Fresh Rants

Exercise can help Pregnant women

2009-08-26T00:21:00.010+08:00

At any stage in life we should be exercising. I mean, whether young or old there's no excuse on you not exercising. I am one big fan of exercising espcially during Pregnancy. I believe that it makes you more fit and prepares your body on the coming delivery of the baby. And believe me you, one really needs to prepare for the big task ahead.

I received the newsletter from Dr. Mercola which emphasises on the importance of exercise at any point of the pregnancy. It is for the benefit of both the mother and the child as stated in the report.

Exercise such as aerobics, impact and nonimpact activities, resistance training and swimming:
Eases back and other musculoskeletal pain
Lowers maternal blood pressure
Reduces swelling
Improves post-partum mood, including sadness.

You can read the article here.

Also, here are some simple exercise that I did while I was getting ready for the D-Day.

1. Sit like an indian. Yoga Style. Like this.

If you can do it nightly, that will be better.

2. To strengthen the legs and the back, hold on to the back rest a chair and try bending your knees down and rais yourself up. Maybe eight repetitions a day or if you can do more, then, why not.

Stretch everyday, starting from your neck, your legs, alsmot all your joints if you can.

Be sure to consult your OB-Gyn when you do this. Good luck and have a safe pregnancy!

House Plans

2009-08-23T13:07:00.004+08:00

It probably is my utmost dream to build my own home. Maybe most of us (adults) in one way or another would agree with me that we want a place we can really call our own. I mean, it is something to grow up in our parent's place. Of course we love it there. It's a place full of memories. Place where every corner and nook would speak thousands of stories back in our childhood. But having our very own place where every inch is planned meticulously in order to be beautiful or convenient for us, it's different. Each material, specialty material and Specialty Metals at that would be carefully considered to suit our different needs (and taste, I'd have to say).

These Specialty Metals are especially made for houses with special needs. I mean, houses in Davao may have less needs for special roofing or special windows as there are in other parts of the world but having to plan for something good for myslef would mean that I have to think a step ahead right?

These Specialty Metals that can be used especially in building top of the line homes.

Understanding

2008-11-02T22:39:00.001+08:00

As defined by Mr. Webster;
• be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of : Picasso understood color | [with clause ] I understand how you feel.

Such a profound word that so many of us take for granted. I admit back home I would usually ignore the feelings of my siblings. I was the eldest you see and in our culture it usually is when you are the oldest, you get your way. Others simply follow. That was there. Thousands of miles away.

But in a country, in a room where you are thrown together with a stranger (well not really a stranger) but someone different from how you were brought up you just have to understand.

Each person is unique, I agree, but how can I possibly understand someone when you do not know how that person’s mind goes? One minute you’re both okay, the next you’re at a loss… It’s as if the world has gone nuts! Haay. Maybe this is one thing that I have to live with. Something that I have to continually adjust to. Something that I simply cannot really comprehend why it is so but I simply have to accept.

Until the day that I completely accept this way of things, well… I have to live with it.

New Colored Phone

2008-07-22T11:20:00.003+08:00

Everyone got a new cellular phone via a six month zero interest rate thing through a credit card. Everyone got to chose a secondary cellular phone unit. Some people got a sony ericsson unit, most got a nokia unit.

We got one for my papa too! It's a Nokia 2630 unit. It's slim, with built in camera, and has a radio. Not to mention it has a bluetooth! Cool huh? cheap actually at 4,300. My brother promised to pay half of it. ;) Sweet.

What are you waiting for? We might as well get your new phones! By the way, I got it from 8telcom!

Birthday Gift Suggestions

2008-07-07T22:35:00.003+08:00

Little Andrea Felice is turning one this July 27. Everything is almost in place. Every plan detail, well, almost all is in place. People that I need to talk to for their small or little big part for the program have already been spoken to. Okay, so now for the little needs that we still need to get.

I've blogged about Andie's coming small role as flower girl for Elma and Carlo's wedding. She's gonna be one of the youngest flower girl I know. Just over a year old with the wedding coming this August 8. As I was telling my friends on this big event in Andie's young life Bam told me she too had a young niece who was a flower girl. They had to look for a stroller that would fit the occasion. I was actually thinking of looking around the local malls to get one but then I got this great idea of online shopping! What with my 24/7 connection now, how can I not look for one with my free time.

At the comfort of my home, I can get to see those different types of strollers, both the basket type stroller and the umbrella type too! And the best thing, Andie's godparents are willing to foot the bill! Now, off to looking into online shops.

Cellular Phone IMEI

2008-07-03T11:32:00.004+08:00

Philippines is the texting capital of the world. Everyone else is learning from the Philippines!
In 1998 when text messages were freely given initially by globe in the country, now everyone spends for every message they send across!

