Glee - Sue Sylvester

What is a show without any antagonist? Well, in Glee, they have Sue Sylvester as the nemesis of the entire Glee Club.

Sue Sylvester is like the Hitler of modern times. She loves torturing people and basks on the glory of her Cheerios by successfully training them to be competitive. Her Cheerios actually nabs the victory and she is the Cheer Leading Coach of the Decade. As compared to the lame Glee club she happily called, her team is to beat in cheering competition.

She is ruthless and her methods in training is outright dictatorial. Even poor Principal Figgins does not stand a chance with the scheming She-Dragon of McKinley High.

She is played by Jane Lynch.

(Photo credit: Gleewiki.fox.com)

Charice Pempengco in Glee!

Charice is officially in Glee Season 2! Yehey! She is a Filipino international artist who rose to fame upon the discovery of her talent through You Tube.

She is the singer behind the top dance hit - Pyramid with Iyaz. She has also made headlines when she had a duet with no other than Andrea Bocelli and later sang duet with Celine Dion. She also had a guest stint at Oprah and Ellen de Generes show.

I am so glad she is making a name for herself now and international at that! She may have not won the local singing contest here in the Philippines but she surely won the following of her fans abroad! Go girl! You make us all proud!

And this will be bad news to Rachel Berry ;)

Discontent and Disaccord

Discontent and Disaccord are two things I would not like to feel nor experience at the same time in my work life. There are times in my work life that I feel one of the two but never at the same time. If that ever happens, I will just be an aimless wanderer in the corporate world trying so hard to seek the true meaning of my career life, if any or if it is a career that I can call.

I have seen so much disaccord happening around me lately. Honchos are giving out decision without informing their staff. Where is the transparency there? They just decide on things and carry out their plans in a snap. I am not sure if the welfare of those affected are taken into consideration or we are just pawns on the games they play? Whatever it is they are doing, I am not comfortable with it. I just pray that they are doing the things that they do because they "care" (although I doubt that they do... I have seen them play their games at the expense of other people).

I know many are already feeling discontent with their work. None of us can do something at the moment because the environment is so volatile and does not hold any good promises.

I can only pray and hope that 2013 rolls in quick so I can leave this place and live a normal, happy and "true" life with the people who really matters the most to me.

Tinted Windows and More

Summer has officially arrived here in Dubai. It did make a grand entrance by making us feel the dry and scorching heat of Dubai's summer sun. Our bodies are like being baked in the oven. Running from the air-conditioned premise of our home and the office to our car parked outside is such a feat! Imagine those poor vehicles left under the very hot sun's rays for long. If they can only talk, I am sure they are already cursing us.

My husband is planning to have our car's window tinted and he will check for other car accessories to help diffuse the extreme heat. I don't know why we never had it tinted in the first place when we took the car from the dealer. They were already offering discounted rates and branded tints but we begged off. My husband just don't like how the people here apply the tints on the windows. They put the tints "outside" the window and not from the inner part. So, in due time, the tint wears and tears and make it virtually impossible to see from the inside. It is very hazardous.

I am thankful though that our vehicle is well maintained. At least I am not so worried about the air-condition unit breaking down or prematurely lose its freon. My husband and I just feel that we have to do this soon or we will end up toasted from the sun's unforgiving heat.

Buffalo's Milk

I love eating cheese. They say, the stinky the cheese, the better. So, I get my dosage of much needed calcium by eating various kinds of cheese.

I just learned that a certain fine kind of mozzarella is produced in Italy where the main ingredient is buffalo's milk. It is a prized kind of mozzarella that it enjoys Europe's Protected Designation of Origin label. It means that the buffalo mozzarella undergoes strict criteria and can only be made of buffalo's milk.

Gearing Up for a Short Vacation

It has been more than a year now since I last had a vacation back in the Philippines. I was trying to manage my finances in this difficult time. I avoided every opportunity presented in the past for a trip back home because every time I come home, money just disappear so fast. That was not something I was ready to accept. My budget is so tight right now that my short vacation to see my family is planned to the minute details. I cannot over-spend on unnecessary matters and cannot eat out. It will just a pure R and R with the people who matters in my life.

