Too Hot!

The Holy Week that past coincides with the hottest days of summer, at least here in the Philippines! The fact that I'm currently pregnant also means that I feel the heat even more acutely. Our electric bill is getting much higher because we can't help but turn our air conditioner lately.

However, our current air conditioner is more than 10 years old already. Not only is it noisy, it probably does not do the cooling job well. We're currently scouting for a new air conditioner. There are lots of deals right now, with 0% percent interest, which would fit our budget. We feel that with the air conditioner's age, it's not anymore cost effective to have it repaired unless the technician is certified and as good as those of Austin HVAC-Air-Conditioner. It would probably be easier for us to just buy a new one.

We hope we'd able to install the new air conditioner within this month or next month. I'm due to give birth in June and we'd like the new air conditioner to be in place by that time. Although it might be a bit cooler during that time due to the expected rainy season, I like the idea of having a controlled temperature setting for my newborn. Also, I'm expected by my mother to do ge-lai (confinement period for one month) and she expects me not to take a bath for a month! I don't really know if I could last, but I'll survive if it's not too hot!

Daddy's Gonna Be A Great Biking Teacher

There are at least two things I want my husband to teach my son: swimming and biking.

Although I do swim, I'm not really as good as other people who are more serious about the sport. It seems that my husband is more serious than I am about this, and thus is more qualified to teach our little boy how to swim during this long, hot summer.

About biking, I'm embarrassed to admit that I never really got the hang of it. Perhaps it was already quite late when I attempted to get acquainted with the bicycle. Or maybe I'm just not cut out to ride bikes. My husband, on the other hand, has been biking with his childhood friends. Since they all lived near the vicinity of the UP Campus, they were able to make use of the relatively un-busy streets within the campus to ride their bikes.

My son already has a bike, one with detachable training wheels. He got it as a "birthday gift" when we had his first birthday at McDonald's. Now, he is 3 1/2 years old and old enough to learn to bike. And I really believe that his dad will be a good teacher.

Trying to Protect our Children

One of the things that worry me about having a daughter is the number of sexual crimes that are reported in the news. You just have to turn on the local TV channel to get at least 1 report of rape. Newsboys would sell tabloids screaming lurid headlines of such crimes. Being a mom, I would not want my children to be exposed to such, but I'm aware that I can't protect them forever. I wish there were a way to Track Sex Offenders here in the Philippines, so that we can at least know who are the known culprits and at least try to avoid them. It's not a foolproof way, but at least it's a start.

Meanwhile, this situation does beg the question: Are crimes more rampant nowadays? Or are we just more aware of them because they're now reported? Unlike before when such crimes were considered "shameful" on the part of the victim and people don't report for fear that their reputation will be forever sullied and they won't be available to marry well afterwards. It's a sad fact that a lot of men like to play the field when they are single but expect their brides to be untouched during their wedding night. Although "rape" is not the victim's fault, with the consequences the victim faces, it might as well be, in the eyes of society then. Thankfully, men nowadays are a little more open minded about these things and realize that (1) virginity is not really an issue anymore and (2) a rape victim is a victim and not a criminal.

Travel Nurses

More and more Filipinos and Filipinas are choosing nursing as a career because there is a perceived increase in demand for nurses both here and abroad. Even doctors here are taking up nursing as a second career so that they may be able to seek greener pastures when their economic situation turns to be be unbearable. That's because there are more openings for nurses than doctors in most hospitals worldwide.

Most locally trained nursing graduates eventually take the nursing boards in other countries in order to look for a more lucrative job in the country of their choice. While the reason is mostly financial, some of them are actually happy to be leaving their homes and comfort zones to travel to different places, experience different cultures while earning their keep. If you are so inclined, there is now a category of travel nurses, who actually choose their own destination with the wages that would satisfy them. I mean, why be stuck in one place you're not crazy about when there are simply other choices for a travel rn to choose from? The best way to go about this is to consult a travel nurse agency so you can actually get a job that would satisfy both your wanderlust and your need for financial security.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convincing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Patio

We've always loved the 1960's style (or was it 1950's?) patio chairs and table my grandparents had in their old house. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my mother-in-law's house also had a similar set of furniture.

My grandparents had since moved, but they still had a patio in their newer house. That is my favorite spot in their whole house. They now have a different set of furniture, with a ceiling fan.

I would love to have a patio when I get to build my own house in the future. Being the frugal person that I am, I would be sure to look for discount patio furniture. :) Fortunately, I found a site online which have patio furniture for sale at reasonable prices, and the selections look great too!

I'm especially love the look of wrought iron. Another plus is that it's considered low maintenance. Being the no-fuss, hardly-the-housewife-type that I am, I would be very hesitant to choose something that would require a lot of effort to maintain. Other good choices would be aluminum, plastic, and teak (which is more durable than just any ordinary wood). Can't wait to have my own house and my own patio soon. :)

Are You a Child of an 80s?

You Are 60% A Child of the 80s

Back in the day, you were totally 80s. Tubular, totally tubular.

Are You a Child of an 80s?

Nature Trips for Me

I've never been much of an outdoor person, but I enjoy hearing my husband telling me about exploring the caves in Sagada, going to "virgin" beaches around the Philippines, doing their community in the smallest barrios with no modern bathrooms and limited electricity, and basically just roughing it out with friends and/or family.

To be honest about it, I love going on trips, but I prefer those places with some basic modern amenities like a bathroom and electricity. Must be my parents' influence, because I really do not see myself roughing it out. I did go to a camping trip during my CAT days, but the girls were billeted at the barracks instead of tents, and we did have bathrooms, electricity and hot meals.

I would probably consider such nature trips for my family if we are well-equipped with the right gear, and if there are amenities close by, if not onsite. Right now, I'm dreaming of going to beaches in Boracay, Palawan or Bohol, but these are places which are developed for tourists to visit. I know there are other smaller beaches with less development but with basic amenities that would answer my needs but allow my family to commune with nature.

Not Just An Extra Expense

After my father died at the relatively young age of 58, I suddenly realized that we can "go" anytime. You just don't know when and how. That year I decided to check on some life insurance quotes from my insurance agent friend. Life insurance makes even more sense now since I now have a family who depends on me and children who still need their basic needs and education if ever something terrible happens to me (I pray not!).

I am glad that I chose a whole life insurance policy since I was still relatively young then -- only 30 years old and my premiums are cheaper then. The fact that I took out a whole life insurance policy means that I'll be locking in my premium rate, although it's more expensive than term life insurance. The way it's explained to me, if you are young, it may be wiser to spend for whole life insurance policies while your premiums are low especially if you have the budget for the relatively high premiums (compared to term life insurance). If you are on a tight budget though, term life insurance cover you for a certain period of time, typically a year, at a lower rate, but the premiums go up every year. This would be a better option if (1) you are older, (2) you can't afford the premiums of whole life or (3) you just want to add more insurance coverage after you've already obtained whole life.

Many people do not really believe in insurance and in fact think of it as an extra expense, but you really should think about this: What will happen to my children if I'm gone? I for one would like to make sure that they would be covered.

Another Spitz Tunes Survey

Am I growing old? I find that today's music doesn't appeal to me as much as the music of my youth. But then my parents couldn't see the appeal of eighties music too. I guess it's more of a generational thing. The music probably defines our generation.

Be More Financially Savvy

Now is DEFINITELY the time to educate ourselves more on finance. Consider ourselves lucky because unlike our parents' time when such information was not as easy to come by, we now have loads of magazines and websites all dedicated to educating the people who want to be educated in ways to better handle their money. I'm always on the lookout for such information. I periodically buy (or borrow) magazines and books on personal finance and I've even started my own "practical" blog on http://www.practicaltipsandmore.com .

