God Brought Me Here For A Reason

BPC #12/366 | My Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:11 PST

A candid picture of my sister. Miss her so much.

I am linking this picture for Blog Photo Challenge hosted by Me and My Passion.

TT: Few Days From Now...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:41:40 PST

Yes, just few days from now and I'll be holding my baby Gregory on my arms, by God's grace. I am really excited for that day to come. I keep on asking God to give me the strength that I need to endure all those birth pains. I know it will going to be a life and death experience but as what I have claimed over and over again, God has a wonderful plans for me, and one of those plans is being a MOTHER... Thank you Lord for allowing me to experience such kind of opportunity. Yes, being a mother is a great opportunity. Not only you pro-create, you will also be able to testify how amazing God is! For nine months of pregnancy comes a beautiful creature, a very precious one.

Picture Perfect Entries

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 PST

For this week's Picture Perfect, please go directly to http://www.femalescentsation.info/picture-perfect-4-months/ and link up! Your entries will be highly appreciated :)

See you there! Thanks for dropping by.

BPC #10/366 | Women of Substance

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:24:40 PST

These are the mighty women in our church... Well, this was taken last year (I was still single then, I supposed :) Most of the women here are now in another places- some for jobs while others were already settling down (just like me:) Pictures are indeed so important because it will help yopu reminisce the good times you have together with your friends who are already beyond your reach right now...

I am linking this post to Blog Photo Challenge hosted by Me & My Passion.

Care to join?

Need Office Furniture?

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:48:09 PST

One way of finding a good office furniture is to check first its quality. Of course it is quite difficult to determine its quality if you haven't tried it yet. However, you can check some office furniture online reviews. You can be assured that what you get from there is an honest review of the furniture that has been proven and tested by time by those satisfied users. You will be equally assured as well that you can also read some negative reviews of some furniture from an unsatisfied customer. In the end, it is still you who will get to decide on what furniture to buy.Just follow your good judgment.

Just For Fun... (Girl Pick Up)

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:44:53 PST

Click for larger and clearer view

WFW: Charm is deceptive...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:25:29 PST

Yes indeed, charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting. It's not what is seen by the eyes determines the real beauty of a woman, it's what's within her... A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised...

Shaping a New You for 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:33:21 PST

If you are among those individuals who are still trying hard to make a great difference for this year 2012 when it comes to diet, this simple tips that I will give you could be of great help to you. I was once an aspirant of losing weight to the extent of not eating anything at all (of course such way is not advisable for it could affect your health negatively). But all of those will (or shall i say unsuccessful attempt) was gone when I conceived my baby. As pregnant, I became unconscious with my weight anymore knowing that it is normal for pregnant women to really gain lots of weight. However, it made me realize now that I still need to watch my diet especially during postpartum period.

So, I have here list of natural appetite suppressants that will help you stay full and will therefore lower your calorie intake...

ALMOND. Now, who doesn't love almond? This is so rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E and magnesium have also been shown to increase feelings of fullness in people and help with weight management


COFFEE. a moderate amount of coffee can help boost metabolism and suppress your appetite. Coffee's secret? Caffeine, along with antioxidants from the coffee beans. Just don't cancel out those good effects with too much sugar or cream!


DARK CHOCOLATE. a little dark chocolate helps to lower your cravings because the bitter taste signals the body to decrease your appetite. Not to mention that the steric acid in dark chocolate helps slow digestion to help you feel fuller longer. If dark chocolate is too bitter for you, try having a piece with a cup of black coffee—it'll bring out the sweetness!


EGGS. eating an egg or two for breakfast can help dieters feel more full over 24 hours. (I am just quite confused if the outer color of the egg shell has some significance or any egg color will do:)

SWEET POTATOES. potatoes contain a special type of starch that resists digestive enzymes, making them stay in your stomach longer and therefore keep you full. Plus, they're full of vitamin A and vitamin C!

AVOCADO. Full of fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, avocados suppress appetite when eaten in moderation. In fact, the fats in these little guys send signals to your brain that tell your stomach that it's full!

APPLES. Apples of all varieties and types help suppress hunger for a number of reasons. First, apples are filled with soluble fiber and pectin, which help you feel full. Apples also regulate your glucose and boost your energy level. Finally, apples require lots of chewing time, which helps slow you down and gives your body more time to realize that you're no longer hungry. Plus, they just taste good! 

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES. If you're really looking for a highly nutritious food that will fill you up for hours, you can't beat green leafy vegetables. From kale to spinach to Swiss chard, these fibrous greens (eaten raw or gently sautéed with a little olive oil) are delicious and definitely keep hunger at bay.

