Birthdays and Thanksgiving

This year I should say is the 2nd best birthday celebration I will not forget in my lifetime. The first is  my birthday celebration in year 2000 where I was surprised. My relatives from Manila carefully planned for my birthday bash. I almost broke in tears. That wasn't an extravagant one but knowing that they took the extra effort to prepare everything, that was so touching! And this year was incomparable too. I had 3 batches of birthday celebration all in my birth date! That was so tiring yet satisfied and happy at the same time. I had prepared lunch for my immediate family and some relatives, merienda time with my in-laws and dinner time with some officemates of my husband. That was tiring indeed but fulfilled. I give credits to my mother since she helped me all throughout my preparation.

With these celebrations, I thank the Lord for giving me another year of worthwhile experience and unending blessings. Blessings that I didn't ask yet He gave. Every day of my life, all I am wishing is good health for myself and my family and sustenance that I may live each day in greater glory of His name.

Firmoo: I won!

I won! Here's the proof. Finally, I had my first winning giveaway from my fellow blogger. Thank you Elilea for the sponsorship/opportunity (thanks to Firmoo too!) and for the random luck I got from your giveaway promo. When I opened my blog today, a Monday, I am totally surprised and at awe when I got the email notice from you. I can't believe it! Though I haven't completed the total number entries required but I gave my best to comply some of the requirements to the best of my ability. Actually, I never expected to win because I am never lucky with this kind of "pa-contest." But then, through Elilea's blog, I am driven to join more blog sponsorship giveaways. Thank you Pretzel! You've given me hope.

This is also a coincidence since my birthday is coming up in a week's time. Thank you Lord for answering my needs! I know that in many years, I deprived what is due to my health especially my eyes. Now that I have a pair of eyeglasses coming up (still waiting for Elilea's reply to my email confirmation and the possibility of Firmoo to contact me), I am very much excited to give myself, my eyes in exact, total relaxation and medication.

Talk about J.Co donuts: First "mouth" experience

I have been yearning to grab a bite on what's new in the "food"landia . After all the food trippings I see in this blogosphere (I really thank I'm part of this), it keeps me updated on what's the newest craze in this industry. I'm referring to the much talk about J.Co donuts.

Its history

Nice one!

Oops! because it's hand carried all the way from Manila.. pardon for the messy donuts. But even though it's like this, sure it's really tasty and the sweetness is just enough that it won't stuck up in one's throat.

I love the taste of some of it since I haven't eaten yet the rest of the donuts. But believe me, I can finish this in just one sitting of course with a friend. (Share-share style!) But for sure each and everyone has that distinctive taste that I'll surely love knowing that I have the sweetest tooth ever! I highly recommend it over the other pricey donuts because as I said the sweetness is very bearable and mild in the taste buds. Hope it would also be accessibly available here in Davao..soon! Calling J. C's..

For a better and deliciously looking images, visit their website at www.jcodonuts.com.ph.

Versatile Blogger (Part II)

Thada!! And here is my Top 15 Versatile Bloggers not in random order. I chose to not put it in order since I don't know who tops the most since everybody deserves to be in Top 1. Where in fact, it takes me days to ponder and jot down my Top 15 because everybody on the blogosphere deserves the versatility in blogging since each and everyone has its own unique pages that speaks of their own personality. But since Ate Balut just ask for Top 15, I had to make my own list. Pardon for those who are not in the following list, but those who are in my blogroll deserves in this list too. That's why I had you in my list because your site inspires me! 

And the Versatile Blogger Award goes to....

1. Balut on Balut Manila and Run! And Keep on Running
2. Joanne of My Open Notebook
3. Nikki of Askmewhats
4. Chloe of ChloeBelle's Nest and ACE'S
5. Irish of D' Explorer
6. Zenith in Heart of DNA Success
7. Mike of Explorer, First Time Networker, Jocy's World and The Researcher
8. Lester of Gateway to adventure
9. SMF of Life In Every Moment, The Blood Donor and The Flowergirl Artist
10. Shengy of Love Always, Shengy'sdelight and theLivingShed
11. Michael of The Pinoy Wanderer and Show Me Your Look Today
12. Blogger of The Pinay Wanderer (hey, what's your nick?)
13. Mai Flores of Budget Biyahera and Sinigang Junkie
14. Joanne of Joanne's Blog
15. Maxi of The Travelling Swe-Nay Foodie
16. Jenn of Tara! Let's Eat

And there you have it. I have Top 16 because they really deserve this award! I can't help it. Thank you to all of you!

