Must Love Antiques

I love looking at old photos, old houses, antiques and rummaging through my Grandmother's baul. (wooden box filled with stuff) When I was a little girl, every time we visited my grandparents I get mesmerized with her stuff like her old clips, brushes, combs, jewelry and what not. I imagine myself living those times and enjoying myself. But of course, only for a visit. I know in myself I could not live without my 20th Century things.

However, for my dream house I'd like to add pieces in there with an antique touch. No, I wouldn't fill it up with antiques but I'd like just to have a few nice pieces here and there. There are a lot of antiques for sale online and offline and it is up to us to know which one's are timeless pieces and which one's belong to the baul for good. Investing in a good sterling silver wear is also a nice idea and I've known antiques make a good opening conversation.

The girly-girl in me always get drawn to vintage jewelry and handbags. I love vintage rings, bangles and even hair accessories. They don't make stuff like they used to. Having one antique lamp can also draw attention to an otherwise boring study room perhaps? Ow, I have so many ideas I can't wait to have my own home.

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Wassup Doc?

Most of the time when I feel a bit sick, or is feeling under the weather I just take a generic pain reliever and I'm okay. Sometimes when I have a not so common ailment, I go online and read about it. Most of the time, I get promising information and results. I hate going to the doctors clinics because it takes so much time. Doctors are very busy and because of that they make patients wait for hours to see them. I could not blame them because they are busy saving lives.

I am a fan of medical TV Drama's like Grey's Anatomy and House so more or less I know how busy doctors get. Sometimes I wonder how else can they have personal lives on top of their careers when they are always on call. Anyway, for us lay men if we can't go to the doctor and need to know how to cure ailments we can be comforted by the knowledge that there is vast information online.

For more indispensable details about how to cure diseases and the importance of neuroimaging, head over to the profile of The Amen Clinics. You can also find another profile of the Amen Clinics here.

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Cravings

I am so craving burgers and Cebu's very own ngohiong right now. Drool...I guess my body is slowly adjusting to the pregnancy already.

Or maybe, its just because I had no meat yesterday so I am feeling carnivorous today. Whatever it is, I've asked my little brother to buy me ngohiong later for lunch or maybe after my OB's appointment.

Look how yummy.

Got this pic from this site.

Have you ever had Ngohiong from Guadalupe? Its the best. I could eat 10 hanging rice in one sitting. I swear. Back in college me and my friends eat this almost everyday because it is cheap and we can get to save a lot of our lunch money.

When you come to Cebu try it.

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Home Sweet Loan

Deciding on owning a house and lot is one of the biggest decisions any couple or family would face in their lifetime. Many factors should be considered when purchasing a home, one is the location. Is it accessible? Is it near schools, stores, churches or hospitals? Then there is the question of price. Can we afford it? How much is the down payment? How much mortgage do we pay? Is is payable in XX years?

I've been in this boat and there were a lot of questions and fears in my part. Questions like is our jobs stable enough to pay for this? And so much more. Good thing my parents and in laws were there to help us through the way. Also, For matters surrounding mortgage loan rates and home mortgages online, Amerisave can help you comprehend the issues better through Amerisave's company profile here at Jobs Businessweek. On stuff this big, we really need to do our research to be able to compare rates and prices out there.

For a young couple like it sure is scary especially if you don't know a thing about mortgages and loan rates. With the help of Home Mortgages Online we can be assured to get the best value for our hard earned money.

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Baby #2 Update : Week 9

I have figured out how to NOT feel nauseated all the time. I figured I got really queasy right after eating or drinking lots of liquid or food. So, I tried eating small portions at a time. Surprisingly, when my tummy is not so full I don't feel as queasy as opposed to if it was full.

So anyway, I am a bit hungry but that's okay compared to feeling sick all day. As long as I don't also overdo it. My body needs nutrition too you know. Anyway, how's the baby doing?

