Time for a Change

Being alone makes me soul search. Today, as I lie in bed while hubby is on a flight back to Dubai and daughter is in school and I am harboring a fever, I come to realize that my heart is not in my work anymore. Not that it has ever been keen on it but now I feel my heart is sliding farther and farther from what I have been doing for many years. Add to the fact that I have not been appreciated for the work that I do and the contributions that I give in the office. The honchos are another story. I am just tired of all these craziness and I seriously need a new environment where I can grow and be noticed for the kind of worker that I am. And not be treated badly because of my skin color. But when is the right question to ask.

Many of us have been slaving ourselves for years now because it is our bread and butter. I know it is not easy to let go of our jobs at this present situation. We can all use a new scene, a fresh start and a new hope for our career's future if we are given the chance.

I have decided to shift gear after the recession. I am wise enough to stay put and dance their music while I seethe inside. It is all in the game that we all have to play in the corporate world. I hope this recession gets over very, very soon so I can start looking for a new job somewhere else before I retire. I don't plan to stay long and work like a donkey for the "big corporation." I want to be able to enjoy what I have worked hard for and leave the stress behind. It is just not worth it. The "big corporation" will easily replace me when I am gone but they will never remember me. It is as easy as that.

It is time for a change. I can't wait to move on...

Health Nut - Creamy Food and Less Fat

I thought eating creamy food can make you more fat. However, not all creamy food can make you fat; instead, this creamy food can curb your fat build-up.

Studies indicate that having calcium regularly may inhibit the absorption of fat in the small intestine. Yogurt is one creamy food that is rich in calcium. You may also take other dairy products rich in calcium but skip on the full-cream versions. Just have low fat or non-fat if you can.

Stamping Away

I am hooked on scrapping and card-making at the moment. I barely have time to do other stuff I used to do prior to these activities. I am not complaining about the tasks but if I can only have more than 24 hours in a day to do my craft activities, I will certainly love that.

A side job is in the board as I have been commissioned by my good friend to make her 4th baby's baptismal invitation and favors. I am so honored and thrilled to be doing this for her. This means, it is extra income for me and more time to spend for my craft.

I have been playing with the idea of creating an invitation using various media like stamping and die-cuts and 3D stickers. Although I am quite attracted to stamping. Since we will be spending a week in the US, probably I can ask my relatives to get me good rubbers stamps from Chicago Rubber Stamps. I can just request my cousins from Chicago to send it to my other aunt in LA to save me time.

Stamps made in the US are really durable and made of high quality. Aside from that, there are plenty of choices from inks to stamp pads to stamps and other accessories! The supplies for rubber stamps here in Dubai is very limited. I guess I will really have to get some in the US soon.

Someone's Going to Graduate

I have not realized how old I was getting when I learned that my niece is going to graduate from college this year. I thought she was still in high school! My brother and I want to throw a nice party in honor of her achievement. I can make graduation invitations and send it to her mom when they finalize the plan and if they do decide to have a party.

I am very happy for her because I know she worked hard to get a degree. She is also my god daughter so I feel proud that she will finally make her dreams happen.

Girls Talk - First BF

Thank goodness, this is the last of the "First" theme of January's Girl's Talk. I hope it will be a different tune next month. I had palpitations! Tiny beads of sweat trickle down my forehead each time I turn a post here. LOL! Just kidding! My hubby is not the jealous type and besides, this is my past and we will leave it where it should be.

My first BF experience was more of a mutual-understanding kind of relationship. We were first year in high school. He was my classmate and a childhood friend. We went to the same school in elementary and were classmates at one point. Then I had to move to the suburbs and next time I knew it, he was in my high school class. We clicked right away.

No naming here because our siblings are good pals up to now. It was a platonic relationship but we knew we "liked" each other. Although we were never exclusive, everybody in school knew we were an item. Ahhhhh, the joys and thrills of being young ;)

Want to know more secret? Visit my other blogging sisters and see what they have to reveal.