Being that, I mean texting capital, almost everyone has their own cellular phone unit. Some don't just have one but two or three or more just lying around their houses or drawers.

Buy and sell is not a far off idea when you frequently change units... people who try to get more money through this actually recondition units... others even change the unit's look just to sell it for more money. I got this link here where you can actually check if your cellular phone is what it says you it is.

Well, i checked mine and I'm thankful it is ... as it says it is. My Sony Ericsson K800i. lovely!

Accepting orders for Macbook and Digital Cameras

2008-07-03T09:34:00.000+08:00

Order Basis.
Pricing Is based on current prices (from source).

PM me for current pricing.
Macbooks are cheaper than retail stores.

Smokes and Mirrors

2008-07-01T08:58:00.000+08:00

I was given my first credit card about four years ago. It had a a very limited credit limit. Initially I vowed not to abuse it. I was so faithful to that vow. Honest! I had control not to use it. Well, I was so naive that I could really not use it. Well if I only had That credit card, I would not.

A few months after, an officemate introduced me to application to other cards. I tried and was approved for a higher amount. A few months into the second credit card, I got tempted. It was easy to use. Even if without any cash at hand and I wanted to buy things, it was almost without hesitation. I got addicted.

Now, almost five years into my work I am into this credit repair. I did not know that it was possible. I was adamant that I could do it on my own. But current family problems did not help. I fell into bad credit repair. It was sad really. I had to contact Credit Repair Services I hope now I can move on and get over this financial nightmare. I vow not to fall victim.

Emails vs mails

2008-06-30T21:40:00.003+08:00

About ten to 15 years ago, internet was not such a big thing. Emails were not very popular. Not even YM! I was introduced to the email in 1998 I think. And internet connection was expensive. Really. Internet connection nowadays is so cheap!

Anyways, I remember when I was in high school I had this penpal. How does it work? You really have to exchange mails! Snail mails. It's exciting! To have to wait for weeks, even months just for a letter.

It becomes more exciting when you have a great looking mailboxes. I admit I do not have any of those, but admiring pretty mail box of other people is a great hobby. How I wish we had one of those. But one can! Just check it in this mailbox link for details! And it pays too!

Addiction

2008-06-27T18:01:00.000+08:00

So what does it mean? I was told that smoking and drinking can be one. That’s no good addiction. But I believe that addiction can be more positive than negative.

Recently I was introduced to this cartoon series entitled Avatar The Last Airbender. So what about it? Initially, I was just one of those people who thought, okay those are just the typical cartoon that kids watch… But when this good friend seem really really excited when she talks about the show, I began to wonder. Really? And good thing it is available online (for free!).

So curiosity got the better off me. I was lured into taking a sneak peak at the cartoon show at last. At first, I thought, it’s a typical good vs. bad show in tv, more so, cartoon! Anyway, I began watching the first episode, buffered the second… and then boom… I got hooked! Really, I got hooked. Addicted maybe.

It’s not the typical cartoon for kids. It actually has substance! Maybe when I watch other cartoons I would really compare it back to avatar! I am not kidding you. It will really be that way.

Now, I have exhausted all available Avatar episodes that one can possibly get online. I am eagerly awaiting for the next episode. Go go Aang!

Midday OB-Gyn Visit

2008-06-26T21:49:00.003+08:00

I remember this time of the year last year. I was so very very pregnant with my little girl and I was one of the many expectant mothers in line waiting to be seen by my Ob-Gyn. Today, as I sit in waiting at the lounge of Quirino Doctor's clinic I cannot help but smile to see everyone bustling about the room.

When I got there Dr Darleen was already in and was already seeing patients. I was maybe the 5th person to be seen or was it the 6th? I don't know but really I remember the feeling last year.

Anyway today was a long overdue visit to my Doc. She was pleasant, as always. Asked relevant questions, but this time I had to ask MY own questions. She was prepared to rebut! lol! At least even if I was 700 pesos poorer today I feel more confident that I have asked what needed to be asked.

Again, Wait for all the result in a day or two.

Management Analyst

2008-06-25T23:34:00.002+08:00

I am a Management Analyst. What do I really do, someone asks. Basically, we do everything management tells us to do. Analyze is a technical term. But what do we really analyze? Anything and just about everything! Processes, systems, decisions that need to be made. Anything, name it. We can get to study it.

One day a new officemate arrived. She's not one of us (understand). She is somewhat at a disadvantage. Even how subtle I want her to come in, there is just one point where you do not have a choice but listen to what we say. The rants, the whines, everything. Foreign language seem to be your language too. Okay, so I am speaking Chinese here, or maybe alien, you go run and get you're your online spanish courses to understand me. Maybe even your own online german courses if it sounds more complicated. What I am saying is that whatever language we speak if you are into that team, you have to learn it. I am saying that even if you have only taken up online english courses you might want to expand your horizon and get into the groove of understanding everything.

