A Pet Peeve: Anonymous Callers Offering Credit Card Services

Anonymous callers offering credit card services such as cash loans, balance transfers, deferred payments etc. are so annoying. Lalo na if you are busy doing something na sobrang focused ka tapos biglang may tatawag na akala mo important call then in the end mag-ooffer lang pala ng something. Haaayyysttt! Alam niyo yun, nasan na ang telephone courtesy??? Hindi ba pwede SMS na lang? If I really need that kind of service, ako naman ang mismong tatawag sa credit card customer service eh.

Bakit ba ito ang topic ko ngayon? Kasi this afternoon, I'm in the middle of running in the treadmill, may tumawag sa cellphone ko which I thought is very important. Kaya kahit hingal na hingal at pawis na pawis ako, I answered it. Tapos nag-ooffer lang na gawin kong deferred ang payment ng balance ko sa credit card ko. Eh hindi naman talaga ako nag-aavail ng mga ganyang klaseng services dahil allergic ako sa mga interest interest. Alam niyo yung feeling na ganadong ganado ka sa ginagawa mo tapos biglang masisira ang momentum? Kainis lang talaga eh! 

At huwag ka, sinabi ko na sa kausap ko na nag-eexercise ako then nagbye na ako, tumatawag ba naman ulit. Hindi naman siya masyadong bastos ano?

Kayo ba na-experience niyo rin yung ganito? Share naman...

My Greatest Fear

Death is inevitable. You can die anytime, anywhere. Sorry for being too morbid ha. That's my greatest fear talaga eh. Minsan, out of the blue bigla na lang akong kinakabahan or ninenerbyos dahil bigla na lang sumasagi sa isipan ko ang kamatayan. 

Hindi pa ako ready, sa totoo lang. Ang dami ko pang gustong gawin and ang dami ko pang pangarap sa buhay eh. Aside from that, gusto ko rin masubaybayan ang paglaki ng mga kulilits ko. Gusto ko mawitness kung paano sila maging successful sa mga buhay buhay nila. Gusto ko rin makita na magkaroon sila ng sarili nilang family.

Ano ba yan...nagiging creepy na ako. Galing kasi ako sa wake ng lola ng bestfriend ko kanina eh. Parang nagkakaroon lang ako ng realization na i-enjoy ko lang ang life ko and to make the best out of it. It also reminds me to be thankful every time na magigising ako everyday, to appreciate the beauty of life and to appreciate the people around me.

Makwento ko lang din. Hindi ko lang kasi kinaya yung experience ng bestfriend ko. Medyo nagkasunod sunod lang kasi ang mga namamatay nila. Late last year, yung cousin niya na hindi na nagising. Nakakagulat lang kasi sobrang bata pa. Early 20's lang ata. Tapos 2 weeks ago yung Tito niya na na-stroke na around 40's lang. Tapos lately yung lola niya na nagka-heart attack na 70's lang. Sobrang bigat ng pinag-dadaanan ng family nila ngayon eh.

Anyway, dahil diyan, medyo na-imbiyerna sa akin si hubby pagdating niya sa house. Kasi kung ano ano na ang binibilin ko sa kanya. Ako kasi ang naghahandle ng finances namin and wala siya halos alam about our finances. Hindi niya alam kung ilan ang bank accounts namin, passwords ng mga ATM, how much na yung savings namin, mga long term investments namin at kung ano ano pa. Kontento na siya as long as bayad lahat ng bills namin and hindi kami nagugutom. So ang sa akin lang, paano na sila kung wala ako di ba? Pinapatigil na akong magsalita kanina. Ang sabi ko naman, nagiging practical lang naman ako and ayaw ko naman bandang huli maging lost siya. Ang dahilan ko lang ay hindi ako nagbibilin, nag-iinform lang. Maiigi na ang handa di ba?

How about you, minsan ba naiisip niyo rin ang mga ganyang bagay?

CSR: Garlic & Ginger Salmon Belly in Olive Oil

CSR: Garlic & Ginger Salmon Belly in Olive Oil

Ingredients:

Salmon Belly
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Minced Garlic
Grated Ginger
Salt
Pepper

Procedure:

1. Prepare the necessary ingredients.

Salmon Belly

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic

Ginger

Salt

Pepper

 2. Marinade the salmon belly with all the ingredients. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

3.  Pan grill the salmon belly with skin side down until golden brown.

This is a very simple and delicious recipe I'm sure you'll love.

Happy cooking! =)

Frugal Tip No. 6: Reuse and Recycle

Reusing and recycling things can help you save money. Here are some things that I usually reuse/recycle to save some bucks...

