(¯`•¸,.-Geca's Realm-.,¸•´¯)

Exchange Badge/Link with Me

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Please leave me a comment below when you've grabbed my Fairy Badge

or my link: http://gecasrealm.blogspot.com/
Then, I'll add you to my list. Thank you so much!

Elf Lady's Chronicles

The Secret: Love Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:21:00 +0000

When it comes to love relationships, often people think that they want a particular person. But if you think about it deeply, it is not really what they want.

What they really want is to be blissfully happy with the perfect person.

Yet still they try and tell the Universe WHO that person is. If the Universe isn't delivering, then the message from the Universe is loud and clear:

"I just checked twenty years ahead, and the bliss and happiness you deserve will not happen in this relationship."

Why is it that we think we know more than the one who can see everything?

REF: The Secret - Daily Teachings

We always have ideal person or partner in mind. For most women, generally, we want tall, dark and handsome men. Hopeful as well that the man we find as a partner is loving, caring, understanding, sweet, honest, intelligent and with sense of humor. Haha! I know, that's a long list of requirements and this list could go on and on. I'm sure other ladies out there have some more to add or something else.

As for men, well they only have one thing in mind and top most important requirement: a girlfriend with a high sex drive. Disagree if you must.

On the contrary, when we meet "THAT" someone who we thought would be a perfect match, according to our "standards", then we decide that it can ONLY be him or her and no one else. Some would even cry out loud and demand to the Almighty Power, "He (she) is the right one, perfect for me. Please give him (her) to me!"

Who are we to tell? To decide?

Fact is that we could never find happiness based on our own lame standard. If "the one" for you is not "delivered" to you, then it means only one thing: he (or she) is not MEANT for you.

Plain and simple.

Geca is a Versatile Blogger... So Says My New Blog Award

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:32:00 +0000

After three years, I received another Blog Award. Woot woot!

This time it's in English haha!
The first award I got was in Spanish, I think.

Here's the award given to me recently:

How awesome is that? Geca as The Versatile Blogger eh!

A big thank you to Kimberly, author of 'A Little Crunchy'. You guys should check her blog out. Each article is a definite 'good read' so it's worth every minute of your precious time. She writes reviews and hosts giveaways. Make sure to drop her a note when you visit.

Receiving The Versatile Blogger award requires the recipient to follow these rules:

Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them.

Tell 7 things about yourself. (Please read below)

Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they have received The Versatile Blogger award.

Seven Facts About Geca:

I'm from the Pearl of the Orient Seas, otherwise known as Philippines.

I have a small butterfly tattoo on my right leg. It's small because I'm a big wuss and it was just to cover the scar caused by a (neighbor's) dog bite (which happened because I was protecting my cat).

I was a 'Mystery Shopper' in Toronto, Canada. I've bought hundreds of sunglasses and returned them all the next day. Also, I've been to a few restaurants without anyone knowing that I was "spying".

I've traveled / worked / lived in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, England, Canada, Switzerland and Bermuda.

I have avoided eating pork for 5 years now. There maybe slip ups when I'm at gatherings or at restaurants especially if the meat was grounded. Nowadays though, I ask what was in the meal.

I wash my hands frequently, maybe more often than others do. So I guess, I'm a little bit of a germophobe.

Lastly, I hate my speaking voice. So as much as possible I don't say a word in most of our family home videos. I don't want to talk on the phone too.

Now on to passing this Versatile Blogger Award:

Drum roll please....

iHeart Good Health - Journeying towards a healthier lifestyle one step at a time.

Elf Lady's Chronicles - Surviving domestic violence, divorce & motherhood

The Blogerista - Loving life and blogging about it!

Best Skin Care - Skin care and fashion tips

~Womensselfesteem.com's Relationship Blog~ - thoughts about differences between women and men to understand innate sexuality.

Life's Tips and Tricks - Reflections on life, womanhood, parenting, travel

BlogEoz - Everything about daily rumbling.

Mommy Only Has Two Hands - Motherhood, product reviews, coupons, and more.

Drink Your Greens and Minerals - Health and wellness.

Duni's Studio - Handmade blog, showcasing purses and sleepwear.

Joanna's Life - Raising autism awareness

Inspiration From The Little Things -

Life Accordning To Damaris - Reviews, giveaways, etc.

My Own Four Corners -

Adventures of Sasha - Giveaways, etc.

I recommend let's all drop by to their blogs and leave a note.

Congratulations to all new recipients! It's your turn to pass this award to other awesome bloggers... like us!

Cheers!

Time to Fall in Love... with My Memories Digital Scrapbook New Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Don't you feel the LOVE with all these

beautiful My Memories scrapbook kits?

Click the kit images above to check out

the amazing designs!

Too early for Valentine's Day?

You know, it's never too early to start planning your

Valentine's Day project!

And, if you love FREEBIES, check this out:

Now, you can find My Memories on PINTEREST!

Don't have My Memories Scrapbook Software yet?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Go ahead and click this blinkie:

Don't forget to use Geca's Code to avail of the $10 discount:

STMMMS43107

The Secret: Feel Gratitude For The Good Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:39:00 +0000

To create your tomorrow,
go over your day tonight
when you are in bed
just before you fall asleep,
and feel gratitude for the good moments.

