Notepad Corner

Local Languages as medium of instruction from Kinder to Grade 3

2012-05-25T14:41:00.001+08:00

The Department of Education, Philippines announced on a press release that starting this June, school year 2012-2013, 12 major local languages will be implemented to be used as medium of instructions for pupils in Kinder up to Grade 3. According to Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC, the Mother Tongue-Based Multi-Lingual Education (MTB-MLE) will help develop a well-rounded and life-long learners under the K to 12 basic education reform program.

Using the language spoken at home inside the classroom during the years of early schooling according to local and international studies can bring out faster learners who can simply adjust and adapt to learn a second (Filipino) and third language (English)

The Mother Tongue-Based Multi-Lingual Education (MTB-MLE) is DepEd Order No. 16, series 2012. It will be implemented in two modules: First, as a learning/subject area and Second as medium of instruction.

Tagalog, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, Iloko, Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Tausug, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, and Chabacano are the 12 major local languages that will be used as a medium of instruction.

The implemented order will make the mother tongue as a subject that will focus on the development of reading and speaking from Grades 1 to 3. As a means of teaching the mother tongue will be used in all learning areas from kinder to Grade 3 except in the teaching of Filipino and English subjects.

Filipino will be introduced on the first semester of Grade 1 for oral fluency (speaking). For reading and writing purposes, it will be taught beginning in the second semester of Grade 1. The four other macro skills which are listening, speaking, reading and writing in Filipino will continuously be developed from Grades 2 to 6.

English will be introduced in the second semester of Grade 1 as a subject while reading and writing in English will start in the first semester of Grade 2.

Presently, there are 921 schools across the country which have been pioneering the MTB-MLE including the children of indigenous peoples. The mother tongue pilot program is implemented with assistance from the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao, Third Elementary Education Program, Translators Association of the Philippines, Save the Children Foundation, and the Summer Institute of Linguistics.

Related to this, DepEd has organized a team of MTB-MLE trainers for each region composed of education supervisors. The existing MTB-MLE regional training team organized for the pilot schools shall be the same team that will be responsible for the division and school-based training of teachers on MTB-MLE for the K to 12.

“We are expanding the membership to include trainers in kindergarten because that is where we are going to start the reforms,” explained Luistro.

Also giving support to the project are MTB-MLE trained writers who will continue to update their knowledge and skills in developing indigenized learning materials to provide the students with a variety of learning resources.

Press Release: http://www.deped.gov.ph/updates/updateslinks.asp?id=1300

Bridal Jewel, an Eternity Bond Pearl Necklace

2012-05-25T13:24:00.001+08:00

Look perfectly good on the most important day of your life – your wedding! An Eternity Bond Pearl Necklace will create a debonair look that will absolutely match and go with your flawless bridal gown.

The necklace is 18 inches long and features an intricate white gold clasp

Freshwater Pearls are the brilliance gems that everyone loves! They make the perfect gift showing admiration and love. They are given as a statement to prove originality due to their one-of-a-kind nature. Being unique is a trait that these gems are known the most for, since they are the only ones created by a living creature. They have the ability to protect, provide luck and love for those that wear them with pride and confidence. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are just the beginning to a great trend that has been in the Fashion world for many generations with only more to come! It is fascinating to see all ages sporting them with a smile every time. The rare emphasis on this gem is slowly disappearing but they will always, without fail, be in high demand!

The Big Debate: Private VS State Schools

2012-05-24T17:34:00.000+08:00

In education, as in life in general, you tend to get what you pay for. Sometimes you get lucky and snap up a real bargain or find something that genuinely represents good value for money. Most of the time, however, the lower the price, the lower the quality and if you get offered something for nothing, your expectations are likely to be quite low.

There are many, many excellent free state schools throughout the country in which excellent head teachers and dedicated staff give their all to help their pupils to be all that they can be. At the same time, there are undoubtedly many expensive private schools where pupils underperform and which ultimately represent poor value for money.

The key difference between the two is that private schools are market driven. While a poorly performing state school may result in government intervention, a private school is essentially a business and if it fails to deliver then parents will simply take their children elsewhere. Pupils at private schools get better results not simply because they get a better education, but because the school would soon cease to exist if this was not the case.

An Easier Path

The advantages seem clear: children who have been privately educated are four times more likely to get straight As at A-level and are more than three times more likely to go to university. Although only seven per cent of the population attend private school, around half the pupils accepted at Oxford and Cambridge each year have been educated in this way.

There is also evidence that former private-school pupils have an easier path when it comes to reaching the upper levels of society. Three out of four judges, around a third of chief executives of FTSE 100 companies and a third of all members of Parliament - both Labour and Conservative - attended private school.

Although state schools receive a good level of funding, a private school will often have more money available to pay for IT equipment, lab furniture and sports facilities. The fact that private schools have much smaller class sizes - up to 20 but usually far fewer, compared to up to 40 in a state school - means the pupils usually get far more individual attention.

