Jo-Lynne's Beautiful Blog Giveaway

I have been looking for a laptop bag for months now and I found this blog giveaway that might just give me one. Jo-Lynne is having a giveaway in her blog, Musings of a Housewife. Here’s a picture and it got me drooling:

So, if you want to have these, go here.

PhotoHunt#17 Furry

This is Kulit and her adopted little sister. Kulit nearly died when she was just a few days old when her mother decided to hide her over the cabinet. Unfortunately, Kulit slide down the cabinet back which was just so tight for her. After a few minutes I came home, we had to pry open my super-heavy cabinet with a steel bar to get to Kulit. Her head was already deformed like a tiny football but surprisingly, she survived. Kulit's little sister was found by my niece outside their classroom. Their class decided to adopt it but my niece decided to bring her home when rains came for fear that the little cat might get swept by the floods which frequently visit their school.

That is Kulit messing up with my shell curtains.

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Litratong Pinoy#36 Lila(Violet)

Hindi ko alam ang pangalan ng bulaklak na ito. Natuwa lang ako sa kanyang tingkad at kulay kaya napagtripan kong kunan ng litrato. Ilan lang ito sa mga bulaklak na nakapaligid sa Agong House, Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur.


Translation:

I do not know the name of this flower. I just find its color very attractive and lively so I decided to try pictures of it. This flower is just some of the flower surrounding Agong House, Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur.

Rin on the Rox Invited by Ellen Degeneres

I got intrigued with these two Fil-Am ladies that got invited by Ellen Degeneres to appear in her show. TV news in the Philippines picked it up and I saw it tonight. So, off to youtube I went and oh boy! It is no wonder they got invited. They are awesome!

The duo is called Rin on the Rox and here is one of the songs they did on youtube. This is my current favorite song from the Pussycat Dolls, I Hate This Part:

Another song that they did was inside the bathroom (why there? Because of the acoustics!). The song is entitled "If I Were A Boy" and another favorite of mine, it was originally by Beyonce. Here goes..

Reported Attack Site!

This morning, I was so ecstatic to know that my blog was voted as Journal of the week by Bravejournal. Yesterday, one of my posts in that blog was one of the featured snapshots at Weekend Snapshot. Tonight, I was shocked to see this while I was trying to access the said blog:

I tried accessing my friends' blogs in bravejournal and the same warning came up and the worry that it was only my blog dissipated. There seems to be something wrong with bravejournal. Plurkers have already took notice and am sure, google is doing some interested look.

As for me, I hope and pray that bravejournal will be able to fix this as soon as possible and the entire contents of all the blogs they are hosting will be left untouched.

Extended Course Term for Nursing and Education Students

Commission on Higher Education ordered that starting June 2009 of this year, Nursing and Education students will now be doing 5 years at school instead of the previous 4 years; other courses will follow suit next school year of 2010.

This is to help improve the quality of nursing and teaching graduates of our schools as well as to be more globally competitive. I do hope that aside from this extended course terms, our education officials and other stakeholders should come up with better solutions to arrest the decline of our educational system. I believe that there is so much more to having extended course term to improve the quality of our graduates. In my opinion, the problem is multi-pronged and would need not only political will but lots of logistics support not only from the government but also from all stakeholders.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year to All! May you all be blessed throughout the year!!

PhotoHunt#16 Chipped

Terracotta Warriors in Shanghai

I saw this imitation of terracotta warriors guarding outside a restaurant-bar in Shanghai. The statues have chips on them making them look very old.

The world-famous terracotta warriors have been imitated everywhere but to see the real ones is just way different and astounding. See the pictures of the real terracotta warriors here.

This is my entry to:Check more photohunters here

Litratong Pinoy#35 Kahel(Orange)

Ito si Orange. Isa sa mga pitong pusa sa bahay. Pinakamalapit siya sa nanay ko at sa akin. Mas gusto niyang umistambay sa kwarto ko kung ako ay nasa bahay. Dati siyang malikot at makulit pero matapos siyang nawala ng ilang araw mga ilang buwan na ang nakalilipas, bumalik siyang payat at halos naghihingalo. Inalagaan namin siya para gumaling pero ang hindi na siya kasing-lusog noon at ang nawala na rin ang kanyang dating kakulitan at sigla.

Translation:
This is Orange. One of our seven cats at home. He is closest to my mother and me. He prefers staying in my bedroom when I am home. He used to be naughty and playful but a few months back, he disappeared for a few days. He came back very thin and almost dying. We nurtured him back to health but he never regained his previous health as well as his naughty and playful nature.