So, I will not be blog-hopping for few days starting 2 July. I just want to spend my time with my family and enjoy the vacation even for a short while.

Essential Fats

My husband and I just bought a kilo of tilapia a while ago. We love eating fish specially the one I mentioned. My daughter asked why we always have to eat fish at least twice or thrice in a week. I told her it is because fish contains essential fatty acids which are good for human consumption. I also "educated" her slightly on the benefits of duet dha which is good for developing babies. I told her that when she was still a baby, I always fed her and at the same time, consumed fish meat for brain and eyes development.

She was amazed. I think she will not mind having fish like salmon, herring, trout and other oily fish in her added on her regular meals.

Fireplace on Summer

I know, at this temperature and humidity, it is not very conducive to grill or even light the fireplace outdoors. I do not also have those kind of fancy outdoor fireplaces to enjoy a quiet evening with the family. We do have a small grill to serve as a grill and a mock fireplace if we need to. I think that will suffice for now because it is summer. We can probably consider having those mini fireplace you can put outdoors or in the house when the climate changes.

I told my husband that if we ever go back in the Philippines for our retirement, I do want an outdoor fireplace to complement my grilling area. My husband loves hosting parties and having one will be great.

A Father's Day Greeting to All

MySpace Graphics

Tomorrow, 20 June is Father's Day. I would like to greet my dad who is no longer with us a special Father's Day because he had been a pillar of hope for my family. He worked hard and gave his all to give us a good life. I am thankful Tatay! I know that you are watching over us all the time. I miss you so much specially on times like this when we celebrated special occasions and you were always leading the way. I just want you to know that even you're not here, your loving legacy is remembered.

I would also like to greet my husband who has been giving us his support, love and care unconditionally. The one person who truly makes me see that life is worth living. A positive force in my life. A beacon of hope, a person of love. I love you honey and your daughter and I are thankful for your love.

This goes out to my brother as well who is working hard to give his family a bright future. I can see your sacrifices. Keep it up! You are a wonderful person.

And to all the great fathers out there and the fathers-to-be, this day is for you for the wonderful contributions you make to your family and the society.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU GREAT DADS. GOD BLESS!

Fund Raising - A Noble Cause

For most who are financially endowed than others is a blessing in itself. I am glad that I am surrounded by people who earn 10 times than I do and still, they go out of their way to rasie money for church and other communities. I see their generosity in an intangible manner. I am sure their recipients are very thankful for the blessing in various forms.

Some of the people I work with have very big and kind hearts. They offer portion of their salary to build and raise schools and churches for the under-privileged in Third World countries. Others sponsor a family and send their "adopted" children to school by sending regular remittances. Some of my colleagues even do candle fundraiser, bake sale, rummage sale, car-boot sale, donations and collection drives to send to worthy organizations in much need of assistance.

Pooling our resources to be of help to others is such a noble cause. As early as now, I am already building my daughter's social awareness by joining volunteer work and contributing to worthy causes and civic drives. I also enlist the help of my friends who are active in church by getting their church fundraising ideas. I also get opinions from others who have done this kind of activity on ways to engage other people to contribute and offer their time, effort and financial assistance.

Giving is more important than receiving. The little things we do and give to our brethren are the things which make all these very worthwhile.

Easy Travel Tips for Summer

Summer has arrived! Lots of people are already on their way to their summer destination. However, for those who are still on the planning stage of their vacation get-away, it is wise to note some of these tips:

1. Go to a destination where the value of your "local currency" is higher than the destination's currency (applicable to those travelling internationally).

2. Check Internet offers for great deals and discounts.

3. Stay on lodging houses or hostels if you are not the finicky type. If you are travelling with your family, there are youth hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation suitable for your type.

4. Be an early bird! Pay early! Sometimes, airlines and tour operators offer huge discount when you purchase your tickets or packages months in advance.

