KIDS TURF

Gift for Debi

2012-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

Oh ! I almost forgot it's my friend's daughter today.Hmmmm....and my son's crush too! (?). What shall I give to a teenager like her ? I want something unique like aromatherapy oils , cologne , apparel or stuff toy. She's going to be 16...

99% in Trigonometry

2012-01-31T05:30:00.000-08:00

Me and my hubby went to the school for the Parent-Teacher Conference (PTC). The teacher proudly expressed her joy over the good grades of my son - Isaiah John. He was the highest in class for the subject Trigonometry at 99% , while he got 97% to 98% in other subjects.

Wow! My son did good in school . Thank You Lord!

On Kids and Smart Phones

2012-01-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

Ever since smart phones were introduced, I got totally hooked along with the apps that go with it. Since both Hubby and I got smart phones, we can’t help but let the kids play every now and then. You see, there are tons of apps that are nice for the kids. And ever since we started to let them play, they are totally hooked too.

So now, I have to lay down rules for them because there are times that they request to play almost the entire day which is not good. You see, I want them to focus more on books and other creative plays than the games from the smart phones.

First, I make sure that before they get to play with my smart phone, all homework should be done. They have to study first and review their lessons before they can play their favorite games.

Second, they are only allowed to play for an hour or less.

Third, since I have 2 kids with only one smart phone, they have to learn to SHARE and take turns.

These rules look so simple but for a 5 year old and a 3 year old, it is hard especially if they are hooked with the games. There are times that I regret letting them try even one game. But when I see their happy faces while playing, I realized that they too deserve it. The nice thing about the apps that I installed for them is that it is also a way to learn letters, numbers, nursery rhymes and more. So they are not only playing but also learning too!

Michelle is a freelance content writer who enjoys blogging and photography during her free time.. Her current article is about home improvement projects and gulvafslibning (floor sanding).

Mellow Yellow Monday

2012-01-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

3 Tips to Look for a Comfortable but Affordable Apartment

2012-01-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

Finding a comfortable and affordable apartment is a feasible goal. However, doing a little research and planning is important before finding a place you can call home.
These three tips will help you in terms of searching to find one that fits your budget and screams comfort. Your home is your humble adobe that offers shelter, a place of rest and of production. Take great care to find something that you can afford and you're comfortable in.

Image from Flickr

Budget Wisely
Much with any other important financial decision in life, budgeting is the first step. Take time to track your income each month as well as bills and other expenses. Most finance experts suggest you do not spend more than 25-30% of your total take-home pay each month on housing. Also, when searching for a new apartment, keep in mind that you most likely will have to pay a deposit and oftentimes both first and last month's rent, so plan accordingly. Tracking spending every month (not just when you're finding an apartment) will keep you more responsible in terms of your money.
Rent Stabilization and Your Financial Future
While this isn't a requirement, for someone looking for affordability, this may be the best way to go. Rent stabilized places allow you to lock in a monthly rent price for an extended period of time. This means you can create a budget for yourself and stick with it. When looking at apartments, ask the rental manager for the Rent Stabilization Rider. It will explain the rights of the tenants and the owners and lists the rent and how long it is in place (most are 10-20 years).
Choose Location over Cost
If you're still struggling financially even after you created a budget, then choosing a place outside of the city or a highly populated area may be for you. Debt is around us, you may be paying back expensive student loans or just have other finances that aren't allowing you a sufficient amount of money for rent each month. Look in less populated neighborhoods for apartments and research what they're asking for. It's important, however, that you don't compromise safety for price.
These three tips are just some of many that can be implemented when searching for comfortable and affordable san francisco apartments. By being financially responsible, you can do almost anything. Every penny saved can be used for to achieving the humble apartment you're dreaming of.

Do you have other great tips in finding affordable yet comfortable apartments? Share your ideas in the comments section.

Our Log House in Bukidnon

2012-01-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

I have always been a lover of log furniture. This started when my parents brought us to our small log house in our farm in Bukidnon. We spent our summer at our log house away from the hustle and bustle of city life. That was in the late 70's...now our farm was turned into a pineapple plantation of Del Monte Philippines. My parents leased it to DMPI in 1985. What was left with our log house were reclaimed wood dining table , chairs and double-deck bed. Other furniture were either given to our tenant or were sold . I hope to build my own log house someday.

Wordless Wednesday & #17 BPC

2012-01-17T21:38:00.000-08:00

Thank God we were able to retrieve my girl's photo frame after the flood. She was so happy upon seeing it.
This is my entry for Wordless Wednesday and Blog Photo Challenge.

How to download videos from Youtube

2012-01-17T21:31:00.000-08:00

It is true that most of adults know very little about world-wide web. Most kids end up teaching their parents on how to configure, upload, download , covert files and install programs. Sad to say I am one of them...

The latest that my son taught me is how to download videos from youtube . He created first my " you tube" upload my videos and start downloading videos from you tube.Wow! It took him less than an hour to download 10 videos. Now I am on the process of uploading my blog contest videos and my travel videos. Our next session would be " How to convert videos to MP3 format".

