Pinoy Mom At Work

My Writing Experience with Essays.ph

2012-10-14T18:16:00.001-07:00

I used to work as an editor/writer for a BPO company. The pay was good but the amount of time that I spent working basically ate up most of the time that I spent with my loved ones. Don't get me wrong because I loved every minute of it since I was what one would call a “workaholic”. Add this to the fact that my colleagues also spent the same number of working hours at the office that we became a close-knit family. Soon enough, I got married and we started a family. This was when I started to see things in a different perspective and finally decided that it’s about time that I begin my new career as a wife and a mom. The salary would definitely not be comparable to the one I received while I was employed but I was sure that I was making the right decision.

I now have a home-based baking business that keep me busy whenever my son is away at school. The sad part of my business is that there are certain months of the year that you hardly get big orders, which makes me want to look for another outlet that would keep me busy. This was when I decided to go back to writing but this time around I wanted to be a freelance writer. There are a couple of online “middle-men” or companies that provide writers with possible work projects but it may be a bit hard to break through the initial barriers, particularly if you are up against other more experienced freelance writers who do not care a whit if they charge lower than the existing rate as long as they are able to cinch a project.

Many online writing jobs are available but one does have to worry whether it is a scam or legit. I have had my fair share of scam work and I’ve learned that for one to avoid getting scammed, one should take their time to review the website that offers the online work. Visiting forums is one terrific way to get an idea if the company is legit or not.

After browsing around several websites and discussion forums, I was definitely glad to have encountered Essays.ph. They do require the writer to submit an application form and even a test write-up to check if the applicant has the capability to produce articles that are up to par with their standards. You also have the option of working on a full- or part-time basis.

I was still a bit hesitant to work with them since there have been several discussion forums claiming that this is just one of those online writing scam sites, but it wasn’t enough to deter me and I had the gut feeling that this was definitely worth a try.

I was so relieved that Essays.ph is definitely not a scam company. Writing projects are available 24/7 and they have updated their site to make it easier for writers to claim writing projects. The amount you earn actually depends on how many articles you’ve written. Payment for finished articles is provided through several payment options and you can even request payment transfer on a daily basis.

If you love to write and think that freelance writing is your cup of tea, why not try to sign up with Essays.ph so you can earn while doing what you love in the comfort of your home.

Hidden and Buried Feelings

2012-06-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

"Speak your mind, don't keep it all bottled up inside," is an age-old solicited and unsolicited advice that I get from family and friends. "Ignore it and it will soon pass," is another advice that is conveniently passed around, whether you like it or not.

Both are sound advice but then when is it time to follow one advice and not the other? What if you reach your saturation point, what happens after? Do you really let it all simmer up inside you until you can't hold it in any longer?

As a mom, a wife, a daughter, a relative, and a friend, one is burdened with the task of trying to listen to other people while I try to make things work, smile and nod at the right time and say the right thing at the right moment. You ask me if everything is okay, I answer back with a resounding YES. Little do you know, however, that I am starting to harbor resentment, doubt, and even hurt deep inside because I am starting to feel like a person whose feelings are often times overlooked.

I am a person who has her own thoughts, feelings, and desires ------and I want these to be fulfilled too. I try not to think too much about myself instead I try to focus on the positive side of life, but then there is a question that begs an answer, "what if????"

Graduates and Graduations

2012-04-24T10:49:00.001-07:00

Time flies so fast. Wasn't it just a few months ago that I hesitantly enrolled my son in Kindergarten school? Now he has just graduated from Preparatory school last March. In fact, we are proud parents of a 5-year-old little boy, who simply breezed through the Preparatory level just like he was playing with his toy cars.

There were the usual tantrums and fights between him and his classmates but these were the little kiddie fights that lasted only a minute or so and was easily mended by a "I'm sorry" from either of the parties involved. From a little boy who barely knew his letters and numbers, he can now read fast and even add and subtract numbers. He would have a go at us saying words in Mandarin and get frustrated whenever we mispronounce our words. He loves to befriend anybody he comes in contact with, is such a curious kid, and does not feel intimidated by large groups of people (he has consistently won an award for speech contests in their school).

Now he is ready for the "big" boy school. This coming school year, he will be in Grade 1. I keep reminding him that he should act and behave as a "big" boy does, and he, for his part, keeps promising that he will act and behave as is appropriate for a "big" boy.

Excitement and pride filled our hearts as we attended the school's culminating activity. I had to fight back tears (of joy) as I watched my son and his classmates perform on stage for the last time as Preparatory students. We would miss one of his teachers who had to move on to another school. She really helped us (parents) and our kids enjoy the learning process while at the same time enjoying and reveling in the fact that they were kids.