Discipline Problems

Private schools tend to have far fewer discipline problems than those in the state sector. This is also because, to varying degrees, such schools are able to pick and choose which pupils they allow to enrol. Anyone clearly disruptive or too far behind academically is unlikely to be admitted.

Private schools have proved themselves to be somewhat recession proof. The tough economic times have help parents to focus on what is most important for their children and education is often at the top of the list. Parents associate better education with more options and feel that by investing in their children, they will become immune to the effects of any future slump.

Every parent wants the best for their child and even if you don't actually pay fees, schooling often has a host of financial implications. In a bid to get their children into the best state school, parents have moved home or even rented a second property within the catchment area in order to qualify.

While the exams taken in both types of school may be the same, the attitude of society towards former pupils is different. Until this changes, private schools will continue to have the upper hand - but only for those who can afford them.

5 Key Elements of a Professional Resume’

2012-05-16T11:28:00.001+08:00

A resume’ is a pronouncement of facts intended to emphasize exceptional qualifications that accentuates educational and work experiences, expertise, achievements and dynamism which establishes credentials that will convince a prospective employer. It is the first step towards getting an interview.

There 5 key elements of a Professional Resume’

Length - A well-equipped and well presented professional resume should at least have the maximum length of two (2) pages, as most job recruiters are not interested in reading a resume' with multiple-pages.
Content - The content must only consist of the important details such as educational attainment with the highest level degree listed first, professional experience, list of training seminars and workshops attended. Include volunteer work if there is any.
Tone - State your achievements in concrete terms. It must include job responsibilities, tasks expected and delivered. Testimonials that you are a cut above the rest can be added for it will bring your resume’ standout, however make sure that it would be substantiated once the recruitment manager does a background check by calling the people in your references section.
Quality - The composition of a resume’ should be grammatically faultless. It is advisable to proofread it or better let somebody else proofread it for you, because, if it is not well-formed the recruiter will automatically be turned off most especially if you are applying for a higher position.
Materials - Paper must be clean and crisp. Never ever use colored or scented stationery. Fonts must be readable and formal looking. If a picture is attached, opt for the standard 2x2 or 1x1 picture taken from a photo booth or studio, do not crop pictures from your photo album.

Upon submitting a resume’ see to it also that you wear the proper business attire, aside from the document you are submitting, looks and over-all personality counts a lot.

A Fail-safe Gift for Mom

2012-05-15T13:15:00.000+08:00

Mother’s day celebration in my opinion does not necessarily have to be celebrated on a one day basis only, because after all the years of sacrifices she endured in rearing us up, unconditional love, care, values and wisdom that mold us to become better persons, she naturally deserves a whole year tribute and praise. A fail-safe gift that she will surely and certainly appreciate is fashionable accessory items, such as earrings. Jewelries are presents that most women wish to possess. These accessory items that she restrained herself from buying to prioritize her children’s need and to make both ends meet.

midi-crocheted hoop earrings

An online jewelry outlet like boticca site suggests and tender distinctive earrings created by talented fashion accessories experts from around the globe. Their numerous fanciful collections will surely fit a Mom’s lifestyle, be a fashionista or just a simple and down-to-earth personality. Unique and all-time designer hoop earrings, silver drop earrings or stud earrings that can absolutely complement every woman’s outfit.

square crystal stud earrings

white opal swarovski crystal stud earrings

Giving her rare chic earrings seen on top celebrities like Fergie, Julia Roberts, Olivia Palermo, Jessie J and other famous personalities can make her more happier, a present meant to show and let her feel her importance in our lives. An exceptionally and uniquely designed earring is a meaningful gift for Mothers to always wear and treasure. Now is the best time to give her some of the life’s pleasures she had missed.

Types of doorlocks to secure your homes

2012-05-15T12:56:00.002+08:00

While doing a home improvement, do not neglect to check on your doorlocks, as it is the key to give us better security and protection from thieves and unwanted intruders that will jeopardize the family’s safety. If you need a professional to work on your doors, Locksmith Toronto is one of the companies that offer services for your door repairs or replacement. They have trained technicians that could do the job for you whether you change, repair or upgrade the locks of your doors.

There are different types of doorlocks to choose from, selection depends on your personal preference. Some examples are as follows:

Rim lock is a locking device that fastens to the surface of a door.

Keyless Entry system is an electronic lock or a digital doorlock frequently called as the fob entry. They are connected to an access control system where keys can be added or removed without re-keying the lock cylinder. It is specially designed for convenience and advanced home security.

Tubular lock is the most common doorlock in the market, usually used for bedrooms and comfort rooms. It keeps the latch bolt and dead bolt separate and each part of the lock is fitted into a different hole cut into the door.

The latch bolt and dead bolt are all included in a box that is fitted nicely within the door are called Mortise Door Locks. It is installed inside the Wooden or Metal mortise cut-out in the door into which the lock is to be fitted

Fingerprint doorlock – the biometric technology solved the problem in frequent key lost. Only fingerprints registered in the lock can open the door.

