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

Girls Talk - In the Flesh

2010-03-11T05:24:00.000+04:00

This time I won't mind showing my "slim" figure wearing shorts.

I am aiming to get that body back! No stopping on what it takes to be slim, trim and healthy again.

I wonder what my other blogging sis posted. Head to Niko's blog to find that out.

Getting Tight

2010-03-06T15:15:00.003+04:00

My clothes are getting tighter and tighter each passing day. This calls for an extreme work out and a cut back on the sweets I have been indulging to lately.

I already scheduled a trip to the nearby nutrition shop in our area to check out their weight loss products. I vowed not to join the gym yet because I have done that in the past and ended up wasting big bucks for not committing.

I wonder what happened to my will-power when it comes to exercising and dieting. I just slipped and can't seem to go back on track. However, looking at my tight clothes makes me reconsider my options. I just have to do it!

A Plasma or LCD?

2010-03-06T14:12:00.002+04:00

I really don't care which one as long as I have either of the two HDTV. I am sure my viewing pleasure will be promoted to new heights with the latest technology on the flat screens these days.

My birthday is coming very soon but since we are strapped for cash due to the ongoing recession, I can only wish and dream about owning a Plasma or LCD TV. I have been gawking at the product displays in the electronic shops here for some time now. The Dubai Shopping Festival last month ushered offers of sale up to 50% off the tag price. We can't afford it at the moment. Besides, we still have our old and utterly reliable big TV. Maybe I will wait for the sale next year.

Magic Weight Loss?

2010-03-05T12:41:00.003+04:00

I hope there is a magic to a quick weight loss so I can show the world my "new" body. Not that I am ashamed of it but I made a promise that I will not post any recent pictures showing my round torso until I get my desired weight back.

I exercised the other day to awaken my sleeping metabolism, you know, to give it some boost so it functions as it should be. However, I only ended up with a sore back and legs and achy joints.

I wonder what I will do to really speed the weight loss without doing extreme diet and exercise. I don't want to end up with injury and hyper-acidic tummy.

Life Insurance

2010-03-05T12:29:00.003+04:00

I may be one of the few who will retire early from the work force. I have done it before in the Philippines and I can do it again.

I am considering to free myself from the corporate bondage by 2015 and that is just 5 years from now. However, I just have one problem, I have not acquired any form of insurance to keep me ready for my retirement and old age. I am checking around for term life insurance rates. I am asking family and friends back in the Philippines for good life, pension or any other type of insurance I can purchase considering my age. I know the premium will be high now because of the age factor but I am willing to get one to secure myself on my ripe, old age.

Health Nut - Weight Loss Tracker

2010-03-05T11:56:00.002+04:00

We exercise and keep our diet on check but do we actually track our achievements or at least keep our goals on a tab?

There are a number of tools to assist us and keep us in line with our set goals to lose weight. Some weight loss tracker can help us maintain our motivation and sticking to out set goals. It also helps us to monitor our weight loss progress.

Apart from weight loss tools available in the Internet, we can also keep our progress by keeping a journal which I have been doing for years now. At least with my journal, I know exactly when I fall of the track and when.

Pain Free Joints

2010-03-04T20:24:00.003+04:00

Pain free joints - I wish I can say that right now. I made a bad move yesterday by exercising without doing warm-up and stretches and probably over-eating too.

I need to watch my food intake now because my weight does not agree well with my age and height. I don't know if taking joint supplements at my age is advisable because my blood chem result is normal. I am just overweight and need to lose more so my knees and legs can actually hold up.

Colon Cleanse

2010-03-04T20:04:00.002+04:00

I scheduled a family trip to Bangkok this coming first week of April for a much needed rest. We have been there many times in the past but never had the chance to have a colon cleanse. Our friends who have gone through colonic cleansing really recommends that my husband and I should try it.

There are great benefits of having a colon cleansing session. For one, if you have been having improper diet and suffer from diarrhea or constipation, then doing this will aid in the regular passing of bowels. It also helps in removing toxins in the intestines. It improves skin complexion and even aid in weight loss.

