Term Life Insurance

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from my mother-in-law asking if the grandkids have life insurance.  Since they did not, she went ahead and got each one a life insurance plan.  To my understanding, they are all paid off in one big chunk. It's my prayer that these will never get used though. Anyhow, this brings me to my next topic. My husband and I don't have life insurance neither. He applied a few years ago when he had a fainting episode, which thankfully turned out to be just from lack of sleep and exhaustion. He went through all the paperwork and stuff, only to find out he was disapproved. Disapproved for what? No reason was given, just a notice of disapproval. Bummer, huh! After that rejection, we just did not bother looking for a different company. Now, that we have two kids, we have to have it! No more excuses! Getting term life insurance quotes online might be our best bet. Wholesale Insurance makes it easy for people like us to get quotes online. Their term life insurance quote engine gives quotes and rates instantly from many different insurance companies. And, oh, not just from any company, but from the best insurance companies in existence! Getting an affordable term life insurance has never been this easy. Make your one stop now at wholesaleinsurance.net.

Resourcefulness

Talking of resourcefulness, this is it! My kids have so many toys. Store-bought toys, that is. But, they don't seem to enjoy playing with them, as much as with their made-up ones. This laundry basket is favored than any other "riding" toys that grandma and grandpa gave. These kiddos stayed in this basket for quite a while, which I was grateful about. It gave me more time to do other things, as baby was so occupied with Big brother's wild imaginations of going to the outer space in this laundry basket. He made blast-off sound effects while the little girl copycatted him. It was very interesting to hear their "rocket- ship conversations" and watching them do the motions of being in outer space. I also got my son a playhouse shaped like a dump truck, but guess what? He would rather play with his very own improvised balikbayan box as a playhouse than the one I picked up at the store. Now, this should tell me something . . . no more store-bought toys from now on. Let them use their imaginations and curiosity and explore their hidden creative intelligence. 

Our Kids' New Pediatrician

Today, we took our daughter to the clinic for her shots. It was our first time to meet this new lady pediatrician. She surely is an A1 doctor! Mahalia used to see our family physician, but we switched her to this new and young doctor for many reasons. 

As soon as I saw this new doctor, I knew right away that we made the right decision. Sure enough, she was so good at everything. She really took her time with the baby/us and was very thorough. She reminded me of my son's pediatrician who moved to another place and put up his own clinic with his ob-gyn brother. Well, that doctor was the best! 

Anyhow, after meeting this young doctor, my husband and I decided to transfer Josiah to her care, as well. He is 5 years old and we did not know what the cut-off age is for a kid to see a pediatrician. So, we hold-off on his case.  Today, we found out he still has 13 more years before he is off the pedia's hook :). 

A New Place For My Parents

Some of you know about the property we got for my parents in the Philippines. The house needs major repairs for it to be livable. I was told that the roof and the ceiling need to be replaced. Anyhow, I just talked to my sister who is overseeing the repairs. It looks like there's more work to be done, aside from what I mentioned above, before our parents can move in. It doesn't have bedroom closets, laundry area, kitchen faucets and cupboards and the list goes on. This means one thing. . . I need to send more funds! 

Also, I would like to have a landline phone and a 24/7 internet connection installed. These are two necessities if you have family living abroad. Right now, in our old home, they don't have 24/7 internet access. They use a prepaid card to go online. It doesn't work very well when it comes to chatting and using the webcam. They were told by the Internet Service Provider that there are no open slots in their area. It's been a while since they first contacted the provider and was put in the queue. How long are they gonna wait? 

Boy, I would be so happy to see my parents move into their new home and in a more peaceful area.

My Fall Shopping Spree

Yesterday was quite a day! I did some Fall Shopping for my son's next year's summer clothes. Now is the best time to buy summer clothes, as they are all on Clearance Sale. Department stores are trying to get rid of them to give way for fall and winter clothes. I do this every year and I tell you, I save $$$ for doing this. I got him a whole bunch of some really nice summer clothes. They were on Final Clearance, plus I had a 15% discount for doing an online survey. Boy, did I get a super duper deal! The clothes were like a steal almost. Now, my little guy is all set for next summer. The clothes would probably be a little outmoded when he wears them next year, but who cares? They're nice clothes and he would look good on them no matter what.

Anyway, I was gonna stop at a store that carries wall sconces. I wanted to replace the sconce we have in our living room. They really don't  go well with everything in the room. They were put there by the previous owners and I never thought of replacing them until recently. But, I did not have time to make that stop. I had to be at our church by 2:00 p.m. for our friends' wedding. I did make it, but did not have time to go home and get changed. So, there I was with my old Nike walking shoes, a pair of  rugged jeans and a very ordinary looking t-shirt amidst all the dressed-to-kill folks, including my hubby. By the way, I had to meet him there. Good thing he found the registration renewal sticker for our little car or he would have to drive it with expired sticker. Oh, well, some days are like that. You gotta do what you gotta do.

I Am Missing It Terribly

In the Philippines, at this time of the year, people are already starting to play Christmas songs, putting up Christmas lights and decorating their houses with all sorts of Christmassy decor. The spirit of Christmas is on the air as soon as the "ber months" start. You can feel the excitement everywhere you go. I taught Science for 11 years there and the kids would start the Christmas countdown when September kicks in. Some classrooms would designate a small part of their bulletin board where kids do their countdown. I sure missed those days! It's one of those traditions that I grew up with and is hard to part. 

Here in the US, it is considered inappropriate to be putting out Christmas stuff/decor this early. I guess it is because there is Fall season here, which is like a transition from summer to winter. Besides, who would want red poinsettias on Thanksgiving Day?You would want turkey and other "Fally" and "Thanksgivingy" stuff around the house. 

This is just one of the many differences between Filipino and American traditions and practices that I have to embrace now that I am living in the US. It is hard, but I will get used to it one of these days . . . hopefully! 

A Trip Home

I mentioned in my previous post Cheers to the Best In-Laws about us purchasing a house and lot in the Philippines. It needed some major repairs and fortunately that's gonna start anytime soon. Once that is done, my parents will be moving into the new house about 2.5 hours bus ride from our old home. I can't wait for them to move in. I get concerned about their safety every time I hear news about the peace and order situation of the area where they are living now. It is very shaky and full of threats. 