Worfilled and Wordful Wednesday

2012-01-11T03:23:00.000-08:00

Entry foe Wordfilled Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday.

Where we are now after the Typhoon Sendong

2012-01-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

My kids are now back to school after a week of class suspension due to the flash flood that hit our city. As what I have posted last week, we were not able to save all our things. Only the washing machine and over toaster survived. Our LED TV, computers , furniture and other home appliances were damaged. It doesn't matter to us if we lost our everything.. what's important is that we survived that killer flood and that we have a house provided by my in-laws as our temporary shelter. While some are crowding in evacuation center sick and hungry, we are healthy and comfortable in one of the rooms of my husband's ancestral home.

#7/366 BPC : Water for the Flood Victims

2012-01-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

My son as one of the volunteers of Operations Blessings. Drinking Water was the immediate needs of the flood victims. Thanks to OB for being there as early as 9am on December 17,2012.

My entry for Blog Photo Challenge 366 and Blue Monday.

Paying For College

2012-01-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Image via Flickr

College can be very expensive, and many people don't know how to pay for it. It's hard enough to get through school, and trying to maintain a job on top of that is going to be tough. As much as you don't want to leave school in debt, it's practically inevitable and may be your best option. Choosing one of the following options for obtaining money can keep things hassle free throughout your college experience and won't be as stressful as other alternatives once you graduate.

Apply For Grants

Grants are an amount of money issued by the government and given to students to help them pay for school. You don't need to pay for these grants, that's why many people apply for it. The amount of money you receive from grants is based on your financial need. This money is not given to youdirectly, but is given to the college and deducted from your account. You can find information on how to apply through your college's financial aid office.

Apply For Scholarships

Scholarships are similar to grants, but are provided to students through various businesses and organizations rather than the government. Types of scholarships vary and the amount you receive may be different throughout each scholarship. Some scholarships are based on financial need, while others look at your leadership qualities, talents, and other criteria. You can find various scholarships through your high school guidance office, the college you are applying to, and the Internet.

Image via Flickr

Get an Installment Loan

Installment loans are preferred by college students because they are easy to budget into their finances. Installment loans are those that have a fixed amount of money you pay back every period, so there are never any surprises. Although some of these loans require a credit check, you can find companies online that won't check your credit and will allow you to borrow several hundred dollars at low interest rates. Plus, it helps you build your credit so you can qualify for larger loans in the future.

Apply For a Subsidized Loan

Subsidized loans are those that don't acquire interest until you graduate from college. Normally, you have six months after you graduate to begin paying off your loan. These are great for students because you don't have to worry about them until you have a job and can start paying them back. You can usually obtain these with the same application you fill out for grants, so check with your college's financial aid office for more information.

Reflection on Typhoon Sendong

2012-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

The shocking calamity that hit my Cagayan de Oro city recently has claimed many lives and properties. The images that the typhoon left us were horrible. I’ve seen houses and vehicles , big and small, overturned by Typhoon Sendong. I’m just thankful to God that my family was spared from the awful experience although I can’t help but be sad to see our properties destroyed.

I can not dare to explain in detail what transpired on that bleak dawn of December 17,2012 because it still breaks my heart. Last week with my family we went to our house . I can not help but Thank God for sparing our lives. The whole family slept over at our mom's house with the tragedy struck. The original plan was I and my mom will stay home while my hubby and my sister will sleep at my grandma’s house since she was not feeling well that day. I just don't know why suddenly my mom decided to go to Villa Ernesto Gusa . My mom called my dad who was at Divisoria that time to go back to Balulang and fetch us . It was already 10 pm when we went out from our subdivision. We never expect that 2 hours after a flash flood would hit our place and claimed 10 lives in the neighbourhood. We greatly thank God that our housemaid was able to escaped out from the rushing and rising water through the sunroof in my room. She almost gave up because the water was almost at the ceiling and it was pitch black. Then she cried to God for help and miraculously the light of her soaked cellphone came out. She saw the sunroof and effortlessly was able to open the roof. In split –second she was able to escape death. There are lots stories of survival I have heard and I realized it was God who saved those people.

All I can say is that the Kagay-anons never expected this to happen. Really, no one knows what tomorrow may bring. Our lives are in the hands of God. We can only do so much to secure ourselves, our property, and our future. With the damage that the typhoon has brought my city, and as we move towards rebuilding our homes. I realized that real treasures are stored in heaven and that we must be ready always to meet our creator.

Goodbly LED TV

2012-01-06T23:14:00.000-08:00

Thank God some of our appliance-s retrieved after the flash flood were repaired. Our washing, microwave oven and computer CPU are now working. We regret we were not able to mount at the wall our LED TV, it could have been saved. Anyway, we are staying at my mother-in-law right now, so we still enjoy watching our favorite TV shows. Thanks to Mommylo ( as we fondly call my mother-in-law) for willingly and joyfully let us stay in her big house together with my two brothers and his family. God will surely bless you mommylo for your kind and gracious heart.