Plastic Bags

• Big plastic bags (grocery bags, big diaper packaging, tissue packaging, etc.)
• I use them for packing stuff
• I use them as trash bags - Since mahal ang trash bags, I usually make it a point to save big plastic bags.  
• Small plastic bags (plastic labo and other small plastic packaging)
• I use them for small trash (fish bones, chicken bones, vegetable trimmings, used cooking oil etc.)

Grocery Paper Bags

• I use them for packing stuff
• I use them as trash bags for dry wastes

Paper Bags with Handle

• Shopping Paper Bags - I use them for bringing some stuff
• Gift Paper Bags - I keep them for future gifts

Gift Wrappers

• I use them to wrap gifts
• I use them for crafts

Ribbons

• I use them in wrapping gifts
• I use them to hold curtains
• I use them to tie things
• I use them to tie cabinets so that the kulilits won't be able to open them
• I use them for crafts

Used Coffee Grounds

• I use them as fertilizer for our plants
• Some other uses of used coffee grounds that I researched:
• Deterant for cats by sprinkling around beds or pots in the garden
• Facial mask by mixing some mashed avocado
• For ashtray
• Anti-cellulite scrub
• Can be used to get the smell of onion or garlic off your hands
• Can be used as a replacement of baking soda to eliminate odors of your fridge or freezer
• Ants, snails and slugs repellant
• Brown fabric dye
• Can be used to scour away grease on your pots and pans
• Dried used coffee grounds can get rid of the stink of your smelly pair of shoes
• Can be used to prevent dandruff
• Skin exfoliant
• Can be used to color scratches of your wooden furniture
• Can be used to give paper "aged" look

Old Clothes and Towels

• I use them as rags or pamunas (cleaning cloths)
• Here are some other ways to reuse old clothes and towels:
• Patches
• Gloves
• Fabric accessories - headbands, hair ties, bracelets, necklaces or belts, little pouches etc.
• Chairs like bean bags
• Shopping bags
• Make stuffed toys or clothes for your stuffed toys
• Quilt
• Book cover
• Pillows and cushions
• Shock absorber
• Ropes
• Winter accessories - scarves, hats and mittens
• Pet clothes

Paper

• I cut them to be used as scratch paper
• Paper for my kulilits to draw/write on
• I make improvised envelopes

Old Newspaper

• I use them to clean glass and mirrors
• I use them as cushion for my ceramics or other breakable things
• I use to them to dry things
• I use them as pansalo ng kalat 
• I use them to light charcoals
• Something to sit on when I'm outside
• Other uses of old newspaper:
• Paper mache
• For dog poop
• Painting mask
• Gift wrappers
• Packaging
• Used to ripen tomatoes
• Fruit and vegetable drawer liner
• Paper funnel
• Shoe and boot mat
• Garden Mulch
• Deodorizer of stinky shoes
• Shelf lining
• Cooler deodorizer
• Grill cleaner
• Cheap rags
• Hat shapers

Tin Cans

• Small Tin Cans
• Knick Knacks organizer - safety pins, paper clips, hair pins, etc.
• Big Tin Cans
• Sewing kit
• Storage - food, detergent powders, charcoal, letters, etc.

Boxes

• I use them to organize things
• I use them as gift boxes

Plastic To-Go Containers

• I use it in bringing baon which I intend to dispose the container afterwards
• I use it for guest take outs after party para kahit hindi na mareturn yung container ok lang
• Can be used as containers for ingredients preparation
• I use it to organize things - crayons and other abubots

Liquid Soap Dispensers

• I usually buy refills na lang since it is cheaper then I refill the dispenser

Nice Bottles

• I use Starbucks bottles as coin banks
• Flower vase
• Other uses:
• Crafts
• Ornaments
• Wind Chimes

Actually, there are a lot more. How about you, what items do you usually reuse/recycle?

Our 18th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Experience

NAKAKAPAGOD! That is the word to describe our 18th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta experience. It is not our first time to attend the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta pero etong 18th ang pinakanakakapagod sa lahat. Ang daming lakad plus the kulilits plus the heat! Kaya nga sabi ko sa mga in-laws ko, last na attend na namin ito. Sa iba naman kaming festival pupunta next time para maiba naman.

Day 1 (Saturday)

We were suppose to leave the Las Pinas at 12:30 p.m. para sakto lang sa check-in time ng hotel and we could attend the event in the afternoon para the following day free time na namin. Unfortunately, hindi kami nakaalis on time since late na natapos magclinic si hubby. Sobrang bad trip talaga ako to the point na inaaway ko na si hubby dahil ako yung tipo na gusto stick sa schedule. Aside from that, nakakahiya sa mga in-laws ko dahil saktong 12:30 p.m. nakagayak na sila. Alam niyo yun, ok lang sana kung kami lang ang aalis pero may kasama kaming iba.

