Weekend Snapshot

My two year old boy pretending to drive the van. :-)

Dirty & Dangerous Children's Play Area

I have received this very disturbing email from a friend and I just felt the need to have this reposted for very obvious reasons. We all would need the heads up.
Fast Food places and... All places with ball pits in the children's play area.

One of my sons lost his watch, and was very upset. We dug and dug in those balls, trying to find his watch.

Instead, we found vomit, food, feces, and other stuff I do not want to discuss.

I went to the manager and raised hell. Come to find out, the ball pit is only cleaned out once a month. I have doubts that it is even done that often.

My kids will never play in another ball pit.

Some of you might not be parents, but you may have nieces, nephews, grandchildren, or friends with children.

This will pertain to you too. As I read the following, my heart sank.

I urge each and every one of you to pass this on to as many people as you can. I cannot stress how important this is!

Hi. My name is Lauren Archer, my son Kevin and I lived in Melbourne, Australia.

On October 2nd, 1999 I took my only son to a McDonald's for his 3rd birthday.

After he finished lunch, I allowed him to play in the ball pit. When he started whining later on, I asked him what was wrong, he pointed to the back of his pull-up and simply said "Mommy, it hurts." I couldn't find anything wrong with him at that time. I bathed him when we got home, and it was at that point when I found a welt on his left buttock.

Upon investigating, it seemed as if there was something like a splinter under the welt. I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day, but soon he started vomiting and shaking, then his eyes rolled back into his head. From there, we went to the emergency room. He died later that night.

It turned out that the welt on his buttock was the tip of a hypodermic needle that had broken off inside.

The autopsy revealed that Kevin had died from a heroine overdose. The next week, the police removed the balls from the ball pit. There was rotten food, several hypodermic needles: some full, some used; knives, half-eaten candy, diapers, faeces, and the stench of urine.

Don't think it's just McDonald's either. A little boy had been playing in a ball pit @ a Burger King & started complaining of his legs hurting. He later died too. He was found to have snake bites all over his legs & buttocks. When they cleaned the ball pit they found that there was a snake's nest in the ball pit. He had suffered numerous bites from a very poisonous snake.

Opportunities Online

I have been bogging since 2005 and it was only in the last three months that I actually realized that it is possible to monetize one’s website. It is true that one can earn an extra decent money for the family just by doing what you have always been doing- like web blogging, for instance. One of the stand outs when it comes to paying bloggers to write online is bloggerwave. Blogging can get even more fun when one gets paid for doing what you love.

An Open Letter to Filipinos Everywhere (by a brave woman)

To all Filipinos Everywhere:


I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were
caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one

thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and

murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich,
educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior?
And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and
locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time
thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get

any worse than this?


Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the
latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not
men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad
to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each
one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing
the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and
apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at
its worst!


I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking
smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with
the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very
citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator",
"Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless
individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why

our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders

of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob
the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."


It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of
upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to
see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of
teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures
who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the
impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their
children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole
new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more
style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!


I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays

for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to

the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time
and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic
services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system,
poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have
always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and
my complaints never amounted to anything more.


And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing
fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes.
Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss
only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about
someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more
money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a
lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan.
Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security
men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money,
money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his

dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking
citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?


And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president
whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship.
"Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and
again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded

with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her
cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.


They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no
longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger
at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the
same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at
my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that

I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are
capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have,
though I may not yet feel it.


But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to
let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to
issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known
that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the
Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with
scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who
believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas,

a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused

their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this

country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my
responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.


Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to
battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good.

We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer
petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too,
including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer
sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of
our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they
cannot be more powerful than God!


I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do

not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts
of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more
important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their
children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play,
sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old
enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school,
everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your
children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and
pass on your family name with pride and honor.


I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of
your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of
what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their
country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real,

worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and
women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can

to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us

into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our

educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good
leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law
enforcers and lawful citizens.


I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look

around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an
excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see.
But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and
fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY
NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that
gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available

resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social

conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will
not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at
your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.




Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this
country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are
tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of

the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your
chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs,

engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in
government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for
itself.


For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who
have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do
what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines

than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this.

And we owe our country even more.

Hamburgers and French Fries Survey

Pre-Board

Really looks like that this is it for me. This is as far as I can get. These were the piles of our pre-board examination papers (225 items a pop) that we took last March 1. No way of seeing light at the end of the tunnel for me for now. I was given strict instruction to have complete bed rest for one month, so taking the board exactly a month from now is just not possible.

