Life Is Beautiful

Kids are Kids

2013-04-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, some part of Middle East countries are experienced an earthquake, including United Arab Emirates. According to news, Southeast Iran experienced the most powerful strike of the said tremor over 40 years. It was recorded 7.8 magnitude earthquake, but scaled back their assessment as it became clear that its depth, initially reported to be only about 10 miles beneath the surface, was more than 56 miles beneath. (The New York Times--Middle East)

We are just be thankful to our Almighty God for saving us yesterday. It was really a tragic to all of us here. I was in the bedroom and making some household chores, while my kids are in their playroom area when this tremor happened. When I felt that our computer table was shaking, I called my children and said to come over and sit down. We are sitting on our bed, when the tremor gets faster in moving. While I'm whispering my silent prayer, my kids are kept asking me, "What is that mommy? Why the chairs are shaking? I just answered them, it's an earthquake. But still, I'm thinking what to do. Then we heard our neighbor, they are going downstairs. So, I got our "emergency bag", this bag is the one we prepared before where our important documents are here, so that during emergencies we are ready. My son opened the door but I remember that my cellphone is charging, so I came back to get it, it's hard to lose contact, my husband is in the office that time. And finally we reached the ground floor, we stay less than an hour on the ground before going back to our rooms. And thanks to our God, He protected us!

And today I realized what are the things my kids brought during that time. They brought this yesterday, their Hero Factory collections.

Are they thinking they are the real heroes? What are the kids thinking during that time? We really don't know, right? So we parents who knows what to do, we really need to keep the alertness in our mind. Always be ready, and don't panic. I'm not saying that I'm always ready, I'm just keep reminding together myself that "we should be ready", prayers really helps. Our kids are still depending on us. That's why I called it "kids are kids" and I must say "God is our Hero".

Yes, I Won!

2013-04-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

What? I can't believe this, but that's the truth! I won a Grill Kit McCormick! Last March, I received an email from Nuffnang Philippines inviting me to join this Grill Nation theme by McCormick. I posted my entry "Take your grilling FLAVOR to the next level! in my food blog site, and yesterday I received my email that I am one of the lucky winners. This is my first time to join Nuffnang Contest and I am happy and no regrets being a member of Nuffnang Philippines.
Thank you very much Nuffnang Family , kindly visit and like McCormick Facebook Account. You too can join.

Congratulations to all winners! Till the next contest.

Glowing Skin

2012-11-28T04:31:00.000-08:00

When I was in teenager stage, I learned how to care my skin, in a very simple way, using moisturizer like lotion. I wondered why are the actresses have that healthy and glowing skin, maybe because they use the most expensive brand of soap? Or maybe they had skin treatment from the experts? Or some of them are lucky to have that natural glowing skin.
But do you know that, experts said, "you are what you eat" especially if it is about your skin. It's certainly possible to eat your way to better skin, or sometimes supplements can help you get that healthy glow. Vitamin C improves skin health, countering sun damage. To keep skin looking healthy despite sun exposure, apply vitamin C cream directly to skin and eat foods rich in vitamin such as peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, and dark leafy greens, might also benefit from taking vitamin C supplements. Fruits are also essential source of vitamins that helps your skin healthy. So don't forget to buy fruits on your next grocery day (-:

Tiny Tots for LiL Ones

2012-11-22T02:46:00.000-08:00

Having a baby is really a big break from Almighty God, it's a blessing that will complete the real meaning of the word family. Especially having the first child, we are very excited to see them, and because technology is there we can easily see them through ultrasound. They can detect the gender either. That way, we can prepare their needs before they come out. We can choose the nice color dress and other tiny tots for them. I found this photo on my friend's Facebook wall, it's really nice to see that in a few months she will have her own new bundle of joy, a gift from God, I'm sure a cutie one little girl.

photo by : Sandra H.

How to Overcome Infertility

2012-11-22T02:30:00.000-08:00

Infertility arises from the fact that reproduction is so fundamental to the gender identity of women. The idea that we're born to reproduce,and that something has gone wrong, can leave women with a real feeling of being defective. Overcoming it can become obsessive. Some women will think "What did I do to deserve this?" Yes, that's true, it's very emotional subject. I have read some issues regarding this matter, and here are some information that I think will help you.

