It's my party (and I'll cry if I want to...)

I need my Coffee!

2009-07-08T15:52:00.003+04:00

The scene in the office is so dragging. It is quiet. Slow like in slow motion. Time just stands still!

I am used to dynamic actions and running around like a headless chicken. Due to the recession, it has been very calm and manageable. You can actually hear a pin drop!

It is for this reason that I drink a lot of coffee lately. I think I consume about 2-3 cups of caffeine in a day. Not such a good sight but I am trying to keep myself awake.

Coffee For Less is a great place to get my daily caffeine dose. I am eyeing for the Timothy's White Hot Chocolate K Cups (22 pcs) because it's convenient. I just have to add cream if I want to and it's good to go. The site is very direct. You get a lot of choices and presented in various tabs in the menu bar of the home page.

I think I will order some ground coffee as well for my Capuccino Maker at home.

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Having a Poor Eyesight

2009-07-07T20:10:00.000+04:00

There was a time when all I did was read and read and read some more until my head ached and my sight blurred. I stopped because I did not want to wear glasses. I find wearing glasses so cumbersome and I don't want anything obstructing my view and face. That's one of the reasons too why I barely put cosmetics because I feel that it hides my natural beauty (if there is any! hahaha).

Well, I just learned that my daughter (she is in Manila right now for her summer break) is now officially wearing eye glasses; not corrective glasses but the real deal where there are grade levels. She has 150-100 vision.

We are partly to be blamed because we didn't heed on the signs that her eye sight was degrading. It's too late to be pointing fingers now, right?

So, what causes poor eye sight anyway? Here are the tell-tale signs:

1. Vitamin A difficiency
2. Poor nutrition
3. Reading with dim lights
4. Looking closely on tv, monitors
5. Squinting, closing one eye
6. Headaches, nausea or dizziness
7. Clumsiness
8. Rubbing the eyes repeatedly
9. Tilting the head to one side
10. Using a finger as a guide when reading
11. Reading while in motion (as this strains the eyes)

Honestly, she manifested some of the above signs but I was clueless because I have never worn glasses. I should have known then so this poor eyesight thing would have been averted.

Beach Body But Sun-Scared

2009-07-07T19:34:00.010+04:00

It's that time of the year again where I always tell myself that I am definitely wearing a bikini. Like the previous years, I always end up in a one piece swimwear hidden under a loose shirt. Sometimes I wear shorts and a bikini top, again only to hide under a big shirt.

It's not that I do not have any confidence in my body, it's just that wearing bikinis, tankinis, one-piece suit or any bathing suits for that matter in this terribly hot and humid country is making me think twice on whether or not I will expose my sensitive skin to the harsh rays. I want to feel comfortable and at the same time not worry about how safe my skin will be under the heat of the sun. However, Dubai has plenty of beautiful beaches where you can actually sun bathe, apply suntan lotion and wear proper swimwear, even bikinis! It is hard to resist the call of the waves, the yellow-creamish colored sandy beaches, the cozy cabanas, jet-ski, surfing and the sports in the beach.

Dubai lies in the Middle East where the sun scorches and the rays just pierce your skin making you like a living, walking prune. I do not go out at the beach without wearing sun protection because it is just too hot here. I even wear sunscreen while driving, so you could just imagine how hot it is in this part of the world. A lot of the expatriates here who are sun worshippers love the beach area. I always see them apply either sun tan lotion or sunscreen but at the same time, enjoy the glorious sun.

I know a lot of people will go in drove to the nearest beach area to cool off wearing their beautiful swimwear. I just hope they will be wise enough to keep their skin safe and have their sunscreen lotions handy, just in case.

Groom your Garden

2009-07-07T09:39:00.007+04:00

Time to snip, snip, chop, chop and here's a good and effective way to do the cutting in your shrubs and hedges in the garden - Garden Groom it!

Feeling Weird Lately

2009-07-05T16:31:00.003+04:00

My husband and daughter are both in Manila right now for their vacation but my daughter will be staying there for a month more. I know this yearly routine of sending her off to Manila for her to bond with our families should be well-accepted by yours truly by now. But I don't know why I can't seem to get passed the stage of letting my daughter go. Every year, I just have to cry my heart out because I miss her so much. Every single year, I go through this state like a wreck! My sister even chided me, "Don't you get used to it?" My response is always the same - "NO, I don't."