My first thought is, I want to still take the board despite the fact that I am not ready. With the distraction of my sickness, and with the mere fact alone that there was no single minute I spent reviewing and preparing for it at home. Plus, the fact that the few times I attended my review classes I was lulled to sleep my most professors --there is just no way I can make it. But I want to get it done and over with just so I wouldn't have to think about it after next month. But honestly, when I get down to the fact about this health crisis in my family, the board and all the brouhaha it brings take the backseat, hands down. :)

Fashion Talk

During the few times that I have watched fashion reality televisions shows, I cannot help but realize the disciplines and hardships the models have to go through. One thing for sure, those who top each season would come from one of New York Fashion Schools. This does not come as a surprise anymore, even as it is a given fact that it is one of the fashion capitals of the world.

The lives of those who would want to be top models and the grueling details they have to go through can really be maddening. This is why going to no less than a top notch fashion school in New York should be a priority. I have heard about Katharine Gibbs School and its reputation of producing excellent fashion merchandisers and models in the fashion world. Other fashion schools in New York that have the same great quality of education are: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Walden University.

The fashion industry can be a real interesting career to pursue. But it does take more than just what one wants in her heart to truly reach the top. Going to the best schools will give you an edge over the others.

Our Family Vacation Plan

On August 2005, hubby and I went out of town, to the province of Cebu. It was a planned vacation. But during that time we opted to leave our three month old son with my folks so that we can recharge and get the much needed break after all we knew we deserved it.

I would say that even as we really missed our son, for it was the first time we ever left him that long. We were away for three days. We knew these are just one of the things a couple needs to do once in a while. Sometimes the overwhelming tasks of keeping house and taking care of your little one and even for the man to provide everything can eat up the parents. Moments like these are even encouraged from time to time to be able to recharge and have a getaway, making way for a marital bonding that will be foundational for a healthy family.

Right now, the feasibility of having the same getaway vacation is not possible in any near future. But even that is true, we are hopeful to be able to go some place, this time we will sure tag our son along. He is now capable of appreciating things around him and he is even extra articulate on how he describes things. We hope to do this before he starts schooling next year.

We are now looking into choices of Hotel Reservations. Just as the last time we booked for that vacation we had in 2005, we hope to get a good hotel accommodation, with a kitchenette facility. That would be the ideal even with a toddler around. We are also considering a resort.

Browsing through the online site of Hotel Reservations, it was just great to learn about their rebate promotion. They have such unbelievable competitive rates. Check this out: Get $20 with a 3 Night Booking, Get $30 with a 5 Night Booking, Get $50 with an 8 Night Booking, Get $75 with a 10 Night Booking, Get $100 with a 12 Night Booking. Those are for the $100 rebate coupon. Such a steal.

Although we are not certain yet, but definitely this will all be properly planned out after all the major events hubby has got to accomplish in the ministry. There is still the summer youth camp he is directing and the church location moving that we need to do. Both of which are scheduled on April. He is really very busy now, but he said he is looking forward to this much deserved vacation for our family. It will also be a perfect time for me to unwind after I take the board on April too, regardless of the board exam’s result.

Guard and Protect

There are many things that we sure have no control in our family. But there are just things that we can do and get ourselves ready for. Threats from just about anywhere are enough to give us the creeps and keep us in paranoia. It is wisest to be on guard for your sake and your family’s. For one, we can never be too sure of anything around anymore. Take for instance the identity theft crimes that are in the papers and in the news every single day. How sure are we really that we will not be one of the victims?

LifeLock guarantees the good name that our family has. The $1,000,000.00 guarantee they offer their covered member is just about enough reason for anyone to consider getting into the program. They probably have the most advanced identity protection system around. This will prove to be invaluable for people who would consider getting covered. LifeLock gives such great offers. Imagine, to get an adult covered, he only has to pay $9.00 per month, under their current LifeLock promotional code. And only 2.25 per month for kids. A small price to pay for such a guarantee, I know you all would agree. Check out LifeLock.com for more details.

Mobile Blogging Again

Dear son and I tagged along as hubby did his ministry rounds in Makati. I know what you might be thinking...Not on a Friday. Traffic is at its worse during this time of the week.

As usual, hubby is racing his way through traffic leaving all the slow poke drivers behind. If there is anything, he can drive like a mad man. A strong contrast to the mild mannered man that he is. My adorable son is sitting up front with his father, while I am sitting pretty in the backseat typing away from my mobile phone. We did not bring our laptop, that is why I am settling do blogging this way, which is cool, except for the fact that I cannot use punctuation marks. For some reason, this feature that transfers from mobile to my blogger account does not recognize punctuation marks. The last time I used them, the words went garbled.

