Weekend Snapshot 11

We went to Phuket this weekend (that explains my absence in the blogosphere) , actually it was plainly for 'business' but of course, when you're in Phuket, you can't help but mix a little pleasure with it. So, during our free times we went sightseeing and even had a chance to dine in in Patong Beach. We surely enjoyed our trip!

When we went around, I was continually amazed at how beautiful the beaches are and gave me a chance to truly appreciate God's wonderful creation. It's just awesome!

I know my photos won't do justice in capturing the beauty of what we saw ( and not ot mention I didn't take a lot of photos)..:) But anyways, take a look at it and maybe it'll encourage you to visit Thailand and see it for yourself.

When we went to Patong Beach at night, we saw all these signages all around. It leads you to the Evacuation Route in case of Tsunami. This BEach was badly hit by the Tsunami waves 3 years ago, where thousands of people died.

The signages reminded me of that terrible disaster and I couldn't imagine a 20 meters(?) wave on that exact area where we stood and the casualities that occured. It really gave me goosebumps. I was reminded of the amount of tears shed and prayers we have uttered for those people who have been affected by it. It was sad and I hope and pray that a disaster like that won't happen again. * sigh*

God-sent Friends

Yesterday, I finally had my tooth extracted and whew, it was so painful even if I already had a shot of anesthesia. The dentist said that it has already been infected which explains the pain. And worse, I was also feeling feverish yesterday (actually until now). I'm not sure if it's because of my infected tooth or maybe I'm having tonsilitis since my tonsils are painful everytime I swallow.

So, since I just had my tooth extracted, I couldn't carry my baby so much because he's already so heavy. In the Philippines, we don't carry heavy things after tooth exraction because maybe "mabughat ko" (hahahah!sorry, I'm too lazy to look for the English term for this). My Dentist didnt say anything about this but anyways, I wanted to refrain carrying heavy things. So after the tooth extraction,we just stayed at the Center for there are a lot of people there who could take turns in carrying my baby.

But then at 4:30 pm everyone was going to have classes and my Hubby also had an appointment that he couldn't break. So, at 3:00 pm my Hubby sent the kids and I home. I was just hoping both kids will just take a nap so that I could also rest.

And thank God my kids took a nap and I was able to rest bit. But then the phone rang and it was our Korean family friend (a couple with 2 girls age 11 and 13). They said they'll be coming in 5 mins to visit us in the house. I was thinking," Oh, this is such a bad timing. I'm not well to entertain visitors and even our house is not in it's best 'condition'. But anyways, I said okay and rushed to make our living room a bit presentable.

Then they came and brought presents for Tricia and Lyle. So sweet of them. While we were talking, they were saying something like Tricia can play in their house , they already miss having babies in their house and etc. By the way, we speak Thai to each other (except their kids who can speak English very well) since they are more fluent in Thai than English, that explains why everything they said weren't so clear to me. And then I was so surprised that they already let Tricia dress up. Only then I understood that they want to bring Tricia and Lyle back to their house and take care of them. hahahaha!! Of course, I didn't hesitate at all. It is what I've been desiring the whole day- a few hours of rest, peace and quiet. The kids seemed quite excited to go with them too. Tricia was already busy getting dress and Lyle was being "pa-cute" to them when they carried him. The couple told me not to worry and I just rest. So, off they went with my kids! After all the bye-byes and sending off, I still couldn't believe that my kids went with them. hehehe!! It was their first time to go out without us but they seemed so happy to go with the family.

I took that as God's provision for me to take a short rest. God knows everything. Even the simple desire of my heart which to take a short rest. It's amazing that our Korean friends came in such a perfect time. They didnt come the day before or the day after but exactly on the day when I'm not feeling well and needed a rest. Thank God!! And I'm also blessed with these God-sent friends. I'm blessed with their hearts that when they came, they really blessed me in every sense. ( I also got a lesson here on how to be a blessing by lending a helping hand or by simply doing simple things for others.)

My kids were gone for almost 3 hours. I was able to take another nap, cooked dinner and cleaned the house a bit. When they came back I was already refreshed and I just heard good reports from them. The kids had a good time there. Lyle just cried a bit and Tricia just played with the girls the whole time. And you know what, they said they'll come and fetch the kids again next time. ;)

Taggy Time Part 2

It's Tag time once again and I would like to thank my friends for tagging me. Now, it's my turn to tag some of you and I hope you haven't done these tags yet or I hope you're not too busy to do it. By the way, if I happen to tag you, don't worry..you can do the tag at your own time. No pressure. Sometimes, tags can make you busy and it takes quite sometime to do it especially the choosing part, who to tag and the linking part too. :)

Make a wish Meme

I got this tag from Bogie. Thanks Gie!