First, LOSE WEIGHT---Women need to look after themselves to maintain reproductive potential. In some country obesity is such an epidemic that being overweight is one of the main factors we face.
Second, GET ON WITH IT--- Many women are getting married later and trying for children later. Age is the biggest barrier to conception according to some specialist, whereas obesity is not a total barrier but age can be, especially after 40 years old.
Third, GIVE UP SMOKING--- Women who smoke reach the menopause earlier. This is because nicotine is toxic on eggs.
Fourth, GO TO THE EXPERTS--- If you are under 35 and haven't fallen pregnant within a year, see a fertility specialist. Don't waste time seeing people who are not adequately qualified to help you. Always try for second opinion from a different specialist.

From my previous posts about having a baby, or are you ready to have another baby, I mentioned there, the factors to consider if you're planning to have one too.

What's the Best Parenting Style

2012-11-12T02:14:00.000-08:00

Are you a drill sergeant or a soft touch? "Few people will fit into any one box. Every child is different, so one size doesn't fit all. We, as parents need to understand what works for us and our child." There are different style in parenting, like authoritative parenting,it involves high demands and expectations, but parents want their children to use their own reasoning and work independently. This is one of the best parenting styles, according to some psychologist. Children and parents are engaged, democratic and the relationship is supportive and assertive. Kids are happier because there's a healthy balance. They are confident and have a healthy respect for their parents. When they break the rules, they are disciplined in a fair and consistent manner. Another style is the authoritarian
parenting, whereas parents have exceedingly expectations for their kids. They establish rules without explanation, the so called "because i say so!" and expect them to obeyed without question. As a result of this style, well-behaved children and potential prodigies. This strategy doesn't work with all children, it can fail and resulting in kids who are unhappy, withdrawn, moody and more likely to rebel. According to some psychologist, you as parents might be ending up in danger especially with kids who are emotionally aloof. While free range parenting, involves parents who allowed their children to fail and experience disappointment. Letting your kids roam a little freer, with less supervision, it also cultivates independence and confidence. Attachment parenting focuses on developing the emotional bond with the child to form the basis for secure relationships. It can affect your independence as well as your child's. So among those styles, which parents are you? The truth is, there are no real rights and wrongs. Don't be afraid of intuitive parenting where we go our gut feeling. What's important is to pass on our values, beliefs and attitudes. And the best parenting style is being a good role model to our kids to the best as we can.

credit to my source: GoodTaste Magazine

A Gift

2012-11-10T04:38:00.000-08:00

Surprise! Have you experienced being surprised? Maybe it's your birthday, anniversary, Christmas or other holidays that are remarkable for both of you, and your partner won't tell you what gifts she/he will give you. I remember last Christmas, someone special gave this beautiful watch to me and I was really surprised then. I'm not expecting that after we talked about different watches, he will buy one for me, again. I told him that I like different colors of watch straps, even it's the cheapest one. Actually I'm not always with the brand, as long as I'm comfortable to wear it. And that's it, he found this Fendi watch with two leather straps, actually there are more colors of these, but he picked my favorites. To my special someone, thank you very much for the GIFT. Are you looking for gift ideas, click here!

Spend Sometime

2012-11-01T05:57:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful resort I had visited in United Arab Emirates. We enjoyed the scenery and the warm water in the pool. We went there to celebrate my hubby's birthday. If you want a peaceful and pleasant holiday, try this one, Rotana Resort and Spa Fujairah .

Live Well

2012-10-29T00:34:00.000-07:00

Whether you live alone, with your family or with a group of friends in a shared house or room, the key to running a home successfully is organisation. Being organised with your things develops your personal discipline. Can you imagine what would happen at work if your co-workers got stuck in traffic one day and you were left in charge. What job would you start to do first? In my case, since I am the homemaker, after my children went to school and my husband to the office, right after the door closed, I start my household chores. Sometimes we feel useless in the morning,especially when we woke up very early to prepare breakfast for them, so we should be honest to ourselves,when is the time we are sure of our system for tackling household chores, you should have the energy to do all the tasks.
Don't make yourself do things when your natural energy levels are low, but instead work out a timetable and schedule your tasks for high-energy periods. Try turning the chores that you regard as work into things that are fun to do. Dancing for example, it makes your body alive, turn your music on while mopping the floor, bend and stretch when you hang out the laundry. That way, you will enjoy what you are doing. And of course the only way of getting anything done is to make a START, so what are you waiting for, START NOW! Life Is beautiful (-:

Favorite Life Quotes

2012-10-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

Quotes are group of words from a text or speech, it is typically with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker. Do you have some favorite quotations?
Sometimes when I'm feeling down or feeling alone, I love to read some positive quotes. It gives me some strength and positive outlook in life. Here are some of my favorites from the famous:

"LIFE is like a butterfly... You go through changes before you become something BEAUTIFUL."