The Oprah Store

We all know who Oprah Winfrey, right? She does not require any introduction. She is that famous and influential. I just love what she does to make this planet a better world to live in.

It came as no surprise when I learned that she also carries a retail store. Her store is called The Oprah Store which carries plenty of merchandise like:

• Accessories and Souvenirs
• Women Apparel
• Men Apparel
• Baby Clothing
• Pets
• Home Decor
• African Craft

I liked the little trinkets in her accessories and souvenirs especially the swarovski keychain. I like the simple designs and yet they look very stylish and elegant. They are colorful which makes the simple design stand out. That makes the oprah store keychains great gift ideas.

Another one that I fancy is the logo mugs. I have different mugs at home and having one of her colorful and lively looking ceramic mugs will be a great addition in my collection.

You can browse the store's online site and check the apparel for women, men and infants. The store also carries cute clothing for your adorable pets. The store's stock does not end there. You can also go through the home decor area if you need to spruce up your place or simply give someone a gift.

So, if you feel like driving to Carpenter St. at Chicago, feel free to stop by The Oprah Store and buy your favorite lounge wear, keychains, mugs and other items. Remember too that when you buy an Angel Network apparel, the sales are given to Oprah's Angel Network.

Bosses from Planet Mars

I have had my fair share of nightmares with bosses from Mars (read: hell). They just keep coming one after the other and so on. I thought that I have left my "bad luck" with mean bosses in the Philippines. Well, the saga continues. Only this time, they come in all shapes, colors and sizes. I am so fed up dealing with bosses from planet Mars, bosses who think they are God's greatest gift to mankind, bosses who treat you like a maid, bosses who don't care about your welfare, bosses who use you and bosses who don't know a thing! Sometimes I wonder, how would it be like if I turn the table. Will I be like them? Certainly NOT! This is the reason why I try my best to avoid the management. I already buried that dream of climbing the corporate ladder because I don't want to be consumed by greedy intentions and selfish motives. I will manage with a heart. However, in this age and time in the corporate world, it's a dog eats dog world out there. They say there is no place for the faint-hearted.

So here I am, wallowing in despair and utter demoralization because history has repeated itself again. What fun!

Baby Blankets

Most of my pregnant friends and family member already gave birth last year. So far, 2 of them took me as their godmother. So, the gift-giving begins!

I have been safe with my choices for gift ideas especially for babies because most of the times, the mothers have the other necessities their baby will need. Some are hand-me-downs and some are gifts from baby showers. Although with a baby blanket, you cannot go wrong. It is used all the time to warm the baby. It is used to cover them from the elements. It can be used as a baby cot's bedding as long as it is tucked properly. A baby blanket has just too many uses which makes it a great gift.

I found this site about blankets for babies which I think is a cool and great gift idea. Li'l Inspirations is a web shop which caters to baby and toddler blanket. What's more special than giving these new moms some personalized blankets which are really fabulous? That personalized touch will make the recipient feel really special.

Bumped on the Rear

We need good auto insurance quotes right now because we were bumped on the rear last 24 December 2009 while on a full stop. This is a common occurrence here in Dubai because the drivers here are very impatient. They do not follow traffic rules and definitely do not respect right of way. If they even know the latter. So there, we were in the full stop of the merging lane as the traffic was ongoing when we heard a thud and felt a jerk. Good thing we were not hurt but our rear was! And thank goodness for seat belts too!

In the Name of the Law

My cousin has been practicing his profession as a lawyer for many years now. I have seen him during his review for the bar and I admired how he managed to combine work and play during that time.

He has moved up the ladder quite quickly. With his wit and mental acumen to details, I know he will go places if he will consider going abroad. He may become an Oklahoma City lawyer if he finally decides to move to the US.