Anyway, we left the house at around 2:30 p.m. na. Estimate namin mga 5:00 p.m. nasa Clark na kami kaso may bulalyaso na naman. May karambolang naganap sa NLEX. Siguro blessing in disguise na rin na late kami nakaalis para hindi kami nasama sa accident.

We arrived at clark at around 6:30 p.m. na. Check-in muna kami sa hotel para tuloy tuloy na kami. Again, may bulalyaso sa pag-check-in namin. Hindi nagreflect yung hotel booking namin. Medyo natagalan kami pero naging positive naman ang result dahil na-upgrade ang room namin. We stayed at Hotel California. It is not a posh hotel since tag-tipid kami. Hahaha! Besides, tutulugan lang naman namin eh.

After we checked-in, we went na to the event. Ang naabutan na lang namin is the concert. Since hindi pang kilalang mga bands ang tumutugtog, we ate dinner muna. There are a lot of food stalls there. Para safe, we ate at Chicboy. Medyo mausok nga lang.

After dinner, we walked around. I bought hot air balloon lanterns for the kulilits and a kite. Yes, bumili ako ng kite kasi yung nabili ko sa SM sobrang palpak. Papaliparin pa lang namin, nagkanda tanggal tanggal na ang dikit. Ang mahal pa naman. Yung nabili ko sa event, P200.00 lang tapos tela na ang material. Tapos may free taste na Kopiko coffee kaya sila hubby, coffee coffee muna. Hehehe!

Family picture muna kami with the cute hot air balloon lanterns that I bought for the kulilits...

Nung tumugtog na ang Wolfgang, hubby and my brother-in-law (Kuya Bimbo) went na to the concert grounds. Kami ni Ai (my bilas) were left with the kulilits. Takbo takbo lang kami sa field and nagfly kuno ng kite para maaliw ang kambal.

Wolfgang

Hindi na tinapos ng mga big boys ang concert kasi nag-alala na sila sa mga kulilits tutal naman masaya na sila kasi narinig na nila ang Wolfgang and Urbandub. 

On the way back to the hotel, nagstop-over muna kami sa Ministop to buy some drinks. Sakto naman na tulog na ang kulilits when we arrived sa hotel. So ayun, we all went out to our room's veranda para magkwentuhan. Natapos kami 3:00 a.m. na.

Day 2 (Sunday)

We woke up at around 8:30 a.m. to eat breakfast. May libreng breakfast for 1 person for each room eh, sayang naman kaya inavail na namin. Ang weird no kasi isa lang ang free? Usually kasi breakfast for two ang kasama sa mga hotel bookings eh. Si hubby and Ai lang ang kumain ng free breakfast pero kami ni Kuya Bimbo hindi na nag-avail. Sayang naman kasi ang P200.00 per head eh, wala naman masyadong makakain. Buti na lang at may baon kaming pandesal.

After breakfast, we went back to our rooms para maligo and magprepare for check-out. We left the hotel at 11:30 a.m. and went to A.C. Rumpa Restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is known for its Barbecue Ribs. Alam niyo ba, ever since we started attending the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, naging tradition na namin kumain dito. Kaya guys, if you happen to go to Clark, it is a must to eat here.

Hubby, Ai and Kuya Bimbo ordered the famous Barbecue Ribs...

P 200.00

I ordered Fish and Chips for the Kulilits...

P 185.00

Since I don't eat pork anymore, I ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu (I removed the ham)...

P 190.00

Group picture...

Since the kulilits didn't eat that much, pinainom namin sila ng milk...

After lunch, since mainit pa, we went to Puregold Duty Free Shop to check on some stuff. Ang plan ko is to just buy deodorant for hubby and baby lotion and snacks for the kulilits. Mura kasi ang deodorant sa duty free eh kaya I hoard whenever I get a chance. The smart finds that I bought in Puregold are Irish Spring Deodorant (Big stick for less than P120.00 each), Assorted Soyfresh Soya Milk (less than P40.00 each), Sesame Street Baby Lotion (less than P70.00 each) and 5 Kg Detergent Powder (less than P320.00 each). Since kasama si hubby, may mga napasama na Assorted SPAM (P90.00 each), assorted small softdrinks in can, Delimondo corned beefs and sweet chili sauce. Alam niyo ba na more than half ng pinamili ko ay for hubby? Kaya ang hirap kasama sa supermarket nun eh. Hehehe. Pero ok lang, mas mura pa rin naman compared sa S&R eh.

After duty free, stop-over muna kami sa 7-Eleven. Nagcrave kasi ako ng Slurpee eh. Ang init kasi kaya gusto ko ng frozen drink that time. After that, we went na sa event.

On our way to the event, nagpicture muna kami sa T-Rex na nakita namin sa parking...