We won't know until the school season begins whether my son will have the same or a different set of classmates, but one thing is for sure, as long as we give enough time and attention to our little one, he shall always look forward to the task at hand and be proud of his accomplishments.

Hats off to you and the rest of the graduates for 2010-2011!!!

New Acquaintances and Friendships - or so we thought

2011-07-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since my last posting on this blog, not that I am too lazy to write, mind you, but because I have had my hands full with my son's school activities, my baking business, and of course, being a wife to my beloved husband.

A lot has happened and recent events have made me want to write my heart out on this blog. Too often we hear the saying, "Trying to find a good friend is like trying to find a needle in a haystack." Personally, I think finding a needle in a haystack is much easier than finding friends that you can keep.

The time came that we met a new set of friends. Between me and my husband (hubby from now on), hubby was the one who was able to spend more time with them. Before I go on with my blog, let me tell you that hubby and myself included are the sort of people who tend to care deeply for friends so much so that we treat them as family. Malice and jealousy walks right out the door while happiness and joy enters the room when we begin to care deeply about another person .

Back to my story. As I've said, hubby had the chance to spend more time with them, a couple of ladies (all married, mind you) who sought his advice about car maintenance and fix-ups. Being the gentleman that he is, hubby helped them and actually enjoyed their company since he only gets to come home twice a week. Everything was nice and happy, we were one big happy group that included sons and daughters, husbands and wives. Little did we know that all of this was about to change.

I received a disturbing text from hubby that the ladies suddenly decided to ignore him with no explanation whatsoever. Needless to say, hubby was deeply hurt since he was starting to care deeply for our new set of friends. He tried his best to understand what was going on but we were both clueless, that is until yesterday morning.

He had a group discussion with all the ladies present and was indeed surprised when they told him why he was being ostracized by the group --- one lady in particular thought that hubby was falling in love with her. As the discussion progressed, one lady slipped and gave the hint that the lady in question was actually falling in love with hubby. Surprised was too mild a word for how hubby felt when he was informed about this fact. Here he was hurting inside because he was being ostracized by people he thought were his friends, when all along they just took the lady's side of the story. A simple sentence of, "I am beginning to love you" was definitely misconstrued since hubby actually meant, "I am beginning to love all of you as a friend." She was falling in love with hubby while hubby had only friendship in mind.

For my part, I too was hurting because I know my hubby well and the truth was a far cry from what they believed. The sad part was the other ladies were condoning what they were seeing just so their group would not break up because they were having a lot of fun. Yeah right! What kind of friends are these that condone actions no matter if they would end up hurting other people?

We finally had a good, long, and thorough discussion, and decided that we would just go with the flow. We lived and was happy before they came into our lives, so why should we be bothered and sad just because they showed their true colors.

I guess the sadness in me is due to the fact that it really is hard to find a new true friend. Hit or miss is the best way to describe this. I hate the fact that my hubby made me promise to pretend that I knew nothing about the situation and that I should continue to join these ladies should they invite me. I made it clear to hubby that I was in no way interested in joining them, in fact, their initial attempts to include me in the group made me feel like a stranger. I have had previous experiences in joining a group of people and from experience, I get the feeling that I am really not that welcome. I hate the fact that I don't get to defend hubby because the gentleman in him allowed these ladies to continue with their false presumptions.

It pains me that the man I love is wronged and there is nothing I can do about it......or is there????

A Time To Reminisce

2010-12-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

It has been some time since I last wrote on my personal blog and this is all because of becoming busy the past few months with my baking business. The orders have begun to pile up that there have been instances where I decided to decline a few orders while accepting more than one order for a particular day especially if the person making the order is a close family friend or relative.

Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought that what once was a dream would become a reality -- baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes. The year 2010 is now nearing its end but I already have confirmed orders for the year 2011 and God willing my business will continue to prosper.

Every now and then I also get a request from former clients to write an article or two, but thankfully they understand me when I inform them that the submission of the article might be delayed in a day or so just because I received a big cake or cupcake order for that week.

I have learned a lot since I started my home baking business last February 2010 -- whew! It feels like I've been in the business way more than that. Becoming a member of the Filipina Homebakers Online has also helped me a lot when it comes to my homebaking concerns. Not only do they offer advice but they also provide you with a camaraderie that you never thought would be possible among competitors. Healthy competition is the name of the game -- so healthy in fact that we never hesitate to recommend a fellow homebaker in case the client resides in a location that is nearer to a fellow homebaker or in cases that the baking schedule is full.

