Lovely Lights

I have always been enthralled by hanging lights specially the grand chandeliers you find in big hotels and offices. They are breath-taking and beautiful.

I am already imagining how my house will be like with a very beautiful chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. I do not mind having a simple design as long as it gives bright light and will add warmth to a home.

Handmade with Love Blog

I am really having a dilemma here. I created the Handmade with Love blog to feature my handmade creations but I cannot seem to keep up maintaining 2 accounts. However, I feel that I must carry on and update it as my avenue for creative products to post.

I just feel a little uneasy about not having any readers at all but like this Party blog, this used to be a quiet blog until I reached this stage.

Well, I will continue posting to my HWL blog about my greetings cards and hopefully, my friends here in the party zone will visit that blog too.

You can tell your kids to check that out once in a while for new updates. If they feel like creating similar cards as the ones I posted, please be my guest. I would appreciate though a little "credit love" from you :)

House Insurance

A relative just recently completed the construction of her dream house. She has finalized the transfer of title and all except getting her house insured for any unforeseen events. She is scouting for home insurance quote which will suit her budget.

She knows some who are working in this line of business and wonders if their offer is comparable to the ones in the Internet. I told her to get all the details she need and then compare before she finalize on something.

Wii Sports

It has been a while since I played wii at home. I remember having sore arms and legs the next day when my daughter and I had a sparing at the ring on our wii sports game.

Wii Sports is really a game to make you active. It has tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf. You can also keep track of your activities by going in the Fitness section. I really like that game.

My daughter said if I combine my workout with Wii fitness, then I will have twice as much calorie-burning action than just running around the park.

N-Viro

It is very gloomy to think about all the damage man and the industrialization have done to our environment. No wonder, Mother Earth is not too happy.

I am not too sure if there are actions taken by the industrial companies against their waste products, wastes to energy and other adverse process which gravely affects our environment. One company does stand out because of its commitment to a greener world by using "green technology" to turn its waste to energy and other beneficial by-products and source of renewable energy. That company is N-Viro International Corporation.

N-Viro is a forerunner in terms of using advance technology without causing much harm to the environment. Many industries and homes uses energy without realizing how it is produced. N-Viro developed a process called N-Viro Fuel where fuel can be taken through alternative energy sources. Unlike the coal-mining industries' alarming adverse effect to both nature and human, N-Viro Fuel can be a great source of opportunity fuels with the use of clean coals.

If you want to know more about this company's green technology and solutions to turn wastes products to green products, please visit their site: http://www.nviro.com

Art Attack - Handmade Baby Album

My creativity strikes at random times. I did this baby album for a good friend as a going-away gift to her. She was not leaving Dubai but her baby was. Well, there are circumstances we cannot control so we have to make great sacrifices. Sending your beloved child is one the sacrifices we, expats, have to make sometimes for the good of everyone.

So, to cheer her up and to give her a chance to remember the happy times, I made this baby album for her. It took me roughly 3 hours to complete the whole thing. I used card board from used boxes and cut them. The edge of each page had been shaped after the word B-A-B-Y. Each page has various pictures of the whole family with James (the inspiration of this whole special project). I used my 3-D stickers and some self-made tags to embellish the pages. I also used patterned papers to cover the card base. I used plenty of left-over ribbons from my stash. I tied a small "boy cap" as a charm on the album rings.

It was so difficult to attach the rings onto the pages. I did all these manually because I did not have any special die-cutter nor a heavy duty paper slicer. My hands ached so bad the next day. However, seeing the happy face from my friend when she saw the album made it all worth the time and effort.

Here's the end-product of my love for a friend:

Earth Hour 2010

It will be Earth Hour again in few days time. Like the previous years, I and my family are supporting this worthy cause once again. We hope to be able to influence more of our neighbors here and friends and colleagues too.

Let's make this a success everyone. Please, remember to switch off your lights and some of your appliances at home or in the office on 27 March, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. your local time.

Mark this on your calendar and let's make it happen.

For Mother Earth!!!

Re-focusing On Life's Priorities

I have been a slacker lately. Being a wee lazy is not inherent of me. I am always up and about (except for my frail immune system). My previous routine, before the addiction to Facebook started, involves waking up early, doing stretches, jogging and eating healthy breakfast. When I say healthy, that means, sunny side up cooked using olive oil, plain toasted fibre bread and steamed veggies.