Here are the rules:

1. Think about what it is that you want more than anything, what your heart’s desire and fondest wish is, and what it is that you would wish for if you were to see the above wishing star flame across the night sky.

2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic above.

3. Use a graphics program of your choice and place your wish on this picture.

It is my prayer that I will be faithful to GOd until the very end.

Sorry about this, because I still don't know how to use the Photo Editor I just uploaded.

What's your wish? Rhyan, Litlit and Janet

________________________________________________________________

Linky Love

I got this tag from Tere and Lareine. Thanks Girls! I got the same tags from you. So, I just combined both of the links you gave me. I hope it's okay Actually, I've already done this tag...but since my site is not in the links below, I just decided to do it again.

Cut and paste the following starting here.—————————————–

I have randomly selected 5 of you to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!) It’s real easy! Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!

The benefits of Viral Linking:- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!- Increase your Google PageRank fast- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site- Build your community- Make new friends!

The Strategist Notebook, Link Addiction, Ardour of the Heart, When Life Becomes a Book, The Malaysian Life, Yogatta.com, What goes under the sun,Roshidan’s Cyber Station, Sasha says, Arts of Physics, And the legend lives, My View, My Life, A Simple Life, Juliana RW, The Callalily Space, Petra Summer in Blue, Confessions of an Army Wife Bless’ Sanctuary Happy Life, http://bless519.bravejournal.com/, La Place de Cherie, Chez Francine, Le bric a brac de Cherie, Little Peanut, Pea in a Pod, The Creative In Me, Me and Mine, Pinay Mommy, Expressions from the Heart, TeacherJulie, Sweetbites by Bang, Paul, Toni and Lance - Bridging the Distance, Our Growing Family, The Uncensored life of me, My Untamed World, Something Purple, A Detour, Something Purple, Wifespeaks, Changing Lanes Blog District The Chic Shopaholic, DCDirectory, PRC Exams, Gracie de guzman, Texts, Just Blogging It, Jobs in Davao, Nora’s Notes, Nora’s Family Treasures, To the Moon and Back, My Happy Place, I am Dzoi, http://www.housewifeatwork.blogspot.com/, moms….. check nyo, Mommy’s Little Corner, Photos, Make Money Online, Davao Food Trip, Blessings in Life, Tere’s World, Journey in Life, Thoughts and Beyond, The Pipeline Fixation Jaylance Journal My Restless Feet Soloflight Ed Fil-Oz Rants and Ramblings More on Health Around d’ World What A World SuperNova & SweetPain Dancing With Butterflies Blessed Chic Just Let Go Pieces of Me My Journey Celebrate Life Deeply In Love Rojoy's Daily Update Rojoy's Kitchen Buzzy Bee Mom Mommy Joy Of Two Tertium Quid Lalaine's World… INSERT YOUR BLOGS HERE!

Now, I'm tagging my new blogger friends Gagay, A Piece of Idea and Nai Pablo

_________________________________________________________________

The Longest Line

I got this tag from Ruby. Thanks Rubs!

Copy and paste the following starting here (for bloggers paste on the "compose" not the "edit html" part in posting blogs so it will be linked automatically).

I have randomly selected other bloggers below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to add your link in the end of the list and tag other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding). Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!The benefits of Viral Linking:- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!- Increase your Google PageRank fast- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site- Build your community- Make new friends!

Abie - Journey to Life
Abie - MyPlanetPurple
Farah - changing lanes
Bela
Kaptyurd by Howell
Aggie
Apols
Apple
Thea
Jacqui
Jane
Jody
Joy
Kelly
Leah
Mich
Pat
Peachy
navin
Vien
Nick
Anna
venu
Catsy's Blogs
Catsy
Catsy II
Pet Blog
Out of the Blue
Travelnorms
Lira
Jackie1
Jackie2
Gigi's Humble Home
Gigi's Simple World
Flor All I want is everything

Chants corner dot comTravel,

Adventure and Lifestyle

RamblingsDumplings

Chant in USA
Wandering Thoughts
Bits and Pieces
A Journey to Life
The Start of the New Beginning
Pinay Mommy Online

OnlineBiz and Resources

Lalaine's World

And now, I am tagging Noemi, Shiela and Prily.

Have a blessed week to ALL!!