Lately I've come across http://www.invesmint.com/, which looks like a great resource for people who want to learn more about making money work for them. Take a look at it, it's a good read and a good help for people who are either financially unsavvy or people who just a need a little push in the right direction to financial freedom.

They're Different

It amazes me how many subcultures we actually have and how the world wide web has made it so much simpler for people to find with similar tastes, inclinations, cultures and religious beliefs. I've only seen Goths portrayed in TV or the movies. I don't think I've ever seen any "real" Goth here in the Philippines, only some who are made up that way because they want that certain "look". If there are any, they will probably be in the minority and would be hard pressed to look for people here who have the same inclinations. But since there are now Goth Personals online, it may be a lot easier for them to hook up with other Goths from around the world, either as friends or more.

It's ITR Time!

Unlike employed individuals whose monthly withholding taxes and final ITR are computed by the accounting department of their employers, a self-employed individual (like us) need to submit our own taxes. Although we have an accountant to take care of the nitty-gritty, it's still up to us to give them all the required documents. Now, I'm busily trying to collate all the needed papers so that our accountant will be able to submit them to the BIR come April 20, 2009 (the deadline for the 2008) ITR. Not a pleasant job, but something that has to be done.

Learning Something New

With the recent economic downturn, everybody is feeling the pinch of the recession. Although people are saying that my profession is considered to be "recession-proof" since people will still seek medical help in any type of economic situation, the truth is that people tend to hold off going to the doctor while they still feel that they can manage the situation themselves. Thus, we see fewer patients in clinics, except those who are covered by HMO's and who'd want to maximize their benefits. I'm also looking at a maternity leave 3 months from now, which means that I won't be bringing in any income from my profession during the 2 months that I will be full time mom to my newborn daughter.

I've been having some ideas about an online business for a few months now, but what's keeping me from taking the plunge is the indecision regarding the best webhosting for my needs and the fact that I'll be risking some of my hard earned money. Well, they do say that you have to risk something if you really want something badly. There is a lot to learn, including how to use Fantastico, but I'm confident that I'll be able to learn this if I really really put my mind into it. Good thing there are sites like webhostinggeeks.com which really gives me a lot of information.

Another SpitzTunes Survey

Chistians All

I've always been taught in my (Catholic) school that all Catholics are Christians (since we all believe in Christ) but not all Christians are Catholics. There are various sects, the Baptists, Methodists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses etc., just to name a few. These are basically "Protestants", meaning those who protested against policies of the Catholic Church way back in history. What makes us different and what makes us the same? I think a conversation in the Christian Chat Rooms should be interesting.

Hubby's Hobby

My husband is a do-it-yourself person at heart, while I'm more of the hire-the-experts-to-their-thing person. When going out, he finds himself drawn to the Builder's and Hardware Stores while I am more likely to be pulled towards the bookstores and the baby shops. He already has a collection of tools, (including Pneumatic Tools) which he has collected through the years. Since tools don't come cheap, I've told him to hold off buying some of them, but he always retorts that he's been planning to get one for the longest time and that it will serve us well in time. Oh well, that's different personalities for you.

Exciting Week in Review!

Last week was a pretty exciting (and busy) week for our family. It's especially significant since Ethan figured prominently in those (but when has he not? :)

It started on Sunday, March 15. My cousin's wedding. My son was the bible bearer, and he gets to wear a suit for the first time! It's not his first time to be a bearer. He was ring bearer during my brother's wedding last July (where he also looked very cute in his barong). The difference is that this time he actually walked alone! Sayang lang (It's a pity) he kinda spoiled the effect by turning back down the aisle just when he was about to sit down. Still, I thought that was a milestone for him.

Tuesday, March 17, was my son's moving up day. He actually delivered his lines well! This surprised me because although we were given the lines that he was supposed to sing so that we can try to practice at home, he never really wanted to practice with us. During the impromptu dress rehearsal just before the actual performance, he didn't really get his lines well either. Oh well... But when the time came for him to actually say them, he sang those lines clearly! My heart literally swelled with pride. :)

Their class also did 2 other numbers, both dances for little kids. The first involved 2 sticks and the second involved pompoms. He actually memorized the steps! This was more of a surprise since I didn't really know that there were other numbers aside from the group singing that they did. I loved the performance, but my eyes were mostly glued on my son. Proud mama moment!

Oh, and he got an award -- Excellence in Science! Actually all the kids had some sort of award but he was the only one whose award was different and unique. Nobody else got the same award as he did. The teacher said that it was because he is very interested in their science works and really excels in it. Way to go, son!

I took a leave from work that morning, and it was so worth it!

On Thursday, he had his usual speech therapy session and did very well, according to the speech therapist. She suggested that when his "real" therapist comes back from her maternity leave, we have Ethan reevaluated and then seen by the developmental pediatrician. She feels that Ethan's speech is now at par with his age, so there's a possibility that he may be discharged from therapy soon! Oooh, that made us so happy and so hopeful!

Friday was the PTC (parent teacher conference) day. It was a pity I was not able to go since something came up at the last minute. I did ask my husband about it. The teacher thought that my son had improved so much during the past year. He is now more sociable, he talks more audibly and clearly and he actually participates in his classroom activities. The teacher also noted that Ethan is more of a kinesthetic learner who learns more by doing. We should keep that in mind!

The rest of the week was a blur of work...I've added another clinic schedule since there was an opening. I believe that Someone is watching over us. We truly needed it since we are saving money for my expected CS delivery in June AND my son's tuition for the next year. Someone was watching over us and giving us opportunities in order to do those...I'm grateful for all the blessings that have come my way.

Interracial Chat

It's interesting to meet people from different backgrounds. Learning about them firsthand makes us understand them more, what customs and traditions they keep and what makes them tick. It's nice to know that there are already Interracial Chat Rooms available so that people of different races can get together and chat about anything under the sun. I firmly believe that understanding each other is truly the key to peaceful relationships, both within our own little sphere and the world as a whole.

The Three Question Personality Test

Your Personality Is Guardian

You are sensible, down to earth, and goal oriented. Bottom line, you are good at playing by the rules. You tend to be dominant - and you are a natural leader. You are interested in rules and order. Morals are important to you. A hard worker, you give your all at whatever you do. You're very serious, and people often tell you to lighten up. In love, you tend to take things carefully and slowly. At work, you are suited to almost any career - but you excel in leadership positions. With others, you tend to be polite and formal. As far as looks go, you are traditionally attractive. You take good care of yourself. On weekends, you tend to like to do organized activities. In fact, you often organize them!

The Three Question Personality Test

Auschwitz

If you've watched "Schindler's List" before, you'd only have a brief inkling of the horrors the Polish Jews had to undergo during the Second World War. They lost their lives. They lost their families. They lost dignity. They lost everything. All because of the hatred of one race over another. Why there's such hatred is being analyzed and reanalyzed repeatedly. For people who are history buffs or who just want to revisit the places where the Jewish prisoners were taken and maltreated, there are now Auschwitz tours available. I believe these are must visit places for people who have family members who were victims of that Holocaust. In a way, it finally served to unite a people who were separated by distance but one in faith.

Big Beautiful Women

As the temperatures rise this summer, more and more people are heading to the beach to cool off. It's nice to have a perfectly shaped female ideal body shape, but the most attractive feature is really feeling that you are beautiful whatever you look like and no matter what the world's standards are. There's a BBW Chat Room for "Big Beautiful Women" -- now that's a great term!

What Utensil Are You?

You Are Chopsticks

People see you as exotic, unusual, and even a bit intimidating. You are a difficult person to figure out. In truth, you try to live a very simple life. But most people are too frenzied to recognize the beauty of your simplicity.