This is what it feels like to be a mother I suppose. I feel that part of myself has gotten transferred to my little princess when I gave birth to her. I just want to hold on to her not realizing that she is growing up so fast for me to take it all in. A classic example is a long distance call I made this morning. I asked her if she wants to come back here in Dubai now. She replied, "Maybe YES, maybe NO." I said, "What?!? Last time I checked, you did not want to go there so what gives?" To which she replied with "Mama, let me enjoy myself here first." And that was it. I did not utter any more word because I felt a tightness in my chest. To hear her say those words kind of zapped me back to reality. I guess I am holding on too much. One day, she will be all grown up ready to take the world on her own without me to hold her little hands and guide her.

I don't know if I am exaggerating or just having my hormonal imbalance thing but I feel hurt when she said those to me. Doesn't she miss me? Does she just prefer to be with my in-laws and not me? Are they smothering her with materials things I cannot provide for? Are they buying her affection? I know these are weird questions running in my head. I am a bit jealous, I admit that. Feeling that makes me more human.

Right now, as I write this blog, my head is in a blur. I feel pain, a little resentment to some people who have no iota of an idea as to what is happening, a bit angry, insecure and a tad green with jealousy. These are all negative emotions boiling inside me. I guess I was just caught off guard when my daughter told me that. I thought I am always her super-mom, her idol, her role model, her number one. Then again, maybe not.

Bear with me folks as I figure out what's going on in this thick skull and fragile heart of mine. I feel like a tempest in a teapot about to burst any minute now. Is motherhood really this "painful?"

Today, US Celebrate their Independence Day!

2009-07-04T10:02:00.002+04:00

Get more Graphics and Twitter Backgrounds

"For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?"

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Independence Day to all my family and friends in the US of A!

Being a Good House Guest

2009-07-03T09:54:00.000+04:00

I know my manners and I keep them checked at all times. Whenever we visit other people's house, we behave properly and respect the other members of the household.

I am a good house guest, that I can vouch for. However, I seem to be a magnet of people who are inconsiderate or simply ignorant. I don't know why other people in my household bring guests who think they own my place, do not know they are guests, bangs door, noisy kids and parents do not reprimand them, do not know when to tone down their voices and just don't care about the time of the day. I don't mind if it happens at 7 p.m. or even up to midnight, but at freaking 3:45 a.m.??? Common on! I have work in the morning for crying out loud!

That is my house too but as the ever-gracious hostess (actually, they are NOT my guests but someone in the house's), do I just shrug my shoulders and suffer in silence or do I firmly remind them to pipe it down?

If you are in my place, what will you do?

What's happening in the aviation industry?

2009-06-30T18:37:00.003+04:00

Being in the field of aviation, one thing that really shakes me hard is reading news about plane crashes. In a span of a month, another Airbus plane crashed in the Indian Ocean on its way to the small island of Comoros today. The first incident was the flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. This recent Yemenia Jet (an A310 carrier) crash was from Marseilles to Comoros en route to Yemen to change aircraft.

I am not singling out Airbus for the incident but in general. Is the aviation industry losing its grip on stern safety rules? What is happening? Who is at fault?

The airline industry is already suffering because of the global crisis we are all facing. To have another blow like this will weaken the remaining ties of the few airlines which are still standing.

I am offering my deepest sympathy to all the families of the recent crash and the ones last month. It's just heart-breaking.

Free Web Directories

2009-06-29T18:29:00.004+04:00

I believe in the influential ability of signing up in a free web directory to promote your site. I did not know then that it was quite vital to have your website listed on the numerous web directories populating the world wide web. It is easy to sign up and you just have to give few information which are the basic like your name, URL of your blog or site and some tidbits about yourself.

What is a web directory anyway? Well, web directories are like the ubiquitous yellow telephone directory with telephone numbers of names, establishments, products and services listed bound as a book. In this case, a web directory is the electronic version of a telephone book. Web directories will have various entries of other people's web sites be it business related, personal, social, travel, educational, you name it.

I remember signing up to several web directories in the past and I am happy that I did because my blog is now given a page rank of 4 in less than a year since I started blogging. I will have to contribute that to the web directories too for giving me the niche and the exposure I would not have if I had kept quiet in my little corner of the blogging world.

There are advantages in signing up in web directories. Your blog or website will get better exposure. So many people use the net and search the web for products, services, information or on just about anything. Having your site listed will give you a step closer to being popular. Also, checking in web directories is easy because they provide links to the site you want to view granting the place you have checked is SEO friendly web directory. Example of famous and reputable web directories are Yahoo Directory and Business.com. You may want to consider signing up with them.

So, what are you waiting for? You want to be recognized and reap rewards in the process, right? You want your business and services to be promoted? Or you want traffic directed to your blogs? Then, sign up now!