Through experiences and changes we become more capable on what we are doing or we can explore more about ourselves, develops our talents, improves our weaknesses, and became a better person.

"Sometimes you have to do what's best for you and your life, not what's best for everybody else."

"As long as I do no harm to others, I really don't care if someone doesn't like me."

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

"All life is an experiment. The more you experiments you make the better."

"Always make God in the center of your life."

AND YOU WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE. Remember Life Is Beautiful (-:

The Importance of Sleep

2012-10-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

It is best to sleep seven to eight hours each night. Getting less than 7 hours disrupts hunger-regulating hormones, causing weight gain and related concerns.

2009-03-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

Simple Tips

To keep ice cream from melting so quickly, serve it in a clay pot. First, soften a pint of your favorite flavor(microwave for 15 seconds), then pack into foil-lined pots. Cover, freeze, and bring to the table.
Do you have old placemats? Don't throw them out just yet. Revive them by making bits and pieces out of the "good" parts. trace circles and cut to make coasters; form squares and cut to make borders for photos or picture frames; or cut the designs and keep for crafts project later.
Create a mini family gallery with a ribbon and children's hair clips. With sewing machine, stitch buttonholes into the ribbon (or just use a hole punch). Insert a clip through each hole and attach the photos. It's easy to swap in new shots whenever you like.

PARENT'S GUIDE to PROPER NUTRITION

2009-03-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Children's Learning and Vision Development

Our eyes are the windows through which we see the world. The eyes and the brain are vital organs that are so important for nearly every action that we perform in life. In order to function properly, our eyes and brain need a wide array of nutrients. Children, in particular, need the right nourishment to help in the proper development of their brain and vision.

If you notice any of the following behaviors in your child, she may be suffering from developmental problem that may ultimately affect her learning. If there is a problem, your doctor is the best person to consult about the possible therapy or treatment program to help address these issues.

holds book or object unusually close
closes one eye or covers eye with hand
is unable to sit still or cannot stay on a task for long periods
twists or tilts head toward book or object so as to favor one eye
is disorganized and frustrated when studying visual information
turns or tilts head to see
head is frequently tilted to one side, or one shoulder is noticeably higher
poor visual/motor skills (often called,"hand-eye coordination")
problems moving in space, frequently bumps into things or drop things

Remember that everyone is born with the ability to develop good vision, and that there is a critical period for this development to take place: usually during the first several years of life. A person's brain is also shaped the most during the first 10 years of life. Proper visual stimulation helps because it has been proven to produce developmental advantages in children. You can invest in your child's learning by giving them adequate nutrition that supports proper brain growth and visual development.

HEALTH CHECK for WOMEN

2009-03-09T18:40:00.001-07:00

Ten Habits of Healthy Women

Are you healthy? If you are clueless about your own well-being, don't worry, I read this advice from my health magazine. We believe it's our role to look after other people first, so we think about our husbands and children before we take care of ourselves. We know about well-baby clinics, but we don't have well-women clinics. Women should understand that they need to take care of themselves even they feel well.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT-- women are much more likely to have diabetes than men, and the risk increases markedly as one grows older.
DON'T SMOKE--if you do, stop!Tobacco use will drain nearly 20% of the household income of smokers' families" not only due to the cost of cigarettes, but also due to the increased cost in health care.
PRESERVE YOUR FERTILITY--I've seen many women who have been having dysmenorrhea or irregular periods for a long time and still they don't seek advice.
PERFORM A SELF-BREAST EXAM REGULARLY-- u can inspect your breasts in front of a mirror with arms on your sides and then above your head.
GO FOR A YEARLY PAP SMEAR-- go to your gynecologist, early detection of cervical cancer more than makes up for the discomfort.
HAVE YOUR EYES EXAMINED-- most common of which is vitamin A deficiency, cataracts are another common cause of blindness.
MAKE SURE YOUR WORK KEEPS YOU HEALTHY AND HAPPY-- you have to help create safe and healthy workplaces, whether you are full-time mother, homeworker, factory line assembler, sales lady, or office worker. Do not allow your work , or yourself, to be valued less.
WORK ON YOUR RELATIONSHIPS-- technology allows us to communicate easily. Send a simple text message to your husband or boyfriend saying 'how are you?' It's simple, but it makes a big difference.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO-- work-life balance also means finding time for all aspects of your life.
RESERVE AN HOUR EVERY DAY FOR DOING SOMETHING YOU ENJOY-- it doesn't have to be complicated, you can write, play a computer game, call a friend, or just lie down. Setting even just one hour for yourself everyday will go far in helping you keep your sanity. Women need to have some time for themselves to relax and have fun. Life is short, so enjoy every minute.

