Coffee Break 1.46

Another coffee break question from Jan:



A lot of little things make me smile, most of it (not all though) revolving around my little family :). See, I'm smiling already!

• My child's laughter -- That's why we love tickling him. It's music to our ears.
• The way my child says "mommy"...
• My child's kisses, especially his good night kisses on my cheeks on my tummy (for Baby Inside)
• Seeing my little boy nestled up with my husband
• Looking at my son's pictures
• Looking at my baby's pictures
• Looking at my wedding pictures
  
• Looking at MY pictures from babyhood to childhood to school
• Seeing a grateful patient
• Late night dates with the hubby -- which are actually DVD marathons while the baby is asleep. (Can't do that lately coz I'm always sleepy)
• Seeing my little boy with his grandmas.

There are lots, lots more. I am very happy that I do not need material things to make me happy and my family gives me all the reasons in the world to smile.

About You -- A Dneero Survey

Getting to know me....

A Twilight Survey

I've seen the trailer, and I have the e-book (which I haven't gotten around to reading yet). Everybody's talking about the movie, and apparently it has made big stars out of its lead stars. While the role Rob Pattinson has is not exactly the usual loverboy type, he has certainly made a lot of female fans, especially teens, swooning.

About Metal

I wonder what life would have been if we haven't discovered the use for metals. Almost everything in modern life has some sort of metal, be it as simple as household utensils like forks and spoons, to the big industrial machines, to the tiny circuit boards found in computers, and yes, even cars and buildings.

Metal has been a ubiquitous part of modern life, and man has continuously found new uses for the different types of metal. There are now machines that could actually make more useful things out of metal like the hydraulic deep draw press! The metalworking industry is continually evolving and improving, and that means that we'll probably get to see more of these useful items in more of our everyday lives.

Coffee Break 1,45 And A Christmas Survey

Christmas is in the air!

For us Filipinos, Christmas is probably the most important holiday of the year. We start thinking Christmas after all soul's day has gone. We buy gifts for almost everyone we know. We attend parties. We eat to our heart's content! We decorate our homes.

In line with this, Jan asks in this week's coffee break:

My reply:

• My budget - If I don't have extra money to burn, I'll have to go with less expensive gifts, or give less people
  
• Age and gender of the recipient
  
• My relationship with the recipient - Of course, the closer the person is to me, the more likely he or she will be on my Christmas list.
  
• My situation at the time - Chinese custom dictates that mourning families should not give gifts and other people should understand about it. The year my dad died, we didn't give any gifts because, although we were following tradition, the truth is that nobody was in the mood for Christmas shopping.
  

I've made another post on my other blog about my tips for people who have a long Christmas list.

In line with Christmas, Dneero also has a survey on this. Here goes:

Yes, I Will Breastfeed Again!

I've had a very pleasant breastfeeding experience with my firstborn. I was able to nurse for 1 year and 10 months. It would have been a bit longer if only I hadn't gotten sick with Hydatidiform mole and had to undergo chemotherapy.

Because of this very positive experience, I am definitely going to breastfeed my new baby! We're quite lucky in that there are now a lot of breastfeeding clothes and paraphernalia like breast pumps. I know that an essential accessory to successful nursing is a good nursing bra. I love the Beautiful Nursing Bras by Condessa because they don't just look utilitarian, they actually look beautiful and comfortable! They can also be paired with matching bikini panties or minimizing briefs for a more alluring figure for new moms who need just that extra boost of confidence.

Flowers For Me! :)

I got this from Mauie and Pat. Thank you so much! I haven't done tags for quite awhile...

::: Start copying here:::

Here are the rules for this tag:
1.) Copy the badge and put it on your blog,
2.) Link back who pass you this tag,
3.) Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friend with.