Sa event proper, I met up with my brother who happened to be there also since our E-trikes were rented out by the organizers. Kaya kung may nakita kayong mga electronic vehicles na rumuronda sa Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, sa amin yun. (Plugging: if you want to rent E-vehicles, kindly Green Vector Ventures, Inc. (GVVI) at 8842778 to 85. Look for Paolo Garcia). 

Nag-kite flying ulit kami kaso fail pa rin ako kasi ang baba lang ng lipad ng saranggola ko...

Then libot libot ulit kami.

We saw some racing cars...

army jeeps...

and a lot of 2-seater planes...

Nakapagpapicture din kami inside one of a 2-seater plane. Ang sikip pala sa loob nun. Hindi pwepwede sa amin ni hubby ang ganong klaseng eroplano dahil ang lalaki namin. Hehehe! Nakakatawa nga kasi parang takot na takot yung caretaker ng plane nung sumakay kaming pamilya sa loob.

We watched the kite flying activity there also...

Souvenir photo para makita sana yung mga kites kaso kami lang family ang nafocus...

Then we watched the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow...

Ibang iba ngayon unlike the previous hot air balloon fiesta. Before, ang dami and ang gaganda ng mga designs ng hot air balloon. Pero ok lang, nag-enjoy naman ang mga kulilits. Yun naman ang primary objective namin eh. Yung makakita sila ng real hot air balloons.

Family picture during the hot air balloon night glow (sorry madilim, nagloko ang camera namin eh)...

Then may fireworks after...

I love our candid shot here...

After the hot air balloon fiesta, we went to Aling Lucing Sisig to eat dinner sana. Kaso lang, ubos na ang sisig nila. Sobrang frustrated si hubby kasi yun pa naman ang pinaka-aabangan niya. We left na lang kasi alangan naman kumain kami doon without the sisig. Nag-Aling Lucing pa kami di ba?

Anyway, we ended up eating at Razon's located at the Caltex station along NLEX. Sa Caltex station  ata lahat kumain ang mga nagpunta sa hot air balloon fiesta eh. Ang daming tao and puno ng sasakyan. Nakatyamba naman kami ng parking kaya nakapagpark kami kaagad. Yun nga lang, kami ay nagmistulang abangers inside Razon's. Sorry talaga, ganun pala kapag desperado nang makakain sa sobrang gutom. 

Nakauwi kami ng house around 12:30 a.m. na. Sobrang pagod and plastado. Hindi pa rin ako natulog kaagad kasi nag-ayos pa ako ng gamit. Kaya ayun, kawawa naman si hubby dahil hindi ko man lang siya napagluto ng breakfast kinaumagahan. Ako naman, nagising na sobrang sakit ng katawan. Patang pata rin ako kaya wala akong halos nagawa nung Monday. 

So ayan ang experience namin nung weekend. Nakakapagod pero worth it din naman kahit papaano...

20 Things A Mother Should Tell Her Son

To all mothers there who have sons, this is for you  (taken from EvanCarmichael.com's Facebook page)...


1. Play a sport.
It will teach you how to win honorably,
lose gracefully, respect authority,
work with others, manage your time
and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call you mother
because I might be missing you.

My Roller Coaster Weight

My weight has been to a numerous cycle ever since. Aside sa pagiging sadyang tabain, I really love food. Alam niyo yun, mahilig akong kumain, mahilig magluto, mahilig magtry ng mga bagong restaurant, at iba pa. Basta anything about food, go ako. Sobrang hindi ako conscious sa katawan ko. Kaya lumobo ako ng todo todo. Yung parents ko lahat na ginawa sa akin para pumayat ako. Lahat halos ng sports inenroll ako para lang pumayat. Nag-gymnastics, nag-ballet, nag-swimming, nag-tennis ako pero wa-effect. Wala kasi sa  puso kong pumayat that time.

Nung 2nd year highschool lang ako natauhan. May isang photo kasi ako na sobrang nandiri na ako sa sarili ko (sorry for the term pero yun talaga ang naramdaman ko that time). Sabi ko sa sarili ko, kailangan ko na magpapayat kasi sobrang pangit at taba ko na. Tapos natakot din ako dahil baka walang magkamaling manligaw sa akin. Imagine, 193 pounds ako that time. Kaya ako mismo ang lumapit sa mom ko and sinabi ko na i-enroll ako sa gym at gusto ko na magpapayat. Sobrang tuwa ng parents ko nun kasi sa wakas gusto ko na magpapayat at ako mismo ang nag-initiate. Kaya ayun they enrolled me sa Slimmers World as a lifetime member. Hindi naman nasayang yung membership that time kasi sobrang tiyaga ako. Buong summer, twice a day ako nag-gygym. I even attend 3 sessions of aerobics classes. Kaya pagdating ng 3rd year highschool nagulat yung mga classmates ko kasi ang laki ng pinayat ko. I maintained it naman until 2nd year college. My lowest weight yata that time is around 115 pounds. Payat na yun for my body structure ha kasi big boned ako.