What Utensil Are You?

Another Social Networking Site -- With a Twist!

There's facebook, friendster, myspace, multiply and many more. Who doesn't know about social networking sites nowadays? Well, there's a brand new one which promises to be unique -- Acobay.

It's still in beta release. Unlike most social networks which utilize the friend of a friend of a friend connection, this is a social network where people share their stuff and get connected with each other with the things that interest them -- the books they read (via the book network), the movies they watch (the movie network) , the pets they keep (the pet network), the cars they drive (the auto network) and many more! You're sure to find different interesting people who would share some of the interests that make you (and them) such unique individuals! From around the globe! What a cool idea!

Survey on Rap

I've been very busy (again!) this week and I've hardly had time to visit my own blogs! Anyway, I found an interesting survey. You can answer it too! (and earn a little moolah...

Oh, Wow!

A 5 million advance for a novel...in a time of retrenchment and economic uncertainty. Wow!

This was supposedly the amount given to Audrey Niffenegger, author of the blockbuster novel "The Time Traveler's Wife".

Full article here on the NYTimes.

No To Spam!

Most companies today have already realized the power of internet marketing. It is no accident that you and I get loads of spam email in our inbox. That's because there are some advertisers out there who try to utilize the ease of email marketing, albeit illegally. There are better and more legal ways to do marketing utilizing the power of the net and ensuring that your emails don't end up in the spam folder. You could opt for an opt-in email marketing system with an email newsletter tool. This means that the people who get your emails actually decided to be part of your email list and have the means to later opt-out if they choose to later on. This is a more ethical and acceptable approach than just collecting email addresses and blasting bulk email.

Survey About Health

T-Shirts

T-shirts used to be very fashionable during my high school and early college days. The fashion then was oversized white cotton T-shirts with prints. That's why screen printing then was big business, but that soon faded when T-shirts no longer is a hot item.

But T-shirts are now back, and they're better! You don't have to follow the crowd...you can have your design, your own fit, your own colors to express your individuality, even have one made especially for you!

Today is World Glaucoma Day

Click here for more information about this dreaded eye disease.

Sexy Preggy

People keep commenting that I look much bigger than the usual 5 month pregnant woman, but most commented that I look nice, actually pretty for a pregnant woman. This really does wonders for my self esteem. I do think that despite the fact that wearing sexy lingerie is the furthest from a pregnant woman's mind since our primary concern now is comfort and practicality (of course things are different if we are not), we could still feel beautiful and sexy even while carrying a new life in our womb.

Of course being pregnant is no excuse for not looking good. It's a good thing preggy clothing nowadays are no longer frumpy and are quite fashion forward. After all, women do deserve to look good at any stage of our lives.

What Kind of Superhero?

You Would Be a Upstanding Superhero

You are alert and observant. You can see through people easily. You know who's evil and who's good. You get bored easily and need excitement in your life. You like having problems to solve. You understand people quite well and often know what others are thinking. Because of this, you can get people to do what you want. You tend to feel apart from the rest of the world. You don't really fit in, and you don't try to! You are a true intellectual. You are thirsty for knowledge, and you are curious about the world.

What Kind of Superhero Would You Be?

My Ugly Phase

I used to suffer from bad acne back when I was in my early to mid twenties. I believe I looked my ugliest then. I had bad skin, braces and I was perpetually sleep deprived (I was in medical school, and later, clerkship, at that time). It took a few years before the acne eventually got licked, and even then the scars still remain with me until now, albeit they're not as bad as they were before. I wished that more effective Acne Products were around that could have made the acne better, prevent future scars and generally make my skin better looking. It would have done wonders for my self esteem too!

Are You Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter?

You Are Facebook

You are social, outgoing, and excited to connect to your friends. You are interested in your friends' lives, and you enjoy adding your opinion to the mix. While you enjoy sharing online, you don't want everyone to know your business. You value your privacy. Your life is an open book to those you know but not to strangers.

Are You Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter?

Cosmetic Surgery?

Making people look better is big business, and there are many medical groups jumping on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon. It has also become more acceptable for people to undergo surgical modifications to enhance their looks. There are caveats though. People should always remember that:

1. The surgical enhancement they want may not suit them at all.
2. Such procedures are still surgeries, and hence there may be a chance for complications to occur.

There's now a Cosmetic Surgery Forum for people who are interested in having some cosmetic surgery done. It's best to be well informed before actually getting it done. Of course, it does not give you ALL the answers but at least you'll get more information before actually taking the plunge.

He Didn't Cry!

We went to Medical City last Saturday, both for my prenatal checkup and for our little boy to have a follow up check up with his pediatrician.

My prenatal check went ok. We had E go into the consultation room when my OB placed the Doppler probe over my tummy. He was able to hear the sound of my baby's heartbeat. Now, he sometimes lifts my shirt up to kiss it. Then he would point at it and say "sound hoo-hoo-hoo" (the sound of the heartbeat that he heard from the Doppler). :) Aliw :) (So amusing)

We then went up to his Pediatrician's clinic. He was actually better already from the cough that he had suffered from about 2 weeks ago, but we just wanted to make sure that everything's ok. He seemed fine, and even gained back the weight that he lost when he got sick. Since it was already due, we also decided to have him get his annual flu shot. It's been quite a while since his last vaccination, so we were almost expecting him to cry, like the last time he had his shots. Surprising, he didn't! He just made a face and when it was all over, my husband and I applauded and praised him for being such a good boy! His pediatrician placed a band aid with a picture of a fish (looks a bit like Dory from Finding Nemo but not really). After we went home, he keeps telling everybody that "tusok diyan Ninang Zeka" (Ninang Zeka poked me there with a needle), "Ouchie", "Sticker fish" and "Galing Ethan" (Ethan is so good!).

He turned our doctors' visits into such a nice experience! Way to go, E!

Follow The Rules!!!

Last Friday, while travelling along EDSA, my husband and I noted a three way accident involving 2 cars and a truck. The drivers of the 3 vehicles were arguing over who was responsible for the accident. My husband noted that he encountered one of the cars earlier. He was a bit irritated because the driver was not observing the rules. He said that he would not be surprised if that particular driver was the cause of all the trouble, since he seemed to be reckless and mindless of road rules. I know all drivers aren't the same, but sometimes there are some people who probably got their license through some "hocus-pocus". That probably would not cut it in another country. For example, driving test Brisbane would require that you know the rules AND FOLLOW THEM! Hmmph!

The Other Side Of The Coin...

I remember when I was getting married, most discussions I've had with people who were also preparing for their weddings didn't really take into account the dilemma of parents.

Since I've been down that path before, I truly understand it if the invitation does not include the kids, since reception food is expensive and the wedding couple would not like to spend so much money on kids who would waste their food and run around the venue. The same applies to yayas. Instead of feeding the yaya, the couple would much rather feed another friend or relative who they've had to strike off their guest list because of budget and/or space constraints.

But now that I'm a parent myself, I do understand the dilemma of parents. I've gone to some weddings with my husband but without my kid, and some weddings without both of them. I've attended my brother's wedding where my son is a ring bearer. My brother understood however, that the yaya has to come. Nevertheless, even with the yaya, my son still proved to be quite a handful.

Now we have been invited again to another wedding, and the invite says 3 people. That means my husband, my son and I. My son is a bible bearer so he really has to be there, both for his duty and because the groom happens to be my cousin. However, since only 3 are invited in my little family, that means no yaya. Unfortunately, pregnant me has some contractions whenever I exert too much, so that means no running after the kid and no lifting the kid. I guess that means the Daddy has to exert more patience and more effort. Oh well, I guess that is really part of being a parent.

Dneero and Twitter!

