A Wedding in UK

Someone very special to me may just tie the knot in the United Kingdom. I am not sure when but it will be in the not-so-distant future.

My family is very thrilled because she has finally found love. It has been a while since we saw her smiling and getting a bit giddy like a teenager does when she is in love. Yes, it must be love!

I am glad to be a part of that blossoming romance. I must say that the future husband is nice and accommodating of his "new" family.

Clanging of wedding bells seem to be inevitable now with how things are going between them. I am already scouting for Nottingham Wedding Photographer who will cover the ceremony. Although I was not asked to do something "yet," I decided I would. It is like reminiscing the time when I was preparing my own wedding. I would like my special someone to be very happy when her wedding comes. I want her happiness captured in every photographs of that special event so I am keen on looking for an excellent wedding photography in Nottingham.

I know there are more details to cover other than the photograph-taking but I am focusing more on that aspect because every happy and loving emotions will be preserved on those photographs. It will be a plus factor if I get lucky enough to stumble upon a Green Wedding Photographer who will give the ultimate photography service our family deserves.

Voice Over Internet Protocol

I am so confused with the new terminologies people are using in the communication and Internet industry these days. I feel like I am still in the Medieval period where the mode of communication is thru sending knights bearing letters to the other kingdom, village or towns.

Time has changed. Communication has taken a big leap in terms of technology and process. Gone are the days of telegrams and carrier pigeons. We are now living in the 21st century where most things are done with the aid of machines and modern technology.

The reason I brought this topic up is that not all people are well-versed in the modes of communication the corporate world or business sector employ. I have just learned recently that there are many ways to communicate using the Internet apart from the normal like sending emails, chatting, prints/publications and various kinds of media. I learned that we can also relay voice communication thru Internet; hence the term, VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol. In layman's term, it is a term used to refer to the category of transmission process of voice communication.

I am more enlightened now about its meaning. So if I see advertisements on used VOIP phones at wholesale prices in the web or read ads on that or if I hear the term VoIP, I'll have a smile on my face and think, "Oh I know what that means!"

I Landed a B777

I just landed a B777 yesterday. I had a feel of what it was like to be in command, to give orders to my First Officer (who is my boss by the way *wink*) and flying a commercial B777 aircraft!

I love to be in the airline industry. I get to have nice perks like traveling, meeting pilots, giving orders to our pilots, and flying a B777. Wow! I never thought I would be on the Left Hand Seat (where the captain sits) tinkering on the buttons and levers, adjusting speed and altitude, maneuvering the aircraft until I got it leveled.

You must wonder how I got to fly and land a B777 huh? Well, it was not the real deal but I was given the chance to do it in a B777 simulator. My boss had fun giving me all kinds of weather impediments: snow, rain, thunder and lightning, fog, and the famous sandstorm of the Middle East. I even had to avoid mid-air collision because of traffic. There were too many of those big whales (A380) in the air. Whew! That's what you call pushing tins!

It was fun! I got to be a Captain of B777 for once in my life even if it was in the simulator. See the photo slideshow...

Baseball Moms

Some of my mom friends in the US are great baseball fans. They watch the games with their husbands and kids and cheer from the side-bench. I only get to see a baseball game on TV. My friends and their families really go the extra mile to support their teams. They even wear matching jerseys and baseball caps. They even send their sons to play baseball at the parks so they can harness their potential in pitching and batting; hoping that someday, they will become a part of the Major League.

I am really surprised by the way they instill baseball in their sons' lives. They even buy a baseball bat online to ensure their kids' proper batting. They are there full time to cheer, give moral support and be mommies.

It is really great to see parents who support their kids in their activities and hobbies. I am glad that the kids do not mind as they also love the sports. Family support is a good factor in instilling sportsmanship in the young minds. My friends are doing great being baseball moms!

My Photographer and Cameraman

My husband is very keen in photography and taking videos. He is always the photographer and cameraman during special occasions and holidays. So, in most of our videos and photos, 90% will be poses of myself and our daughter. I do not know why I never had the knack in photography and video-taking.