If there was something you wanted
to happen differently,
replay it in your mind
the way you wanted it to go.

As you fall asleep, say,

"I will sleep deeply and wake up full of energy.
Tomorrow is going to be the most beautiful day of my life."

Good night!

The Secret - Daily Teachings

Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up the next morning and start the day right by being positive in life and being grateful for every good moments that happened in our lives?

Let us start to create each day of 2012 by feeling gratitude for each good moments that we shared with family and friends or acquaintances.

Cheers!

List of Toxic Food for Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:02:00 +0000

This article on the net caught my eye:

25 Foods You Should Not Feed Your Dog

Like me, wouldn't you think,

Whoa! That's a long list!

I read through the article and learned that some human foods can be harmful to dogs. This can be a very useful guide for us dog owners who plan to cook home-made pet food. So, I am reposting this article to spread the word to my family, friends and Geca's Realm visitors who are dog lovers like me.

As dog experts say:

In order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs. Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous for our canine companions.

However, when in doubt, you should check with your vet. I did!

Here are the List of 25 Toxic Food for Dogs (as put together by e-dog-training):

* Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic – garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system – it can be toxic in one large dose – or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)

* Chocolate (This can be fatal to dogs because chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.)

* Grapes (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs – affects canine’s kidneys)

* Raisins (See above.)

* Most Fruit Pits and Seeds(Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is OK.)

Macadamia Nuts

* Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)

* Most Bones should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet’s throat – so they also pose a choking hazard.

* Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes(Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

* Rhubarb leaves(see above)

* Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)

* Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes (Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

Yeast Dough

* Yeast Dough (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet’s stomach – leading to rupture of the digestive system)

* Coffee/Coffee Grounds and Tea ( are dangerous due to the caffeine.)

* Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)

Persimmons

* Human Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)

* Moldy or Spoiled Food (though I think this goes without saying.)

* Persimmons(Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)

* Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisoning.)

* Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance – and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)

* Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)

* Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)

* Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)

* Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)

* Avocado (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)

* Dairy Products (Dairy products don’t usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content – and many pets are lactose intolerant – some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.)

The Secret: Stabilize The Frequency of Your Being

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

When you are just beginning to deliberately manage
the frequency of your being
(through your thoughts and feelings),
you may find there are some ups and downs,
and that you are jumping from one frequency to another.

This stage is so short,
and in no time at all you will begin
to stabilize on a higher frequency,
and then a higher frequency,
forever climbing higher and higher.

It took some practice to walk, didn't it?
But with determination you did it.
There is no difference.

There will always be challenges in our lives that makes it hard for us to manage the ups and downs of our emotions. But, eventually, through practice we can.

Do you have the determination to stabilize the frequency of your being?

Secret - Daily Teachings

Happy 2012 to (¯`•¸,.-Geca's Realm-.,¸•´¯) Visitors!

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:56:00 +0000

Let us all greet 2012 with

a cheerful smile,

an enthusiastic heart,

an open mind,

and hope that

everything gets better

in the coming new year.

A Special Thank You

to all who regularly visited

(¯`•¸,.-Geca's Realm-.,¸•´¯)

and for 'liking'

Geca's Realm Facebook Page.

Cheers to health, success, love

and more blessings for all of us!

(¯`•¸•´¯)

Family Christmas Photos - 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:25:00 +0000

Morning before Christmas Day and at bed time, EJ asked me,

What time is Santa Claus coming to bring my presents?

I said,

No one knows. He comes around when everyone is asleep.

I don't want to spoil his idea of Christmas, of Santa Claus and the fun and joy that it brings to him so that's what I told him.

What does Christmas meant for most of us? To pig out on scrumptious yet unhealthy food? Is it time to party all day? Or is it the most awaited day to receive presents?

For most kids worldwide, it is the day they wait for Santa Claus to bring them presents. Here are some photos of EJ opening presents from "Santa Claus".

On the second thought, what if everything was lost just a few days before Christmas? How would you feel? If it didn't happen to you, what do you feel for them? Would you still buy or crave for an expensive present, party all day and pig out on Christmas dinner? I wish a lot of people do their fair share of helping not only for and on Christmas Day. But also, to keep helping tragedy survivors (e.g. Typhoon Washi survivors) at least, until they can build their homes again. This Christmas day, I didn't want to prepare something extravagant because I feel bad that a lot of people in Southern part of Philippines are starving and worse, lost their homes because of typhoon.

Nonetheless, Christmas Day for us is a family day. Every year, since I got back to the Philippines, we gather together at my place during the Christmas week. It is our time to bond, play games, cook our favorite meals. I am at my happiest moment whenever my whole family is together and I thank God for having such a great loving family. I don't wish for anything else in the world except for my whole family to be together.

I kept my son busy even when he kept asking,

Mommy, I'm hungry. When are we having lunch?

No one remembered to take pictures of our Christmas lunch but maybe because it wasn't a lot like we usually have on Christmas. We had totally random meal, unplanned, uncoordinated and very late lunch: beef pochero, roasted chicken (which was roasted from my mini oven!), tuna macaroni salad, chocolate cake, chocolate bear lollipops and leche flan.