If you haven't joined Dneero yet, you can join through this link.

dNeero will now be igniting conversations inside of Twitter ... and you'll get paid for responding.
Twitter's about micro blogging ... dNeero's about conversations ... dNeero in Twitter is about micro conversations.
Our lives are an aggregate of a gazillion things we do ... and those that follow us would like to know ... "had a rough day", "boss is on my nerves", "my stocks are up - YAY!", "had an accident ... at emergency room ... I'm OK", "connected w/ Tom on Facebook ... he's my grade school squeeze", dNeero asked if I made a stranger smile this morning -- "Heck, yes, it was John, the bus driver."
NOTE: This is an Access Code only conversation. To get the Access Code you need to

1. follow us on Twitter
2. reply to one of the questions that starts with "Q:$0.10:"
3. add your Twitter username to your dNeero account (in Account Settings)
4. sit back and wait an hour... we collect Twitter answers every hour or so

Once you do those things you'll see the Access Code just after login on the 'Your Account' page.

Choosing a Web Hosting Plan

Although I've been thinking about getting a new website for my online business, I've been hesitant to take the plunge because I am aware that having a good host is very important. I'd want one with a reasonable price, good service, loads of pictures and less down times. I'd like one which is also easy to use since I might not have the budget to hire a website designer and might have to do it myself, even with my limited knowledge. I've been doing some hosting comparisons because I am still not very sure about which host is best for my needs.

If anybody has a good recommendation, I'd be happy to hear about them.

Court Reporters?

I've only been to court once, when I was still a medical student and my professor in Legal Medicine wanted us to see a live court proceeding. We arrived early, so we were able to observe some other cases before our professor was called in as an expert witness to some medico-legal case. It's pretty interesting, actually. Some cases are even funny. I was (and is still curious) about the people in court. Of course, there's the judge, the plaintiff with his lawyer and the defendant and his lawyer. We don't have a jury system here so no jury. I wonder what the so-called court reporters actually do? Do they type up everything that's being said in court? Do they describe the appearance of the people involved?

Is it advantageous for somebody to actually hire somebody to record the proceedings? This last question is because I've come across a site that says that you can hire court reporters. If you're as curious as I am, or if you need one, check out the link.

San Francisco

During our family road trip to the US back in 1991 (that was such a memorable family vacation!), we stopped by San Francisco for one day. It was such a quaint and charming city. Too bad we didn't really stay for long, because there are plenty of places I wanted to see. We were able to pose for some souvenir San Francisco pictures, mostly on Lombard Street.

Come to think of it, I have to dig up our old picture albums and try to scan the (film-based) pictures. These memories are priceless and I really would not want them to be destroyed by time.

I certainly hope I would be able to go back for a longer trip next time, so that I can do more sightseeing. Maybe when my kids are bigger.

Shall We Leave?

Yesterday, I had a patient who's companion turned out to a mother to a doctor who was a few batches ahead of us and is currently practicing as a neonatologist in New Jersey. She asked us why we chose to stay instead of looking for more training and greener pastures abroad. Work conditions and pay are apparently much better there. I'm not closing my doors on possibly going abroad in the future, but I'd like a more laid back, less hectic lifestyle than what she's describing about her daughter. I'd like to live somewhere where it doesn't look like I'm always in a rat race. With real estate prices at an all time low, it might also be a good idea to check out what's on sale, whether or not we have plans to move. Wilmington NC Real Estate looks perfect for what we want, if we do decide to make the big move later on.

Girl!

In the midst of the week's hectic schedule, I totally forgot to answer the question: Are We Having a Boy or a Girl?

The answer: It's a girl! Of course, unless the baby is actually born, we really are not 100% sure. Anyway, what's important is that my baby looks healthy and normal.

Ultrasound pics are here. :)

We are now looking for E's old baby stuff. What's nice about a second baby is that there are actually a lot of stuff that you can hold off buying, since the old baby stuff are still good and sturdy.

3 and a half months more to go, and we'll be holding another bundle of joy!

Car Shopping

A friend of mine is looking at new car prices since she now feels the need to have a car of her own rather than to depend on public transportation. She prefers a new car rather than a used one since she is not mechanically inclined (like me) and would rather not risk having problems with a used car. She has a limited budget though, so she wants to get more value for her money. I'm think she should use some of the online tools that are now present, like car classifieds, so that it would be easier for her to screen the ones that she would like more before taking the trouble to actually go and see the car. After all, a few clicks would help you pin down the car that fits your needs and your budget.

King Sized Beds, Etc.

If we could do it all over again, my husband and I would probably look at king sized bed instead of the queen sized bed that we eventually bought just before we got married. I always thought that our babies would sleep in their own crib, but we ended up co-sleeping, so the queen sized bed just seemed a bit cramped. I like the designs of the King Size Sleigh Beds as they are very nice and sturdy looking. Also, another thing is that the headboards are solid, no holes for little hands or legs to get caught in.

We're planning to eventually build a house and maybe set up a small home based business, so I'd probably require some home office furniture in addition to the usual living and dining room furniture. There are just so many designs online that shopping for furniture online is such a breeze nowadays.

What Kind of Blogger Am I?

You Are a Pundit Blogger!

Your blog is smart, insightful, and always a quality read. You're up on the latest news, and you have an interesting spin on things. Of all the blogging types, you put the most thought and effort into your blog. Truly appreciated by many, surpassed by only a few

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

TAXing!

If you are working and generating some income, you are supposed to report your income and pay your income tax, minus the deductions that you are entitled to. It's relatively simple and straightforward if you are an employee working full time at one company, because the company's accountants will already automatically deduct the taxes that you are supposed to pay.

The scenario is a little different if you are a self employed individual or a freelancer. It's pretty difficult sometimes to know all the rules and to keep track of the new rules being set by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, unless you happen to be an accountant yourself (and are therefore supposed to be up-to-date with all those tax rules). To simplify my life, I just hire my own tax accountant and just submit my income and other related papers to him, so that he will be the one to organize everything and make sure that I pay the correct taxes and thus avoid incurring penalties. That has made my life so much easier. Before that, I used to scratch my head every time I have to submit some form and wonder what I'm supposed to include. Now I do not have to.

The Baby Inside....

Yesterday was a busy day for us. What we did...

1. Went to the tailor to get measurements for my hubby and son. My son's gonna be a bible bearer and he'll be wearing a suit!
2. Went to Active Fun for lunch with my in-laws.
3. Finished up my homework and submitted it ahead of time!
   

Yesterday's highlight was undergoing my Congenital Anomaly Scan. It's an abdominal ultrasound, just more detailed, to check every part of my baby and try to see if everything's all right. The main reason for this is my age. I'm on the wrong side of thirty (closer to 40) and we just wanna make sure everything's okay.

I'll just post pictures of those images that I can identify. Of course, I'm no expert, but the perinatologist (Dr. Crisologo) pointed out each part to me :).

(You can click on the images to enlarge)

Hi, Baby!

That's the face. :) You can actually make out the nose, the eye sockets and the lips if you use a little imagination.

That's the hand, bunched up into a fist. You can actually count the finger. Of course there are 5! :) Don't ask me though if it's the right or the left coz I really can't tell :).

Foot images! The one on the left is a view from the side.
The foot on the right is in-your-face! You can count the toes. :)

Ok, what do you think?
Is it a baby boy or a baby girl?

Here's a closer look.
Take note of where the arrow is pointing :).

I'll spare you the pictures of the organs, mainly because I can't really tell.

Anyway, the perinatologist assures us that everything about the baby is ok. The estimated weight, cardiac rate, spine, brain, heart, everything that we looked at seems to be telling us that our little child is developing nicely! And that's the most important thing about the ultrasound!

