Monday, July 30, 2007

Fun Sunday at UP

Sundays are usually devoted to spending time with my hunnie and his younger sisters. We'd usually go to Megamall to go skating, or bowling, or playing at Time zone. Sometimes we would window shop at Powerbooks or at Toy Kingdom. We'd usually cap it off with a dinner at Jollibee.

There are days when we'd just hang out at their house. We'd usually play some games like Poker (yep, they know how to play it already...oftentimes beating us too!), word factory, or charades. Sometimes the kids would prepare some dance number for us...sometimes even a puppet show! We'd also usually hear mass held at the nearby covered court. Come dinner time, the four of us usually help prepare dinner, which is usually spaghetti or home made pizza or fried chicken with home made mojos. On lazy days, we'd just order from Pizza Hut or Jollibee and eat while watching Going Bulilit.

getting the stuck kite from the tree

A few sundays back was a little unique from our usual sundays. I suggested we spend it at UP Diliman since there are a lot of activities you can do there. I brought along a pair of badminton racket, frisbee, and a kite! His sisters were excited!

We first played frisbee at the sunken garden. We sucked a little during our first tries and mostly spent our time picking up the frisbee since we couldn't catch it. In fairness, it was tiring and we got really sweaty. We then played a little badminton, which I'm really not good at. I tried a few strokes then just gave it up and just decided to prepare our kite. It turns out, it's the first time my hunnie will be able to fly a kite! We all had fun taking turns flying the kite. Since there wasn't much wind, we had to run to keep it high in the sky. The kite actually got stuck to some tree branches good thing we were still able to retrieve it.


who can run faster?

It was really fun playing at the sunken garden. I felt a little nostalgic and missed my alma mater. I love walking there with all those big trees hovering over you. It's great that they made sunday as car-less oval day. You can jog around or bike freely around the oval. We vowed to bring a bike the next time we go there.

I toured them a little and showed them my college. A lot of memories flash backed seeing our building. I can still remember when my hunnie would fetch me after my classes.

In front of my college

I also brought them to the lagoon. The girls are too young for me to share to them all the tales I've heard about that place. Hehe! They had fun crossing the wooden planks to cross the lagoon and the little girls even played with the vines of the rubber trees.



at the lagoon


playing with the vines of the rubber tree...
tarzan is that you?

It was such a fun sunday. We'll definitely be back soon!

roman blinds

roman blinds

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Random Acts of Kindness


As I have previously blogged, a friend sent me an ebook of Harry Potter (I just hope it's the original one since there are rumors that fake ones are circulating). As a random act of kindness, I sent a copy to those who left a comment on my other blog the other day. I knew that one way or another I was able to make some people happy with a simple act like that.

You know what they say about blessings returning a hundredth fold? I've been a believer of that and today just emphasized that even more.



I'm sooo happy today! I got a parcel today sent by Lisa Rudnick, a scrapbooker I met from one of the scrapbooking egroups I'm a member of. From the previous weeks, the group discussed about this random acts of kindness train...like scrapbookers from different countries would exchange scrapbooking stuff. The procedure isn't really clear but Lisa went on and did her random act of kindness and I'm her beneficiary! I'm so grateful she went through all the trouble of sending me a package all the way from the US. Who wouldn't be thrilled to receive these goodies:








It actually took quite awhile for the package to reach me. It was stamped: missent to malaysia. I can't believe how that is possible. My address was clearly written. Oh well. I'm just thankful it reached me.

I gotta put together pretty soon some scrapbooking materials and send them to the next beneficiary of the random acts of kindness train. I'm still thinking about how to go about in picking who to send it to. Lisa Rudnick has been soo generous. I'm not sure I can top her package, but I hope I also get to make someone happy with what I'll be sending.

I've been on a scrapbooking hiatus for the longest time, but receiving these goodies totally inspired me to scrapbook again!

Dentist

Dentist

Parcel

I got a nice surprise waiting at our mailbox today. I got a note from the Quezon City Central Post Office. I got a parcel waiting to be claimed. I hope it is what I think it is! I can't wait to see it...

Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Harry Potter Ebook

I know a lot of people who are so into the Harry Potter book. I've heard a lot of stories of those who lined up early morning at bookstores just so they'll be the first ones to get a copy as soon as it's released. Well, a good friend of mine sent me an ebook of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Anybody interested to have a copy? I can send you if you want. Just email me at jenbaradas@yahoo.com.