It has been a while since I had that healthy and hearty breakfast prepared. My breakfast these days are mostly prepared in haste and they are fried! What happened to healthy living?

Then there's this Facebook mania going on. Prior to getting hooked on Facebook, I was just doing normal things a mother and a wife would do to her family. Facebook has taken over most of my spare time. I cannot complete anything anymore. My husband is already complaining about my addiction to the games I play in that social platform. I guess most of you will be able to relate with me. Who can resist being a "mayor, hotel heiress or a farmer" of your own town, hotel and farm? Who can say no to "millions of fake money" given by friends? Who can resist the yummy treats given by family and friends in Facebook all for free without the exorbitant price tag of a fine-dining cuisine and loaded calories? Only in Facebook! In reality, you can't even get close to that! Apart from that, playing in Facebook is stress-busting for me. Initially it was until it took over my life. It's the only place where I can get lost and forget life's worries and mundane trivialities.

I am beginning to wonder if slacking becomes me. I know it will not do me good to procrastinate. I really need to change my habits and perspective to be able to commit to my goals in life. I am not getting any younger.

So, I will lessen my Facebooking (notice how I turned that word into a verb?)for the time being. Scrap the binge-eating. Toss the excess worries where most of the time, the issues at present do not even warrant much attention. It's just me being Ria. Move more, get myself involved in activities. Meet people. Laugh more. Worry less. Just have fun. I have been serious and wayward at the same time so I think my focus should be geared to what would make my life happier and healthier.

I don't want to make promises I cannot keep. Let's just see how it goes with my re-focusing plan. It's already the 3rd month of the year and I am not even close to my goals in life.

It's about time.

What Is Mesothelioma?

I came across an article on varied kinds of cancer. I know very little about this malady but the article is like an awakening.

There are various kinds of cancer. There's skin cancer, bone marrow cancer, cervical cancer, etc. However, there is little that we know about mesothelioma. It is actually a rare form of cancer which develops from the lining protecting our internal organs. It is caused by asbestos. Like any cancerous disease, there is also a Mesothelioma treatment patients can undertake. Although this certain cancer is rare and the prognosis is not promising, improvement is still seen when treatment is undertaken.

Summer Seaside Vacation

The heat is starting to soar here in the Middle East while other countries in the cooler region are enjoying the onset of spring. Next time we know it, we are all planning for our vacation.

Several companies offer great deals on the ultimate vacation your family is dreaming of. Outer Banks vacation rental offers remarkable rental packages for homes by the sea if you are planning a trip near the seaside area. With the coming of summer's heat, it is really a great idea to plan a vacation near the ocean for a nice rest and relaxation while sipping lemonades or even pina colada on a hammock.

Beauty 101 - Acne Treatment

Acne can be treated. It is really not a hopeless case as long as you take necessary steps to maintain good hygiene. Drink plenty of water and eat vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoiding greasy and fatty food can also prevent the acne from building up. Over the counter acne treatment gel can also prevent the spread of acne and aids in drying the affected area; thus, minimizing scars and blemish spots. also, it pays to have a good night sleep and avoid getting over-stressed.

Having a flawless skin is a genetic disposition. If you are blessed with a peachy complexion then better take care of it.

Building Up Some Mass

A friend has recently joined the gym and paid a very costly amount for membership because he wants to build up some mass. Simply put, he wants to bulk up because he finds his thin frame quite awkward considering his tall stature.

One of his gym buddies recommended that he checks out cytosport muscle milk review and compare the benefits of taking muscle building products. He still needs to learn the rudiments of body building and weight lifting. He is interested and is considering to purchase these products to aid him on his mass increase.

Tribute to my Blogging Friends

Who said blogging is just a mere activity where you sit and warm your chair for hours on end? Nope, not me! It is more than that. Believe me...

I am writing this as a tribute to all my blogging sis and bros I have met through the blogosphere since I started more than 2 years ago.

I never thought I can find immense joy in writing and getting to know other bloggers out there. Little did I know that leaving comments would actually forge friendships.

I am very happy and truly honored to meet all of you (you all know who you are!) who have made my life more colorful, meaningful and exciting. I have extended my family far and wide to include my blogging friends all over the world.

Thank you. You all have made a difference in my life.