Angels and Demons?

A lot of people think that the works of Dan Brown, "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons" are works that attack the Catholic faith. I'd rather think of them as good reading and thrillers that just happened to have Catholics and anti-Catholics in the material, with some controversial matters regarding the Catholic church. I would not really think of it as an attack on my own faith and just enjoy the novels and the movies for what it is, a good story.

Which brings me to think that while talk on religion is mostly considered taboo in polite conversation since there are so many controversies and quarrels, sometimes you just want to talk and discuss the issues with people of the same faith, that's why a purely Catholic Chat room is a great idea. There are so many issues that we can tackle. The Church has been a subject of much debate especially regarding its stand on issues like divorce, contraception, abortion, etc. I guess only fellow Catholics can discuss this in the context of their own faith.

I really wonder what my fellow Catholics would think about the books I mentioned? I know some people are outraged, but I personally think that we should just take it in stride.

DIY

Between my husband and I, he's the one who's more into doing things himself rather than hiring or asking other people to do it for him. He is pretty much hands on with repairs around the house. However, there are certain things that he hires professionals to do, like house painting. That's because house painting can be tedious and time intensive, and he really does not like to smell the fumes of the paint. And of course, if improperly done, paint can peel off rather quickly.

Professional house painters can be expensive though. Not only that, they sometimes manage to waste a lot of paint and materials because the homeowner pays for it anyway. And, they don't necessarily guarantee a good job. The paint job done at my mother's house (by a professional) is already peeling in parts. I've come across some exterior house painting tips on the net. I'll show it to my husband. He may be interested in it. I'm sure he would still like to have somebody else do the actual painting job, what with the time constraints and with the fumes, but at least he could prepare the surfaces for the paint so that it could last longer.

Are We Having a Son or a Daughter?

I'm going to have my ultrasound today.

It's a congenital anomaly scan. We're also going to find out today if I'm having a boy or a girl.

I'm hoping it's a girl, because I already have a boy :). I've also wanted another girl in the family, since I was an only daughter, my siblings both being boys. And since I have already fulfilled the tradition of having a boy, it does not really matter if I have a boy or a girl this time.

But actually it does not matter. My primary concern is whether my baby is healthy and normal. That is much more important than the gender.

Whether it's a boy or a girl, we'll love this child as much as we do our firstborn

Do wish us luck!

For Web Savvy Grandmas

My mom's cousin (technically my aunt) came over to visit yesterday. They haven't seen each other in quite a while since my aunt lives quite far from us. It was obvious that they missed talking to each other. My mom does have her circle of friends and she was quite active, but ever since she was sidelined with her injury, she can't go out with her friends like she did before. My aunt, on the other hand, is rather dependent on having somebody drive her to places since she is more elderly, however, her children all have their own work and responsibilities so they can't always have the time to bring her.

This makes me think that online Senior Chat is a great tool for web savvy elder people--those who are not afraid to learn something new everyday, like learning to use the internet and to use the chat function. I would not be surprised if I'd make use of something like that in about 30 years time, especially if I have a lot of time on my hands and just want to connect with people my age and with the same interests as I do...even if it were just about comparing our grandkids' antics.

Wanna Bet?

Nobody's won the jackpot in the 6/49 lotto yet! Last Thursday, the pot has to over 280 million pesos! I'm sure a lot of people would line up at betting stations nationwide to place their bets. Whoever wins will be able to live a life of comfort, if he spends the money wisely.

You can be sure too that a lot of people will check the results as soon as they can, whether through the newspaper, the TV (the actual draw itself, or through the internet (preferably through vpn).

Baby Kicking!

I am already 22 weeks pregnant! Time sure flies. I didn't blog about this anymore but my OB advised me to rest because I was having contractions. A pelvic examination she did revealed that I was starting to efface! Oh, no, it's way, way too early.

Thankfully, the contractions have stopped. I had a urinalysis done -- no infection. No cough, no colds, no fever. It must have been stress.

Now, for the happy part! My baby's actively kicking! I've felt some movement some weeks before but I just couldn't be sure that it was the baby, but now, those are definite kicks! Baby kicks are so reassuring for mom. They tell me that my baby is active and doing well. I'm readying myself for stronger kicks when the baby gets even bigger!

Asians Online!

When you're talking about Asia, you're actually talking about one big stretch of land which encompasses a whole different variety of people. You have so many different cultures, so many different food, so many different languages. Asia is also the birthplace of most of the world's major religions. Asian Chat City is a great place to meet all those diverse people online, and to learn more about their different cultures.

Second Trimester

I'm already in my second trimester. From my first pregnancy, I am aware that this is supposed to be the most comfortable month. No more morning sickness (well, evening sickness for me), and I don't feel as awkward yet as in the third trimester.

We'll be having our congenital anomaly scan this coming Monday. We'll also see what gender this baby is. Of course I'd like to have a girl, coz I already have a little boy, but as long as my baby's normal and healthy, it really matter what gender it is.

I just hope that E will be ready to welcome this new sibling without too much fuss.

It's So Hot!

The summer heat is upon us! It’s so much a pity, since I was enjoying the relatively cool breezes last January, and the fact that we actually saved by using less airconditioning! (But we tended to heat our bath water, which I don’t generally do when it’s warm…)

It can’t be denied, everything’s turned warm and balmy nowadays, and my pregnancy is making it feel even worse. I wish our house had ceiling fans instead of those stand fans. I feel that they cool the room even more efficiently than the more common stand and box type fans, and even those noisy hurricane fans.

My grandmother’s house had a couple of those, and I tell you, those were my favorite areas of her house! I’m not sure what brand she’s using, but it looks similar to one of those craftmade ceiling fans with an attached light. It’s something I’d definitely want if I get to build my own house someday.

I Am Assertive?

And I always thought I am shy....

You Are Assertive

You assert yourself whenever it's necessary, but you're always polite and appropriate about it. You're not a bully, a manipulator, or a nag. You just state what you need quickly and honestly. You've been assertive for so long that it just comes naturally to you. You're definitely not shy. People wonder why you get what you want in life. Well, it's because you ask for it!

How Assertive Are You?

Efficiency, Please....

My big problem with some companies is that a lot of times, you don't have a uniform answer for a question that you have. For example, if you ask how a particular procedure should be done, you are either directed to another person, who then you directs to another, ad infinitum OR you get an answer from one person, then if you ask another, you'll be given another entirely different answer. I think this does not speak well of the company as it gives me the impression that the people working there does not know what should be done. Maybe they should employ some sort of TeamWox Collaboration Tool so that there would be less confusion and more efficiency in the way they run things.

Our Nuffnang "Date"

I was so excited about being in the top 20 of Nuffnang's shopaholic contest that I literally dragged the hubby to Heaven and Eggs in Glorietta 4 to claim my free tickets. And maybe, just maybe, if I'm lucky enough, I just might walk away with the Gucci bag!

Well, that was a little too presumptive of me, I suppose. My entry is not really very reminiscent of Rebecca Bloomwood-type shopping obsession. But, hey, it's never outlawed to dream, right? At the very least, my husband and I get to go to see a movie TOGETHER after a long spell! That would be a nice (and cheap, hahaha) post Valentine's gift!

It's a pity that I'm quite a shy person so I didn't really get to talk much with the others. I finally get to see the people behind the blogs, and all I manage is a weak "hi" and smile. Oh well, this is the first blogging event I've ever been to. One suggestion though...maybe we could have the resto turn down the music a bit while the event is ongoing? It was very difficult for me to hear what was being said. But then, I was a bit late and seated at the back.