Anyway, I am very thankful to God for providing the finances needed to do the repairs. Now, it is looking more like a go for me and the kids to visit Grandma and Grandpa in the Philippines this winter. My husband did not feel comfortable about us going there and staying at our old place. It is very close to the area that has become a battle ground between the military and the MILF.

Going back to our planned trip, I'm gonna need a new set of luggage, more so that I will have the two kiddos with me. I checked luggagesource.com and found a Samsonite set that I would really like to get. I had a Samsonite suitcase when I first came to the US, but it is not big enough for all our stuff.  I am really excited about seeing my family and friends again. I haven't been home for 3 years now. Wish me luck, I mean wish me God's blessings!

Contentment, That Is!

What I am going to say here is probably nothing new to most of you, if not all. You might have done it once or twice or maybe many times and are probably still doing it. It's something that we believe makes us feel good and look beautiful. Nothing wrong with that!  But, sometimes, people would do crazy things just to achieve a certain "look". 

Let me tell you a little bit about some crazy things I did to myself way back when. In the Philippines, having a fair skin or "white" skin color, as we call it there,  is beautiful. Now, don't get me wrong here. I am not saying that it isn't. Just keep reading . . . :). Since we are born with a brown skin, many Filipinos would try to change that by applying all kinds of strong liquid chemicals to peel-off their skin, especially the facial area. We call it bleaching. That's when you want an almost immediate result. If you overdo it, you will end up with a burnt skin. Now, for those who have more patience, they use these creams daily that are made to eventually whiten the skin. Well, I tried both. With the liquid stuff, I burned my skin a couple of times. At the same time, I used an oil-based cream. My skin was not too happy about that, which resulted to an acne break-out. It took a while before it cleared up. I jumped from one dermatologist to another trying to get the best acne treatment. Luckily, there are many dermatologists in our area. Just like there are dental and optical clinics anywhere in town. That was probably not the best thing for me to do, as each dermatologist prescribed a different "cure" for my dilemma.

Anyway, here in the US, people are willing to spend lots of money to get that tan effect. I have seen some who probably overdid it, whose skin looked so wrinkly and old. Now, tell me, isn't that funny how people try to look different from who they really are? Contentment, I guess is the issue here. This is one thing that I have a hard time dealing with. I need to be content with what God has given me. After all, He doesn't settle for less. He gives what is best for us and when it is best for us.

To Ask or Not To Ask

Is there such thing as a stupid question? I know some people think there isn't. After all, how can you learn anything if you never ask questions? I remember a friend who confided in me about how upset she was when an elderly guy friend saw her at a grocery store one day and asked how come she had gained so much weight. Then later that day, he saw her husband and talked about the same thing. Oooh, don't you just hate it when sombedy does that to you? Most of the time, it doesn't really bother me when people ask "stupid" questions. I have to admit I can be insensitive sometimes and also ask "stupid" questions, which I'd regret after the fact. I had a good one last Sunday, which I will not share here :).  I was not really prying then, I was just curious about something that just took place on their end, as my husband and I have plans of doing the same thing. She declined to give out the information in a very nice way, which I appreciated. I just wished though that I did not ask. (Me and my big mouth!!!)  Anyway, I just have to keep reminding myself to keep my mouth shut even if my curiosity is killing me when it comes to personal stuff like someone's body, age, relationships, or money. I understand things like these can be embarassing or painful for that matter. It is best not to ask or pry, however you wanna call it. If they want to talk about it, they will bring it up themselves . . . My two cents worth anyway :) .

Tired Of Paying Too Much For Your Auto Insurance?

Do you feel like you are paying too much for your auto insurance? If so, then maybe you are! It would not hurt to shop around for a better deal. With our present economic situation, every single penny we save counts. I know it can sometimes be frustrating and so time-consuming to call around or visit individual websites to compare rates. That is why most of the time, people just take what is presented to them right away. 

Well, I have some good news for you! Online Auto Insurance has the perfect solution for that. You can get quotes from multiple companies and compare them in less than 5 minutes without leaving their site. Simply fill-out a questionnaire which does not include any personal information, like your driver's license or SSS number.  After doing so, you will immediately get quotes from different insurers. How convenient is that? Oh, by the way, getting these quotes are absolutely free! Plus, you are not obliged to buy. This is got to be the fastest and the most convenient way of getting a car insurance online! 

How Do You Handle Call Waiting?

Over the years, there has been several instances where I am on the phone with somebody and am told to wait as he/she answers the Call Waiting beeps. While this person is talking to the second caller, I am hanging there in limbo until he/she returns. I know it is bad manners, but I sometimes hung up when the waiting seems like forever. 

Call Waiting makes it almost impossible to always have good phone manners.  I am not saying that it is a bad thing to have this feature in your phone. I guess my point is, if your Call Waiting beeps and you want to answer it, excuse yourself for a moment and take a message as quickly as possible or simply end your conversation with the first person with apology. That's better than having her/him wait forever. That's what I do. How about you?

Smile Of A Child

My 5-year old son loves to watch Smile of a Child TV. In fact, this is the only TV channel that he actually enjoys watching.  It is a network of many different programs which are all geared toward helping kids develop positive and spiritual skills at a young age. My son learns all kinds of things from these programs and often repeats what he has learned. 

So many of today's kid's shows are full of violence and crude humor. In this network, you can be assured that all the programs are free from those stuff. Parents, if you are searching for programs that will bring your children the best moral and biblical teachings through fun and constructive television, then I suggest that you take a look at Smile of a Child TV. Contact your provider and ask if this is available in your area or included in your package.

My Shopping Addiction

Did you have some kind of addiction that you successfully overcome? I did! I used to be a shopping addict. To be specific, shopping for baby clothes. As soon as we found out I was in the family way last year, I started shopping for baby girl clothes. We had no clue yet as to the gender of the baby. But, that did not stop me from buying baby girl's clothes and accessories. I shopped online and at different malls in our area and neighboring places. When I had my ultrasound, I have already accumulated tons and tons of girl stuff. Thank God, I was carrying a baby girl! 