TOFU. A rich plant-based protein source, tofu isn't just for vegetarians! Tofu is high in an isoflavone called genistein, which has been shown to suppress appetite and lower food intake.

And lastly,


WATER. Could taming your appetite be as easy as drinking an extra glass or two of water? Science says yes! In one August 2010 study, people who drank two glasses of water before a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories at the meal than those who didn't drink water. Love that H2O!

Keeping ourselves fit and physically healthy needs a strong determination. Without that determination, we tend to follow a diet program for just a short span of time without total commitment. Losing weight isn't that easy after all but with great determination comes great decision. YOU CAN MAKE IT!

Get more health tips at http://www.shape.com.

God bless you on all your endeavor towards a healthy lifestyle!

New Way of Controlling Your Finances For 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:07:32 PST

This post brought to you by Western Union. All opinions are 100% mine.

Financial problems only comes when we lost side track of how to manage it effectively. If you are one of those individuals who went through financial constraints for the past years, now is the time to control your finances at your own total control. One of the main source of financial problems of any individual is the impulsive and compulsive buying using credit cards. Most of us lost control of controlling our debts through credit cards especially during holiday seasons wherein we are sometimes persuaded with those 0% sales on gadgets and other major items.

To welcome the Year 2012, it is just the high time for us to invest on something that will not keep us hanging on the balance when it comes to financial control. If you are a credit card holder, you better switch now to Western Union mun2 Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard. You might ask what would be the advantages of this card over other prepaid or credit cards. You can basically use this card for online shopping, movies, concerts and a whole lot more and you can track your balance anytime you want thus saving you from the pitfalls of overspending. There are also NO monthly maintenance fees, no purchase transaction fees and no overdraft or late payment fees, which means more money in your pocket. Considering that it is prepaid, you can load money anytime through their available and readily accessible Western Union Agent locations. You are also guaranteed of their protection just in case your card will be lost or stolen through their MasterCard's Zero Liability Policy. Having all these benefits, you could never go wrong with Western Union mun2 Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and avail their additional $10 into your prepaid account after your first direct deposit of your Western Union mun2 Reloadable Prepaid MasterCard. Now, this is your new way of controlling your finances for 2012.

No Carbs Diet...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:50:14 PST

I just had my prenatal today and the Doctor was very much surprised with how much I gained weight within just one week... The measurement of my tummy went from 32cm to 36cm. According to the Doctor, the normal increase should be 1cm/week only (and mine was 4cm)... This past Holiday celebration really did a big part on why it did happen to me. I ate lots of sweets and carbs lately (sob... T_T)

taken more than a month ago...
imagine how big would it be right now
(can't take a picture on it)

And so, the Doctors advice was to cut carbohydrates on my diet (no more rice and bread) but more on veggies and milk... I still have to exercise a lot as well... If I have to give birth two weeks from now (my EDC is on January 20), I might as well gain more weight which will make it difficult for me to deliver my baby in normal method... (sigh) I don't wanna go through C- Section method...

Discipline.. discipline... more self-discipline T_T

BPC # 4/366 | The Younger Me

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:40:58 PST

Waaah! I am pretty sure I'll be getting varied reactions with this picture. This was my Graduation picture. Well, this was actually taken at a studio for our yearbook purposes... This was more than 10 years ago... I miss the life of being a student... Well I am now on another chapter of my life but still learning continues but of different category this time: Learning for motherhood :)

Well, education is a lifelong journey... everyday we continue to learn new things, right?

I am linking this post for the Blog Photo Challenge hosted by Me & My Passion.

Experiencing Braxton Hicks Contractions

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:01:11 PST

Whew, time flew so fast indeed... I still have lots of things to be done before I have my due... I wish I could give birth by 19th so that I could still meet my students... However, as of now, this Braxton Hicks contractions really makes me feel like the time is indeed really near... My baby's fetal movement is so severe that I can't help but grin with pain. Well, I am crossing my fingers for the better things to happen... As the day approaches, a mixture of excitement and fear overwhelms me especially now that I happened to watch a video of a woman giving a natural birth...

Wish I could gain enough strength when that day comes... Oh before I forgot, i need to continue checking my student's blog.. Bye bye for now.. God bless...

Hulagway sa Kinabuhi: Tanod

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:29:57 PST

Weee.... Kumusta mga Higala? Nabanhaw na pod akong presensya alang sa pagsalmot karon para sa Hulagway sa Kinabuhi! Apil na mo!