"And lovely are the blossoms
That are tended with great care,
By those who work unselfishly
To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,
Friendship’s flower grows more sweet
When watched and tended carefully
By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship
Is planted deep and true
And watched with understanding,
Friendship’s flower will bloom for you. "

Outsource For Your IT Needs

We have to admit that not all of us are techie people. Not all of us know the nuances of the IT profession, and it's foolish for us to pretend to know everything. It's best to hire the right professionals for the job. However, sometimes the particular job that you have to have somebody is either very short term or on an as-need basis. In such cases, it may be more prudent and practical to make use of IT Outsourcing so that you do not always have to maintain your own IT staff. In fact, some companies opt to do that instead of having a full time IT staff, because they find it more practical.

coffee break ver. 1.44

This is another coffee break question by Jan:

My faves are the following:

1. Amazing Race
I love the excitement of this race, the search and the deciphering of the clues, the tasks and the fact that the partners really should work with each other. And, that there's really no judging...whoever comes first at the end wins.

2. American Idol
I am a frustrated singer myself, and I love seeing if my choices would jibe with the judges and/or the text voter's choices. I love the fact that it seems to be getting better and better. And some of the auditions are really very funny! The Philippine version just does not have the same appeal for me, but perhaps it's because it's still pretty new.

3. I had to think long and hard for this. But finally I think I like Pinoy Big Brother also. You can see how the people in bahay ni kiua interact with each other, although I would wonder how much of it is true. And I like the fact that the power of the housemates in eliminating the other members is only limited to nominating people, not outright eliminating it (which is done by the text votes).

It's a pity I do not get to watch these as often as I'd like to. Nowadays my "reality show" is watching my son grow before my very eyes.

Do You Need A Web Host?

It's no longer something just for techies and big companies. With more affordable web hosting packages, even individuals can afford to have their own website, whether it's a blog, an online resume or whatever. Many people have also found a better alternative source of income by having a web presence, whether through advertising or other means.

While there is not perfect web hosting solution, it would be best if we look at reviews prior to choosing the right host for our needs. What the right host is different depends on whether it's for business or personal use, the amount of available budget and many other factors.

I've actually gotten hosting for one of my blogs. I'm still a relative neophyte in all this, therefore I rely on reviews on the net and advices of my friends who have used web hosting far longer than I have and who should know more. I have to admit that for now, budget played a big part in choosing my host. I'm glad it's working out pretty well so far. However, I am still figuring out which is the best host for my future online ventures (not necessarily blogs). I am doing my research right now and hoping that eventually I will find the right one.

Sports Clothing - Where? When?

A more sporty, casual approach to clothing is permeating our lives ... remember when athletic shoes, were for, well, athletics? ... did you ever wear Chick Taylor's outside of the gym ... then came the sports shoe craze ... is high-performance fitness/sports clothing going to follow? Seems to be making some inroads.



While I believe that high perforamnce sportswear would work for very active individuals, I am afraid I believe that I do not belong in this category. A pair of shorts, a T shirt and running shoes would be fine enough for me. Especially since I'm not very fashion conscious as well.

Hard To Feed!

My son is a VERY hard to feed child. One of the times I'm thankful for having a yaya is so that she will be the one to feed him.

Why it's difficult to feed him:

• He takes his time to eat. Each meal takes almost 1-2 hours.
• He chews VERY slowly. Sometimes you will see that his cheeks are full already from food but he still won't swallow.
• He does not have a favorite food. Arggghhhh! Nothing to bribe him with.
  
• He may like a certain food but then will tire of it easily.
• He does not even like the usual kiddie faves like jollibee spaghetti.
• He does not like junk food (I guess this is a good thing! :) ).
• He refuses to have breakfast. He only grudgingly accepts milk.
  

My mom likes to remind me that she had the same difficulties when I was a that age (3 years old). So, is it hereditary?

I'd be at my wits' end except that he has basically remained healthy and his weight gain has been constant despite everything. Sometimes I do wonder if we pressure him too much. His weight is very normal but the elders insist that he's payatot (thin). Maybe he's just not hungry during the times that we deem mealtimes. When it takes too long between meals, he's pretty fast naman.

Oh well, as long as he's healthy. In the meantime, I'm glad yaya is there to feed him because honestly, a working mom does not have an extra 4 hours to feed a child. I'd never get things done!