EASY CLEANUP

2009-03-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

Must-do Moves for Beautiful Bedding
As a mom , I really like to see my favorite linens looking fresh and my pillows in prime condition. So I tried these tips:

Laundering-- try to wash sheets and pillow covers once a week (or at least every other) in warm water (hot fades colors). For extra softness, add a few drops of hair conditioner to the wash in the rinse cycle. Or you can use fabric conditioners, with antibacterial.
Preserving pillows--instead of tossing your fancy decorative pillow on the floor before getting into bed, keep a basket or hamper in a corner of the room and place pillows there.
Fixing feathers--fluff up flattened-down comforters and pillows by putting them in the dryer for 10 minutes on cool air.

Manage your Linens

USE your best linens. Don't keep waiting for special occasions.
KEEP your linens by set. The next time you change bed linens, it's easier to pull out.
THROW away everything you'll never use especially those having holes, or you can repair it and make them rags.
STORE vintage bedspreads away from everyday things to avoid stains and rips.

2009-03-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

Be More Ipod Aware

Listening to tunes in public can leave you vulnerable.
The coolest thing about mobile music is that it allows you to tune out the world around you so you can peacefully chill in your own musical bubble. Problems, you may also end up tuned out to subtle signs of danger.
"Studies show that gadgets like mp3 players lower a person's awareness and slow down their reaction time." So even though you think you're paying enough attention, you're actually much more likely to ignore a red light or not realize that a sketchy guy is following you." Play it safe by keeping the volume low or by wearing only one ear bud.
Stay tuned in to your surroundings.

Positive Kids in a Negative World

2009-03-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

I attended this seminar on positive parenting last month, we have group discussion and sharing of our experiences regarding our children. I really enjoyed and excited to try it at home. I learned a lot of things. Now, I want to share this thoughts to all parents who want to give positive parenting to their children, especially in this generation.
Times have changed. Just a few generations ago, getting in trouble meant talking too much in class or being disrespectful to your elders. But today, the stakes are much higher. The common entry-level offenses for school-age kids today often include drinking, experimenting with drugs, sexual activity and recreational crime. One small slip-up and a young person can find his life permanently altered, or ended altogether. It's a very negative world. Here are some principles for positive parenting:

Positive parenting begins with positive clear-cut objectives-- apply the principle of focus- proactive parenting. Prevents reactive, fearful methods.
Positive parenting demands we practice what we reach-- apply the principle of modeling-more is caught than taught.
Positive parents build relationships that bond-- apply the principle of relationship. The stronger your relationship with your child, the more likely he will embrace your values and beliefs. The weaker your relationship with your child, the less likely he will embrace it. Tension and stress and difficulties are normal. There are (8)eight keys for building relationships that bond:

Unconditional love
Scheduled meaningful time
Focused attention
Eye contact
Ongoing communication--dinner together, bedtime, shared memories
Meaningful touching
Have fun together
Pray together often

Positive parenting requires constant repair and ongoing maintenance-- apply the principle of process. Say the five powerful words, I'M SORRY. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

BREAKUP STORIES

2009-02-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Just reading about the heinous ways they got dumped will make you want to rent a chick flick and dive into a vat of ice cream. Which one is yours?