Anyhow, my sisters and I have kept the Christmas spirit up despite the very late lunch and we decided to do the exchange gift early afternoon. I suggested this Christmas exchange gift first week of December and I'm hoping that this will be another part of family tradition just for the fun of it. Budget was from Php100.00 (Philippines Peso) and up, as long as it is something that can be useful to the receiver of the gift, which was kept secret to most of us until that day.

Here are some photos from the exchange gift event:

I volunteered to start the exchange gift and it turned out that my sister Joy and I had picked our names. I gifted her a mug with small teddy bear and 6 pairs of spoon and forks. She got me a cute angry bird coin purse. EJ gifted his Daddy a yellow Adidas shirt, Seamus gifted a cooking pan to my sister Josie, Rudolph (EJ's cousin) gifted EJ a lunch box and water bottle, forgot what others got, but most of us got angry bird stuff. We all had fun with the surprise of knowing who was gifting who and what we got.

And, of course, I'm not forgetting about the new member of the family, Waggy. He was dressed in red too like most of us.

Finally, here are random photos from same day:

And, the best shot of the day was:

Waggy and Rhian

Wouldn't you agree?

We don't have video clip this year but thought of sharing this one which was taken two years ago in Fairville Homes. Look how long and curly was EJ's hair!

Happy Holidays!

Interview with Silver Smoke Author: Monica Leonelle

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:28:00 +0000

Monica Leonelle is currently running a book blog tour for the new novel she authored: Silver Smoke, the first novel in Seven Halos series. Silver Smoke is highly-rated (4.8 stars on Amazon) debut novel about the Hallows and the Nephilim, the descendants of archangels and humans.

This sexy new young adult urban fantasy series is also about a broken family, a deadly secret and an impossible romance (recommended for mature teens).

I, myself, have a collection of young adult fantasy series by other authors. Silver Smoke seems to be interesting and another series worth collecting. So when yours truly was given the privilege to interview the author, I took it.

Now then, let us all get to know Miss Monica Leonelle.

Geca: We all come from different backgrounds, will you please tell us which hometown you are originally from and a little (known or not) history of your hometown? any memorable or embarrassing moment you experienced in your hometown you'd like to share?

Monica: Oddly enough, I don't have a hometown. My parents were in the Air Force and I was born on an air base in Germany. During my childhood, we moved around a lot, mostly internationally. I came to the US more permanently around 13 years old, and have been here ever since. I've lived in seven or eight different cities since coming here though, most recently Chicago. After living so many places, I'm convinced that I'm a total city girl.

Geca: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer even as a kid? When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Monica: I have wanted to be a writer since about third grade. I've wanted to be other things over the childhood years too, but "author" was the one that seemed to stick. I considered myself a writer when I finished my first novel, probably. Before that, I'd written regularly in a blog, and I'd put together a business book, but novels are my true passion.

Geca: When and why did you begin writing this (first) novel Silver Smoke? Was there anything or anyone that inspired you to write this novel?

Monica: I started writing Silver Smoke in Atlanta in 2010. At the time, I was pretty depressed, to be honest. I had always planned to write a novel, but never could seem to find the time. I was working in Atlanta at an agency as a marketing director, managing some of the digital marketing for some really huge brands. Every day when I got home from work, I would fall asleep and not wake up until the next morning when I had to work. It was pretty insane. I was alive but not really living.

I couldn't express my feelings in writing just due to being a professional and not wanting to risk my job, so I started writing about this girl who was extremely depressed because her mother died. The girl had lost everything, her friends, her home, etc. I wrote like 40 pages of this super depressing manuscript, almost none of which made the cut to the actual book. But at the end of all that, I was not depressed anymore and I had Brie van Rossum, the main character of Silver Smoke. The book starts about two months after her mom dies, but those 40 pages I wrote are the in-between--what she goes through before the book actually starts.

Geca: Please tell us how you came up with the title of your first novel (and the title of its series)?

Monica: The title of the book is a spoiler, so I can't say exactly. I'll just say that it's explained in the book. All of my titles are, actually. In the second book, Tin Soldier, you meet a guy who is the Tin Soldier. As for the series name, Seven Halos, there are seven books and seven main characters (who will all have their story lines resolved throughout the series. The "halo" is a reference to the fact that they are angel novels.

Geca: Where did you mostly write this novel? (at home, in the bedroom, dining area or balcony? or outdoors at cafe, at the beach?)

Monica: I wrote the majority of this novel over the summer next to beaches, actually. I lived in Florida for a few weeks and wrote some of it there, then we moved to West Haven, CT. Two very different types of beaches. It's often useful to write a book with similar setting to wherever you are. It's currently winter in the Seven Halos universe and they are primarily in New York.

Geca: Based on this novel, do you believe in the supernatural phenomena than science and religion? Why?

Monica: I'm a fairly logical person, so I have a hard time believing in the supernatural. I'm not particularly religious either. That said, the book is heavily rooted in Christian mythology.