There are lots of different door lock brands of like Abloy, Brainard, Yale, Zimcor and more, whatever brand you choose, installation will come handy availing the services of a trusted and reputable door and lock service company like Toronto Locksmith. Choose the best doorlock that will ultimately protect and safeguard your home, family and personal belongings.

Note: Photos are from the web

Soderno Sunday Night Market Opens on MOTHER’S DAY!

2012-05-13T11:02:00.004+08:00

Treat your mom on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13) at the opening of the Sunday Night Market (6pm to 12mn) at Soderno – the premiere weekend food market of the south!

Mothers will get free Toblerone chocolate bars and free unlimited photos from the “I Love Mom” photo booth. On top of that, moms will also get a free gift pack from Soderno (while supplies last). All marketgoers who visit will also get free chocolates from Toblerone.

Brought to you by the same organizers of Mercato Centrale at Bonifacio Global City, Soderno is the destination food haven of the South with a wide selection of food choices – including charcoal grilled burgers, juicy ribeye steaks, Italian deep-fried Panzarotti sandwiches, roast beef, thinly-sliced bagnet, Pinoy street food, red velvet cake, ice-cream filled mochi balls and more - that is perfect for Sunday night family ‘salo-salo’ dinner.

Along with the great food choices, marketgoers can enjoy free wi-fi, live acoustic entertainment and free freshly brewed organic coffee for senior citizens. Entrance to Soderno is absolutely free!

Soderno is open every Friday and Saturday night (6pm-3am) and Sunday nights (6pm-12mn). Soderno is located at the Molito Lifestyle Center, corner of Commerce and Madrigal avenues, Alabang (in front of Alabang Town Center and Ayala Alabang Village).

For more information, please visit www.soderno.com, www.facebook.com/soderno or follow www.twitter.com/soderno.

Reasons why most women prefer Moroccan oil

2012-05-13T10:48:00.002+08:00

Moroccan oil is very common and prevalent to Morocco as the Moroccan people have been using it for centuries. Scientists were able to discover its true value and claims are proven to be true through research and studies.

It is oil produced from the argan tree, valued for its numerous nutritive, cosmetic and medicinal properties. The pure argan oil remains one of the rarest oils in the world due to the small and very specific growing areas. Through the years more and more women favor its versatility and usefulness being rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

The following are the reasons why most women and men alike choose the Argan oil.

Combat and reduce normal signs of aging. It can diminish fine lines, uneven skin tone and dullness. With repeated use it helps heal damage skin, dehydrates and corrects skin elasticity during pregnancy. With regular application, it prevents and controls the appearance of stretch marks. It also lessens the appearance of wrinkles, acne, scars and free radicals bringing a softer and smoother skin.

It alleviates symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. An argan oil massage eases the restless leg syndrome and relieves muscle cramps and the breakout of varicose veins.

Notable for repairing damaged and dry hair – the vitamin E and fatty acid content helps the hair to become stronger and healthier looking in just a drop for a continuous usage. It can treat dandruff and hair loss which is the most frequent hair problem.

Makes the nails less brittle and stronger, as the oil is quickly absorbed into the nail beds it gives enough nutrients to make them sturdy. No more worries for growing long beautiful nails.

The argan oil is rich in anti-oxidants and nutrients, its capability of revitalizing and nourishing the hair, nails and skin without any harmful effect is the wonder that’s why this fantastic oil is so well-loved.

Beautify, protect and defend your skin and hair the natural way

Rabbits as Indoor Companion Animals

2012-05-13T10:40:00.000+08:00

Rabbits just like dogs and cats are one of the best indoor companion animals. They can be house trained and if given the proper attention and care can live as long as 10 years or more especially when they live in an indoor rabbit hutch. They hardly make any noise, they only mumble and thump their back paws on the floor when scared. They are the perfect pet for apartment dwellers as they are silent animals.

Bunnies also enjoy getting petted; they love their heads being gently stroked, patted and scratched. Similar to dogs, they are also very curious about their surroundings as they love to run and hop in and out of every room in your homes. More people nowadays find out that rabbits are wonderful alternatives to cats and dogs as pets. They are adorable animals safe for kids too.

If the house is small to accommodate an indoor cage, outdoor rabbit hutches made of frame constructed wood with a combination of wood and wire mesh floorings can be place directly outside the house, in the garage or in the yard as long as there is enough ventilation and protection fit for all weather. The cage size may be built according to the number of bunnies and filled with straw for their warmth and comfort.

These small animals also tend to chew on things and will gnaw on your home furniture, thus they should not be allowed to hop and run free unsupervised. Domestic rabbits should be safely housed in hutches to provide them protection in cases when you cannot be with them while you and your family are away.

There are several rabbit breeds available in pet shops depending on your choice and preference. They are delightfully quiet, can be easily cared for, can be litter box trained since they prefer to be clean, the reason why they are excellent indoor pets.

Ladies Fancy Dresses for Events and Themes Party

2012-05-11T13:01:00.001+08:00

There are many yearly events that generate the opportunity to doll up in fancy dress costumes such as cosplays, themed book launchings or releases, Mardi Gras, sporting events, corporate fish activities, amongst others.