The movie itself was a fun movie! I could relate to the part where Rebecca covets after some particularly lovely designer piece. Good thing I was never so compulsive as to actually rack up such a huge credit card debt! Even my husband, who really thought he won't find the movie interesting, laughed at some parts!

After the movie, while we were filing out, I was surprised to have a microphone shoved near my face and a lights shining in my eyes! Somebody asked me how the movie was and I could only stammer...it was, it was good... Gad, I hope nobody I know gets to see me on ETC. I mean, I could have been wittier, I could have dressed better.....for my few seconds of TV (I think) appearance!

All in all, I enjoyed myself. It felt like a date again, with food and a movie, thanks to Nuffnang.

Oh, did I win the Gucci bag? No, I only managed to win the tickets. But that definitely encouraged me to continue writing and blogging, coz, hey, somebody out there actually LIKES what I write (hindi ako ilusyonada!) Congratulations to Frances, who got the top prize, and to all the other winners!

Do You Like My New Blog's New Look?

I'm getting tired of my old layout, hence the shift. I hope you like it :)

I've been having some problems though, with attaching the date. Lena told me to import it to a new blog, but I'm having jitters about doing it...Of course, 600+ posts is no joke at all! :P

But at the moment, I'm enjoying the design. Thank so much, Lena!

Let me just gather up enough courage to just do what Lena suggests...No date is okay, actually, but since this is a journal of sorts, it would be nicer if dates were there...More courage needed...

Oh yeah, there are some other changes too. I've removed my cbox. Let me see what happens. I realized that sometimes I forget to respond to some comment people make on my cbox. Anyway, there's always the comments section.

And speaking of the comments section, I've made it moderated for a couple of reasons -- to keep out comment spammers AND so that I will be able to keep track of people who comment and try to respond as soon as I can.

Valentine's Surprise!

Despite my claim that my family is not really a romantic one and I do not really expect huge, romantic gestures from my husband (especially since flowers and gifts are SO expensive especially during February), my husband surprised me with roses in a box. Right after he picked me up from my master's class yesterday, which happened to be Valentine's Day.

It's simply 3 roses in a box, but I can't tell you how happy...and how loved...that made me feel. :)

Guess I'm still a romantic at heart, and I do appreciate these simple but eloquent gestures.

Oh, I just learned that I won one of the 20 top places in the Nuffnang "Confessions" of a Shopaholic contest! What a nice surprise! I hope that my husband could accompany me.

My Shopaholic Confession

Hi! My name is Joey and I'm a Shopaholic!

...window shopping, that is.

I think I love new clothes, bags, shoes, jewelry as much as another girl BUT I am NOT an impulsive buyer. When I look at the price tag, I think of my son's tuition fees, I think of owning a house someday, and then I know that if I give in to the impulse of acquiring these tempting stuff, I'd have to forego or delay the more important things that I want.

It cannot be denied, however, that there is so much pleasure in looking in the shop windows, trying on clothes and shoes. But many a saleslady must have been frustrated that they cannot convince me to buy, even if I do look like I really, really want to.

I believe in delayed gratification. If I don't buy it now and the desire is still with me after 1 or 2 weeks...and the item happens to be on sale...then maybe it IS meant for me. But if not, maybe I shouldn't add anymore to my already overfull closet!

Now, shopping for my son's school is another matter altogether. I would try looking for the best school for my child, even if it's expensive. But I would also like to emphasize that it should be about "value for money". Good education does not come cheap, but I don't have to go into debt in order to finance his education. Now, that's something that would be priceless, and won't fade with the seasons.

Now I only indulge my impulsive spending tendencies in the grocery. :P

Catch "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in cinemas on February 18, 2009!

Another Friendship Award

Got this friendship award from Carla. Thanks so much!

Now I'm passing this award to Maver, Dowa, Abie, Ging, old friends of mine :).

Whale is Me...

At 20 weeks of pregnancy, I'm big! Some women on their ninth month who don't bulge as much look like me in my fifth month. I keep telling people that I kinda expected that, since I was also sporting an extra big tummy when I was pregnant with my firstborn, hence I was not expecting anything different this time around. I'm sure I'll look like a whale when I'm about to pop.

I've been lucky to lose all my excess poundage within 3 months of giving birth (via Cesarean section) but my shape was no longer the same. I can't wear sexy mini skirts even if I wanted to because I'd look like I'm trying too hard to be sexy. Of course it didn't help that I wasn't exercising to get back into shape. I should, this time around. For my own vanity, even if I only dress sexily in private. :P (Am very shy about showing off my body, even if I was in much better shape!)

Q&A's for Valentine's Day

Got this from n@w, one of my mailing lists:

1. Do you love receiving flowers on Valentine's day? Why?

It depends on who gave me the flowers. I remember that I felt so happy (and surprised) when I got the flowers from my then-boyfriend (now husband) way back when he was officially proposing to me.

I also got some flowers from some sweet guys in class -- you know those guys who just want to give every girl classmate 1 rose each on Valentine's day -- and I felt that they were sweet.

But I also got flowers from somebody who was courting me and who I didn't really like at all. It's a pity because the flowers were really gorgeous and were bought at some big time flower shop and not just at Dangwa. I felt ashamed for feeling that way, but I really can't help it.

Now that I'm married, my husband no longer gives me real flowers on Valentine's Day. Actually I told him not to bother, they're very impractical and expensive and I'd rather just save the money. He gave me chocolate flowers instead (and also gave Ethan another one) 1 year ago. Last year, there was none but he gave Ethan a balloon :P.

2. How do you feel when you get to receive some flowers and you have to walk the streets lugging the flowers with you?

It depends on who gave me the flowers :). If it's from my husband, I love it (but I hope he'd just give it at home nalang so I won't have to lug it around). But not if it's from someone I don't like. (see above)

3. What's your plan this coming Valentine's day?

No plans at all.

4. Is Valentine's day really something special to you and your partner? Or is it just one of those ordinary days?

Just one of those ordinary days. It also falls on a clinic day for my husband, so it's just another routine day for us.

We didn't feel the need to celebrate Valentine's Day. I'd rather celebrate our anniversary (which we sometimes overlook too). Sigh...we're not romantic at all. (Or maybe I'm getting old).

5. Spread some love. Give a love line or two to our fellow N@wies.

I remember so well
The day that you came into my life
You asked for my name
You had the most beautiful smile

My life started to change
I'd wake up each day feeling alright
With you right by my side
Makes me feel things will work out just fine

How did you know
I needed someone like you in my life
That there's an empty space in my heart
You came at the right time in my life

I'll never forget
How you brought the sun to shine in my life
And took all the worries and fears that I had
I guess what I'm really trying to say
It's not everyday that someone like you comes my way
No words can express how much I love you

To Do

My to do list:

1. Finish my homework for my masters.
2. Finalize mom's PT schedule.
3. Update my online store.
4. Update my blogs.
5. Fix our cabinets.
6. Look for E's old stuff, in preparation for the new baby.
7. Check for possible investments. (Currently reviewing the russian stock market review)
8. Update the PPBC.
9. Send an entry for The Blog Rounds.
10. Contemplate on whether or not to have a garage sale.

...etc. Hay, so many things to do, so little time!

4 months!

By this weekend, my pregnancy would be on its 20th week. I am so glad that the nausea and the food aversions are gone. I still feel more tired than usual, though. But since hubby spoils me by driving me around, I don't feel anything that isn't manageable, so far.

We were so afraid that my beta hcg level was higher than the usual pregnancy, especially since I had an H. mole before. So my OBGYN requested for another test. Thankfully the level has dropped off sharply.

