A Blogger Friend and Popsicles!

One of the pleasures of blogging is finding online friends who take the time to ask how we are and touch our lives by being there through chats or comments.

And one of the friends I found here is Ria. The host of It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To. I found her blog through hops and since I like her posts, I tried to visit and post comments whenever I have the time. She returned the favor by dropping by my site too.

Sometime this year, I posted about my kids’ love for ice candies. I was so touched when Ria told me that she will look for popsicle molds in her place and send them to me through courier or someone who will come home to the Philippines.

I received her gifts to my kids this month and the kids were so happy. They immediately asked me to make popsicles and even thought of having a popsicle party for their cousins!My kids like these because they can sip the melted juice/smoothie
Thanks, Ria for the gifts. I also like the pashmina which I will have a separate post about. Thanks for the thoughtfulness and for taking time to look for them and ask your hubby to bring them here! It was a very thoughtful thing to do and I will forever appreciate it! :)

What to Look for in Web Hosting Support

Last week, I met with a client who asked me to design her website two months ago. Actually, I was her second choice. The first web design provider didn’t meet her expectations so she asked for my opinion on the look of her site.

Since I wasn’t that adept in programming but the client liked my design style, we agreed on me doing the pages and another provider would do the programming. Programming involved mail and inquiry management, site visit monitoring among others.

After doing the project and turning it over to the other provider, I asked the client how much they paid for that provider. And I was shocked by her answer. The provider’s rate was too high! The provider told my client that half of his given rate would go to website hosting.

I doubted that. I really believe my client should consider looking for other providers who doesn’t charge that high. She should also know what to look for in web hosting support. Good service? 24/7 technical support? Corrupt-free drives? She should research first before taking the services of providers she just saw in directory ads.

Anyway, the client told me that I will do some updates on her website pages. I will know the details next week and for sure, I will be busy again, as I always am!

Remembering 9-11

I was four months pregnant with Gabby when 9-11 happened. It shocked me and didn’t imagine that anything like that can happen in my lifetime. But it did.

Eight years after, watching documentaries still stirs mixed emotions in me. I still cry with those who lost their loved ones and whenever I see that part of the video where people plunge to their death. I still admire the heroism of those firemen who braved hurdles just to save other people’s lives and eventually died on duty. And I still pray for those who thought of that terrorist attack. I wanted to hate them for plotting and executing such acts but then again, I’d rather hate the sin, not the sinner.
This magazine now sells for $7.50 in ebay. Thrice its price in 2001!
And to commemorate that fateful day, we bought the Time Magazine issue that featured 9-11 images and stories. We will keep that until we’re old and gray, if God permits. It somehow lets us remember that life is temporary and we must thank God for each day that we’re alive.

Landscaping Tips

When I won a room make-over two years ago, I also felt blessed to have known some interesting tips on landscaping. The landscape architects renovated our lanai and they shared some ways to make a semi-indoor lanai more ventilated.

Since we have a tropical climate, just like Arizona, where being under the sun for several minutes would leave your skin scorched and tanned, I believe applying those tips would make our stay in our gardens more enjoyable. Putting plants that require less sunlight and water fountains are just some of their suggestions.

The landscape architects were just so good that I could have jokingly suggested them landscaping for Arizona! With the raves my lanai got, I wouldn’t be surprised when they go places!

Best Of Time: Where Time Lasts Forever

Yesterday, we went to the mall after church to while away the time.

My husband said he used to frequent this mall when he was still single and would spend hours checking the latest on watches and shoes. So that prompted me to ask him, “Hmm, if you were rich, you would have designer shoes, clothes and watches, right?” And without hesitation, he said yes. He said any working man should own designer stuff sometime in his life not because of the status symbol it gives but also because of its high quality. One brand of watch he would love to own is Rolex. Its models are classic and the features are to die-for!

I told him he can browse through www.bestoftime.com. It offers a selection of Rolex watches for men and women and he can also find like-new and pre-owned models. The watches are 100% genuine and have a three year warranty.

But on second thought, my husband said he plans to own one someday. Someday for him meant when he has proven himself, when he has acquired properties or put up a business or have traveled to several countries already. For the meantime, the dream of owning a Rolex watch would have to wait. He would have to be contented with another designer watch I gave him last year or else… :)

Online Car Search

Our house is Skype hub every Saturday.