Fancydress ball offers ladies costumes for all occasions covering a wide range of styles, sizes that could fit everyone’s budget. The site is a retailer that is run by fancy dressers who can help to make you stand-out among the crowd in the fancy dress party you’ll be attending. You can pick out from a variety of amazing and brightly colored ladies outfits perfect for a specific theme that is ideal to wear for a memorable event.

Coupled with the modern trend in costume parties, the 'retro' fashion as a costume theme is very popular and fashionable worldwide as ladies theme fancy dresses. The 80’s attire is always the favorite choice when it comes to wearing fancy clothes. The Punk fashion, neon clothing, high waisted pants and acid wash are among the most wanted garbs. Dressing up in a Top Gun Officer costume retains memories of the well-liked movie Top Gun featuring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis.

Time is of the essence for working women who most often lacks time roaming around on malls and other fashion outlets just to look for a perfect fancy costume. Well, no need to spend hours searching for costume ideas for Fancy Dress Ball continuously creates great costumes to facilitate your costume needs from sexy nurse outfits to Angry Birds suits, Muppets gear to children’s Disney costumes and even superheros’ attire.

So, be the impressive fancy dress queen on your next party theme gathering.

A Good Dinner and Online Bingo Treat for a Mother’s Day Gift

2012-05-11T06:00:00.001+08:00

“A mother's happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.” ~Honoré de Balzac

My mom is already 70 years old and we, my siblings and I make sure to make her happy especially on important occasions such as her birthday, Christmas, New Year and Mother’s Day. One of the ways to show gratitude and let her feel that she is very important to us is to give her life’s pleasures.

Mother’s Day is always quite special in our family because, my three other sisters and I are already mother’s too, so come May 13, 2012, we will all take her out for a fine dining, my dad of course will come with us and our families too. We have planned for this delightful dinner months ago, so we were able to reserved tables for the whole family.

Online bingo is one of my mom’s favorite pastime aside from solitaire, she plays it for free just for clean fun and entertainment. She and my dad had been hooked up to their computer enjoying the game for merriment to ease boredom. It also gives them high spirits because they can chat among the other online bingo players of different nationalities that match their age. They enter Bingo sites like Onlinebingo.com, Diva Bingo, William Hill Bingo, Foxy Bingo and more.

photo from the web

And because my mom is a bingo lover, she will surely be surprised to receive the pre-bought tickets we availed for her favorite online game. After a hearty dinner with the whole family, she and our father can still extend the enjoyment of the celebration through playing their game of preference on the next day and this time she can have a chance to win the jackpot with monetary or cash equivalent instead of points.

A good dinner and a bingo blow-out ticket will surely complete a day of gladness. Another memorable moment for my mom and the whole family

4th Homeschooling Conference takes place on May 19, 2012

2012-05-09T05:10:00.001+08:00

The Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) recently made announcements that the country's 4th Homeschooling Conference has been scheduled to happen on May 19, 2012. Set to take place at St. Francis Square Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong, the event will gather parents, academe, and homeschooling experts in one venue to promote awareness of the program, as well as provide guests with access to homeschool-related tools and services.

Homeschooling is a practice that, over the years, has rapidly gained popularity in the Philippines. Providing children with a familiar and relaxed learning environment that allows parents to tailor-fit certain aspects of their education based on their needs, remote education shatters the long-standing concept that prime education happens only within the confines of the classroom, and is also proven to unlock certain hidden potentials of the student—presenting more room for growth and enhancement.

This year's Homeschooling Conference is themed “Laying a Strong Foundation.” It will feature lectures from esteemed homeschooling authorities both here and abroad including: noted inspirational speaker, best-selling author and homeschool parent, Bo Sanchez; and former high school and college educator and best-selling author of award-winning books like “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling,” “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens,” and “Ultimate Planners for Moms, Teens and Students,” Debra Bell.

The event is supported by the 3,000-strong force of Filipino families, who are currently homeschooling by choice and discovering its priceless benefits.

About HAPI

The conference is organized by the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI), an organization that has dedicated itself as a catalyst for nation-building by advancing home education and unifying home educators in the country.

The Philippine Homeschool Conference is set to take place on May 19, 2012 5/F St. Francis Square, Julia Vargas Ave. cor Bank Drive, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City with the theme “Laying a Strong Foundation”. International speaker Debra Bell a homeschooling authority in the U.S. and best-selling author, and our own inspirational speaker and author Bo Sanchez are slated as keynote speakers. The event will be honored by the presence of Dep Ed officials like Atty Tonisito Umali, Asst. Secretary for Legal & Legislative Affairs.

To know more about the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) or how to register for the Conference, visit www.hapihomeschooler.com and/or email hapihomeschooler@gmail.com.

Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

2012-05-04T12:45:00.000+08:00

View Giveaway Details Here
a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway by Cisco Athletic

Start building your dream home

2012-05-04T12:37:00.000+08:00

The majority of homeowners have at least a vague idea of what their dream home would be, but feel that their existing residence is a long way away from that vision. However, there are ways of making your current home better so that it can eventually live up to your dreams. With the help of websites like nationwideltd.co.uk, you can find what you need to start building your dream home.

Adding products from the likes of nationwide home innovations could be one of the best ways to start making the home of your wildest fantasies. If you’re looking for a starting point for your dream home, where better than the entrance? Many of the best homes around have a grand entrance, and perhaps the best way to achieve that effect is by adding a glass veranda. Made with black-painted steel and glass, it’s the perfect way to cover your door.

To keep the theme of elegance going, adding sun awnings to your home could be perfect, especially during the summer months when you spend time in your garden. Ideal when positioned over a patio or porch, they can provide vital shade when the weather’s too hot or even protection against rain or harmful UV rays when you’ve been out for a while.By buying awnings which complement the look of your home, they’ll look even better.

Wood-burning stoveheating appliances

2012-05-04T12:18:00.000+08:00

The pleasure of having a home that can be heated whenever you like is well worth experiencing, especially if you’re worried about keeping warm during those cold, depressing winter nights. Although you might want that privilege, you may wonder how this can be achieved. Wood burning stoves might sound like the stuff of costume dramas, but many modern stoves such as those seen on leedsstovecentre.co.uk look contemporary, burn fuel efficiently and make a great centrepiece in any living room or lounge.

If you’re interested in having one in your home, there are a number of styles to choose from. If, for example, the décor of your home has a Victorian feel about it, then you could have a stove with a more traditional look to blend in. Meanwhile, there are also modern stoves which fit in well with homes that have a more contemporary look. For those of you who want your home to look complete, a wood burning stove could be just the thing to have.

Aside from looking great, they also keep you warm in a surprisingly environmentally friendly way. The way they do this is through trapping the carbon dioxide that’s released while the wood is burning. That fact that the CO2 is being stored in the stove instead of going straight into the atmosphere is another reason why it’s worth buying one. Also, like fireplaces from directfires-online.co.uk, they help to keep you warm whenever you like, providing you have access to wood and matches, and is much cheaper than owning a standard electric heater.

Goodies for Mommies Giveaway

2012-05-04T12:07:00.000+08:00

Welcome to Goodies for Mommies Giveaway!

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

Jade of Happy Home and Family and Diva Fabulosa fashion blog

would like to celebrate Mother's Day by giving 5 lucky mommies some goodies.

Sponsored by: Mama Never Told Me ,WhatToExpect.com , How to Rock Your Baby, & Dryper's Wee Wee Dry

Health and Beauty Diva and Best Vacation Places

There will be 5 package at stake. Each winner will get the following (prizes will be sent separately by the corresponsing sponsor)

$20 in CASH or AMAZON GIFT CODE
Mama Never Told Me books by Emily Van Do - Retail Value $9.95 each
A Choice of What To Expect Books by Heidi Murkoff - Retail Value $ 8.97 - $19.11
How to Rock Your Baby - $10.19
Dryper's Baby Shirts (For Philippine residents only)

Goodluck Mommies!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trends in Home Appliances

2012-05-04T12:03:00.000+08:00

Kitchen appliances have changed a lot over the years. When they first came to prominence in kitchens throughout the world, they were bulky, cumbersome and were prone to breaking down. However, the build quality, appearance and energy consumption changed dramatically over the past few decades. Trends in what type of appliances are the most popular have come and gone at breakneck speed, and for the homeowner who wants the latest appliances, they go to websites such as appliancesdirect.co.uk to get an idea of what to look for.

Today, one of the main trends in home appliances is energy efficiency. In an attempt to show how conscious they are of energy use and the wider environment, many leading brands are doing their best to make their appliances more efficient in their use of electricity, gas or water. Now, you can buy a Washing Machine which can do a cold wash, with the results looking identical to those achieved by a wash done at a higher temperature. Many home appliances have an energy efficiency rating which determines how environmentally friendly it is. The friendliest tend to have a rating of A, A+ or better.

Another trend in modern home appliances is having a slimline appearance. Many buyers who want to buy their appliances direct from an online retailer because of their fast delivery are conscious of the amount of space they have available in their kitchen, and will look at slimline appliances as they won’t use as much room. Although they’re not very wide, some slimline appliances have a deceptively large capacity, which is down to the fact that they’re not as bulky as older appliances.

8 Practical Uses of Notepads

2012-05-03T17:28:00.002+08:00

Notepads are commonly seen lying around in home, schools and offices as it is considered one of the most basic daily supply. It may come in different designs, from simple to colorful themes to different sizes and forms. Notepads from Viking Direct (UK) comes in assorted and numerous patterns that will suit every writing need. There are different ways of binding these tablet of papers. Some are padded or adhesive bound, wirebound or what we call the spiral notebooks, sewn and ring bound or refillable punched writing pads which enables us to add extra fillers when needed. It may also be soft covered or hardback.