Personality Quiz - Know More About Yourself

2009-06-27T05:14:00.001+04:00

I took this tag from Beth because I got curious. Well, most of it is true... Want to try? My remarks on pink font validates the result as being true or not in my case.

Here are the rules:

1. Open this website : Personality Test
2. Take the Personality Quiz (It's very short and easy really! )
3. Copy paste the result to your blog.
4. Tag as many friends you can and link to the friend who tagged you!

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties. (101% true!)

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true. (I just married the man I love. hihihhii)

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person. (Again, married the guy already!)

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love. (101% true again!)

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can. (Yes)

The right job for you:

You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life. (erhm.. I don't think I have found that right job yet...hehehe)

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous. (Guilty!)

What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear. (Totally DISAGREE on this one though. I could care less what other people think or say about me. Wrong one.)

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve. (That is why I cannot be in the management level. My heart rules over my head...)

This is a tag for all. Just grab and don't forget to link back please. Have fun!

Friday Tag - My 1950s name is...

2009-06-26T04:16:00.001+04:00

Phyllis Naomi! What?!? Well, thanks a lot Niko for sending me this tag. It was fun. Probably, I'll name my future daughter with this one. LOL!

What's buzzin, cuzzin?

What's Your 1950s Name?

I am tagging the following: MsRay, Chriss, Bingkee, Riaboo, Bill, Kikamz, Meryl, Aidisan, Beth, Cherry, Cely, Cyra, Eden, and Yub

Have fun folks and happy Friday everyone!

Enjoy Free Cooking Games

2009-06-21T16:25:00.005+04:00

I am not so good cooking in real life but I fare too well cooking up gourmet meals and sumptuous desserts in cooking games. My daughter and I love cooking games a lot. As a matter of fact, we love games about cooking so much that I bought her PC and Wii games about that activity. Little did I know that I can get free cooking games in the net.

My daughter is the expert when it comes to these games. She managed to learn techniques and styles on cutting, folding, basting, slicing, tossing, cake decorating, and many more. Not only that, she also learned a lot of recipes as she played various cooking and food games.

A great site we always frequent is the Ecookinggames.com. It has wide array of cooking and food games to offer to kids and the child at heart. There are also other games to be played like dress-up games, make-over games, fashion games, doll games and even Barbie games. There is also a choice between 1 or 2 players. We normally play the 2 player games so my daughter and I enjoy the quality play time we spend with each other.

Packed with fun, entertainment and educational stuff, these cooking and food games are really great for kids and even adults who wish to learn more about cooking. I think my daughter will become a connoisseur on food and a great cook as well. Thanks to Ecookinggames.com for the free cooking and food tips!

Happy Father's Day to All You Great Dads!

2009-06-21T00:01:00.000+04:00

Here's a Father's Day wishes to all you great dads out there. I wish my dad is here to read this. And to my husband who has been a good husband and a father to our one and only daughter, I am thankful for everything you have done for us.

Happy Father's Day!

New MySpace 2.0 Layouts

The Difference Between You and Your Boss

2009-06-19T05:49:00.001+04:00

I cannot help but nod and smile as I read my friend's forwarded email about the difference between you and your boss. For those who are working like me, probably, you may be able to relate with this but if not, just enjoy and snicker. I am posting this forwarded email just for kicks! Employees out there.... do you agree? LOL! And to those in management, don't be a spoil-sport ;)

"ME and MY BOSS

When I take a long time to finish,
I am slow,
When my boss takes a long time,
he is thorough

When I don't do it,
I am lazy,
When my boss does not do it,
he is busy,

When I do something without being told,
I am trying to be smart,
When my boss does the same,
he takes the initiative,

When I please my boss,
I am apple polishing,
When my boss pleases his boss,
He is cooperating,

When I make a mistake,
I am an idiot.
When my boss makes a mistake,
He's only human.

When I am out of the office,
I am wondering around.
When my boss is out of the office,
He's on business.

When I am on a day off sick,
I am always sick.
When my boss is a day off sick,
He must be very ill.

When I apply for leave,
I must be going for an interview .
When my boss applies for leave,
it's because he's overworked

When I do good,
my boss never remembers,
When I do wrong,
he never forgets

what to do????????????? "

Who ever wrote this, "I feel for you!"

The June Bug

2009-06-17T08:00:00.001+04:00

It's that time of the year where most ladies out there prefer to get married on - June! I am really baffled why June is the most popular month for couples to marry. I mean, there is January, February, March and so on. But why June? Well, here's the scoop:

June is chosen as the month for marrying by ladies as early as the Victorian era. The month June is named after the Roman goddess of marriage - Juno. Juno is known to bring prosperity and happiness to all who marry in her month. June is also a great month in terms of weather. It is not as hot as the coming months and not cold enough. It comes after the Lent and the arrival of summer.

