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

Getting a Franchise

2010-03-19T16:03:00.003+04:00

Running a business by getting a franchise seems to be a good idea when you still want to earn regular income without the hassle of serving again as an employee. This time, you get to be your own boss.

I have been thinking of going towards that direction when I retire in few years time. I do not wish to continue working as a corporate slave for donkey years. I plan to leave the workforce while I am young and able. I am researching about possible means of getting extra income while enjoying my time at home. I certainly don't like to manage people nor be an employee again. So buying a franchise will be a good option.

Fine Lines

2010-03-19T11:12:00.012+04:00

I woke up feeling energized because I had a good sleep last night. I did my usual routine, brush my hair, gargle and wash my face with water. I noticed some fine lines near my eyes area and lips. Could be it the sign of aging? Nah! I think those are laugh lines because I laugh all the time even for no reason. I just laugh. Simple as that. I may not need wrinkle crème soon but will not certainly hurt to check out the market.

When I was younger, I always see my mom slapping on several cremes on her forehead and the eye area. When asked, she'd tell us those were beauty creme. Now I know better.

Sunny with a Chance of Sandstorm

2010-03-19T11:08:00.002+04:00

I didn't check the weather forecast today. I am not certain if there will be a sandstorm but the wind is blowing and it is hot. Unlike the previous days around the same time as now, the days were breezy and still a bit cool. Other countries are experiencing the onset of spring. Here in the Middle East, there is nothing as such. All we have is a brief winter season from December to February (and if you're lucky, it can extend to until late March) and then the dry, hot and very humid summer months.

So, my forecast will be sunny with a chance of sandstorm. But don't quote me for that ;)

Good morning everyone from sunny Dubai!

Acne Village

2010-03-18T20:14:00.003+04:00

My daughter gets very conscious with her skin complexion these days. She is checking on her face specially her forehead regularly now. Her forehead is her problematic area because it is acne-prone. We call it her little acne village. It's just a banter and we make sure she does not get fired up with that.

After checking the web to find the best acne spot treatment and checking with a skin specialist, she has been given a mild acne gel to dry up the acne. So far, it's doing a great job without leaving my daughter's forehead dry and flaky.

Art Attack - Choco Loco Birthday Card

2010-03-18T18:47:00.005+04:00

I opened another site focusing on my handmade cards, unfortunately, I have no time to maintain two accounts. So, I will be featuring my creations here every now and then.

This is my Choco Loco Birthday Card. It's a big birthday card for the chocolate lovers. I made this for my big boss since he is a chocolate fanatic.

I used patterned papers from free digi-scrap sites and printed them. I also used aluminum foil to simulate the foil wrapper. I wrote the "Choco Loco" wordings in front of the card.
The size is 5 1/2 inches (height) x 3 inches (width when tri-fold).

The inside of the card is blank so my other colleagues can write on it too. I used 3 varying colors of plain colored paper to highlight the tri-fold.

Lastly, I used a "bite-mark" effect on the edge to make it look more realistic and yummilicious!

Too Early for THAT!

2010-03-18T15:40:00.003+04:00

Yes, I know. I just turned 38 few days ago and I am acting like a lunatic. Is it too soon for me to get depression treatment due to the fact that I am in my late 30s? Few years from now, I will be a certified member of the Over-the-hills Club. Later on, I will be filling up forms for "senior citizen" discount cards and memberships! What???

Okay, I am being a Drama Queen again which is my usual self most of the time. I just hope I won't lose my sanity when I turn 39 next year.

Girls Talk - My Favorite Part

2010-03-18T08:32:00.005+04:00

Thanks to JLo (a.k.a. Jennifer Lopez!) for putting the "round derriere" on the pedestal. I hate to admit it but I have a JLo butt. I suppose that is the most sexy part of my body. Most of my friends' rear are flat so they envy my round one. I keep telling them, chop them off and I will still have a round butt leftover...LOL!

(Skinny me with a not-so-skinny bum...hehehehe!)

I used to get very conscious of my well-formed tushy but it is genetic. My mom and other relatives have round bums. Also, when other people try so hard to inject "fat" on their behind to make it round, I try my best to conceal it by wearing loose trousers. However, my mom and friends (and even my hubby!) told me to embrace my full figure because girls will do anything to have a bum like mine. Either it is a compliment or a command, I don't know about that. I think they are right. God gave me this round bum and I should be thankful.

Warm and Cozy Log Furniture

2010-03-16T16:39:00.003+04:00

It is not common where I live to own log furniture due to extreme weather here in the Middle East. I love the feel of log furniture because they exude that warmness and coziness in a home. I can imagine sitting on one and enjoying the winter atmosphere while sipping hot cocoa. What a nice thought!

I have asked my hubby if we could scout for a rest house when we retire somewhere cold. or at least manageable. I am sure that the log furniture I normally see in magazines and the web will really look good in a cold climate.

38!

2010-03-13T20:02:00.003+04:00

It seems like yesterday when I posted my "feelings" about turning 37. Now, I am turning 38 in few days time.

I can't honestly say that I am looking forward to it because that leaves me 2 years to go before I join the "Over the Hill" club. Not what I imagined but it is inevitable. I know, like I always say over and over again, age is just a number. However, that number seems to be going up really fast. Last time I checked, I was writing 37 on the space provided for age whenever I fill up forms. Well, I know I cannot dodge growing old this time. So, let the good times roll!!!

It can't be that bad. At least, I am another year wiser and more graceful as I age. I can see strands of silver hair popping from my scalp. I can feel the fine "laugh" lines of my face which reminds me of the guffaws I shared with my family and friends. Oh, don't forget the expanding waist line which seems to compete with my age. LOL! Ah, do not dismiss the fact that my fingers are starting to hurt during cold season and my joints squeak every opportunity they get. Also, the problem with the monthly periods is another issue to think of. It leaves me guessing whether I will have it or not. Whatever! That's all I can say.

Yes, I will be 38 in due time. I will probably be crankier than ever (seriously, sometimes I am Mrs. Oscar the Grouch!), more homebody, will avoid parties as much as I can and will surely enjoy more quality time spent with my family and close friends.

Sigh, this is it. I will be 38! Still thankful for another worthy year of a good life and blessings.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Babies and Mommies Around

2010-03-13T09:37:00.004+04:00

I haven't seen much of mommies jogging lately with their little tots and babies on their baby jogger city mini at the nearby park. The recent weather freak show here has kept most of us at home. For the past few weeks, we had thunderstorms, hail, sand storm and lately, fog. I was not able to run around much too.

I honestly miss seeing the mommies and babies I usually see in the morning. Now that the weather has turned to a bit hot and humid, I don't think I will be seeing much of them for a long time.

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.