I love collecting notepads, I use them daily to remind me of my to do’s for the day.

My diary and organizer, where I write down important events and daily blogging tasks

This is one of my favorite notepad collection bought directly from Disneyland, USA

My mini notebook where I jot down important data and information, I have this for years now.

This is one of the piggy designed notepad collections of my husband

There are many practical uses of Notepads and listed here are some of its functions.

For school use - composition notebooks are manufactured usually on a standard size where students write down their lectures and important subject notes and homeworks.
Office use – pads are important for taking down business notes during meetings, for recording, inventory, accounting purposes and utilized as a backup for other important company data and figures.
Notepads for promotional items to market a business – a personalized pad giveaway is a cheaper and effective way to endorse and market company products. One of the valuable strategies in Merchandise promotion is through giving away free writing pads to loyal clients and expected buyers. Most big firms buy them on ebay to get discounts for bulk purchase.
Desktop pads – are often seen lying near a telephone to jot down on important calls.
Personal use – pads are crucial for a stay-at-home like me, it is where I jot down my to do’s list for the day, shopping lists, memo ideas or reminder notes. Nifty notes that are pinned on a cork board to serve as a reminder.
Playtime pads for kids – a way to let your kids keep busy during their idle time is to give them a pad and pencil where they can write, draw and color.
Gift – if you are thinking of creating a personalize gift, make your own! notepads are best to work on, and will definitely fit your budget. A little creativity is only needed to make it look elegant.
Writers notebook – a small, hand-held portable notebook are very useful to writers especially for journalists where they draft their articles.

Notepads are environment friendly supplies and can be recycled. For easier and smooth writing choose a pad with a good paper quality.

Meet Timmy the Family’s New Found Love

2012-04-30T15:47:00.001+08:00

Three weeks ago my two sons and I were surprised when my husband went home carrying a miniature dachshund. We love dogs, our pet dogs consists of a basset hound, beagle and a dalmatian. The arrival of the little black and brown puppy gave so much joy for the whole family. Just upon seeing the pup, we warmly welcome him and dearly loved him instantly and named him Timmy.

timmy, 50 days old mini- dachshund

Miniature dachshunds belong to the small dog breeds. Timmy is only 50 days old when he arrived home and as what my husband said he will only grow twice or thrice his size when he became an adult.

he's not camera shy :)

so adorable and a darling

my son JM and Timmy

my husband and Timmy

My son yahmir and Timmy

Timmy kissing JM

Just like what we did in our other pet dogs we begun training him as early as possible. We decided to make him a home dog for our other dogs might put him a fight inside their kennel. He stays inside the house, he keeps on walking and running. We were really amazed of his intelligence, I potty trained him only for three days, on the fourth day he already knows where to pee and poo. He also knows how to fetch his toy panda when thrown and he will give it back to you. In three days time also he already recognizes his name, his tail keeps on waggling and will run to you upon calling him. He is so smart and easy to train.

playing with his toy panda

enjoying his three toys - panda, piggie and the toy bone

he keeps on chewing lol

Timmy just finished taking a bath :)

My husband is a veterinarian but his forte or field of specialization is on swine management, so just to make sure, on Timmy’s first weekend with us, we took him to an animal clinic nearby for health check up. We were advised by the veterinarian to make sure to ration his food appropriately: Dachshunds can gain weight quickly, causing more back problems due to their relatively long spine and short rib cage and other issues. He was given his first deworming shot then the 5 in 1 DHLP + CPV vaccination. Just like a baby, Timmy also has his medical record book.

As of this writing, Timmy already had gained weight, he is now more than a kilo. He is tirelessly energetic and curious, he bites on things he can get ahaha. We bought him a toy bone and toy panda for his chewing activity.

Timmy, our family’s new found love that provides fun and enjoyment. My constant home companion when everybody’s out for work and school. Our tiny-guard dog.

Homeschooling Successes: Taking the Way of the Prime Educational Option Forward

2012-04-24T10:30:00.000+08:00

In the wildly competitive and demanding world of today, what does it take to reach your goals and stand out?

With tailor-fit tools that include learning context, curriculum, enrichment activities, support groups, and a standard to benchmark against, homeschooling has been made a prime educational option and means to achieve success in modern society. Locally, top five Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition Louise Mabulo, child genius Darrell Tan, and cum laude graduate-basketball star Paul Tan-Chi are but some sterling testimonies of this.

Here’s a peek on why they put homeschooling in such high regard and how they think this platform is a prime educational option:

Darrell Tan: Genius I.Q. Child

For a 10-year old boy with a genius I.Q. and so much potential, you would think that he would prefer conventional schooling over home education. But Darrell Tan is a proof that learning within the four walls of the home actually equates to learning with no walls—no boundaries in discovering knowledge and experiences of the world beyond. “What I like best about homeschooling—I enjoy learning from my parents, which is why we are close. I have the biggest classroom in the world because I can take my work anywhere. I can also have more activities, like chess, sports, etc. I have many friends of all ages,” as Darrell declares.