Some Stuff I cannot Live Without

2009-06-15T05:05:00.000+04:00

This question has been going around Facebook and I would like to immortalize that in my blog :)

We are creatures of habit. There are just some stuff we cannot live without because we are used to using or having them around.

Here are some of the stuff I definitely cannot live without.

My iPod Touch = I love music and I love all the various applications and family pictures which I have in my iPod. I bring my iPod everywhere I go and there is no boundaries to that! Use your imagination people! Hahaha.

My "Barbie-Pink" Filofax = Okay folks! There is a reason why it's Barbie Pink! I bought it during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month promo they had so a portion of the sale of that very Pink Filofax went to the Breast Cancer support causes. I am an old-school and would rather use my Filofax to jot down my dates and appointments.

My Rosary from Vatican = I keep myself planted at all times with my spirituality in the fore. I always seek refuge to my faith and having that rosary with me gives me a sense of calm and peace.

My Wallet = It's not the "richest" wallet in the world but it's stocked enough to get me and my family through in a month's time before the next pay day!

My House/Car Keys = Well, this is a given. I won't be able to get in the house nor start my car without these items.

My Lip gloss = I am not a lipstick user so I prefer tinted glosses instead. They are cheaper too!

My Vandol Ointment = I handle a lot of manuals in the office so my fingers tend to dry out. I always apply this ointment on my cuticles too to avoid hangnails and works well on the lips as well! I sometimes use it as a base for my lip gloss.

My very, very old Denman Brush = This brush has been with me for almost 10 years now. I cannot seem to part ways with this one. It is still in mint condition and the rubber is still in pristine condition. I told myself that I would only replace it when the rubber holding the bristles start to crumble.

My Hand Sanitizer = Yup! I am one of those who just have to clean their hands often. Not that I have fear of germs, it's just that, I am frail and a little sneeze and cough can go a long, long way. I am just recovering and would like to keep myself and my surrounding clean… at least.

and last but not the least....

My family's photos = I carry their pictures in my organizer and wallet wherever I go. When I feel blue, I just pull out their photos and reminisce the good ol' times.

So, what are yours? Do leave your comments and see what we have in common.

Feeling Blue

2009-06-12T21:43:00.000+04:00

I wrote this poem few days ago when I was feeling a little bummed. There's just too many things going on in my life and I can barely catch up. Anyway, this is just my way of venting out...bear with me folks :)

Feeling Blue
by Ria Cervantes

I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do
It started this morning
But it leaves me drowning.

The perkiness is amiss
A feeling I must not dismiss
Because it dampens my spirit
I am not up to it.

I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do
Maybe there's a cure
Not in the form I cannot endure.

Just get me out in the rut
I don't want to get stuck
I hate to feel negative
I choose to be positive.

But I'm feeling blue
I don't know what to do.
I need His saving Grace
To get me out of this maze.

I lift my weary heart
Up above in His arms
This feeling needs to depart
Because I mean no harm.

I just want to be happy
Like I always do
This feeling I call blue
Can't stay and that is true.

Living in Las Vegas

2009-06-11T15:57:00.012+04:00

I have been mulling on the thought of migrating to the US. Although it has always been my dream to visit my relatives there since I was young, I never actually thought that my husband and I would really like it there. Not to mention my daughter too!

We have visited Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas but the latter has a certain lure that is hard to resist. It's not the flashy neon lights nor the captivating signs of the casinos along the strip that enticed us there. The price of the real estate Las Vegas are lesser compared to Los Angeles.

Apart from that revelation is the fact that my Uncle and his wife moved from San Francisco to Nevada some years ago because of the lower property rates. Moreover, the lower tax rate is also one of the plus factors. He made good use of his well-earned retirement money by purchasing a nice suburban home near the Las Vegas strip. We were glad to be able to see his abode and the neighboring village as well. The timing could not be any better too because of the recession, Las Vegas foreclosures real estates are quite high and what was once an expensive piece of property is now being sold at a very low price. My husband and I suddenly had our "light-bulb" moment and checked Summerlin foreclosures for some nice properties. We even joked that if we ever win in the casinos, we'll definitely purchase a property there.

Article on Weight in the Web

2009-06-08T20:35:00.001+04:00

There are many articles about how to lose weight in the web. Diet fads proliferate the internet and bookshelves left and right of bookstores. Many have been written on how to drop the pounds but do they all really work? Which actually work and which does not? Which one to follow then?