Geca: Is there a character in your novel that you (wish to) identify yourself with?

Monica: All of the characters have a little piece of me in them. I would love to write a character that was more like myself, but so far all of my main characters (especially the girls) are really different from me. There's a girl in my other YA series, Socialpunk, named Ima. She is maybe less like me than Brie, even. And Brie is far too popular without cause for me to ever really relate to.

Geca: If there's a chance of reincarnation, what do you want to be reincarnated as (or into)?

Monica: oh gosh. Maybe a dog? My little westie seems to be happy most of the time. She just wishes she had a yard.

Geca: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Monica: Well, write, for one :). also, write with an idea of how you plan to market your book. and learn as much about the traditional book publishing industry as you can, even if you plan to self-publish.

Geca: What's the best marketing strategy for (new) published books?

Monica: I have no idea! I'm still trying to figure it out. Though word-of-mouth marketing is probably the most effective, it's harder to make it happen than you would think. I was watching this Guitar SEssion on Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and she said that the way people fall in love with your work is by you hitting pavement and making an effort to share it with them. I think she's right. No one is going to discover you on their own... you have to reach out to them and ask them to give you a chance. You have to develop a relationship with them and share your passion with them. So that's my current strategy.

Geca: Is there a specific message in your novel that you want your readers to grasp?

Monica: No, not really. I definitely write a lot about the moral dilemmas of good and evil--for example, if you a bad guy and save a good guy, are you a hero or a murderer? I ask the questions but I don't give my answers. I don't ever want to be the author who shoves her own views down her readers' throats. It's enough to ask the question.

--End of interview--

Thank you Miss Monica Leonelle for this chance of interviewing a novelist like you. I am looking forward to your other novels. I learned a lot from this interview and I hope those who have dreams of becoming a novelist someday are inspired.

--

To celebrate the release of Silver Smoke, the author is doing a Kindle Fire giveaway. For the contest information, please read below:

CONTEST DATES:

December 20th thru December 31st (12 days long)

EASY WAYS TO ENTER:

(3 entries) Blog about this contest and forward a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com (see copy + paste instructions for the contest below)
(3 entries each) Share a sentence about the book with your Facebook or Twitter followers, and include a link to the book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble (you pick). One entry per social media account per day during the contest. Forward a screenshot or link of your sentence+link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com. The links are available below:
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Smoke-Seven-Halos-ebook/dp/B004MMERZ6/ref=sr_1_2
- B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/silver-smoke-monica-leonelle/1103721670?ean=2940012105332&format=nook-book

(10 entries each) Write an honest Amazon and/or B&N review of Silver Smoke and send a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com

PRIZES!!!

Grand Prize Winner: Kindle Fire (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
2nd Place (two winners): Kindle Touch (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
3rd Place (three winners): Kindle (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
Special Bloggers-Only Winner* (for blogger entrants – must enter via the web form): Kindle Fire (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)

Winners will be selected using Random.org on January 1, 2012 and announced on How To Be An Author by January 2, 2012.

*To enter the Bloggers-Only drawing (in addition to the regular drawing), you must forward a link to your post to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com AND add your name to this bloggers-only email list (not for promotional purposes… just an easy way to distribute promised items): http://forms.aweber.com/form/99/1958024899.htm

While We Sat Back Comfortably... Sendong Swept Away Hundreds of People

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:12:00 +0000

While we were all sleeping in the comfort of our homes, or while sitting back on the sofa with our feet up eating popcorn and watching dvd or a television show, or while dining with our loved ones or while arguing with our best friend about odd little things ... hundreds of people in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City (in the Philippines) were swept away by flash flood brought by Typhoon Washi's torrential rain (locally called as Sendong).

It broke my heart when I saw the news on BBC World News. I didn't even realize that there was typhoon in the Philippines because it hardly rained in Manila so it really came as a shocking news for me.

They need our HELP! If you could send help in any possible means, please do so. Please donate anything or any amount that you can. One way to send help/donate for the survivors of Typhoon Washi is through World Vision.

God Bless Us All!

Kindle Fire Giveaway for Silver Smoke, the First Novel in the Seven Halos Series

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:21:00 +0000

To celebrate the release of a new novel to the Seven Halos series, author Monica Leonelle is doing a Kindle Fire giveaway for Silver Smoke, the first novel in the series! Silver Smoke is the highly-rated (4.8 stars on Amazon) debut novel about the Hallows and the Nephilim, the descendants of archangels and humans. Here's a description of the book:

Brie van Rossum has fame, fortune, and beauty, but there's one thing she doesn't have--the name of her mother's supernatural killer.
The Hallows, descendants of the archangels, don't think Milena was murdered.. but can Brie trust them when their government, the New Order, wants her dead?

She'd better figure it all out soon...

... because when Brie finds out who she really is, the hunt will begin.

And Milena might not be the only casualty.

Like mother, like daughter...

Contest dates:

December 15th thru December 31st (a little more than 12 days, but who's counting?)