If anybody has any suggestions on how to improve his appetite, I'd be glad to listen!
---------------
This is my entry to PPBC 10th Edition: Picky Eaters hosted by Jenny. :)

Barack Obama IS The New US President

The U.S. Presidential Election is over ... he did it ... Barack Obama won! What did editorials across the world say, imply, question, disparage, hope, ...?



When I was asked who my choice was, I always said that it doesn't matter, I am not a US citizen and I won't vote anyway? But any changes in the US has always meant a global change. So, I'm hoping that now that Obama has won, there would be positive changes around the world, not only in the United States.

Another survey (updated 1/20/2008)

Starting My Christmas Shopping

Christmas is just around the corner! It's the happiest time of the year for many Filipinos, who have the longest Christmas celebration in the world. It's also the time when people give and receive gifts.

I have started some shopping for toys for the children in my gift list. My shopping is however, far from over. There are still a number of people (adults!) who I want to give gifts to, but I'm just not sure what to get them. It's great that we can now browse and buy stuff on the net.

My mom loves to fix up the home once in a while. I believe that she would be happy with anything from here.

I think my mother would be happy with anything for her garden. She's very happy puttering around, making things grow. Unfortunately, I do not have her inclination and her talent, so I have to rely on online reviews in order to get what would be the best choice for her.

My husband would love tools since he loves tinkering around with mechanical stuff. Hmmm, maybe I should let him browse here so that I'll know what he really wants.

Well, still browsing and still looking for the perfect gift. Hope I will finish my shopping before December!

I Always Look Pregnant...Even If I Was Not

I have never lost my post baby tummy. People have always remarked about my "pregnancy" and I have always politely stated that "No, I'm not pregnant, I'm just fat around my middle" and they'd be all apologetic. It's getting to be irritating, sometimes.

Well, this time I'm actually pregnant, and although I shouldn't be showing yet at this stage, it does give me an excuse to have a big tummy! I know I should be trying to lose that tummy (I never had a problem with my weight, just my fat distribution) after I give birth this time. I also know that no matter I still need cardio exercises in order to lose the fat enough to shape my tummy. I used to go to a gym for treadmill exercises, but I never had the chance anymore to go, since I still work and I try to be as hands on as possible to my firstborn. More so now that I will be expecting our second child. Maybe I should consider getting one of those folding treadmills in order to maintain an exercise regimen at home.

Pumpkin Latte?

You Are a Pumpkin Latte

You are always up for a celebration. You are a very festive person. You look forward to every holiday, and you are nostalgic for good times after they're over. You appreciate the small things that make life special. You love little treats. You often look at the world with childlike wonder. There's so much to enjoy!

What Flavor Latte Are You?

Being Employed is Not Bad At All

In the eye center where I'm working, I'm considered a consultant and not an employee, so I don't get wages and other employee incentives. I actually pay a certain rent in order to have the right to hold my clinic there. The staff there, on the other hand, enjoy some employee incentive programs like an all expense paid vacation for everybody in the company, a health program, and seminars paid for by the Eye Center. I did get a chance to avail of a Corporate Incentive Travel to a midyear convention paid for by one sponsor because I was lecturing regarding their machine, but otherwise, I don't get a lot of perks as what other people believe we do.

This year, the members of the staff were able to go to Catanduanes for the mid-year convention, all paid for by the Eye Center, of course. They went on a side trip to Sorsogon in order to see the butandings (whale sharks). However, something went wrong: The driver didn't know his way. As a consequence, they were able to arrive at Sorsogon mid day already, when the butandings can no longer be sighted since they dive to deeper depths when the sun is already high up in the sky. Everybody got a little disappointed because of this. This could have been better handled by a Incentive Travel Companies rather than if they had just arranged everything themselves.

But hey, at least they got to go there. I would have spent my own money if I had gone since I'm not considered an employee.

The Zoo Survey

In addition to their status as tourist attractions and recreational facilities, modern zoos may engage in captive breeding programs, conservation study, and educational outreach.



I remember going to the zoo as a young child. I went several times to the now ancient Manila Zoo. I believe there were more animals then. I've heard that some of the animals have died and they didn't get to replace them anymore.