Girls Talk - First Kiss

Why? Why? Why can't I say no to sis Niko on doing this? hehehe... Well, I want to be a good blogging friend and sis to her so I will commit to this month's theme. Hoping and praying my dear hubby does not read this. Oh heck, like I care! LOL! I'm sure he kissed other girls before me too ;)

Tiny beads of sweat trickles on my forehead as I type this post and sing Katy Perry's I kissed..blah...blah...blah. I try to wrack my head whether I'll wig my way out on this or not. Guess, Niko won! My take on Katy Perry's song will be "I kissed a jerk and I hate it!" LOL!!!

My first kiss was with a jerk! Who else but with my ex-bf and I won't say which one. Let's just say I am trying my best to get something out of a suppressed memory. And I'll leave it to that. ;)

Praying for Haiti

Our volunteer group here has barely recovered from the Ondoy incident in the Philippines. We are now gearing for another set of fund-raising activities and donations to aid the victims of the calamity in Haiti.

I was watching CNN a while ago. I knew I shouldn't have. My threshold for showing emotion is low that I cannot help but cry for their suffering. I pray that we all do our share to help these people who are still homeless, hungry, tired, sleep-deprived and broken. Do your part to reach out. Let's all help and pray for the people of Haiti.

Bedding for Sensitive Skin

I have a sensitive skin that a slight bite of a bed bug will cause an eruption of rashes. I am very careful in choosing a type of allergy bedding for sensitive people like myself.

I always use encasing for mattress and comforter. I change our bedding every week to ensure that we are sleeping on a mite-free and dust-free bedding. I cannot afford to get asthma attack and another bout with my sinusitis. I would rather do a laborious job of washing than falling ill.

Mini Network

I can have my own mini Internet shop at home if I want to because we have so many computers. Although not all are ours, some are my brother's, my husband's and my daughter's.

A KVM switch will make our home Internet network connection running smoothly specially when we are handling large data. We always use our computers almost at the same time so we experience traffic and slowness in the connection. Maybe a good switch can do the trick.

Diet Pills

My desire to lose the pounds for good is gaining momentum. I have been thinking about it day in and day out that I am seriously considering on taking conjugated linoleic acid. I read somewhere that CLA or conjugated linoleic acid can boost ones metabolism, aid in burning fats faster, suppresses appetite, builds muscles and acts as anti-oxidants.

The myriad of options available in the market to aid one's weight loss program is available. I just have to make up my mind and heart to actually give this a go.

Quick! Make Me Trim and Slim

I am getting very tired having a yo-yo effect on my weight loss. One moment, my weight is down and then next it is up again. What is with that?

I have checked a lot of quick trim reviews which I may consider to aid in my desire to reach my ideal and healthy weight. I have been on this mission for some time now. I am getting tired falling off the wagon and dusting myself only to know that I need to lose more than what I have had prior to my falling off. I hope and pray that this time I can keep my promise and will to lose it for good!

Massive Muscles!

I see plenty of big jars of powdered protein at home. I am not into body building but I think someone is trying to bulk up. I did not know what its use at first until I did some research.

Protein aids in building up muscles when you are working out due to the amino acids present. Amino acids are known as the protein building blocks. So those powdered protein drinks I found at home is used for cell mass. I wanted to try one out of curiosity. I have yet to figure out how to prepare them though. Shake? Ice cold?

Girls Talk - First Date

Ah, the joys of being young and in love and being young. Did I say being young twice? LOL! Well, this month's topic is making me nervous. I was not the kind of girl who went out on dates while still in school. I did have some fun here and there but I had my first official date when I was already in college.

My first date was with my ex-boyfriend whom my family didn't quite approve of. Come to think of it, I couldn't even remember where he treated me? I knew we had lunch date but I could not recall where.

Health Nut - Prenatal Vitamins

Pregnancy is one of the most elating feeling a woman can experience in her lifetime. I enjoyed being pregnant. I love the subtle changes happening to my body while going through the various stages of pregnancy.

Being pregnant does not entail just eating the right food which will give the proper nutrients a growing baby and mother need. A pregnant mother must also compliment her diet with prenatal vitamins so that she does not miss out on the important folic acid, calcium, iron and other important vitamins and minerals she and the baby will need while pregnant.