Weekend Snapshot 10

We were preparing for our graduation party and my Li'l girl was just enjoying 'swimming' in the sea of balloons we were going to put up.

These balloons remind me of Easter Eggs...We didn't have easter egg hunting today. Actually, I didn't even know that it's Holy Week until I read my cousin's blog..that's how 'lost' we are in this part of the world. heheehe!

Hope you had a great week and a have blessed week ahead!

Cannot Speak..TOOTHACHE

This evening, I had a terrible toothache and I was reminded of the Filipino joke where a foreigner would talk to a Pinoy and he will tell the foreigner, "Cannot speak toothache!" just to avoid speaking English. :)

It was my first time to experience a veryyyyy painful toothache (sorry for the redundancy but have to double it for you to imagine how painful it is!) where no matter how I'd like to talk but I just couldn't because it was so painful. I could even barely nod my head for 'yes' or shook it for 'no'. The sharp pain which went through my brain started when I chewed my food. OUCHHH!! It lasted quite long so I was quiet for a long time. Then after that, I even managed to joke with my Hubby and my friends and told them, "Now, I understand why they make toothache as an excuse for not speaking (English) because it's really so painful!" The pain subsided just for awhile and then it started back again and this time it was even more painful (and lasted for a long time)that we decided to go back home and take medicine.

Now, I feel better. I'm not sure if I would still want to eat for the next few days..I'm just so scared to experience that kind of pain again. For sure we'll be going to the dentist next week to have it checked or maybe have it extracted? There's no escape now..I really have to see the dentist..hehehe!

Good night for now and have a Blessed Easter Sunday tomorrow!

The Laughing Lyle

I just captured a precious moment of my Li'l Princess making my Li'l One laugh...If you're interested to see that short video, click HERE.

NOTE: I'm sorry if for the past days, all I've been posting is about my kids..I just can't help it!(LOL!)...I'm just so happy and thankful to God for all my precious gifts! :)

Graduation Party!

Today was the graduation party of the English Summer Workshop we organized for the kids. I thank God that everything went well and the kids with their parents really enjoyed the whole event.

Our lil girl graduated too as she also joined the whole workshop. She truly had fun since she was able to meet a lot of new friends. Even if she's a late riser, she managed to get up every morning ( after several "give me 5 more minutes to sleep, Amma") and go to school. The workshop is actually for the Thai children to learn English but my girl just enjoys being with them to sing songs, dance and do crafts. Her bestfriend, David is also there, so that adds her excitement.

So, during the graduation, I was surprised that my girl danced and sang (with the other children) on the stage. She would always tell me that she'll only sing/dance in front of me but not on the stage. She's not really shy but maybe she just have some stage fright or not really exposed to these things. Today was a breakthrough for her on the aspect of performing in front of other people. And for that, I'm proud of her that she was able perform on the stage. (Wait till she goes to the Philippines, her talent manager is already waiting for her there! LOL! ) And you know what, she also got an award, "BEst Singer Award" (hahaha! sa walay pabor pabor!.........Stage mom gyd!)

Tricia receiving 'her' certificate...there's a story behind this..:)

Tricia receiving her award. (applause...applause..)

Anyways, the highlight of the entire program was when all the children sang and interpreted "GLowing Inside" song by NIkke Gil. Thanks to Bogie who suggested this for their graduation song. We made this part of the presentation quite special. While they sang the song, we put in the LCD projector the video (we got from You Tube) of the song. It was good because maybe even if the Thai parents did not fully understand the lyrics of the song, but the message of the video was clear in which the daughter appreciates and is grateful for everything that the mother has done for her. Then right after the children sang the song, they all went to their mother/father, hugged, kissed them and gave them a rose....and ohhhh, there were a lot of teary eyed parents after that (including the writer, even if I was already aware that they were supposed to do this :) ) It was indeed a touching moment.

Thank God that Batch 1 of the workshop is done! Now, we're excited to go to Phuket and then....Batch 2 of the workshop begins! How to enjoy Phuket lah...if there's still work awaiting after that? LOL! My plan now is to finish all my work first before the Phuket 'Break' ..so, that gives me about 4-5 days ... I guess I won't be that visible then for the next 5 days but of course I'll always be tempted to post something or take a peek at some of your blogs..:)

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND TO ALL!

My Travel Diary

As if having three blogs is not enough yet, I created another one! The first two that I created are for my kids. It'll be something they can read and cherish when they grow up. I hope blogger and friendster blog will still be existing by then (that'll be another 10-15 years!). The 3rd blog (which is this one) is for my personal journey as a mom, wife and etc.