He has taken these artistic activities a great hobby to engage his time with. During his sister's recent wedding, he was gracious enough to pour his creative juice into action by making a personal video montage of the wedding ceremony. The video montage had the "silent movie" kind of theme taken in black and white. It was beautiful. He gave it to the bride and groom as a gift. His sister and brother-in-law loved his work that he is considering a corporate video production service on the side to augment our income. I think it is a great idea. He can put his passion to good use!

Beauty Tip 101: Instant Body Shimmer

Do you want an instant body shimmer or glitter without having to cash out? Well, you can if you have an aloe vera gel (the one you use for sunburn) or light lotion and loose glittery or shimmery eye shadow. Just mix a sprinkle of the loose eye shadow to your lotion or aloe vera gel and viola! Your instant body shimmer!

Debt Elimination - Do It Now

No one anticipated this global recession to be the Great Depression of our time. Numerous known companies have already folded. Mass lay-offs is occurring here and there. Unemployment rate escalate to a scary level. Available jobs are scarce. Banks are not lending money and interest rates given to loans or credits are going berserk.

Most of us have debts to settle. The amount varies from one's need to the other. Expatriates here in the Middle East have loans to pay and the bills are piling. Before the onset of the recession, the banks here were too generous in giving out loans and the expatriates took the bait. However, most of the people lost their jobs and are having difficulty in fulfilling their aim of debt elimination.

As debtors, we must familiarize ourselves to the debtors rights. Our credit score must be protected as well by the lenders. I have heard horror stories about some friends who have to dodge the collectors because of their inability to pay on time. These collectors can be very relentless so even if we owe the lenders, we should know our rights as well.

No one wants to be stuck here forever paying for the debts they owe the banks and financial lenders but they have to commit. Eliminate your debts now and see how that can be achieved at www.debtelimination.net.

Monday Party Game - Holly Hobbie Surprise Party

Sorry folks. I did not post any game for some time but I hope to be able to post regularly now as my time permits.

Here's a nice Holly Hobbie game for kids to enjoy (and even the adults too). Just collect stuff as what the game requires and you complete your mission. Have fun!

Holly Hobbie: Surprise Party



Click here to play this game

How to Treat Hyperacidity the Natural Way

My hyperacidity struck again. This time it is longer than few days. It's been more than week now and I have downed a bottle of antacid already.

I am careful with what I eat these days so I am not sure if my hyperacidity is food-related. I have a feeling it is from tension from work, my life, and my health.

My stomach has been very behaved since morning. I just ate Weetabix for breakfast, soup with croutons for lunch and banana for supper. I am not in a diet but I am just a bit careful so I don't trigger an attack again. It'll be difficult to concentrate at work when I am feeling weird.

I went through various websites on how to treat hyperacidity the natural way since I have problems taking medication due to my allergy.

Here are some info I have gathered:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Avoid risk factors such as alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and aspirin.
3. Regularly have small meals on time.
4. Never skip a meal.
5. Avoid fatty food.
6. Avoid spicy food.
7. Drink chilled milk. There is a debate on this one though. Some sites I have visited claimed that drinking milk can cause more acid and some claimed that drinking chilled milk could ease the burning sensation in the stomach.
8. Avoid eating raw fruits specially the acidic ones belonging to the citrus family. They will only aggravate the condition.
9. If possible, try to avoid getting stressed or tensed.

If you know more tips on how to cure hyperacidity the natural way, please feel free to leave a comment and share.

Health Nut - Carbs to Help You De-stress

Not all carbs (or carbohydrates) are bad. That is the understatement, probably not of Atkins Diet but health-wise. So, I will reiterate myself, not all carbs are bad.

Carbohydrates helps us ease our tension and stress level according to studies. The next time you feel a little antsy, tiny beads of sweat trickling down your forehead, a little bit tensed then have a snack filled with low-fat carbs food like low-fat popcorn, honey, graham crackers, and whole wheat pretzels. The reason for this is that carbs helps produce serotonin in the brain which influences our moods.