So if you have a "bun in the oven" and want to ensure the baby's health is just right, do not skip on your prenatal vitamins.

Skin Problem

My daughter is turning 12 few weeks from now and her acne has started to sprout like little mushrooms on her forehead.

I tried giving her mild acne cream to combat the growth and spread of her tiny army of pimples. I hope there is acne pills that we can purchase here for her age. However, I think the growth has something to do with the onset of adolescence. I keep reminding her not to prick nor touch the pimples so they don't get worse.

Fridge Magnets and Shot Glasses

We are a travel bugs and when we visit a different country, we always make it a point to purchase fridge magnets and custom shot glasses. My fridge is already filled with magnets that I need to buy a magnetic board to move the other fridge magnets.

My hubby collects the shot glasses and he has amassed around 60 already and still counting! My favorite so far are the shot glasses we bought from Paris. We are looking forward to get more for our collection. I won't miss buying some on our next trip to the US this February.

Save My Hair

I have been losing my hair since I move here in Dubai. Although it grows back but I used to have a nice crowning glory.

I think the water here does not suit my scalp well. I remember not having itchy and dry scalp while vacationing in the US and Europe. However, the moment I got back in my routine here in the Middle East, my scalp and hair loss problem came back. What could be the best hair loss treatment for me and where? Treatments here are very expensive.

A Grain of Salt

I am a very sensitive person. I guess being too considerate and not treated as such hurts me so.

Few days ago, I had a spat with one of the honchos. I knew I was right and did as was told by the top boss and yet, that honcho said things that were unbecoming of a person of authority. If that had happened before, I would get hurt; run in the loo and cry silently and be quiet; worse, I would sulk and feel bad for being treated and spoken to badly. Now, it does not matter anymore. I know I am right and that is it. I don't care whether that honcho is a honcho. So?!? These people who do and say things to hurt other people are just a grain of salt. They are too little to be given importance.

If you happen to be treated and spoken to badly by someone, just shrug your shoulders. Flick them off your life and move on. They are just insignificant folks in the everyday walks of life. Maintain your calm and know that you are right and that karma finds its way back just like a boomerang.

Health Nut - Walk! Walk! Walk!

This is the time to stop being a Grade A tater and start moving those muscles! Walking is one of the best exercise one can engage to. It is free. You can do it anywhere and there is plenty of time to do it.

Start walking to work if you live nearby your office. Walk in the park. Walk the dog. Walk in the mall even if you don't have to shop. Just keep walking if you can avoid driving.

Walking improves blood circulation and helps tone our muscles. It also builds up one's resistance and endurance.

Let's walk for a good health!

Chablis

I drink once in a while and when there are occasions. Drinking wine has its benefits to one's health and the following are just a few:

• Decreased in heart attack
• boosts anti-oxidant in the body
• Reduced heart disease
• anti-aging effects
• improves digestion
• improves calcium absorption
• controls one's cholesterol level

Cheers!!!

Need A Help?

I have had the opportunity to experience the complexity and difficulty of planning, organizing, packing, and unpacking our stuff when we moved from one building to another in a different locale. It was the culmination of all headaches I have had in my life rolled in one event. My husband is contemplating about moving again to a cheaper flat but I have to tell him to hold his horses.

Moving should not be a horrendous experience. If you are left on your own devices then it becomes one. However, if you seek help from people who are professional movers then your moving experience becomes a breeze. If you are living in the US of A then there are various professional moving service companies you can choose from. I only wish we have the same kind of service here in Dubai. Unfortunately, it is a different case here.

Hire A Helper is an online site offering various professional help in the form of moving, cleaning, lawn help and day labor. The site is well-presented and you will not get lost in the process as you browse through their services. They offer listings for Moving Companies too based on your location and that covers coast to coast.