TANOD

Mao kani akong ikasalmut karong semanaha alang sa Hulagway sa Kinabuhi :

Waiting for the day...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:11:56 PST

Time flew so fast indeed...

The Big Day: April 28, 2011

I have mixed emotions right now. It is already January and anytime from now we'll be having our first baby. I am kinda excited and ~~scared~~ worried at the same time... Hmmm, NO I shouldn't be ~~scared~~ worried. I already prayed to God about this, I should not be anxious anymore...

preggy @ 2 months

But honestly, every night, before I get to sleep, I can't help it but think about the would-be scenario. I do not know what exact time would I probably experienced that labor pain. What I kept on doing is that I talk to my baby on my tummy. I kept on telling him not to get me into trouble when his due will come. I always told him that he should come out at daytime where it won't be too difficult for me... And of course, his Papa should be there with me. I tried to imagine the pain, I kept on asking those experienced Mom... And I've got similar answers- it is indeed really very painful. This makes me ~~scared~~ worried all the more but I have no other option but to anticipate the pain especially when I will be on labor already...

preggy @ 6 months

I have lots of apprehension... I am low in iron, what if I run out of blood? No, heaven forbid! My being so pessimistic overwhelm my thoughts once again... (Sigh)... Oh well, if other Moms were able to do, then there's no reason that I can't. I know God allow this to happen for a very definite reason (Yes, that's the spirit). Well, honestly, I need your back-up support, through prayers... I need more prayers that everything will be alright. I know that God is in control but my human nature just cannot let go of the fear and apprehension... (Sigh again) Well, I can do it (with God's strength)...

Sooner, I will be giving birth to a very healthy boy in normal delivery. I will be okay then, no further complications will gonna happen... It wouldn't be that painful as well... God will be with me all the way. He will be my strength, my source of oxygen, my provider. He will prepare everything ahead of me, from the time I will be enduring the pain until the time I could finally see our baby... Hubby is so excited as well...

preggy @ 8 months

I am waiting for the day that it will going to happen...

Yes, I am no longer ~~scared~~ worried, why should I? God is with me :)

my tummy, edited w/ Photobucket ;)
Yes, Jeush Gregory will be the name of my baby

Getting Your First Home Mortgage Quote

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:05:13 PST

Many first-time home buyers have more questions than answers on how to buy a home. No one wants to pay more than they have to for a house, property, or insurance. Even more, prospective buyers, who have never been responsible for property upkeep, could feel that they are getting swindled on a home in need of major repairs. Before anything else, first secure a mortgage quote before wasting a realtor’s time showing you properties.

Below is some simple advice to help you get that first mortgage quote.

Seek Advice

Image Courtesy of Kenneth Knight via Flickr

Not everyone who has bought a house has great advice to offer you. Instead, seek expert advice on the current conditions of the market to learn how the economy has shifted recently and is expected to change in the short-term, and what that means for your loan. Check with a broker for a proper quote that encompasses your income, expected income, assets, and prospective earnings for the future as well as any credit deficiencies.

Typically, brokers will offer you a free mortgage quote in hopes of retaining your business. A broker will also suggest you have at least 3 percent of any potential loan freed up for a down payment. While sites like www.mobiloans.com are great to get access to some emergency funds, you should begin to secure a down payment even before getting the advice from a broker or other expert.

Shop Comparatively

Image Courtesy of David Shankbone via Flickr

Far too often, first-time home buyers will go with the first mortgage quote they receive because they think the next quote will be the same. In reality, mortgage brokers have skill levels just as any other occupation. Here are some of the ways one broker could save you money over another:

Finding the best insurance for you. There is a number of free online insurance quote systems. While it’s hard to reject a kind broker in his office or even on the phone, shopping for multiple quotes over the internet allows you to have control of which quote is best for you.
Explaining bad quotes. A good broker can explain to you what a bad quote looks like so that you know what you don’t want in a mortgage.

Begin your journey for a mortgage quote by doing some independent research on brokers in your area. There are free message boards as well as pay sites, like Angie’s List, that allow you unfettered access about how customers have egarded their experiences with local brokers and mortgage lenders.

Make sure to compare quotes, and secure that all of your financial information is being processed correctly to receive the best mortgage rates as well as associated insurance costs.

MYM: Yellow Background

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:12:26 PST

This was taken during the MUST Fellowship Night at Mullberry Suites Hotel...

Welcome 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:42:17 PST

Say goodbye to 2011, and let us all welcome 2012! I do not know how's your 2011 but one thing is for sure- we will be moving on to another year of our lives. And for this year, let us altogether declare that this year will be better than yesteryear! (Can you say Amen to that?)