The 4th blog that I've created is a journal for all our travels..the places we've been to, the places that we want to be and etc. Aside from writing down our experiences in that blog, I hope it can be a helpful tool to others too as I'll try to post reviews and recommendations in certain places. I created a name for myself there, I called myself as THe Budget Traveller (hehehe! kay inot man!). Yes, even if we do travel a lot (most of the time, out of need since my spouse and I are from two different countries and living in a 3rd country) but we travel in a budget which makes the journey more exciting and worthwhile! :) Imagine the satisfaction of going back home to the Philippines and only paying 2,800 Pesos for a round trip ticket!! Travelling doesn't have to be expensive, you don't have to stay in expensive hotels or dine in the best restaurants to enjoy your trip. Seeing different places, experiencing their culture, tasting the food and all the other things is what makes makes it significant.

Okay, enough of my long introduction.... Let me take you with us as our family journey From Asia and Beyond.... note: the Beyond partof the title is still a "fictitious" part. LOL!

Taggy Time and Awards!

It's time to get back to tagging galore..:) I've been on a break with tags/awards for quite a long time now and I'm sure some of you may have been wondering what happened to the tags you gave me.

So, now I would like to let everyone know that I've scheduled to do my tags every monday and I'll be putting all in one post. I'm so sorry if this is inconvenient for some of you. Reason? Because I still want to reapply (maybe in a few weeks time) in the get paid to post site which I've been declined due to my blog ' which lacks original content' (that's what they said..huhuhuh!) As far as I know, my posts are all original so, I made the tags, viral links a culprit for this rejection. LOL! But don't despair, I'm still going to accept tags, links and etc but as I've said, I'll only post them once a week and put everything in one post. Would that be okay for ya?

LEt the tagging begin here ---------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been tagged by Bogie, Tabitha, ALje and Shiela. Thanks girls! :)

8 Random Facts about me.

In the 8 Facts About Yourself, you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end you tag at least 8 other bloggers to keep the fun going.

Here are the rules:

* Each blogger must post these rules first.

* Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

* Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

* At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.****

8 Random Facts about me.

1. I am the youngest child in our family and as any youngest child, I'm 'special' in the eyes of my parents (am I?) thus my siblings created a title for me, The Golden Child..LOL!

2. Both my pinky fingers are crooked..and you know what, my HUbby's pinky toes are also crooked! LOL! As my HUbby proudly says, "we are indeed made for each other!" heheheh!

3. I took up Interior Design in the university but never got to practice it.

4. I know a little of almost everything but never got the chance to master anything...i.e. painting, playing the piano, guitar, singing, dancing, cooking, baking, driving (!), swimming and etc.

5. I was a NBSB Club (No Boyfriend Since Birth) member (and president?) until the age of 24 when I had my first boyfriend, no other that my Dear Husband!

6. I love to eat!! :)

7. I'm a bit shy and it takes extra effort for me to approach and befriend new faces and start a conversation but now I'm improving a bit since I have a "coach" (my hubby).

8. Last, but most important of ALL, I believe in the life-saving grace and love of God through Jesus in whom we may have eternal life if we believe.

Now I want to tag: Nisha, Zhoe, Rach , Aisha , Desperate Blogger and Bernadeth

-----------------------------------------------

Pay it Forward Tag

I've been tagged by Ruby. Thanks Rubs and sorry that it took quite some time for me to post it.

>>>> Tag Starts Here <<<<

Pay it Forward (Comments Edition)

Okay one precious thing a blogger just like me can get is a comment/reaction to a specific post you have made. And being friends with co-blogger is a great bonus! Why not put them together and make our virtual world pure fun and loving.

Just like the movie “Pay It Forward”, its all about good deeds and everything follows. . .

All you have to do is to give 1 comment to at least 3 person. 1 comment per post and as much as possible, make your comment relevant to their post so they get quality comment and not a “cute nice spam”. And then tag them to do the same. Note that You can tag as many bloggers as u want, which means you will be commenting on all of them too! Those who are tagged, should give back the love and comment on the site who tagged them.

meaning: 1st person (tag and start commenting) - - > 2 person (been tagged, give a comment back to 1st person, tag and start commenting) - - > 3rd person (been tagged, give comment back to 2nd person, tag and start commenting) - - until eternity - -

Then add your link here:
Nelle, Pinay Mommy Online, OnlineBiz and Resources, Lalaine's World, INSERT YOUR LINK HERE

>>>> Tag Ends Here <<<<

Now, I want to tag Bogie, Catsy, Noemi and ALje

Awards Galore

I've received this award specially designed and heartfelt given by Nisha. Thanks Nish, I really appreciate this.