My husband thought I was going overboard with baby clothes and that my shopping was going out-of-control. He was not upset, but gave me a good picture of our finances, which I already knew. I still kept doing it, until I saw how much clothes my baby got to wear during her first three months. She did not wear even a fourth of her 0 to 3 mos. clothes.  I then realized what a big mistake I made. So, I quit buying more baby clothes. Believe it or not, she has already more than enough clothes for the first 2 years of her life. That shopping addiction was hard to break, but I did it!

Cheers To The Best In-Laws

This post is inspired by my husband's parents' love and generosity to my family in the Philippines. Five years ago, they came with us to the Philippines and stayed for a month in our home. They witnessed first hand what life is like in the Philippines, especially how my family lives. Despite all the inconveniences that they were experiencing in our home, like no hot/warm shower, no air-conditioning, being cramped in a very tiny bedroom, uncomfortable mattress,  to mention a few. Yet, I never heard a single complain from them. I asked if they would rather stay in a nice hotel after a few days in our house. To my surprise, they did not want to. They wanted to be with my family, spend time with them and get to know them better. Before they left for the US, they bought a lot of nice and some really expensive stuff for the house and for my family. That was such a blessing! I could feel that they really learned to love my side of the family.

On many different occasions, they have helped my family financially . . . big time! From my mother's medical maintenance to sending my nephews to medical schools. They also paid for my father's round trip ticket to come to the US last year, while we used our mileage to get my mom's ticket. 

Last year, my husband and I purchased a house and lot for my folks to move into. It is in a different city, as the place where they are living now is like a war zone between the military and the Muslim rebels.  My in-laws paid for half of it. Because the house needs roof replacement and ceiling repairs, they haven't moved in there yet. The other day, mom asked why they have not transferred yet. We told her about the problem and that we needed close to $4,000.00 to have it repaired.  Without thinking twice, she offered to give half of the amount. 

Now, tell me, don't I have the best in-laws in the world? They don't just love and care for me, but my family in the Philippines, as well. I am so blessed to have them as second Dad and Mom! 

My Goals For A Healthier Me

Two months from now, our Fil-am community in this area will be welcoming two precious little ones . . . a boy and a girl. Oh, how exciting! I love babies and I love being pregnant. The only downside of being pregnant is my body's inability to control my blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy. Therefore, I get gestational diabetes. No matter how hard I tried not to have GD,  I still had it with both of my pregnancies.  I was told by my OB that I am prone to Type 2 Diabetes later in life. Well, I did my homework online and found out I sure am! The good news is that there are ways to prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Exercise and proper diet are the most important preventive measures.  Diabetes is five times more likely in those who are overweight or obese. 

I am loving being a stay-at-home mom. I get to spend a lot of time with my baby. The only downside of it is the fact that I am having a hard time shedding off those extra poundage from my last pregnancy. It seemed like every time I step on the weighing scale, my weight has gone up. Being prone to Type 2 diabetes, this is not good. If I keep getting these weight increases, I might have to try taking diet pills. But, this means an additional monthly expense. We are already having a tough time financially. I guess I just have to be more active, do my exercise on a regular basis and have a good diet. No more laziness here, Jemima! :)

My Baby Sleeps On Her Tummy

I know babies are not supposed to sleep on their tummies. But, my 9-month old baby girl does! She started doing this a couple of months ago. My husband and I have conflicting ideas about this issue. He thinks it is ok. But, that does not stop me from worrying. I just wanna be on the safer side. That's why I don't want her to sleep on her tummy. What can I do? She would start out on her back at night. Then, would roll over onto her tummy. I would go and flip her over and within seconds flip on to her tummy again. She will sleep through the night that way.

Moms out there, I need your suggestions, tips, or anything that might help us.

My Funniest Bridal Shower Experience

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to a bridal shower for a friend who is getting married the 27th of this month. I missed it because I was not allowed to drive then due to my recent surgery. But, I will definitely come to her wedding. 

Anyway, this reminded me of  a very hilarious story about a former colleague back in the Philippines. One of the many single lady teachers was finally getting married. So, we organized a bridal shower. Word-of-mouth invitation was passed from one teacher to another. It was gonna be held after school that Monday. Now, this fresh from college teacher was invited. She never heard of bridal showers before. That, I was not surprised. Bridal shower is not widely practiced in the Philippines, at least where I lived. I have to admit, I never heard of this either, until I started working at LSA. 

So, she was invited and was probably too proud to ask what we were gonna do at the shower. She just took it literally. To our surprise, she showed up with a big backpack and a towel hanging over her shoulders. One of the ladies had the guts to ask her where she was going and why she had the towel. Very politely and seriously, she replied, "I am here to attend the bridal shower. I just brought my towel in case Ma'am Belen (host) does not have enough towels for everybody." 

That was it! We all burst into laughter. What a poor young lady! She thought that the party included all of us taking showers before going home.  It was just too hilarious to pretend that everything was ok. Some of us were just laughing out loud that they fell off their chairs. You should have seen the bride-to-be's face. She will have a lot of stories to tell her kids! At least, this innocent guest did not take it personally. She just joined in the fun and we all had a good time. But boy, I tell you, that was one funny and unforgettable experience for all of us!

 

Oral Piercing: Is It Worth the Risks?

It seems like oral piercing has become a popular practice, especially among teenagers. Almost every time I go to the mall, I see teenagers and a few young adults with pierced tongue, lips or cheeks. At first, I thought those were just glued on with some kind of a special glue.  It was just recently that I found out they're actually  pierced. Oh, my goodness! I was so ignorant!

As what I posted last night, I met with the oral surgeon today. My husband picked up a little pamphlet about oral piercing, while waiting for my appointment. Somebody in his family has lip rings, which he was not very happy about, because of some health reasons. Oral piercing indeed has many side effects, ranging from discomfort to serious health problems. I understand they usually do oral piercing without anesthetic. Boy, I could just imagine the pain when a needle pierces the tongue, lip or cheek. I have a very low pain tolerance. Not that I would want it. My imagination is just going wild here.

Anyway, oral piercing does involve a lot of risks. There could be some serious infections, like hepatitis B and HIV, which can be transmitted if the instruments have not been properly sanitized. Inside our tongue, there are major blood vessels. When pierced, can cause prolonged bleeding. Also, the many nerve endings in the tongue and lips can cause severe pain in the pierced area. 

