Careful, Careful, Careful

We must all be cautious with the kind of activities we engage in. One of my friend loves sand bashing using the dirt bike. She also loves doing other extreme sports. She can be very daring and careless at times so we are very concerned. We understand her desire to live life to the fullest but we also believe that it is wise not live life in reckless abandon. Nothing wrong with having fun here and there but know the limits too.

One time, one of the more vocal friend of ours voiced her opinion by suggesting a universal life insurance quotes for her to check out. Her reason was, since she loved to engage on daring activities and spiking her adrenalin, it was just a smart move to have herself covered if things turn out bad.

We got her point. Our daring friend got the message too. I wonder when she will buy an insurance though.

Crippling Day Without Internet

One might wonder what happened to me while our Internet was down for 2 days. Well, our fibre-optic Internet connection is underwater. That means, it goes through lengths and lengths of pipes under the sea. So whenever there are severed or damaged lines under sea, we always get intermittent connections. It was so bad the other day that I had to sneak using the office Internet to check whether I have blog assignments or none.

Well, I am not "disabled" anymore and back to communicating freely via the world wide web.

Nail Clipping and Millie

It is such an arduous task to clip our Millie's nails. Giving her bath is a different story. I have tried to put muzzle on her and she still wigged her way out of it. I tried bribing her with treats she loved. She ended up running away with the loot and left me at her trail.

I tried to clip her again yesterday. My approach was different. I hugged her first and showed the clipper to her. She ran straight to her bed. I approached her and let her smelled the clipper. She was hesitant at first but I tried again. I did not shove the clipper to her face, just showed it to her few inches away from her probing nose. Then, I held her paw lightly while assuring her that it would not hurt and I would just clip one nail. I looked like a loony talking to her but she seemed to not mind. I think, she was even enjoying the extra attention. She did not pull her paw this time and amazingly, she allowed me to clip, not just one, but 3 nails!!! Yey!

I have finally found the move to use to clip her. I hope she will cooperate again tomorrow. I still have more nails to clip.

Do you have tips on how to successfully clip your dog's nails? If so, I won't mind some pointers :)

Lady Antebellum's Need You Now

I am not a very big fan of country music. I neither love nor hate the songs. It actually depends on the melody, lyrics and probably the artist singing it. I listen to Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and lately to Lady Antebellum. Their 'Need You Now' song has been playing in the local airwaves here on and on. So, I decided to check it out from iTunes and add it in my iPod so I can listen to it in a "loop." The song is just beautiful. Let me just share to you the lyrics I got from the net. After hearing the song and knowing the lyrics, tell me if it's not beautiful. I doubt it. Hope you'll love the song. I just fell in love all over again ;)

NEED YOU NOW

Need You Now lyrics found at elyricsworld.com

(Credits: Lyrics and music code courtesy of: www.elyricsworld.com)

Girls Talk - Buffet Food and My Choice

Buffet and I do not go well. For one, I cannot finish a plate let alone consume so many variety of food in one go. My hubby tries his best not to take me to any restaurant with buffet serving. He says I eat like a mouse but he pays like he's paying for the entire nation for a buffet. I think he has a point! Hehehehe.

However, that does not stop me from enjoying the food served on a buffet setting. I love Chinese food so if they are serving Asian set, I always dig in the main course specially if they have Chicken in Orange or Lemon sauce or Manchurian Chicken. Forget the hors d'oeuvres or the dessert! So there, I love Chinese food and that is always my preference when it is served in buffet.

Hop along to Niko's blog for my other blogging sisters' entries. Bon appetit!

Wrinkles and All

My daughter keeps teasing my mom about her numerous lines on the face. I think she still does not understand the full concept of getting old and losing skin's flexibility as one ages. I told her many times that we would all have wrinkles someday. Then she gave me this "why-are-the-Hollywood-stars'-faces-so-fine" kind of debate. I told her they have money to spend for their vanity and it was part of the business to look 'almost' perfect.

