Swine Flu Alert

First it was Mad Cow Disease, next was Bird's Flu and now Swine Flu. The virus around us has mutated that even without contact to pigs, people can acquire Swine Flu.

There are plenty of information in the internet regarding this "modified" Swine Flu. It poses like a regular flu but until you get yourself tested, you or the doctors will not know whether you have it or not. Please practice precautionary measures. We can never be too sure these days.

For more information on the Swine Flu and its symptoms, you may check World Health Organization's advisory alert on the H1N1 strain.

Around Coronado, San Diego

Our visit to San Diego was tiring but fun and we loved the weather so much. It was pretty cold though, considering it was nearing spring. Maybe we are not used to low temperature having lived in this part of the world where you can actually cook eggs on the street!!! That hot!

The slide are photos around the affluent Coronado area. The houses facing the sea are so pretty and I have already set my eyes on one ;)

We went in and around the famous and very old Hotel del Coronado. It was built in 1887, entirely out of lumber. Famous state dignitaries, royalties and celebrities have already stayed in this luxurious beachfront hotel. It is also said to be haunted and has been featured in some documentaries on haunted hotels. We even had picture on the stairway. Being inside was outright spooky. I had that funny feeling all the time we were in. I had to ask my daughter to accompany me in the loo because I was too afraid to go alone!

17 Again

I am not those who grovel at his feet but I do enjoy watching Zac Efron in HSM 1-3 although the latter installment was a bit awkward now. I would rather see him move on and dabble at anything like comedy-romance. I haven't checked the local cinemas if his latest movie - 17 Again - is coming soon here. Anyway, I am looking forward to see that movie in the big screen.

17 Again... I wish I am!!!

Photos in LA

Just sharing some of the snaps we have on our recent vacation in the great US of A last April 3 to 13, 2009.

Hearing Sense and Music

Just a trivia...

Did you know that the aural sense is the first to develop in the womb? I read somewhere that when you play music or listen to music while you are pregnant contributes to the intellectual development of the unborn.

Music is a tranquilizer to relieve ourselves from the noise around us. So it is very important to chose the kind of music you play in order to relax your body and mind. Classical and nature sound are normally good in setting our moods to a more laid-back and calm stage.

Some Birdie Told Me...

Want to know the latest "news" about your fave celebrities? Well, join this conversation and you will find out how... Don't tell the "birdie" I told you... ;)

Up and About

It's only 6:30 a.m. and I am already up as the sun is. I have finally settled back to this part of the world's time but still has minor glitches to fix with my body clock. I still wake up very early than usual even prior to my alarm clock setting off.

I have no qualms about it. But it's the weekend today and I prefer lingering in my cozy bed wrapped in my warm comforter.

So, how is everybody's morning???

Batik - Loving it!

I was only 5 when I had my first batik t-shirt and shorts as a Christmas gift from my aunt. I remember how I used to keep wearing it and my mom would wash it again so I could wear it some more. I just love how it felt on my body, smooth, warm and perfect.

It's not a surprise that I am a fan of batik stuff. I was able to visit a Handcrafted Batik Store on my trip to Kuala Lumpur few years ago and understood then why batik was (and still is!) very famous. Batik clothing or accessories are done by hand to be able to produce the high-quality batik. I really love it.

What a Feat!

Losing weight has become a major concern for me these past few months. I have never been so "huge" in my life until lately. I used to be skinny, almost like a toothpick even after giving birth but when I reached mid-30s, I noticed how my girth would follow my age!!! Hahahaha.

I gained extra pounds since the vacation in the US (blame it on those "regular-sized" meals they serve in the restaurants!!!). I thought I would lose them as soon as I go back to work. A week after that, I still have not done anything but to bum around and stare on the ceiling. Seriously! I feel so lazy these days. I need to lose weight soon and it's a pressing matter now because my knees are starting to ache. That's not a good sign.

They Just Don't Get It

People think that when you work abroad, you earn big time or you're a money machine. They expect you to remit all the time and when you don't, they get mad,or say something nasty about you.

Don't they know that expats have to spend what they earn where they currently live? If the standard of living is high then expect that there are little chances that these poor expats will have spare to go around. Oh well...

Trailing

I am still in my vacation mode and have been feeling a bit sluggish lately. I have tons of pending awards to grab and post from friends and tags piling a mile-high!

I am sorry folks. I just don't feel like writing at the moment because I am still reeling on my last vacation. My mind cannot stop wandering else whenever I stare at my blank writing pad. I guess I will be back to normal in few days or weeks. If not...hmmmmmm.

Health Nut - Post-Vacation Health Track

Every time I go on a long holiday, I always come back with excess baggage! No pun intended! Hahaha. Honestly, I leave Dubai weighing so and so, and then, I come back with extra weight on. This is horrendous!

Carole Holditch of Good Habits offers tips to getting back on track with our health regime and weight loss goals:

1. Jot it down.
Set your goals, track the progress and share your thoughts by writing them all down. Doing that gives you a very vivid picture of reality.

2. Start small.
Bee realistic with your goals. We cannot lose 10 pounds in one go in a week's time! However, we can lose 2! The process of getting healthy and fit takes time. Envision losing 1 at a time and stick to it. Next time you'll know it, you have lost so much without even realizing it.

3. Figure it out.
Learn more about healthy living, nutrition and fitness. Planning to live a healthy lifestyle is a process. You do not just think it but not actually do it.