--Pregnant Pause--

My boyfriend, Joseph, and I were in a quasi-long-distance relationship because he did a lot of traveling for his finance job. While I'll admit that I didn't love our every-other-week arrangement, I was dealing with the situation beause I thought we were really good fo each other.
One Friday, after he'd just gotten back into town from a two-weeks stint overseas, he took me out for an amazing dinner at my favorite restaurant. We lingered for hours, enjoying the wine and great conversation. After dessert, we found our way back to his place, and he proved to me--in the sack--just how much he'd missed me. Everything seemed absolutely perfect.
But the next morning, it went to hell. While we were cuddling in bed, he blurted out that he'd gotten his ex-girlfriend pregnant, and he was getting back together with her.

--GF Numbe One--

My boyfriend had the rep of being a playboy, but I ignored all the rumors. One day I received a phone call from someone who claimed was his girlfriend. She was accusing me of making them gulo. I confronted him and he 'fessed up, saying he did have two other girlfriends---but I was the one he loved most. It was a dirty breakup, but I'm so glad I finally got out of that elationship!

Ouch!!!! It's so hard to be in a relationship, without knowing that someday you'll get hurt with someone you loved before. Be wise on choosing your partner in life.

2009-02-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

Post Breakup Panic

If breaking up is hard to do, moving forward may seem harder. Here are some quick tips to help you cope:

Face Facts--Because you don't see him anymore, you'll reach a point where you forget why you broke up in the first place. I read this before at Bellaonline.com. Keep yourself grounded with what's true.
Find the best way to cope--Whether it's saying a final goodbye, going away on a trip, or surrounding yourself with friends, work on how you can achieve total closure.
Let yourself heal--Focus on healing rather than regret or revenge. Otherwise you'll be stuck with anger. Remember, "everyone recovers from a breakup on their own time table."

Are You Ready to have Another Baby?

2009-02-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

Responsible parenthood does not only entail proper care of the children by both the husband and the wife; more importantly, it means proper family planning. Couples who can successfully plan the number and birth intervals of their children not only have more fun taking care of the kids, they also encounter less problems raising them. I've come up with a checklist to help you find out if you are indeed ready to welcome a new addition to your family.

Financial Stability--Do you have enough income or savings to support the needs of the kids you have now as well as that of the new one? Before you have another baby, you should first ensure that you could adequately provide for your brood's needs. Kids need to have a stable household, proper health care, and a good education, and you should be able to give those to them and the new baby.

Physical Readiness--Succeeding pregnancies should be placed about two to three years in between. This will give the mother enough time to recover fully from her previous pregnancy. Also, she could devote more time to taking care of her other children.

Psychological Preparedness--Do you feel you could manage taking care of another child? Are your children ready to welcome a new sibling? The whole family--parents and kids alike--should be prepared to adapt to the changes brought about by a new baby. Children, especially, need to be informed of the parent's decision to have another child. It will avoid issues such as jealousy over the new baby.

Family Planning Awareness--In order to practice responsible parenthood effectively, couples need to be informed of the choices they have. Talking to your doctor or reproductive health care provider will let you know about the various methods of family planning. The TRUST Family Program offers a variety of contraceptives for every budget and preference, from oral contraceptive pills and injectable contraceptives to condoms. They are available in health clinics, drugstores, and pharmacies nationwide.

Your readiness to have another baby will depend on these four very important factors. It's necessary to be sure that you are ready in all aspects, because these factors affect one another. If you've checked all the items in the list, then you can consider yourself ready for another baby.

Sale Away!

2009-02-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

If you have a lot of unused or unwanted stuff in your home, hold a garage sale to clear up clutter and earn extra cash. Here's how:

Choose your sale date--Weekends are good. If you're holding it near holiday, it's good idea to sell gift items or ornaments.
Check local ordinances--In some areas, it's fine to just put up a sale sign in front of your house, but some might require you to obtain permits.
Make an inventory--Sort your merchandise. Doing this prevents you from selling those you might still need, and it would help you monitor your sales.
Price your items--Check current prices for new or barely-used items. For old things, check out ukay pricing. Put a price tag on every item.
Advertise--Put up big signs with your sale details. Inform your neighbors through phone and email.
Set up--Display your wares on long tables, with the most attractive items in front to draw in customers.
Have lots of change--Prepare small bills and coins.
Make an ending inventory--At the end of your sale, take down your signs, count your money, and see what's left over. Use them for your next sale, or donate to charity.