Friday, July 20, 2007

Budget Tips

I got this really useful budget tips from this site. This is not a sponsored post! Hehehe! I just feel that these can be really useful and would love to share them to you! :)

First Things First

1. Make a budget. Distinguish between your “wants” and “needs” and see where all your money is going. You can even do it online—many sites offer free, easy-to-use budgeting tools to get you started.

Now that you know where your money is (and where it’s going), it’s time to start making decisions about what matters most. Follow these tips to get going.

2. Prioritize your “wants.” This is where you’re going to be making the big cuts, so figure out what you care about and what you can live without.

3. Eliminate the unnecessary. Do you have a gym membership you never use, or every single premium cable channel? Cancel whatever you don’t use regularly or don’t get your money’s worth from.

4. Consider lower-cost options for your “needs.” Can you get Internet service cheaper from a different provider? Do you really need a cell phone and a home phone? Are the designer jeans really worth it? Assess, evaluate and make changes as necessary.

5. Be realistic. Be careful not to get so idealistic that you create a budget you can’t live up to.

6. Put away the plastic. Credit cards can be real trouble on a budget because they provide the oh-so-alluring "just this once" opportunity to splurge. But those "just this once" uses add up quickly and before you know it, next month's budget is blown paying off this month's indulgences. Make it easier on yourself—leave the credit cards at home.

7. Consolidate your debt. Know what you owe and make a payment schedule to get it paid off. And don’t just pay the minimum due—at that rate, it’ll likely take years to get it off your back.

8. Start saving. Treat your savings account like a bill—set a monthly amount for yourself (whatever you can afford) and start putting it away. Even if you can’t afford to save much now, the fact is it goes hand-in-hand with successful budgeting and will be vital to successful financial planning in the future.

9. Be honest with yourself. Identify your spending habits and determine whether or not you need to exercise a little more self control.

10. Start a Spending Diary. Keep track of receipts and monitor cash in-flow and out-go to make sure you stick to your budget.

11. Carry cash. Instead of a debit (or worse, credit) card, get your allotted spending money for the month in cash. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

12. Treat yourself! Set reasonable goals for yourself—such as, “No eating out for two weeks,”—and reward yourself (in moderation) when you meet them.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to look at ways to cut costs elsewhere. Let’s start with the obvious.

Room & Board

Home is where the heart is. It’s also where a large percentage of your money goes. Follow these easy tips to reduce your spending.

13. Look at your living situation. If your rent/mortgage is 25% or more of your income, consider moving or getting a roommate.

14. D-I-Y. Whether it’s fixing a broken toilet seat or replacing a light bulb, do it yourself. It’s not hard, it’s much cheaper and you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment after the fact. And if you don’t, well, at least you still have the money in your pocket!

15. Turn down the thermostat. Turn it off when you’re out of the house; use fans instead.

16. Install a programmable thermostat. Set it to turn on about 15-30 minutes before you get home—the place will be comfortable, and so will you, knowing you didn’t waste a whole day’s worth of power.

17. Power off. Turn off the lights, TV, stereo, etc. when you’re out of the house.

18. Put in lower-energy light bulbs. They last substantially longer while consuming much less energy.

19. Install a low-flow shower head. You can drastically reduce your water expenditure by switching to a low-flow shower head—helping the environment and your financial situation in one fell swoop.

20. Investigate your insulation. A poorly-insulated house is a huge energy waster. Heating and cooling your own house costs enough, let along the entire neighborhood! Inspect your insulation and weather stripping regularly and keep it well maintained.

21. Say no to cracks. Repair any cracks or holes in your walls and roof to keep the energy inside your house, not pouring out of it.

22. Bundle up. During colder months, put on sweater and a pair of socks, or get out the electric blanket instead of turning up the thermostat. Avoid turning up the heat unless outside temperatures dip to freezing or below.

23. Analyze your phone bill. If your bills seem higher than they should be, look into it! You may be over-paying—you might even be entitled to a refund.

24. Adjust your cell phone plan. Do you always go over your minutes? Find yourself paying to call during daylight hours? Either stick to your plan or get one that works for you.

25. Three-for-one. Often times, you can get a package deal on phone, Internet and cable service that comes out significantly less than purchasing the three separately. If all three of these items are on your “needs” list, look into packaging your services.

26. Get to know your fridge. Do a daily check to make sure and eat foods before they go bad.

27. Pass on paper. Use cloth napkins instead of paper to cut down on household spending.
28. Wait to wash. Don’t run the washing machine or dishwasher until it’s full. Period.

29. Wash in cold water. Washing your clothes in cold water is much more cost-efficient than washing in hot (and is less likely to shrink them or set stains).