I scoured the internet intensively and have found many website offering tips and tools to aid in my goal to lose weight. There is one particular article I found in Web Articles which made me really pursue my goal to lose weight not for vanity purpose but for health reasons. For one, my family has history of coronary disease and diabetes. I do not like to be one of the victims of these devious ailments because of my lack of motivation, ignorance and discipline. The article is about the effects of excess weight to our health and the threats and risks it poses. The article was well written and detailed with information on the different types of diabetes and other ailments associated to excess weight. Reading the article saved me time from having to research again from another search engine about diabetes and other associate ailments of having excess weight

The site has variety of topics to choose from. I was amazed to find similar post regarding my search query. Web Articles is free and you can get tips from contributors without having to dole out cash to get some tips from other websites.

Breathe Again

2009-06-05T18:37:00.004+04:00

School is "unofficially" over! Yehey! Well, it's not exactly off yet because my daughter has to take her extra-curricular activities in school although it is already optional. We decided to sign her up since she loves arts and crafts.

I can finally breathe again after my short hiatus from blogging. Honestly, I feel like I enjoyed the brief "lull" in my blogging activity because I had time to focus on my daughter's studies and on my health.

I miss writing and visiting my blogger pals who I hope are not mad for my lack of comments and the round of visits. I will bounce back soon. I just need to do more mommy duties before my daughter goes to Manila for her summer vacation. Apart from that, I have a messy room to clean, a closet-full of tight and unworn garments taking unnecessary space, school supplies to donate, books to keep on the shelves and flat-hunting before August comes.

Yes, my hands are full but at least school's over.

Slacking a Bit

2009-05-31T19:01:00.003+04:00

It has been a while since I posted something in my blog apart from the regular. I have been very busy with my daughter's final exams the past few weeks, preparing her for the big event. I have been running like crazy lately as well because of my quest to lose weight. Remember I posted about that few months ago? I am keen on having that goal finally ticked on my list!

Bear with me folks as I slack on my blogging duties to fulfill my motherly chores and health goals. I will be active again very shortly once the school is over and it's just around the corner :)

Hair is the Crowning Glory

2009-05-28T17:28:00.001+04:00

Remembering Memorial Day

2009-05-25T18:01:00.001+04:00

Of Earthly Things

2009-05-24T15:35:00.001+04:00

Times are hard and the security of jobs and finances are even harder. I think most of us are affected by this global recession. Sometimes I regret my "seemingly" incurable obsession to shop for no reason. I kept telling myself then that I worked hard for that money I have spent and I deserve a little treat. That line is too cliché now because money does not flow as easy as it used to be. I begin to re-think my priorities and have come to a conclusion that money does not grow on trees nor it will come from the sky. I just have to spend according to my "needs" and not "wants" when most of the time, these wants are just frivolous things to satisfy my whims.

Who ever said "You are rich when you never need more than you have" is absolutely right.

Great Gifts for Him

2009-05-22T10:46:00.005+04:00

My husband already received a gift from me for his birthday this month. My daughter and I picked it up amongst the many other choices in the mall. It took us nearly an hour just to decide what to give him and finally settled on an MP4 gadget.

It has been a tradition in our family to present "treats or goodies" whenever there is an occasion. Now that Father's Day is just around the corner, my daughter and I are in our pursuit to find unusual gifts for men. We want the gift to be not just special but also unique in a way that I know my husband will truly like and use.

I have just found the right place to search for the kind of items I have in mind for my husband who is a practical man and loves anything functional. With the limited time I have because of personal and professional commitments, I can only peruse the web for great ideas and do my online shopping. Men's Gifts is a one-stop-shop for birthday gifts and other wonderful items you may want to give to your precious better-half or male friends or to your male family members.

The site is teeming with so many gift ideas that I am having a ball! They offer various items from affordable gifts to the luxurious ones. There are gift baskets as well so you can just put all the items you want in one presentable gift basket with various themes.

I like the way the site offers multitude of choices with themes so I can weigh my choices better and what ever will suit the preference of the receiver. With Men's Gifts, I am not limited to just giving my husband a gift for his birthday because they cater to other occasions too like anniversaries, Father's Day, even that well deserved "promotion" gift or just about anything. The site also offers free engraving on orders on personalized gifts and free ground shipping on orders above $25. Not only that they give you these excellent offers, they also provide customer service assistance should you need some advice on what to give by calling their toll-free number.

After going through their numerous gift ideas, I have already narrowed my choice to at least 2 items which I am not telling. It's supposed to be a secret. Oh, just a hint, it is about travel... So, next time you need some great ideas and don't know where to start or what to look for, just check out www.mens-gifts.com and you will be surprised with the variety of great gift ideas you can find.