my baby rj

Setting Up a Pawnshop Business Seminar

2012-02-25T23:38:00.001+08:00

I pass by this place, everyday when I bring my son to his Chinese tutor, that conducts seminar on setting up a pawnshop business. The Gemologist is actually the mom of two girls who I used to tutor.

I have no idea how to distinguish a fake jewelry from a real one so I'm really interested to enroll in this seminar. My tutees once told me that the students who enroll gets to learn interesting things about precious stones. They are also advice what stores are reputable online, like Golden Eagle buy gold online.

One of these days, I will be one of the students in that class.

Musically and Artistically Talented

2012-02-25T23:28:00.001+08:00

When my son was in his early years of grade school, he used to love composing his own songs. Then PSP happened. His mind is always occupied by games on his gadgets whenever he doesn't have school work.

Music and art, once his favorites, took the back seat. I am so disappointed. But that doesn't stop me from reminding him every single day to draw something or write a new song.

How I would love to see him practice his talents on his own free will again. Ehen that happens, I would willingly buy him a maxon od808 pedal no matter how expensive it is.

Movie Updates

2012-02-25T23:23:00.001+08:00

So, the new poster for Marvel’s The Avengers is already out. And the trailer for the new Bourne franchise, The Bourne Legacy, can already be seen on YouTube.

So excited the watch these two films. I’m sure my son would watch Marvel’s The Avengers with me. Most, if not all, of the Marvel Super Heroes are there so there’s really no way he’ll say No to this movie.

fried, boiled, poached

2012-02-14T23:46:00.001+08:00

One of my sons favorite food - egg. It doesn’t matter if its for breakfast, lunch or dinner. When he doesn’t like what I cooked, usually when it has lots of vegetables, he’ll politely ask me to cook eggs for him. He doesn’t like to hurt my feelings so he pretends that he does like what I cooked but is craving for eggs at that time. He’s such a sweet boy.

He doesn’t like it fried so I usually prepare boiled eggs for him. He likes it slightly mashed with tomatoes. I tried poached egg last time. He liked it but not as much as boiled eggs. Also cooked egg drop soup today and he likes it (cook this also when I have a cold, Mama). Is there any other way to cook egg?

On a side note, here’s one tip to make sure that tap water in your house is safe for cooking and drinking: buy a gadget like ph meters to test the acidity and alkaline level of your tap water. If you live in a condominium, you can ask for a copy of certification, from your city’s water department, from your building manager.

fried, boiled, poached

2012-02-14T23:43:00.001+08:00

wanted: new TV

2012-02-14T23:18:00.001+08:00

I need to buy a new television. Our Kolin television has served its purpose for 7 years. Been giving some hints for the past months that it wants to retire already. There are times when the screen just turns blue and the audio stops as well. Very frustrating when it happens. Especially when I'm watching an interesting news or one of my favorite show.

I want a LED-backlit LCD TV. Although much more expensive than the regular LCD television, I'll be able to save more in the long run because it consume less power. I want one that can be mounted on the wall, planning to give away the tv stand to free up some space in the living room area.

I’m waiting for an appliance sale because my son definitely want the new tv to have 3D support and internet connectivity.

Junior Masterchef Pinoy Edition

2012-02-11T23:54:00.001+08:00

So I'm watching Junior Masterchef Pinoy Edition. How amazing are these kids! They can combine ingredients that you'll never dream, for non-chef like me anyway, of putting together in one dish. And the plating, wow! My tv has no led lighting, but the dishes the kids prepared looks so yummy!

Did I mention that I'm preparing dinner while watching the show? Fish nuggets. How I wish I have a talent for cooking to turn this Pangasius fillet into a more delectable dish.

National Autism Awareness Week 2012

2012-01-24T23:58:00.001+08:00

Presidential Proclamation 711, signed by then President Fidel Ramos in 1986, declares the third week of January as National Autism Consciousness Week. This year's celebration is on January 22 - 29 with the theme "Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Autism".

Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Autism was adopted as the theme for this year’s celebration to give emphasis on the realization of the rights of individuals affected with autism and to support the campaign of the United Nations to give special attention to Persons with Disabilities which comprised 15% of the world’s population according to the 2011 data of the World Health Organization (WHO). Persons with Disabilities are the most vulnerable and marginalized sector of the society. ~ autismsocietyphilippines.blogspot.com

For more information on the said event, call 926-6941/929-8447 or visit www.autismsocietyphilippines.org.