We will soon be having a congenital anomaly scan. By then, hopefully, we'll also know if we'll be having a boy or a girl. As long as it's healthy, we'd feel very happy already.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

I was. When I was younger, I used to think that every dark alley contains some hidden danger that would suddenly jump out and get me. It didn't help that some of the adults (not my parents but other caregivers) would use scary stories to keep me from being naughty...you know, stories about night creatures like ghosts, vampires, and creatures from folklore like the aswangs and manananggals. I wonder if I would be less afraid if I had night vision binoculars that would enable me to see in the dark, then maybe all those scary shadows and shapes would be less frightening to an impressionable child.

One thing I've learned...don't make your children do the things you want by using scare tactics.

Why Men Secretly Love Being Married

Many people have the impression that in general, women love being married more than men do. There's a sense of men having being "caught" and women having "caught" her man. Or to put it in other words, men have to stop sowing their wild oats while women found their life's purpose when they get married. I do not agree however. I am glad I found that this man doesn't too, and lists the reasons why he loves being married. Check it out here.

Freebies!

Most people can't resist freebies. I can't, especially free books and free magazines! Admit it, sometimes we buy things for the sake of getting the free stuff!

During medical conventions, we also get free samples of new medications so that we can try them out to see if they do work. When I was still a medical intern, I went gaga over things like free notepads and folders and free generic prescription pads, all with the drug or company's name prominently displayed, of course. I have lots of pens, which I find really useful as I use (and sometimes lose) a lot of them. Now, I've learned to go to the more useful stuff that won't clutter up my home. Any excess I give away to equally excited, freebie-loving people.

There's now a site for freebie-lovers like us. Check out http://www.thefreebiesource.com. They even have a newsletter (for free, of course!) that lets you know the latest freebies available.

What Metal Are You?

You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.

What Metal Are You?

Hmmm, I was hoping for something more "precious" like GOLD. But this does seem to suit me better. It is also what I want to be (although I'm not quite sure if I've really achieved to be the type of person I aim to be).

Come to think of it, I'm not a very flashy person too, and never aim to be, so it's probably never gold for me.

In My Dreams?

I was looking at some condo brochures and I really thought that they do not have the things I want in a place I would eventually call my own home.

I would like to have adequate space for my family, with a separate den, and enough rooms so that my kids would eventually get to have rooms of their own. (The newer condos available just do not have enough space!)

I would like a kitchen which has adequate ventilation and which is physically separated from the rest of the condo unit/house (so that cooking smells won't emanate throughout the entire house, with beautiful, easy-to-clean stainless steel sinks. (I do not see this with the brochures I'm looking at -- mostly the kitchen is contiguous with the rest of the unit.)

I would like a place which is easy to maintain even if I do not have hired help.

Oh, and of course it should preferable be close enough to our places of work and study, and located near a grocery.

And it should fit our budget! (Which is not very big at the moment :( )

I know it's probably wishful thinking, but then it doesn't hurt to dream, does it? :D

Cute or Sexy?

I just had to see for myself....Am I cute or sexy? :P

Beauty pageants like Miss Universe showcase different types of beauty all over the world. While beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, sometimes the way we look at beauty depends on our culture and upbringing. For example, in 1994 when the Miss Universe pageant was held in Manila, Pinoys went gaga over Miss Belgium, was looked very "cute" and innocent looking. However, she was not deemed "sexy" or "gorgeous" enough to land on the top stops, or even in the semifinals for that matter. But I have to agree, all the contestants were beautiful...just in their own way. It's just that "cute" does not fit the criteria of most pageant judges.

You Are Cute!

Believe it or not, you are much more attractive than you realize. You don't try too hard, and that's one of the cutest things about you. You have a vibrant glow about you, and people are drawn to your energy. You're not perfect, thank goodness. Your flaws are part of what's lovable about you.

Are You Cute or Sexy?

Looking for Opportunities Online

Times are hard, and my current economic situation probably mirrors that of the world right now. The Chinese say that in danger there is opportunity. I have an idea that just might prove to be the opportunity for me...or maybe it's not. I won't really know until I actually try it out.

I think more and more people will be turning to the internet for additional income. That's where I think I will try my luck. First, though, I have to check on what would be the best web hosting for my needs, and I've found just the right site to do the checking! Next is to make my idea even more concrete (it's all a few random ideas here and there, as of now)before starting on my (hopefully) new venture.

Do wish me luck!

Comments Are Now Moderated

I've found that I've been receiving some spam comments lately, so I've decided that it would be best if I just moderate all the comments.

The good thing about this is that I'll be able to check -- and reply to -- each message. And that only serious commenters will do so. (The bad thing is that if I find myself unable to go online, such comments may take awhile to appear.)

I'm contemplating on whether or not to remove my cbox as well. I find myself so busy sometimes that I just don't remember to go back to the messages, and when I do, it's scrolled way down. Maybe just stick with comments?

Any comments? :D

1000 Copies of CD's?

While I occasionally burn my own CDs for personal consumption or for informal, small distributions (e.g. digital pictures of an event), I admit that my work will never be considered professional enough to serve as a sideline. For my son's first birthday party, my husband and I copied a CD of nursery rhymes (we didn't like the songs played at McDonald's -- where the party will be held. The music was too "adult" for a one year old kid). We made a lot of mistakes and wasted a lot of blank CDs in the process. We had to listen to the CD to make sure that it was done right. Imagine if I had to do 1000 of that!

If I would be distributing a large number of CDs or DVDs, I would engage the services of professional CD printing services. I'd rather pay their services rather than stress on whether or not each CD is burned correctly (especially if I have to distribute 1000 copies of the same CD), or if the sleeves are nice looking enough.

Which brings me to the second point. I'm just not artistic enough. And even if I tried, I could not make 1000 CD labels and sleeves in my spare time without sacrificing something (my sleep, mainly!). No, thank you, I'll let the pros handle it.

My Ideal Vacation Spot

I think a close local alternative would have been Palawan -- never been there YET! Or maybe Bohol (was planning to go there on our honeymoon but it was fully booked!) When, oh, when can I get the time and the budget for a vacation?

Your Ideal Island Vacation is Maui

On an island vacation, you want it all. You don't want to miss any experience or opportunity. As far as you're concerned, Maui has it all. Upscale resorts, tons of outdoor activities, and of course, beaches. Maui is romantic enough for a honeymoon, diverse enough for a group, and interesting enough for solo travel. The hardest decision you'll have to make is how to spend each afternoon. Spa treatment? Windsurfing? Or whale watching?

What's Your Ideal Island Vacation?

Are You Up To The Challenge?

If you are techie enough to know what XML and database technology is, you may be qualified to join the ongoing XML Challenge!

This is a good learning experience for people, students and professionals alike, who may have an interest or is actively involved in XML programming.

A Quick Quiz contest is required prior to participation in any of the categories. This Quick Quiz does not require any prior experience with XML and DB2. Early birds who complete this quiz with no mistakes get to win T-shirts!

There are currently 3 contest categories: the Video Mania, the Query Challenge and the Programming Contest. Prizes include iPod Nanos, Nintendo Wii's. There are also early bird prizes for those who join early! So join now!

Change!

I do believe that when things look bad, there really is no way to go but up. Despite the belt-tightening measures we all have to make because of the worldwide economic crisis. Yesterday, we just celebrated Chinese New Year, the start of the Lunar Year. This year is the year of the Earth Ox, which is supposed to be a year of new beginnings, building to last, and slow but sure accomplishments.

This is certainly what the U.S.A. wants for it to pull out of its current economic situation. The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th US president (last January 20) symbolizes change...a change in policies that would hopefully spell positive change for the US. And being the world power and the influential country it is, positive change in the USA means positive change for the rest of the world.

Here's to change, and may it auger well for all of us!

Wanting A Better Signal.....