I am also thankful that despite my having a busy baking schedule I still get time to spend with my precocious 4-year-old son and be an active participant in his studies and school activities.

There are a number of reasons why I am so thankful for the year 2010 and the best is yet to come :)
Having my cake and eating it is really the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

The First Examination

2010-08-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the school year where the teachers test their students' knowledge and if they were able to absorb any of the stuff that is being taught. This is also the case with my 4-year-old who is currently enrolled in kindergarten class.

The examinations have been announced way ahead of the schedule date, approximately 2 weeks before, but I am still busy making a few reviewers for my son to study at home before he takes his examinations. Unlike other mothers, I have opted to let my little angel enjoy his early school years, thus we make his review session similar to play time. He actually calls it "work" since he gets to sit properly on a chair and write on a table that is specifically made for children's use. So instead of saying, "Mommy I want to study," he would say, "Mommy let's work."

It always makes me smile the way he views homework and his study sessions as an exciting part of his daily routine. I was once worried if his interest would not wane once he started attending classes, but now I know that I really had no cause for worry because he is learning and loving every minute of it.

I am so looking forward to the results of his first periodical exams :) Here's keeping my fingers crossed.

When The School Bell Rings

2010-07-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I last posted on my blog because my four-year-old son has just started to attend kindergarten class. It's his first time to spend a few hours away from home and from my supervision. This might be why until now, even after 4 weeks have passed, I am still having butterflies in my stomach whenever I bring him to or fetch him from school.

I know that school is just another form of society that our children needs to adapt to and cope with, but I also understand the feeling of maternal protectiveness when you see him or her trying their best to make friends with other children their age, only to have their efforts snubbed.

You don't know how appalled I was to see that a 5-year-old sweet looking little girl could have the nastiest trait when it comes to making friends. It broke my heart to see my son trying to befriend her only to have her answer back with a self-important retort. You could just imagine how I wanted to scold the little prima donna for her bad attitude, but then her grandma was with her and she was no better. I had to settle with trying to assure my son that everything was okay; that it was not his fault that he wanted to be friends with everybody; or that he loved to hug people even if he hasn't met them before.

That little incident did not bode well for my son's behavior. He suddenly did not want to be left at school. He wanted me to sit outside his classroom even though the classroom door remains closed during class hours. Now, each and every time I bring my son to school, I make it a point to be there just in time when the school bell rings so he would not have time to "socialize" outside the classroom -- I may not be able to control myself when a similar thing occurs again.

I know that children have to learn the hard lessons in life but the way I see it, we should be there to help soften the hard blows. I just keep telling myself that in a few years, in case the prima donna doesn't transfer to another school, my son would be ignoring her and others like her because he is more equipped in dealing with that type of situation. I have to think like that otherwise I might not bring my son to school again.

English Tutorials Anyone?

2010-05-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

I've had a very exhilarating day yesterday. The day began quite normal, for me, except for the fact that I had to be online before 10 in the morning to prepare for an online training via Skype. A friend told me that there was a company in the Philippines who offered English tutorials online via Skype to Japanese nationalities who were interested in learning the English language.

So I visited their website, filled-up the application form and waited for them to call me. I was mildly surprised when after 2 days the "call" came. I was interviewed for 8 minutes after which they scheduled my training session.

The training session was fun. It did last for 2 hours but it was really fun. My trainer was quite easy to talk to, which made me feel more at ease about what I was trying to learn. I was then told that the result of the training session, whether passed or failed, would be sent via email on or before 10 in the evening.

I felt excited and nervous about the possible result. Soon enough night time came and lo and behold there was an email before 10 pm! I PASSED! I couldn't believe it! After all this was my first try at a tutoring position -- hmmm there is hope for me after all.

Now all I have to do is to send, via email, the necessary documents, review the teaching modules, open a bank account for the salary depository, and I can begin my stint as an online tutor! Life is good!

In case you live in the Philippines and would love to do some online tutoring, I encourage you to try and have a go at it, here's the address http://www.rarejobs.com

The Secret That Should Be Shared

2010-05-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

It's been quite sometime since I last wrote here. I've been kinda busy with my home baking business but now I have some free time on my hand to sit down and write about what else I have been busy with.

Baking and cake decorating is fun but it can also be awfully tiring particularly if you don't have an extra pair of hands to help you, and the extreme hot weather condition doesn't do anything to help assuage the tiredness.