Michelle Obama Dress

I was browsing for the news on the internet tonight and found out that there is so much hoopla going on about Michell Obama Dress for the Inauguration.

Personally, I find her choice of dresses quite refreshing for a first lady that shows a sense of humor and a sense of style that is practical, smart, interestingly eclectic but always mindful of her position. The overall effect is stylishly beautiful and dignified and not overdressed as some women of position are wont to do.

Besides, what lady can not feel beautiful if one’s husband obviously swoons on her while asking the crowd “First of all, how good-looking is my wife?”

Doing Business by Blog Advertising

Internet used to be just a way of getting connected with people all over the world. It eventually evolved not only as a fast and vast source of information and a way of connection but one can actually do business thru it.

You got to try blog marketing if you have a business or a product that you want people to know and eventually, to buy or avail of, if you want to drive traffic to your website, if you are planning to tap the marketing and/or advertising agencies to do this kind of work.

People do not easily endorse products that they do not believe in and some would even go further by trying out the product themselves first before they endorse it. I, for one, would not just buy or use a product without asking around. Thus, the power of “word of mouth” or “buzz” works.

Bloggers can help in this “word of mouth” or “buzz”. Search engines like Google and Yahoo can index websites and help find or locate your product or service using your preferred keywords and if you prefer, with the corresponding links to your website. As blogs are seen through the internet and can be accessed globally, advertising and blogs can be harnessed to market products and/or services through bloggers. It is much more effective than doing it conventionally, like say the use of billboards or TV ads. It is also cost-effective as bloggers’ entry posts can stay longer and can be accessed easily through the internet compared to the traditional advertising or marketing.

So, if you are trying to create or expand your market for your products and/or services, try blog advertising. Fast, cost-effective, longer-lasting and the “in” thing to do nowadays.

One of the latest paid post sites that you can try is payingpost.com. It matches advertisers and bloggers with an easy to navigate marketplace that will allow both parties to meet and do business.

This is a win-win situation for bloggers and advertisers. Bloggers can make money blogging, advertisers can increase awareness for their products/services and eventually, increase business presence and marketability.

Charice Pempengco in Obama’s Pre-Inaugural Ball

Looks like Philippines is really part of the Obama Inauguration Schedule courtesy of Charice Pempengco. The cute and phenomenal singer got a standing ovation after singing in US President Obama’s Pre-Inaugural Ball. Here’s its youtube news video:

PhotoHunt#15 Hat(s)

When we arrived in Shanghai, China last December 2008, the weather was very, very cold at 6C-10C. It was a shock for us who came from a tropical country. We were quite amazed by how the locals can tolerate the cold weather. We were already wearing layered clothes, hats and/or bonnets but still, we still felt uncomfortable.

The picture was taken while we were going down the underpass in East Nanjing Road, Shanghai, China. As you can see, my friend-travel companion, Zaldy (the guy with the red hat) was the only one in the picture who was wearing a hat. Of course, most of the people in the pictures were locals except for the one in the extreme left. She is partially hidden and wearing a bonnet; she’s another friend-travel companion, Agnes.

Happy Birthday, Lil Beck!!

glitter-graphics.com

It is the birthday of a friend's daughter today. Her name's Rebekah Libertine but she's fondly called by her parents as Li'l Beck.

Happy Birthday, Lil Beck!! May you have good health and more blessings to come.

Rainy Days and Australia’s Best Job In the World

It has been raining since yesterday evening and the city is experiencing not only the wet weather but also, one of the coldest so far. Our country’s weather watchers, PAG-ASA, are telling us to brace for more. Lovely. The cold weather worsened my insomnia and I could not help but think of Australia’s offer for the best job in the world.

Just imagine being paid 150,000 Australian dollars (equivalent to 105,000 US dollars) just by lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months. Joke? Think again. This is for real and you can check out www.islandfreejob.com for the beautiful details.

Hmm..perhaps I should try this job.

Litratong Pinoy#34 Asul(Blue)

Nakaramdam ako ng takot at pag-alala nang una kong makita ang babalang ito ngunit napag-isip kong tama ang may ganitong babala sa isla ng Siargao. Nagtaka lang ako at bakit asul ang ginamit na kulay. Dahil ba sa patungkol sa tubig kaya ito ang ginamit? Di ba mas maganda kung mas matingkad na kulay kaysa asul?