Very Good Quality of Education

2012-01-24T23:39:00.002+08:00

I have written about my wish to live in the province a lot of times already. One, because life in the province is so much easier. Two, because pollution is almost nil there. But because the good schools are here in Manila, that wish won't turn into a reality yet.

I did go to school there. I remember my school with a Pergola, where we study or eat, but not even a quarter as big as my son's school. It's not actually because of the size. I'm a bit concerned with the quality of education. Not as good as that of the schools here in Manila, and that school is considered one of the top schools in our province.

I did pass the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test), Bachelor of Science in Math. But I had a hard time catching up with my blockmates. What they considered as review lessons, I've never encountered, it was never taught at my school in the province. I had to study doubly hard to catch up with the lessons.

Because of that experience, we have to endure living in the polluted and noisy city of Metro Manila to give the best quality of education that my son needs for him to have an edge in the future. The schools here are way better than that in the province.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2012-01-24T23:31:00.001+08:00

I'm getting reacquainted with Harry Potter after more than 10 years. Done with the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and halfway through with the second one, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Already met Myrtel, the girl/ghost who cries in the cubicle near the undermount stainless sinks in the girl's bathroom.

I have read all seven books but I've actually forgotten the story. I'm actually excited to read it again. I have some "Ooh, that's right" moments. Definitely a page turner.

My son though is not interested to read it. He said it's boring! Yes, that's what he said and I'm as confused as you are. Maybe he'll have a change of heart next year.

Philippine Airlines for sale?

2012-01-24T23:25:00.002+08:00

I mentioned on my previous post that my son needs to speak in front of his class and deliver a news of what’s going on in the country. Amidst all the gruesome news, here’s one that’s interesting.

My son’s report, he researched and made this himself. He’s only required to share a news that has 4 - 5 sentences, so he made it as short as possible.

PAL for sale

Lucio Tan, head of Philippine Airlines or PAL, confirmed on Friday that he is selling PAL at the right price.

He acknowledged that he was talking to the heads of PLDT and San Miguel Corp.

He has not yet decided how much it would be sold.

PAL has 36 aircrafts and 5 of them are Boeing 747-400.

News Reporting in the Philippines

2012-01-21T23:05:00.000+08:00

One of the requirement in my son's Social Studies class every quarter is to deliver a news report on what's going on in the country. He's scheduled to share his report, for the last quarter of the school year, in front of the class this coming Thursday.

No school today, because of Chinese New Year celebration, so I asked him to look for a news online that he can share with the class. While he's browsing, I was also checking it out beside him. Depressing. 99.9% of the search results were news that are "not suitable for children". A news about the cheapest place to buy cigars is a much lighter news compared to what the Philippine media is oh-so-fond of reporting. Murder, kidnapping, all kinds of violence are reported every single day.

Are they just too lazy to rack their brains for news that are more worthy to be on print and be shown on tvt? Entrepreneurship for one. Instead of giving ideas to poor people to just commit suicide, or to engage in "monkey business", give them ideas on how they can earn more by putting up a small business that doesn't need much capital.

It's more fun in the Philippines? Based on the news that I read, hear and see everyday - no.

How to play the yoyo

2012-01-14T22:56:00.000+08:00

I found this small book that shows how to do different yoyo tricks and I've been bugging my son to read and try it. Trying to lure him away from the computer and handheld games, without much success. All I get is a blank stare with a reluctant ok.

Not until December of last year, he asked me to buy him a yoyo. He has actually has an old one but it's small (for babies, he said) and it got broken already. So I bought him a new yoyo. Here are some of the simple tricks that he's trying to learn.

Gravity Pull Yoyo Trick - Hold the yoyo palm side down and let it unroll. Just as the yoyo finishes unwinding, give it a firm upward jerk.

Sleeper Yoyo Trick - Hold the yoyo palm up. Whip the yoyo sharply toward the ground

Walk The Dog Yoyo Trick - Throw a fast Sleeper and let the spinning motion pull the yoyo along the ground. While the yoyo is still spinning, give it a slight tug to bring "doggie" home.