Now about the other "thing" that I've been busy with -- I've also been listening to an audio book of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I've always been fond of self-help books and The Secret is one book that I highly recommend to everyone.

It takes the idea of positive thinking and the law of attraction to a whole new level. Admittedly, I haven't finished listening to the whole audio book but from what I have already heard, I have also already benefited.

There is a portion of The Secret where it says that you should think, feel and act as if you already have what you desire. I immediately followed this advice and true enough my baking business started to attract clients even if they were not located within my locality. It also worked for my credit card debt, which although the debt was not completely erased, I was given a chance to pay the amount at a fixed rate for 36 months -- which I think is a lot better than simply paying off the minimum amount due with no end of payment in sight!

Why am I telling you this? Because I think this is one secret that should be shared with anyone interested in improving all aspects of their life (yes it can also help you with romance and love).

Interested? Just click on the link below and you will soon be privy to The Secret.

A Life Given and A Life Taken

2010-04-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

There is an old saying that for every life given there must be a life taken so that the circle of life can continue and remain balanced.

When I was pregnant a couple of years ago with my son, my father was diagnosed with Stage IV Tonsillar Carcinoma that surely made us worry. Since it is not healthy for a pregnant woman to worry too much, I did not dwell on my father's health condition too much and instead focused on the positive news that there was going to be a new addition to the family.

Eventually my father underwent chemotherapy treatment and I soon gave birth to his first grandson. To make the long story short, my father experienced the recurrence of stage IV carcinoma -- the last one was diagnosed in his nasal passage. Being a strong and willful man that he is, he still chose to undergo medical treatment so that he may live a little longer. Unfortunately, this last treatment affected his salivary glands thus he was unable to produce saliva resulting in his loss of appetite and soon enough his body began deteriorating.

After a few months of fighting to stay alive, he finally drifted off to permanent sleep with my son right beside him.

It has now been almost 7 months since my father passed away but I can't help thinking if somehow his death had an effect on my son. You see, at the young age of 3, my son is exhibiting behavioral characteristics that were specifically unique to my father. My son's way of laughing, dancing, and even the way he rubs his chin when in deep thought makes me remember my father. I can't help but think that there really is a connection in each one of us; that there is a trait that can be passed on from one generation to the next; and that we will never forget those who really matter most.

A life given and a life taken? It does seem to be the rule of nature. Don't you think?

Home Baking Business

2010-04-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

I used to bake cakes for our pleasure and as gifts to family and friends when somebody suggested that instead of giving away those baked goodies why not try and see how I could make an honest earning out of my hobby. So that was the start of my baking career.

When I resigned from my day job last September 2009, I decided I would try to make a more conscious effort of promoting and selling my baked items, hence the birth of PAVZEL Homemade Cakes and Pastries. I won't sugar coat the reality that it has been tough to enter the baking business - what with the hundreds of available home bakers that have entered the market long before I did, but when you love something that you do then you simply do not give up.

Now, I have started to gain a number of clients and am steadily building up a good list of clients -- either through my online store or through family and friend recommendations.

It is hard but at the same time it is fun and I wouldn't have it any other way :)

The Season of Lent

2010-03-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

It is finally here, the end of the Lenten Season, which is a significant Catholic holiday for people who practice the Catholic faith. In the Philippines, everything slows down to a halt particularly on Good Friday. Both government and private firms allow their workers to take a few days off to be able to observe the final and most holy days of Lent.

Why the end of the Lenten season? The Lenten season actually started on Ash Wednesday and it now ends with one full week of abstinence, fasting, repentance of sins, and constant prayers until Easter Sunday arrives.

Unfortunately, not everyone is steadfast on practicing the old ways of Catholic faith. Some choose to have fun and frolic in the beach instead of staying at home and meditating in intimate prayer. But who am I to judge them? I am only saying this out loud because it is the truth and the harsh reality of life.

I have had my fair share of gimmicks and traipsing around with family and friends but somehow it never occurred to me to have fun during the Holy Week of Lent except on Easter Sunday. Maybe because I grew up in a family that took the role as a devout Catholic seriously.

How does this affect my freelance work? I shall be working until Holy Wednesday (even government and private firms still require their workers to report to work until this day) then anything that is work-related comes to a halt until Easter Sunday has passed. This way I could fulfill both my "earthly" duties and my "religious" duties.

The Art Of Forgiveness

2010-03-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

No matter how much we avoid it, we still get into arguments with family, friends, and even our colleagues. It is relatively easy to argue, be mad, and even stay mad but then is it really that easy to ask for forgiveness and to forgive?