It may be revolting to discuss this procedure casually but one cannot deny the benefits it gives to our health and well-being.

Re-using Company Furniture

2010-03-04T19:42:00.002+04:00

A month ago, our company posted a company-wide bulletin on the sale of used office furniture for all the staff to avail of. Honestly, if I had known there will be a sale, I would have waited and bought a couple because our company uses high-quality furniture. I have been meaning to get several bookcases for my daughter's books and trinkets to put on. I also wanted a longer and wider study table for my arts and craft session. However, I already purchased a bookshelf last month; few days before the sale was announced. What a timing!

Girls Talk - Figure! Figure! Figure!!!

2010-03-04T05:33:00.001+04:00

I am so relieved that February GT is over. However, my sigh of relief turned to a manic palpitation when I checked sister Niko's March GT theme. I hope she won't mind if I dodge this one as I prefer to keep my vital stats under wraps especially when I am on my quest to lose substantial amount of weight. Yes, when I say substantial, I mean big, enormous figure.

As far as sharing is concerned, I will just give few:

AGE: I am turning 38 this March.
HEIGHT: Barely there! Hahahaha!!!! Let's just say, I am "pocket-sized" for your convenience.

So, in keeping with the faith of regularly posting GT topics even when I skipped February because I didn't have anything special cut out for me for Valentine's Day to share; I am posting this dodgy GT. ;) Peace!

Weather Mayhem

2010-03-02T19:28:00.000+04:00

These past few days have been very odd here in Dubai where the climate is perennially sunny. We do have short winter season but that happens only from mid-December to early March. Then the onset of summer is felt. However, that was not the case this time. We barely felt winter. I think it didn't even come! The previous years were pretty cold that one would require layered clothing to keep warm. This season was a different case. I didn't get to wear my winter clothing at all.

It's been raining lately with thunder, lightning, gust of strong winds…the works. We have received weather advisory yesterday to take precautions while driving and going about town because of the slippery roads, puddles and bad drainage. Last Saturday, the rain was terrible and I was awaken by the "howling" wind. You could imagine it was that loud considering I am a "deep sleeper." It sounded so creepy and tapped on our window. It was like a scene from a thriller movie but it was real.

It rained again last night and early morning today. I didn't sleep too well due to the "lightning show" reflecting from our window. It's like watching a photo shoot! As usual, most roads are flooded again due to lack of a good drainage system. Inconsiderate people are still driving hazardously on a condition like this. Oh boy!

I wonder what's happening to the weather.

Two Earthquakes

2010-02-28T00:05:00.004+04:00

Haiti has not fully recovered yet and another catastrophe has hit the world. Japan was hit by an earthquake on 26 February, 2010. It registered with a magnitude of 6.9 in the Richter Scale. The news is still hot when another quake hit Chile yesterday, 27 February and it registered 8.8. in the RS. Reports indicate that plenty of people perished in the Chilean earthquake.

I am not a harbinger of bad news but the signs are everywhere such as weather disturbances, political unrest, and economic downturn.

Let's all offer our prayers to the people of Japan and Chile. Tsunami alert has been raised on countries lying on the Pacific region. Please take heed.

A Different Cure

2010-02-26T19:58:00.011+04:00

Addiction can be cured. There are ways to help the people we know who are suffering from this and alcohol rehabilitation is one of the treatment readily available to those who wish to be treated. Before I go further, how do we define addiction? Is it just about alcohol dependency or are there more?

The dictionary defines addiction as a form of dependency to a particular substance or being enslaved to a habit or psychologically or physically habit-forming like narcotics. It causes severe trauma to a person who is addicted to any of the above when practiced or withdrawal from the substance occurs.

We all have our own addiction. We may not know it but some of the little things we do or take form as addiction in a subtle and controllable way. For instance, drinking coffee every morning, checking emails and the Internet constantly, flicking our hair, chewing gum, tapping our legs while seated; those are ordinary and regular things we take and do. We can classify them as minor addiction which are all acceptable as long as it does not border being excessive. Intervention becomes necessary when it becomes excessive and damaging to someone's well-being.