I learned from my elementary science that the mouth is full of bacteria and is hard to sterilize. Thus, infections are common in oral piercings. This is exactly what happened to my husband's niece. One of her lip rings got infected. So, she had to remove it. I sure hope she won't put it back once it's healed up. Another danger is if the jewelry becomes loose. It can be swallowed or inhaled into one of your lungs, which will possibly require surgery. According to a study of 445 Mayo Clinic patients with congenital heart disease, nearly 1 of 4 developed an infection of the heart after body piercing had been done.  This is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly, if you want to stay healthy and fit.

What I mentioned above are just a few of the risks involved in oral piercing. The American Dental Association actually opposes this practice. They consider this a public health hazard.

So, if you are thinking about oral piercing, you should consider whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

My Day In Review

Good evening peeps! I can't believe this is my only post today.  I spent the whole day playing with my baby and reading books to her. She loves to be read to! We also watched a couple of Baby Einstein DVDs, which she really enjoyed.  When she took her morning and afternoon nap, I did some house cleaning, which I have been putting off for a while.  My next project would be my son's playroom. It is a big mess right now.  I will have to do that when he doesn't have school, so he can help. It is his mess after all. I told him that 50% of the toys there are gonna go bye-bye. I thought he would frown on that, but he didn't. He just asked if he could be the one to decide which toys will go. I told him that would not be a problem. 

Anyway, I will be gone tomorrow morning to have a consultation with an oral surgeon. I have to have my 3 wisdom teeth extracted. They are coming in sideways and are bothering me. I was told by my dentist that these should have been removed a long time ago, before the roots became longer and were not completely formed yet. It would have been easier then and lesser chance of complications.  He suggested that I sleep during the oral surgery. I don't like that idea. I'll see what the oral surgeon says.

Speaking of wisdom teeth, I have always wondered why they are called such. Does it mean people with wisdom teeth are wiser than those who don't have? Well, my husband does not have wisdom teeth, but he has lots of wisdom . . . . more than I do :) . Ok, I did my homework and found out that wisdom teeth (third molars) generally erupt in your mouth between the ages of 17 and 25. That is the time of life that has been called the "Age of Wisdom". Thus, the term Wisdom Teeth!

There it is, in case you don't know :) !  I will have to say good night now and sleep tight!

Watch For My Baby Girl's Clothes Auction On Ebay

Well, peeps, it is time for me to sign-off! How was your day today? Mine was pretty good! I have accomplished quite a bit of household chores, aside from taking care of my baby. I continued taking Fall/winter clothes out which I started a few days ago. Also, I went through all of my baby's winter clothes that she outgrew and have them ready to sell on ebay.  I will be auctioning them next week. The clothes range from 0-6 months old (girl). But, I will also have bigger sizes, as I purchased a lot during the end of the season sales last winter. Give me a buzz if you are interested and I will send you a link to my ebay page once I have them listed. Most of these clothes are washed but not worn as she had way too many. They still look brand new! 

So, goodnight, sleep tight and God bless! See you tomorrow!

Learn From My Worst Ebay Experience

One of the many things I enjoy doing is buying and selling stuff on ebay. I started buying baby clothes last year when I found out I was pregnant with a girl. I had so much fun bidding and making offers. Boy, did I get a lot of good deals on baby stuff! 

After a few months of buying, I decided to do some selling. I looked for ebay wholesalers and had pretty good success of reselling/auctioning the clothes I purchased from them. Until I did business with a dishonest and no word-of-honor seller. She was selling brand new baby girl summer clothes from 0-12 months old at a wholesale price of $200.00. Her listing description says that the lot is worth a thousand dollars which includes name brand dresses, shirts, and pants. But, mostly dresses. I thought that was a very good deal. I could auction them on ebay and easily get my money back plus a very good profit. So, I bought it! 

I was so excited when I saw our mail lady pulled up on our driveway. That means there is a package that will not fit in the mailbox. As soon as I saw the box, my hear sank! I was expecting a huge box. What I saw was just half the size of what I expected. I just kept my cool until I saw what was inside the box. The dresses are all out-of-style (winter), a few shirts and pants that did not match, a few socks and tights and a LOT of gymboree sun hats. Plus one-fourth of the items are for 18 to 24 months old girl. What a rip off! 

I contacted the seller right away through ebay and told her what I got. I reminded her of the listing description which did not include lots of hats, sock and tights and everything was supposedly from 0-12 months old. I told her she misrepresented her lot and that I would like to return it and get my money back. She strongly disagreed about my idea of returning it. She said that she does not accept returns on wholesale lots. I kept emailing her and finally she agreed on one condition . . . the box should be in her possession 3 days from the time I got it. Which means I have to send the box priority mail. I did and paid $13.50 for shipping. The third day would have been Sunday. Since there is no mail on Sundays, the box got there on Monday. She refused the box and so it was returned to sender. BACK TO ME! 

Ok, I accepted it. What else can I do? Here comes the worst thing that she did! She actually accepted the package, opened it from the bottom so the address won't look tampered. Then, she took all the 18-24 months size out, a few hats and some winter shirts. Then, replaced them with 1 skirt and a summer shirt. The box weighed a lot lighter than when I sent it. I emailed her again and she said " What are you complaining about? I took care of the problem already. I took the wrong size and replaced them ( which she did not ). She said that she returned the box to me not for the reason that it did not get there on Sunday, but that I did not return all the clothes when I mailed the box back to her. I stole some of the clothes according to her. For crying out loud . . . I became a thief! Good grief !!!! 

I said, " Wow ! You corrected the problem by taking some clothes out ( without replacing them) at my expense. I paid for shipping twice already. And here you are accusing me of stealing some of the clothes."

She did not only lie to me, but to the post office, as well. You cannot refuse a package, return it to sender after opening it. Guess what she said . . . " My husband works at the post office and I can do whatever I want! "

Guess what? She gave me a negative feedback stating that I am a non-paying bidder and a scam and that sellers should not do business with me. What a liar! May God forgive her!

Now, you be the judge!

What I learned:

LESSON No. 1 :

When buying on ebay, look at the feedback ratings. If there are negative feedbacks, do your homework before buying from that seller. 

LESSON No. 2 :

Don't buy stuff without seeing the pictures. That was my first mistake!