I may one day find myself in the same situation where I get noticed for my facial lines. Maybe it is high time to check the Internet for wrinkle cream reviews and know more about the products out there to reduce or at least prevent the early onset of facial lines.

Binge Eating

A lot of younger people these days binge eat. Some deliberately hurl after the binge season and others do it the more healthy way like doing a colon cleanse.

Not all people who binge have disorder. Some binge eat because of stress or a reward after a successful diet. It really depends on the reason for eating too much. It only becomes serious and requiring medical attention when it is causing the person to be sick, too weak and psychologically impaired.

Going Bald

Not me! Well, at least not in my father side's family. My uncles in my mom's side have receding hairlines already. One of my uncle is only in his mid 40's and yet, he looks like an old bald guy already. I don't know why it has to be like that for my mom's side. My uncles in my dad's side have no problem with baldness at all. It is common for men to go bald when they reach a certain age. However, hair loss for men is caused by many factors such as hereditary genes, hormones, lifestyle, diet, illness, chemicals and many more.

Fitness Equipment

The residential building where I live has a small gym at the lobby. It is free for all the tenants of the building. I go there at least twice a week to run on the treadmill and use the stepper for my cardio routine. There are other fitness equipment there which I am not familiar. I need more Information on Exercise Equipment. So, I just stick to the common ones that I know, like the stationary bike, Tunturi treadmill and rowing machine.

I have no plans of bulking up so I do not use the dumbbells and other weight-lifting machine in the gym. The other machine look so complex and mind boggling so I leave those fitness equipment to the experts to use.

The mini-gym in our building pales in comparison to the other gyms I have been to so far. I have gone to Fitness First and Body and Soul here in Dubai. I was just a member's guest in Fitness First but I was so impressed with their equipment. They were all high-tech and serious-looking like they really meant business! Then in Body and Soul, I was a gym member for 2 years. Their fitness equipment were more simple. They also had Tunturi elliptical machine, rowing machine, body-building machine and steppers. However, their fitness equipment were more easy to operate.

I am thankful though that at least, our building provides healthy alternative to busy people's lifestyle by allocating a small gym.

I Gained a Friend

I posted yesterday about my fair weather friend and how I was dismissed from his/her life in just a click of "delete button" feature in Facebook. Well, so much for that. Like the old adage goes, when a door closes, a window opens and same goes with friendship.

I happened to stroll along blogosphere road and did my usual check on new and old friends alike. I was surprised to see a post from a new "blogging sis" in her blog thanking acknowledging me as a new friend. My heart melts and I am honored and really touched.

Her name is Mel. She is the fine author of Mel Cole's Life Experiences blog. Please visit her site and read more of her life stories.

Here is a big thanks Mel. I may have lost one but I truly gained another.

Fair Weather Friend

I am beginning to wonder who are my true friends and who are the fair weather ones. I am a bit choosy with friends and establishing close ties with someone takes a while to develop. I value friendship so much that when a person becomes my friend, he/she becomes a part of my family and life.

It hurts me when someone I consider as a good friend decides to do something immature, say, removing me from his/her friends' list in Facebook. To think I haven't done nor said anything wrong to that person is rather perplexing. As a matter of fact, I have always justified his/her misdemeanors and requested every one's understanding. And how is my sincerity repaid? Cutting me of his/her circulation!

Well, I have come to know today when a common friend told me some good news about this fair weather friend. I thought I should know that information too being his/her buddy. Lo and behold, I checked my friends' list and he/she was not there anymore. I don't recall removing anyone from my friends' list unless they removed me first.

I don't want to stress myself by wondering what the heck went through this fellow's head and decided to remove me. It is not my loss. Good bye and good riddance then ;)

Health Nut - Drink This to Burn More Calories

I have been reading this time and time again. Drinking tea is beneficial in burning extra calories even when you are not doing anything. Why you might ask? Here are the reasons why drinking tea is great in hiking the metabolism.

1. It has catechins which aids in the metabolism.
2. White Tea helps shrink fat cells.
3. Tea helps in curbing appetite and hunger.