Nakuha ko naman ang goal ko that time - pumayat at magkaboyfriend. Hehehe. Here is my picture during my debut with my first and last boyfriend (Doc Padu)....

O di ba, pareho pa kaming payat ni hubby that time. Pero after my debut, since may boyfriend na ako at pareho kaming food explorer ni Doc Padu, unti unti na naman akong tumaba. Pero kahit papaano medyo conscious pa rin ako kaya parang yoyo ang weight ko nung mga panahon na iyon.

After kong grumaduate ng college at nakapagtrabaho, sadyang nakalimot na talaga ako. Sa marketing department kasi ako ng Crown Asia eh. Ang dami kasing party sa office at pakain ng mga brokers na nakakabenta. Kaliwaan ang kainan. Kaya ayun palobo na ako ng palobo ulit.

Come my wedding day in 2006, wala na akong nagawa. Ako na ata ang pinakapangit na bride dahil ang taba taba ko tapos wala pa akong gana sa wedding gown ko kasi alam ko wala naman babagay sa akin dahil sa size ko. I'm around 205 pounds ata that time. Here is my picture during my wedding...

After the wedding, wala na talaga akong pakialam sa katawan ko. Basta masaya ako, go lang ng go. Then 2007, 2008 and 2009 came. Hindi pa ako nagkakaanak. Medyo nagwoworry na ako. Pero dumating yung 29th birthday ko nung 2009, nagkaroon ako ng realization. Magthi-thiry na ako at baka matuloy ang end of the world ng 2012 (nung 2009 kasi pinalabas yung movie na 2012 eh) tapos wala pa akong anak. Ayaw ko naman na hindi ko ma-experience na magkababy no. Kaya ayun, nagsumikap ulit akong magpapayat. Kaya nagsimula ulit ako mag-exercise and mega support ang padir ko that time dahil gustong gusto na niya magka apo. He even gifted me a pair of running shoes and treadmill (yes, sila yung old pals ko). Unti unti naman akong pumayat that time and di ko namalayan na jontis na pala ako. Take note, nagsasali pa ako sa mga marathons di ko man lang alam na may laman na matres ko.

Here is my photo around September 2009. This is the peak of my weight. I'm more than 250 pounds ata dito...

Here naman is my photo in June 2010 when I joined the Bottle Run (hindi ko pa alam na buntis na pala ako dito)...

So ayun, kahit hindi ko na reach ang goal ko in terms of my weight, nakuha ko naman ang ultimate goal ko na magkababy. Ang nakakatuwa pa is hindi lang isa, kundi dalawang bouncing baby boys.

Ngayon, eto na naman ako. Back to square one. Gusto ko na ulit pumayat. My current weight now is 205 pounds. Yes, ina-announce ko sa world wide web ang weight ko. Mas ok yan para maraming witness at lalo akong magpursige na pumayat dahil maraming mata ang nagmamatyag. Ang bigat ko ano? Pero hindi masyadong halata dahil ako ang tipo na mataba na hindi lousy (may shape pa rin naman daw kahit papaano sabi nila) and hindi lalamya lamya.

So what are my reasons now why I want to lose weight? Ang dami actually and here they are according to priority...

1. Health Reasons - Healthy pa naman ako kahit papaano except for the fact na wala na akong gallbladder. Hindi pa naman ako high blood and diabetic kahit malaki ako. Pero naman, sa dami kong kakilala na na-stroke at inatake sa puso na natigok, sino ba naman ang hindi matatakot di ba? Gusto ko pa naman kahit papaano makitang lumaki ang mga anak ko. I don't want to die young no!

2. I want to have baby no. 3 or baby no. 3 and 4 (yes, nangangarap ulit kami na magkatwins pero girls naman) - Before I reach 35 years old, target na namin ni hubby na magkababy ulit. High risk pregnancy na kasi pag more than 35 years old eh. Eh mag 33 years old na ako so kailangan na talagang humabol.

3. Balak ko maging endorser ng isang product - yep, you heard me right. I'm taking a product kasi ngayon. Isa yun sa business ng dad ko. Di ko muna i-aannounce kung ano yun dahil baka mamaya pumalpak ako. Nakakahiya naman di ba, baka mamaya sabihin hindi effective eh. Pero seriously, kinausap ko dad ko na isponsor niya ako dahil may kamahalan ang product na ito. Sabi ko sa kanya gawin akong guinea pig. Natuwa naman siya, in fact, pati raw si hubby pagamitin ko. Di ba ang saya nun, magbibigay ako ng testimony sa ibang tao pag-pumayat na ako? Malay niyo, magbigay ako ng give-away in the near future. Give me a month or two may effect na siguro.