Louise Mabulo: Top 5, Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition

Growing up and having to leave my friends and comfort zone behind to adjust to new surroundings is not an easy task for a child. With her dad as a former mayor, she needed to travel a lot and adapt to different languages and cultures. However, it was also during this point in her life when it all changed for the better. After reflecting on the situation, and her family asking for divine guidance, she enrolled in homeschooling and experienced a dramatic shift. “I was always with my mom and dad when they traveled around the Philippines and to other Asian countries, and I witnessed the beauty of God’s creations. I was also able to make more friends than I could ever imagine,” Louise says.

Paul Tan-Chi: Cum Laude, former Ateneo UAAP Basketball Team Captain, AXEIA Corp. and SHDA President

Hugely able to juggle between being an awarded business student and a famed basketball team captain during his youth, and being president of both AXEIA Corp. and SHDA at present; Paul Tan-Chi has grown up into a highly effective adult. Looking back, he considers his days in homeschooling as some of his brightest and happiest years growing up. “I loved the time I spent with my sibling, and the flexibility to be able to finish a day’s schoolwork early, which gave us more time to play and learn outside the classroom,” he explains.

Home education as a prime educational option

In the country, more and more Filipino parents are homeschooling by choice, and discovering its priceless benefits. Putting their growing number conservatively at 3,000 families, HAPI has made it its mission to be a catalyst in nation-building by advancing home education and unifying home educators in the country.

“We believe that the teacher-student relationship is intrinsic to the parent-child relationship. Parents have a natural God-given influence that will work to make homeschooling fulfilling for both. We hope that through the upcoming 4th HAPI Conference, we’ll inspire more parents about real life benefits of homeschooling,” says HAPI President, Gerry Argosino.

The Philippine Homeschool Conference set on May 19, 2012 at the 5/F of St. Francis Square Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong banners the theme “Laying a Strong Foundation.” International speaker Debra Bell, a homeschooling authority in the U.S. and best-selling author, and our very own Bo Sanchez, inspirational speaker and author, are slated as keynote speakers. The event will be honored by the presence of Department of Education officials, including Atty. Tonisito Umali, Asst. Secretary for Legal & Legislative Affairs.

As Edric Mendoza, HAPI Chairman said “I realized in raising my four kids that I only have one shot at parenting, and one shot at being the main influencers in their lives. For true success, we have chosen to follow God and enable our children to pass on this important value and legacy.”

To know more about the Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) or how to register for the Conference, visit www.hapihomeschooler.com and/or email hapihomeschooler@gmail.com.

Why is Education Important?

2012-04-18T19:07:00.001+08:00

We, Parents commonly say education is the only legacy we can bequeath our children. We work and strive hard to make both ends meet just to put our children into good schools. We are their first educators; we are responsible to train them the fundamental learning skills by instilling the foundation of good moral character, discipline, values and how to interact with others to prepare them to their formal studies.

Edification is a fruitful and beneficial factor in a person’s life. By means of learning, one’s capabilities and potential can be harnessed to the fulllest. It equips us to become a whole person to gain confidence in making crucial decisions, to face what life has to bring, to accept loses, failures and successes. In our family, it is only Yahmir who is still studying, he'll be in first year in junior high school this school year. My husband, my eldest son and I are graduates of different courses. JM still will pursue on taking up a masteral degree that could add color and employer attraction to his cv template to achieve his dream of getting a more promising job in the future which I am very happy about.

my diploma

my husband's

JM's

It is sad to see street children who never had experience going to school, or had stopped to pursue their studies due to life’s hardships or lose of interest; they are merely not aware that schooling is equally important with our basic needs. As far as I know every person, whether rich or poor should not be deprived of acquiring wisdom to know the world around us, to become more productive in building opinions and wise decisions to achieve better accomplishments.

Education does not stop after graduating, self learning continues for more opportunities and a wider choice of jobs.

The Best Car for Your Family

2012-04-16T19:51:00.000+08:00

When deciding on your next family car there are many factors to consider and it may seem like a daunting task to many parents. But there is help out there; the first thing you have to do is consider the nature of your family, how big it is, what you do in the car – just the school run? A commute? Or a big out door family cycling weekend. Whatever your needs, make a list and choose a car that ticks all your boxes.

The biggest factor when deciding on a family car is always safety, whether it’s two parents and a baby, or aunties, uncles, cousins and two Labradors, safety is always an issue. Even the most basic of safety packages should cover anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC) and air bags for every seat in the car, perhaps even side-curtain airbags.

Safety features such as this should come as standard with any new model of car claiming to be for the family. But for the more pocket conscious buying a used car may be more of a realistic scenario, and used car prices by Auto Trader are showing that even some of the second hand cars come with all of the functions needed to make your car safe. A used Volkswagen Sharan for example will feature all of the implicit safety features as they do come as standard on the original vehicle. Some used vehicles may have even had these safety features installed post original purchase making them even more value for money.