Dinosaurs for my Eldest Son

2009-01-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

Here I am again, it's like a line of a song, huh? Well I'm thinking something to type on in my post. And I realize this topic, this is about my son's favorite book of dinosaurs. He bought this last Christmas. This book tells the story of the evolution of animals on Earth-- from the first shelled creatures to mammals. I was wondering that my 4 years old son likes this book so much, imagine he is 4 years old. Even he can't read all the lines there because he just beginning to read small words, he is enjoy looking the animals featured, especially the dinosaurs. He has also the collection of this toy-dinosaurs.

Choosing Safe Toys

2009-01-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

Millions of toys are out there, and hundreds of new ones hit the stores each year. Toys are supposed to be fun and are an important part of any child's development. But each year, scores of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries. Choking is a particular risk for kids ages 3 or younger, because they tend to put objects in their mouths.

Manufacturers follow certain guidelines and label most new toys for specific age groups. But perhaps the most important thing in a parent can do is to supervise play.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) closely monitors and regulates toys. Any toys made in---or imported into--the United States after 1995 must comply with CPSC standards.

Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when toy-shopping:

Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant.
Stuffed toys should be washable.
Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint.
Art materials should say nontoxic.
Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Steer clear of older toys, even hand-me-downs from friends and family. Those toys might have sentimental value and are certainly cost-effective, but they may not meet current safety standards and may be so worn from play that they can break and become hazardous.

And make sure a toy isn't too loud for your child. The noise of some rattles, squeak toys, and musical or electronic toys can be as loud as a car horn-- even louder if a child holds it directly to the ears-- and can contribute to hearing damage.

The Right Toys at the Right Ages

Always read labels to make sure a toy is appropriate for a child's age. Guidelines published by the CPSC and other groups can help you make those buying decisions. Still, use you own best judgment-- and consider your child's temperament, habits, and behavior whenever you buy a new toy.

You may think that a child who's advanced in comparison to peer can handle toys meant for older kids. But the age levels for toys are determined by safety factors, not intelligence or maturity.

Like this one, we bought a toy for our 11th months baby boy, he really enjoy playing this Busy Ball Popper by Playskool. It encourages hands-on exploration and discovery. It's poppin', droppin' air powered fun! Drop the five colorful balls onto the track and they'll pop out the chute, roll down the track, then pop out all over again! Sometimes the balls spill over for even more put-and-take play! Silly sound effects and upbeat music accompany the animated action. The busy ball popper is an "air-mazing" experience!

My baby learns about cause and effect by making things happen. This toy makes cause and effect play engaging, surprising and exciting. The disappearing and reappearing ball teach developing minds that things still exist, even when they can't be seen. You can visit www.playskool.com for more information.

Lifestyle

2009-01-10T23:41:00.000-08:00

The Only Way To Turn New Year's Resolution Into A Reality

So you ate, drank and spent too much over the Holidays. Now you are overweight, bloated, tired and broke, and you are promising yourself that you are going to change all that this year!

There are two reasons why New Year resolutions don't work:

we try and take on too much;
we don't believe in ourselves.

In the world of resolutions, "Size does matter". You can turn your resolutions into realities by starting small. As the saying goes, "the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time!"

At the start of each new year we begin by looking at our life and deciding this is the year we are going to make real changes in weight, romance, smoking, drinking, career, money, getting in shape, organizing, cleaning and more. Well, we never followed through in all the other years, so as good as our intentions and desires are our subconscious is not expecting our resolution to come true. We have conditioned ourselves to doubt our ability to change. This core lack of belief triggers a lack of commitment to action and the result is the same year after year: not pursuing our goals with consistent action.

Well you have said it before. "This year is the year I ____________!" Sound familiar? You have said it and you have not done it, but there is a way to make your goals materialize. Here is Coach Steele's abbreviated "Resolution Success System!"