Versatile Blogger (Part I)

Same as you Ate Balut, I was surprised too for considering me as one of which you think is a "Versatile Blogger." And like you also, it's my first ever blogger award! Yehey! 

There's so much joy and gratitude that I feel right now considering I'm a newbie and that I'm still creating my niche in the blogosphere. Thank you for always supporting and noticing my page, my blog posts and giving your time commenting on my thoughts. You're a love and a dear! And now, in order not to violate any of your rules and to avoid being having a punishment (LOL!), here are the following random things about me:

1.  INTROVERT. Sheepishly shy yet gladly welcomes new acquaintances that comes along. I'd wait for  somebody to approach me rather than me to make the first move.

2. DOMESTICATED. I am a homebody rather than going outdoors. However, once in a while I go out just to pamper myself and update myself on what's new around me. Haven't hang out with my college classmates for the very long time already due to my career as a working mom.

3. MUSIC LOVER. I love soothing music that relaxes my senses. I'm into rhythm & blues, jazz kind of music. I listen to the new ones depending on the beat that I like. But for my list, R&B and Jazz music is the best!

4. A LOVER FOR ARTISTRY. I can say to myself that I'm one because being an "Interior Designer" is my most coveted profession and dream. Even if I am not given the privilege and time to do my own crafts, still it remains my hidden desire until now. I like conceptualizing designs in my mind that should have been realized. Yet not given the opportunity to make it happen.

5. HAS A SWEET TOOTH. Loves coffee, chocolates, cakes & everything that is FOOD. I can drink coffee in any way it's prepared and for how many cups a day except for the strong, black one. I like it when it has combination. Same with chocolates. But I prefer the bittersweet one. I don't care if it has nuts or raisins on it. I would love to bake but don't have oven at house. So, it's still my pending thing to do

6. TRAVELER... Wanderer. Apart from being an introvert, I have this side of me that loves to go outdoors especially if means travelling for a vacation. I love to explore new places and try out their food. But that again remains in my wishlist since I have a kid to take care of, a job and constraint in my finances. That's why I'm just a wanderer in my mind as for the moment.

7. GOOD KEEPER. I am a sentimental person. I treasure things that is of value to me. That's is why I have loads of things in the house that I have to constantly check if to trash or not. I love to keep things that I think I still have to keep even if it's okay to be trashed already. Same as with the things that I do and the people around me. I am very careful with the things that I do so as not to have a bad karma. But sometimes my mouth gets out of me.

8. BLOGGER! Need to say more?

All an eagle would really like, is a teapot

All an eagle would really like, is a teapot

Freebies via blog

A lot of blog sites now have their own perks to be able to get other bloggers support and attention by giving freebies. Who wouldn't like that? I myself have been participating in such promos, contests and whatever it is called to be able to get those things. But unfortunately, I'm not the lucky one. Maybe there are much more deserving people than I am who by God's mercy are lucky enough to grab those featured items that's so cool to have. Anyway, I'm not giving out giveaways because I don't have sponsors yet. I'm still a newbie and hoping that I'll be able to give out soon (if my finances would let me).

http://firmoo.com/

In the meantime, I'm sharing to you one of the bloggers giveaways. As you all fellow bloggers know that Firmoo has been giving out plentiful of fashionable sunnies and eyeglasses to lucky bloggers. I joined pretzelgurl's "pa-contest" and hoping that I'll be lucky enough to grab one of those reading glasses for my tired and suffering eyes. You see it's been more than 5 years since I have my own reading glasses. But eventually it broke because of my carelessness. My job requires me to stare on a longer hours in front of the computer so I haven't been fair enough with my eyes. Hoping this time with God's mercy and pertzelgurl's presence in the blogosphere, I'll be the lucky one. The promo is ongoing and ends on the 13th of July. Winners to be announced on the 14th of the same month. So better join now! 

Santorini of the Philippines

As I was visiting some blog sites of bloggers here in the Philippines, I came across one site that mentioned www.dealdozen.com. In here, you can purchase items at a much lower price. As I searched for the that site and started browsing for its offers, I was hooked on to the travel & adventure section. That's how amazed I was with the grandeur of one of the hidden resorts here in the Philippines: The Bellarocca Island Resort & Spa. 