30. Embrace the outdoors. On nice days, open a window and let Mother Nature handle your climate control.

31. Get more from your décor. Redecorate—using the things you already own. Reorganizing a room to change things up a bit can make a big difference (and you can’t complain about the price).


Caring for your home is very important—so is caring for yourself.

Personal Maintenance

Taking care of yourself can get expensive before you know it. While you shouldn’t deny yourself personal care items, it’s important to prioritize your spending so you don’t break the bank. Here are some simple ways to stretch your personal care budget.

32. Use the recommended amount. If you’re like me, you not only like the pricier products, but you tend to over-use them, too. Follow directions for use—you’ll typically need less than you think, which means you can last longer between purchases.

33. Cut down on dry cleaning. Hand wash, or use store-bought products for sweaters, etc.—save dry cleaning for the items that can’t be cleaned any other way.

34. Pamper yourself. A few dollars will buy everything you need to give yourself a great manicure and pedicure—who said you have to pay to be pampered?

35. Get your hair cut at a teaching salon. These stylists typically are pursuing “hair higher education,” so it’s a great deal. It’s almost laughably less expensive than a salon, and pretty much risk free, since the instructors are on hand to take over if the student doesn’t get it right.

36. Prioritize your products. Some items, like facial cleansers, moisturizers and make-up, are worth splurging on (a little). Others—hair spray, soap, cotton swabs—not so much so. Pick and choose, and cut back where you can.

37. Do unto others. Need a massage? Instead of paying $60 plus tip, have a friend come over and trade off giving each other back rubs. It’s more fun and the price is definitely right.

38. Body in bulk. Buying bath products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, razor blades) in bulk can be a huge money saver. But don’t go overboard—it’s dangerously easy to overspend when buying in bulk. Sure, it’ll last you longer, but it might also break your budget for the month if you’re not careful.

Now that your personal care budget is under control, lets move on to a real problem area.

Buying Time

A week of good budgeting can easily be blown by a day’s worth (or less) of impulse buying. When going shopping, whether for food or clothes or what have you, take a list and stick to it. It will take discipline, but mastering it will be vital to your budgeting success.

39. Plan ahead. Map out your menu for the week and use key ingredients over multiple days.

40. Set a shopping schedule. Treat grocery shopping like a bill. Allocate funds and do it on a specific schedule (like every two weeks). If you run out of something before your designated shopping day, deal with it. Living on cereal for a few days never hurt anybody.

41. Clip coupons. Sure, it’s not particularly glamorous, but believe me, the savings add up!

42. Buy in bulk. Wholesale shopping is great for day-to-day items like toothpaste, deodorant, vitamins, etc.

43. Search for the sale. Wait to do your shopping when major sales are happening, or between seasons, for a much better deal.

44. Cut down on subscriptions. Do you really need all the stuff you’re signed up for? Probably not. Anything you don’t really look forward to getting and actually use, cancel.

45. Don’t fall victim to discounts. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it. If it’s not on your list don’t pick it up.

46. Skip the trends. Stick to classic styles that flatter your figure—they’ll always be in style. Skinny jeans and spandex tights? Pass.

47. Think maintenance. Avoid “dry clean only” and other hard-to-care-for items.

48. Don’t impulse-buy. When you go shopping, take a list and stick to it. Period.

49. Buy the off brand. It’s cheaper and, typically, you can’t tell the difference, particularly with things like condiments. C’mon, the off-brand mustard is just as good, I promise.

50. Embrace leftovers. Enough said.

51. Go on a diet. Talk about a great way to curb your food spending! Take advantage of the situation and shed those few extra pounds you’ve been worrying about since January.

52. Run your errands all at once. It saves time, gas and money. And with a list of things to do, you’re less likely to meander through the stores, picking up impulse-buy items, and consolidating your trips saves gas.

53. Run errands on your lunch break. With less time to spend in the store, you’ll be less likely to buy things that aren’t on your list.

54. Cut down on day-to-day “on-a-whim” purchases. Do you really need that bottle of water and candy bar while you fill up your gas tank? Probably not. Think about it this way: saving just $2.50 a day adds up to almost $1,000 a year. That’s much more appealing than a quick sugar fix, isn’t it?

55. Shop around. Think you’ve found a great deal? Doesn’t hurt to double check. Do your homework to make sure you’re getting it for the best price.

56. Sleep on it. Before making a major purchase, give yourself 24 hours to think it over (or for your conscience to kick in).

57. Bring your lunch to work. Paying for lunch out everyday adds up more quickly than you’d think. Avoid the temptation by packing yourself a nice lunch, and use the extra time to take a break or run some errands.