So there, those are the three simple tricks that he’s trying to master before he can move on to more complicated tricks.

photo and tricks from howstuffworks.com

service interaction

2012-01-12T19:04:00.001+08:00

My son’s school has this yearly activity called service interaction. The school invites kids and sometimes adults to visit the school and have a fun whole day interaction with the students. Their previous service interactions were with community workers (street sweepers, policemen), school workers (janitors, guards, canteen staff), public school students to name a few.

This year, the interaction is with the Aeta kids of Porac, Pampanga. The group is being assisted by the school’s foundation already.

My son’s section is scheduled to have the interaction with the Aeta kids on Monday, January 16. Each student will be assigned a partner. The activity usually includes a getting to know you portion. Then games and lots of games follows. The students are asked to bring snacks (sandwich and juice) and lunch (fried chicken, rice and mineral water) for them and their partner. They are also asked to bring a gift pack consisting of notebooks, glue, scissors and pencils (the quantity and brand were indicated in a circular given weeks before for uniformity).

The aim of the said activity is for the students to learn how to share their blessings, talents and skills with the end goal of developing the following traits in each and every student of the school: compassion, conscience and community.

absent from school

2012-01-05T11:29:00.001+08:00

Today is my sister C’s wedding. My son’s first day of school, after the Christmas break, started yesterday. He’ll be absent for 3 days since the wedding is in the province and it’s a waste of time, and expensive, to travel back and forth from the province to Manila then province to Manila again. Maybe if I'm one of those people with lots of money like those with Billing/Coding Specialist Jobs.

My son is happy he’s missing school for 3 days. I’m not when I think of the stress in catching up with his missed lessons. Hopefully he won’t miss a lot.

Anyways, here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year!

benefits of having a life insurance

2011-12-21T12:02:00.001+08:00

Do you really know what is life insurance? It is a contract between an insurance policy holder, the person who bought the policy, and an insurer, the company who sold the policy, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary, of the person who bought the policy, a sum of money upon the death of the insured person.

If the head or the main breadwinner of a family dies or become critically ill, the family won't have to worry much about their finances if he/she has a life insurance availed beforehand. The main benefit is really about the financial stability of the family left behind.

safe online social network for kids

2011-12-21T11:41:00.001+08:00

I have been hearing about Club Penguin from my son for months already. His friends have been playing on this social networking gaming site for kids instead of facebook games. I once in awhile allow my son to play after he’s done with homework and studying for his quizzes.

The main focus of Disney's Club Penguin is child safety and the suitability of the game to children. So for this holiday break, instead of buying biagi beads from beadaholique for me *sob*, I bought a one month membership for my son.

sterling silver charm pendant from beadaholique

My son has been playing with a free membership for the past few months. But in order to access a range of additional features, like ability to purchase virtual clothing and furnitures through the use of in-game currency, a paid membership is required.

club penguin

2011-12-21T11:20:00.001+08:00

Club Penguin is an online game for kids where players use cartoon penguin avatars and play in a winter-set virtual world. The game was designed by New Horizon Interactive, company was purchased by Walt Disney in 2007, for kids 6 - 14 years of age.

The major focus on designing Club Penguin is child safety and the suitability of the game to children. Lane Merrifield, one of the developers stated, "the decision to build Club Penguin grew out of a desire to create a fun, virtual world that I and the site's other two founders would feel safe letting our own children visit".

Although free memberships are available, paid memberships allow players to access a range of additional features like ability to purchase virtual clothing, furniture, and in-game pets called "puffles" for their penguins through the use of in-game currency.

my sisters wedding

2011-12-06T21:52:00.001+08:00

My sisters wedding is exactly 2 months from now. I already have a few dresses on my closet so I don't need to buy one for myself. Online fashion websites are a big help in updating one's wardrobe. So each time I go to the mall and I see clothes similar to what I've seen online, which I look good on and not that expensive, I buy it right away. I remember how the world wide web helped my sisters get inspiration from www.tjformal for prom dresses.

Back to my sisters wedding. As I have said, I just need to choose a dress from my closet but I completely forgot that my son needs something to wear for the wedding also. I still have a lot of time to browse online shops or visit the mall. Hopefully, I get to find one in time for the wedding.