I'm heading off to the grocery and will buy some nice low-fat popcorn for snack. Yummy!

The Art of Meditation

In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, do we still find time to focus on our inner "self" and give calm and order to a chaotic life? Well, I asked myself that because my stress level has reached its peak lately. I have been having upset stomach for days on end; my hyper-acidity is causing havoc again; and my back is painful. A lot of factors have been contributing to all these nuisances and I just want to have a time out.

I haven't meditated for a long time now. I almost forgot how. But I am a creature of habit so recalling how I used to meditate in times like this comes back easily because it is already inherent to me.

When escaping physically seems to be an impossible feat to achieve, just have a time out and meditate. Here's how to do it:

1. Go inside your room or a quiet place. When you live with other people and you think you will be unable to meditate with someone staring at you, just go inside your bathroom. Place a clean mat and sit there. I always do that!

2. Dim the lights or draw the curtains.

3. Use scented candles or essences if you like but make sure you don't place that next to the curtain or instead of meditating, you'll end up putting out a fire!

4. Close your eyes and visualize.

5. Do some chanting or say something over and over. My best line is always this "I am in control. I am in control..."

6. Take a deep breathe. Breathe in and out. Each time you do that, savor every breath you take like it is your last.

These work for me and I am sure there are more ways to do meditation apart from what I have shared. Try it and you'll be amazed by the peace that will permeate your life after that.

Baby Boomers!

2009 is the year where almost every female relative or friend I know is pregnant. Okay, I am exaggerating there. The truth is I have several friends and a relative who are all above 40 and have been trying to conceive for sometime and guess what? I think Lady Luck has been working hard lately because all of them just announced they are pregnant! Talk about baby boomers.

First, my sister-in-law is pregnant, then 2 of my friends in Canada are "infanticipating" and 2 of my gal pals here in Dubai are also heating some nice, cute "buns" in their ovens. What is so funny about this whole thing is that, they announced their pregnancies one after the other and I could not help but laugh about the joke. Well, I thought it was until they all confirmed their pregnancy.

So I am in a predicament as to what to give all these mommies-to-be for their babies and themselves. I am sure I will get baby-shower invitations left and right.

I hastily checked the site for nice baby and mommy-to-be products I can give which are really unique, chic and sassy. Petunia Pickle Bottom will be the answer to my gift-giving woes. I checked the variety of elegant, classy, very pretty products they carry. I think the mommies-to-be will not be disappointed to see what's in their gift boxes.

I am eyeing the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags for half of my pregnant friends. I like the various designs that I can choose from. They all look so chic without giving away their real purpose. You won't be able to make out they are diaper bags because of the look. Some even look like hobo bags. How come these bags didn't show up in the market when I was pregnant?

Of course I won't let all my pregnant mommy friends to have the same baby-shower gifts, right? I am keen on the Petunia Pickle Bottom baby slings as well as an option to give for the other half. I prefer this from the conventional baby carrier I used for my daughter 11 years ago. This baby sling follows the natural contour of the baby's back and that makes it all natural. The baby is like being cradled by the mommy's arms. It makes bonding stronger.

Apart from the above items, the Layla Grayce-Petunia Pickle Bottom site also carries receiving blankets, organic blankets, baby one-piece clothes, crib bedding brocade and linens.

Some tidbits on Lipoma

Due to my recent "scare," I decided to post something about Lipoma. If you have read my previous article about my being scared because of the lump on my right axillary, this is a tribute to that.

Lipoma is a tumor but a benign one. Meaning, it does not pose any threat to one's health. It may be a bit cumbersome specially if you develop it around your armpit areas. That means you cannot wear sleeveless shirts because the bulge shows. This particular tumor is normally fatty tissue, movable, soft to the touch and generally painless. My case was slightly different because I was feeling a tingling sensation and sometimes it hurts. However, two doctors already confirmed it is benign so I will rest my case but will be vigilant.