So I sound foreign. I am already ranting. I do this too you know. You think it's only you who get the passport to whine? Think again!

Rehab effect

2008-06-25T23:17:00.006+08:00

I was looking around my office today. Everything seem so quiet. Something is not right. Why has everyone suddenly turn so aloof over each other. Was this because of what happened last night? It was beginning to be eerie. I swear.

I thought about what happened the previous night. Everyone had a great time. Food was great, there was overflowing alcohol. Chitchat with everyone was really enjoyable. No other night out can top this, I thought. Until about three or four hours after when all the booze was consumed, boom! Something happened. It was out of nowhere. Accusations after accusations were bashed out. Everyone seems excited to participate. Excited, in a bad sense excited.

That was just the beginning. I really had to think again how to break the silence. Should I offer things on how they can get over this thing and maybe get into alcohol rehab? But how on earth will I break it to them? Maybe joke around telling people about how great alcohol rehab is in this place just to open up things to my office mates. I’ll be doing them a favor, that was what is running on my mind. But hey if they get the idea that I wanted them to realize into alcohol rehab they might step back and not open/ talk to me. Just as they have in their previous friends. I began thinking…

Battle of the Cellular Phones

2008-06-24T21:39:00.001+08:00

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson cellular phone, well that was in April, so I guess it still qualifies as new. I am not the least bit sorry I sold my Nokia Phone in exchange to this one. I have nothing against Nokia Handsets. It was my first unit, the old and trusty Nokia 3210 but when I was recently introduced to a SE unit, I instantly fell in love with it. Honest! First it was SE K750i. It felt really sturdy in my hands. The camera is so okay at 2mp.

Now I am holding an SE K800i. And it maybe one of the best Camera phone around. Nokia phones are great too! Nokia N96 or just simply N96 is also cool. But hey, everyone gets to choose whatever you really want. I am looking at staying with SE or… check out a better Nokia unit.

Retailing

2008-06-24T20:54:00.003+08:00

Retail is an art. Shopping is an event. That I have realized for the past five years that I have been connected in a retail firm. Knowing what is in and not is a plus. Hearing what's gonna come up is sweet.

The hips thing get to be shown and all those things. Designer jeans are so very cool to look at. Shopping for Designer handbags is so sweet... Bringing friends when going out makes it all more fun.

Tips on how to get your money's worth... Even if you have all the bucks to pay for all the things you want be patient. It pays to be patient. You might get the latest Marc Jacobs brand that you are looking for. Second, look and look and look. And once you think you get one great thing and it fits the budget.

Warning. Shopping is addictive.

*dom daydereaming*

Let there be light

2008-06-23T20:58:00.002+08:00

My friend has been abroad for more than a year. She went there to search for greener pastures. Well, we all are. I mean looking for greener pastures, aren't we? While there, she stumbled upon different things. Some interesting, others, well. forgettable.

One thing I cannot forget that she showed me was this pretty store which offers different lamps . It practically opened a lot of different things for me. From the floor, table, desk, centerpiece. Anything and everything.

I was pretty fascinated with it actually and what has struck me is how different it was some really awesome floor lamps which are actually pretty artistic and very very cool to place in your living room, or maybe anywhere if you're just designing a house.

There is also this lamps and lamp shades which are pretty useful and affordable. I was actually thinking of playing around with the idea of incorporating it when I indeed decide to make my home.

Umobile

2008-06-19T12:24:00.002+08:00

Ok... So I got an invite courtesy of lastikman. Thanks so much!

I even emailed umobile to get an invite. Honest! It said that they just might contact me. yeah, right!

Anyway... I entered my code in their site, and... I wished I got in... BUT, i still have to wait. grrr!!!!

So what's next? Wait. wait. I'm good at it though... I'm excited to get that nod from umobile.

Firefox 3, opened!

2008-06-18T18:31:00.000+08:00

I finally found the culprit! I made the version 3 work for me. It was the theme. It was my freakin’ theme! But I liked that theme! :( haaay! bad!

Anyway, I can live without the theme (for now!). But I am expecting that theme!!!

Ok.. so what makes Firefox 3 better than the previous release? hmmm… so far as I am just a “mere” user, I really haven’t felt anything… well, maybe better looking drop down when you type your url… you can also bookmark (it’s a star momma!) the site right away. Then there’s the Most visited site on the upper left where you can browse what you sites have just frequented to…

All in all, as a user, we’re still looking at that stellar thing that makes this 3rd release such an exciting thing. ;)

I still go for firefox! I am a die-hard you know! Go firefox!