4. Watch your habits.
We are all creature of habits. Our plans get derailed with the mundane everyday activities we do. Chop the old vices of eating rapidly, munching on chips and empty calories, being inactive. Move around, eat healthily and keep fit!

5. Allow setbacks.
Acceptance is the key. Accept that we are all human prone to err. Make it a positive thing rather than beating yourself down. So what if you "accidentally" shove that teeny-tiny sliver of chocolate bar down your throat?!? Yes, we all give to temptations but learn from it. When you realize you have succumbed to bad habits or your old ways, learn, stand up and be firm. Say no next time.

Spaced-out!

I have been awake since 12:30 a.m. and it's already 1:58 p.m. and I have not yet slept! What on earth is wrong with me? This is the worst jet-lag ever!!!

Sleep has eluded me for half a day now and I am getting light-headed already. I have spritzed my pillow with a lavender spray but my mind is still racing. I am considering taking sleeping pills! - JOKE!!!

Well, maybe I'll just count camels in my head then....LOL!

Rest in Peace little Angel

Not so far from where my cousins lived, a young girl named Sandra Cantu (she's only 8...) had gone missing and was later found dead inside a luggage dumped in the pond few miles from where she lived in Tracy, CA.

I cannot believe how another human being can inflict pain and harm to an innocent child let alone, another life form. Monsters abound our world and let's all pray that abominations like that will stop.

My family and I offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Sandra. To little, sweet Sandra, you are now in the arms of our loving God. Spread your wings and fly towards the Kingdom of peace.

Dazed but Happy

It's been 3 days since we arrived in this hot, sunny place and all of us are still disoriented with the time. We never felt this jet-lag so bad before probably because it was our first trans-Atlantic trip. Hubby went to work last Tuesday only to come home before noon because he could not keep awake! My princess woke up before dawn this morning tinkering on her homework. And I was up and about at 4:30 a.m!

I had a hard time keeping myself alert even after 3 cups of coffee at work. Oh man! This is the worst jet-lag in our family's history...as far as we know it :)

We enjoyed every single moment spent with our families there. We don't get to see them as often as we want because it's not practical and then, we didn't have visas. The warmth of their homes provided solace and comfort to the tired minds and bodies of 3 nomads (hahahaha!!!). I was intently observing how life is in the big US of A and my dream of moving there is slowly being validated. I dreamed of living there ever since I was young and to be actually there and see how life is gave me all the reason to pursue my next goal. Hubby is supportive of the plan but this will take a lot of time and planning before I can put everything in action. This is a major life-changing decision and I must not be impulsive. I am giving myself 2 years to decide whether we will all uproot ourselves here and settle there. We'll wait for recession to end though. Meanwhile, we will just enjoy ourselves first visiting the marvelous US of A. I would appreciate advices from friends living there if you all don't mind. You can leave a comment here. I don't want to rush into a decision yet.

To my blogger pal Cely/Gilbert, sorry I didn't get to call. I left my Filofax at home and had written your number there. I know you sent me email but I had limited time to check my mails. Anyway, there is always a next time.... hugs!!! We will be visiting your country as often as we can now.

Back in the Grind

Well, well, well, like they always say, "all's well that ends well." I am back in the grind and have lots to catch up on. We all had a good time, tired but enjoyed every minute spent in our stay with our families in the US. So, let me just warm my seat for a moment and I'll be back in normal gear.

Monday Party Games - Snow Bowl Royale

Cute penguins balls! Cute Walrus pins!!!

Y3.com - 9500+ Free Games


Y3.com - 9500+ Free Games

Health Nut - Getting Things Done on Weight Loss

We become very inpatient when it comes to dropping the pounds. Who wouldn't? The sooner we get those unwanted flabs out of our system, the better, right? But, there is no sure fire way to do that unless you become succumb to maladies which is not cool.

Losing weight has become most people's priority. It is too for me as well. We have written down or fabricated plans for the nth time but never seem to get through with a good result or at least near to what we have visualized. Here are tips to keep you on track and to get those things done.

Stay focused and be determined.

No cheating. Don't fool yourself by taking nibbles of food which can derail your objective. Telling yourself "a bite won't hurt" does not help because a bite will surely DO!

Plan a week's worth of low-calorie meal.

Buy a new exercise get-up.

Write down your food intake in a journal.

Visualize. Imagine yourself wearing those skinny jeans...and do wear them when you reach your weight goal!

Good luck!

Travel Plan Ahead

Is it New York, Houston, San Francisco or Los Angeles? The reason I am asking this is because I am an airline staff and my family get discounted airline tickets with the least priority in check-in. We will be on stand-by status unless the flight is really open which in our case is not. Our company's network go to the above cities and only JFK and IAH (J. F. Kennedy Airport in NYC and Bush International Apt. in Houston - travel lingo!) are open on our preferred day of travel. So, I have a funny feeling that we'll end up buying domestic US tickets to fly from JFK or IAH to LAX.

I have been preoccupied lately with our travel plans to the US this Friday. I cannot stop feeling giddy about it because I have always dreamed of going there ever since I can remember. Hubby and princess are equally excited as I am because we keep drawing the itinerary plans and incessantly add places to visit in the list (which I even doubt if time can really permit). I am very pleased that my hubby is cooperating in the planning of this US trip. He used to give the reins to me before but he is being proactive now and that is good!

So, I will be on a blog leave again for 2 weeks on April (1st week of April until 15 April) to enjoy our vacation and enjoy the scenery (and outlet malls! hahahaha!). I will post photos of the trip once I am back.

Tuh-tah for now!