6WS : No class because of the flood

2012-01-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

NO CLASS BECAUSE OF THE FLOOD

Where are you Mayor Emano & Benjo Benaldo?

2012-01-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

The Sendong Typhoon brought chaos in our city. My heart is grieving knowing that the City Government of Cagayan de Oro is not cooperating with the National Government due to political reasons. A reliable source told me that our Mayor is for Jejomar Binay for the 2013 Presidency. Exactly 17 days after the flash flood trash like damaged furniture like cabinets, office chairs , clothing and dead animals are still at the sidewalks. As a civil engineer, I know how easy it is to gather all the contractors and deploy their equipments to different flooded areas . An 8 hours opeartion of payloader and a dumptruck could clear one subdivision. The Mayor of Iligan City was able to do it.. why can't Cagayan de Oro City? By the way... I heard from radio that the people from the 2nd district are looking of the Congress Representative. Where are you Benjo Benaldo?

MYM : Rice for the Flood Victims

2012-01-02T04:15:00.001-08:00

My daughter Dalefaith as one of the volunteers helping with the packing of relief goods.

Medical Sonographer Jobs in the Philippines?

2011-12-30T18:25:00.000-08:00

They say that the unemployment rate in the Philippines is 6.4% (as of Oct. 2011) but that’s something I can hardly believe. I know for a fact that so many people here in my country are unemployed, especially those yearning to be in the medical field. If only they’d offer more Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Jobs... it may be because sonographer schools are almost (if not,) unheard of here. I doubt many people even know what a sonographer is—they all seem to relate the profession with radiologists’. Our health system is not as competitive as other countries so it’s quite possible that that’s why a huge fraction (particularly the nurses) aim to work abroad after graduation. But even so I have hopes that they’ll open tons of new vocations soon.

Joyful New Year

2011-12-26T21:44:00.000-08:00

As much as I wanted not to blog about the tragic flood that washed out homes and left thousands of people dead, I can not do so. News and images of the killer floods are everywhere. I have just chatted with my aunt awhile ago and cried again as she related to me their ordeal on that dawn of December 17,2011. It's encouraging to hear stories of survival but it is heartbreaking to see people in grief because of the loss.

I greatly thank God that we are safe and survived the calamity. Most of our things were damaged like appliances and furniture. Good that we were able to recover some of our funny shirts. It only means... we still have to be joyful this new year in spite of the tragedy.

Christmas Dance Presentation

2011-12-25T20:43:00.001-08:00

Mellow Yellow Monday

2011-12-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

Planned Travels

2011-12-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

My hubby and I have traveled near and far to discover what else the Lord and all of His Majesty has rest upon this world. We’ve been to Singapore, Thailand, Boracay, Manila, Cebu and various other places in the country. But one place I realize we haven’t voyaged to yet is South Africa. I’ve always wondered what the famed host of the 2010 Fifa World Cup looks like up close. A car hire Cape Town airport vehicle would really save us from the unnecessary hassle of catching a cab. Although we are in no shape to travel right now, we certainly welcome the thought. After all, this will come to pass and it certainly pays to plan ahead. Europe also holds some romantic attractions that I am most willing to visit with my hubby and kids. I also think a family trip to Hongkong would be splendid! But of course, all in due time.

( Dollar.com.za is the site to browse if you are looking for car hire in Cape Town)

Our Living Room after the CDO Flash Flood

2011-12-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

The recent devastation involving my city have seemingly ceased but its remnants still linger. Our house, and all within it, is still drenched in mud. But despite the situation of late, I decided not to be full of grief and instead busied myself. A woman has got to do what she’s got to do: venture for new furniture! As a matter of fact, I was able to check out new home accessories that we are praying to add to our residence soon. A new comfy and cosy couch seems possible. And oh what comfort a sheepskin beanbag would bring! An elegant yet snug rug to par it with is also much hoped for. I can’t even begin to think about the new TV and audio set the Lord will provide! His hand injures but surely His hands also heal—this is one promise that I instil in my heart. So on a more positive note, at least this gives me the perfect opportunity to redecorate our humble abode without restraints.

( The White Company is the site to browse if you are looking for Home improvement materials )

Songs of the Sea

2011-12-15T22:32:00.000-08:00

I wish we could be back in Singapore. We would surely watch this multi-million production
of Songs of the Sea in Sentosa Island.

Garage Sale

2011-12-14T04:22:00.000-08:00

I blogged last week about our scheduled garage sale. Well, my little girl turned to be more excited than me. I didn't realized she was able to gather 2 big boxes of her used clothing, 1 box of toys and another box of books . I didn't care to inspect the boxes until I spotted a macanudo cigar among her items for garage sale. I immediately pulled it out from the display rack and put it at our cabinet. The cigar was given by the boyfriend of my sister-in-law when he visited our country 3 years ago.It's a collector's item ought to be kept forever.