Relief to Juan dela Cruz

2008-06-17T16:51:00.001+08:00

The Philippine Congress and Senate has successfully agreed to pass one law that is relevant to the Filipino People!

And the President has acted on it. She signed into law Republic Act 9504 or an act amending Sections 22, 24, 34, 35, 51, and 79 of RA 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

What does it mean?

Well… In technical terms:

Tax Excemptions will be increased!(yey!) It will be as follows:

From the current P20,000 personal exemption for single taxpayers, P25,000 for head of family, and P32,000 for married individual, the tax exemption will be fixed at P50,000, Roxas said.
The additional exemption for dependents will increase from P8,000 to P25,000

In other words, take home pay of the minimum wage earners will be slightly increased, thank goodness! At the same time relief from the ongoing price increases will somehow be countered with the higher take home.

It is not solely for the minimum wage earners, but those taking home more than the minimum gets to take home a bit higher too.

Congratulations to the Philippine government for making something useful for everyone else. And not making all citizens think that you are only doing everything for their own benefit.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Firefox 3.0

2008-06-17T13:03:00.002+08:00

Since I discovered Firefox as a browser I did not like using IE ever. Even after it has revamped its self into something like Firefox (or Firefox-y, let them call it whatever they like) my mind has not changed.

I have tried using Opera, actually I liked it too... but nothing has really beaten my like to Firefox. Call it my love story with Firefox. I really like it. Even if at times some webpages would fail because it was not made for Firefox, yeah right... go and rant about it being made (or best viewed in IE 5 or better)... well, Firefox is better! hahaha!

Anyway, I was excited when I opened my browser (and pointed to yahoo) and said that Firefox has released (albeit in beta) it's 3rd version! Of course, me being the snoop on whatever is new, I downloaded and tried to install the 3rd offering.. and was willing to review it... But alas, my excitement went kaffuuut... After I installed it, and run it. Oh well, it just wouldn't show. :(

SO much for the excitement. I'll give it some time to settle then... then try it again.
Kudos to Firefox!

Denial

2008-06-15T12:39:00.000+08:00

I watch Grey’s Anatomy (from season one upto its latest episode). I like it when the characters begin narrating different blah blahs on life now and then.

One of the most unforgettable (mind you, there are so many!) is Meredith’s (played by Ellen Pompeo) narration about Denial.

“De Nile, its not just a river in Egypt… It’s a freakin’ ocean. … “

I talked, well chat with my daughter’s father today. For almost six months now I am convincing myself that I should forget him, get on with life. Forget about the hurt– karma will get him one of these days, get on with living life alone. For some time, I do go on. I even forget him most of the time but there really is once in a while when boom! One small incident, one scene, one thing, it all comes back. Memories comes back so strong you want to cry. And yet you couldn’t. (Don’t ask why).

And then one tries to stare blankly (literally blankly) into space, hoping that the feeling, the sensation wears off. Slowly getting ready to be back on the “old” self where the feelings are again neutral.

Denial is a hard hard hard thing to carry. But at one point in everyone’s life you have to go through its ugly head.

Umobile invite. Updating my blog

2008-06-14T22:48:00.003+08:00

I have been busy with something. ;)

Not too much blog has been written in my blogger site.. i promise I will update. ;)

Yahoo.. May nagbabasa pala. ;)

Here's a great one. Umobile.

Heard it? Okay... this one is from my other blog. ;) i have been blog hopping so you'd know.

Anyway. What is Umobile?
It's one of the newest cellphone companies to hit town... yeah! another one.. so expect this to be fun.. I mean after Sun cellular's all day text and calls... what can top that? Here's just a funny catch on this, Umbile is supposed to be a new player... voila, SMART bought it! yeeeeeee! (Nainis daw ako!)

Well... I was hoping to get a "fresh" in the truest sense of the word, player in the industry. You know, bring down the cost... blah blah blah!

Another quick info on umobile... It's not entirely the common(est) cellphone company around. It's by invitation! yey! and I got invited!!! Thanks lastikman! Owe you one.

Basketball Fan

2008-05-10T15:37:00.000+08:00

John Ferriols

James Yap. Sya lang kilala ko!

Nick Belasco

Kirby Reymundo, Willie Miller and Bonel Balingit... sila lang kilala ko! hahahah

Dell Vostro, Windows Vista and Firefox

2008-05-01T06:55:00.003+08:00

The boss called just before I was to travel on Monday telling me she's giving me another laptop... Well company issue that is! I was kinda excited because I saw some of my colleagues using a cool black dell laptop. I was issued one about ten months ago so I was sort of, okay you got yours I got mine attitude, plus mine was already customized according to my use.