4. Ayaw kong mag-mukhang losyang - Sino ba naman ang gustong magmukhang matanda sa age niya di ba? Aside from that, ang hirap din maghanap ng matinong damit kapag malaki ka. Gusto ko ibalik yung dati na kapag may nakita akong type ko na damit, hindi ko na kailangan magsukat.

5. I'm inspired by my CSA batchmate na si Fleur or mommy fleur - She is the mommy behind www.mommyfleur.com. Ang galing kasi niya eh. Malapit na niya mareach ang dalaga weight niya. Sobrang nakakainspire. You can see how thin, sexy and fab na siya right now. Actually, hindi lang sa pagpapapayat siya nakaka-inspire kundi sa iba't iba pang aspeto ng buhay. You check her website and see it for yourself.

So that's it! Samahan niyo ako sa misyon kong ito ha...

She Doesn't Work?!

I would like to share to you something kasi natouch ako sobra. In fact, I got teary eyed after reading it and even made me proud to be a housewife. It's from Enrich your soul, keep inspired's page in Facebook.

Here it goes...

A husband complains for feeling tired... tired and tired... and wants his wife help him on earning money by also working, because so far he thinks that his wife is 'not working'.

Following are Question and Answer between The Husband (H) and The Psychologist (P):

P: What do you do for a living Mr. Bandy?
H: i work as an Accountant in a Bank

P: Your Wife?
H: She doesn't work. She's a Housewife only.

P: Who make breakfast for your family in the morning?
H: My Wife, because she doesn't work.

P: At what time your wife wake up for making breakfast?
H: She wakes up at around 5 a.m. because she cleans the house first before making breakfast.

P: How do your kids go to school?
H: My wife take them to school, because she doesn't work.

P: After taking kids to school, what does she do?
H: She goes to the market, then go back home for cooking and laundry. You know, she doesn't work.

P: In the evening, after you go back home from office, what do you do?
H: Take rest, because I'm tired due to all day works.

P: What does your wife do then?
H: She prepares meals, serving our kids, preparing meals for me and cleaning the dishes, cleaning the house then taking kids to bed.

From the story above, who do you think work more???

The daily routines of your wives commence from early morning to late at night. That is called 'DOESN'T WORK'??!!

Yes, Being Housewives do not need Certificate of Study, even High Position, but their ROLE/PART is very important!

Appreciate your wives. Because their sacrifices are unaccountable. This should be a reminder and reflection for all of us to understand and appreciate each others roles. Understanding and Appreciating each other will make each person feel Happy.

I'm So Happy Today

Dahil buong araw nag-uulan ngayon, binaha ang Olivarez General Hospital. So anong ibig sabihin nun? CANCELLED ANG CLINIC NI DOC PADU!!!

Dalawa ang maaaring maging reaction ko dito. Either negative or positive. Negative dahil wala na namang kita ang asawa ko. And positive dahil maaga siyang makakauwi at makakasama kami.

At ang reaction ko is the positive one. Sobrang saya ko dahil matagal namin siyang makakasama today. Most of the time kasi sobrang gabi na siyang nakakauwi yung tipong patulog or tulog na ang mga kulilits. Wala talagang pera ang makakatumbas ng panahon na maigugugol niya sa amin.

Kahit ang mga kulilits, sobrang saya nung nakita nila ang daddy nila. Nagkandaripas ng takbo sa pagsalubong at nagyaya kaagad maglaro.

Look at the kulilits' faces here...

PRICELESS di ba?

Ewan ko ba, ang saya saya ko lang talaga ngayon...

Hello Again My Dear Friends =)

Hi guys! How's your rainy Friday so far? Sobrang bed weather ano? Nakakatamad magkikikilos and ang sarap sarap matulog.

Siguro you're wondering kung sino yung mga friends na tinutukoy ko sa title ng blog post na ito. Well, I want you to meet my old pals:

My running shoes...

and my treadmill...

Akala niyo tao no? Hehehe. After more than 2 years, I decided na mag-eexercise na ulit ako. Kailangan eh. I'll tell you the reasons soon.

Lam niyo ba sa sobrang tagal kong hindi nagamit yang treadmill na yan, pwede nang tamnan ng kamote sa sobrang alikabok and it took me more than 5 minutes para mafigure out kung paano tatangalin sa pagkafold.

So ayun na nga, I started to run again yesterday. Mga 40 minutes lang habang nag aafternoon nap ang mga kulilits. Ang tagal ko nang gustong gawin ulit yan kaso lang napakahirap lang talagang umpisahan.

Eto ako after ko magrun yesterday...

Hindi lang halata pero pawisan na ako niyan. Lam niyo, ang sarap ng feeling after exercising. Parang ang daming toxins na nawala sa katawan ko.

