person, and tens of thousands will be observing the funeral rites with very important persons as guests, will it be reasonable enough to hire a funeral planner. On the other hand, if we talk about this business, funeral planning, it is actually acceptable and even widely accepted in countries where loved ones are busy and would not have time to put together a beautiful funeral for the loved one that passed on. 

For the sake of understanding, funeral planning happens right after a loved one dies, where the direct family is not able to organize activities within the wake and the funeral. While each religion varies in rites, different cultures have also different beliefs that can be observed on how and what they do during this time. For a funeral planner to be successful, he or she must know all practices as well as all distinct acts, in order to give much emphasis on the loved ones' religious or personal preferences parallel to his beliefs and culture as well as traditions of the family.

Actors and actresses, as well as politicians who have passed on, may have been featured online as well as on television, the news and even in blogs, to have such a  beautiful, solemn funeral. The description will vary as how spectators will see during the said ceremony.. 

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eGraduation

I have seen on the news that parents who are out of the country and will not be able to see the graduation of their kids as they happen, can now watch the said ceremony live via stream online. It is more than just web video conferencing, but witnessing a complete program as they happen. All public schools in Luzon have adapted such eGraduation streaming so that OFWs can be rewarded by witnessing their kids' graduation ceremonies on time, or even watch the replay online. One parent even cried because for so many years, she has never really witnessed any of her children's graduation, except for her son who graduated with honors. She was so happy, she cried. 

So, if said live streaming had been adapted by all public schools, as well as the private schools, then OFW parents around the world, would have seen their children march and graduate online.. 

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Loot Bags for Cadayunan Primary School Christmas Party

Last December, CDO Bloggers Inc went to Cadayunan Primary School in Besigan for our Christmas Outreach Program. But then, when we went there, the toothbrushes from Firefly Toothbrush had not arrived yet. They did arrive three days after. So we resolved in going back to Cadayunan Primary School for a Loot Bag giving during their Christmas party which was scheduled on December 16, 2011.

However, in the evening of December 13, 2011 we received word that the kids will be coming to the city on the 16th, and that their Christmas Party had been moved earlier by a day, December 15, 2011. Because the schedule was moved, we have not been able to go there for each of our personal reasons and schedules plotted beforehand. So instead, we opted to simply send the loot through their adviser, Sir Joseph.

 We were so lucky that Guard Insect Repellent Lotion was added to the loot.

And while toothbrushes were given by Firefly Toothbrush, blogger friend, Dhadha Garcia, provided the toothpastes that we added in the Christmas pack.

I met Sir Joseph at Jollibee Carmen, which was the meeting point during the previous trip to Besigan.

I was so thankful that Lili's Christmas party was scheduled December 19, for most of the members were busy with kids' Christmas parties at their schools, and all other Christmas related engagements that day. At least, I was able to meet their adviser as early as 6 A.M., and when I met him, I learned that he and Teacher Reyn were still busy cooking food to be brought to Besigan.. 

Well, we all know that December 16 midnight and December 17, 2011 was the infamous TS Sendong tragedy. This is actually a long overdue post due to TS Sendong complications from December 2011 onwards.

It was only in February 2012 that I saw the pictures of the kids during their Christmas Party.. 

I am glad that the kids are okay after TS Sendong also hit some parts of Besigan. I am happy that they liked our small token of love.. 

And they are all thankful to all sponsors too. Thank you so much for making the kids at Cadayunan Primary School happy..

Aside from the items above, included inside the loot are candies, toys, biscuits and cookies and money tokens for each kid. Below is what each child will get inside the loot bag...

Thanks to my friend Amy for the money tokens. The plan was to give them inside Red Pockets, but changes went with the changes in the schedule.. We are glad Teacher Joseph made it possible for us to still send what we all wanted to give..

I would also like to thank Mommy Raya, another mommy blogger who lives in Thailand for the candies. The biscuits and cookies were from our own stock at home. My daughter told me that she wanted to give them away for the kids at Cadayunan Primary School, after seeing all the photos of our previous visit.

Now
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Things To Look For In A Freight Shipping Company

Some things that you need to consider when looking for a freight shipping company.

Sending and transporting cargo via freight shipping is no simple matter. Various factors can affect not just the delivery time, but also the overall condition of your cargo. This is extremely important especially if your cargo is of sensitive nature, of great value, expensive, fragile, or of personal importance.

To make sure you get the best freight shipping services available, here are some of the things that you should look for.

·         Local pickups. An excellent shipping company takes the responsibility of transporting your cargo from the source all the way to its destination. In other words, a good shipping company takes the worry of taking the package from your house to the company or to any other packaging center away from your hands. No, it’s not supposed to be an extra service. It’s more like a show of confidence on the company’s part. If they aren’t even confident enough in transporting your package from your house to the delivery or packaging centers, then what more to the cargo’s intended destination?

·         Versatile packaging services. Second, freight shipping companies should cater to its customers’ needs and requests. They should be versatile enough to be able to accommodate any type of package and have the appropriate means to safeguard the cargo. Freight Dynamics, for example, offers custom packaging services like foam-in-place packaging, palletizing, or completely customizable crating. Others, however, are limited to just standard-sized crates, bubble-wraps, and shrink-wraps. If you’re looking for a secure shipping company to take care of your valuable cargoes, go for the one that offers you the most choices of security and packaging systems.

·         Complete packaging, storage and transportation system in one. Most freight shipping companies partner with cheap freight moving services and other third party movers to complete the transfer of their cargos. In other words, they outsource some of the work that they promised to deliver. How exactly does this affect your package? Since third party groups don’t necessarily have the same commitment as the original freight shipping company you chose, you cannot expect them to place the same amount of care on your cargo as the first shipper you talked to. In contrast to this, if your shipping company is a complete system on its own, complete with movers all the way to local delivery crews, they are the only ones who would handle your cargo. They would put better care of your things.

·         Warehousing and Distribution Services coupled with real-time Inventory Monitoring. For special cargoes that require inventories, only a limited number of shipping companies offer warehousing services and meticulous distribution services. And even for the few who do, even fewer real-time online access to inventory monitoring. So if your cargo is of the same sensitive type, better look for these specialized shipping companies. 

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