Ozzy's Mom

Whose The Fairest Of Us All.

2010-11-25T14:47:00.003+08:00

While other people soak up the sun, buy tanning lotions and go to tanning salons to get that perfect tan; I hide from the sun, buy whitening lotions and drink whitening pills to lighten my skin color.

Why can't people ever be satisfied of what they have!? I guess it's why humans are imperfect. We see our flaws magnified instead of seeing the beauty that we possess. Yeah, yeah, I am all talk - for one I am very unhappy with my skin. I wish I was fairer!!! If you see pictures of me circa 2000 you probably won't recognize me. 10 years of using papaya soap has worked. :D

No - I won't post any pictures! Not even if you pay me =P

However, for those girls or ARE fair and wish to have sexy tanned skin, click here for more info on tanning lotions that are effective, safe and healthy looking indoor tan.

Goole Map Is Genius.

2010-11-25T14:24:00.004+08:00

Google Map is awesome. I am floored by how convenient it has made all our lives. I am not good with directions. I've lived in Cebu all my life and can you believe I still get lost? I think I only know 15% of Cebu's streets.

It's no wonder why I am hesitant to go to the US this December. While others scramble for a chance to go the U.S of A - I am not. It would have be a different thing if I was with family or friends. Since I am going to be alone, I have decided to stay in my Hotel all the time! BUT I have to attend mass on Sunday and that poses to a problem.

That's how I discovered how awesome google map is. I know exactly what bus to take at what time. I know approximately how many stops and how long it would take me to and from the Church. Plus!!! I can see the actual streets as if I was actually there. Not only that, if you click "search nearby" example water filter supplier and it will show you exactly all the listing with the nearest one first. Genius.

Look. Hopefully I won't get lost from the Hotel to St. Mary Cathedral. Panoramic view.

Don't you just love living in the 21st century?

I Never.

2010-11-25T10:19:00.002+08:00

I never understood the Havaiana craze or the flipflop craze. Call me maarte but flipflops aren't meant to be worn for work or for going out.

I have never eaten balut and I never will (unless of course money is involved)

I have never ever liked guys who wear so much bling.

I always talk about the best weight loss supplements but I've never tried taking one.

I will never go scuba diving.

I never dreamt of having 2 kids before the age of 30 but I had.

I have never ridden an elephant but I want to.

I never liked President Noy.

I never traveled to a different continent.

I never back out of a fight.

...but then again, I believe in never saying never.

If I Were A Boy.

2010-11-25T10:12:00.003+08:00

Ever since I developed a rash in my face (from putting on too many different products) I've stopped using my night cream and anti wrinkle cream. I've noticed my skin has become dull so I've doubled up on the toner and moisturizer. However, it's not the same without my night cream. Waking up in the mornings with a dull face does not make a great morning. So, I am again in the look out for a night cream and anti wrinkle cream in one which won't give me the skin rash like the last time. I've been reading the reviews a lot this time so I won't make the mistake of buying the wrong product. The last thing I want is some pesky side-effects. Not now where events are lined up for me. I have the trip. The wedding(s) and the great reunion ;) Being a girl is so expensive. We have all these maintenance stuff. Sometimes, I wish I were a boy.

The Countdown Begins

2010-11-25T09:34:00.002+08:00

Christmas is officially here. It's a month before Christmas and the air is getting colder.

My mom has started to put up the tree. Last year we had a pink/plum theme. This year, green =) To be honest, I am not really into christmas decors & such. Maybe in my house, I'd put some wreaths and some christmas-y candles and that's it. Since the kids seem to love the tree and lights, we put it up early and take it out late.

Since it's practically days away - I should get my gift wrapping done. If not, I should start at least. Once December rolls by I'd be pretty busy for sure.

Rustic But Chic

2010-11-22T11:55:00.004+08:00

Are you in a lookout for unique and rustic furniture? You're in luck because I found beautifully crafted furniture from Log Furniture Place. Normally, I go for modern chic pieces when choosing items for the house, however, I can't resist looking over these divine pieces which is perfect for a guest house somewhere far and away from the City. I can imagine spending our summer away living with these very nice and functional table.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a rest house in Aspen? Or A log cabin in the woods? I am sure the kids would love that.

New Laptop For Him.