We can curtail addiction through various means. Treatment and rehabilitation facilities are now established to address the issues of addiction. They are equipped to meet the needs of individuals suffering from addiction. The treatment can be from dual diagnosis treatment, counseling, rehabilitation, support groups, relapse prevention, and aftercare treatment.

Nothing can be more painful than to see someone we love suffer from the destructive means of addiction. As it leaves hurt, broken self-esteem and stress at its wake, addiction can be stopped without hurting the person we love. The road to recovery also starts from the individual and the full love and support of his or her family.

As I have mentioned earlier, addiction can be cured. Don't wait when it is too late. The moment you see patterns of detrimental practice and dependency to substances, seek help and save a life.

Girls Talk - Me as a Lover

2010-02-25T22:10:00.002+04:00

I am not sure how to describe myself as a lover without having to "blow my horn." This is as honest as I can get in my description.

I am a typical Piscean and as one, I love very deeply. Relationships for me are very important so I am very loyal.

I am sensitive and very passionate about many things and sometimes (unconsciously) I tend to smother my partner too much. My dear hubby does tell me to ease a bit when I overdo it because I also respect his own "space."

My love style is very conventional. I am a hopeless romantic.

What does my other blogging sisters have to say about themselves as Lovers? Want to find out? Head on to Niko's blog and have a good read.

Being Sick is a Crime

2010-02-24T19:40:00.003+04:00

It is in the work force! Baloney to those who say "Oh, if you're not well, go home and take a rest" because they don't mean that! Not an iota of sincerity on that phrase. If you get sick and your bosses tell you that, don't go home and take a sick leave. It will come to haunt you if you do.

Any corporation, be it large or puny, will never, ever tolerate sickly people. To the management, being sick is like being handicap where they brand and stereotype you as weak. Well, it is not like one wants to be sick at all times but some people like yours truly was born with a frail health. I did not want to be sickly. I prefer to be fit if I have a choice and if I can change my genetic composition. However, my health will never come close to being stellar.

So now, I feel like I have a disability which the company does not tolerate. Mind you, even if I squeeze my juices dry, they will never give what is due to me.

I hope my daughter will not follow the road I have trudged. Regrets always come late. I should have built my own company back when I was able and would have been the kind of boss who extends compassion.

Good Bye Lola

2010-02-22T19:12:00.001+04:00

Lola was our spunky and fat guinea pig who was the other half of Git. Lola was a little ball of fuzzy fur when I bought her from a pet shop 4 years ago. She was small and afraid. She was 3 years old when she joined our Creator this morning. She now lives in heaven with her other babies.

It took me a while to break the news to my daughter who has been through the ordeal of losing her pet Sheepy on 28 July, 2008. This is a part of a pet-owners' experience - dealing with a loved pet.

We will all miss our fur ball named Lola. She was the naughtiest and bravest cavy we ever had. Git will miss you a lot Lola. Go and play in your heavenly meadows with your other kids now . You've brought so much joy in our lives and we will forever be grateful. We will always love you...

(Dec. 2006 - Feb. 22, 2010)

Movies and Me

2010-02-22T14:29:00.005+04:00

Oh, I don't know what title to give this post. It's just that for the past week while I was having my much awaited vacation leave, I was also sick and in bed. During that time, I must have watched a dozen of movies I never dare to watch on the big screen.

Imagine being sick for almost a week? Boring right and utmost back-wrenching! So, I did the unimaginable. I watched and watched until I fall asleep or the medicine kicked in, which ever came first to knock me off.

I never thought I would enjoy the time spent at home watching movie and just lying in bed doing that. So what if the laundry piled up; the dirty dishes reached the ceiling and my back almost form part of the bed cushion? I was having a fun time while blowing my nose and coughing like a mad dog!

Tuh-tah for now. I am going to watch Julie and Julia and that's going to be very nice because it's about blogging and cooking! What a treat, though I don't like cooking but I like Meryl Streep and Amy Adams!

Health Nut - No Aching Joints

2010-02-21T08:34:00.000+04:00

I have reached that age (or must I say, I have reached the pinnacle of my weight dilemma!) where my joints are starting to ache a wee bit specially when it is cold or when I am on a stationary position for so long.