Easy ways to enter:

(3 entries) Blog about this contest and forward a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com (see copy + paste instructions for the contest below)
(3 entries each) Share a sentence about the book with your Facebook or Twitter followers, and include a link to the book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble (you pick). One entry per social media account per day during the contest. Forward a screenshot or link of your sentence+link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com. The links are available below:
- Amazon ($0.99): http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Smoke-Seven-Halos-ebook/dp/B004MMERZ6/ref=sr_1_2
- B&N ($0.99): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/silver-smoke-monica-leonelle/1103721670?ean=2940012105332&format=nook-book
(10 entries each) Write an honest Amazon and/or B&N review of Silver Smoke and send a link to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com

PRIZES!!!

Grand Prize Winner: Kindle Fire (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
2nd Place (two winners): Kindle Touch (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
3rd Place (three winners): Kindle (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)
Special Bloggers-Only Winner* (for blogger entrants - must enter via the web form): Kindle Fire (or cash-equivalent Amazon gift card)

Winners will be selected using Random.org on January 1, 2012 and announced on How To Be An Author by January 2, 2012.

*To enter the Bloggers-Only drawing (in addition to the regular drawing), you must forward a link to your post to monicaleonellecontests@gmail.com AND add your name to this bloggers-only email list (not for promotional purposes... just an easy way to distribute promised items): http://forms.aweber.com/form/99/1958024899.htm

Siamese Cats Bring Good Luck

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:20:00 +0000

If you do not own a Siamese Cat, maybe it's time for you to get one.

You know why?

According to Siam (Thailand) legend, Siamese Cats bring Good Luck to their owners and they keep evil spirits away.

I recently spent a couple of days in a house full of Siamese Cats. And I can tell you that they are very outgoing, social and affectionate.

They are also very vocal when they want something but their voices are easy on the ears, unlike other breeds.

I noticed too that while they are very playful, they catch insects and lizards too. I even witnessed one to be meowing at a queue of ants!

They are curious about almost everything around them and seem to be intelligent pets.

Siamese Cats only require to be bathed once a month and their coats need to be brushed once in awhile.

And, if they are well taken care of, they can live up to fifteen or twenty years old.

If you are in Metro Manila, a Siamese Cat can be delivered for you at a very affordable price.

For more details, please contact this number: 63 9277351089 and mention that you read and commented on this blog post to get a 10% discount.

Fill Your Life with Positivity!

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:11:00 +0000

You can change the path of your life

from dark to light or

from negative to positive.

Every single time you focus on the positive

you are bringing more light into your life,

and you know that

light removes all darkness.

Gratitude, Love,

Kind Thoughts, Words and Actions

bring Light and eliminate the darkness.

Fill your life with the Light of Positivity!

The Secret - Daily Teachings

Let us all be positive in our lives. It can't be hard to focus on the positivity. Be grateful in every little things that we have, give love and be kind even to strangers.

If I'm avoiding you, you probably exert negative energy which I do not want to absorb.

Being negative at every single small detail in our lives doesn't bring us good.

Don't you agree?

My Memories Tip: Getting More Use Out of a QuickPage

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:57:00 +0000

Surprise your loved ones by purchasing 'My Memories Suite'. Let their creative minds create a beautiful photobook. Don't forget to use

Geca's CODE: STMMMS43107

to get $10 OFF!

Creating many different layouts using a single Quick Page is fast and easy, and your pages will all coordinate!

Many Quick Pages work when turned 90* and then turned again!! So you can use and reuse them!

Let's look at this Quick Page:

And see that you can make it into this:

Now take the same Quick Page and turn it 90*

And look how you can use it again!!

And look how coordinated the pages look!! Perfect for a 2 page layout in a photobook!!

Surprise your loved ones who's got collections of family digital photos by purchasing 'My Memories Suite' (Digital Scrapbook). Let their creative minds create a beautiful photobook for the family.

Click this blinkie to buy this #1 rated digital scrapbook, My Memories:

Geca's CODE: STMMMS43107

Winner of 'My Memories Suite' Giveaway Contest (via random.org)

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Finally, we have a winner for this Giveaway Contest:

I'm happy to announce that

the winner of

'My Memories Suite'

Giveaway Contest,

via www.random.org, is

Miss Joyahyie Algaba

(5th guest commenter).

Giveaway Contest Link

Winner will be notified via e-mail for the instructions on downloading

My Memories Suite.

Congratulations Miss Joyahyie !

Enjoy this #1 rated scrapbook software: My Memories.

Have a Great Holiday!

For the Tutorial, please click these links:

Tutorial 1

Tutorial 2

Rudolph, Jorge & Rhian (Update: with Video Clip)

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:10:00 +0000

Ten days ago, it was the birthday party of my sister's three kids: Rudolph, Jorge and

Happy Birthday Rudolph, Jorge and Rhian!

Rhian. It was convenient to celebrate their birthdays altogether because their birth dates are close to each other i.e. Jorge was born on 21st of November, Rhian was on December 3 and Rudolph was on the 5th.

It was raining that day and almost got soaked before we reached the Redragon Restaurant. However, we managed to keep the kids entertained and happy.

Here's the photos from the Merry Go Round game:

Photos during the Clowns' magic tricks/other games:

Group Photos:

Random Photos:

Fab it forward with Forever 21 MasterCard!