My mother is still confined mostly to her room after her accident (see previous post). Good thing there's the TV or she would have been even more bored than she already is. Unfortunately for her though, the TV she has been using for more than 9 years went bonkers -- just lost its sound. Since she had been coveting a flat screen TV for quite some time already (either plasma or LCD, I never really knew the difference) and she knows somebody in the appliance business, she decided to buy one.

She was excited when her new TV came because she was expecting a much clearer picture of her favorite Taiwanese soap opera (via cable). She was a bit disappointed to find that the signal was not as clear as she anticipated -- not like what is shown in appliance stores. She was told it was because of the quality of the signal from the cable TV provider. DVD movies would have looked nicer though, but she hasn't tried it yet.

This makes me wonder if getting DirectSatTV would be a better option for her? I've often heard that signals from DirectSatTV are much better when compared to the usual cable TV that we are using. Prices are supposed to be more reasonable too. I just wonder if they are available in our area and if they air Mom's favorite soap opera series.

I guess we have nothing to lose by checking out the specs and prices of DirectSatTV. With such a high tech TV that Mom has, it's a shame if the signal she's getting is good enough to maximize its potential clarity.

Accident!

We couldn't believe it when we got the call. You've heard of things happening to others but sometimes you can't imagine it happening to yourself or someone close to you.

We were all still in holiday mode since work does not start 'til January 5, preparing to go to a housewarming party in Makati. My mother decided to buy flowers first. She met up with her good friend at Dangwa, where the best deals for flowers are oftentimes found. She was almost done with her business there and was going back to her car when she remembered something and took a step back. A speeding motorcycle hit her right leg, causing her to fall.

Initially, she thought it was just a simple accident. She tried to stand up and found it difficult, especially as there was initially pain, then numbness on her right thigh. They (her friend and her driver) brought her to the nearest hospital, which happened to be UST hospital for initial assessment. X-rays revealed a fracture of her right femoral neck. She had to undergo partial hip replacement as soon as it can be arranged.

We transferred her via ambulance to a hospital nearer our place where she had the surgery done the very next day. Now, she's recovering nicely, about 2 weeks after her accident. She still can't walk without assistance, but she's pretty mobile with her walker already.

The culprit? To be fair, he stayed throughout mom's stay in the ER and the radiology department. It was my mom who wanted him to leave because she thought that (1) he won't be able to pay anyway, from the looks of him (2) she was not careful herself and (3) it was probably her (bad) luck to be hit at that particular time. I did tell her that we should have at least asked him to use his TPL coverage to partially pay for the expenses that we incurred. Oh well, mom is a kind soul, and maybe that has something to do with her speedy recovery...good things do happen to good people.

Last Christmas...

...was unbelievably busy. And money-draining too! That's the problem with self-employed individuals like doctors, we only get paid if and when we see patients, and since our clinic is closed, we can't see patients at all!

I got invited to numerous Christmas parties, but I only attended a few (maybe only 3) during the whole season because my evening sickness was at its peak.

Oh well, Christmas is still a happy season, and with a very energetic 3 year old dynamo (who gave his parents no rest at all), it was a riot! He could already appreciate things related to the Christmas season, including Christmas songs, Christmas lights, Baby Jesus, Santa Claus, gift opening, Christmas tree! It's just so much more fun to experience Christmas through a child's eye.

The start of January 2009, though, was not very good for us. My mom had an accident and had to undergo hip replacement surgery. Will blog about this in a separate post.

Right now, what the family is looking forward to is the Chinese New Year. I'm teaching my son to say "Kiong Hee Huat Tsay..." It's a pity my mom would not be able to attend the Chinese New Year's dinner at my grandmother's house since she still has difficulty moving around.

Be Careful!

Most of us know by now that it is dangerous to download attachments from the internet or from email attachments. That's because sometimes there are malicious content embedded in those attachments which may affect the function of our computers, to say the least.

Despite this knowledge, however, people still persist on downloading files from the internet. This may be due to the desire to get freebies, like movies in File Extension TORRENT. That way, the "freebie" actually cost more than free!

There are also instances when we inadvertently click on some e-mail attachments sent by family, friends or known aquaintances (like File Extension PPS in forwarded mail). Due to the high degree of trust we have for these people, we sometimes fail to check if it was a legitimate e-mail. The safest thing to do before downloading and opening such a file is to ask the sender if he did, in fact, send you a file like that.

It pays to be a little careful, maybe a little paranoid, at times. You never know when that innocuous looking document (but with a File Extension DLL) would wreak havoc on your computer and how much damage it would do in the long run. Fortunately, there are now remedies for such, but then, as with everything, prevention is better than cure.

A Survey From Spitz Tunes...

Hail the New Year ... it's going to be better ... just has to be. Music is going to play a part ... new, old, country, metal, classic, rap ... you name it ... the economy is not going to get us down!

How Did You Shop?

The Christmas season is over. You are left wondering if you've chosen the right gifts for the right persons. In the face of today's economy, the reality is that our budget for gifts (in fact our budget for EVERYTHING), is slashed way down. In my case, I did not have to contend only with a much smaller budget, but also with much less desire to join the other shoppers in the mad Christmas shopping rush in the malls.

I'm glad there's now the option of shopping online. Not only do I get to avoid the crowds, I get to check the products (and their prices) online before actually buying them, all from the comfort of my home. I got to compare different stainless steel decors which look good in any home and would make good all-occasion gifts (could also be great wedding, birthday or housewarming gifts).

I know my husband would love to have a gaming console, so I've checked out the popular ones like xbox, playstation 3 (he has a very old playstation 1) and Nintendo Wii (I think Wii sports toppled Mario Brothers as the best selling game of all time). Unfortunately, my budget didn't stretch that far yet. Maybe I'll have enough budget on his birthday (wishing!)

I'm just glad it's so easy to shop online nowadays, what with shopwiki online. Not only do you get to compare prices from different stores, you actually get more information a

T-shirts For Everybody

The latter part of last year showed a resurgence in the demand of T-shirts. T-shirts were the cool things to wear when I was a teenager in the eighties and even in the early nineties, when it was fashionable to wear oversized white shirts with various prints untucked into jeans then rolling up the sleeves to show off more of your arms.

Now, it's fashionable again, although the T-shirts nowadays are sexier looking, hug close to the body, and are not limited to white colors. The designs are also more edgy.

A friend bought one of those Beatles t-shirts for my small son, and I loved the design so much! My son couldn't care less, of course! What do you expect, as a toddler, all he cares about is comfort and not design, which is another advantage of a T-shirt with a soft fabric.

Since I adore Spiderman and his very "human" superhero, I also got my kid some Spiderman t-shirts which are not only look great, but also feel very comfortable!

As for the men in the family who were all fans of the long-running but now defunct comedy, I am planning to get them Seinfeld t-shirts so they can relive the good old days when the show was still playing.

One Magnificent Thought

Do you know somebody who's been depressed because of some personal tragedy? While people may do all that they can to try to cheer up that person, it's oftentimes futile. Only if the affected person has totally accepted the situation can he/she finally move on from his/her depression.

The One Magnificent Thought Package attempts to make the moving on part easier. I'm not sure how it works, but then it sounds pretty good to me, as The One Magnificent Thought Package is also used for people to attain positive thinking and to obtain what they want out of life. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be like "The Secret" wherein, they say, if you think hard enough about what you really want, you will eventually get it. Hmmm, I guess this is something everybody would want.

The One Magnificent Thought Package is currently available at a low, low price for a limited time only, so check it out before the offer ends.

It's 2009!

With all its ups and downs, the year 2008 has finally come to an end. Let's all welcome the New Year with a bang!

Hope the New Year brings joy and abundance to your family! Cheers!

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