5. Avoid shopping if you can. The reason for your travel is to soak in other culture, enjoy the scenery and have fun in the local scene. Some trinkets or souvenirs are fine but leave your purchases to that and to your meals if you have to.

6. Stay with relatives. This is a great opportunity to save a lot of money by not paying for accommodation. This is a bit tricky though, it only applies to those who have relatives on other places.

7. Travel as a group. Airlines and tour operators always give discounts to large group travelling together.

8. Bring light and not easily perishable snacks. Cookies and those cup noodles can save you big time.

Exam's Over!

The past two weeks have been very hectic for me and my daughter because it was her final assessment week. I wanted to ensure that her grades would not fall from the school's high standards.

I have been regularly making reviewer and mock exams for my daughter based on the coverage of the test. I normally get aid from a test maker and add more details as I get through the mock exams as per subject.

It is a bit difficult for me now to create reviewer for my daughter who is in Grade 6 as compared to her lessons in the lower grades. It has been a very long time since I last held a Grade 6 book. Besides, her school is following the British curriculum and much has been changed. So, I have to research and study too in order to be effective in facilitating her review session.

Thank goodness we have the privilege of getting help online nowadays. I just read her books and notes and also refer to the Internet for more in-depth discussion on the topic required. There is also an exam software that I can use to aid me in providing my daughter a mock exam and reviewer close to what she is actually taking in school.

I am glad that her exam is over. I can finally rest for a while and probably let out a sigh of relief when I get her report card in few weeks time.

Just Another Manic...Sunday

I don't know how I am going to recharge myself and it's only the first day of the week here. I feel like I have maxed out my reserved energy today. I don't know how I am going to go through the week though. My calendar is about to burst with activities. I have a summer-job-trainee to train for a week, work to accomplish and manuals to edit - all in my lonesome in the office. Well, I am not worried with work as much as I am worried with how to spread myself thinly to everyone who needs my time and attention. Oh, we're not even talking about Millie the Diva Dog! Her demands are just incredulous! Then for my personal and social welfare, I have a party to attend to on Thursday night, an alumni meeting the next day and a doctor's appointment on Saturday. Not only that, I have to squeeze in half an hour of exercise after work for 5 days. Whew! I must be Super Woman!!!

Deals on Car Insurance

Our company provides us with great deals on car insurance. So, my husband and I decided to change our car insurance recently when we had renewed its registration.

The new car insurance deal for our company's staff is comprehensive and we are also covered when we go to Oman for a drive. We get 7-days free car replacement if our vehicle is in service and 24 hours road-side assistance. We also get discounted rates as long as we show our company ID upon purchasing the insurance.

Online Vouchers

I love having vouchers ready when I go shopping. I had this privilege when I visited the US last year. I just printed off vouchers from websites and used them. Unfortunately, that practice is not very common here in Dubai. I do get fashion news from most retail outlets but I want vouchers and great promotional deals. Most malls and outlets have their own vouchers but I find them very limited and inflexible. Also, the shops here with websites do not offer online vouchers to be printed off and use. What's the fun in that?

Most countries in the Northern Hemisphere have this privilege of acquiring online vouchers from various sites and from direct shops' sites. Some of these online vouchers sites not only offer vouchers like Boden vouchers. They carry great deals from other shopping sites as well. Moreover, you get good bargains and offers from merchants, shop owners and retailers for printing their coupons or codes such as Boden discounts.

As a consumer, I will greatly benefit from these online deals because I get direct discounts from shops and many of the promotions are exclusive to online users.

I wish Dubai will follow on this trend so there will be more choices for consumers to enjoy their hard-earned money.

Gym Machine and What-Have-Yous

I was in the gym again the other day as I go full force on my weight loss for good health. As usual, I started with my treadmill session for half an hour (as what the doctor advised me to do for at least 5 days in a week) and moved on the the cross training machine. I did not stay long on the cross training machine as my legs were tired and I was panting like a dog already. I wanted to try the pull up bars but my arms were stiff and heavy as a log. I would probably use it next week as I give my body time to rest. Besides, I just had a great morning walk at the park for 40 minutes. My body (and mind) deserves much needed break.