Cutting Back on Phone Bills

Having a telephone at home was a necessity because of emergency reasons and faster way of communicating. Unfortunately, some people at home misused and abused the freedom given to an open line. I have had the unfortunate experience with landlines and cellular phones and the exorbitant bills which came with the plans. There were limited choices on best cell phone plans or landlines for the consumers before. I ended up paying more than what I could afford. I barely even used the phone. Apart from that, there was the problem with the fixed cell phone plans where we had to pay a certain amount as monthly fee whether we used the phone frequently or not. That was very limiting and somehow disappointing.

That was several years ago when telecommunication companies had no good plans to offer. However, the changes happening these days on the telecommunications industries have given enough choices for the consumer.

There are various plans available now. The telecommunication companies here offer very minimal monthly fee for a Blackberry phone or similar smart phone complete with hi-tech features like wi-fi, video-conference set-up, 3G, unlimited text, very low call charges and push-mails for the business minded and people on the go. Other telecommunications companies in other countries have reduced their rates as well like Sprint. Offers like the ones I have mentioned about smart features are also available.

It is really great to know that the choices are vast and the fees are now lowered with the added features of the latest in technology in the world of telecommunications.

Getting a Franchise

Running a business by getting a franchise seems to be a good idea when you still want to earn regular income without the hassle of serving again as an employee. This time, you get to be your own boss.

I have been thinking of going towards that direction when I retire in few years time. I do not wish to continue working as a corporate slave for donkey years. I plan to leave the workforce while I am young and able. I am researching about possible means of getting extra income while enjoying my time at home. I certainly don't like to manage people nor be an employee again. So buying a franchise will be a good option.

Fine Lines

I woke up feeling energized because I had a good sleep last night. I did my usual routine, brush my hair, gargle and wash my face with water. I noticed some fine lines near my eyes area and lips. Could be it the sign of aging? Nah! I think those are laugh lines because I laugh all the time even for no reason. I just laugh. Simple as that. I may not need wrinkle crème soon but will not certainly hurt to check out the market.

When I was younger, I always see my mom slapping on several cremes on her forehead and the eye area. When asked, she'd tell us those were beauty creme. Now I know better.

Sunny with a Chance of Sandstorm

I didn't check the weather forecast today. I am not certain if there will be a sandstorm but the wind is blowing and it is hot. Unlike the previous days around the same time as now, the days were breezy and still a bit cool. Other countries are experiencing the onset of spring. Here in the Middle East, there is nothing as such. All we have is a brief winter season from December to February (and if you're lucky, it can extend to until late March) and then the dry, hot and very humid summer months.

So, my forecast will be sunny with a chance of sandstorm. But don't quote me for that ;)

Good morning everyone from sunny Dubai!

Acne Village

My daughter gets very conscious with her skin complexion these days. She is checking on her face specially her forehead regularly now. Her forehead is her problematic area because it is acne-prone. We call it her little acne village. It's just a banter and we make sure she does not get fired up with that.

After checking the web to find the best acne spot treatment and checking with a skin specialist, she has been given a mild acne gel to dry up the acne. So far, it's doing a great job without leaving my daughter's forehead dry and flaky.

Art Attack - Choco Loco Birthday Card

I opened another site focusing on my handmade cards, unfortunately, I have no time to maintain two accounts. So, I will be featuring my creations here every now and then.

This is my Choco Loco Birthday Card. It's a big birthday card for the chocolate lovers. I made this for my big boss since he is a chocolate fanatic.

I used patterned papers from free digi-scrap sites and printed them. I also used aluminum foil to simulate the foil wrapper. I wrote the "Choco Loco" wordings in front of the card.
The size is 5 1/2 inches (height) x 3 inches (width when tri-fold).

The inside of the card is blank so my other colleagues can write on it too. I used 3 varying colors of plain colored paper to highlight the tri-fold.


Lastly, I used a "bite-mark" effect on the edge to make it look more realistic and yummilicious!

Too Early for THAT!

Yes, I know. I just turned 38 few days ago and I am acting like a lunatic. Is it too soon for me to get depression treatment due to the fact that I am in my late 30s? Few years from now, I will be a certified member of the Over-the-hills Club. Later on, I will be filling up forms for "senior citizen" discount cards and memberships! What???

Okay, I am being a Drama Queen again which is my usual self most of the time. I just hope I won't lose my sanity when I turn 39 next year.

Girls Talk - My Favorite Part

Thanks to JLo (a.k.a. Jennifer Lopez!) for putting the "round derriere" on the pedestal. I hate to admit it but I have a JLo butt. I suppose that is the most sexy part of my body. Most of my friends' rear are flat so they envy my round one. I keep telling them, chop them off and I will still have a round butt leftover...LOL!