Since nasimulan ko nang tumakbo kahapon, may driving force na ulit ako. Sayang naman di ba kung hindi ko pa ituloy tuloy? Kaya kanina, tumakbo ulit ako for 40 minutes. And as a proof (may proof pa talaga no? Hahaha!), here is my picture after I exercised...

O di ba, naresist ko ang tawag ng kama kanina kahit ang sarap sarap matulog dahil sa maulan na panahon?

Kulilits Moments: On Other People's Name

This conversation with the kulilits is so funny that I want to share it with you guys. =)

Last night before putting the kulilits to bed...

Me: Babies, what is the name of your mommy?

Kulilits: Sheyiy (for Cheryll)

Me: What is the name of your daddy?

Kulilits: Doc Tadu (for Doc Padu)

Me: What is the name of Mama G?

Kulilits: BURARA!

Grabe, halakhak to the max talaga ako kagabi! Tapos ang gawa pa ng kulilits since tawang tawa nga ako, pinaulit ulit pa ang word na "Burara". Kaya sabi ko sa kanila...

Me: No babies. Mama G's name is Linda. So what is the name of Mama G? Say Linda.

Kulilits: Linda...Burara!

Ang kulit talaga, promise! Di ko talaga mapigilan ang tawa ko kagabi. Di na talaga naalis sa utak nila ang word na burara. Minsan lang nila narinig kay madir yun ha nung nagcomment siya ng "Burara kasi si Mama G eh." nung time na may hinahanap siya sa bag niya na di niya makita. 

Ang mga bata nga naman. Parang sponge ang mga utak. Ang bilis makapick up...

Frugal Tip No. 5: On Grocery Shopping

Here are my frugal tips on grocery shopping:

Make a grocery list and stick to it 

Check on your supplies and prepare a grocery list. Having a grocery list saves you time and make you purchase things that you only need. Siyempre, you should stick to it. Kailangan malakas ang fighting spirit sa mga temptation sa loob ng supermarket.

Stick to your budget

Knowing your budget sets you a limit. If may natira pa, pwede niyo itong dagdag sa ipon niyo, save it for your next trip to the supermarket or you can buy something not in your list.

Don't shop when you are hungry

I know na narinig niyo na rin ito. I read it somewhere kasi na you tend to shop more when you're hungry. Kaya before going to the supermarket, load up muna. Besides, kailangan niyo rin ng energy dahil maraming lakad and buhat ang gagawain niyo inside the supermarket eh.

Don't shop when you are depressed

Di ba tendency if you are depressed you either binge on food or shop to the highest level? Kaya if you are depressed, better palipasin muna kasi malamang sa malamang you'll end up buying more than what you need or you'll buy something that you don't really need.

Schedule your grocery shopping

Do your grocery shopping on a weekly, semi-monthly or monthly basis. Maraming benefits ito. You'll save time, save on transportation cost and mas iwas sa temptasyon. In my case, I do it on a monthly basis since wala akong yaya/maid and very hard for me to shop because of my kulilits.

Buy in bulk

As much as possible, buy in bulk. Mas cheaper kasi eh. Maspalaki ng palaki ang size ng product, mas nagiging mura since mas nalelessen ang manufacturing cost. Pero siyempre, applicable ito sa products na madalas niyo nagagamit or mabilis na nauubos. Kasi kung hindi, imbis na nakatipid kayo, masasayang lang dahil na-expire lang.

Look for promos

Normally, maraming promo sa loob ng supermarket. Mga buy one take one, may mga freebies, etc. Try to look for them.

Stock up on promo items

Kung kaya ng budget niyo, try to hoard some promo items na madalas niyong ginagamit. Minsan lang kasi ang mga promo eh and sigurado naman na makakatipid kayo. Pero titignan niyo rin yung mga promo ha, kasi minsan ma-eenganyo kayong bumili pero hindi niyo naman talaga kailangan. In my case, site ako ng some examples. (1) Nung may promo ang Drypers sa S&R (free smaller pack), talagang naghoard ako kasi kambal anak ko eh and malakas talaga sa diapers. (2) Tapos minsan, yung 1 liter ng cooking oil may free na half dozen eggs, pinatos ko rin yun. At least, natanggal yung budget ko for eggs di ba? (3) Meron din buy 1 Kilo of oatmeal then may free 1 big can of evaporated milk. Ang dami ko rin binili since ang breakfast ng mga kulilits ko and hubby is oatmeal everyday and I use evaporated milk for their favorite sopas naman. 

Try other brands

Normally, we tend to buy known brands and most likely itong known brands na ito mas mahal. Try to experiment with other brands. Kung baga sa gamot, try generic. Magugulat na lang din kayo na mas-ok pa yung iba kaysa sa mga nakasanayan niyo na.