Morning Walk and My Dose of Vitamin D

Oh, it feels so great to wake up early when everyone else is still in their slumber. I am an early riser so I get to enjoy seeing the sun rise and hear the birds chirping by the window sill. Such a lovely day!

I woke up at 6 a.m. today and willed myself to change to my track suit for a morning walk in the park. The weather is a little hot these days so I didn't walk for long. It took me 40 minutes to walk around the full circumference of the park and the sun was already up and bright.

Morning sun's rays are still safe. Staying longer than usual specially in this part of the world, will either leave you sunburned or exposed to the harmful effects of the rays. So, by 7:20, I was already on my way home but happy that I got to practice breathing while walking and soaked up some much needed D's.

You can also get Vitamin D from food such as cod liver oil, sardines, tuna, mackerel, fortified breakfast cereals, eggs and butters and other vitamin supplements. Consult your physician first before you buy supplements.

Save the forest one paper at a time

I am re-posting this since I have missed posting articles on the environment during Earth Day recently. Have a read :)

oOo oOo oOo

I cringe at the thought of throwing re-usable papers in the office or even anywhere else. I always chide my colleagues (and even bosses) to save paper because if we are to equate the ratio of the number of papers we have used without remorse, it would be equivalent to thousands of trees. Imagine how many trees we have killed already by dumping those precious, Grade "A" papers? Urggghhh.

Since I am an environmentalist, I devised my own little ways on how to re-use the "used" papers.

1. Re-use the clean page at the back of the paper if it's only printed on one-side. Use it either as a things-to-do list or draft for another memo or doodle pad.

2. If you know anyone from the printers, send the bundle of used papers and have them cut in cubes and give as gifts to your friends (and even to your boss. That way, they'll recognize your effort to cut company's cost and preserve mother nature at the same time. You might even get a citation for that!!! Or a promotion...)

3. If the prints on the used papers are really good or colored even, use them as personalized gift-wrappers. I used some during Christmas and decorated the papers with nice colorful ribbons to put spunk. Viola! Your very own environmental gift wrapper.

4. I have guinea pigs at home so I shred some of the used papers to mulch. I use them as cage fillings combined with wood shavings so it cuts down the cost of having to buy plenty of wood shavings which is quite costly here. Your cavies will surely love you for your thoughtfulness. Not only that it's environmental-friendly, it's also "tummy" friendly for them.

5. Use them as chain banners or swags during parties or decorative garland for your Christmas tree.

6. Re-use them for your decoupage craft.

7. Crumple them and use as window cleaner to replace the rag. Just make sure you slightly moisten them.

8. If your kids are into arts and craft, give them the papers for origami.

9. Use them to wrap unused glass wares instead of the bubble wrap which is made of plastic. Do this only when you don't have to ship the glass wares somewhere else. This is for storing purposes only.

10. Use them as book covers if you feel like being creative and "different."

Please feel free to make the list long by suggesting more ways to re-use the waste papers in the office or at home. Give the trees the chance to grow. Make a difference - one paper at a time.

Strange But Sweet

I was just going over the current news in Yahoo and stumbled upon a strange and sweet coincidence of a married couple's story. Alex and Donna Voutsinas were going through Donna's childhood photos and was surprised to know what Alex's dad was on the background of one of the photos taken in Disney. Strange!

They fell in love at work and did not know each other from childhood. They even checked with their parents about the photo. Could it be fate, destiny, serendipity or whatever you call it? How sweet...

Great Party Food Ideas

My daughter will turn 13 early next year. I am already preparing her mini party as early as now. It is only mini because we are inviting her close school friends and our friends here in Dubai. I would love to have the party in Manila but my daughter has classes in February. We might as well stick here in Dubai since most of her friends are from her school here anyway.

She loves whimsical themed party so I am thinking of setting up a party to that effect. First of, I am still searching for Party Food Ideas which will be acceptable by both teenagers and the adults. I am looking for light and healthy meals. The party is going to be a small gathering with activities so the food must not be that heavy. I want the guests to enjoy all the fun games after.