(Skinny me with a not-so-skinny bum...hehehehe!)

I used to get very conscious of my well-formed tushy but it is genetic. My mom and other relatives have round bums. Also, when other people try so hard to inject "fat" on their behind to make it round, I try my best to conceal it by wearing loose trousers. However, my mom and friends (and even my hubby!) told me to embrace my full figure because girls will do anything to have a bum like mine. Either it is a compliment or a command, I don't know about that. I think they are right. God gave me this round bum and I should be thankful.

Warm and Cozy Log Furniture

It is not common where I live to own log furniture due to extreme weather here in the Middle East. I love the feel of log furniture because they exude that warmness and coziness in a home. I can imagine sitting on one and enjoying the winter atmosphere while sipping hot cocoa. What a nice thought!

I have asked my hubby if we could scout for a rest house when we retire somewhere cold. or at least manageable. I am sure that the log furniture I normally see in magazines and the web will really look good in a cold climate.

38!

It seems like yesterday when I posted my "feelings" about turning 37. Now, I am turning 38 in few days time.

I can't honestly say that I am looking forward to it because that leaves me 2 years to go before I join the "Over the Hill" club. Not what I imagined but it is inevitable. I know, like I always say over and over again, age is just a number. However, that number seems to be going up really fast. Last time I checked, I was writing 37 on the space provided for age whenever I fill up forms. Well, I know I cannot dodge growing old this time. So, let the good times roll!!!

It can't be that bad. At least, I am another year wiser and more graceful as I age. I can see strands of silver hair popping from my scalp. I can feel the fine "laugh" lines of my face which reminds me of the guffaws I shared with my family and friends. Oh, don't forget the expanding waist line which seems to compete with my age. LOL! Ah, do not dismiss the fact that my fingers are starting to hurt during cold season and my joints squeak every opportunity they get. Also, the problem with the monthly periods is another issue to think of. It leaves me guessing whether I will have it or not. Whatever! That's all I can say.

Yes, I will be 38 in due time. I will probably be crankier than ever (seriously, sometimes I am Mrs. Oscar the Grouch!), more homebody, will avoid parties as much as I can and will surely enjoy more quality time spent with my family and close friends.

Sigh, this is it. I will be 38! Still thankful for another worthy year of a good life and blessings.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Babies and Mommies Around

I haven't seen much of mommies jogging lately with their little tots and babies on their baby jogger city mini at the nearby park. The recent weather freak show here has kept most of us at home. For the past few weeks, we had thunderstorms, hail, sand storm and lately, fog. I was not able to run around much too.

I honestly miss seeing the mommies and babies I usually see in the morning. Now that the weather has turned to a bit hot and humid, I don't think I will be seeing much of them for a long time.

Girls Talk - In the Flesh

This time I won't mind showing my "slim" figure wearing shorts.

I am aiming to get that body back! No stopping on what it takes to be slim, trim and healthy again.

I wonder what my other blogging sis posted. Head to Niko's blog to find that out.

Getting Tight

My clothes are getting tighter and tighter each passing day. This calls for an extreme work out and a cut back on the sweets I have been indulging to lately.

I already scheduled a trip to the nearby nutrition shop in our area to check out their weight loss products. I vowed not to join the gym yet because I have done that in the past and ended up wasting big bucks for not committing.

I wonder what happened to my will-power when it comes to exercising and dieting. I just slipped and can't seem to go back on track. However, looking at my tight clothes makes me reconsider my options. I just have to do it!

A Plasma or LCD?

I really don't care which one as long as I have either of the two HDTV. I am sure my viewing pleasure will be promoted to new heights with the latest technology on the flat screens these days.

My birthday is coming very soon but since we are strapped for cash due to the ongoing recession, I can only wish and dream about owning a Plasma or LCD TV. I have been gawking at the product displays in the electronic shops here for some time now. The Dubai Shopping Festival last month ushered offers of sale up to 50% off the tag price. We can't afford it at the moment. Besides, we still have our old and utterly reliable big TV. Maybe I will wait for the sale next year.

Magic Weight Loss?

I hope there is a magic to a quick weight loss so I can show the world my "new" body. Not that I am ashamed of it but I made a promise that I will not post any recent pictures showing my round torso until I get my desired weight back.