58. Keep a Wish List. This is a great way to curb impulse buying. Want something you don’t need? Put it on the list. When you’ve budgeted successfully, you can use the list to decide how best to spend extra cash.

59. Shop resale. You can find great deals on cool clothes at consignment and other resale shops. Check out what your local area has to offer—you may have to dig a little, but the deals you find will be worth the extra effort.

60. Order online. You can often find great deals on the Internet. Do some searching and see if you can’t find a better deal buying over the Internet.

61. Don’t do delivery. Craving pizza? Save at least $5 (and a good 20 minutes) by going to pick it up instead of having it delivered. Many delivery-focused restaurants will offer additional discounts for take-out orders, so don’t just default to delivery next time you decide to order in.

Remember, it’s all about moderation. You don’t need to deprive yourself; you simply have to be responsible with your spending—especially when you’re having fun.

On the Town

It’s easy to get carried away when spending money on entertainment. Next time you’re in the mood for a celebration, try one of these tricks to ramp up the fun without emptying your wallet.

62. Bring “Girls’/Guys’ Night Out” in. Instead of going out to eat, invite friends to come to you—and have them each bring a dessert, appetizer or a bottle of something to share.
63. When you do go out, don’t go overboard. Instead of dinner and drinks out, pick one and do the other at home or at a friend’s place.

64. Go out for lunch instead of dinner. Most restaurants’ menus are notably cheaper at lunch than at dinner, so hit up your favorite spots at lunch time and try to save enough to be able to take home some leftovers. Presto! Two meals in one.

65. Host a dinner party. Eating well is much cheaper when you don’t have to pay for ambiance. Next time you want a fancy meal, make it yourself. Invite friends over to enjoy it with you, and maybe even bring dessert.

66. Fill up on water. Skipping a soda or glass of wine in favor of good old H20 when dining out will easily save you a few dollars. Not only is it the healthiest option, it’s free!

67. Take leftovers home. You paid for the food (maybe even over-paid) so take it with you. It’ll probably taste just as good tomorrow.

68. Going to the theater? Skip the snacks and enjoy the show. Cutting down on overpriced movie-theater snacks makes going to the movies a pretty affordable outing.

69. Don’t over-indulge. Limit your drinks, skip dessert.

70. Dining out with a friend? Consider splitting an entrée.

71. Designate a driver. Cabs can get expensive; getting pulled over, even more so. Pick a designated driver and avoid both of these situations.

72. Go low key. Skip the martini bar downtown and hit up a neighborhood pub. You’ll probably spend less (and cause less trouble) in a more laid back atmosphere.

73. Save it for a special occasion. Making going out on the town a special-occasion activity will not only protect your wallet, it will help you enjoy the nights you do head out all the more.

74. Get connected. Most communities (especially college towns) have all kinds of free events going on—art festivals, movies in the park, craft fairs—get a hold of a local community organization and find out what fun, free events are going on in your area.

75. Keep track of what you spend. It’s easy to get carried away where entertainment spending is concerned. Failing to remember your night out doesn’t put the money back in your wallet. It’s all about self-control.

76. Opt for low-budget entertainment. Instead of hitting the club scene, get a group together to go bowling—it’s dirt cheap and a lot of fun, especially with the right group of people.

77. Host a movie night. Skip the theater (and overpriced popcorn) and invite friends over for a movie marathon.

Remember that having fun is free—all you have to do is find it.

In the Driver’s Seat

Automotive expenses are easily one of the most costly (and unpredictable) spending areas. You can save money on gas and lessen the risk of unexpected car spending by following these easy steps.

78. Consider carpooling. With gas prices climbing, cutting down on driving can be a big money saver.

79. Rethink your commute. Do you live in an area with reliable public transportation? Examine your daily routine and look for ways to find ways to make it more efficient.

80. Rise and shine. Avoid sitting in traffic by getting to work earlier. Not only will you save time, your boss will be impressed by what he/she perceives to be your dedication to your job.

81. Keep your car well-maintained. Regular check-ups will help you avoid major, unexpected repairs.

82. Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires can hurt your gas mileage. Just like the rest of your car, keep your tires well-maintained.

83. Sometimes, spend more the first time. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? It’s not. If you buy the cheapo product to save cash (windshield wipers, for example), you’ll likely end up paying more in the end, as you’ll have to replace them sooner than you would had you bought the better-quality product to begin with. That’s not to say you should buy the most expensive product in the store—the top brand will typically have lower-cost models as well, which is what you’re looking for. The quality will be much better than the “discount” option, and the price is generally pretty reasonable.

