hello!

i know it's been so long since i last posted here...
i've been really busy...

but i'm trying to compose new posts for the blog. new posts that you'll like to know and see here in the Philippines...:)

happy halloween! :)

No Documentation Loans!

I was spending my free time (Sundays) with some of our neighbors on our backyard when the talk centered into mortagages and loans. It seems that my husband and I were'nt the only ones thinking of how to pay our home's mortgage every payday.

Anna is even thinking of swapping their home for a condo unit (much more affordable to his and her husband's combined monthly salary. But Lisa the more positive thinker in our group suggests we try to apply for loans. A loan can really be a problem the moment you're late for your payment. So most of us eschewed the idea. Lisa though is persistent so she immediately scanned in her mini notebook for a lending company that she thinks will suit each of our needs and individual financial range.

One of the websites that we dissected was Five Star. Five Star, to our surprise, offers 10 -15-20-25-30-40 year loan programs! And 0% -1% -2% -3%-5% -10% - 20% down payment/ltv options are also being offered.

Five Star even offers NO VERIFICATION or NO DOCUMENTATION LOANS for those who are employed and with good credit! Now that's some kind of icing!

You can get more details at its website at http://www.fivestarhomemortgages.com/ 

jade bracelet

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hope you've had a meaningful holy week with your family and friends.

I tried not to mind the hot weather by doing things I've been meaning to do, like my wire jewelry hobby.

An officemate ordered a jade bracelet so I made one last weekend. I used star shaped jade, 10k 5mm gold wire, some 10k gold balls, and a 10k classic clasp.

Here's another picture of the bracelet I did. My officemates really liked it. They say it's cute!

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pay to click

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A lot of sites online are offering pay to click (PTC), where you have to click on sites or ads and you get paid 5 cents to 1 cent for every click. Earnings double up when you refer other people who will have to do the same thing so you can have a commission from(?) their earnings. Some friends have referred me to several ptc's but I found AWSurveys better.

It is easy to join AWSurveys just click on their banner and upon registration $6 is credited to your account. You can easily make $4 or more per survey.

$6.00 Welcome Survey After Free Registration!

Try it, registration won't take more than a minute.
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Best Insurance Quotes

Are you thinking of how to secure your family's financial security? Then check the web site of America Life Quotes.


America Life Quotes is a company that offers quality competitive family and business insurance coverage quotes that suites your specific needs. A friend and a colleague came across its website at http://www.americalifequotes.com/ and they were delighted with the insurance suggestions offerred to them. 


It is important for those of us who are major providers for our family to take out a life insurance, to provide sufficient financial cover for our family in case we can't be there to provide for them any more.


Even to those who doesn't have a family of their own yet but have a partner and you share a joint mortgage or debt, a joint life insurance will will ensure that the surviving partner is not left with the debt. America Life Quotes can help you choose wisely which suites you, your family, and your business.

Contact America Life Quotes now at their web site or contact them toll free at 866-923-0806.
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Sony 's New Control System for the Playstation

Gamers will surely want to have a try with Sony's coolest control system that was presented at the Games Developer's Conference in San Franciso early this month. It is described as something similar to the Nintendo Wii.

Sony's new control system unveiled at the Games Developer's Conference in San Francisco 

On its trigger the reverse changes color to differentiate one remote from another. One can use use one remote or two at the same time, depending on the game. The conrol is very light, lighter than a Wiimote. The controller can be rotated vertically (a gamer can twist it) or horizontally (make flips) and the system has no trouble tracking what it’s doing. This means that for fighting games, one can pull all kinds of moves just like one (hypothetically) would in real life: for example, one can spin around, and the tracking handles it perfectly. Or, for games like table tennis, one can actually put spin on your shots by angling your wrist just like yone would in real life. It’s a lot of work for a video game, and a lot of fun.

The new Sonny control system being tested by game developers at the Games Developers Conference in San Franciso

At Ohgizmo.com you will also read the following info on the new gadget: There’s a trigger on the reverse, at the top near the glowy ball, which changes color to differentiate one remote from another. Depending on the game, you can use one remote or two at the same time. It’s very light, lighter than a Wiimote, which makes me think it must have a rechargeable battery inside. I got a chance to test the Move out for a while last night, and it’s pretty impressive. It’s less forgiving than a Wii as far as where you can stand, but it’s much more precise and gives you a huge range of motion. You can rotate the controller vertically (twist it) or horizontally (make it do flips) and the system has no trouble tracking what it’s doing. This means that for fighting games, you can pull all kinds of moves just like you (hypothetically) would in real life: for example, you can spin around, and the tracking handles it perfectly. Or, for games like table tennis, you can actually put spin on your shots buy angling your wrist just like you would in real life. It’s a lot of work for a video game, and a lot of fun.
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Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr.