Most lipomas are found on adults ranging from 40-50 years old. The size varies from less than a centimeter to a greater than 6 centimeters. Mine was around 3 cms in diameter so whenever I wear sleeveless clothes, I can actually see the bulge like a pin cushion stuck on my pit!

Treatment of lipoma is normally not necessary as they are harmless unless they cause inconvenience, constricts movement and is painful. Lipomas are removed by simple excision on the affected area.

There are various kinds of lipomas so I would suggest you do your own research. It will be lengthy to discuss all of them here.

I strongly recommend everyone to do a monthly check not only on your chest area but also on your armpits as we have lymph nodes there. If you can see or feel a lump and is a bit worried, just have it checked and put your worries to rest. It is very difficult and consuming to think and wonder what is wrong with you if you do not act. Women are not the only ones affected by this by the way, men too can have breast cancer.


(info source: Wikipedia, Mayo Clinic, Wrong Diagnosis)

I Got Scared

I have been very quiet lately. I was just in that gray corner of my world because I thought I had a serious lump to deal with. I am not new to having lumps because I had one extracted from the right side of my chest when I was 18. Back then, breast cancer is never heard of so I did not have my small lump taken for biopsy. The doctor said it was a benign cyst and that was it. No explanation, nothing.

Many years have passed and my scar has healed. Lately, I noticed a bigger lump just under my right armpit or the axillary area. The lump at times would have a tingling sensation and sometimes painful. I got scared! I was flooded with bad thoughts because breast cancer or lymphomas are now very common. I had serious crying spells, sleepless nights, and dark moods.

I decided to have my armpit checked by a specialist. I had my ultrasound last Monday. I received my result the same day but have the diagnosis read yesterday. The interval between Monday and Tuesday seemed like eternity as I waited and wondered for the "what if." I prayed so hard that it was nothing serious or something I could not handle. The verdict - benign lipoma. I will talk about lipoma some other time. For now, let me just glorify our Lord for hearing my prayers.

The doctor advised me to not take any hormonal pills but to lose weight. Yes my dear family and friends, I am a fatty! So there, I have to lose weight. Probably, I will chronicle my experience as I go full-speed on my weight loss goal. I have to not for vanity sake but for my health and my family.

These past few weeks have been very, very hard on me. I am glad it is over and I have to be strict with my food intake or I am just fooling myself.

Thank you Lord for being by my side during this whole ordeal when I did not know what was happening and what would happen. Thank you so much.

Health Nut - Fill Your Tummy With these Fruits

Trying to cut back on chips and junk foods? Then buy these summer fruits filled with water. These fruits are rich in vitamins and are almost 90% water. So, your cravings for junk foods will be curbed if you munch on these instead. Stock your ref with melons, honey dews, watermelons, oranges, and canteloupes. You can either eat them in chunks or make a smoothie with low fat milk or skim milk. Yummy treat for the hot summer months!

The House by the Sea

I have great fascination on anything vintage and that homey country or cottage look on furniture and fixtures. I remember my summers spent in my grandma's beach house when I was young. I used to admire her cream curio stand, the beautiful vanity table in her bedroom, the dainty bed and its thick mattress, the rich linens all in light hues and so much more. The accents of the furniture were truly enchanting. There were adornments of foliage, angels holding votive candles placed on the side table, white frames around the big mirror on the hallway, curtains cascading from the window valance with rich lace and wonderful floral prints. Even her beach shabby chic furniture were off-white and looked regal. I felt I was I big doll living in a big, country charm doll house. It was really a charming house by the sea.

I would spend endless hours checking out her stuff and always told her that one day, my house would be filled with shabby chic furniture appliques. I loved the way she would tell me how those dreams would take me to places and that one day I would definitely have those I dreamed of.

So, it came as no surprise when I had my first home at 26. I recalled how my grandma's summer beach house looked like and I wanted the same furniture and fixtures in my home too. If not the same, at least something similar I could afford then. I bought white vintage-looking furniture for my small living area. I had a spare room which I was not sure what to do until I found out I was pregnant. It was at that precise moment that I knew and decided it would become the nursery filled with shabby chic baby furniture. It was just like how I envisioned it when I was young. I used to daydream about how my future house would be like my grandma's - cozy, warm, accommodating, regal, charming and full of love.