Volkswagen Sharan

Saying that the standard safety features explained above aren’t that expensive to have installed on any car. Remember to do your research and get the best deal on this, many family run garages may give you a better price than the big chains.

Flowery Treat for Moms at Krispy Kreme’s

2012-04-16T09:45:00.000+08:00

This Mother’s Day, show your mom how much you care by getting her a box of Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped doughnuts.

That’s right! On its 75th birthday, Krispy Kreme honors every mom by releasing its first-ever flower-shaped doughnuts. Made especially for all mothers out there, these melt-in-your-mouth treats come in three fun and festive colors that are sure to bring a smile on everyone’s face—pink, yellow and white.

Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped Mother’s Day doughnuts are only available from April 13 to May 31, 2012. So hurry and go to a store near you. Grab a bouquet before they wither away.

How to Measure Your Kitchen for New Cabinets

2012-04-15T04:57:00.000+08:00

So, you're ready to renovate your kitchen with some brand new cabinets? Before you can start choosing the new cabinetry, it's important to gather the exact measurements of your space. You don't have to be a contractor to draw up the proper measurements for your kitchen, but you do need to take care and get it done the right way. As the old saying goes, "Measure twice and cut once." The proper measurements help your kitchen remodeling go smoothly, while the wrong measurements set you up for disaster. Always take your measurements in inches.

Outline

Draw your kitchen on a piece of large paper; this will serve as the map for your project. The map doesn't need to be exactly to scale, but use a ruler to ensure straight lines and stay true to the shape -- for example, if your kitchen is not a perfect square, don't draw it that way. It's also good to come up with some sort of guideline. For example, perhaps one inch on the paper will equal 2 feet.

Wall Measurements

Once you have the outline complete, measure each of the walls and note the length on your map. Start measuring at the door, and work clockwise around the room. In addition to capturing the measurement for the entire wall, you should also measure any breaks. For instance, if there is a window or door on one wall, you should measure the door or window as well as the exact measurement of the wall on either side. Draw and label these breaks on your map.

Corners

Corner measurements are also very important because your cabinets will need to fit snugly into these spaces. For a corner measurement, you are not measuring length, but rather the angle at which the two walls meet. If you currently have cabinetry in the corners, this measurement may not be possible, but take it whenever you can. Often you can use the space underneath the cabinet, just above the counter. Get a carpenter's framing square and place it in the corner. Note on your drawing if the corner is an exact 90 degrees (which is ideal), or whatever the degree is at which the walls meet.

Ceiling

You also need to measure the vertical length of your walls, or the measurement from floor to ceiling. Just in case your room is not entirely level, you should take this measurement in several different places. Make sure you mark on your map the places in the where you took the measurement.

Other Measurements

Kitchen remodeling projects often include an upgrade in appliances, so you should also note on your map where the appliances need to go. If you have appliances picked out, measure the floor model in the store and add the measurement to your kitchen map. If you don't yet have appliances selected, at least measure the space where the appliances currently sit and mark it on the map. Sometimes cabinets are placed above a refrigerator or window. If you are planning to place cabinetry in those locations, you also need determine the number of inches from the top of your window sill to the ceiling, or the top of your fridge to the ceiling. Also measure how many feet out from the wall the cabinetry can comfortably fit, leaving you enough room to get around with ease.

Kitchen remodeling doesn't have to be painful, but it can be if you start the project out on the wrong foot. Accurate measurements help you choose cabinets that will fit precisely, or aid your designer in constructing them in the correct dimensions when you are getting custom cabinetry work done.

Manage Your Business Efficiently with Quickbooks

2012-04-13T20:01:00.001+08:00

Managing a business is not something you can take very lightly, as it involves many things. First, you need to make sure that your inventory is always full (that is, if you offer products to your client base) or that the services you offer are always up-to-date. On top of that, there is the financial side of your business that needs thorough attention. While it’s easy to hire a bookkeeper who would help you with accounts-related stuff, things can get complicated especially when your business begins to grow and rake in revenues.

The wisest decision you could make for your business is to acquire Austin quickbooks, which is a state-of-the-art financial accounting application. This software includes everything you might need to manage the financial aspects of your business properly. Your bookkeeper would be very much thankful for the ample helper that would make organizing your books easy peasy.

With Quickbooks, you can customize the application to suit the needs of your business. This is very important especially if your network is quite extensive. You wouldn’t want to deal with clients, suppliers, and remote staff when the financial side of your business is in chaos. That would be like treading a very thin line. As much as possible, you’d want all the help you can get, and Quickbooks can give you just that.

If in case your business involves merchandising, you would need POS Austin to make things easier in your retail stores. Quickbooks also happens to have point-of-sale software, which is a cost-effective solution to running your business. With this software, you’d be able to adjust the prices of your merchandise, apply discounts, and transfer collected data into your Quickbooks accounting with just a click of your mouse button.

The fact that you can link your Quickbooks POS and accounting software to each other only makes it must-have software. Therefore, if you want to run your business like a well-oiled machine, grab yourself this amazing duo now and spare yourself from headaches.