I am searching great recipes for the birthday celebration. I am thinking of finger food like crudites or cocktail-sized frankfurters for appetizers. For the light main course, my family loves grilled chicken and sausages as part of the selection. Another food that comes to mind for the main course is California Vegetable Wraps. This can be sliced so it can be a great finger food selection too. The desserts will have customized cupcakes which my friend will make as a gift. Bless her! Apart from the cupcakes, there will be various kinds of bread served. I saw this recipe from iVillage.com and thought it appropriate for the purpose. It is called Italian Panzanella Bread Salad. It will be good for the young and young at hearts. Last selection for the dessert is the candy buffet which I will make myself. I am sure that this will be a big hit for all the kids and probably even the adults too.

There are so many recipes to find from iVillage.com which I am considering for the party. My only concern at the moment is finding all the time and extra help I can get to be able to whip up great meals which are healthy too. I know it is still early but I can test the other recipes there and see how long it will take me to prepare them.

I am already excited and it is still months away. Thank goodness for resources we can find in the Internet because they are really helpful in terms of planning and suggesting food ideas for parties.

20/20 Vision

I just had my eyes checked recently and I am happy to say that my eyesight is still 20/20. My type of work entails a lot time spent on the computer and I thought, given the years I have been doing this job, my eyesight will give way. Thankfully, they are still good and I just have to remember to rest every 20 minutes so I do not strain my eyes.

Unfortunately for my brother though, he has to wear glasses because of his poor vision which he only came to know the same time we had our eyes checked. Good thing there are discount prescription glasses available in the optical shops here. He does not have to pay much for his spectacles.

No Salty Food

I have skipped eating red meat and salty food for a month now. Although my pants seem a bit loose these days; my weight budged a little. I lost a kilo since I cleaned my bad eating habits and kicked off the unnecessary salt and other condiments I add while cooking. That means, most of the meals I prepare these days for myself are hospital-type of food like grilled chicken, grilled fish, plenty of fruits and vegetables. I skipped eating fast food meals and do not eat out anymore because the food they cook are salted. I cannot afford to have salt in my meals now.

Let us see how it goes and where I will go from here. I hope to be able to maintain this lifestyle for good. Wish me luck!

Gold Diggers

Won't it be great to actually dig gold and get rich? I wonder how those panhandlers manage when they strike gold in one of their prospects? Well, in this country, they just give out gold bullion as major prizes during festivals. I have not won the major nugget yet but I once won a gold coin in a promotional offer in one of the malls here. I still have the coin with me. I think I will sell it one of these days. It does not cost much but enough to buy me one of my favorite LVs!

Pregnancy Around

My friend gave birth last November to a healthy baby boy. She was one of those baby boomers last year. Lately, she has been showing signs of "another" pregnancy. I have not seen her take any prenatal vitamins yet or at least not when I am around. We are just a little concerned because she is sickly lately and slightly anemic. I just cannot help but wonder if she is pregnant again. Her friends think she should give herself enough time to recover. My OB-Gyne once told me not to get pregnant right away because our bodies need some time to recover.

Relief for Headache Naturally

I have a pounding headache since yesterday. It must have something to do with the weather and dryness of the air. Also, my eyes are so tired staring at flight manuals for 8 straight hours. That can't be good.

I was supposed to run today but this headache is crushing me so I slept for a while. I woke up with a mild pain but not as bad as this morning's and yesterday's episodes. I searched the Internet and checked for natural ways to cure a headache specially if you are like me who has allergy reactions to most medication.

One article in Ayurvediccure.com advises that if we are feeling the headache, we can try closing one nostril and suck in oxygen until we feel it in our brain. Release the air slowly and you feel like the pain goes with it. So, I tried it and it did wonders! I actually feel much better; hence, I am posting this :)

Sometimes, our head lacks the much needed oxygen and one way to instill that is to inhale oxygen as deeply as you can and releasing it as slowly as possible. That should help relieve the pain.