I have had my own fair share of arguments but found out, the hard way, that not everybody is as willing and easy to forgive like I do. There are those that harbor anger and resentment over several years, without even a chance of forgiving the offender. I, on the other hand, simply need to be given some space -- let's say an hour or two at best, and I would be ready to forgive the person in question should my forgiveness be needed. On the other hand, if I was the one who inadvertently offended another person, I do not really know how to go about starting to ask for forgiveness, although it is my intention all along.

Realistically, people do differ in attitudes and beliefs including the art of forgiving and asking for forgiveness. If you are left in a quandary as to whether you should be forgiving a person, ask yourself this, was the offence really that bad that necessitates days, months, or even years of anger and hate? Isn't it better to be forgiving and be at peace with yourself and others than to live day in and day out with anger and hate? Just think about it.

The Graduate

2010-03-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

   It's the end of the school year and another set of graduates will be gracing the stage with their presence. What is it about the end of the school year and graduation that makes everyone, particularly mothers, so teary-eyed when we see our sons and daughters going up the stage to accept their diplomas?

   I still remember what a friend once told me about the parents being teary-eyed during graduation. It goes something like this. If the child is graduating from elementary or high school, the parents are teary-eyed because they will be paying for a higher tuition fee in the coming school year. However, when the child is graduating from college, the parents become teary-eyed because finally they don't need to pay for tuition fees!

   My take on this? I know that parents are teary-eyed because they are proud of their children's achievements.

   To all Batch 2010 graduates, CONGRATULATIONS! You deserve it!

Is There Really Something To Be Envious About?

2010-03-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to social networking sites, we are now in communication with friends and former colleagues that we have lost touch with over several years. Add that to the photos on display for each profile so you could be sure that the person you are "adding" as a friend really is somebody you know from the past.

Pictures from vacations abroad or with a luxurious background are posted everywhere, which begs me to think, should we be envious that they get to see other places that we aren't even sure if we will get to visit in our lifetime?

Call me hypocritical but when I see my son and husband sleeping beside me, all else seems to pale in comparison. At the current state the economy is in, we might be pinching around the corners a little bit and tightening the belt once-in-a-while but the love and support that we give each other is enough to get us through day-in and day-out.

Then my mind suddenly goes back to an old saying that God gives you what you need and not what you want. That everything happens for a reason. It might not be the reason that you want to hear but there is a reason nonetheless.

I then begin to remember about a relative, thrice removed, who is said to be rich, yet when she passed away (God bless her soul), we were really surprised that not one of her children came to give her a proper burial. From the first day that her body was collected from another relative's residence up to the day she was supposed to be buried, her body simply lay in the morgue. Only the funeral parlor employees took care of her and she was buried without even a simple mass to mark her passing. Sad isn't it?

Being rich may mean that you get and do almost everything in life but it doesn't necessarily buy you happiness.

Which brings me back to the question -- should I be really envious of the status of friends and former colleagues? In a way YES but in a huge part NO. How about you?

The Fight That Never Was

2010-03-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

The 14th of March 2010 was the most anticipated day of the month for boxing enthusiasts in the Philippines -- Manny Pacquiao was scheduled to defend his title from Joshua Clottey at Arlington, Texas. Just like previous Pacquiao fights, pay-per-view was offered in cinemas, the internet, and even via the local cable.

Unlike previous Pacquiao fights, I decided to gift my husband with a ticket to view the fight live at the SM Mall of Asia as his advance birthday present. At first he was hesitant to go alone because he wanted both me and my son to join him. After a very brief discussion, he realized that it was better for him to enjoy this gift alone (our 3-year-old would never sit still throughout the entire event) and that we would follow him later in the day to watch the last of the Pyromusical Competition presentation, which was scheduled to begin at around 7 in the evening.

So there was my husband queuing for the ticket (I was only given a "reservation") when he was handed a baseball cap with a Team Pacquiao logo from Motolite and a small package containing a 200 ml Head and Shoulders Shampoo for Men, a family sized Safeguard soap, and a few sachets of Head and Shoulders Menthol Shampoo -- not bad!

As always Pacquiao won the fight by unanimous decision but spectators claim (I am really not fond of watching any boxing match) that it really was not much of a fight after all, rather it was as if they were only sparring with each other in the boxing ring.

For my part? I didn't really care who won, but I did care that I made my husband's day. Add this to the fact that the Pyromusical presentation was dazzling and fun to watch. My son had a blast, what with all the colors and styles being presented.