Bernadeth and Angel also gave me a HUG!! Thanks so much for this HUG..appreciate it!

And lastly Angel gave me this bunch of Awards...Thanks friend, that in spite of your busyness you still remembered me!! :)

Weekend Snapshot 9

After our busy weekends, we finally decided to spend some time with ourselves as a family. So, off we went to the park with our food, mat, kids and rabbit.

It was a great time for all of us especially for our Li'l girl who was free to run around and mostly running after her rabbit. Her rabbit's name is 'Christmas' ( yes, she got her as a Christmas gift from her "Ninong'/godfather). We pity this rabbit because as she grows older and bigger, her cage becomes too small for her too and here's not enough space for her to move. So, last saturday it was her chance to freely run around the spacious park. It turned out we just didn't have a happy girl but we also had a happy rabbit. :)

The happy and contented "Christmas"bunny.

My happy girl with a struggling rabbit. LOL!

Oh, how wonderful are God's precious gifts to me !!

We truly had a blessed weekend! How was yours?

Have a blessed week ahead!!

Family Activity Time

The past weeks have been busy for us. We didn't realized that we've been working ( esp. my Hubby) for 7 days a week. We've always been around with people and even working in the Center till late night. This week was not as hectic as the last 2 weeks but still we feel tired and exhausted.

So this afternoon we decided to take a break and have our family time. We haven't done any since our busy days..So, off we went to the park with our food, mat, kids and rabbit. (Photos and details to follow tomorrow for the weekend snapshot). We truly had a wonderful time with family!

My Hubby and I decided not to neglect this activity time with family as it is most needed by us and the kids to keep us balanced. I thank God for this realization because if we forget about this and become too serious with work (and not enough time to do other form of relaxation or recreation), it might lead to being burnt out. The form of recreation as a family need not to be expensive but the essence is spending time together and doing an activity other than our normal routine. It will take added effort to think of activities such as this but it's truly refreshing and thus worth it.

So, now I've already done a list of other activities I would like us to do as a family for the following weeks:

1) Swimming... but for this activity, I'll take my role as a 'lifeguard since I'm not worthy to put on a swimsuit...LOL!

2) Picnic at the Beach

3) Boating at the Lake

4) Exercise at the Stadium

5) Playtime at the playground

6) Any Ideas??? I need more ideas here... My Hubby and I talked about camping this afternoon, but I guess this has to wait till Lyle grows up. Perhaps another 2 -3 years?

Gwapito!!

:) Of course, I call my very own son..gwapito! No one can say anything about that because he's my son..hehehehe!! Kidding aside, I really thank God for our boy as an added blessing in our lives. Our days even if it's busier and with our house messier are filled with joy in being with our kids. Thank you Lord for these precious Li'l Ones.

And now it has been 5 months since our Li'l one has been born! Time flew so fast! I think I say this every month..heheheh!! But I just can't believe it because it was just like a few days ago when he was still, quiet and be sleeping all day long...and now, he's jumping up and down (when we hold him of course), he's almost crawling and he's been babbling a lot too.

Anyway, if you want to know more to what he's been up to lately..then click here.

I'm a Filipino!

This can be a touchy subject but I can't help but post it.

A few days ago, we went for an event. It was an event hosted by the locals and at one part, they were advertising their English Camp. The host was announcing the details of the camp ( he was speaking in Thai) and then he came to the part where he was saying that their teachers are all British, but he didn't stop there. He said something very discriminating. He was telling everyone that during the camp their children will learn the 'real' English as it's being taught by the British people and not the Filipino ENglish!! He said that!! For a moment, I couldn't believe that he said that and I thought maybe I got it all wrong (since my Thai comprehension is not that good) but then, he repeated "Filipin" again ( I didn't get the second statement anymore since my mind was already busy) and I even heard some chuckles from the audience. I sat there, the lone Filipino in the big group. I'm sure the host did not even know that there's a Filipino sitting there as I look Thai. I was sooo disappointed with this host's statement! He's a doctor and he should know better not to discriminate people and have false generalizations.