2010-11-22T11:46:00.002+08:00

Hubby's laptop is 3 years old and for months now, it has been acting up. After a few hours of use, it will turn off for no reason. Maybe it's the battery? Or the adapter? All I know is that it's hurting our webcam time. If I had lots of money I would have considered giving him a brand new laptop for his birthday or even Christmas, but since I am not an OFW - he would just have to be content with my gift. A new adapter and power cord. Well, that was his call. He told me that his laptop needed it so I bought it for him. ^__^ No worries Chi, next year I vow to work harder in my sideline and maybe score some hot deals on laptops or other gadgets on Black Friday Sales.

Mondays'

2010-11-22T10:22:00.003+08:00

I dislike Mondays because it is a busy day - work wise. Other than that, it's fine. There are good shows on a Monday night like Accidentally On Purpose and How I Met Your Mother. Right now, I am hooked on The Walking Dead. Unlike other zombie flicks, this one has a core story which I genuinely like. I am on my 3rd episode and I can't wait to watch it tonight. Speaking of Mondays, forget Black Friday Sales, I saw that in buy.com there are Cyber Monday deals especially on gadgets, electronics, jewelry and books! Their all drool worthy. I found this women's watch which I love. I hope to score some deals with my sideline money. ;) Monday's isn't that bad after all.

Sunday Stealing: Questions a la Randomness, A Meme

2010-11-22T09:39:00.002+08:00

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing. Sunday Stealing originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. Let's go!

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Kimmy from the blog The Smug Cloud. She doesn't state where it came from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all of us thieves!

What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
::: Vitamins :::

How late did you stay up last night and why?
::: I stayed up till 2AM to watch The Walking Dead, I ended up sleeping about 3 because I was freaked out. :::

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
::: Norway because Hubby is there. :::

Have you ever been kissed under fireworks?
::: No but It would be nice to. :::

Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
::: Not really. Better just stay civil but not friends. Too many complications along the way. :::

When was the last time you cried really hard?
::: A few days ago. I was stressed and I just wanted to let it out so I cried. :::

What items could you not go without during the day?
::: My phone :::

Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
::: My friend who had Dengue. :::

How do you feel about your life right now?
::: Stressed but blessed. :::

If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find?
::: Information on our surprise bridal shower for a friend. :::

Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
::: With flying colors. :::

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
::: No ;((. :::

Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m.: who do you want it to be?
::: Definitely not the walking dead!!!! Creeeeepy. I guess I wish it was Hubby who came home to surprise us. :::

Do you think too much or too little?
::: Stressed but blessed. :::

Do you believe in fairy tales?
::: I don't. :::

Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work?
::: No! That's crazy that will only make it worse. :::

What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated?
::: 2 years older. :::

Have you ever been on a blind date?
::: Yeah. :::

Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more?
::: Yes I have! Some are not here in the PI anymore but we still keep in touch. :::

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?
::: Eww no. Creepy. :::

What song do you want played at your funeral?
::: Gone too soon. :::

Would you tell your parents if you were gay?
::: Yes I will, I don't think I can hide it. I have this feeling I'd be a flamboyant gay if I were one. :::

What would your last meal be before getting executed?
::: Pasta. :::

Do you walk around the house naked?
::: No. :::

What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?
::: Take off my shoes and put my bag down. :::

Who is the person you can count on the most?
::: Dad. :::

What is your favorite Holiday?
::: Christmas. :::

Would you ever get plastic surgery?
::: Yeah maybe lipo or something that can take the bulges. :::

Have you ever caught a fish?
::: No. :::

What is the first thing you notice about people?
::: The way they dress. :::

What is the farthest you’ve been from home?
::: 2000++ km from home. We went to Singapore. :::

How did you meet your spouse or significant other (or most recent one)?
::: I met my spouse in college. :::

Where was the last place you drove (other than home/school/work)?
::: I went to have my wax appointment. :::

1st Timer.

2010-11-22T09:07:00.004+08:00

Speaking of gadgets, my brother asked me to check out deals for PS3 Move while I am in the US. He figured it will be much cheaper if I can buy it there than here in the PI. I didn't promise that I can do it, after all I will be in the US for only a week and that is for an expo. Plus, it will be my first time to the US so I don't think I'd be gutsy enough to go around on my own. My days will be filled with seminars and classes. I will be lucky if I find someone who will gladly show me the way around town, if not I'd be staying in the hotel most of the time. I am bad at directions and as early as now, I am familiarizing myself with the places and the names of the streets around Austin. My newly acquired iTouch is a great help. It has currency converter app and maps. I can easily check for directions and even bus schedule! I am scared for the trip and excited as well. I just wish I can go around the City. Wish me luck!

Missed It.

2010-11-22T08:31:00.002+08:00

Super sad.