I've cast my vote for the Philippine presidency for at least 4 times now.
I gave my vote for my first Presidential bet based on instinct.


I have to write here that I am from the North, where the most influential of all political clans that has graced Philippine politics hold sway. Yes. I am a true blue Marcos voter. Whatever the media brand him and his family most Ilocanos will uphold the Marcos children now and until they are still active in politics.


My sympathy is with those who experienced first hand the horrors of politically motivated aggressions. I am saddened by the inhumane conditions, the violation of human rights claimed by the victims and their family, friends, and other acquaintances. 


But in the North, visual inspection can't deny any of the numerous  projects that helped improve Northern Luzon's economy and attracted local and foreign investors. Ilocanos know how to return good deeds. The North is loyal and this loyalty helped the North solidify into a Marcos stronghold. 


But the Marcos children do not have FEM's charisma to voters.


And now, the May 10, 2010 presidential elections is almost here. My vote of course is for Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr.

My yellow rubber bracelet

Marcos ally or not. Noynoy for me is the cleanest of all the presidential candidates. I know he will champion the needs of the people. I know Noynoy will put foremost in his agenda, as president, the people's needs and not of any political ambition nor for influence and power. I will vote for Noynoy. My vote is for my countrymen.


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New Pussy Cat Dolls!

Here's good news to Nicole Scherzinger  and Pussy Cat Dolls fanatics!

Nicole on the cover of Cosmopolitan Spain

Nicole stays with the group and will remain as its lead singer. Robin Antin the all girl group's creator will reboot the group with new band members.


In an interview at Perez Hilton's website Antin said:
"I created The Pussycat Dolls in 1995 with one thought in my mind: "Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll." It was my dream to spread this message around the world.

For the past fifteen years there have been many amazing versions of The Pussycat Dolls. We began with Christina Applegate and Carmen Electra sharing the stage with many talented women, many of whom went on to pursue dreams of their own. And today is no different.

Some of the girls who have shared the stage and spotlight with Nicole are ready to begin artistic journeys of their own and I support them completely.
And so, too, must I keep moving forward.

I am happy to announce the creation of a NEW Pussycat Dolls, with Nicole Scherzinger continuing on as lead singer. We hope all our fans will join us on a journey that will prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime dream for many girls around the world.

So…. get ready for the NEW, HOT, SEXY, TALENTED PUSSYCAT DOLLS!!"

 You can read more at http://perezhilton.com/page/2/

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Small Business

We've been trying to find a small business that we can surely run from day 1, make it comfortably compete with other business, and make it stay afloat even in the very trying economy here in the Philippines.

Some sites for entrepreneurs like AgriPinoy, Pinoy Negosyo, and Pinoy Bisnis can be relied on for entrepreneurial minds. Among the three, I like Pinoy Negosyo more. I found that small business that can be initiated with small capital can be checked in the site.

There are a lot of tips on how to produce various products that anyone can do. The processes involved for the featured products are so simple that even kids can produce them.

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yesterday's guy

     How many of us women regarded their first amour or ex or ex-boyfriend as somebody meant for them?

when you are young and in a relationship you find ways to spend time together. we did hear mass a few Sundays ago there at the Immaculate Conception church in Batac. very memorable courtesy of young love...

To even think of it now is really yucky! Hay! I'm sorry but that's how I feel now.
How could have I even thought or felt that my first boyfriend could be my last?
What silly hormone overloaded post teen! Yeah! I was 20 by then I think! See?! I can't even remember my exact age at that time! Was I really 20 or 19 going on to 20?
Wrrrrr! Well! So much for first loves!

taken at the miki stalls in Batac, Ilocos Norte. just a different view of the new city, there were no Jollibee, Chowking, or McDonald's before when I was still a college student there. note to mysself: this was taken while waiting for the mango-graham shake with Chinkee, while Jen and Jane were waiting for us at the empanadahan (we just came from Sinait, Ilocos Sur to express our sympathy to Glenn and his family during his mom's wake) 

The memory hit my neurons when I was browsing Facebook awhile ago.
My goodness! The guy looks u*** now!
He looks beat!
Whatever happened to that guy?!
He looks so spent.
I even saw that his l***c**** is linked to him. And even his c**** by marriage (I assumed) and his w*** (I assumed again) were among his Facebook links.
Hmmmm... How time changes all of us.
I know. I know! This is real chizmiz (gossip) overload!
Well I can't help it!
Just human here!


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Korean tourists, students?