"With the rapid development in the baby till now the baby has developed all the features of a human being but is still small in size. The embryonic tail has disappeared at this stage and the baby is now ready for rapid weight gain. The eyelids which are fully formed are tightly shut and open in the 28th week. The gender of the baby can be found out at this stage. The baby’s joints such as the ankles, wrists, knees and elbows are now well developed and flexible allowing the baby to move freely in the amniotic sac. The heart of the baby develops further into four chambers and the valves begin developing. A strong fetal heartbeat should be detected at this stage by ultrasound technology and if this does not occur the doctor might take other tests to confirm the safety of the fetus. The baby can make a fist and begin sucking his/her thumb at this stage. In the ninth week the baby will open its mouth for the first time. The eyes will be totally ready and well formed but the membranes that cover the eyes will be still closed. The salivary glands and vocal chord begins to develop at this stage. The hands and feet develop the fastest in this stage and the heart beats at a rate of 150 beats per minute. The head is quite large at this stage compared to the rest of the body and it curves into the chest. The baby moves freely about as the muscles continue developing. The elbows and the sex organs are fully developed by now. The baby is the size of a grape by now measuring around 11/2 inches from the head to the rump and weighing a fraction of an ounce." - Source

Ow and did you know, pregnant women have a higher risk of cavities and gum infections known as pregnancy gingivitis? So brush and floss ladies ^-^

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God's Plan

Have you had your confessions lately?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of lent. First thing my family did today was hear mas and have confessions. It felt really nice to get a lot off my chest. Life isn't perfect and now, with the Global Economic Crisis, hubby might be forced to come home earlier than expected. Which is not exactly a bad thing because initially his contract stated he would be there until May 2009 only and if he comes home earlier then so be it.

In a way, this is a good thing. He is going to be here when our 2nd baby is born. He will see both our children grow up. However, the sad thing is we cannot save as much as we have hoped. Plans will be put on hold and it would be hard for sure. But I trust in God's plan for our family. So, if He wills it, who am I to have no faith?

...okay so anyway, I've been looking for great value discount lights online to no avail to I'll be surfing some more.

Hope your having a wonderful day. Ciao!

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Holiday For Some

Cebu is celebrating its Charter Day today, so that means its a Holiday for some.

..and by some I mean me not included. Part of the perks of working at home is that I can come and go whenever I please. So that being said, today even though its suppose to be a holiday I am working because there are things to be done and its not wise to leave it hanging just because its a "holiday".

However, I will not work all day ^-^ I need to have some tests done later this afternoon for my checkup with the OB this Thursday. I want to have an ultrasound too.

How's your Tuesday?

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I Miss High School

Who wouldn't?

It was a simple time with no care in the world. I remember I lived in front of our school so I would wake up late, hear the first bell and mad dash to school without properly combing my hair. I didn't mind because we were an all girls school so I had plenty of "comfort room bonding time" with my friends. We made the CR our official tambayan thus some of my classmates remember me as part of the CR girls.

My high school prom was very memorable because it was fun. I didn't go out with a date "date". I was with a friend and most of my friends got their group of friends as their dates so it was more of a group thing. However, this did not hinder us from planning out outfit and looks months ahead. Looking perfect, finding the perfect prom dress, accessories, hair, makeup and even the perfect prom shoes was far more important than the date if you ask me.

Back then, we had limited choices of designers and dresses. Unlike now when prom dresses can be bought easily and at a much more cheaper price. There are also dresses available online now. I remember back then, many of the girls in my class hated the restrictions that was given to us by the nuns. No backless, no plunging necklines, nothing too sheer or clingy etc. I used to think it was unfair but now looking back and a mom myself, girls in high school who are 16 year old's should dress appropriately. Besides, the boys would like girls who look decent but beautiful and not trashy. Boys would prefer girls they can introduce to their parents without feeling embarrassed.

This gown on the left looks fun, flirty, sexy but not too much. Just right for a 16-year old if you ask me. Found these gorgeous prom dresses online. There are many choices and for sure you'll find the perfect look that suits your style and budget.

This picture of me (in pink!) and my friends were taken when we were in college. It was our graduation ball. It was similar but then again very different from my high school prom if you ask me. It was the same because those girls with me there are also my high school classmates. We still had fun during the ball like the prom however, we enjoyed our ball more. Probably because we were older and the clothes were better this time. ^-^

I guess, my advice for those attending their HS Prom is that choose an appropriate dress that fits well. You don't like to keep on tugging and pulling on the dress in the dance floor. Second, find a good date. If you haven't found prince charming yet, then go with a good friend. For sure, you'll enjoy yourselves. We never know? You'll look at your friend in a new light after the prom? Lastly, enjoy the night by not drinking too much. You'd like to remember it right? There are more prom advice out there but I'll leave it at that for now.

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V for Vendetta

It's harder than it looks! Copy to your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. They have to be real... nothing made up! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.