If that does not convert you to become a tea-lover, I don't know what will :) Skip the soda vending machine and brew yourself a nice cup of tea instead.

Battle of the Pads

This is not your ordinary pad paper competition over which one is thicker, smoother, more eco-friendly and carries more pages of endless writing fun. Nope! Not that kind of pad.

Recently, Apple launched (with bated breath) the iPad with a slightly hefty price tag. I think the features out-weighs the price anyway. Imagine carrying a net book without the keyboard part. Isn't that a cool thing and very convenient?

A German company recently released the "WePad" to rival the iPad. It is also in a tablet form but with bigger screen than the iPad. The specs for this WePad is promising as it has SD card slot, 16 GB and 32 GB memory, can play flash, powered by Intel and has Linux software. Also, Neofonie GmbH, the company behind the "iPad-killer" also claims that the WePad does not require any special software if you want to put your music in. Well, that will hurt Apple's iPad because you have to install iTunes to get your music in your device.

I can't wait to see the ending of this tech battle. Let the duel begin!

Volcano Erupts in Iceland

After a ground-shaking event happened to China two days ago, a volcano erupts in the idyllic Iceland on the same day. The FIMMVORDUHALS Volcano near the EYJAFJALLAJOKULL glacier in Iceland spewed ash clouds and steam. People in Iceland fear for flood because the eruption can cause the melting of ice.

People are being evacuated to safety in the event another major eruption occurs. This is the second time the volcano erupted in less than a month.

What's going on?

Girls Talk - Posh Meal

I am certainly not a food connoisseur so I don't actually know if I am eating an expensive food or not. If I get to see the price on a menu, only then I can tell that it is expensive.

I do not dine much on fancy restaurants. Probably on few occasions when friends invite us for lunch or dinner. I think the most expensive food I have ever eaten is the caviar and lobster thermidor. I ate the caviar when I was upgraded to business class sometime back on my trip to the Philippines. The lobster thermidor was a treat from a friend.

I surely loved their taste. I just hope somebody treats me again next time ;)

Hop on to Niko's blog and find out what posh meals our other blogging sisters have eaten in the past.

Their Plea

It is really heart-breaking to know that there are many irresponsible pet owners here. I received an email from a friend about the animals on "death row" in the kennel. These furry friends have been, once in their lives, pets of families. Now, they have been abandoned and left to die.

Please be responsible pet owners. If you think you cannot take care of them, then don't give your kids one and when you're done, you just leave them to fend for themselves. Our pets have no voice. No one will speak for their sad plight. It is not their fault so stop being cruel!

To my friends in Dubai, if you want to adopt or foster a pet, please visit this site:

http://www.friendsofanimalsdxb.com/animalsondeathrow.htm

They deserve a chance to live a happy life. Give them that chance...

We need a Boost

I am not sure if the reception problems we encounter in the use if our cell phones are due to the phone models, location we are in or the service provider. Nevertheless, we never experienced poor reception when we were in our old flat in Al Muteena.

I don't know if we need a cell phone booster to enhance our reception. Sometimes it is getting very frustrating for all of us because we have no land line and rely solely on our cell phones. Most of the times we get a lot of choppy calls or sometimes it becomes a bit static.

Insuring My Future

The biggest mistake I have done while I was younger was not to get myself insured. Although our company has the employees covered through their life insurance scheme, I still want to buy a personal life insurance.

I am checking various life insurance products back home and the life insurance rate which will fit my budget. I do not plan to work for long so I want myself and also my family covered so lessen my worries.

I want our futures covered and secured. I am looking forward to purchase a life insurance soon.

Cutting Back on Calories

I started my "experiment" today by cutting back on my calorie intake. I seriously don't know how to do this. I bought a kitchen scale and have been reading food labels before I purchase. I checked my BMI and it is not even bordering normal for my age, height and weight. Drat! I am overweight by #@ much. OVERWEIGHT!!!

I remember just being 48 kilos pre-pregnancy. I gained few pounds and went back to size 00 after giving birth. Goodness, that was 12 years ago. I started to gain weight when I hit 35 and it was never the same again.