Just put down the phone & canceled our weekend reservation from Shang. I was REALLY3x looking forward to that trip with Hubby but due to conflicting schedule I had to cancel it. ='( I'm trying to think positive. After all, I started this year not expecting anything - and here I am, weeks away from going to the US. Even if it is only for a week, I am happy to have gotten a VISA. I only have about a month and a half to prepare for this trip and everything so far is going smoothly. I have not hit any snags which is a good sign. Sadly, I would be a few days late from the Black Friday Sales!!! ;( It's fine though, I don't have money to shop! LOL

Still, would it have been fun if I did? I'd be going to an outlet store and I will go crazy for bargain bags, shoes and kids clothing! Who knows??? I can score cool gadgets, like the iPhone4 as well. It's great to dream.

Friday Fill-Ins#200

2010-11-19T17:22:00.002+08:00

So...here we go!

1. Why does bad things happen to good people?

2. On the tip of my fingers, that's how I see the world.

3. Thank you for not littering.

4. Christmas of course is my favorite holiday because it gives me this warm feeling, like I am a kid again, this time I am the one giving gifts which is surprisingly very fun as well.

5. I am SO screwed if I don't finish this report on time.

6. Ideas make up our minds to be.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing PVZ, tomorrow my plans include cleaning my room, going to give out old clothes and shop for gifts and Sunday, I want to _hear mass, have lunch with my family and get my 2nd shot of cervical vaccine!

Almost There

2010-11-16T10:26:00.002+08:00

22 more nights without Hubby.

I can't wait to see him.
I can't wait to go on dates.
PLUS I can't wait to have someone help with the kids!

It's been a stressful month for me. I have a lot on my mind, on my to-do list and to top it off - I've caught a stomach bug that made me sick for days. Food is so unappetizing. I must have lost 5 pounds without even trying. Might as well throw out those diet pills. I won't be needing them anymore. There was one day where I didn't eat any lunch and dinner. It was that bad. However, that being said, I didn't even have any rest day. Today is a Holiday and I am working. Plus, being a Mother is a 24/7 job. No rest days. I don't know how some mothers do it. They have 3 or more kids under the age of 5...that's exhausting for sure. I only have 2 plus I have a nanny but it's very tiring still. There should be a National Holidays for Moms. No work for a day. That's would be perfect.

Manic Monday #226

2010-11-16T10:15:00.002+08:00

What is your favorite, can't-do-without beauty product?

My mineral makeup powder. ;) Give me fresh look every time.

Have you ever colored your hair? What do you think about men coloring their hair and/or facial hair?

Yes. My hair is colored. Too much actually that they're dying on me. Men who color? I don't mind that. It's the comb-over that bothers me.

What is your favorite outfit that you own? What makes it so special to you?

This black jumpsuit. I like it because it's versatile, I can wear it as a tube top or with a jacket. It's light and perfect for traveling. I wore this when I had my interview for my VISA. Needless to say, I got approved. ;)

Wide Wide Web

2010-11-16T09:44:00.004+08:00

A good friend of mine has just started blogging. She hopes to get more readers so that in time her blog can have enough traffic to be accepted by advertisers. I offered her the link to some of the best web hosting services. As we know, a good, reliable host is vital to a site. I told her to read the users reviews first before making a decision on what to get. While there are a lot of hosting services out there, they may not be the one you need. Getting the right fit will save you resources. I, myself, need to read up on hosting reviews too because I want to upgrade my blog's hosting service. However, that would have to wait until mine hosting service would expire - which would be middle of next year. I've been blogging for about 3 years already, but I have still so much to learn. That's why for web hosting industry news, latest trends in web development, reviews of the best web hosting providers, domain names, web security and blogging software I go to web hosting hub. They are a lifeline to bloggers and aspiring bloggers out there. I've been reading about it, and they can easily set me up with the blog hosting package even with an existing blog! I am not a techie so I would need all the help I can get at a jaw dropping price. It's just pennies a day. Amazing. So, if you are planning to make your mark in the wide wide web, start by visiting webhostingfan. Read up, start learning the ins and out of owning a site. My next venture? An online store! I've always dreamed of having my own retail store, as of now it's just a dream but I know soon enough it will be a reality if I work hard for it.

Bevy of Girls

2010-11-16T09:38:00.003+08:00

Ozzy attended his classmate, Cheska's 4th birthday at Jollibee last Sunday. It was fun for the kids. Especially so because Joshua is very comfortable with the kids there unlike other parties he has attended.