So, what is Filipino English by the way? WHy did he have to say that and expect people to laugh over it? Haayyy!!! Maybe I'm just getting a bit over emotional here but I've heard so many sad stories of Filipino teachers being discriminated here in Thailand (like being paid low salaries, ridiculed and being overworked). Yes, we may not have the 'farang' British accent, our pronunciation might be off key a bit but what I can assure you is that the Filipino teachers here are really TEACHING (in the real sense of the word) the students what they need to learn, they're more hardworking and passionate than most of the foreign teachers. Of course, there are also Filipino teachers who are not doing that well, but I'm sure not ALL.

To all Filipino teachers out there. Let's take this as a challenge. Let's do our best and prove them wrong! We are not what they think us to be. We are not just bringing our name but our country as well. Itaas ang bandila nang Pilipinass!! hahahah! :)

I better sleep now..:) Gud nyt!

When Blogging is No Longer Fun!

I used to enjoy every bit of my blogging life until I decided to monetize it. :) Only then I realized that to get more opportunities to write advertisements, I need to have PR, heavy traffic or site visits, links and etc. So, I tried my best. I remember there was a day, when I didn't do anything else but applied in several directories and forums. I did all the tags , exchanged links and etc. as they said it will increase technorati and stuff.

So, in other words, the 'fun' in blogging diminished since I was already so serious in doing it..where it became "work". I would be so busy bloghopping because I 'needed' to have a lot of links and etc. It would have been better if I got a lot of opportunities or approved blogs from my 'work'. But nothing much happened except another for 3-4 sponspored posts after all the hard work ( in other words, naning kau ko). I also applied for other get paid to blog sites but there were no tasks available for me,.

And then the time came, when I got my tiny weeny PR1. So, I thought it was an opportunity for me to apply again for the 'best' get paid to post site (where I heard they have a lot of opportunities for bloggers). But then a few days later my PR went back to zero. So I thought that my application for the said site must be rejected again because of my zero PR. And just a few days ago, I received an email from them and said that my blog has been declined because of ..... lack of original content!..hahaha! Joker! then I thought, it must be because of the several tags, viral links, meme and etc. that I've done. I became sad a bit because I lost my chance of earning from that site.

So, in summary it was only when I decided to monetize my blog that I've felt these 'frustrations', 'discouragements' and etc..hehehe! not that deep, but I think you understand what I'm trying to say. My focus and motive has completely changed that's why. Maybe if I didn't decide to monetize my blog, I should have been happily blogging myself away without all these ups and downs.

I'm sure the next question in your mind right now would be : Would I be continuing to monetize my blog? And the answer would be Yes! But I think I will have to shift my motive now right back to where it once belong. I'm blogging because it's fun! It makes me express my thoughts, share my views and ideas and meet new friends. I'm not blogging just for the money. If I make that my main motive, it'll dampen my joy since, it'll create pressure for me..trying to let my blog make money when it's not yet in the capacity to do so. So, I resolved that when opportunities to make money come, I'll take it ..if not, then I won't have to try that hard to get it. No hard work and no pressures for me and then it'll continue to be fun!!

PS. by the way, I would like to apoligize for my blogger friends who tagged me. I think I have more than 10 tags to make. I'm sorry for not being able to do your tags as I was so busy last week. Please forgive me..huhuhu! I was thinking that if I make all the tags now, it's already too late. So maybe let's start afresh and tag me again next time?? What dyu think?....but in the meantime, if I feel up to it tomorrow, I might be able to do a tag or two.

Good Night Everyone!!

My Unblogged Life

I miss blogging and bloghopping. I haven't done both for a few days now since I was ( still am) busy preparing for our Summer Workshop. Today is the first day of the workshop and I'm done in writing/making the book for the kids for this week. I have another book (with the teacher's manual) to finish that is due in two weeks time, but I want to finish it as soon as possible as it's not good to cram since it will result to a lot of sleepless nights and blogless life..LOL!!

But if you ask me, I am immensely enjoying in writing the kids' books, it's quite a change from my normal routine and makes my brain in full use..hehehe!! It's quite challenging though as there are constant interruptions like a wailing baby or an active daughter..LOL!

Anyways, to all my blogger friends.. I'll be visiting you soon and thanks for your regular visits.

Have a blessed week to all!!

....

...quite busy now..preparing for our summer workshop..I'll be back shortly...

A blessed weekend to ALL!!

Evolution of a Mom

I found this article from Mommy Life while I was bloghopping. I couldn't help but repost it. It's just funny yet so true.

________________

The following appeared in the February 1998 issue of Parenting.