Have a supermarket loyalty card

Madalas may mga loyalty cards ang mga supermarket. Try to get it and earn points. These points can be used in your future purchases. Aside from that, may other perks din sa mga loyalty card holders like additional discounts or promos.

Be aware of the prices of the products that you usually buy and know the supermarket that offers lower prices

Hindi dapat dampot lang ng dampot. You need to be aware of the prices the product that you usually buy. Kasi ang mga supermarket iba iba ang price nila. May mga pang-masa , pang-soso and pang-totsyal na supermarket kasi eh. Example tayo: pang-masa - Puregold, pang-soso - SM, pang-totsyal - Rustan's. Siyempre kung gusto mo makatipid, dun ka na sa pang-masa or pang-soso since pareho lang naman ang tinda nila. Pero may mga exemption din naman, for example sa akin, I buy diapers and detergent powder sa S&R kasi masmura talaga kasi doon compared sa iba. Pero the rest ng grocery items I buy either sa South Supermarket or Makati Supermarket.

Buy more fish and vegetables than meat

Malakas na ang loob ko na sabihin ito since I changed na my diet since last year. Pero in fairness, mas nakakatipid ako ngayon dahil ang mahal na naman talaga ng kilo ng pork and beef ngayon. Aside from saving a lot, healthy eating pa kami sa bahay ngayon.

Buy fresh produce at the wet market

If you have time and means, it is better to buy fresh produce at the wet market. Mas fresh na, mas mura pa. For instance, price of small eggs sa wet market is only P4.00 (P48.00 a dozen) a piece samantalang sa supermarket more than P5.00 a piece (around P65.00 a dozen). Some of the items that I buy at the wet market are fishes, fruits, veggies, eggs and rice.

Never bring your husband with you 

Etong last tip naman na ito ay para sa sarili ko lang naman (peace Doc Padu!) and maybe sa mga nakakarelate din sa akin. Hehehe. Kasi madalas, ay hindi madalas parati pala, kapag kasama ko si hubby sa supermarket, kung ano ano ang dinadampot at bigla na lang nilalagay sa grocery cart. Minsan, mas mahal pa yung mga pinagdadampot kaysa sa mga binili ko. Like for example, nung namili ako sa S&R ng diapers and detergent, aba nagulat ako at biglang naglagay ng iba't ibang klaseng beer sa cart. At huwag ka, umabot ng more than P2k ang iilang pirasong beer na yun ha! At eto pa, nung last grocery namin, biglang naglagay ng kahon ng Nescafe Dolce Gusto and some kind of cheese. Eh yung lang dalawa na yun, almost P700.00 na! Pero di naman ako makatanggi at makareklamo dahil siya naman ang sole provider ngayon sa household namin. Kung baga, reward na niya yun for working hard for us.


So there you go guys! Those are only my personal tips for you. It is up to you if you follow it or not. How about you guys, may mga tips din ba kayo on how to save on grocery shopping?

Mama G's Laughtrip: A Born Comedian

Last Sunday at my folks' house...

Me: Pao, himala umuwi ka ata?
Paolo: Sana nga hindi na lang ako umuwi eh!
Me: O, bakit na naman?!
Paolo: Nanghiram lang ako ng charger ang dami ko nang narinig eh. Para namang mawawala ko eh nandito lang naman ako sa bahay.
Me: Ganun talaga! Ikaw kasi eh.
Mama G: Talagang ganun! You should know the sequence of your actions.
Me: Ma, anong sequence? Consequence! Ibloblog na naman kita niyan...
Paolo: Hay naku Ate, minsan sinasadya lang yan ni mommy no, gusto lang niya na mablog mo siya.
Mama G: Bakit ba? Don't you know that I'm a born comedian?

Aba! Aba! Si madir talaga, may nalalaman pang born comedian. Hahaha!

Excited Again!!!

Weee!!! Ang lapit na naman ng weekend. I'm overly excited na!!! We'll be going to Clark kasi for the 18th Philippine International Hotair Balloon Fiesta. Before kasi as a couple lang kami nagpupunta dito, pero ngayon as a family na. I'm sure the kulilits will enjoy it.

Since excited nga ako, we bought a kite. Sabi ko kay hubby, magkite flying kami with the kulilits. Alam niyo yun, bonding bonding. =)

Here is the kite that we bought. Eto na ang pinakamatinong design eh. Sana mapalipad namin. Hehehe.

I bought also these chichas for our baon. Addict ako sa fish chicharon na ito eh.

Alam niyo ba na aside from the exhibitions there, may concert din sila this time. This made my hubby naman excited. Alam mo naman yun, frustrated rakista kasi eh. Hehehe.

photosource

How about you guys, are you going there too? Kitakits tayo ha...