He even participated in the games! I am so proud of my big brother, he's becoming more and more sociable each day. School has helped so much. He doesn't mind to be surrounded by a bevy of girls.;)

More Shopping.

2010-11-12T09:46:00.002+08:00

Thank God for barcode scanners! While doing my Christmas shopping, I was shocked to know the total amount of my purchases, a few scans from the barcode scanner later, my total billed amount was down 25%. Whew. Lesson learned, we must always check our purchases and receipt when we buy. Especially this time when we usually get multiple items. It is easy to overlook a few items this way. This weekend I hope to finish my shopping because I am going to be busy in a couple of weeks. If everything will go smoothly, I am set to fly to the US for a convention. While the thought scares me, I am really excited deep down. Rarely will I have the opportunity to fly out and have an all expense paid trip. Plus, I get to learn from the expo. ^_^ I wonder if there are outlet stores in Austin?

Items I Love

2010-11-12T09:09:00.005+08:00

When we have our own house, I'd like it to be minimalist with a twist. While I do like to use whites and browns as my basic color, it would be fun to add a splash of color here and there. Knowing what I know now, it is wise to invest in multi-functional pieces that still resembles modern furniture. I love love this 3 pc nesting table.
You can sit on them and use them as a table. Plus, it looks ultra modern.

Another item I love? Stool Boxes. I went gaga last weekend at SM when I found these adorable Storage Stool Box. They come in lively colors that can brighten a room at the same time store all the clutter. As an added bonus, you can sit on these storage boxes. They are fold-able so it is a great gift idea for Christmas as well. Durable and multi-functional just the way I like things especially in a small space like our room.

I am 85% done with my Christmas shopping. I hope to score more stool boxes this weekend, how's your shopping coming up?

Friday Fill-Ins#199

2010-11-12T08:47:00.002+08:00

So...here we go!

1. When pigs fly it will be harder to catch them and roast them.

2. My VISA was approved??? seriously?!

3. Call me when you have the information.

4. I want to have a facial if you know what I mean. ;D

5. The most entertaining person in my life are the kids because they bring laughter and joy to our house every single day.

6. I'm done with my cervical vaccine shot, who's next?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to playing PVZ in my iTouch, tomorrow my plans include car wash, grocery and gift shopping and Sunday, I want to hear mass and hopefully finish shopping!

Today's Forecast

2010-11-11T09:22:00.004+08:00

I don't believe in Horoscopes.

However, lately, they are eerily true. Is this a sign that I should go ahead with my travel plans?

Shopping List.

2010-11-05T11:52:00.002+08:00

My son love love love's (is addicted actually) to dinosaurs. So, for this Christmas - I am definitely buying him books, clothes and toys in dino theme. Also, I've been looking for a blu ray DVD copy of the movie Ice Age 3, Disney's Dinosaurs and Finding Nemo. I wonder if I can score some at a reasonable price? Since my 4 year old also enjoys Ben 10, I heard Ben 10: Alien Swarm is out in blu ray copy so, got to check that out as well.

Ahhh. Christmas is in the air. Shopping, shopping and more shopping.

Next - shopping for my baby. The baby loves to walk around already. Maybe new shoes? OR a toy car where he can ride on! I bet he'll love that. Hubby and I were talking about buying them an outdoor slide set. A bit pricey but a definite winner in the kids eyes.

Plants Vs. Zombies Endless

2010-11-05T11:06:00.004+08:00

..you know you're addicted when you start to dream of plants, strategies and zombies.

It's even worse when you start google-ing for screenshots of how others do it. Like this guy who survived 1000 flags with this setup.

I survived for 31 flags. I was pretty happy with my setup. Until Ozzy decided to click "new game" just like that when I wasn't looking.

Ahuhuhu.

Back to Flag #1. I was actually busy looking for affordable Disney vacations for me and the whole family for next year. However, I cannot seem to concentrate even with all the promos their having all because of PVZ. Ack. This game is seriously addicting. I really want to stop....but not for now...;D

Another Accident.

2010-11-05T10:41:00.003+08:00

Another employee just had an accident ;(

A few months back, this accident happened. Our employee had to undergo brain surgery. He is still recuperating now. I am still thankful that he is alive.

Yesterday, our office accountant and his fiance figured in a motorcycle accident. Apart from bruises and scrapes, nothing major happened. Again, thank GOD! I've always been against motorcycles. They are dangerous. Some irresponsible drivers weave in and out of traffic like their indestructible. Plus, they don't even have the proper head gear!

Only in the Philippines can you see THIS! Ack.

Kids. This isn't the way to do it!