LESSON No. 3 :

Make sure the seller accepts returns and is clearly stated in the listing.

LESSON No. 4 :

File SNAD (Significantly Not As Described) through Paypal to make sure you will get your money back and the seller could not play around with you.

I hope you learned something from my worst ebay experience. But, let me tell you . . . Life must go on! Don't let situations like this stop you from doing what you love and enjoy doing. I am taking this as a learning experience for me.

Oh, by the way, I did not get my money back. I got stuck with those clothes.

How Much Are You Paying To Call The Philippines?

For 7 years now, I have been calling my family in the Philippines using Onesuite. I have shopped around for cheaper rates than .13 cents ( landline phones ) and .17 cents ( mobile phones ) per minute which I have been paying for years now, but could not find any. Aside from these cheap rates that Onesuite.com offers, there are absolutely NO hidden fees. I opened an account with them online which enabled me to purchase minutes however many I want. They are available 24/7.  And, if you have no access to internet, just give them a call and they will recharge your account for you. 

In seven years of using their service, I never encountered any problem. Connection has always been great! If you are like me who calls the Philippines almost everyday, try Onesuite to save you money.

If, however, you know of a cheaper way to do it, please let me know. I would really appreciate that! Just don't include the free PC to PC call as my parents don't have 24/7 internet connection. They use a prepaid card to go online which doesn't work very well with international calls.

Lose Unwanted Pounds With The Best Natural Fat Burners

Losing unwanted pounds is not just for aesthetic purposes. It is necessary for a healthier you. Health issues sometimes crop up due to obesity or carrying extra pounds that the body does not need. My sister used to skip meals with the hopes of losing weight. But, this is not a good and advisable way to do it. This can only lead to more health issues. After a while, she stopped doing it as she started getting pains in her tummy. Ulcers maybe? Who knows! She was not that overweight to begin with. But, for some crazy reason, she thought she was. 

Some people who have the desire to lose weight sometimes would resort to unhealthy means of achieving that goal. Others are smart enough to do it the right way. But, what is the right way? In my opinion, doing your homework is the first step. Find out what is available in the market and which one best suits your needs. One of the most common ways to lose weight is by taking a natural fat burner. But, there are so many types of fat burners out there. You have to make sure that it is clinically proven and real world proven.

FatBurner.net can help you with that. They review fat burners and diet pills and provide unbiased results. If you are having trouble finding the right one for you, check them out to make sure you won't be using something that will only take your money down the drain.

My Dangerous and Unforgettable Walk On Hardened Lava

Please click on image to enlarge and see details.

I was going through some pictures in my computer and saw these taken about 3 years ago at the Hawai'i Volcanoes national Park.  My husband and son stayed at the Visitor's Center while I bravely walked on top of hardened lava/crust. That was such a long and dangerous walk! Many curious others were walking with me. We had to follow a path that was marked. Otherwise, you will be in danger of getting burned or worst falling into the cracks with fresh hot lava. I remember one lady who accidentally dropped her lip balm outside the path and it melted in a heartbeat. 

As you can see behind me, there are streams of lava dripping into the ocean. If you click on the picture, you can really see the details of fresh, hot lava flowing into the ocean from the vents coming from the Kilauea volcano. We were told by the rangers that the lava viewing conditions here are very unpredictable and always changing. Sometimes, they close this area to the public without prior notice due to the changes in wind directions. It is unsafe when fumes/smoke gets blown to where the viewing area is. We were blessed it did not happen while we were there.

I could not believe I was standing very close to that vent. I could just feel the heat coming from the lava flow.  When I got back to the visitor's center, my husband said that he was very concerned about me and was praying for my safety. While waiting for me, he watched the video at the center about the area I was going. He found out about all the dangers that could happen anytime without warning. And that many people have already died in that same place. He wanted to go, but our little guy was not allowed beyond the visitor's center. I won the case and so there I was! When I found out all about the dangers, I chickened-out. But, too late . . . I already went there :). 

That was a dangerous adventure, but worth it!

Does Your Computer Need A System Memory Upgrade?

Mine sure does! I have an older model of Macbook laptop with a 1 GB of Memory. Recently, I have been experiencing some problems. It is slow and even freezes at times.  I asked my husband if it is due to the Parallels we installed which enables me to run Windows XP on the side. He did not think so, but suggested it might help to upgrade the memory to 2GB. We have read that upgrading the memory would dramatically improve your computer's speed and performance. My only problem here is whether my laptop would take upgrades. Like what I said, it is an older model. I will have to look at the User's Manual first  to make sure I am doing the right move.

Anyway, if you have a computer like mine which needs system memory upgrading, buy.com would be the perfect place to go to. They have the best selections of system memory from top manufacturers, like PNY, Crucial,  OCZ, and Corsair. 

Gamers and music lovers, upgrade your system memory now and enjoy a quicker response time on your favorite game or a faster downloading of your favorite music! Most of buy.com's items have rebates plus free shipping.  Such a deal!

The Guard Who Fell Asleep

One night, while I was trying to get Mahalia to sleep, I overheard my husband  and son's conversation after reading the bedtime bible story. The bible story was about Paul being put in jail for preaching the name of Jesus. He was told not to preach, but he did not quit. He wanted to do what was right . . . proclaim the name of Jesus to the people.

Now, here's what I overheard that I did not know before. Papa shared to his little guy the importance of always doing what is right. One night, while he was in the army, he was the guard on duty at their company compound. As the guard, he was not supposed to fall asleep, but he did. He had a bloody nose, so he sat back trying to stop the bleeding and fell asleep. A Major ( Brigade Charge of Quarters ) saw him and asked if he was sleeping. He answered yes. What are you going to write in your report tomorrow? The officer asked. My husband answered " I will write that I fell asleep and that you found me here asleep". The officer said " Good " and left.

The following morning, the Company First Sergeant called him to his office. He wanted him to change the report because he felt it made the company look bad to have it on record that a Charge of Quarters fell asleep. When hubby refused to change the report, he yelled and got so angry at him. Hubby told him that it would not be right to change it and that he would be lying if he will do it. The sergeant finally dismissed him.

After listening to Papa's story, little guy gave his comment. In his own words, he said " So, we have to do what is right even if other people is telling us not to do what is right and to believe in God. Is that right, Papa?