The site offers great services in terms of moving. They can help you with packing and unpacking, loading and unloading of boxes and furniture and even help you with driving. All these to make your moving experience a wonderful one!

Another great offer from this site is their learning center tab where you can get valuable tips in moving, cleaning your place, about labor and gardens and lawns. I have not seen that many service and products and even tips in one comprehensive site. Check out their satisfied customers' testimonials and you will be convinced to seek their help right there and then.

HireAHelper.com is the right venue to make your moving woes to awes!

Girl's Talk - First Crush

This month's theme is quite intriguing as I reminisce my childhood days. Much as I want to keep Pandora's Box closed for all eternity, I may just have to take a peek and share my "firsts" to my sisters here. *wink!!!

My first crush was Henry Thomas. You know, that cute, freckled boy who starred in Extra Terrestrial way back in the 80's? I was still in elementary then and I remembered watching E.T for the millionth time and memored every dialogue in the scenes. Then I remembered bugging my mom to take me to Rustan's in Cubao to buy special stickers to put in my album and they were all about E.T. and the casts. I went to the extreme of writing Universal Studios asking about his address and expressing my "love and affection" to Henry. I guess my letter never reached him. Otherwise, we could have been married! LOL!!!

Isn't he a cutie?

(Photo credit: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800020156/photo/242497)

Tough Luck

That's what I am telling myself right now. Well, something terrible happened to my passport and I don't know how it happened and when. Okay, I'll rewind the past events leading to yesterday's revelation.

• Dec. 28 - I placed my passport inside my bag to have it scanned. The day went by without me doing that.
• Dec. 30 - Passport was still in my bag thinking I would find time to scan it. Again, failed!
• Dec. 31 - Went home and forgot about my passport in my bag. I placed my bag on the floor which I do not normally do under any circumstances. I cleaned the house, cooked and slept through 2010. Again, failed to scan my passport.
• Jan. 1 - What passport?
• Jan. 2 - Enjoyed my off!
• Jan. 3 - Extended off! Noticed the bottom of my bag to be damp so I just wiped it off not thinking of checking the contents. How it got wet is beyond my comprehension!
• Jan. 4 - I gave my passport to my hubby to have it scanned. I did not notice it had absorbed so much "beverage" (it smelled a faint sweetness, like a tea or something. I couldn't recall drinking tea during the weekend...) because I held it from the top part. Went to work and was shocked to learn when hubby gave me a ring to ask why my passport was wet! I said "what wet?" I ran straight to their office to check and lo and behold! My passport was soaking wet! The stamped departure and entry details were smeared and bled through the other pages. My personal information had been tainted by the stamp ink. My US visa (my visa of all visas!!!) had a stain in the middle. My residence visa though was the only one not affected at all.
  

So, it's really tough luck for me! I think the Lord is telling me something. I had postponed this US trip twice already. We were supposed to spend a week in San Francisco this coming 15 Jan. but I don't think that is possible at the moment. I just had my passport renewed/replaced with a "machine-readable type" which would take a month to be delivered. I have to check with the US Consulate if they will allow me to use my slightly stained visa. I have been calling their office and all I got were rude responses from some operators! If not, forget it. I think this is where the Lord wants me at the moment. I can always go back if I want to but for now, I will heed the signs.

Tough luck... and I thought Lady Luck was just peeking in the corner! What a way to start my 2010 huh?

Moral of the story: Do NOT procrastinate. Do NOT leave your bags on the floor. And lastly, do NOT ever, ever leave your passport in your bag at all cost! These are lessons I learned the painful way.

Start Healthy Living Now

OK, no more tricking myself and making plenty of excuses to delay my weight loss plan which I started many moons ago. I keep getting side-tracked and my focus is waning. Not for 2010!

This is not a New Year's resolution. I just want to live a healthy life by losing weight for myself and my family. I feel okay though given that I have been doing brisk-walking lately. I feel that there is more room to improve and excel on my goals for the year. My primary concern is to live a healthy life so my family can emulate what I started.