Overall, this was one day that everybody did have fun.

A Brief Respite From The Heat

2010-03-13T03:03:00.000-08:00

Two days ago we started to experience cloudy weather. Yesterday we had a slight drizzle from morning until noon. Now we experienced a hot semi-windy day. I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow and the day after.

The Philippines is currently experiencing mild to severe drought (depending on where you are located) due to the El Nino phenomenon. Farm fields have begun to crack and everybody (particularly farmers) is worried that this will wreak havoc on the country's food supply in the near future.

Religious leaders have started to call on their respective congregation to pray to the Almighty so that rain would come. The government has begun cloud seeding operations to simulate rain, unfortunately it is not always successful. Both water and electricity are being rationed because of the dry spell.

I remember an old college professor (may his soul rest in peace) who taught about climate change and everything related to the Earth. He said that the time will come when countries who now experience tropical climatic conditions will soon turn into dry desert lands while those dry desert lands will be blessed with tropical climatic conditions.

Have you heard or read the news lately? There have been instances in the Middle East where heavy downpour is experienced -- so much so that flood does occur in several areas. They never experience too much rainfall that made them realize they needed to put in large canals or drainage systems, but now.....

Climate change is real, it is happening NOW. We might not be able to reverse the entire process that caused these climatic changes or greenhouse effect but we can prevent it from developing into something that will wreak havoc in our lives.

We've started to change, how about you?

The Wait That Bore Fruit

2010-03-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

My day started out as far from my ordinary routine as can be. I woke as early as 4 in the morning because I had to be at the Social Security Systems (SSS) office in Bacoor, Cavite, as early as possible if I wanted to beat the cut-off quota for ID applicants for the day.

Everything was going well -- my husband even offered to drive me en route to his office. We reached the SSS office at approximately 6:30 in the morning (there were quite a handful of early birds already waiting in line). After I accomplished the necessary forms and handed them to the guard on duty, we were advised (after the papers were verified) to patiently wait for our respective numbers to be called for the ID station.

As I said everything WAS going great for the better half of the morning. As soon as everyone resumed their positions in line after the requisite lunch break, an announcement was given through the PA system telling us that the system went offline and that they had to wait for the technician to arrive and fix it. The bad news was they weren't sure if it would take 1 or 2 hours to fix the problem.

So there I was waiting patiently and praying silently that they would get the system fixed before 5 p.m., otherwise we would need to go back the next day for another appointment. As I read and re-read the newspaper at least 5 times, lo and behold the system came back online. The next dilemma was if I would be included in the list of people who get to have their picture taken. You don't know how relieved and thankful I was that I got my picture taken.

Total waiting time? 9-1/2 hours
Total time for the picture taking process? 10 minutes MAX!
Lesson learned? Be prepared for anything when you have to go to a government office (a good novel should do the trick).

How to save on your electricity bills.

2010-03-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

By now everybody must've noticed how the sweltering heat makes you just want to stay inside an air-conditioned room. This is one reason why I only love to do household chores early in the day -- even if it means that I have to wake up at 5 in the morning just to wash clothes, water the plants, and even cook the food for the day.

It has become our daily routine to have lunch at 12 noon and immediately seek haven in my mom's room where we run the air-conditioner until the evening comes. Believe me, if it were up to us, we would've placed the entire house under a centralized air-conditioning system.

I now what you are thinking -- that we have a huge electricity bill to pay! This is actually the farthest from the truth. Over the years we have developed a system to conserve energy. Want to know our secret?

Replace all incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. Not only do they emit cooler light but they also use up a lower amount of electricity.
Do your ironing only once or twice-a-week (once-a-week is the best). I found out that ironing on Sundays is the best because all the uniforms and other clothes that need ironing have already been washed and dried.
Set a time limit for your ironing. This prevents you from dilly-dallying while ironing plus you get to finish your ironing chores pretty fast. Try finishing your ironing in 2 hours or less.
Set the thermostat of your air-conditioner at a low temperature (in some air-conditioners this is called low cool). To keep the room cold turn on an electric fan at the lowest setting) - this way you'll feel cool but with less the electric consumption.
At bedtime, set the timer of your air-conditioner for at least 5 hours. We just need to feel cool so we can drift off to dreamland as soon as possible. A 5-hour run of the air-conditioner would suffice to cool the room and the electric fan will retain the cold at least until the morning sunshine comes. Don't have an air-condition unit with a timer? Set up an alarm so you can manually turn it off.
Turn off and unplug an appliance when it is not being used. The stand-by mode is actually an electricity vampire -- you are fooled into thinking that it is not consuming any electricity but it actually is.
Do you have a 110V outlet? If yes, then double check all your appliances to see if they can be plugged into the 110V outlet. If not, you can try considering getting a step-down transformer. This may be a bit pricey at first but think of just how much you'll be saving in your electricity bill.
Defrost your fridge at least once every 2 weeks. The less ice present in the freezer the more efficient the fridge is plus you get to check for the fridge's contents.