How to teach young child to be responsible

2011-12-06T21:20:00.001+08:00

Your role as a parent doesn’t start and end with taking care of everything your child needs. You have the responsibility of teaching your child to be responsible as well. When is the best time to start teaching about responsibility? The sooner, the better. Gradually though, we don’t want to overwhelm them. Instead of being responsible, they might end up hating responsibility.

I started teaching my son to be responsible with his health when he was barely a year old. How? I never allowed him to eat processed food. Now that he’s 10 years old, he loves eating fruits and some vegetables. He knows the importance of eating the right kind and amount of food.

At 7 years old, I gave him the responsibility of throwing the trash after dinner, in the garbage chute. I turned over to him the responsibility of making sure that all books are arranged well in the bookshelf.

At 10 years old, I gave him the task of folding small items from the laundry, after I wash it, and putting everything in the right place in the closet.

The older he gets, I will add more chores for him to do. Hopefully, this will help prepare him for more heavier responsibilities after finishing school.

What about your kids? Do they already have small responsibilities in the house?

electric fan for people with allergies

2011-12-06T21:10:00.000+08:00

My son has allergic rhinitis. It gets aggrevated when he gets exposed to dust or a dusty environment. But because of technological advancement, more and more things that can make people's lives easier are getting invented each day. Gone are the days when we still have to rack our brains how to install a security camera, there are now brands that offer wireless security cameras.

And people suffering from allergies need not worry about dust from electric fans anymore because bladeless fans are now available in the market. Since its fairly new, it is still very expensive. I first saw it on a deal site, still hard on the pocket even when it's already on sale. Maybe when the hype about it has subsided, it will be more affordable.

cellular phone for kids

2011-12-06T21:00:00.000+08:00

My son wants to have his own cellular phone. I actually gave him one about a year or two ago but he seldom use it. His school doesn't allow grade schoolers to bring any gadget in school, including cellular phones. I could already buy silver coins with what I spent on his mobile phone, a few since his is the cheapest in the market, so I told him I won't buy him a new one anymore.

Kids his age don't need a mobile phone yet. I had one when I was 23 years old already, a few years after the first brand of cellular phone was launched. Although he'll get left out, since most of his peers own high-end mobile phones, I want teach him that he can't have everything that he wants.

When I grow up

2011-11-30T18:12:00.001+08:00

I’m relieved that he doesn’t want to be a farmer or an FX driver when he grows up. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a farmer, if he owns hectares and hectares of land, or managing a number of FX taxi’s. But just like any other parent, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming BIG for our kids.

Just the other day, he told me that he now wants to be an actor and a lawyer when he grows up. Take note of the AND - just in case the other doesn’t pay much? Actor? Hmm. Ok, I can imagine myself being a stage mother. But I hope he doesn’t become a liar when he becomes a lawyer.

Christmas Gifts for RJ’s Teachers

2011-11-19T11:57:00.001+08:00

I have to admit that I am not a big giver when it comes to Christmas gifts. Especially to those who are just mere acquaintances like RJ’s teachers and classmates. A sticker booklet for each of his 40 classmates and desk name plates for his teachers will already debit a few thousands on my bank account.

But that’s the cheapest that I can think of, so those will do for this year. If I’m a 10-year old boy and I get an angry bird booklet with more than a hundred stickers, which is quite popular these days, I’ll jump with joy. And I do need a nameplate that I can put on my desk if I’m a teacher, right?

So there, no more problem for RJ’s Christmas gifts for teachers and classmates.

Next: for family and friends.

First out-of-country flight experience

2011-11-16T13:44:00.001+08:00

My son’s first ever trip out of the country happened last Sunday. Riding an airplane is not new to him, he’s been in a lot of domestic flights - his first one was when he was 4-months old. But an airplane for international flights, which is bigger and has more seats than the domestic plane that he’s used to, amazed him.

We took a Cathay Pacific flight bound for Hong Kong at 6:30 early morning of November 13. Yes, you got it right - we went to Hong Kong Disneyland.

He brought a new book with him, “Just in case I get bored during the 2-hour flight, Mama”, but he never read it during the flight because he was busy playing some games and watching cartoon shows on the audio and video entertainment available on board.

That’s my son’s first international flight. Will have more stories about our exciting first day.

Teaser: he got lost in Hong Kong Disneyland.