Many years passed and she is long gone but the memory of my happy summers in her beautiful house near the beach is still fresh in my mind.

My Daughter's Back-toSchool Eyeglasses

I just posted few days ago about my daughter's official entry to the kingdom of poor eyesight. Well, she is adamant to show me what her eye doctor gave her for her vision but I know exactly what she likes!

Even before I found out that she had poor vision, she always borrows my anti-glare glasses with a brown acetate frame (makes me look like a nerd but I find it cute!) and she just loves it. Then I remember something about prescription eyeglasses I have seen recently. Ah! That's right! Zenni Optical on TV!!! I saw some nice frames there and would really like to get the purplish/maroonish one for my daughter. I think she will love the printed flowers on the side frames. I find them so cute. Not only do they have various beautiful and fashionable frames to choose from, they are quite affordable. I reckon that my husband just spent around $70 for my daughter's prescription glasses and frames which I am not sure if it looks good on her or not. Seeing all the children's fashionable frames just made my decision to get one for her. I will have a lot of savings if I buy from ZenniOptical.com rather than make her wear something very generic which she may not even like. And worse, she may not even use it and that will only defeat the purpose of the prescription glasses.

I am so surprised to find $ 8 Rx eyeglasses at Zenni Optical. Finally, there is something I can purchase before my daughter goes back to school where I can actually save money. High Five to Zenni Optical!

I need my Coffee!

The scene in the office is so dragging. It is quiet. Slow like in slow motion. Time just stands still!

I am used to dynamic actions and running around like a headless chicken. Due to the recession, it has been very calm and manageable. You can actually hear a pin drop!

It is for this reason that I drink a lot of coffee lately. I think I consume about 2-3 cups of caffeine in a day. Not such a good sight but I am trying to keep myself awake.

Coffee For Less is a great place to get my daily caffeine dose. I am eyeing for the Timothy's White Hot Chocolate K Cups (22 pcs) because it's convenient. I just have to add cream if I want to and it's good to go. The site is very direct. You get a lot of choices and presented in various tabs in the menu bar of the home page.

I think I will order some ground coffee as well for my Capuccino Maker at home.

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Having a Poor Eyesight

There was a time when all I did was read and read and read some more until my head ached and my sight blurred. I stopped because I did not want to wear glasses. I find wearing glasses so cumbersome and I don't want anything obstructing my view and face. That's one of the reasons too why I barely put cosmetics because I feel that it hides my natural beauty (if there is any! hahaha).

Well, I just learned that my daughter (she is in Manila right now for her summer break) is now officially wearing eye glasses; not corrective glasses but the real deal where there are grade levels. She has 150-100 vision.

We are partly to be blamed because we didn't heed on the signs that her eye sight was degrading. It's too late to be pointing fingers now, right?

So, what causes poor eye sight anyway? Here are the tell-tale signs:

1. Vitamin A difficiency
2. Poor nutrition
3. Reading with dim lights
4. Looking closely on tv, monitors
5. Squinting, closing one eye
6. Headaches, nausea or dizziness
7. Clumsiness
8. Rubbing the eyes repeatedly
9. Tilting the head to one side
10. Using a finger as a guide when reading
11. Reading while in motion (as this strains the eyes)

Honestly, she manifested some of the above signs but I was clueless because I have never worn glasses. I should have known then so this poor eyesight thing would have been averted.

Beach Body But Sun-Scared

It's that time of the year again where I always tell myself that I am definitely wearing a bikini. Like the previous years, I always end up in a one piece swimwear hidden under a loose shirt. Sometimes I wear shorts and a bikini top, again only to hide under a big shirt.