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:37:00 +0000

Fab it forward with Forever 21 MasterCard! ENJOY Birthday Discounts & Free Membership for the FIRST Year. Apply now! #Forever21MC

Who doesn't want to EARN rewards points from all spending? We all do, don't we? For a minimum spend of P5,000, enjoy 5% rebate on discounted and regular-priced items at SM's 3-Day Sale.

With Forever 21 MasterCard, get first hand updates on Forever 21 special SALE events and enjoy percentage discount

Fab It Forward with Forever 21 MasterCard!

offerings on regular-priced items. Be the first to check out discounted and regular-priced items through your early pass privilege before mall opening.

What's more? ENJOY Birthday Discounts on selected items! And, the best part is that the Membership Fee for the FIRST year is FREE!

Let's all be FAB with Forever 21!

Fab it forward with Forever 21 MasterCard! ENJOY Birthday Discounts & Free Membership for the FIRST Year. Apply now! #Forever21MC

EJ's New Friend: Waggy

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:57:00 +0000

Meet my son's new friend... Waggy !

I fell in love with this beautiful beagle as soon as I saw him (so did EJ and Seamus

Waggy is derived from the UK surname Wagstaff e.g. Ken Wagstaff, a former English footballer noted for his playing career at Mansfield Town and Hull City football clubs.
Hull City is where Seamus was born and raised. Three decades after he was born, EJ was conceived in Hull City too.

too). So I requested for him to be groomed while we went to Max's Restaurant for dinner.

As we wait for our dinner to be served, we thought of numerous puppy names for the new member of the family. The three of us can't decide on one so Seamus googled famous puppy names.

We then nominated names and written them down on a table napkin.

From the list of names we got from the web, we still can't decide. Then EJ reminded us and asked for Kuya's name on the (mmorpg) Final Fantasy game we used to play. In that instant, Seamus and I thought of the name Waggy which was his game name. It was a tarutaru race and looks like this:

(in Black Mage outfit i.e. a Magician Warrior using black magic)

So Waggy name was included in the nomination list. Other names got zero to one votes each while Snoopy and Dexter got two votes each and Waggy got three votes. Therefore, our new puppy is now officially named Waggy.

Look! Waggy seems to be happy and excited to run around his new home!

Welcome to the family, Waggy!

How Would Santa Know Where to Put the Presents?

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:53:00 +0000

We recently put up our dear old Christmas tree. It's a decade old so it is indeed old.

As we were doing the decorations, jokingly, I told my son, EJ

You know, we don't need to always put this tree up every year. It's tiring isn't it? Maybe we should just pack it up and put it away, huh.

EJ turned around and asked in a shocked mode,

Huh? But, Mommy, how would Santa know where to put the presents then?

I replied,

Don't worry. He knows what to do.

I don't want to upset him so I added,

Remember what he does in that Santa Claus film?

EJ said,

Oh yeah.

Then we went back to work decorating for Christmas.

How long are we going to play this charade? Well, I don't really want to say anything else about this matter because I want my son to remain a kid, full of hopes and dreams, as I remain a kid at heart.

But I wonder, what do you tell your children about Santa Claus then?

Help Your Friends to Stay in Tune with the Universe

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +0000

If you have a friend who is going through any kind of difficult time, help them by making SURE you maintain YOUR joy.

Your good feelings will help LIFT them. You can also help them by directing their conversations so that so that they speak about what they want.

As they fall into speaking about what they don't want, just keep gently leading them back to speaking about what they want.

You can also speak to them as though their difficult time is over, and suggest they imagine that it has all passed and worked out beautifully.

The Secret - Daily Teachings
Be the conductor when you speak with them,
and help them stay in tune with the Universe.

In the spirit of Christmas, let's keep our dear friends away from sorrow. Keep them happy by sharing our good feelings.

Cheers!

Cannot Use the Law of Attraction on Someone Else... Against Their Free Will

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:45:00 +0000

You are in a partnership with the Law of Attraction
and it is through this partnership between the two of you that you are creating your life.
Each person has their own personal partnership with the Law of Attraction.
You use the Law for yourself; everyone else uses the Law for themselves.

You cannot use the Law of Attraction on someone else, against their free will.

And when you think about it, thank goodness the Law operates this way.
If it did not, then anybody else could create something in your life that you did not want.

You create through your thoughts and feelings,
and NO-ONE but YOU can think your thoughts or feel your feelings.

The Secret - Daily Teachings

How miserable we'd all be if the Law of Attraction works the opposite way? Thank goodness indeed that it doesn't work that way huh!

Or do you feel like someone else creates and makes something happen in your life that you did not want?

Family Cookbook Project

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:51:00 +0000

Ever thought of creating your own family cookbook?

Here's a great Holiday Treat for your entire family who love to cook!

Family Cookbook Project - a lasting treasure of culinary memories. With Family Cookbook Project, you can create your family's fabulous recipes, kitchen stories and maybe kitchen secrets too, to share and pass on to younger generations.

Write your own cookbook now! Who knows? Maybe you'll be featured on The Food Network. Be the next Rachel Ray or Bobby Flay!