Dear hubby went to one of the schools he has been working out for the youth camp he is organizing and directing. Afterwhich we proceeded to visit a family who attends our local church who happens to live a couple of blocks away from the school. The mother in that family just had a cataract operation last month and only had great testimonies to share how the Lord has blessed and healed her. They served us yummy Halo-Halo, they really insisted despite our telling them not to bother. Our son played with the kids around their house. From there we went to Glorietta and had our dinner at CUCINA located in G4. Watch out for another Resto Review that I will soon be doing in my ReviewsCorner.blogspot.com page.

We are now about ten kilometers towards home. We have just passed by Eastwood. This really is such a fine way to kill the unproductive time driving home brings, that is if you are not the one driving. This gives me the distraction that I need. I can get really stressed the way hubby drives. I swear I am not exaggerating! One proof to tell you how fast he drives, our son just said a couple of minutes ago, Excuse me cars, just when his father raced through.

Protecting Your Family's Name

If you have a family like mine, one of the most important things you would be concerned about is protecting your family’s name and income. One can only imagine the devastation of getting his identity stolen and losing everything that his family is suppose to have. But the truth of the matter is, in this day and age, events like this as sad as they are, are already happening.

If you have not heard yet, LifeLock is the number one program in the United States that is designed to protect one’s identity. LifeLock Promo Code allows for you to receive unbelievable discounts that they have available. There really is everything to gain and nothing to lose. This LifeLock Promotion Code will get you to reach the best services from the most adavanced, safest and easiest to use identity protection system around.

Life Lock Promo code’s discount offer will not just guarantee your good name but will also give your family the security they deserve. Times have really gone techie and criminals have gone long and wide to get through other people’s identities and steal them to get hold of their possessions. LifeLock is such a great way to ensure our family’s future and security.

GTKY Tag

Thanks Joy for this tag. I appreciate you sis! :-)
************

Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation?

- A banker turned full time pastor's wife. I am currently a work from home mom, happily juggling her role as a wife, mother, learner (I am soon to take the board).

2. What color are your socks right now?

- From where I am at, it is impractical and just uncomfortable to wear socks.

3. What are you listening to right now?
- The sound of the keyboards tapping from the laptop and the desktop. Me and hubby are a blogging couple.

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
- Chocolate cake.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
- Oh yes! I prefer it over automatic. It gives me the freedom to speed up whenever I want.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
- Pink!

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
- I haven't been on the phone for quite a while now.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
- Oh yes! I figured she could really be a great friend. :-)

9. Favorite drink?
- Pandan Juice from Oody's and Green Tea

10. What is your favorite sport to watch?
- Superbowl with hubby. (It has to be with him)

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
- Yup, on a regular basis. But that was before I got pregnant with my son.

12. Dog named
- Pogi and Cutie

13. Favorite food?
- Japanese and Persian Cuisine

14. Last movie you watched?
- Enchanted

15. Favorite Day of the year?
- Our wedding anniversary

16. What do you do to vent anger?
- Get really angry and rant.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child?
- My stationery collection.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring?
- Spring.

19. Hugs or kisses?
- Lots of kisses.

20. What kind of pie?
- Pizza.

21. Do you want your friends to email you back?
- Oh yes. Who doesn't?

22. Who is most likely to respond?
- Ellaine, PinayMama, Pinay Mommy, Bregie

23. Who is least likely to respond?
- I'm not really sure.

24. Living arrangements?
- With hubby and son.

25. When was the last time you cried?
- I forgot already.

26. What is on the floor of your closet?
- DVDs

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to?
- Jeff

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to?
- PinayMama

29. Favorite smell?
- Light Blue, Lucky You

30. What inspires you?
- My loved ones.

31. What are you afraid of?
- Bugs of all shapes and sizes

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
- Cheesy.

33. Favorite car?
- Mini Couper.

34. Favorite cat breed?
- Persian.

35. Number of keys on your key ring?
- Lots.

36. How many years at your current job?
- 6 years.

37. Favorite day of the week?
- Monday.

38. How many provinces have you lived in?
- Have always been in the city.

39. How many countries have you been to?
- Just my homeland.

May I know you...

|Jeff|Kuya Jessie|Ellaine|Hailey|PinayMommy|Mhel|

|Delish|Bregie|Elay|Kengkay|Mhel|Korky|Melai|Noemi|

The Day with My Valentine

The day started off on the wrong foot. I did not think it will all end so well. Am I so glad. Here is a shot with my hubby dearie in a local not-your-usual date place. It was spontaneous, really. No plans at all. We had so much to do. All we had in mind was to replenish our grocery stock because there was no other day that we could do the shopping. I am off to my review class again tomorrow. How I dread weekends lately.

Click here to read more of our Valentine date.