I had launchy installed. As suggested by my friend George. And a whole lot more. It took me some while to get me accostumed to using dell after over a year of using an old asus laptop by my former boss. (I opted to use the old asus vs my issued acer then because of weight issues!).

Anyway, I was scheduled to travel to other branches so I said give it to me when I return. However staff had other plans... They asked me if they could bring it since they were scheduled to travel and stay in another branch for about a month. I said okay okay... And some applications were installed (but not all that we would have preferred).

Come thursday we met in the branch and I saw the laptop. Hmmm... decisions had to be made. They needed an App that my old trusty dell inspiron already has... And the vostro do not. Okay then. Leave the inspiron behind with the windows XP pro installed and take home the dell vostro with the windows vista Os.

Now, how would I use the vista when I really haven't any clue on how to operate it. I have to be creative. My next question was, will my preferred apps run (all of them) on the vista. (That'll be on my next post).

Problems? you bet. I haven't seen firefox crash in XP Home or Pro before, not even in Ubunto or win 2000. But in vista? oh no! there goes my firefox. After so much search... there isn't really a clear answer. I think I have to wait for vista to stabilize I guess.

Outbox, Centerpoint Matina

2008-04-10T22:41:00.005+08:00

Great Box!

Outbox inside Centerpoint, Matina

Lunch was really great today! I mean after all the months suffering from that eeewww of a food in the caf inside the office, anything that tastes better (anything, i mean almost everything!) is a welcome relief.

Beef Tapa Rice - Served with salted eggs and iced tea

Officemates have found another canteen where better food is served, although we have to walk 2 blocks in the heat of the sun to get there. A bit pricey compared to that of the caf, but since food tastes good, we'd gladly pay the price.

Best served with Sprite!

Today, three of us went across three branches to do some audit and we tasted one great meal at a reasonable price.

It's called OUTBOX. It serves rice toppings. Well, it's nothing special really but when you taste something that okay, you'll feel happy (your stomach is at least!). I ordered Beef Tapa (that's the best seller, I was told) and my other two friends ordered Siomai-Rice and Bopis.
It's good to see some better food served in areas where I might frequent in the next couple of months! Here's to OUTBOX!

It's located at the Foodcourt of Centerpoint Matina.

Bopis anyone?

Sony Ericson K800i and 8telcom

2008-04-07T19:41:00.001+08:00

I have been contemplating on getting a new cellular phone since 2007. My trusty SE K750i has done its job for me. And I tell you it has done a very good job. Capturing great memories, or at least at that time it was in 2006 and the best memory of my whole life on July 27, 2007. Not bad huh?

At some point you really have to move on and get another good gadget. Something like, another item that’ll accompany you on new things going in your life. Something useful and something you smile whenever you look at it. Okay… so my quest went on and on and on…

For almost a year now, I have been drooling at a K800i unit. Why that particular unit. Let me explain.

I have opted to shift to Sony Ericson (SE) since I began using k750. I got the K750 second hand at a very very good price. Let me continue, I discovered that SE units have far far far better, even the best battery life I have ever used. I have been using Nokia for so long, and for over two years, I explored the O2. So farm nothing beats SE when it comes to battery life. For over a year I used my SE and battery is still good for 3-4 days. Especially if you just use it for calls and some texting (sms).

Then comes the ease of use. Many say that SE units are “hard” to understand, maybe because a lot of these people have been so used to Nokia units that shifting from 0 key as space to # key to get a space when texting, well, you need to get used to that! But after a few text messages, you become an expert! :D

Camera, camera, camera baby!

At that time, every other phone maker is trying to get 2MP cam-phones perfect for the consumer. Nokia let out its N series about early 2006 I think but there were only a handful which really boasts of great camera quality (at 2 MP). While SE, at 1^st release of the K750i, voila! It became of the best at its class.

So why did I choose a SE K800i? Why not the K810i? or other N series phones? Or Walkman Phone?

I thought I really like to have a camera on standby in case I see something interesting. Something to blog about, to write about or simply to store memories with! I still do not have the extra cash to splurge on a camera…

So why K800i. Budgetary considerations, the build (solid when you feel it!), something you are not afraid that when you use it might easily deform or crack or something. And the picture quality! Wow! 3.15MP in a cam-phone, not bad! Not bad at all.

And between a K810i and a K800i, it’s almost the same. And I can get my cousin to upgrade my unit after one year when the warranty expires. J

Not a walkman phone, I can get to listen to music using my phone, and most of the time, I am in the office or busy with other things, so W unit is out of the question.