Photo from their website

It is located in Marinduque, known to be the heart of the Philippines. Marinduque (Filipino: Marinduke pronounced [mɑrinˈduke]) is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Its capital is Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of Romblon (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marinduque). The resort is situated at the Southern part, off coast of the island of Marinduque, the Elephant Island. When I saw the photos, it looks like Santorini. I fell in love right away and thought of blogging it. Its rates are in USD, so better check their site for complete information: http://www.bellaroccaresorts.com. It's indeed more fun in the Philippines! Proud to be Pinay!

Proud to be Dabawenyo

This morning as I was watching/listening the television, the news about the top 5 Philippine schools that are said to be included in the top 300 best Asian schools caught my attention. The following Philippine universities (already listed for a couple of years now) are the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP DIliman), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and first time to be included is the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP in short, as it is known by the locals) located here in our very own Davao City (show link here of the news).

As a homegrown Dabawenyo (though not a graduate of the said school), I am very proud for the achievement and accolade that it brought for the city. USEP is a state university and many consider it as like the UP-Diliman here in the city. And what I know is (about some hearsays) that it educates, develops and provides good engineers and teachers though they offer a lot of courses to choose from.

To know more about the school, you may visit their website at http://www.usep.edu.ph/.

My Beloved: It's your day!

They say that love is sweeter the second time around. Many don't know that my marriage is tested at the beginning of our lifetime together. At first it was like a bomb that hit me in pieces and denial stage has dawned in me. Many thoughts run to my head at that time because so many things were at that moment already there. It was most of me and myself alone and a friend. I want to break free but couldn't. So many reasons and realities to face and consider. But I hang on to myself and to my God. He never left me from the start until the end of my struggle. It was so real and I have to face it (come what may).

I am writing this because I want to thank my husband who strengthened my being. Despite of everything that we've been through, I will always be thankful to my Father for reasons that He only knew. It's been a roller coaster ride and I won't surrender until my dying days. To my husband, I thank you for showing me that marriage is a two way process. I know I have my downs, my weaknesses and my imperfections but still you never gave up on me. I can see you are trying and doing the best you can to provide for us. Thank you for making up and for trying to be a better husband and a father. Thank you for always being patient and considerate now with my needs and feelings. I somehow realize that being a father is a no-joke. It is a big responsibility to take as he should be the strength of the family. I salute you "Langga"/ "Papa" (to M) for standing by with us and for taking ways to support and provide for us. Thank you for showing your happiness whenever you are with us and that is enough for me to think that you love us more than anything else. I/We love you very much. Happy Father's Day!

Health is Wealth: Really!

Easier said than done. Since the middle of May, our household was not spared by any one member getting sick. First my daughter got sick because of pneumonia and viral infection which got her into rashes. Then 2 weeks after, one of my house-help got an infection because of her constant pricking of her pimple. Half of her face was bloated due to infection because of the pus already underlying her skin. We were worried because it might be an insect bit her face during one of her working chores or it might be an allergy caused by the "bagoong" which she ate with sour (green) mango. A little bit OC (obsessive compulsive) about cleanliness, I am like a mother which always remind over-and-over again and emphasize cleanliness at the very beginning. I always tell and teach them about proper hygiene and sanitation; to keep their hands clean as possible by washing with soap and water every after doing dirty chores. I am now much more particular about sweeping and disinfecting floors and other parts of the house since our house have lots of ants crawling especially if there is food not properly disposed or kept. I also tell them to wear slippers inside the house, change pillow and bed sheets once a week and to not touch their face and eyes especially if hands are not yet washed, to name a few reminders. My daughter is fond of sitting in the floor and walking in our house so I always told them to keep an eye on her and of any dirt. Again, I always tell them that it is for our own good to be hygienic in the environment and body. I don't blame them if it's not their habit to maintain proper cleanliness since they grew in a barrio in their province. But I assure them that if we continue to maintain a germ-free and clean environment, there is less likely we get sick. Right now, I make sure 70% solution Isopropyl Alcohol is readily available for proper disinfection and taking daily dose of vitamin C a must. It not only benefit our wellness but also our pockets where spending extra bucks for the medicines could be savings already. Agree?!