84. Turn on the cruise control. On long car trips or when driving on the highway, use cruise control to regulate your gas expenditure and, ultimately, save you money.

85. Roll down your windows. When weather permits, turn off the A/C and enjoy the breeze.

86. Get what’s coming to you. Call your insurance carrier and make sure you’re getting all the discounts you’re eligible for: safe driver, good student, etc.

87. Find yourself driving less? Tell your insurance company—you may be eligible for a discounted rate.

88. Become insurance savvy. Shop around and make sure you’re aware of all your options. It will take some homework, but you could end up saving, big time.

89. Budget for repairs. We all know that car repair can get expensive, and quick. Start a car repair fund so when problems arise you can deal with them without increasing your debt.

90. Leave the keys at home. Do you live close enough to your job that walking or riding a bike would be a reasonable option? Give it a try! It’s healthier, cheaper and less stressful than fighting traffic.

91. Break out the bucket. Skip the car wash and clean your car yourself.

92. Lighten up. Remove any heavy items you’ve got in the trunk of your car or on a roof rack. The extra weight cuts into your gas mileage—if you don’t need it on this trip leave it at home.

93. Get the best deal on gas. Wholesale shopping isn’t just for household goods and cleaning products. They typically offer members gas at discounted prices, too.

94. Maintain your speed. Stop-and-go driving is a major gas-guzzler (not to mention the damage it inflicts on your engine). Be patient and follow the flow of traffic. In this case, spending more time in the car will save you money in the long run.

Ultimately, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Etcetera

Still need to scrape together some cash? Here are a few other ways to effectively trim your budget and make the most of your money.

95. Pay bills on time. Avoid late fees—at that point you’re just giving your money away! Make a schedule of when all your bills are due and stick to it.

96. Pay bills online. It’s not much, but you can save a few bucks each month in stamps, easily.

97. Leave the nicotine behind. Smoking is a bad habit—we all know it. So quit already, and save yourself not only the cost of feeding your habit, but maybe even the cost of major medical bills in the future.

98. Survive the holiday season. Buy gifts, wrapping paper and ribbon in bulk to save time and money. Re-gifting is another great way to maintain a budget during the holidays—if you can get away with it.

99. Work for it. Getting a part-time job is a great way to give yourself (and your budget) a little wiggle room. Plus, the more time you spend working, the less time you have to shop.

100. Donate to charity. Don’t forget to save your receipts—come tax time, your generosity is deductible.

101. Save your bonuses. Put your holiday bonus away for a rainy day rather than blowing it as soon as it’s in the bank. You’ll appreciate they money more if you spend it on something you actually need.

Friday's Feast (2)

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television?

- It depends on the sports. If it's like a major fight of Pacquiao or a championship game between ADMU and DLSU, it's probably a 10.

Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?

- I'm not really keen on these stuff, but amazingly I can still remember the lines of "She walks in beauty"

Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food?

- Pancakes and hash brown!!! (just like what I had today!)

Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.

- I can do a lot with that! I can go swimming, or watch movie, or have a nice dinner. Or probably buy some more scrapbooking stuff I've been wanting to buy! hehehe!

Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?

- It really depends. I usually have a hard time except when I'm really really tired or sick.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Monday, July 16, 2007

Procrastinating

Err...I know I haven't been able to update this blog as much as I want to. I'm having major procrastination attacks. Well, among some of the updates that I'm planning to post includes the Food writing and photography workshop I attended last saturday. I also got a new client for my wedding coordination services and had a couple of inquiries about my chocolates. I also accidentally saw David Pomeranz's mini concert at SM (the Block) the other day. I also finally got a new stationary bike! Oh well...these are just random thoughts. I hope I get to make a more decent post next time!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Flea away

I'm so happy my dogs' fleas are slowly disappearing. I bought this dog powder at the grocery called Flee Away which only costs around Php39. It surely did its job perfectly! I just powdered our dogs and the places where they sleep and voila! ...just the following day I already saw some dead fleas on the floor. They just literally fall of the dogs.

On tubs

On tubs

Pisay the movie trailer

I just wanna share with you the movie trailer of Pisay



Just watching this gives me already a feeling of nostalgia. *sigh* Those were the days of high school life. It's one of my favorite chapters in my life. Oh, to be young and carefree! :)

I hope I get to catch this movie soon. Here's the schedule again in case some of you wants to watch it as well.