Ganunpaman, sana wala nang ganitong sakunang mangyari.

Translation:

I felt some fear and worry when I first saw this warning sign but I thought that this was a right thing to do in Siargao Island. I just wondered why the color blue was used. Was it because it pertains to water that was why blue was used? Would it be better if they used a color that was brighter than blue?

Nonetheless, I really hope this disaster will not happen.

Arnel Pineda and Journey’s Revelation

Source: Rolling Stone.com

Thank you to a dear friend of mine. Today, I finally got the double CD plus concert DVD of Journey entitled Revelation. For the clueless ones, Journey is an American band that recently acquired a Philippine- born and bred lead vocalist, Arnel Pineda.

For those who do not have a copy yet of the said CD, go go go!! Not only are the songs well-performed but also, Arnel Pineda did us Pinoys very proud. His voice box more than filled up the empty shoes left by the band’s former vocalist, Steve Perry.

Pineda’s awesome vocal prowess left my jaws hanging open as I watched the concert DVD tonight. How can a guy that cute can actually reach several octaves is beyond me. Pineda gets seasoned assistance from his talented and world-renowned co-members of the band. The result… you got very good double CD plus concert DVD worth every cent you buy.

To my dear friend who gave the Journey CD, I am super-duper grateful. Mmmmmwah!

Hayskul Sarbey

I got this from Abby.

Message: THINK BACK TO 4th year HS...Let's see how much you remember and how much you regret..

What section were you?
= Rizal

Who was your adviser?
= Mr. Antonio dela Cruz. He’s a very good teacher

How many were you in one class?
= 54?

Who was/were your seat mates?
= I sat by the window and my seatmate was Georgette....

Still remember your english teacher?
= Mrs. Gonzales, another very good teacher.

What was your first class?
= Homeroom, Math

Who was your best friend?
= close friends..Mimi, Cynthia.

Who did you like?
= I remember I especially like guys who are smart than guwapo.

Made friends to the lower years?
= Nope. Too busy to socialize with lower years hehehe!

Had a boyfriend/girlfriend?
= nada..

How was your class schedule?
=it was more hectic than other sections because we have two additional subjects (for honor section) plus our choir practise pa.

Made any enemies?
= hmm…a guy who said he got a crush on me.

Who was your favorite teacher?
= our adviser/Math teacher

What sports did you play?
= None. I was more into choir singing and cutting classes, that time.

Did you buy your lunch?
= I go home..duol lang among balay.

Were you a party animal?
= Never.

Were you well known in your school?
= Hmm…I don’t think so.

Skip school?
= Yes.

Did you get suspended/expelled?
= nope!

Can you sing the alma mater?
= Forgotten.

What was your favorite subject?
= English.

What was your school's full name?
= At that time, it was called Davao City High School - Sta. Ana Branch. It is now called Sta. Ana National High School.

Did you go to the dances?
= Of course..

If you could go back in time and do it all over, would you?
= Oh yes! We were so carefree and full of life even if we did not have much back then.

What do you remember most about 4th year?
= we were the only batch of students in the school that rallied for the ouster of our school principal, and the implementation of disciplinary actions against erring teachers.

Favorite memory in 4th year?
= the choral contests we did as well as guest appearances on the local TV.

Worst memory in 4th year?
= Our commandant was gunned down after our military exercises on a Saturday.

Where did you go most often for break?
= sa room lang..way kuwarta.

What did you do on the last day of school?
= we lingered in our classroom and talked away.

How was your graduation?
= I had mixed feelings. Excited for the college, happy to graduate but sad to know that it was time to move on.

Got any honors or special awards?
= None.

Did you like 4th year?
= Very much. Our teachers told us several times that our batch was the best, the worst, the most talented and the most volatile batch they have ever had.

What year did you graduate?
= 1983

Who posted this before you did?
= si Abby..thanks much, girl.

Am tagging Pchi, Cee, Rose, Benchiegrace, Princess.

New Year's Resolution Award

These tags/awards came from Pchi. Thank you, girl.



Rules:

• You must be a true lover of the New Year to receive this award. The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with the New Year.
• Post at least five New Year’s Resolutions. If you can’t limit it to five, then continue until you go out of space.
• Pass the award along to as many bloggers as you like.
• Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their site. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.

Here’re my New Year’s resolutions:

1. Prioritize the things I promised to do last year but was not able to do.
2. Save, save, save.
3. Immediately lose the weight I gained from eating last holiday season.
4. Repair our kitchen.
5. Learn new skill.