Now, where do I get the unit? Hmmm… Cellular Phone shops are aplenty in Davao. I decided to get it in to some personal service…

I usually go around cell shops when inside malls, so I more or less know what to expect when inside these stores…

Why did I buy my cellphone in 8telcom? First, it’s one of the lowest priced among the stores. We also bought my mom’s k500i about 3 years ago from 8. J And people actually told us that it’s one of the lowest stores. They carry different brands of Cellphones too, so if I had to choose among all those brands, I would have had all those choices. They have, of course, Sony Ericson, Nokia, Motorola Samsung, My Phone (dual sim) Verzio (dual sim-3g), and Apple (iphone).

Aside from that, they also carry different accessories for your phone, so if you want a cool case for your new gadget, you need not go to other stores, plus it is reasonably priced! Gone are the days when all those carrying cases and other bling blings!

If you’re also itching to get those cool MP3/MP4 players 8telcom carries Apple’s ipod, ipod touch, ipod video, and ipod nano, Creative has its zenstone and zen and lastly Philips own MP3 player.

In order to get cool music from your player you need to get the best speakers in town, you might as well consider looking at its JBL and Creative brands.

If you are not into just music player but wants to play with those gadgets, 8 telcom also carries Game consoles of Sony (psp slim) and Nintendo’s Wii.

Lastly it has a wide variety of Digital cameras to choose from they have Sony, Canon, Kingcom, Premiere and Verzio.

If you want to get in touch with 8telcom, here’s where you can find them.

3/f NCCC Mall Davao 299 4677

g/f Victoria Plaza Mall 221 0506

Spazio Gaisano Mall 221 0507

Main Office- Palza de Luisa Complex 224 6384 email: jeffreylao@8telcom.ph

Pasta Bolognese

2008-04-04T23:38:00.000+08:00

A friend invited me to have chat over dinner and coffee today. We thought of going somewhere good and new, as we both used to go to an Italian restaurant here in Davao. She’s a vegetarian, and she has to go somewhere vegetarian food is served.

She sent me an sms about lunch time that she ain’t eating dinner since she already had lunch with her family– wow! How I wish I could do the same! wwwwaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

Anyway, I thought we were eating in Toscana, so I thought, am definitely ordering Marinara. That’s a tip! they have the best pasta marinara in davao! *my opinion*. But then, since we’re eating in Figarro instead, I ordered Pasta Bolognese. Not bad, I’d say. Tastes good in fact.

If you wanna go there, Bolognese is P135 and Coffee ranges from P90 and up.

12 Earth Hours

2008-03-31T13:48:00.000+08:00

I woke up with my mom telling me she has a very bad tummy ache. I had to assist her to the comfort room coz she was quite dizzy. I had to wake up too because Andie needed to take her medicine. (She is under medication for 6 months– explanations later!)

That was 5AM. I thought it was odd, the electric fan is turned off. I cannot remember turning it off during the night. I do not turn it off because my daughter sweats a lot. And we do not have air-conditioner. So I thought electricity must be out. No problem, it rained almost the whole night so it was quite cold. Did all what I had to do… help my mother with her tummy ache and let Andie drink her medicines. Then I got ready to go to the Market (I had to since mama cannot).

When I went out I saw a lot of the Electric Company’s Trucks doing something to a lot of the old posts (old– as in really old!). Good they’re doing something to upgrade it.

After doing all the market stuff, went back home around 8am to find out that electricity was still out. :( Now I was getting worried. It was getting a bit hot and the baby is getting all cranky.

When I called the call center (ha! improvement) I found out that since it was an upgrade of the electrical wires, electricity was due around 5PM yet. OMG! What are we gonna do? I actually had an invitation to my daughter’s father’s house but I was not really up to going there (daughter’s father is somewhere over the rainbow).

So whole day was really… ugh! I took a bath 2x. Andie did too! And my mama did too just to beat the heat.

Last night was supposed to be Earth Hour and I was not able to participate because the baby is afraid of the dark. Today was a reminder that I should have! hahaha.

Philippine Bar Exam Result!

2008-03-29T15:02:00.003+08:00

Everyone in the Philippines, or at least those who took as well as their families are eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court's release of the 2007 Bar Exams.

I read somewhere (a blog from a friend) that she too is waiting for the results. I know how it is to be waiting. I had my share of waiting you know. My prayers are all with you guys! Good luck and Kudos!

Old Gadgets!

2008-03-27T12:04:00.002+08:00

I was reading Yahoo just now when I noticed a very interesting article about recycling.
Why the interest you might ask, well, knowing that Philippines is the texting (sms) capital of the world and changing cellular phones (here) is actually faster than change of seasons in other parts of the world, I wonder how many people have old cellphones are lying in their drawers, closet or any "safe" places in their houses. Even I have about three or four (not working) cellphones at home. An old printer and maybe other gadgets that I may Have forgotten just lying accumulating dust in the house.