My 3 year old has never been to the zoo. His school is thinking of bringing the kids to the Ark of Avilon. I hope it will push through and that I could accompany him.

Not Too Prepared

Back in 1991, my family and I went on my first ever USA trip. Since it was a momentous occasion, we decided to visit as many points of interests as we can. Imagine, in the course of about three weeks, we were able to go to 4 national parks (if my memory serves me right) in 6 states on the west coast, enjoy Disneyland and Universal Studios as well as watch a show in Las Vegas!

One particular place that sticks out in my mind is visiting Yellowstone Park. It was snowing when we arrived. We weren't able to go through the whole park since some places were closed because of bad weather. My father drove around, but somewhere along the way, we got a little lost. Hungry and cold (I was not wearing proper Outdoor Womens Clothing but just whatever warm clothes I could find in my mostly tropical outfits), we were getting a little scared. We then came upon a small convenience store, where thankfully, food is available! Soup from the convenience store never tasted this good!

This is certainly a lesson for us. The next time we go to say, hike up a mountain, we should have the proper Mountain Climbing Gear. Men should also be prepared with their Outdoor Mens Clothing . It may not be so easily found back in the Philippines in 1991 but now it's so conveniently available online, so there is really no excuse not to be prepared.

I Hope I Win!

I put in my 500 pesos in the hope of winning a bigger prize! Who knows, I just might be one lucky buntis (pregnant woman)! There are so many things I need (and want) to spend on, but with the current belt tightening, it's been harder and harder to make ends meet.

I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that somehow, the fates will smile at me. :)

About Eyeglasses

I know of several people who refuse to wear eyeglasses because they are in denial about their refractive error and would prefer to tolerate blurred vision just so they won't need to wear spectacles and thus "look old". This should not be the case, because there are a now a variety of eyeglasses which don't look "old" at all and can actually be stylish additions to one's wardrobe.

Now, if your concern is cost, rest assured that a lot of optical shops, including online ones like ZenniOptical, now offer affordable spectacles. Would you believe that this pair costs only 8 dollars?
Seriously, a lot of people think that wearing glasses are an admission that there's something "broken" or "damaged" with their eyes. Contrary to that popular belief, error of refraction is simply because of the image not falling directly on the retina, causing the image to look blurred. This is due to either the size or shape of the eyeball, or the power of the lens, or the combination of the above. For older people, the reason why reading seems to become more difficult is because the eyes no longer "accommodate" very well for near distances, hence the problem with reading.

Another popular misconception is that wearing of eyeglasses somehow "improve" your condition over time. Another one, which directly clashes with the former statement, admonishes people not to always wear their glasses since their problem would worsen. Neither of these statements are true. The size and shape of our eyes change through time. These changes are not influenced by spectacle wearing or non-wearing.

The Big News!

We're having another baby!

This is an exciting time for us! Our firstborn is now 3 years old (he'll be almost 4 by the time the baby is born). After a heartbreaking episode last year, we're hoping that this time things will be much much better!

Oh, we already had the results for quite some time but we wanted to wait till we see the heartbeat on the transvaginal ultrasound. And, we got what we prayed for yesterday! :D

Thank you, Lord!

Survey on Movies

Personalized Number Plates

License plate numbers could be a little less boring and a little more meaningful if we can have some Personalised Number Plates which reflect what we are. I'd love to have plates that let the officers know that I'm a doctor so that they will give me due consideration in an emergency without having to resort to posting "doctor on call" signs which they might miss. Or maybe put our last name so that it will be easier for us to remember our own plate number. It's available on http://www.northumbrianumbers.com but unfortunately I don't think the LTO here in the Philippines are going to accept them. I wish they have a similar service.

Power dNeero-ites -- 100+ convos

If you have been a Dneero-ite for quite some time and you have had joined more than 00 conversations, then you are entitled to answer this survey. This survey is launched by Dneero itself in a attempt to get feedback on how it's faring so far and get some suggestions regarding improving the site itself.

If you haven't joined Dneero yet, I suggest you check it out. It's not difficult at all, it's free to join, and you get some rewards (mostly cash) for joining the conversations!