I hope that by cutting back on my calorie intake spur my weight loss goal. It is really hard but I have to keep fit. I can only consume 1200 calories in a day and have to stay active. Let's see about that.

Barcode Scanners

I found some brochures lying on the office counter and wondered what they were about. We normally receive free brochures from fashion outlets or promotional offers from electronic stores. These brochures were slightly different.

The brochures were about Symbol LS2208. I got very curious so I opened one and found out it was about barcode scanners. I wonder who left them there? Maybe one of my colleagues or bosses is planning to have a different venture on the side. I just find it a wee odd to find such brochures lying around in an airline company such as ours.

Riding School

There is a riding school near our flat. We pass by that area every morning and I am really in awe on the beauty of these Arabian horses. Such magnificent creatures!

My daughter's school is offering riding classes as part of their quality program and extra curricular activity. They will be taught the basics of horse-riding and horse tack. My husband and I are considering it for her next year's class. It will be a great experience for my daughter to be able to ride a horse. I used to go horse-back riding when I was young. I hope to be able to replicate that feeling by letting her ride a live horse.

Dog Training and Obedience

Having a dog has been very rewarding for us. My family has been great dog lovers ever since I can remember. I grew up having different kinds of breed of dogs for pets. We have the large ones (Akita, German shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer), medium-sized (Bichon Frise, Japanese Spitz) and even the small ones like our beloved mini-pinschers named Zsazsa and Dolphy. None of them were members of the dog training club. However, they were well mannered.

My mom trained our pets on her own. The dogs knew basic tricks like shaking paws, rolling-over, sit and stay and no bark just by giving them hand gestures. I was really amazed thinking about those tricks. I cannot help and wonder how our pets could have done more if they had been enrolled in dog training and obedience school.

Training your pets to obey you, behave and follow your lead and do their "business" where they are supposed to are all helpful in keeping that nurturing relationship between the master and the dog. It is imperative to teach your pets early on so they develop this bond to their master and other people in your circle. Not only that, going through the training with your pet can also enhance your friendship and you will discover more about your pets abilities when you are there.

A lot of dog training and obedience school gives dog training advice to new pet owners or even to those who have pets for some time. I am sure, if these obedience school were present in our neighborhood when we had those loving pets, my mom would enlist our dogs.

They are all gone now. We still remember them and their individual uniqueness. If I had to go through having them back as pets, I would definitely enlist them to dog training and obedience school. It is the least I can do for the love they give to their human best friends.

The Case of the Failing Weight Loss

If Benjamin Button has his case, I have mine. And no, I am not going through a weird stage of physiological changes but my weight loss plan is gravely affected. I am beginning to realize why my plan to lose weight is not moving an inch because I lack the determination. Classic example is today. Last night, I set my alarm clock to 6 a.m. so I could run on the park. I did wake up and washed my face and brushed my teeth and set my running shoes. Then I sat on the bed and told myself I'd just have another minute. Next thing I knew it, I was deep asleep again. So I ended up "jogging" in my dreams.

I seem to lack focus on that goal. I can't figure out why. I keep envisioning myself slim and trim but my will does the opposite. I keep munching junk food, sleep late, sit a lot in front of the laptop, barely lifts a finger to exercise except for few jumping jack sessions everyday. As for my running, the once regular activity I do has become a sideline only when I have the time.

Seriously, this is not the way to lose weight. I am losing track here. Somebody better snap me out of this! And that somebody is ME!!!

Cleaning Up for Spring

I am getting very irritated looking in our bedroom. It is like a library cum art studio cum laundry area cum pressing area. It is anything but a bedroom. So you could just imagine how hard it is to get some nice R and R because of that.

I am planning to sell used books, toys, clothes, handbags, shoes and other stuff I have collected over the years. I just can't keep things barely touched because they are gathering dust.

Spring has arrived and it is time to spruce things up. Adios old stuff!