* got this in a friends note on Facebook, looks like fun so I posted it here *

1. What is your name: Vannie

2. A four Letter Word: Vain

3. A boy's Name: Vince

4. A girl's Name: Vanya

5. An occupation: Valet

6. A color: Violet

7. Something you wear: Vest

8. Food: Venison (yeah, I googled!)

9. Drink: Vodka

10. Something found in the bathroom: Veet

11. A place: Venice

12. A reason for being late: Vomiting

13. Something you shout: Volta!!! ^-^

14. A movie title: V for Vendetta

15. A musical group: Van Halen

16. An animal: Vulture

17. A street name: Visitacion

18. A type of car: Volkswagen

19. A song title: Viva La Vida by Coldplay

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Cute Blogger Award

An award from Jody, thanks!


The Rules!

1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.

10 Facts about ME.

1. If I had the luxury of time & money I'd love to have perfectly manicured nails all the time.
2. As much as possible I prefer wearing dresses.
3. I love to travel mostly because I enjoy packing and thinking of what my outfits would be. ^-^
4. I go online everyday. If one day passes without me checking my emails I go kind of nuts.
5. ...I am running out of things to say maybe because I've done this kind of tag many times before...^_^
6. When I was in Grade 5 I wanted to be a nun. When I was in Grade 6 I changed my mind.
7. I realized early on that the best way to live your life is to have faith in God's plan for you, it may not be what you wanted but trust that its all for the best.
   
8. I am currently 8 weeks pregnant but my tummy looks like its on its 12th week already.
9. I'll stop here because I can't think anymore........besides I still have to check some flash memory stores.
   
10. Fact #10 : I am tagging anyone who likes to grab this ^-^
    

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Baby#2 Update: Week 8

Baby’s Development

• The embryo has all the features of an adult human at this stage and the ears are beginning to form internally as well as externally.
  
• The bones are developing and the muscles can contract easily. The toes and fingers which are webbed now tend to grow longer and the facial features become more prominent.
  
• The eyelids develop further and the tip of the nose can be seen easily.
  
• As the baby starts straightening out the embryonic tail start disappearing.
  
• The baby’s gender is confirmed by now however the external genitals are still forming and cannot be seen clearly.
  
• The embryo is at the end of the embryonic period and is about to start the fetal period.
• The baby’s framework is made up of cartilage and from the 47th day the first bone cells start replacing the cartilage.
  
• The face and jaw is well formed with the teeth and facial muscles developing at this stage.
  
• The bones for the legs and arms become hard and joints start developing.
  
• All the vital internal organs are well placed by now but are immature and will develop in the further weeks.
• The embryo is about 1 inch long and roughly the size of a bean. The weight is approximately 3 g. - Read more here.

Wow, this week, my baby's gender will be confirmed!!! This means extra prayers for me. Everyone is really rooting for a GIRL this time. However, I will remain partial until I know for sure. Any baby is a blessing. I can only really wish for it to be healthy and well.

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Such a Breeze

Ooooh I am so happy with my Paypal transaction this time around! Remember last year when I had a issue and had numerous errors with my paypal withdrawal that I ended up losing money in the process? Well, that was my own fault though, and now...I've learned my lesson and I only withdraw money directly to my UBP account and not the card.

The first one took about 4 banking days to clear and my latest withdrawal only took 2 banking days! Isn't that just phenomenal?

At first I really didn't want to withdraw my money because my blogging money is my own personal savings money, however budget it tight lately and I had to withdraw some. Hopefully, I get more assignments in the next months.

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Enough is enough.

I am going to let go of Ozzy's 15 year old nanny ASAP.

I have many reasons, but it boils down to last night. She placed my child in danger. That is something I can never forgive.

I went out for my friends birthday dinner at 7 pm. I was back by 1030pm, Ozzy was still up. The first thing I saw when I entered the room was the broken thermometer on the floor. Mercury all over the place.

I asked her about it and she seemed totally oblivious. What? Our room is small and it would be impossible to not see the shards of glass on the floor! Granted she doesn't know mercury can kill, the least she could have done was clean up the glass!

In the first place, that thermometer was safety tucked away in the recesses of the shelves, how did the boy get it???

She said she saw Ozzy climbing the shelves, maybe he got it. I snapped back at her, I can't believe she didn't even reprimand if she saw Ozzy climbing the shelves!??? And if he did, how the heck would she have not seen the boy play with it? And then break it?