Am tagging Abby, Shieryl, Junelle, Juliana, Sheng

Photohunt#14 Aftermath

The aftermath of walking around Shanghai for three straight days is hurting feet and worn-out shoes. Consequently, each time I had to sit after a lot of walking, I could feel my feet throbbing. No regrets though.

Litratong Pinoy#33 Pula (Red)

Malapit na naman ang Bagong Taon ng mga Intsik at siyempre pa, hindi mawawala ang mapupulang bagay na sinasabing nagdadala ng suwerte. Ako naman, talagang mahilig ako sa pula dahil ito ay kulay na makulay at masaya.

Kuha ang larawang ito sa isang tindahan ng mga lampara sa labas ng Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China nitong nakaraang December 2008.

May magagandang mapupulang bagay din dito sa Pilipinas.

Translation:

The Chinese New Year is already near and of course, you cannot miss anything red as they are considered lucky. For me, I like the red color because it is a color that is colorful and happy.

This picture was taken in one of the lantern stores outside Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China last December 2008.

There are also beautiful red things here in the Philippines.

Laylay

She came to our lives unexpectedly more than a decade ago. A friend gave her to my mother. She was really cute, soft, cuddly, looked and felt like teddy bear with a bad habit of chewing all the shoes and slippers she could sink her teeth on. She was not a teddy bear though but a dog. A mongrel dog or what we usually call “askal or asong kalye” but it did not matter to us. She was playful, intelligent, fiercely loyal, protective and cat-friendly only to our cats. There was even a time that she adopted a kitten or two as her bedmates. She was with us for more than a decade, loved belly rubs, acquired a taste for fruits including durian, loved fish and conceived a male dog, Kibol. She could smell our arrivals a few meters from home and would not stop barking until she got a pat or a hug.

She got sick when she was younger and we thought we lost her but she was a fighter. She recovered from her illness and checked out of the animal clinic after two weeks. After more than a decade with us, Laylay’s health started to deteriorate last year. She fought and bounced back again. I thought she was fully recovered until during the holidays, she started to weaken and ate sparingly.

This morning, my mother and brother brought Laylay to the vet because she has weakened considerably since yesterday. Sadly, the vet said there was nothing we could do but wait. Laylay, our beloved dog, left us quietly this afternoon. I miss her terribly. She was my perennial happy greeter. Laylay, I hope you are at peace and happy wherever you are now. Thank you for the good times and friendship. God bless.

PhotoHunt#13 Hope

Each time I travel, I marvel how other countries have gone so far ahead compared to my home country, Philippines. We just came back from Shanghai and there was so much to see, to marvel and consequently, to hope for my country. I know we have the skills, the talent, the perseverance and the people who can make the Philippines like what is Shanghai now. There is hope, if only we could all work together and set aside our personal differences and greed.

In case you think the picture is of one building, look again because it is not. The one on the right is the Jin Mao Tower with its spires and the one on the left is the Shanghai World Financial Center with its trapezoidal hole at the peak.

Shanghai World Financial Center consists of offices, hotels, observations and shopping malls. It is the second tallest building in the world and has three observation decks. Its highest observation deck is also the highest observation deck in the world at 1,555 ft high on the 100^th floor. The skyscraper has 33 elevators and has 101 floors. (Source: Wikipedia)

On the right is another well-known Shanghai skyscraper, the Jin Mao Tower. It is a 88-story skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. Just like its neighbor, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower has an observation deck, hotels, shopping malls, offices and commercial spaces. (Source: Wikipedia).

Litratong Pinoy#32

Ano ba ang naghihintay sa atin ngayong taong 2009? Napag-isip tuloy kami.
Translation: What is in store for us this coming 2009? That got us thinking.

Maganda ang mangarap dahil ito ang makakatulong sa atin para magsumikap ngayong 2009. Puwedeng mangarap na kasing-tayog ng Orient Pearl Tower ng Shanghai, China.

Pasensiya na at nagkasya na lang kaming ituro, tingnan at kunan ng litrato ito dahil sa kapal ng ulap-hamog; alam naming wala kaming makikita kapag itinuloy namin ang planong akyatin ito.

Translation:
It is good to have dreams because they encourage us to work harder this 2009. One can even have dreams as tall as the Orient Pearl Tower of Shanghai, China.

My apologies but we made do in just pointing, looking and taking pictures of it because we know that we would not see anything due to the thick fog if we pursued our decision to go up inside.