Great Savings

During our last year's visit to our relatives in the US, we were so surprised to see them clipping coupons from newspapers and used them for their grocery purchases. My husband's cousin even checked some websites for Savings promo codes at some point. I got curious and asked why she was printing those coupon codes from the Internet. She said it was great savings when she wanted to buy something from her favorite stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Target and some food chains too.

We do have promo codes too here in Dubai. Unfortunately, very limited number of big department stores and supermarkets offer promotional codes for purchases on some items. However, USA offers plenty of savings to consumers by giving off promo codes even from high-end shops. I particularly liked the Bed Bath and Beyond coupons because I love sprucing up my master bathroom. It is where I spend a relaxing soak in the tub after a long and stressful day at work. My husband was totally amazed with the Home Depot coupon code taken by his cousin. He loves decorating and arranging the house so getting saving codes from that shop will be a great gift for him.

Getting promo codes for items you want to purchase does make a big savings. I do not mind cutting out coupons and printing off codes from the Internet as long as I can save and extend my budget.

Girls Talk - Fave Chips

I am not a big lover of chips or junk food. I do eat once in a while when the craving for weird taste strikes. I do have a particular chips that I always buy when this craving strikes - Pringles Sour Cream and Onion (the green one). I just love the taste. I really don't care whether the taste and smell linger longer than usual even after you brush. It's my fave!

If you want to see what my other blogging sisters' favorite "sinful treats", head to Niko's blog and find out.

Bugger! Now I feel like eating chips!!!

Giddy Headed Goat

This phrase is commonly used for people who act silly or do foolish things or even giggle for no apparent reason. Well, I am one giddy headed goat not because I act silly or do foolish things but I am always giggling. I am always reprimanded in the office for laughing on almost anything trivial. My response is a resounding "SO!"

Just because I choose to be jovial does not mean I am silly nor foolish. My philosophy in life is to laugh because the world will laugh with me. I choose to be happy most of the time because life's too short to keep worrying about mundane things. Sometimes I am guilty of the latter but I try my best to be happy and think happy thoughts. There is just too many negative things happening now around us. So, why add to the statistic?

Oftentimes, I am told that the honchos do not take me seriously because of my happy-natured disposition. I could care less! That's their problem now if they take me seriously or not. Just because I laugh all the time does not mean I don't get things done. As a matter of fact, I can laugh and work at the same time. However, when I do give orders at work even if I have a smile registered on my face, they must know I mean business. It is not my problem anymore if they mess things up just because "they thought I was not serious." So much for assuming, huh? Besides, I don't like walking around with a stern look on the face just like most of the honchos are. I want my aura to be bright and cheerful. Ergo, I choose to be giddy.

So, I am not bothered when people chide me for being giddy. That's me! I am happy! Deal with it!

Mexico Quake

I read from the news that a magnitude of 7.2 earthquake shook Mexico on Easter Sunday. Some were reported injured and a few perished. I did not follow the news this time as I am really spooked by all these natural calamities happening one after the other.

I am offering my prayers to the people of Mexico. I hope there will be no more ground shaking events to happen anywhere.

The Learning Curve

Learning is a continuous process. One does not stop acquiring information as soon as he or she leaves the fine corners of the academy. The longer one stays in school, the more he or she acquires knowledge and skills.

It is vital for an individual to continue learning new skills and gather information on various fields of discipline. The school is a great place to acquire these knowledge and to use those accordingly. Individuals who are able to go back to school again even after finishing a degree are really privileged. Not all get that second chance to gain a different knowledge and perspective on various fields. Some are willing to go through the rigorous process of having plenty of quizzes and taking grammar quizzes, doing homework, completing projects and most importantly, gathering data for the thesis.

The further studies after the university stint are called Masters degree and the one after that is the Doctorate. There are a multitude of courses offered for higher education. Not long ago, there were few courses to choose from. The present academic curriculum includes test software courses in the field of Computer Science. There are continuing courses in the field of Health Care and Nursing. Further studies can be taken as well for Social Science and Education. Unlike before where the only choice was between a Master in Business Administration, Psychology or Philosophy.