Losing weight is not an easy task and I am sure that I will be met with a lot of obstacles and temptations to achieve my goal weight. I know for sure that it will be a long arduous task but I will get there. I said it before and I will say it again, "slowly but surely."

Wonderful Stands and Mounts

I am really born yesterday and that is speaking literally. Kidding aside, I was quite surprised to see the latest gadgets and audio and video equipment like TVs and speakers on mounts and stands which some are built-in and detachable.

Believe it or not, our television set is still that whale-looking set with picture tube. Although we bought our flat-screen TV seven years ago, it is not something comparable to the ones which are out in the market. Wow! The plasma and LCD flat-screens are so magnificent. I can just keep gawking and gawking until my hubby drags me out of the electronics' shop.

Smile! Click! Click!

My hubby has a penchant for photography. It is such a shame that I do not share the same passion as he has. My daughter is also following his footsteps and loves taking snaps of just about anything. I was not surprised when one day, hubby came home with an SLR Canon camera he bought from a colleague who had barely used it. I can see how he loves the camera so much as he tinkers on it every day and cleans it like it is his priced possession. I have never seen him so attached to material things except for his small notebook.

I am glad he bought that camera because we can capture so many priceless poses and candid shots from everybody including our cute pooch named Millie. So, whenever we see him holding his nice camera, we just "smile" and the camera goes "click! click!"

A Good Sleep in a Good Bed

Every human being in this planet requires at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep to recharge and maintain a sound body and mind. People need a good sleep in a good Bed to function properly. Our bodies tend to slack and cause problems when we lack a good sleep.

Sleep deprivation entails poor performance at work, loss of concentration and appetite, moodiness, hormonal imbalance, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, headaches and migraines, dizziness and light-headedness, weight gain, depression, reduces the extent of growth, lowers the immune system, accidents and change in metabolism. People under-estimate the powers brought by having a good sleep. Due to this, many suffer from the symptoms brought by lack of a good sleep and sometimes leads to developing an illness.

Having a bed built to provide a power slumber can do wonders to one's physiological attributes. Many of us do not consider getting a proper bed. We think that a bed is just a part of a fixture you will find to complete a bedroom. We buy ordinary Beds for the purpose of sleeping on it without knowing the benefits a proper bed can give to our bodies.

There are various types of beds to choose from. There are Wooden beds, folding beds, divan beds, futon beds, sofa beds, bunk beds or double-deckers, metal framed beds, leather beds, children's beds, novelty beds and day beds. It does not matter what type of bed one has as long as it is built to last. Make sure too that it can carry your weight by checking the interconnecting slats on the base of the frame. Also, a middle rod to support the mid-part of the base is a plus factor when choosing a sturdy bed.

Knowing these can help us to choose what kind of bed to use when we decide to change beds. Having the correct bed to ensure a good and powerful slumber is very vital.

Cozy Shoes

Having a wide and flat feet is quite troublesome for me. I love to walk around on flat shoes but cannot last for few hours because my feet ache so bad. I tried using ballet shoes and they ached more. I tried using the ubiquitous gel shoes and somehow they worked. However, it will not be possible for me to wear those comfortable gel shoes due to the cold weather condition. I will definitely not only have sore feet; I will probably even have cold feet! That is not good for my flat feet. Neither do I want to have frostbite! I am sure that will certainly hurt my feet.

I have several boots, high-heeled and flat ones, to complement the seasonal changes here in Dubai. My boots are not meant for snow though if I decide to go to a snowy place. So, I checked around and found this rather cozy-looking shoes called ugg. My nieces in the US have several pairs of them and showed me how comfortable they were and suggested I too should get a pair. Actually, not just a pair but several that will go with my lifestyle and the kind of weather here in the Middle East. The shoes may look big but they are warm, comfortable, soft and even light to wear.

I will probably check out the ugg boots in the US on our next visit soon. I hope to be able to strike a good deal on the ugg boots sale in the stores and buy a pair for my daughter as well.