Nothing wrong with dreaming big.

27 Ways to Run Better Everyday

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

To stay fit and healthy, I occasionally walk around the neighbourhood towards the railway track then walk back home. However, I recently started running to get faster result and hopefully will stay motivated to keep going.

Consistency is the most essential piece of training program. It's the one thing - perhaps the only - that every coach, physiologist and medical expert agrees on. Without consistency, you aren't going anywhere You're not going to get faster. You're not going to run farther. You're not going to lose weight, lower your blood pressure, finish that marathon or achieve your other running goals. With a consistent training program, on the other hand, the sky's the limit. You'll feel better and run better everyday.

So, let's get on with 27 ways to add more consistency to your running: (by Runners World editors)

RUN WITH OTHERS - To make sure you do a workout, there's nothing like the social pressure of knowing someone else (or a group) is waiting for you. Bonus: It's often more fun than running alone, especially if you're doing a long run or a speed workout on the track.
TRY SOMETHING NEW - The fitness world is full of new and fun-filled events and they don't all require a 3-week trip to Borneo and a survivor diet of grubs and lizards. Don't let yourself get bored with endless string of 5-K and 10-k races.
RUN LIKE A TORTOISE - This isn't a sport of instant success and miracle shortcuts. Patience pays off, often in a very big way. At the beginning of a marathon training prgram, many participants can't imagine themselves running more than 5 miles. 12 to 16 weeks later, voilà: the cheering crowd and unbelievable exhilaration of reaching a marathon finish line. Stick with the progrm. Repeat: Stick with the program. Prepare to be amazed.
TAKE A BREAK - To everything, there is a season. You don't have to run every day, every week, or even every month. Many top runners visualize their training year as a mountain range. It has peaks and valleys—recovery periods when they let their running taper off, so that they can build all the higher in their next training period. For healthy, consistent training, your body needs regular—that is, weekly, seasonal, and annual—recovery periods.
EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST - We can't emphasize this one enough. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, because it fuels you for the entire day. To skip breakfast or eat a skimpy one is like failing to rehydrate and refuel after a marathon. You wouldn't do that, would you? Well, your night's sleep is like a marathon to your body, because you don't get any fuel while you're sleeping. So carbo-load at breakfast. And add a little protein.
GET COZY WITH FROZEN VEGETABLES - This isn't a nutrition tip. It's an injury-prevention tip. If London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe can take ice baths after a hard race, you can stand a bag of frozen peas against your sore knees for 15 minutes. Nothing reduces inflammation and holds injuries at bay like ice. Result: You stick to your training program. Don't like veggies? Fruit works, too. Try a small bag of frozen blueberries or strawberries. Or one of the many commercial ice wraps, often with handy Velcro straps.
FIND A COACH - Maybe the kind who yells at you every once in a while. (But probably not.) Point being, a coach's first job is to motivate you in a way no one else can. Second job: To lay out your training program. Third job: To prevent you from straying from the program, probably by running too much or too fast. You can find a coach by asking around, calling running stores, and checking the Internet.
JOIN THE "X" REVOLUTION - Despite the many proven benefits of cross-training, we still know too many runners who only run. C'mon, folks. We love running, too. We know all about the "specificity-of-training" rule, but we still skip the occasional running workout to get in some cross-training. Mainly strength training, bicycling, elliptical training, yoga, stairclimbing, pool running, rowing, and walking. Why? Not because we think these routines will make us faster in our next half-marathon, but because they make us fitter and less prone to injury.
KEEP A LOG - Your training log is a great source of the kind of motivation that builds consistency. It beckons to be filled in, reveals the secrets of your training and racing successes, and provides lots of inspirational quotes and useful tips.
ENTER RACES - You don't have to race to be a serious runner, but, geez, there are so many good reasons to enter races. Jeff Galloway, RW columnist, says that entering races, especially marathons, "scares" people into training the way they should. That's a good one. But we also like the sense of community you get from races. They help you realize that you belong to something big, and that there are more people than you imagined who share your running and fitness goals. Besides, it's good to go for the burn every now and again.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SHOES - Some things should be obvious, and this is one of them. But it's worth repeating, if it keeps even one of you from getting injured. Most shoes wear out after 300 to 500 miles. You often can't see the wear, but, your knees, hips, back, and Achilles tendons know it. Give your old, worn shoes to a local Salvation Army or similar group, and get yourself to a running-specialty store for a new pair.
RUN EARLY - You want to get something done? Do it early in the day. Everything gets tougher later in the day when various tasks and responsibilities start ganging up on you. In a recent Runner's World Online survey, the two most popular workout times were 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE - Not just when you're running, but all the time. This is especially important if you've got an office job, and are sitting at a computer all day (like us). Make sure your keyboard and monitor are properly positioned, and sit straight but comfortably in your chair. Some of us have recently started sitting on those large Swedish exercise balls, which encourages good posture because you have to use your legs and stomach muscles to keep from falling off. Good posture can improve your running efficiency and decrease injury risk. Ergo, better consistency.