Back when I was slim, trim and very healthy, I did not feel any of these aching symptoms nora slight sensation. I noticed when I started piling the pounds, my joints started to ache and sometimes they ache so bad.

I went to the doctor to have my blood chem checked and it still registers as normal. However, the doc advised me to lose pounds because my weight is putting a burden on my joints. OK, simply put - I am fat!

Here is a juice which can give your joints certain comfort - Orange Juice. Yes, that OJ thing can give you the beta-cryptoxanthin which aids in reducing the risk of polyarthritis. Not only that, it is loaded with Vitamin C which is another important nutrient needed to have healthy joints.

So, get your juicers out and squeeze those oranges dry.

Missing Your Pet?

2010-02-20T10:56:00.009+04:00

I am a pet lover and my pets are not just four-legged creatures sharing a place in my home but they are part of the family. I will do everything I can to ensure that they are well cared, showered with love and treated as part of the family.

I am not surprised by how pet owners in the USA treat they precious furry buddies as one of the family members. They make sure that the animals are covered with health care and other benefits, receive their regular health and medical check ups and grooming. So, it comes as no surprise when a loved pet becomes "missing."

It is really great to know that there is a "missing pet alert" service in the US which can assist in locating lost pets. PetAmberAlert is a service which assists pet owners in helping find their pets. When the information is gathered from the pet owner by the Lost Pet Amber Alert, one of the staff will facilitate the process of spreading the information to animal shelters, veterinarians, groomers, animal control offices, media, police stations, pet shops and neighborhood watch volunteers. The posters containing information about the lost pet is sent via express mail, facsimile or email as instructed by the pet owner. People who have seen the posters will notify Pet Amber Alert via their website or hotline if they found or sighted the animal concerned.

As a member of the highly trusted TRUSTe and a verified certificate holder of the same, Pet Amber Alert is not a scam. Its purpose and objective is help you find your lost pet and with that, comes their integrity to assist you in their utmost ability.

Who Loves Math?

2010-02-18T20:27:00.002+04:00

Raise your hand if you do! I really admire those whose minds work like a clock when it comes to solving Math problems. My dilemma started when my daughter commenced learning pre-algebra on her 6th Grade. Algebra? Nooooo! That was my immediate response while having palpitations and tiny beads of sweat trickle on my forehead. Ask me in Physics, Chemistry and even Biology but not in MATH???

I am not really poor in Math, it's just that, most typical people who are good in arts, crafts and the languages, my other half of the brain finds it hard to process figures. I am bad at figures (even my "figure" is bad...harhaarharr! No pun intended...smile!). I actually have high grades in Math but am very slow when it comes to solving problems. I remember submitting my test papers while my other classmates have long left the school. My teacher had to plead for me to submit my papers whether I was finished or not. Of course I would not budge. It was my grade at stake not hers or anyone. I just had to give her that "puppy look" which amazingly, always get my teachers off guard and next time they knew it, they were reluctantly waiting for me to complete my test.

To my surprise, I always ace my exams and even got 97 in Trigonometry! How did that happen? I have no clue.

So now, I am wracking my head again because of my daughter. I have to scour the internet and libraries for references on solving math problems.

I thought I was already done with all these things. Here I am again, faced with the same math problems I dreaded many, many moons ago. Sigh...

Cover Me Up

2010-02-16T12:17:00.002+04:00

Our semi-bay window in the bedroom is screaming "cover me up!" for some time now. Ever since we moved in this building 3 years ago, my hubby and I decided to leave the window alone, sans the adornment of that sorts. Given the very humid and hot weather here in the Middle East, I think we need to reconsider our decision and better buy some nice faux wood blinds for the window. Our bed is located near the window and the peak of the day's sunshine strikes in our window. That makes it too bright and hot in our room even with the air conditioning unit on. I think a trip to the mall is inevitable. It's going to be summer soon here.

Why I Love our Pets!