PISAY by Auraeus Solito
21 Jul/Sat 03:30 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
22 Jul/Sun 09:00 PM Venue 4 - CCP MKP Hall / Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining
24 Jul/Tue 09:00 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
25 Jul/Wed 09:00 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
26 Jul/Thu 06:15 PM Venue 5 - CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute
27 Jul/Fri 10:00 AM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
28 Jul/Sat 03:30 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino

Shopaholic

Shopaholic

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

One of those tags

1.Where is your dad right now?
*In UAE

2.Last time you kissed someone?
*This morning

3.Name five things you did today
*Checked my mail, had breakfast with my hunnie, cooked carbonara, listed things to do, blogged

4.Last person you text messaged?
*My hunnie

5.What kind of phone do you have?
*Sony Erickson w800i

6.Where does your best friend work?
*my hunnie/bestfriend works in Teletech. Andrea and Ramil works at HedCen and Kathryn works in HP

7.What are you listening to?
*none right now

8.What do you smell like?
*Johnson's baby cologne (parang baby! hehe!)

9.What color are your eyes?
*Black

10.Have you ever done a chinese fire drill?
*Nope

11.What color is your bedroom floor?
*White

12.Do you have a chair in your room?
*Yep

13.What are you doing tomorrow?
*Hopefully be able to get my new stationary bike

14.Do you know someone named Betsy?
*Yeah, a schoolmate in high school


15.What color is your mom`s hair?
*Black

16.Do you have a dog?
*Yep! Sammie (half chow-chow, half jap spitz), Bokbok (askal), and an unnamed dog

17.Do you remember singing any songs as a kid?
*Yeah. a lot of Batibot and Sesame Street songs (tinapang bangus, alagang-alaga namin si puti... hehehe!)

18.Are you married?
*Not yet

19.When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings?
*Awhile ago

20.Do you play an instrument?
*I know how to play the piano and guitar...we were also taught in high school how to play the recorder

21.Do you like fire?
*Yes, when used properly.

22.Are you allergic to anything?
*I think so. I have yet to consult a doctor. I'd usually have rashes on my arms and legs.

23.Do you have a crush on anyone?
*My hunnie! Hahaha!

24.Do you have a best friend?
*Yes, my hunnie, andrea, kathryn, and ramil :)

25.Have you ever been to a spa?
*Yep, I would love to go to one pretty soon

26.Did you take science all four years of high school?
*Yes. from 2nd-4th year we had chem, bio, and physics every year at Pisay

27.Do you like butterflies?
*Ok lang

28.Do you miss someone right now?
*my hunnie


29.Do you think they miss you too?
*I hope so

30.Have you ever seen your school counselor?
*I guess when it was required

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Universal Law


Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch or you'll have to pee.

Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

Law of Probability: The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone: If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law:
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.

Law of the Bath: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Law of Close Encounters: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theatre: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee: As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, you boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Murphy's Law of Lockers: If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Rugs and Carpets: The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpeting.

Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.

Law of Logical Argument:
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

Oliver's Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law: As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Mobile Meme

What is the color of your phone? white and orange

Who’s the first person who comes under the letter M? Maam Elisa :)

Who’s the last person you called? my hunnie

Who was your last missed call from? my hunnie

Who’s the 2nd person who comes up under D? dangs

Who’s speed dial 2? I haven’t set up my speed dial yet. :P

Who’s the third person who comes up under J? Janet (a contact from Puerto Galera)

Who was your last received call? my hunnie

Who’s speed dial number 3? n/a

What is your background? a brick floor photo i took at tiendesitas

How many text messages do you have? errr a lot...which reminds me i need to delete them na

What does the fifth message in your inbox say? hi jen. Good morning! can we meet with you to discuss your proposal? Pwede ka ba this afternoon or tomorrow? (from a potential client)

Who’s the first person under B? bakla (ung tita kong tomboy :))

Who was your last text message from? ponj

Name every person you have text messages from. my hunnie, ponj, anton, andrea, wilf, puj, ray, cheryl, roen, lanie, lorie, mommy (errr...bihira kse ako magbura...such a bad habit)

Who’s the ninth person on your missed call list? mommy

What does the sixth message in your Sent Folder say? hehe...kakabura ko lang lahat

Who’s the first name in your phonebook? A (actually number ko un... nilagay ko lang un since usually i forget locking my phone and ends up calling the first person in my phonebook)

Who is the last name in your phonebook? :) (as in smiley face - hunnie ko)

Do you have a camera phone? Yes

Who is the last friend under G? Gregg Centeno. Couturier ni faye

What does the last text message in your inbox say? i'm home

Who is the second person under K? not really a person: Kapuluan Resort in Ilocos

What is your ringtone? tatooed on my mind

Sunscreen

Sunscreen

Mangan Tamu (Kain Tayo) (Let's eat)

I got this from one of the blogs I've hopped on to...wala lang..trip ko lang din sagutan even if she didn't tag me

Ano ang iyong almusal kanina?
longganisa and sinangan

Ikaw ay may itlog — nilagang itlog. Paano mo ito kakainin?
peel off the shell, cut it into small pieces using an egg cutter, put some minced onions and carrots, put some mayo, and mix together...ipalaman sa tinapay! Voila! Egg sandwich!