Yes, parenthood changes everything. But parenthood also changes with each baby. Here, some of the ways having a second and third child differs from having your first:

The Evolution of Mom

Your Clothes

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.

The Baby's Name

1st baby: You pore over baby-name books and practice pronouncing and writing combinations of all your favorites.

2nd baby: Someone has to name their kid after your great-aunt Mavis, right? It might as well be you.

3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your finger falls. Mavis? Perfect!

Preparing for the Birth

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.

2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.

3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.

The Layette

1st baby: You prewash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.

2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.

3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle. -

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering

1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.

-2nd baby: You change their diaper every 2 to 3 hours, if needed.

-3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.

2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.

3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.

2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.

3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Of Homecoming and Credit Cards

We're going home this year and today I might be booking our plane ticket online. So, it's time to use the credit card again. You see, the only time we the use credit card is for booking our plane tickets online and for emergency purposes. I even have this credit card which I've never used at all. So, what's the use of our credit card then, you might ask. Well, it's just for emergency purposes. You see, I've got this fear of overspending through the use of credit cards. I'm afraid that I might buy things more than my capacity to pay and end up having a bad credit. If this happens, then it will be very difficult for us. I've heard a lot of stories of people being financially burdened because of the overuse of credit cards.

But then, there is hope. I was surprised to see a site which offers bad credit credit cards. It's a company that offers you credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and house loans regardless of bad credit history. So, it means even if you have a bad credit from a certain credit company, mourn not for Bad Credit Offers will give you a credit card for bad credit. You can't believe it? Check out their site and you can even apply instantly.

Friendship Chain

This is a Friendship Chain. I recieved this tagged from Ricka. Thank you so much Ricka.

Now, I want to tag Ruby, Janet, Simplymama, Joy, Angel and Rach

----Thank you and I truly appreciate when you cooperate this tag. Have a nice day!---

~~Begin Here~~ This is the easy way and the fastest way to :

1. Make your Authority Technoraty explode.
2. Increase your Google Page Rank.
3. Get more traffic to your blog.
4. Makes more new friends.

Rules :
1. Start copy from “Begin Copy” until “End Copy” to your blog.
2. Put your own blog name and link.
3. Tag your friends as much as you can.

1. Picturing of Life 2. La Place de Cherie 3. Chez Francine 4. Le bric à brac de Cherie 5. Sorounded by Everything 6.Moments 7.A lot to Offer 8.Blogweblink 9Blogcheers 10. Bloggerminded 11.Blogofminegal 12.LikeADreamComeTrue 12.Simply Amazing 13.Amazing Life 14. Lalaine's World 15. ADD YOURSELF HERE!!! ~~END HERE~~

8 Random Things About my Kids

I've been tagged by Ruby. Thanks Ruby! Actually, I still have a lot of other tags to do (which came before this) , but a Stage Mom as I am, I'm just so tempted to do this first. LOL! :) So, here it is...

8 Random Things about my Li'l Princess, Tricia.

1) When Tricia was only 3 weeks old, she was already able to travel by ship ( Cagayan to Cebu), by airplane ( Cebu-KK-Kuala Lumpur) and by Train ( Malaysia- Thailand).

2) Tricia was born in the Philippines.

3) She surprised all of us by using the word 'dangerous' (in a sentence) when she was only 1 year and 7 months old.

4) Now at almost 4 years old, she still drinks milk using the milk bottle and uses the diapers when sleeping.

5) She's the one 'assigned' to pray before we leave the house. Just today, she prayed this, "...that no parts of the enemies can touch us, Lord" ;) ?!?

6) In a day she changes clothes (by herself) 4-5 times!! arrghh...that's why my laundry seems never ending.

7) She talks unceasingly throughout the day!

8) She says 'excuse me' like hundred times a day. She uses that as an opening phrase to everything..Excuse me, Amma can I watch cartoons?, Excuse me, Appa can I have that toy?....

8 Random things about my Precious One, Lyle

1) He was born in Thailand. He has both Thai and Malaysian Birth certificate and Malaysian passport.

2) He loves to jump up and down when you hold him.

3) When he was born, he looked like me but now he looks like my Hubby.

4) He hasn't been to the Philippines yet so, his cousins, aunts/uncle hasn't seen him in person yet....( but another few more months we'll be there, yipee!!)

5) When he was born, my Hubby was the first one to see him as my hubby witnessed my C-section operation.

6) He adores his Ate. He just keeps on staring at his Ate, laugh at her 'jokes' and hold her always.

7) He doesn't cry much. When in pain, he just cries for awhile.