I hope we will have a similar project here in the Philippines.

Calling all environmentalists!

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Got an old camera, cell phone, or MP3 player that you want to toss? Under a new pilot program offered by the U.S. Postal Service, recycling your dead gadgets is as easy as dropping them in the mail. Computerworld reports that the Post Office's new "Mail Back" program is getting a trial run in 10 U.S. markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. If the pilot program takes off, a nationwide rollout will follow.

So here's the deal: Just bring your old gadgets (handhelds, cell phones, MP3 players, and even inkjet cartridges - no 20" CRTs or dead dot-matrix printers, unfortunately) to one of 1,500 participating post offices, seal them in preprinted, postage-paid envelopes (you can take as many envelopes as you want), and drop them in the mail.

The package goes to Clover Technologies Group, which is partnering with the Post Office in the new recycling program. In a press release, the Post Office promises that Clover will refurbish, resell, or break down the discarded gadgets for recycling, and that nothing will end up in a landfill.

It's a clever idea for those of us with old electronics too outdated to sell on eBay. Indeed, I have an old, 2001-era iPod that's essentially worthless (I priced it over at SecondRotation and got an estimate of exactly $0), and I'd rather drop it in the mail than pay to have it recycled.

Lottery and Bottle Feeding

2008-03-26T22:13:00.000+08:00

A friend and I went to one of the malls today. She said we will go IF it wouldn't rain. When we were walking to the jeepney stop it wasn't but en route to the mall it began to drizzle. And I got a text message that it was already raining on the other side of the area where we were heading. I thought what the heck.

Friend invited me to join her to get a lotto ticket. Why not. I decided to get one too. My first I think. If it wasn't maybe the second. ;)

While choosing my number I began to think, what are significant numbers in my life. Maybe my birthday, Andie's... And then? Hmmm... I should begin collecting good numbers. Get people to share my life with and remember dates and numbers. And then use it as my combination for the lottery. But what is a good number? Lottery is a chance right? I hope that chance will favor us.

I got a text message that Andie has already started holding her milk bottle, at last!But alas, just as I thought, she wouldn't show me her newfound skill. She'd only act like my baby... always! :D

Isla Reta Pictures

2008-03-26T10:04:00.002+08:00

Isla Reta

Looking at Samal Island

The boat

Driving Along

2008-03-26T10:03:00.000+08:00

I went to one of the big malls last night to grab the usual puppy food for Mico the dog– my daughter’s yellow lab. One of my officemates has a ride so I casually asked if I can hitch a ride going to the mall ( he goes there to pick up his gf). Of course, being the good friend that he is, he said yes! When we were about to go lo and behold, the car wouldn’t start. oops!

Good thing one friend who’s machine-savvy was still around and helped us check the car. One look and he knew what was wrong. Honest! These people are so cool! They are not even the owners of the car. Amazing.

After trying and trying and some knob turning inside the car’s machine, it started and we went off. The city has a lot of traffic lights installed and working (hallelujah!) so we passed by several… Everytime we get stopped, we keep on talking and laughing, please go , please go… please don’t make us stop in the middle of the road! hahah…

We arrived at the mall a bit later than usual but got there none the less.

Isla Reta Expenses

2008-03-24T15:41:00.000+08:00

By popular demand:

Boat Fare: P50 (about US$1.25) one way (times two, so you can go back to the City)

Entrance Fee: P50 for day tour and P120 for overnight stay

Cottages: P500-800 depending on the type of room you get. Don’t get me wrong this is not a 5-star hotel. And 500- 800 is just that.

Boat leaves at 9am from Sta Ana Wharf Davao City.

Boat departs the island at 3pm. Boat ride is about 1 hour depending on the weather.

Enjoy your Isla Reta stay!

Holy Thursday 2008 blog

2008-03-24T15:39:00.001+08:00

It’s raining. Unusual for a holy thursday. For the past years it was always too hot, too sunny to go out. When I was younger it was taboo to go out. Elder people would scold us (kids) when we were noisy or having fun. Cool huh? That was the culture of the older Filipinos. Some still practice it.

The past years, especially when I began working I felt it was time to change it. When before, we kids would sulk at home and do nothing (literally!), not even watch TV– stations would sign off from Holy Thursday and would resume only on Easter Sunday! Now, people find the Holy week holidays a reprieve from the work rush.

About two holy weeks ago I went Mati. From Thursday till Saturday to get out of the city. Now however it’s stay at home mostly. Thank God for internet and TVs. I still do not have cable but free channels are showing some good movies for the next two days.

Holy week

2008-03-24T15:37:00.000+08:00

This is a personal opinion.