When I heard Josiah say those words, I thought wow . . . he really has a good understanding of the bible story. I am so proud of him !

Our Family "Journey"

You will never know what a 5-year old can say. We were getting ready this morning to attend an Uncle's birthday party about 3 hours drive from us when my son gave me a sad look. He sighed " I don't like these long journeys" Yes, he does not like long trips! He would rather stay at home reading books, drawing and coloring pictures and playing in the yard than being strapped in his car seat  for 3 hours. I can understand his feelings. It is indeed tiring to be in the car that long, especially for a very active kid. I just explained to him that sometimes we have to do this. We have family and friends who live far from us that we need to visit once in a while. He understood and gave me a grin. What amazed me though was his use of the word "journeys". He has such a wide vocabulary and  good choice of words when he talks. I just thought it is interesting to hear a five year old say " I don't like these long journeys."  

The Beautiful Spooner

I've always dreamed of driving my stakes in a place where everything isn't so fast-paced. Since I'm kind of a laid back person in some ways, it is easier for me to keep up with life in this small town of Spooner, Wisconsin. Indeed , it is a dream come true ! It is right in the heart of Washburn County,WI with a population of 2,623 . In the summertime, our population here would rise up to ten times because of tourists who love this town. I could never have asked for a better place to live and raise our kids.

We moved here a couple of years ago and right away, I fell in love with her. We don't have America's dream house but that is not what matters to me the most. I know I have a mansion in heaven . God says in the book of John 14:2-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. In my Father's place are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. "

Isn't that neat ? Such an assurance ! Anyway, whenever you plan on a little getaway to unwind, consider our county. It is not known as " The Roads to Relaxation " for nothing . Check out the link and see what we can offer. I am just blessed beyond compare to be situated in this lovely little town of Spooner. 

My folks came from the Philippine Islands and stayed with us for a year. They, too, were amazed by the beauty of this little heaven on earth.

Flowers That I Treasure The Most

When you look at these flowers, there is really nothing fancy nor special about them. They are just your ordinary daisies at your local department/grocery store. But, these flowers mean sooo much to me. They are sooo special! 

Yesterday, my husband picked up our 5-yr. old son at school. As usual, he was very happy telling Papa about his day as they drove home. To my husband's surprise, he did not jump out of the van, like he usually does as soon as the door  is opened. Instead, he was quietly crying. Papa went back inside the van and sat next to him. This time, Josiah was already sobbing and could hardly say a word. Then, he pointed to the lilies that grow by the driveway and bear flowers in the summer.  He said that he wanted to pick one of those flowers for mama but now they are all dead. My husband said that when he looked at him, he was really hurting. Because of a cold weather that we had recently, the flowers died. So, my husband got behind the wheels and drove to the nearest store that sells flowers. It was actually a grocery store. He asked our son to choose the flowers that he wanted to give to Mama. You should have seen the biggest smile on his face when he handed me the flowers. I am so blessed and so thankful to God for giving us a son with a tender heart! I will always treasure this moment with my precious son.

There it is! The story behind these flowers.

Today Marks the 7th Anniversary of 9/11

Seven years ago today, I was in the Philippines teaching at LSA.  I still have a vivid memory of what happened that night ( Philippine time ) when the terrorists attacked the Twin Towers in New York. It was a routine for me back then to go over my lesson plans for the following day before going to bed. That was what I was doing when my father called my attention. He was watching Fox News when the breaking news about the attack came on. I then texted my fiance about it. He had no clue what was going on. He ran downstairs, turned the TV on and called his employers. None of them heard about the attack.  I was in the process of applying for a US visa when it happened. I thought it would change the whole process and that INS will make it a lot harder for people to come to the US. Thank God, I got my visa hassle-free.
People around the globe will never forget that gloomy day when innocent lives were taken by other people's evil deeds. I was literally crying this morning when I read what people had to say about their lost loved ones at the ceremony in NY. Three of the speakers were young children whose fathers went to work at the WTC and never came home. To quote what one of them said :
"I remember playing in the yard with him. I remember him pulling my wagon. He was strong. He always made me feel safe," said Alex Salamone, wearing the soccer jersey of his father, John. "I wish I could remember more, but we were so young when he died."

Doesn't this break your heart? I pray that this will never happen again in this country or anywhere in the world. We are all brothers and sisters in God's eyes and should love one another no matter what our differences may be. A salute to our brave men and women in uniform who are risking their lives to keep this country a safe and better place to live in. 
God Bless America !!!

Cheap Diapers and Other Baby Necessities

When I was a first time mom, I was so hesitant aboout using store brand diapers. I had this misconception that they might cause harm to my baby's gentle skin. For the silly reason that they are a lot cheaper than name brands. We have spent tons of money on diapers by the time my son was potty trained. I wasn't too smart back then.  Now,  that I'm a second-time mom, I learned to be a wise shopper. Before I had my baby, I was online a lot  looking for good deals on diapers and other baby stuff. I read comments, reviews on baby products and posted inquiries. 

One of the sites that  I came across is diapers.com.  They carry disposable and cloth diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and other baby necessities.  I signed-up and became a member, which allows me to purchase products at  discounted prices. They also have a referral program where you get a bonus if somebody signs-up under your name. 

Anyway, I have been getting my baby's diapers from them in big boxes. I checked our local department stores but could not find boxes as big as the ones at diapers.com.  I computed the price per unit, theirs are a lot cheaper than anywhere else. Oh, by the way, my baby is using LUVS! These diapers work as great as the pricey brands in my opinion.

Moms, if you are interested, check their site. If you wish, use my email address rogjemjos@yahoo.com  as your referrer. See ya there !

My Big Boy, Josiah !

This is my 5-year old boy getting ready to leave for school. He started Kindergarten last week and is adjusting pretty well. When he comes home in the afternoon, he has sooo many stories to tell.  He tells them with excitement. He is enjoying and loving school. I never went to kindergarten. There was no kindergarten  in that remote town in the Philippines where we lived. If I had the chance, I probably would not like it as much as he likes it now. I was a cry baby and a mama's girl back then. I remember my first day of school ( 1st Grade) was tough. I cried almost the whole morning. I did not want to do a thing.  My teacher probably wished I was not in her class.  Anyway, I am so happy and blessed that my son did not inherit that part of me :) .