Ano ang paborito mong local na junkfood?
TORTILLOS!!!!

Ikaw ay kinuhang TOP CHEF sa isang engrandeng pagtitipon. Ano ang iyong ihahain sa mga bisita? (Note: Ang mga pagkain na ihahain mo ay ang mga alam mong lutuin. Bawal magsinungaling)

:: Appetizer: potato salad, macaroni salad

:: Soup: Crab and Cream soup

:: Main course: Inihaw na liempo, lechong kawali, lumpiang shanghai, calamares, tempura

:: Dessert: mango ref cake, fruit salad

Have lotsa food in mind...this is making me hungy...

Kung ikaw ay makakain sa restaurant ngayon din, saang restaurant ka pupunta at bakit?
:: I'm craving for some baked zitti right now, so I'll probably go to Sbarro's

Saang restaurant mong gusto makapunta, pero di ka lang nakakarating pa?
:: The Spiral in Sofitel! I have yet to try out their buffet!

May pizza sa harap mo. Ano ang ayaw mong makitang topping sa pizza mo?
:: Anchovies

Ano ang madalas mong orderin sa Jollibee?
:: burger with spaghetti, palabok

Paano magluto ng Sinigang? Marunong ka ba?
:: I haven't really tried

Ikaw ay may fried chicken sa harap mo. Ano ang dapat niyang kapartner para masarap ang kain?
:: mashed potato or macaroni from KFC

Kumakain ka ba ng dinuguan? Alam mo ba kung saan ito gawa?
:: Yep. It's made of pig's blood

Friday, July 6, 2007

Body Jam

We went to SM North EDSA last weekend and passed by The Block Activity Center. There was a lot of people! Fitness First was sponsoring this group aero. There were a lot of participants and looked like they were really having fun!




It was just a little awkward to see some participants in full make up! Imagine their make up melting with their sweat! Eeeew!

Anyways, I miss participating in Fitness First's Body Jam. Oh well. I know I need to do a lot of cardio to burn up all these fat! Good thing my dad agreed to buy a stationary bike...well, actually hati kami. Hehe! Good enough. Atleast I'll get access na to this equipment. I can use it even while watching TV. I actually love biking. It's one of the things I usually do inside the gym. Hopefully by next week I'll have my own stationary bike already. I'm so excited!

Dog 911

Help!!!

I'm just really getting frustrated with my dog's fleas! :( They just don't seem to go away. I've been taking them off my dog almost everyday but they just keep on multiplying. Any tips you can share??? It's getting yuckier by the day! I'd even see some crawling on the sofa since Sammie the dog would often lie there. I really hope some of you can give me tips! I guess her anti-flea shampoo is not effective after all.

Innovative Tutor

Innovative Tutor

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Harry Potter Theme Park

Just read this from one of my friend's blog:

A theme park inspired by the adventures of schoolboy wizard Harry Potter is to open in the US.

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter will open at the Universal Orlando Resort, in Florida, in 2009.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling said: "The plans I've seen look incredibly exciting, and I don't think fans of the books or films will be disappointed."

Touted as a "theme park within a theme park", it will feature attractions and rides based on Harry Potter locations.

Based inside Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park, which already houses Marvel Super Heroes and Dr Seuss islands, the Harry Potter theme will be spread over 20-acres.

'Authentic'

Oscar-winning production designer Stuart Craig, who has worked on the Harry Potter films, is leading the creative design for the park to ensure it remains faithful to JK Rowling's vision.

"Our primary goal is to make sure this experience is an authentic extension of Harry Potter's world as it is portrayed in the books and films," he said Craig.

The Harry Potter series of books has been translated into 65 languages with more than 325 million copies sold worldwide.

The films, produced by Warner Bros, have grossed more than $3.5bn (£1.7bn) at the box office worldwide.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film in the series, will open in cinemas on 13 July 2007.