My sisters-in-law come by to talk to their eldest who is now based in United Kingdom. She got married to his long-time British boyfriend last year. She will give birth to their son there. She told us that she chose to give birth there so they won’t encounter problems in their son’s citizenship. Also, the UK government offers many benefits to their citizens, especially children.

Because they already have a house, their only concern is owning a car. They just settled there this year and they are opting to buy used cars. I believe it is okay to own one so they can travel with ease and convenience, especially now that they will have a baby. I just hope that they will be able to visit back Philippines so we can see our cute-for-sure nephew!

Ushering the Ber Months!

Before welcoming the Ber months, let me just share with you my kids' pics. They joined their school's celebration of Buwan ng Wika this August. I am so happy that I let them study in one school.
Less stress and better time management for me,
especially on program and school activity days.Gabby dancing Itik Itik, a Philippine folk dance, with his classmates.Sunday, waiting for the cue to start.My two performers had fun donning their Filipiniana costumes. :)

As for the -Ber Months, welcome! May you bring us colder weather, happier moods and songs and more thoughtful moments! :)

Bye, Tita Cory...

Last Friday (July 31), I had to bring my daughter to Makati Medical Center because she was sick. I took the chance to take these pictures of the hospital's facade with yellow ribbons tied on it, knowing that Pres. Cory was there. Little did I expect that almost 11 hours after that, our beloved ex-President passed away.
MMC in yellow ribbonReporters wait outside MMCribbons were tied on railings around MMC
and in posts and trees all throughout Makati
And just last August 3, I had to accompany Fred to the doctor because he had viral infection. We heard President Cory's cortege will pass by Ayala Avenue in Makati. Fred, though sick, wanted us to get a glimpse of it. He said it only happens once in a lifetime and we should pay our last respect to her so we walked and waited for the convoy.thousands of employees waited for the convoy to comepeople threw confetti from their office's windows
and even printed WE LOVE YOU, CORY!
and hung it outsideI couldn't believe that people, including me and Fred,
braved the heat and hunger (it was 12pm!)
just to get a glimpse of Pres. Cory's casketthe children and grandchildren of President Cory
were waving and thanking the people
| Kris Aquino and James Yap in white circle

Posting these pics is my way of paying tribute to President Cory Aquino, one woman God used to restore democracy in our country. Knowing how she was a pillar of strength to her family, her life inspires me to be the best mom to my kids and to live unselfishly for others. I think that is just one of her lasting legacies. :)

Bye, Tita Cory...

Rain and Clothes

I cannot remember any birthday that I had that it didn’t rain!

And just last Sunday, it rained cats and dogs! Or shall I say, it rained Maine Coon and St. Bernards then? I’ve watched in the news that the floods in some areas of the metropolis were neck-deep! What a downpour that was!Earlier that day, we were about to go to church when I checked if the clothes that I hung outside were already dry so I can take them inside before it rains. They weren’t, so even though an overcast sky warned me about drenched clothes, I didn’t follow my instinct and ignored the weather signs, and left for church.

The service was ongoing when loud sounds of rain drops on the roof managed to take some churchgoers’ attention away from the service---especially me. I thought of the whole week load of clothes that I washed! They were almost dry!

But I also know that I was there at the church listening to God’s words. I shouldn’t put my attention to something I cannot do about anymore. So I concentrated on the service.

On our way home, my mind was boggled by questions like: “Do I have to wash again the clothes?”, “How drenched were the clothes?” It rained so hard it was impossible to think that they were just damp.

I quickly touched the clothes when we reached home. They were all dry. I couldn’t believe it. I looked everywhere around me and all I saw were water and all things wet. I silently thanked the Lord. It was a mini-miracle!

It was indeed one rainy birthday and a blessed one, too!

Photosource

My Husband's Addiction

...and the kids are hooked, too! :)

Earlier, we went to Philsports Arena in Pasig to watch Kobe Bryant live! Fred was really excited! It was his first time to see his favorite basketball player. Kobe was here on a one-day visit to promote Nike Dream Season shoe. I'm sharing with you pics of Kobe's visit: Fred posed while waiting for the program to startthe stagethe stage before Kobe came outKobe looked happy to see the Filipino fans' warm welcomeKobe being interviewed by Sarah Meier,
TJ Manotoc and another emceeA short basketball clinic by Kobe

I support Fred's love for basketball. It is so beneficial to his health. Besides, I'd rather let him be addicted to that sports than in anything or anyone else, right? *wink!