Trip Back Home

I am really excited because my plans of taking a trip to the Philippines is looking more like a possibility. My husband says I might have to trade my iPod Touch for  a trip. That would be just fine for me! I would rather see my family and friends whom I have not seen for a while than having the luxury of owning an iPod. I would be taking our 2 kiddos with me. My son has been talking about seeing Nanay and Tatay ( grandma/pa ) again with excitement. One time, he was having breakfast and out of the blue, asked me if I have ever missed somebody I loved so much. When I looked at him, there were tears rolling down his cheeks. I answered him yes. Then he said, " Just like me. I love Nanay and Tatay so much and I missed them a lot." It would be really good for him to see them again!

Tempted, Yielded, and Rescued

When I was in college, I had a roommate and a good friend who was 110% sold-out to God. She was very active in the Agape Fellowship at the university. One night, she had a dream that she shared with me. A dream that I will never forget. Not all dreams are meaningful or worth remembering for that matter. But, hers, I believe was something that came from God. In a form of a dream, God warned her of something that's coming her way. 

In her dream, she was in some neighborhood strolling at night. Then she saw a huge , very beautiful house, kinda like a mansion. The lights were so bright. All the windows and doors were open, as if they were calling her to come inside. It was so inviting that she could not resist the urge to check it out.  As she was getting closer, it seemed like the house was becoming more inviting. She hesitated at one time because she could not see a soul in there. Yet, her curiosity was too much to contain. She did come in and as soon as she got in, all the lights turned off. Doors and windows were shut close. Everything was pitch black! There was no way out. She screamed for help, but nobody can hear her. She was scared to death and did not know what to do, other than blaming herself for giving-in to her curiosity. She was so desperate and was ready to give up calling for help. Then, she remembered God. She started claiming God's promises of protection and deliverance. And,  just like that! The lights came on and the doors were opened! She was free from the trap! She yielded to the temptation, but God rescued her when she called on Him.

Temptations come our way every minute of the day. We get tempted in every possible way. But, God promised us that no temptation is beyond our strength to resist. However, if we failed, HE IS THERE TO PICK US UP WHEN WE CALL ON HIM! He will never leave us nor forsake us. Such an assurance!

My Beloved La Salle Academy

This post was inspired by my fond memories of La Salle Academy. Right after my college graduation, I applied for a teaching position at LSA. Thankfully, I got hired. At first, I had no intentions of staying longer than a year. My plan was to work there while waiting for my license. Then, I would transfer to a public school. Well, I got my license the first time I took the exam, but could not leave the school I learned to love. La Salle was superb in every way, from the administration to the faculty and staff. Not to mention their very competitive salary. I couldn't have asked for a better workplace. The one year plan turned into 11 memorable years of my teaching career. Yes, eleven wonderful years of teaching science. Had I not moved to the US, I would have been working there still. No regrets though! I have my own family now. A happy family, that is !

Faith and Zeal

La Salle Academy

Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines

 http://www.lasalleiligan.org

La Salle Academy-Iligan is a Lasallian school located in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. It is the first of the third generation of La Salle schools founded by the De La Salle Brothers in the country, which include: La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City (1959), Saint Joseph School-La Salle in Bacolod City (1960), and De La Salle Lipa in Lipa City (1962). 

Today, LSA is one of the best schools in the region. President Arroyo at one time sent a crew to survey all the schools in Iligan as requested by the National Steel Corporation investors who are from India. They have kids who will be coming with them and live in Iligan City, as well. The team chose LSA after a thorough checking and now these kids are part of the school.

La Salle schools are worldwide. In fact, there are many here in the US. If you are looking for a quality private school, consider La Salle schools.

If I have to go back teaching in the Philippines, I would still choose La Salle in a heartbeat.

My Chat Box Is Gone Due To Nasty Messages

As you can see, my chat box is gone again. If I remember it right, this is my 4th attempt of removing it. Once, I got rid of it because of a disgusting message that somebody left. Somebody who was actually in my blogroll. I just kept my cool and not even deleted her off my list. She quieted down when did not get a reaction she was probably hoping for.

Yesterday, somebody left a really ugly, as in UGLY messages in the box again. This time, it was anonymous. I am just guessing it was from somebody who asked me to be added in my friend's list the way it was worded. I've had several requests lately, which I haven't had time to accept. Whoever you are, I am so glad I did not add you . . . yet. People who don't have anything decent to say have no place here. Negative comments or any disapproval of my post/s are very much welcome. A personal attack, especially coupled with cursing words, is not tolerated nor accepted here! I hope I made myself clear.

I'm really sorry for the inconvenience this may cause you, my TRUE blogging FRIENDS. I just could not find a way to delete that nasty and obscene message. Thus, the removal of the C-box! I am apologizing also if I sounded a little harsh here. I hope you understand.

My New EC Widget

Old EC Widget

New EC Widget

My Other Blog's New EC Widget

To EC members and my droppers, I had my widget changed last night. I have been wanting to do this, but could not figure out how. I wanted my widget to look just like my blog's header. The old one was ok. It was family-friendly and very personal. It just did not have any resemblance to my blog. So, last night, I put what little knowledge I got to work and BINGO! It was not that hard after all. LOL ! I am no techie, so anything learned about this kind of stuff is a bonus to me. 

Now that I know how to do it, buzz me if you need help. I would gladly walk you through it. Even more, make one for you :) .

Rain Gutter Project Still Not Finished

It's been all summer since this project got started. Now, it is still not finished! The carpenter who was doing the work went away for a few weeks. When he came back, he had lots of other jobs to do. Since he is doing this job for free, we really could not complain. Plus, my husband is supposed to be washing the old gutters before the carpenter can put them back up. He's been so busy doing other things that this has been put aside for a while. But, we really get it finished before we get a big rain storm like we had this time three years ago. We got ten inches of rain in about two days time which flooded our basement. Boy, that was a lot of work to get everything dried out. 

Hopefully, our friend will come back soon to finish the job. Otherwise, we will just have to find somebody else to do it.

My Father's Blog

I am gonna be hitting the hay here pretty soon. I just would like to let you, my visitors, know that my father has started a blog. He is in his early 70s and is enjoying life to the fullest. He loves to write and share his thoughts. Please visit him and drop on his EC ( EC members ) at Hermen and Rita's Corner. 