And these are the ways we keep our electricity bills down. With the current rise in prices, including the electricity bills, isn't it about time that we enjoy the fruits of our labor without having to sweat too much?

A Visit To PIFBEX 2010

2010-03-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

We (my mom, aunt and me) were able to attend the Philippine International Food and Beverage Expo at the World Trade Center earlier today. We were surprised that unlike the other Food Expo's that we attended, this started out later in the day (11 a.m. to be exact).

There were a good number of exhibitors present but I was more interested in those that offered any form of cake decorating and baking supplies. I was a bit disappointed that there were only a handful of exhibitors that offered supplies for cake decorating and baking (and more on the equipment to boot).

There was one good thing that happened to me today though -- I was able to purchase a book entitled "The Cake Decorator's Motif Bible". This was really a steal because it was being sold at PhP 645 but a 10% discount was also being offered hence I only paid PhP 580. What's more, it is choc-full of ideas that any beginner or even expert at cake decorating will find fascinating and really helpful. Since I just started my homebaking business this will really be a big help. I can't wait to try out these designs as soon as possible.

In case you are interested in this book, the sales representative says that it is available in National Bookstore branches nationwide.

Kid Fights - Should We or Shouldn't We

2010-03-05T02:26:00.000-08:00

Just this morning I allowed my 3-year-old son to go out and play with some of the kids from the neighborhood. He's second to the youngest among the set and 1 of the 3 boys that comprise the entire set of kids from our block. Everybody was having a good time and I was happily dabbling in the kitchen with my mom when all of a sudden the air was filled with a loud cry from my son. Concerned as I was, I immediately went out to him only to be faced with his complaint of another boy who suddenly joined in their games and hit him without any reason.

I asked my mom to go out and talk with the kid's mom because I was too highly strung from my kid's tale that I might not be able to stop myself from babbling vehemently. My mom did go out and had a talk with the other kid's mom, reiterating all the while that her son was a lot older than my son. In the end, everything got sorted out. The "bully" was made to go home because of his actions and my son continued to play with the other kids for another hour or so before it was time for him to come home and have his lunch.

Ever since the incident happened I kept thinking about it and what I would have done had my mom not been there to intervene on my behalf. This is why I also kept thinking if it is proper for parents to intervene in kid fights or not.

At the end of the day I decided that had my son been much older to defend himself then maybe, just maybe, I would have allowed him to deal with the situation on his own. But I also remembered that he asked for my help. He came home crying, "Mommy, help me!" In this day and age where kids as young as my son tend to become independent, his asking for my help really tugged at my heart, which is why I made a decision that whatever happens I would always be there to help him out whenever he needs me.

That Elated Feeling

2010-03-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

I've finally received the invitation to join Filipina Home Bakers Online in the Multiply network.

Why should I feel elated? They readily help other home bakers like me who are just starting or have already started to build their home baking business. This is one arena where everybody helps everybody else. They believe in good karma, which is why they never hesitate to give out suggestions, ideas and advice to anybody who really needs it. You'd even see that they proudly advertise other home bakers as alternatives especially if they have a busy schedule. Rivalry is a word that doesn't exist in this organization.

A good example was when I received a thread regarding the Philippine Food Expo that is currently being held at the World Trade Center from March 4-6. Normally, you would wonder if it really is worth the visit. Thanks to some early bird members, we were informed that it really is worth something to visit. Now I have something to look forward to this coming weekend.

I guess the question now is, can I really wait until this Saturday?

Home Business Without Too Much Capital Needed

2010-03-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

With the rising costs and expenses, families often try to find ways to increase their income. Here in the Philippines, Filipinos have a way of being entrepreneurs without having to spend too much. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started without the need to spend too much capital and even looking out for a business space. You simply need to post a sign on your gate with regards to the items you are selling.

1. Ice candy - your freezer isn't full yet you can't afford to turn off the fridge because you do have more than a few perishables. You can allot a mere 100-200 pesos for an entire batch. Once the ice candies have solidified, put a few of these into a cooler or styrofoam container so you won't have to open the freezer every now and then. These sell anywhere from 5 to 8 pesos depending on the ingredients you use.