USE THE FRIDGE - In two ways. First, be sure it's always stocked with those key foods you rely on for healthy nutrition and snacking: sports drinks, low-fat yogurt, fruit, nuts, carrots, etc. Take your pick. Second, put something inspirational on the outside of the fridge: a picture of you and friends at a race, a training plan, a great quote.
SCHEDULE IT - You've got your Microsoft Office calendar, your PDA, your Day Planner, your napkin with the scrawled list of stuff you absolutely, positively have to get done today. Be sure to write in your workout. Carve out an hour in your day. The experts all agree: Your exercise is one of your most important daily activities. Make it happen.
SUBSCRIBE TO FREE E-MAILS - Runners World send out several free e-mail newsletters each week, and they're guaranteed to inform and inspire you. (Go to www.runnersworld.com/newsletters, where you can pick the one or the several newsletters that most appeals to you.)
GET YOUR CLOTHES READY - And your shoes. Root through your closets and drawers the night before a morning run to select and organize the running gear you need.
RUN ON DIFFERENT SURFACES - See how many different surfaces you can run on in a week: Asphalt, gravel, trail, grass, track, treadmill, beach. Each stresses your leg muscles in a slightly different way, helping to prevent overuse injuries. (If possible, avoid concrete, the hardest and least accommodating surface for runners.)
TAKE A TRIP - Reward your training and racing successes with a special running vacation. Take in an exotic international marathon; many runners have had good luck with a trusted provider, Marathon Tours (www.marathontour.com), which can offer guaranteed entry into those difficult-to-enter events. Or, organize your running partners into a relay team, and enter an exciting and fun-filled road relay like Hood to Coast (Oregon), the Hana Relay (Maui), the Lake Tahoe Relay (California), the Cabot Trail Relay (Nova Scotia), or the Lake Winnipesaukee Relay (New Hampshire).
STAY FLEXIBLE - Here, we're talking about a regular stretching program to keep your legs limber and injury-free. Or yoga and Pilates routines, both of which are enjoying a huge surge in popularity. Pick the approach that works best for you. You need to prevent injuries if you want to improve your training consistency.
RUN BEFORE YOU GET HOME FROM WORK - If you can't run in the morning or at lunch, at least try to run before you get home from work. Stop at a favorite park or trail on your way home from the office, and do a workout there. Or arrange to meet some friends for a run at 5:30 p.m. Once you're at home, it's hard to get out the door again for a workout.
STAY HYDRATED - Eat your fruits and vegetables. Get plenty of sleep.
ADOPT A RUNNER - Sometimes, the most motivating and rewarding thing you can do is to reach out to someone else. It could be someone close: at work or even in your family. Or your club might receive occasional calls from new runners, or those who want to begin. Offer to help. Beginners don't need a mentor with a Ph.D. They need encouragement, a personal connection, and the kind of basic training, nutrition, and injury-prevention experience you already possess.
START A RUNNING STREAK - We don't mean that you should run every day like. In fact, we don't advise that for most runners. But we like the idea of running the same road race every year, like Jack Kirk, who has completed the Dipsea Race in Mill Valley, Calif., for 67 years in a row. Or you could run one marathon a year, every year. Or you could "collect" states by racing in a different state every year.
JOIN AN ONLINE COMMUNITY - Many running Web sites, including ours, have forums or message boards where runners exchange information, opinions, and greetings that develop into digital friendships. Often, these blossom into "encounters," where the online friends agree to meet at a particular race. Along the way, they encourage each other's training, and lend a sympathetic ear when that's what you need most.
ESTABLISH A PRERUN ROUTINE - You warm up at the start of a race, and at the beginning of a workout, but it's also helpful to warm up for your warmup, so to speak. Follow a routine. Sixty minutes before your run, reach for a bottle of sports drink. At run-minus-30, get up and take a 3-minute stroll to loosen the legs. At run-minus-10, listen to a favorite psych-up song. Include any other short activities that work for you. Psychologists say these routines help us develop the healthy patterns we want.
DON'T OBSESS ABOUT IT - Hey, we wish every day went as planned, and every run fit perfectly into the scheme of things. But stuff happens. Life has a way of playing tricks on all of us, both the unexpectedly happy variety and that other kind. Don't worry about the runs you miss. Sometimes the best advice is simply to run with a smile on your face, and to enjoy and appreciate every workout. Come to think of it, that's always the best advice.

How Do You Act Upon Criticism?

noreply@blogger.com (Geca Franco) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:53:00 +0000

Bloggers will write what they see, feel and think about anything that touches their lives.

Why don't we all look up and ask deep within what should we do when facing criticisms? Maybe we have to DO 'something' for the BETTER not only for ourselves but also for everyone else around us. Free ourselves from selfish thoughts because it doesn't serve well in our lives.

I am rolling on the floor here just to think about this:

What a funny feeling to meet blog readers and find out that they disagree with what they read. It's even more hilarious to hear them justify the wrong and wickedly imply to cover up the truth. Furthermore, requested for a task in such a way that they are the big bosses.

Hohum.

Oh Hey! It's Christmas time! Time to reflect. And remember the Magic in Forgiveness... Leads to Happiness.

Cheers!