Emergency Needs

Times are unpredictable. Unsuspecting times will come whether we like it or not. It is already a given. When we find ourselves in those circumstances it is good to note that there are entities that offer payday loans. There are times that we are caught in between pay periods and our need for emergency cash cannot wait until the next pay schedule.

As bad as it may sound, but we do live in a world that is far from perfect. There will always be times that will come in unsuspectingly and leave us staring at nothing because we are left with no clue where to get our much needed resource. These days getting yourselves qualified for a cash advance loan is made easy. So if you find that you do not have that extra cash to answer for medical emergency or an unsuspecting car problem that requires immediate attention, you may want to settle for a payday loan. And if you are wise, you make sure to keep in mind to pay off the loan as soon as possible. Preferably come the next pay day – which is the very essence of the loan. It’s purpose is to help you get the resource you need and the responsibility to pay it off come pay day is yours.

Stylish Spectacles

I used to wear 750 grade glasses in grade school. It was a major blessing that my sense of sight got corrected and I am now sporting a 20/20 vision. If ever the time comes I would ever need to wear glasses again my Great Discovery: Zenni Optical will sure to come in handy. Imagine, Zenni Optical $8 Rx Glasses includes lens edge polishing and beveling with anti scratch coating. Is that a great deal or what? What’s so cool about this is they deliver internationally. Indeed the Best Thing Found: Zenni Optical.

In Case of Emergency

In an imperfect world like ours, disappointments come in all sorts and forms. Very often financial challenges come and times like such do not come easy. Although I honestly do not like the idea of living on debt, still we cannot avoid the comings of financial emergencies. I guess the key here is to manage paying off debts as soon as possible.

TrustSource.Org/payday site makes reviews available for people who are considering availing of cash advance loans. I believe as the term implies, these kind of loans are meant to be as such – payday loans. Which means they are meant to be paid come payday. Sometimes the rates of availing of a payday loan is way lighter than paying off reconnection fees for utilities.

So whether you need money because the car needs to fixed and has to be taken care of immediately or even medical emergencies, you can find sites here that will especially cater to your current need. It is fairly easy to qualify for these kind of loans and the best part is the cash you need is electronically transferred to your bank account which is so convenient. Processing of approvals are also done in no time.

Mobile Blogging!

I so love Blogger! This is my first entry via mobile and I'm giddy as a little girl who had just been given the prettiest porcelain doll! I am actually posting away via mobile now. How techie can the world get?

Of course the downside here is I don't get to set my post's alignment and no picture attachments. But I figured I could easily do the editing later. It is just interesting how careful I am now not to shortcut spell my words as I usually would when I do text messaging. This is yet the coolest thing in blogging. I so love Blogger!

I Need This Fix

One of the neat things my being an internet savvy has benefited me is the great finds that I discover over time. Like for instance, BilliardMagic. Who would have thought that it will at all be possible to play online billiard just like you are in real pool tournaments.

BilliardMagic has the best technology you will ever come across. Their graphics are superb, their 3D animation makes playing online snooker feel so real. I have always been a big fan of billiards and the convenience of playing the game online makes BilliardMagic the real deal for me.

My Dilemma

I am a wreck. I do not know how to get about to sitting down and finally going over my reviewers even for half an hour. The many hours spent sitting down during my review class doodling over hundreds of stuff. I almost feel that the lecturers were literally pumping information up inside my head and I am unconsciously refusing to budge.

We were told that we have to at least sit down and review an hour a day to to be able to make it. And I am now here not finding enough strength to get any of the loose leaves of my five pound reviewer stacked together.

Here is the picture. I am sitting inside that auditorium and all I have in mind is what to blog about and the many things that I have got in mind that I need to do. I would even get my mobile to check my mail at least every five minutes. I am definitely one distracted girl. Being the passionate person that I am, my tendency really is to focus on the object of my passion and pursue it. I can easily do multi-tasking but my concentration and all of my being is set on my passion.

Even as I share these things to my husband, I know I am in a real risk of flunking the board and that would be such a shame. But should it be that I would have that thought to motivate me to get my mind and heart on detour? I am determined to go on with the review and the exam. I will do what I can, but I just will not push myself to get serious and hit myself on the head while so doing. If ever I flunk, at least I made sure I had the people around me warned. The exam being barely two months away, I must really be in big trouble.

My Son

Any mother would understand how it feels when your ever so active toddler goes silent all too suddenly. This was the what happened yesterday morning when my ever jumpy toddler who is usually all over the place went silent. Dear husband and I got concerned. I was too sure that he was in some kind of trouble or going over things he is not supposed to play with. We then went to check what he was up to. This is what we saw. He was too preoccupied with his books and he was reading seriously. He did not even notice the fun his father and I were having just watching him like that.