Going home is such a pain *@#!*;!
I had to take a bus, fall in line for more than an hour, and wait for my chance to board the bus (sometimes decrepit looking, probably bought from Taiwan, Japan, or Korea's junks, where cockroaches can be seen darting to and fro) and endure an almost 2 hours traffic inside a stiffling bus.

My nerves were wracked from trying to think of reasons why @*%$!?! bus owners in Cavite torture passengers who are loyal to their decrepit buses. The Dasmariñas passengers (Makati area) have to fall in line parallel to the Ayala Parking Area near MRT-Ayala. We have to endure the thick black smoke belched by vehicles plying EDSA. Whenever I have to take the bus, I always feel as if my skin is pasted with black dust and my lungs have had a smoker's fill equivalent to 10 packs of cigarette! My clothes and hair smell different. The bad air conditioning system of the old buses further aggravates the "EDSA feel." To think that passengers of the said buses pay the same amount as those who take the better and more "modern" Dasma buses.

I noticed that Korean residents (not sure if they are students) also ride on those decrepit buses. I noticed them laughing, lucky teens. What with the Korean stickers still adorning the buses, it must be related to routes that the bus took while it still ply Korean roads. You won't see such old decrepit buses plying Korea's streets! Even those buses used by the actors of Shining Inheritance were a lot better!

Even in shopping malls, it seems that more and more Koreans frequent the malls. This shows that a lot of them reside in Dasma. A lot of them hang out or shop in SM, Waltermart, and Robinson's. In SM, I was surprised to notice teen Koreans eating and shopping on their own. They seem to be that adapted to the place, no older Koreans clucking over them. When we were still new (8 years ago) in Dasma, Korean students were already a usual sight, more so at De La Salle. There are other nationalities but the Koreans stand out due to their number.

I did not bring my camera so I can't post a shot of our Asian neighbors in Dasma, maybe next time...And maybe some Korean food in Dasma? hmmm...


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facebook mom

I have two kids who are constantly looking for new things to while away their spare time (after school assignments, reviews, and projects). My son likes to play computer games. He developed a liking for Friendster to link with classmates, and now he is into Facebook. A nosy mother like me of course would like to check on her kids. So I also joined Facebook.

Well it seems that it is not just my son who likes the site! (I would like to tell the truth (eherrrem!) here though that I've had a Facebook account for years but I wasn't that keen then in maintaining that account I even forgot my log in name and password).

Here's a shot of my Tiki Farm. I like Tiki Farm more than Farmville.

It's an island farm where you get to earn points when you water, plow, harvest, and sell your produce. :) I know it's something for the much younger set! But hey! I'm just a little over 30! :)

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Philippines and Politics

This is a country that politicians and businessmen love to use.
The people are just too complacent.
They can't even complain when they must.
Where else can you find a country where convicts, thieves, cons, entertainers, and thugs run for government office?
Here is a video link of Winnie Monsod where she clears questions on or if Manny Villar's C-5 extension project is highly irregular.
http://do-not-vote-campaign.ning.com/video/video/show?id=4934771:Video:102
Let us vote wisely.
Let us not be swayed by catchy jingles and FAKE political ads.
We cannot be fooled by scheming businessmen and dirty politicians.


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Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura

Nicole Hyala? Chris Tsuper?

Sino nga ba ang mga taong yan?

Hay!

When I first heard them talk on the radio para akong nakikinig sa isang ipinagbabawal na palabas! Napakabulgar namang magsalita ng dalawang ito! Hindi ba sila sinisita ng simbahan o ng mga censors?! I really was turned off the firts time I heard the dou over the radio.

Buti na lang favorite ata sila ng bus driver and conductor ng nasakyan kong bus. At syempre captive listener! Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko kung mula pagsakay hanggang pagbaba ko ay nakatutok ang radio sa 90.7 Love Radio!

Hay! Kahit takpan ko non ang mga tenga ko naririnig ko pa rin sila!

Ayon! Na-immune ata mga eardrums ko sa tawa nilang dalawa kaya ayon nalaman ko na ok naman pala silang talaga. Nag-aadvice sila sa mga listeners na may problema. At natutuwa ako sa mga advice nila, may sense namang talaga (kahit minsan nakakalokang pakinggan mga side comments nila!

So, every morning I try to catch them while the dou are on air. "Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura" ang pangalan ng program nila.

Nakakatuwa silang pakinggan, minsan sinisita ako ng mga ka-officemates ko kung bakit bigla na lang akong tawa ng tawa o ngingiti-ngiti. Itinuturo ko na lang mga earphones ko. In fact napagaya sa kin ang ilan sa kanila at nakikitawa na rin sila tuwing slot na ni Nicole at Chris.


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water slide

Here in the Philippines, the weather is really hot during summer. Summer is something that a lot of us anticipate or escape from. My kids like summer. We get to swim and picnic a couple of times when me and my husband's work allows.