Philippines is a predominantly catholic country. I would have began this blog with Philippines is a predominantly Christian country but the Holy week thing is really mostly practiced by catholics. We, being Pentecostal Born Again Christians do not really celebrate or commemorate it the way the Catholic churches and faithfuls do.

While the catholics really practice a lot of stuff what we do is to just pray. And thank God for having done everything for us. Imho, Jesus Christ has already done all the things necessary for our salvation. It’s just that we need to have faith in His saving grace and believe that what He did is all we need. We do not need to add more. We need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow His commandments. No more, no less.

Faith without work is useless, true. But do we indeed believe in Him? Maybe this holy week we ought to ask ourselves that.

Have a meaningful days of retreat.

Isla Reta -- late post, :D

2008-03-24T15:34:00.000+08:00

It started as a sunny sunny sunny beautiful day. Friends and I had planned this trip since last week. After hearing so much about this beautiful islet (its such a small island!) beyond Samal Island in the Islands of Mindanao, Philippines, I finally had a chance to see it’s wonder. (duh! over-hyping are you?)

I passed by the market en route to Sta Ana Wharf. My assignment was to bring Tilapia and mangoes. Other friends were assigned to bring other things and food. Then I was off to NCX-Ateneo to see RK. She was there well before I arrived, thanks to the very very active driver (read: picks up everyone we pass by!). Then we headed to the wharf. Dhes and Peter just arrived, we waited for cherry for a short while.

Boat ride was ahh! hahaha.. one hour from Davao City! Imagine! Thank God for the perfect weather. When we arrived there, the trip was so worth it! Perfect white sand… clear and oh so blue water! hmmm.. perfect for swimming. Remind me to buy a new set of snorkels the next time I will go there!

Food was sumptuous. We had grilled pork chops and tilapia. It was fun grilling with a cute guy who also were with his group! If only I was more up to flirting! hahaha!

Anyway, we had the best time taking pictures and swimming. I will post some photos after I edited (read: reduced the sizes) it.

Final verdict: Isla Reta is so fun. I will definitely go back there. Maybe try overnight.

Cost: Php 100 boat ride (to and from), Php5o day tour. some other food, maybe another Php100.

Memories: Priceless!

My online life

2008-03-16T21:46:00.001+08:00

It's a loooong weekend. Today is the city's founding anniversary. The city mayor gave the people another day to celebrate it! (only in the Philippines!). Anyway, the past weekend I have been really busy with a lot of things online. I went from site to site trying to look for ways to earn more. (hehehe! make use of the DSL connection at home!)

One is investing so I can earn. It's supposed to be that way isn't it? You have to give some in order to gain some! So I was sitting down infront of my PC scouting for website domain vendors. I forwarded it to my friend already so she can review it for me. I am a very very trying hard to be tech person. I am not.

I just am lucky I'm quick at getting things. ;)

Sunday, and I am again blogging. I think this will go on for -- ever? :) my motivation? Andie's milk will increase (again) in a few days' time. I have to look for extra cash to buy it for her! For real. I am not kidding. Plus the DSL connection fee, which is about 1000 pesos a month!

Tomorrow, I will have reprieve from the computer, and Andie. ;) thank goodness for friends who will be with me to go to the beach!

I'll blog about it. It's gonna be a first time to be in Isla Reta, Samal Island, Philippines.
I should get some sleep now. :)

Baptism of Fire!

2008-03-14T23:32:00.000+08:00

I have been writing for so long. I am not the best writer in town. In fact I am one of those few who try damn hard to put things in order. But when inspiration hits me, bang! Juice of information and words flow out of me like water from a spring! Geesh!

I was looking around on how to earn some extra cash while staying at home after I gave birth. That was some eight (8) months back. I did begin to write. I wrote down several in fact. But I guess I was so in love with my daughter that all I wrote were about her and us. My most recent experience, then, giving birth *you can get to read it if you want!*

However after going back to work after two months of hiatus, I never really had a chance to go back to it. I was so busy with things around the office. Then back home, I had to be a full time mom on weekends that I practically didn’t have enough energy to write.

Andie is a bit older now. At 8 months, she sleeps soundly throughout the night, (not that she didn’t when she was younger!) She seldom wakes in the middle to feed and well, that gives me some time to do other things. Such as blogging.

This day begins my baptism of fire. I am scouting for a domain name to get my blogging started. I want my own so that I can be more compelled to write in order to pay off the whole domain! Otherwise, I’d just be contented at a post once in a while. With having more accountability at things, you get to be more responsible.

Now, what am I gonna write about. Oh, the url. That is a good start. Everyone has his/her own first times in life. I had mine. I am sure you have yours. Blogging to earn, this will be my first! And I hope I will sustain this! Well, at least to help me buy my kid’s milk.