The seventh and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be published on 21 July.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6706939.stm

Lifetime commitment

Lifetime commitment

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Alphabet of Happiness

A-Accept. Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.
B-Break Away. Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.
C-Create. Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.
D-Decide. Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way. E-Explore. Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.
F-Forgive. Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
G-Grow. Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.
H-Hope. Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.
I-Ignore. Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.
J-Journey. Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.
K-Know. Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
L-Love. Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.
M-Manage. Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.
N-Notice. Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.
O-Open. Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
P-Play. Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.
Q-Question. Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
R-Relax. Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.
S-Share. Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
T-Try. Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.
U-Use. Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
V-Value. Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.
W-Work. Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.
X-X-Ray. Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.
Y-Yield. Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.
Z-Zoom. Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.

I hate...

I've been tagged by Andrea.

1. Food you hate - okra and atay!!!

2. Fruits you hate - Hmmm...chesa cguro...

3. Veggies that you hate - As I've said in #1--> OKRA!!!

4. Celebrities or people that you hate - Not naman hate, pero medyo eyesore talaga sila madame auring...

hmmm... si wendy rin of PBB...kairita! hehehe!

5. Event/Incident/Situation that you hate - any awkward situation ...i'm not too fond of watching the interview portion of beauty pageants specially when a contestant starts giving out super DUH! answers...napapalipat talaga ako ng channel!

6. TV shows or movies that you hate - Well, there are channels which shows supposedly religious people bashing other religion.

7. Type of music that you hate - i'm actually a little eclectic when it comes to music so i'll pass this one

8. Household chore that you hate - Cleaning the bathroom and washing the dishes! Good thing my hunnie agrees to do them when we get married! Hehehehe!

9. Things you hate about the world - apathy, discrimination, poverty, injustice

10. Things you hate about yourself - Ang dami kong gustong gawin! And i'm really having a hard time focusing on just one thing. This is one of the main reasons I'm giving myself a lot of time for the rest of the year to try out most of those things!

I also procrastinate a lot! That's why I haven't finished any new LO's for over a month already! Puro simula lang o kaya gawa ng mga embellies.

Next… I'm tagging Au, Nita, Tin, Joanne, Ria and anybody else who'd like to do this!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Uninspired

I haven't really posted anything profound here lately. I guess I'm just a little bit uninspired to write. Writer's block? Probably. Although a lot of times during the day I'd often get to think about things to write in here. It's either I just can't seem to come up with the right words or probably I'm just procrastinating ...*sigh* ...such a really bad habit!

Or probably I'm just getting used to just posting photos in my other blog and just letting those photos do the talking...


Love for Reading

Love for Reading

Blog Addiction

I just saw this from a friend's blog and decided to try it out as well...

The result shows that:

74%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle2 - Online Dating



You might wanna try it out for yourself! Just head on to: http://mingle2.com/blog-addiction

On monetizing your blog

It's hard to catch some opportunities in PayPerPost lately. As quoted from another blogger...looks like there are a lot of hungry wolves scavenging for those opps! Grabe, sobrang bilis magkaubusan... Since there are a lot of bloggers who've discovered PPP it seems that the opportunities have become limited commodities! I used to get 1-3 opps everyday. Now, it's been 4 days since I last got one. :(

There are actually a lot of emerging sites who offer blog monetizing opportunities. A lot are actually more stricter in terms of accepting blogs. They have a lot of qualifiers, like having a blog of more than 90 days, having atleast 20 posts. But more than that, it has become a game of page ranks!

Yep, It all boils down to page ranking now. The higher your site's page rank, the more opportunities you can take. It's actually a bit frustrating since it's really not that easy to increase one's page rank, especially considering Google's complicated formula on how they compute it. I guess that's probably one of the reasons why it takes them 2-3 months to update a site's ranking.

Oh well. I can't wait for mine to get up. As for now, all I have to do is come up with better posts for my blog and look for ways to increase my traffic...gotta look into those search engine optimization tips!


Jen needs...

I just saw this from a friend's blog and decided to try it out myself.

Here's how it goes: Google your name and the word "needs," all in quotation marks (ie: "Jen needs"), then share the ten funniest hits. You can also try to using "loves" or "wants" instead of needs.

1. Jen needs a break
2. Jen needs a therapist session or two
3. Jen needs a gun
4. Jen needs to be a My Little Pony
5. Jen needs to demonstrate more self control
6. Jen needs to find a self righteous, conspicuous "I'm better than you" charitable position so she can keep charming the sheep into thinking she matters a rat's ass
7. Jen needs to let the sheets cool down before diving in to post-divorce relationship
8. Jen needs someone to love her as much as she loves them
9. Jen needs this Diva Publicity like she needs a hole in the head
10. Jen needs someone who's good looking and famous and rich like she is, an equal

Hehehe!