I exercised the other day to awaken my sleeping metabolism, you know, to give it some boost so it functions as it should be. However, I only ended up with a sore back and legs and achy joints.

I wonder what I will do to really speed the weight loss without doing extreme diet and exercise. I don't want to end up with injury and hyper-acidic tummy.

Life Insurance

I may be one of the few who will retire early from the work force. I have done it before in the Philippines and I can do it again.

I am considering to free myself from the corporate bondage by 2015 and that is just 5 years from now. However, I just have one problem, I have not acquired any form of insurance to keep me ready for my retirement and old age. I am checking around for term life insurance rates. I am asking family and friends back in the Philippines for good life, pension or any other type of insurance I can purchase considering my age. I know the premium will be high now because of the age factor but I am willing to get one to secure myself on my ripe, old age.

Health Nut - Weight Loss Tracker

We exercise and keep our diet on check but do we actually track our achievements or at least keep our goals on a tab?

There are a number of tools to assist us and keep us in line with our set goals to lose weight. Some weight loss tracker can help us maintain our motivation and sticking to out set goals. It also helps us to monitor our weight loss progress.

Apart from weight loss tools available in the Internet, we can also keep our progress by keeping a journal which I have been doing for years now. At least with my journal, I know exactly when I fall of the track and when.

Pain Free Joints

Pain free joints - I wish I can say that right now. I made a bad move yesterday by exercising without doing warm-up and stretches and probably over-eating too.

I need to watch my food intake now because my weight does not agree well with my age and height. I don't know if taking joint supplements at my age is advisable because my blood chem result is normal. I am just overweight and need to lose more so my knees and legs can actually hold up.

Colon Cleanse

I scheduled a family trip to Bangkok this coming first week of April for a much needed rest. We have been there many times in the past but never had the chance to have a colon cleanse. Our friends who have gone through colonic cleansing really recommends that my husband and I should try it.

There are great benefits of having a colon cleansing session. For one, if you have been having improper diet and suffer from diarrhea or constipation, then doing this will aid in the regular passing of bowels. It also helps in removing toxins in the intestines. It improves skin complexion and even aid in weight loss.

It may be revolting to discuss this procedure casually but one cannot deny the benefits it gives to our health and well-being.

Re-using Company Furniture

A month ago, our company posted a company-wide bulletin on the sale of used office furniture for all the staff to avail of. Honestly, if I had known there will be a sale, I would have waited and bought a couple because our company uses high-quality furniture. I have been meaning to get several bookcases for my daughter's books and trinkets to put on. I also wanted a longer and wider study table for my arts and craft session. However, I already purchased a bookshelf last month; few days before the sale was announced. What a timing!

Girls Talk - Figure! Figure! Figure!!!

I am so relieved that February GT is over. However, my sigh of relief turned to a manic palpitation when I checked sister Niko's March GT theme. I hope she won't mind if I dodge this one as I prefer to keep my vital stats under wraps especially when I am on my quest to lose substantial amount of weight. Yes, when I say substantial, I mean big, enormous figure.

As far as sharing is concerned, I will just give few:

AGE: I am turning 38 this March.
HEIGHT: Barely there! Hahahaha!!!! Let's just say, I am "pocket-sized" for your convenience.

So, in keeping with the faith of regularly posting GT topics even when I skipped February because I didn't have anything special cut out for me for Valentine's Day to share; I am posting this dodgy GT. ;) Peace!

Weather Mayhem

These past few days have been very odd here in Dubai where the climate is perennially sunny. We do have short winter season but that happens only from mid-December to early March. Then the onset of summer is felt. However, that was not the case this time. We barely felt winter. I think it didn't even come! The previous years were pretty cold that one would require layered clothing to keep warm. This season was a different case. I didn't get to wear my winter clothing at all.

It's been raining lately with thunder, lightning, gust of strong winds…the works. We have received weather advisory yesterday to take precautions while driving and going about town because of the slippery roads, puddles and bad drainage. Last Saturday, the rain was terrible and I was awaken by the "howling" wind. You could imagine it was that loud considering I am a "deep sleeper." It sounded so creepy and tapped on our window. It was like a scene from a thriller movie but it was real.

It rained again last night and early morning today. I didn't sleep too well due to the "lightning show" reflecting from our window. It's like watching a photo shoot! As usual, most roads are flooded again due to lack of a good drainage system. Inconsiderate people are still driving hazardously on a condition like this. Oh boy!

I wonder what's happening to the weather.