The year 2011 might be such an ordeal for some people, especially those who went through greatest trial. It might be easier for me to say that life must go on considering that I am not severely affected with the flood but there's one thing that I was reminded of- Life itself is a gift and all those material things that we all possessed are just a bonus that God allowed us to have. However, we should not be overly attached with all those material things knowing that they won't last forever.

As for this year, we need to move on. We should not allow depression to overwhelmed us. If we will keep on dwelling on all the things that we've lost, Satan will take advantage on it and will continue to inject our mind how miserable life would be in the absence of all those things. Well, it's a complete lie. We should not believe all those things. Let us guard our emotion against Satan's strategy. Let us learn to be strong... God will be our source of strength, our source of hope and above all, apart from Him we are all nothing.

Let us Welcome 2012 with a blast!

Have a blessed New Year!

Picture Perfect: The Last for 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:58:21 PST

Good day friends, Picture Perfect is back! Well, before this year ends, I want to revive this meme and hopefully I could maintain it for a longer period of time. As for my entry today, this was taken during our Anniversary Celebration in our church. That two pretty ladies who makes fun with my baby bumps are siblings, Jhing and Jizza...

Please link up and show me your best picture that was perfectly taken :)

Get the Badge Code on my right side bar.

Happy New Year everyone.

WFW: Our Labor For God Is Not In Vain

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:20:01 PST

Before this year ends, let's try to have a self-inventory which will include our attitude towards our work... How fair and honest are we when it comes to performing our specific tasks? Do we keep on complaining? Do we keep on arguing with our office mates? It would be too arrogant for us to say that we did nothing wrong for the whole years' work. We cannot deny the fact that we've been through stressful jobs which could affect our attitude towards work (which sometimes would be negative :)

For 2012, let's try to make a difference. If we do not like our Bosses, then why not dedicate our work towards God instead of men... Just like what have been emphasized in the book of Thessalonians. And as to our Ministry, let us just focus our heart and mind to the main reason why we are continually doing it. Let Jesus Christ be our focus, and let our strength and endurance be drawn from Him. Let us just remember that our labor for Him will never be in vain.

Happy New Year everyone!

Showing Love On Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:22:29 PST

(For my fellow Kagay-anons who survived the Tropical Storm Sendong)

Lately, I find it quite tasking to gather all my thoughts and share all my ideas here on my blog. I was completely blank then. Good thing there are those memes who could help me get my blog alive. With the tragic happenings that my city faced lately, it seems like all my energy and effort were also consumed. But then, it shouldn't be that way. Life must go on after all.

Last Saturday, it seems like it was just an ordinary day. All my families were gathered together to celebrate. I got a call from my sister abroad. I wasn't able to wake up at exactly 12 midnight. It was past 1AM when me and Hubby woke up. On the radio and television news, the updates about the missing people and the dead bodies being found were still on the headlines. Relief goods and cash donations still keep on coming. You can also hear a bad news of few evacuees who died during Christmas because they cannot bear the pain anymore with the situation...

We used to view Christmas where everybody should be happy and merry. We used to view it as the only season (aside from our birthday) that we could receive a lot of gifts and blessings from our friends and families. We missed to realize that Christmas is not all about us. It's about Jesus Christ and the reason why He came into this world more than 2,000 years ago. However, we used to miss the real meaning of Christmas. We are too focused with ourselves that when the tragic night did came and surprised us, we were caught unaware and unprepared. This is the reality that we often missed. Just like a thief, accident and death will come beyond our expectation.

Blessings in disguise, that accident brought people to come together in unison to extend help and be of an encouragement to those who were affected. Even some personalities were spending their Christmas not with their own family but with the victims at the Evacuation Center. The aftermath caused other brethren here and abroad to share their blessings. The spirit of cooperation and concern were evident. All I could hope for is that no individuals like showbiz personalities and politicians will take advantage of the situation. May the help they were able to extend is

Showing love on Christmas doesn't really require us much of our resources other than our time and concern for our less fortunate brethren who lost almost everything. Let us continue to pray that God will restore what were lost.

Reel Weekends: The Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:09:02 PST

I am not really into action movie but still I would like to share this one. The movie is quite brutal considering that it deals with Assassins but the story is great.

Main Casts:

The story is quite similar to movies like Death Race and Arena. This is not suitable for young audiences so Parental Guidance should be highly regarded.