The learning process is indeed a never ending cycle. One must aim to keep the stream of information flowing.

Beauty Tip 101 - Eye Cream

The market is now saturated with "magic potions" claiming to bring youthful appearance. These creams target the market of 40 and above age group. I am not very far from that age group. I may just find myself going through racks upon racks of beauty creams to conceal my lines soon for all I know.

The best eye cream for wrinkles is the one which reduces fine lines or what we call crow's feet around the eyes area, reduces dark circles and stimulates the production of collagen. At the same time, it must be gentle enough not to harm the skin's sensitive area which is around the eyes region.

Younger Looking Skin

I am already at the age where my skin's elasticity starts to diminish unless I do something about it. I am very thankful though that my slightly oily skin made my skin not so prone to wrinkles. Also, I laugh all the time and think of happy thoughts so I only have laugh lines. I don't classify the laugh lines as wrinkles.

Not everyone has been blessed with good genes. People who are always exposed to the sun or do outdoor activities often are the ones who loses their skin elasticity faster than the others. Apply wrinkle cream to keep one's skin younger looking and delay the signs of aging.

Social Security

I cannot help but wonder how my aunt is going through her retirement years. My uncle passed away 2 years ago and she refused to leave the home they shared for many years in Nevada. I hope my cousins are helping her out with her social security disability claims.

The good thing with social security claims in the US is that they get actioned in a short period of time compared to the Philippines. My mom retired more than a year ago and has still not received her retirement benefits from the government. I do pray that she does not have to claim for any disability because that will surely take long to process back home.

I hope the social security system in the Philippines improve. So, waiting for whatever money due to the claimant is shortened.

Easter Greetings 2010

Celebrate and rejoice for the Lord has risen.

Happy Easter everyone.

May this season "springs" new hope. God Bless.

Beauty 101 - Clean Skin

I had my fair share with blemishes while growing up. I remember my mom telling me very often to always wash my face in the morning and before sleeping at night. My mom was very picky with the kind of soap I use for my face. She bought me phisoderm soap to use. The soap was very gentle to my skin and does not leave it dry or chapped. Unlike other soaps I have used before, this soap has balanced pH which works well with dry, oily or combination skin.

Always keep your face clean and fresh every morning and evening. We cannot avoid getting blemishes or breakouts because these all depend on our diet and genes. However, we can always prevent the breakout of unsightly blemishes if we keep our face clean. Eat healthily and do regular exercises as the latter aids in removing toxins in our system through sweating. Also, drink plenty of fresh fruit juices and water.

Job in Harsh Times

The recession has greatly affected the number of unemployment. It is very difficult to get that dream job these days. One has to be prepared and willing to accept lower wage to be employed. employment screening has become rigid as well for most multi-national companies. They want to ensure that a single employee can handle a multitude of tasks with minimum supervision. Unlike before, one company can employ several people in a department holding the same job description.

Diet Plans

I have not progressed with my weight loss. No matter what I do, I am stuck on my weight. I am really in dire need of diet aids to jump-start my metabolism. I just feel that my metabolism has stalled since I reached my late 30's. That is not really good.

I have been prancing around, cutting back on white bread and unnecessary carbs in my diet. I run and use the stairs. I skip rope. I am fairly active now. So far, my weight has not budged at all. What gives?

I am beginning to wonder if something is wrong with me or I just need to re-evaluate my diet plan.

Girls Talk - Comfort Food

I thought the previous month's GT theme would never end. Too much revelation, I tell yah! ;)

Anyway, here's another revelation but this time it's on the palatable side. I'm not really sure how to define comfort food. Is it a weakness that make you hungry for more? Or is it the food you chow down when you're upset or stress-eating???

So, to clarify that, I am posting the 'comfort food' I define as something that makes me weak in the knees - chocolate cake! I just love chocolate cake specially the moist and spongy ones. I am not a chocolate bar lover per se but when it comes to chocolate cakes, I am a major fan. Yum!