...I've quietly forgiven her for all the other petty offenses like always on her cell phone, always noisy and doesn't clean up after Ozzy, I've also turned a blind eye once when I knew money was missing in my cash drawer (only because I had no proof and I found out too late).

Enough is enough.

She placed my child in danger and I will not tolerate that.

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Baby#2 Update: Week 7

I am currently on my 7th week.

During my first pregnancy this was about the time I told my parents. Yes, it was hard because I wasn't married yet. Luckily for me, it wasn't that hard and the whole family accepted the situation fairly smoothly without much drama.

How your baby's growing:
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry. -source

I am still a bit queasy and picky when it comes to food. I have my cravings and such but I am happy that the headache and the the drowsiness has eased up a bit.

I am slowly feeling back to normal except for the fact the my tummy feels really huge at this point. Of course, its not THAT huge but considering I only started sporting a baby bump on the 3rd month of my 1st pregnancy, sporting a rather huge tummy on my 7th week is pretty disturbing. Which led me to my dream a few nights ago - I was dreaming of having TWINS! Woah, that would be awesome. As long as its not 8, I would be happy to have twins.

Anyway, I was suppose to include a picture of myself with the visible bump...however I changed my mind. No matter how much I try to edit it, it still looks freaky huge for a 7 week old bump. ^-^ (of course there's fats included) But I do promise a picture when I complete my first trimester. That's on my 12th week. So be on the look out for that.

For now, I am on a lookout for good online college courses my brother can take for extra knowledge. Xoxo

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Extra Long Tie

During my sister-in-law's wedding, Ozzy was wearing a necktie (although it would have been cuter if he was in a tuxedo right?) and long sleeved polo shirt. He looked so dashing and BIG. I can't help notice how quickly time flew by. Although his necktie is a bit long right?!

( Ozzy with my parents )

I can't help but stare at him, now he's going to be an older brother. That made me remember about the old funny saying "Having one child makes you a parent; having two makes you a referee."

I sure hope not!

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On my 6th.

I am on my 6th week of pregnancy this week. I know you're asking, is this going to be a weekly thing????

I am afraid so, I've realized that I should begin writing down milestones and random tidbits about my second pregnancy because I know once the baby is out I'd forget. I know, it happened with my first. I only started writing religiously about my 1st pregnancy later on in the pregnancy and there are things that I forget already and it was not even 3 years ago. So..yes, this is a weekly thing. Besides, time flies too fast before I know it I'd be checking for some online college courses for my children!

"From week 6 to week 10 of your pregnancy, you will be in the embryonic period. This is a very important time of development for your baby and the embryo is most susceptible to experience developmental interferences at this time. Although the embryo is still very small, it is growing and developing rapidly. Your baby's early brain chambers are forming and the eyes are also beginning to form. Buds will appear and will develop into arms and legs in later weeks."

Also, my baby is the size of a small bean! Its head would be quite large and its eyes and nostrils are beginning to form. The emerging ears are marked and the arms and legs look like protruding buds. The hands and feet are shaped like paddles, and fingers are beginning to form even now. The heart has divided into the right and left chambers and is beating about 150 times a minute - roughly twice the rate of an adult heart.

Its glad to know my baby's face is taking shape. That's why whenever I see unpleasant faces in the TV I also look away(I loved Rustom P. but there's something off with Bebe Gandanghari!). Better be safe...^_^ Although I still feel bloated, queasy and sleepy all the time. Why do they even call it morning sickness when its actually a whole day event???

Oh, well..no pain no gain!

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Value in Education

Isn't it sad hearing that some policy holders of educational plans and pre-need plans are in danger of never getting their invested money back? I really feel bad because many of these people have sacrificed a lot to save for the future only to find out that they can only get a certain percentage of their money now, or they have to wait for X years if they want.

I am only speaking based on my close friends and family's experiences okay. Even my sister's educational plan was never fully paid until now. My mom and dad just had to let it go. They still continually follow up if they can get a bit of money though. That's why I never got an educational plan for my son. I only have my own life insurance (which reminds me to get term life insurance quote for hubby!).

I personally think the pre-need companies should stop recruiting if they cannot handle their payouts. Also, the government SHOULD do something about this problem. They can assist or give the pre-need companies a loan or something so that those people who are fully-paid up and in need of the money now for their child's education can make use of it. After all, education is vital for our countries future development.

Many keep saying the children are our future, but we never give importance to education and afforable means to have education. Even our school books are errorneous!!! Tsk. Tsk.

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