2. Ice - the hot summer season will definitely make everybody want for cold drinks. If you live in an area where most of the residents are renters, this is another good idea because there is a high probability that they do not have a fridge at home. You only have to shell out a few pesos for the ice plastic bags. Sold at 2.50 to 3 pesos each.

3. Baked goodies - if you love baking then you can turn that hobby into a business. You can even enlist the help of your friends to look for potential customers. Word of mouth is the best advertisement ever.

4. Halo-halo - low capital but high income. This is normally the best seller especially during the sumer months.

5. Barbecue - this is also a Pinoy favorite. The best time to sell these is after 5 pm, when people are beginning to arrive home from work -- this is when they only want to buy ready made food and eat it at home. A capital of 500 pesos would be more than enough to get you started on this one.

6. Fishball, squidball, kikiam, etc. - all brands taste the same, the selling factor here is the dipping sauce. Try to find a recipe for a good dipping sauce. A 500-peso capital is good for this particular business.

Whichever type of business you do come up with for an additional income remember that the trick to keeping the business afloat is to strictly use the capital ONLY for the business (a "revolving capital" as others may call it) and nothing else. Start small and as your market increases then increase the volume of your production little by little.

Additional Income For Moms

2009-08-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

I once asked female friends and colleagues whether they would give up their career without a second thought so that they can start a family. Most said yes without even blinking while others said that they would just take the predetermined maternity leave before reporting back to work. The reason behind this was that to decently raise a family, nowadays, requires both parents to work, but then at what cost?

How many times have we heard about a child getting maltreated, hurt or worse yet, kidnapped, by people that have gained our trust and initially tasked to take care of the children?

Based on my experience as a work-at-home mom, I would have missed my son's first smile, walk and talk had I been regularly leaving for an office-based work. Yes, I do take care of my son by myself while my husband goes to the office throughout the day.

Technology and the advent of the Internet has allowed us to go beyond our doors while allowing us the freedom and flexibility to do our daily chores and work at our convenience.

You actually have several ways to earn additional income for your family, which includes:

Selling online - there are various sites that offer online selling without a fee. I recommend www.eBay.com.ph and www.auction.ph. If you have a small business, this could be the best way of selling your items without leaving the comfort of your own home. You can also have your items picked up by a courier for shipping (please check with the courier you are interested in for the availability of this privilege is only limited to a certain area of coverage).
Blogging - start a blog and earn through affiliate marketing and advertising fees. You can discuss anything that interests you. I started a recipe blog (www.testedkitchen.com) and this is my second venture into the wonderful world of blogging, although I still have to learn the techy side of everything.
Freelancing - contrary to popular belief there are various freelance works available, for example web developing, writing, accounting, and even virtual assistance. Here are some of the sites where I have had the privilege of obtaining clients and recommend that you visit - www.writers.ph, www.getafreelancer.com, www.elance.com and www.guru.com.
Affiliate marketing - you get paid for every referral or clicks depending on the type of affiliate program you enroll in. However, this usually works for blogs since you do need to post their adverts.

Whichever path you choose to take, remember that you do need to be patient and if at first you don't succeed, you can always try again. But if you ask me, a combination of all these things is the best.

Why don't you give it a try?

The Modern Filipina

2009-08-12T10:24:00.001-07:00

The modern-day Filipina is not limited to staying at home and doing household chores. They are well-educated, more outspoken, have good paying jobs, and last but not the least, become wives and mothers while being able to hold on to their individuality.

Safe to say, I am one of these "modern-day" Filipinas, and a wife and mother at best. I try to maintain a household but at the same time retain my individuality by working. I am fortunate enough to be working for a company that believes in "home-based" work. Whether they wish to save on office space or are really considerate of their employees was none of my concern when they informed us that we were having a "home-based" arrangement. Now that I am a wife and a mom to a 3-year-old boy, there has not been a day that passes for which I am thankful of the work set-up I have.

Most of my friends are now married and have started their own families. Some have even chosen to resign from their office-based work to take care of their little children. Now and again they have asked me to help them find work that is home-based. Fortunately, modern technology has allowed this to happen - via freelancing and online selling. I know that there are quite a number of blogs that cover these topics. The difference here is that I shall be discussing it based on my personal experience. In fact, I do not even dare discuss something that I have not had a personal experience with.

Do you have a topic that you want me to talk about? Drop me a line and I'll see what I can do to help you. After all, Filipinos are known for their hospitality and helpfulness.