No Excuse Not To.

2010-11-05T10:29:00.004+08:00

Why is it a good idea to invest in gold bullion? Let me count the ways:

US Gold Bureau makes it easy to purchase, transfer and store precious metals and coins.
Coins and bullion's come in convenient shapes and size (affordable too!).
Prices can range from US28.00 - US46,000.00 depending on what you can afford. So you cannot really say you can't afford to invest in one or many.
Precious metals protect your wealth. They don't depreciate in value. As the site says, "it is more stable than paper currency. More valuable over time."
Or if you want silver is a great investment too - right now, where hoard is gone, prices are low.
You can never go wrong in them!

More details in their site. Check it out.

6 Steps to Take ‘Guerilla’ Photos of your Children

2010-11-05T10:20:00.002+08:00

I love the site www.digital-photography-school.com because they have very helpful tips to photographers, newbie, professional or just people like me who's a wannabe-photog.^__^

If you have a kid(s) and love taking their pictures, these steps is a great help.

by: A Guest Post by David Moore from Clearing the Vision.

Organizing a formal photo shoot of your kids with a good location, nice clothes and the right light can produce lovely images. But it’s often the more casual opportunities that allow you to capture your children as they really are, doing the things they really do.

It can be the difference between getting a good photograph of a child who happens to be yours, and a good photograph of your child – if that’s not too confusing.

This guerilla approach to children’s photography isn’t really candid (they’ll almost certainly know you’re taking pictures) and can be more challenging technically (indifferent light, more complicated backgrounds), but it’s also very rewarding. I shoot children’s portraits professionally, but most of my favourite pictures of my own daughter have come from keeping a camera handy and looking for shots while she was doing her everyday things.

Here are some tips to get the most out your guerilla operations:

1. Prepare your gear

Keep your camera in an easy to reach spot in the living room (or other target-rich environment). Make sure the batteries are charged, there’s room on the memory card and that your settings are appropriate for shooting portraits indoors.

For me, that means increasing the ISO and using a wide aperture (f/3.2 or lower) so I can get a fast shutter speed (1/100s or more if I can manage it), and some nice background blur. Some cameras have a Portrait Mode that does much of the same thing. I prefer not to use a flash, preferring a natural approach.

I tend to use prime lenses, so I’ll make sure my 50mm or 85mm lens is on the camera (I shoot full-frame, if you’re using a cropped sensor DSLR then the equivalents would be something like 28mm and 50mm). A longer lens, if it’s fast enough, would give you more options to shoot from further away. One last small thing is to switch off the auto-focus beep: your kids will still know you’re there, but you won’t be so intrusive

2. Get down to their level

It’s tempting to shoot from your normal standing position, but most of the time, that just yields images that look like your normal view of the kids. Getting down to their level involves you in their world more immediately, making the viewer of the photograph seem more like they’re actually a part of what’s going on, rather than just an observer of it.

3. Light the eyes

Getting attractive catchlights – the reflections of light in the subject’s eyes that seems to make them sparkle – can be the difference between a good photograph and a great one. You can tweak things in Photoshop later, but you want to get it right in the camera, right?

The rule of thumb is to position yourself so that your subject is in shade, looking towards the light. You don’t have to be directly between the subject and the light source, so long as you can see the light reflected in their eyes. Windows are the most obvious light source, but TVs can also work if the room is dark enough (and kids are often held in rapt attention by the latest Dora or Elmo episode, so they won’t be bothered by you).

4. Watch your backgrounds

Trying to capture shots of often fast-moving kids indoors means you’ll have to be careful about what’s happening behind your subjects. Visual clutter in the background will detract from the picture.

Shooting wide open will blur as much of the background as possible (but watch for such a narrow depth of field that your child’s nose is in focus, but their eyes aren’t). Looking for clean backgrounds – a solid block of a wall, or getting in tight so you only show the plain-coloured couch, for example – will also help.

Sometimes some creative cropping after the fact can make a big difference.

5. Shoot the scene, not just the face

Great kids’ portraits often feature only the face, but sometimes capturing a wider scene can be just as valuable – showing the toys they’re playing with, or the pet they’re snuggled up with.

Another option is to show just a small detail that illustrates something about the child’s activities – a paint-covered hand, or the soccer cleats abandoned by the door, for example.

6. Bring the camera along

As well as capturing images at home, grab the camera if you’re heading out somewhere, even if it’s nowhere special. Parks and playgrounds are always fun places to shoot in, and you never know what you might shots you might get on an after-dinner walk one night.