Friday Fragments: A Week To Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 20:35:20 PST

I'm back for Friday Fragments... This week isn't that good after what had happened in the entire city of Cagayan de Oro which was severely affected by the Tropical Storm Washi (local name: "Sendong"). It's been a week already yet you can still see the evidences of his wrath... those debris that you can see wherever you go will remind you how devastating it was for most Kagay-anons.

Let me reminisce the events that took place starting last Friday...

Friday, December 16, 2011- Everybody was so busy for the preparation of the Christmas Fellowship presentation in our office... Our presentation was an Interpretative Shadow Dance where I played the role of Mary, all I have to do is simply walk from one corner to the other end before three of my colleagues will perform the Interpretative Shadow Dance of the music "We Are The Reason". The Fellowship ended up past 10 AM. But as early as 6 PM, the rain poured heavily already but we barely noticed it since we are inside the hotel. When we are about to go home, it took us almost one hour to get a taxi with my Hubby and as soon as we reached home I easily fall asleep with my ever tired body...

Saturday, December 17, 2011- Around 1AM, my hubby's attention was caught by a commotion outside so he went out to check it. Then he learned from the owner of the house (we're renting then) that there's a flood coming. Hubby woke me up and told me about it. He then instructed me to help him put all things in our bed. In less than ten minutes, the water came reaching below my knee just in time for all our things to get elevated. There was a power outage then and what we could rely on for lights are our cellphones only. However, my phone's battery was empty so it's my hubby's phones that were working only.It was quite late that I realized that my feet were soaked on the water almost forgetting the fact that I am pregnant which is not good for the baby. So I sit on a chair with my feet on it while my hubby went to his mother's house to help his sister who was alone during that time. I was so scared then that I just kept on asking God to keep the water from rising. Our land lady called me to stay upstairs and should not get worried to much since it is not really good for my baby. My tummy moves a lot during that time and out of fear, I went upstairs leaving my hubby and the owner of the house downstairs. They monitored the movement of the water which subsided only after a couple of hours. I wasn't able to get enough sleep during that time especially when it rained again. I really thought that what I went through was the worst thing ever but I was surprised when I learned from my church mates that they spent long hours on the roof until they were rescued by some concerned citizen. The entire day was spent with my hubby helping and running an errand for some church mates who were severely affected while I stayed with my brother's house. We went home to my mother so spend the night.
Sunday, December 18, 2011- I wasn't able to go with my hubby to the church. I just stayed home.
Monday to Friday, December 19-23, 2011- It was a long week indeed and people are too busy going to and fro to extend their help. As for me, I was being faced again with emotional storm. A storm that really test the patience within me...
Hubby was not feeling well too. But by God's grace we're able to endure that long, rigid week. We finally went back to our place though there are still no water.
Saturday, December 24, 2011- I stayed at my mother's house to spend the Noche Buena with my nieces and nephew. Everything went well then...

I was still asleep when the 12 midnight struck. It was already 1AM when I woke up.

I am glad that God eventually heals all the wounds that is within me... The time that I woke up on the dawn of December 25, my heart was already settled.

TT: Heavily Laden

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:42:38 PST

My heart is quite heavy while trying to gather all my thoughts in order to express my feelings deep within me this Thankful Thursday. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, it says there, "Give thanks in all circumstances... Whether we are in a desperate or happy moments, we are happy or sad, God still deserves our great gratitude... Today, my heart isn't right and I am trying to weigh things out on what I should be thankful for aside from God sparing our lives from the recent tragedy. Well, that alone deserves God's glory... But still, my heart isn't right. There's a storm that's going on within me... More than Signal # 2. In as much as I want to forget it, my heart just bleed with the fact that it really hurts me a lot... don't want to go into detail but one thing is for sure, God will restore my heart in due time. Yes, I've been through this before and I made it. There's no reason that I cannot get through this again this time...

Lord, just give me the strength that I need. Don't allow hatred nor grudges dwell into my heart. Please help me understand the situation. Please do not allow the enemy to conquer my emotion and use it to his advantage...

Thank you, Lord

Need A Car?

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:51:18 PST

One of the things that a couple or a wedding planner should consider if organizing a wedding is the transportation. If you are running out of transportation for the couple or for families or even for the entourage, consider hiring a vehicle just like Wedding Limo Hire Warrington. Limo is advisable because it is very spacious. The parents of both sides can go together with the couple. Try to reserve one now to make your client's wedding day extra special.

WW: Snow White...

noreply@blogger.com (Jackie Paraiso) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:18:49 PST

This picture was taken by my younger sister. Isn't it great to stay on a place like this? How I wish someday I can be here and actually feel the snow...