It's not that I do not have any confidence in my body, it's just that wearing bikinis, tankinis, one-piece suit or any bathing suits for that matter in this terribly hot and humid country is making me think twice on whether or not I will expose my sensitive skin to the harsh rays. I want to feel comfortable and at the same time not worry about how safe my skin will be under the heat of the sun. However, Dubai has plenty of beautiful beaches where you can actually sun bathe, apply suntan lotion and wear proper swimwear, even bikinis! It is hard to resist the call of the waves, the yellow-creamish colored sandy beaches, the cozy cabanas, jet-ski, surfing and the sports in the beach.

Dubai lies in the Middle East where the sun scorches and the rays just pierce your skin making you like a living, walking prune. I do not go out at the beach without wearing sun protection because it is just too hot here. I even wear sunscreen while driving, so you could just imagine how hot it is in this part of the world. A lot of the expatriates here who are sun worshippers love the beach area. I always see them apply either sun tan lotion or sunscreen but at the same time, enjoy the glorious sun.

I know a lot of people will go in drove to the nearest beach area to cool off wearing their beautiful swimwear. I just hope they will be wise enough to keep their skin safe and have their sunscreen lotions handy, just in case.

Groom your Garden

Time to snip, snip, chop, chop and here's a good and effective way to do the cutting in your shrubs and hedges in the garden - Garden Groom it!

Feeling Weird Lately

My husband and daughter are both in Manila right now for their vacation but my daughter will be staying there for a month more. I know this yearly routine of sending her off to Manila for her to bond with our families should be well-accepted by yours truly by now. But I don't know why I can't seem to get passed the stage of letting my daughter go. Every year, I just have to cry my heart out because I miss her so much. Every single year, I go through this state like a wreck! My sister even chided me, "Don't you get used to it?" My response is always the same - "NO, I don't."

This is what it feels like to be a mother I suppose. I feel that part of myself has gotten transferred to my little princess when I gave birth to her. I just want to hold on to her not realizing that she is growing up so fast for me to take it all in. A classic example is a long distance call I made this morning. I asked her if she wants to come back here in Dubai now. She replied, "Maybe YES, maybe NO." I said, "What?!? Last time I checked, you did not want to go there so what gives?" To which she replied with "Mama, let me enjoy myself here first." And that was it. I did not utter any more word because I felt a tightness in my chest. To hear her say those words kind of zapped me back to reality. I guess I am holding on too much. One day, she will be all grown up ready to take the world on her own without me to hold her little hands and guide her.

I don't know if I am exaggerating or just having my hormonal imbalance thing but I feel hurt when she said those to me. Doesn't she miss me? Does she just prefer to be with my in-laws and not me? Are they smothering her with materials things I cannot provide for? Are they buying her affection? I know these are weird questions running in my head. I am a bit jealous, I admit that. Feeling that makes me more human.

Right now, as I write this blog, my head is in a blur. I feel pain, a little resentment to some people who have no iota of an idea as to what is happening, a bit angry, insecure and a tad green with jealousy. These are all negative emotions boiling inside me. I guess I was just caught off guard when my daughter told me that. I thought I am always her super-mom, her idol, her role model, her number one. Then again, maybe not.

Bear with me folks as I figure out what's going on in this thick skull and fragile heart of mine. I feel like a tempest in a teapot about to burst any minute now. Is motherhood really this "painful?"

Today, US Celebrate their Independence Day!

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"For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?"

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Independence Day to all my family and friends in the US of A!

Being a Good House Guest

I know my manners and I keep them checked at all times. Whenever we visit other people's house, we behave properly and respect the other members of the household.

I am a good house guest, that I can vouch for. However, I seem to be a magnet of people who are inconsiderate or simply ignorant. I don't know why other people in my household bring guests who think they own my place, do not know they are guests, bangs door, noisy kids and parents do not reprimand them, do not know when to tone down their voices and just don't care about the time of the day. I don't mind if it happens at 7 p.m. or even up to midnight, but at freaking 3:45 a.m.??? Common on! I have work in the morning for crying out loud!

That is my house too but as the ever-gracious hostess (actually, they are NOT my guests but someone in the house's), do I just shrug my shoulders and suffer in silence or do I firmly remind them to pipe it down?

If you are in my place, what will you do?