Reminder: You must not forget to protect yourself with sunscreens when in an outing. Frequent swimming or sun exposure may cause sunburn to eat up your precious epidermal layer in seconds! 

We also have a kiddie pool at home. The kids used it for 6 years. And last year the kiddie pool just isn't up to its purpose. Practical-wise swimming and picnic excursions are getting expensive, more so when school enrollment is just a few weeks away. So a nice kiddie pool is more practical. I also saw at coolgadgets an inflatable water slide to go with a kiddie pool.

Cool gadgets states: The slide comes with an electric air blower and it apparently only takes a few minutes to set it up in the back garden and inflate it. The overpressure from the blower is claimed to be enough to maintain rigidity, even if it gets damaged by small pinholes. Water is fed to the top via a garden hose. 

The inflatable slide can be rolled up and squeezed for safekeeping. It’s priced at $350, it comes with an air pump.

air sanitizer

I saw this gadget at cool gadgets which I think is worth buying.

Parents like me are always worried of their kids catching any health offending virus outside their homes. So when I saw this germ sanitizer I think it will be a good help in keeping kids well.

The cool gadgets post states: This will kill 99.9% of flu viruses.  The powerful fan circulates the sanitized air back into the room.  Giving you cleaner air to breathe.  You could either use this at home or even use it in your office if you’re worried about catching something.  The Germ Guardian claims to be the first to tackle airborne germs in the home or office.

Aside from vitamins and fresh food the germ guardian I think can give a help.

Aerospace Fasteners, Components, and Electronic Hardware

Are you looking for precisioned machine parts and products? Diamond Fasteners' products may be what you need.

Diamond fasteners sell erospace and aircraft fasteners, standard and special fasteners, self-locking nuts, nut plates, hex nuts, rivets, spacers, washers, panel fasteners, bolts, grommets, handles, retaining rings, o-rings, sem screws, vented screws, bearings, clamps, clips and bushings. Their products can be viewed and ordered at Diamond Fasteners online and are delivered on time. They also sell precision machined parts, threaded inserts and thread repair kits and tools. Diamond Fasteners is an ISO-9001:2000 and AS-9120 certified distributor of aerospace fasteners, components and electronic hardware.

You may also drop by at their address at 20B Commerce Drive in Hauppauge, New York or contact them at  631-694-2766 or check their website at http://diamondfasteners.com/ .

new gold wire with Swarovski crystals bangle

I know it's been a long time since I posted anything here.

This is why I'm sharing this photo of the last bangle I did. I used 5 small 10K gold tubes, 14 small 10K gold balls, 6 cubic Swarovski crystals, 10-14 clear bicone (Austrian) Swarovski crystals, 7mm gold filled 10K gold wire, and a 10K gold lock.

my latest gold wire bangle

I find this hobby relaxes me and inspires a little as in teeny tiny creative juice flowing!

There are some posts here in my blog on some of my other simple creations. I make them for my family and sell them to friends and officemates. You may contact me here if you are interested to order. :)

Blogs and Foodies

Hello!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Its been so long since I last posted. I've been meaning to post but I just can't find the time to do it. As it is photos I took for the posts I've been meaning to upload are indeed piling up.

This time I would like to share the blogs and the bloggers that I like to visit each time I'm online. Here are just some of them (the order the sites are listed does not in any way show their order of importance to me):

Market Manila by MM or marketman - It is according to MM himself, "A food blog that talks about food, produce, recipes, ingredients, restaurants, and markets here in the Philippines and around the globe."

David Lebovitz by himself - a pastry chef's blog about his favorite foods. (Pls. forgive me David, I f I wasn't able to describe your site the way you would like to. You are free to correct me here of course!)

In the Kitchen and on the Road with Dorie - like David, Dorie loves food and Paris! Both are very much respected and very famous in food circles. They are my favorite foreign bloggers = they love food like me (but I'm not a superb cook like them, sigh*)

Kusina ni Manang - and how can I not mention Manang Kusinera? According to Manang her blog is "A Filipina's unabashed chronicle of her adaptations in the American kitchen. Includes step-by-step photos on how to make pan de sal, ensaymada, pan de coco, siopao, hopia, pandelimon, pianono, atsara, crema de fruta, blah blah blah...."

Our Awesome Planet - by Anton Diaz, my interest for delicacies from other regions was ignited through Mr. Diaz' lens and posts of his taste for good food. You may read more of the OAP story at http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/about.html

These sites are just some of my favorites online. Browsing these sites for at least 3 times a day gives me comfort. And of course I do learn from the posts of the site owners, (sometimes when I have the time to cook a bit) I will soon post the other sites.:)