2010-02-16T09:16:00.000+04:00

I am re-posting this. I can't get enough of my sweet Millie. So, this is in honor of all the pets who have come and go in our lives. Just few reasons why we love our pets so much. Enjoy the read!

~oOo~

Pets are normally man's best companion, not just dogs, but pets in general. I grew up in a house full of pets and I have always loved them. I took the responsibility of taking care of them while I was young and I am teaching my daughter the same responsibility.

Why do I love pets? Let me count the ways:

1. They don't judge you. They just love you for who you are and that's unconditional!
2. They lick your worries away.
3. They are so cute and cuddly no matter the shape and size and color they represent.
4. They are warm and fuzzy.
5. They follow you as their master but loves you just the same.
6. They know who you are even from afar. No introduction required!
7. They make me smile.
8. They listen to my whines and woes. They listen to my laughter and tears.
9. They keep me company.
10. They are beings.

Extra Buck?

2010-02-15T09:42:00.002+04:00

I have been a member of SharedReviews.com for 2 years now. Although I had an "almost" sabbatical because I did not like the revamp they applied on the scoring and earning system last year. Now, I am easing my way back because I really enjoy reviewing products and services and share them to the world.

So, if you want to earn on the side, loves to write, enjoys sharing your first hand experience and opinion on a product or service, please feel free to click on the button on my Earning Buzz area or the SharedReviews logo in the post.

Birthday Favor

2010-02-15T07:30:00.001+04:00

My daughter just turned 12 today! She is so excited because she is handing out party favors to her classmates. Jokingly, I asked her, since when does a birthday celebrant give gifts? Isn't she supposed to get gifts and not give them? Well, I was just pulling her legs.

I love to give gifts so off I went to Ikea 2 weeks ago and bought those cute and small spice canister in pack of 4's. A set costs AED 9.00 so that is about US$ 2.50. Not bad I thought. She has 37 classmates and 5 extra teachers so I bought 11 and I got to keep 2 for my scrap trinkets!

Then last week, I took her to the supermarket so she could choose the yummy treats to put inside. We bought chocolates, heart candies (since her birthday falls a day after Valentine's), toffees, and Chupa Chups mini-lollipops in various flavors. We really had fun going around the sweets aisle and wished we could grab more.

I made small tags for her birthday favor with a handmade ice cream cone as embellishment. So cute! So yummy too!

I just dropped her to school a while ago and I can't wait to hear her story about the favors and if her classmates liked them. It is a functional birthday favor, I must say. Not only that you get some treats, you get to keep the container and put your what-have-you there. Also, the small tag can be used as a bookmark. Now, that's super functional! :)

Here are pictures of the favor and tags. Hope you liked them too. So next time you have kids who wants to give out party favors and you are pressed for time and on a tight budget, just take note of this. It won't burn a hole on your pocket.

My Birthday Letter to My Princess

2010-02-15T00:00:00.000+04:00

I still remember, 12 years ago, when I held you in my arms the first time you came in our lives. It seems like it was just yesterday. And now I wake up to find you all grown up. Whenever I close my eyes, I see the image of you when you were still a tot. Your world revolved around me and mine to yours. We were together, inseparable, a tandem, mom and daughter, just you and I. You held on to me for support. You always called out my name when I leave the room. You were my biggest fan. Until now...

Time flies my sweet princess. I can no longer hold you tight because I don't want to suffocate you but in my heart I wish I can just keep you close. I need to let you spread your wings baby girl. You need to discover the world outside your shell. Slowly as the days go by, I am seeing you as a different person. No longer the baby I held in my arms 12 years ago but a young and blossoming lady.

My princess, you have grown up. And today is your 12th birthday, your papa and I wish you good health and a long and happy life. We want to keep you close but I guess we can't do that. You're growing up and you need space to be the kind of person you want to be. We may get in the way sometimes if we feel you will get hurt or be heart broken over someone or something. That's what parents do, they protect their young.

So, as you venture to your new found phase in life, please bear in mind that our love goes with you where ever you go. There is no boundaries for that kind of love. You will feel that too when you become a parent someday.

Happy Birthday my dearest sweet princess. Your Papa and I love you so much.

Love always,

Mama