Thank you very much ! Have a pleasant night and God bless !

Oh, Garden Where Are You?

This time last year, we had lots and lots of fresh, organic produce from our garden in the backyard. My father was the one who made the garden and took care of it with the "help" of my son who was 4 years old at that time. 

This summer, we had no garden. Unless you count weeds as a garden. LOL! There were just too many things going on around here that we did not have the time to plant. Hopefully, next year, we could have our beautiful garden back to life. I missed having fresh homegrown produce. 

What It Is Like To Be 9 Months Old

This is my baby, Mahalia, who will be turning 9 months old tomorrow. She is so precious! Definitely, an explorer! This is her:

***  She can move toys and other small things from one hand to the other.

***  She pulls herself up to stand.

***  She can pick up toys, food and small things using her fingers and thumb.

***  She usually puts a toy or food down by dropping or throwing it.

***  She has good balance and can sit by herself.

***  She crawls on her hands and knees.

***  She likes to watch people, animals, things and activities around her.

***  She wants to taste everything she touches.

***  She practices making noises with her  mouth and tries to copy the sounds she hears.

***  She recognizes Mama, Papa and Kuya ( big brother) and likes being with us.

***  She doesn't want anybody else to hold her. She does not like being away from us.

***  She likes to play peek-a-boo and other games that help her find hidden things.

***  She likes songs and rhymes and can bounce-dance to music.

***  She sings along with us in her baby language.

***  She knows her name and smiles when someone says it.

***  She loves taking a bath and playing with duckies.

***  She is a good eater.

***  She comes when called, most of the time :)

***  She likes to be outside.

***  She loves to be read to.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays 〜 Stubborn Love

Stubborn Love, by Amy Grant( Please visit youtube to hear this song. )
When I first heard this song, I could not stop singing it nor getting it out of my mind. It is so true how God loves us. He loves us unconditionally. He never gets tired of hearing our "Forgive me, Lord" over and over again. Sometimes, this sounds so empty when we never change. Yet, He would stay and say " I love you still " and forgiving us time and again. Now, that's stubborn love! It's that stubborn love that never lets go of us. We don't understand how He can stay. The last line of the song says " Perfect love embracing the worst in me, And You never let me go, I believe I finally know, I can't live without Your stubborn love." Such an assurance! 

Great Food Friday 〜 Cassava Cake

I got this recipe from a Filipina friend who married my husband's cousin. I have tried several cassava cake recipes, but this one stood out. This is really yummy! Surely a keeper!

1 bag grated cassava (from any asian stores)

1 can coconut milk

1 can condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sugar

Mix grated cassava, coconut milk, vanilla, sugar and 1/2 can of condensed milk in a 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 d for about an hour. Then pour the remaining milk on top and bake for about 15 minutes more.

Did I See A Lizard?

My husband has a sort-of-funny post about me Seeing Things in his blog. It has something to do with my recent surgery and this lizard. Check it out if you want to know the whole story. It is kind of funny and pitiful at the same time.

My Husband Rocks Friday 〜 A New iPod Touch

"The Gadget Girl", like what I mentioned in my previous post, this is one of my nicknames . . . courtesy of my hubby. That should tell you what I am into. At least part of it. Anyway, I am very excited because Hubby is getting me a new iPod touch. Whew!!!! I can't wait! It was gonna be an iPhone, but we found out that we don't get the signal where we live. So, I opted for the iPod touch. It works just like an iPhone without the phone. He is getting the 32 GB. It's a bit pricey, but well worth it . Thanks , Honey! You sure ROCK!

Oh, by the way, my husband rocks not just because of this. He is the most loving, faithful, understanding, caring, honest person I have ever known in my life.

A Jewish Mama and English Velvet

Since I started blogging, I have helped 7 friends set up their blogs. These are first time bloggers. I surely enjoyed working with them. Yesterday, I helped create blogs for two friends.  They are still learning the basics, but they are on their way. Here they are :  A Jewish Mama and English Velvet. Please check them out when you have time and do leave some comments. That will surely encourage them. Thanks!

I remember when I first started this blog, it was kind of frustrating when nobody came to visit and read my posts.  But, as time went by, I started getting visits and comments which really encouraged me to keep blogging.  I will not mention your names because I don't want to miss anybody. You know who you are. Let me just tell you how I appreciated your kindness and encouragements to keep this blog alive. 

A Cousin Was Raped and Murdered

Good morning everyone! How was your night guys? Mine could have been better. I just had a hard time falling asleep last night.  I talked to my parents in the Philippines just before going to bed and got a very devastating news about a 21-year old cousin who was raped and brutally murdered by 4 guys. Authorities caught the guys, but that will not bring back the life of that sweet, innocent little lady. I hope they will not just release those murderers. They should pay for what they did! Ladies out there, be careful! There are people in this world whose bodies and minds are sold to the devil. Watch your little ones and pray for a hedge of protection over your kids at all times!

I Wished I Were A Fly On The Wall

Today was my son's first day of school. My curiosity was killing me! I wanted so bad to be inside the classroom to see how he was doing. I sure wished I were a fly on the wall! 

Well, he came home all excited and happy. He made a couple of friends, he said. But, one is an imaginary friend. Apparently, they had a story about making friends.  Imaginary friends, that is . 

One of my main concerns was his lunch. They only have 20 minutes to eat. Knowing him, that would not be enough to finish a small sandwich. When he came home, I was relieved to see that he ate 90% of his sandwich. He did not touch the extras nor drink his water though. We will have to emphasize that tomorrow when he leaves for school. Water is very essential and it would not be good  to go without it for almost a day.

Other than that, he did great his first day of school! Thank God for answering our prayers!

Keep up the good work, Josiah! We love you very much!

Mama Is Having An Emotitis Attack!

It's hard to believe my son will be starting kindergarten tomorrow. He has been looking forward to going to school. But, I am not sure if I am ready for this. He's gonna be gone practically all day from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.   I told him at supper time, with misty eyes, that I will surely miss him while he's at school. I tried to hide my emotions, but I couldn't! 

"I will miss you too, Mama. But, I'm sorry . . . I have to do this."  . . . That's my son!