8) He tasted his first Ice-cream today (just a little bit) and he loves it and was trying to grab my ice-cream.

Now, I want to tag my new blogger friends Shiela, Wildcatlady and Ellen. I hope you'll enjoy this tag just like I did.

Of Wedding Gowns and Fashion schools

Just this afternoon, I was admiring the wedding gown being displayed at the shop beside my Hubby's office. The owner of the shop is very talented. He does photography, make-up and designs wedding gowns. I just love the gowns he designs. He must be quite a popular designer/artist because within a short period of time he was able put up three shops in different locations in this city. I'm sure he has great talent, business skills and went to a good fashion school here for him to achieve this level of success in his career.

If you're into fashion design, even if you have great talent and skills indeed it is very important for you to go to one of the best schools to achieve the highest level of success in your field. I've heard that the fashion school in New York are the best. As you know, New York is the BIG City- the center of all the latest happenings, trends, fashion and designs. There's no better place to study the latest fashion design than the place where it all starts, isn't? So, if you're looking for a fashion school, New York is the best place to set foot since it has the cutting edge of being the birthplace of many fashion trends. So, better check out the New York fashion schools now before you begin your career in fashion design.

Message in a Bottle

I was tagged by Janet. Message in a bottle Meme.


Here are the rules:

You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not. What message would you like to send out to the universe?

1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle.

2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic below.

3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture.

4. Post the Message In a Bottle meme and your creation on your blog along with these rules.

5. Tag a minimum of 5 bloggers - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag.Your virtual bottle will remain afloat in the blogosphere ocean for all blogernity (That’s a Mimism for blog + eternity.)

This is mine: I am sorry I don't have a photo editor in my laptop.

So I'm writing in text:

What profits a man if he gains the whole world
yet loses his own soul?

As a sample, I'm showing you June's message:

What about you :
Ate Litlit, Bogie, Jaja and Catsy.

So, if you are tagged by me, go over to Mimi’s and ADD your site to her Mr. Linky list and place your blog’s name and url in a comment HERE TO LET MIMI KNOW YOU’VE COMPLETED THE MEME.Mimi will add it to the master list of message bottles.Email mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com if you have questions.Participation is optional.Just remember she has a dungeon….and some of you are STILL there from the Band Meme.

P.s. I don't have a complete info. So pls. pardon me. I'm just doing the tag.

Weekend Snapshot 8

After we had a busy Sunday we just decided to have Roti and Teh Tarik for dinner for a change.

Are you wondering what the man is doing? He's mixing the tea called Cha Ron/Cha yen for the Thais, Teh Tarik for the Malays or simply Milk Tea but mixed with style (as shown above). The first time I saw how they mixed the tea like this (that was 7 years ago, in this same shop and by the same man) I was really fascinated but at the same time wondered why do they have to do that? But when I saw the result - the bubbles it created and how it tasted, I became addicted to it. It's rich, creamy and sweet. Cha Yen , anyone? :)

A blessed week to everyone!

Held

If your speakers are on, you'd be hearing one of my favorite songs entitled HELD by Natalie Grant. The first time I heard this song, I couldn't help but cry.

It's a song composed by a Mom who lost her two month old baby because of sickness. The most painful part was that the baby died in her arms. She asked God why such thing happened and told God that it's unfair....

But in her loss, she experienced God holding her....Just listen to the song, read the lyrics and may you realize what God does in times of our loss, in times of our difficulties, in times of our troubles...

HELD

by Natalie Grant

Two months is too little.

They let him go.

They had no sudden healing.

To think that providence would

Take a child from his mother while she prays

Is appalling.

Who told us we’d be rescued?

What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?

We’re asking why this happens

To us who have died to live?

It’s unfair.

Chorus:

This is what it means to be held.

How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive.

This is what it is to be loved.

And to know that the promise was

When everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.

We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.

The wise hands opens slowly to lillys of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)

This is what it means to be held.

How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive.

This is what it is to be loved.

And to know that the promise was

When everything fell we’d be held.

Bridge:

If hope is born of suffering.

If this is only the beginning.

Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)

This is what it means to be held.

How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive.

This is what it is to be loved.

And to know that the promise was

When everything fell we’d be held.

http://www.onlylyrics.com/

God's promise to us is HE will always be there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Just allow him to hold you and He will never let you go. That is how God love us so much that He even gave His only Son for us. That to those who believe, He will give eternal life.

Have a Blessed Weekend Everyone!