Learn and use this Success System. Once you learn the system you can apply the system over and over again with succession every area of your life. Concentrate on the system not the goal.
"Pick one, and get it done" as a friend of mine is fond of saying. Make sure you are picking something that you really want to achieve. You can't lose weight, stop smoking, or get an education because someone else wants you to. If you really want something you will do what it takes.
Reduce this goal to manageable pieces. Set goals that are what you believe you can achieve in one month. Remember size does count and focusing your energy on one goal to be accomplished in 30 days gives us something tangible. If you don't believe you can do it you won't be able to.
First write this goal down and then brain-storm to find at least 20 different actions you can take right now to achieve it. Don't skip this step! Our tendency is to take shortcuts. Do not!
Post your written goal and the 20 ways you can achieve it on the wall in a very visible place. If we don't affirm our goals we will not achieve them.
Study your goal and 20 actions several times a day, and visualize yourself with the results. If you can't see it you can't achieve it. Link your 5 senses to the goal. Make it come alive for you.
Act as if. Act as if you have already achieved your goal. Give yourself positive affirmations as if you have already achieved the goal. This is called telling the truth in advance.
Go to the posted goal everyday as often as you can, recite it out loud, visualize the result, state the affirmation and then pick activities that you will do (from your list of 20) that day to achieve it. It is all about what you do each day so resolve to put the effort in. I call this the Law of Effort.
Apply the Law of Consistency; do not fall into the trap of tomorrow. Start now. Not tomorrow. Not January 1st. Then, commit to yourself that you will be consistent for 30 days. After all what is 30 days?
Update your goal, and repeat all these steps every 30 days and expand to every goal you want.

Be enthusiastic, as Emerson said, "Nothing great is ever created without enthusiasm." These are the 10 parts of success that, if used, will guarantee your success.

Don't let this New Year end up like all the others, follow these steps and you will learn that you can develop a success system in your life.

Congratulations in advance for taking this first positive step in realizing your goals, and Happy New Year!!

A Deeper Experience

2009-01-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

To all my readers I just want to say sorry for not updating my posts. We went to Manila to celebrate the long holiday vacation. We went to Manila Ocean Park. So, I will share something about this Oceanarium.

MANILA OCEAN PARK

The first world-class marine themed park to adopt a fusion concept- bringing together in one complex an Oceanarium, a mall, a restaurant row, boutique hotel, open water marine habitats and multi-purpose function facilities.
Manila Ocean Park is open from 10am to 9pm, Mondays through Sundays. Groups requesting for earlier or evening tour schedules may be accommodated.
The journey can take about two hours to finish. Tour guides are provided for the guests to assist them in every zone. Apart from the audio narration, the guides are strategically located to help answer inquiries from guests.
Everyone entering the Park is subject to a security check. Bags, parcels and /or items shall undergo inspection before entry. They reserve the right not to allow any suspicious looking bag, parcel item or person to enter the Park. Items not allowed inside the Park may be left at a designated repository by the main entrance. Guests shall be given a claim stub to pick up their personal belongings upon exit at the Park. People under the influence or showing signs of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol will be denied entry. Drugs, firearms and other deadly weapons, and laser lights are strictly prohibited in the Park.

THE OCEANARIUM

The Oceanarium is the first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines. Experience a wide variety of species, such as sharks, fishes and invertebrates indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Walk through their 25-meter long underwater tunnel, surrounded by awesome creatures.
Even inside the oceanarium smoking is not allowed inside. Foods, beverages, candies and chewing gum are not allowed inside, but infant formula is allowed inside the premises.
Flash photography is not allowed as this scares the marine animals.

In their multi-media facility, we found out how we can help save the ocean and its inhabitants, we learn more about marine ecosystems, life cycles of coral reefs and other interesting facts and trivia through the use of thrilling, hi-tech devices. My four years old child really enjoyed this experience. Here are some words to remember, we found it in this facility:

Agos (Flow)-- We begin our journey in Agos and learn about the natural flow of water from land to sea. Giant arapaima, alligator gar and various types of african cichlids can be found in this zone. At the touch pool, a hands-on experience awaits those who want to interact with some of their friendly residents, such as starfish and sea cucumber.
Bahura (Reef)-- Bahura features some of the most fascinating creatures in the Philippine coral reefs. Find out why the clownfish loves hanging out with the magnificent sea anemone or why the Japanese spider crab is called the largest living arthropod.
Laot (Fishing Ground)-- In Laot, we found a wide array of fish in the deeper waters of the sea.
Buhay na Karagatan (The Living Ocean)-- We found various marine animals and how they interact with each other. I can see how they protect themselves from predators and they have techniques for finding food to survive.
Ang Kalaliman (The Deep)-- It features different kinds of schooling fish like the barracuda. We discover why many fish feel safer in groups.

Here are some photographs taken from the Oceanarium: