Virac Ladies Circle

Today, I will blog about the 5 very special ladies who gave sense to my life when I view life as just one big senseless hole. These ladies inspire me to become what I am today. These ladies continue to inspire others by their unique kindness and enthusiasm to change the world we live in by their selfless actions. These ladies will continue to be part of my life even the distance. These ladies will be forever missed. These ladies define what "fun" is. They are the people who give meaning to the word "FRIEND". These ladies are Pattie Kozma, Vey Abella, Kristine Gamil, Carina Co and Manay Ching Co. They are the VIRAC LADIES CIRCLE and I am one of them.

Online Black Friday Store

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Time to celebrate with family once again and when the turkey's gone, and the table is empty, what else is there to do?

Of course, don't forget about black Friday. It is the biggest sale event ever where you can find practically everything you need: computers, designer's clothes, tools, jewelries, gadgets and many more.

I remember last year we celebrated Thanksgiving in New York with my sisters. 2 of my sisters are shopaholics. At the dinner table we were already discussing what time to set the alarm clock so we could be at JC Penny at the stroke of 5am Friday. So, they agreed to synchronize the alarm clocks at 4.00 am. But 4am is too early for me. We came from Maine and drove 8hours the day before Thanksgiving so we are still sleep deprived. I really wanted to go with my sisters as we don't have much time to bond together but my body was too lazy and tired. So I stayed home and missed the chance of a really good sale.

This year, were going to New York again for a week and be with my sisters to spend the holiday and looking forward to black Friday as always. I have my shopping list ready. Among the things I must have are: tomtom navigator, a new laptop, coach bag and the list goes on. I am also shopping for Christmas for my family and my husband's family.

Good thing I found this online Black Friday site. Yes folks, there is an online store where you can buy your stuff without having to wake up early to be in the store at 5am. Feel free to visit the site and plan your shopping ahead. They even offer a free email alert to update you with all the latest ads. There are over 50 major participating stores you can shop all at the same time like: Macy's, JC Penny, Linens n things, home depot, kohls, ikea and many more. Imagine the time and money you'll save and only a click away. Visit the site and find the thanksgiving flyers so you could plan your shopping and see what items are on sale. Happy shopping!

Balikbayan box

Greg first heard of "balikbayan box" from Filipinos we met in Freeport Maine a year ago. Since then he has been bugging me about sending my mother in the Philippines a balikbayan box.

A balikbayan box (literally returnee's box) is an omnipresent cardboard box that contains any small items sent by a Filipino overseas known as a "balikbayan".

These boxes might contain nearly anything that can fit and that the sender thinks the recipient would like, regardless of whether those items can be bought cheaply in the Philippines, such as non-perishable food, toiletries, household items, electronics, toys, designer clothing, or items you can't find in the Philippines.

2 weeks ago, we went to a Filipino store in West Palm Beach and we saw a big Balikbayan Box and decided we wanted to have one. The deposit was $10 but is deductible from the total freight cost which is $125 regardless of the weight. For weeks now, we've been shopping at Sam's club for stuff like chocolates, toiletries and some canned goods to send but the box is not even half full. All those stuff are also available in the Philippines. So I suggested to just send the money so they can buy what they want and only what they need. He said: it is better that way, it is a good gesture and will remind them that were thinking of them all the time. Amen to that. I guess he is more Filipino than me. I really appreciate it that Greg takes steps to please my family not just through a "balikbayan box" but in many times he reached out in words how he cares. Lucky me, eh.

Online auto supply

It doesn't matter whether you drive on the track or drive on the road, power steering is of utmost importance and could make your life easier. Why? Because if your car is equipped with power steering device, it reduces the steering effort on vehicles by using an external power source to assist in turning the wheels. So if your car needs an upgrade and needs power steering rack, steering rack and steering box, Power Steering Pros has all the answer you need at prices you can't afford to miss. Powersteeringpros.com is the best online auto supply you can enjoy and from its 28 locations nationwide, shipping takes only a couple of days.

What makes your computer slow?

When you thought you have the right protection in your computer and still wont improve the speed of your computer, what else is wrong? I have Symantec anti-virus and installed windows defender, regularly scans and defrags, I even transferred my pictures to CD thinking that it slows down my computer but all those seems to be futile. It is very disappointing when it takes you forever to send or even open a single document. What is wrong with my computer? Somebody please help me. This is causing me to miss good opportunities at PPP and its killing me.

Low cost auto insurance

During this tough economic time we are going through, paying expensive auto insurance is the last thing on your list. You don't want to pay arms and legs for the same service other insurance companies offer. At Cost-U-Less Insurance Center you can shop around and compare rates and decide what insurance suits your needs best. It is the smartest thing to do to Call 800-586-4948 NOW!and get a free qoute.

The mystery of the heavy luggage

This is a sequel to my earlier post "Lost in NYC Subway".

Friends who read my previous post asked me why I was carrying a big suitcase for a 3 day stay in New York City.

Well, before I went to see my friend Pinky in NYC, I was in Binghamton in Upstate New York for a week to help my sister fix her house. She just bought a house and relocated from Bronx and she needs a lot of serious help. So there I was to the rescue. My mission: to paint the living and dining room and the hallway. How did I do it? I just imagined I was painting my toe nails and it made my task a lot easier. Actually, I enjoyed doing it and I was happy with the results. My sister's house is now a home and shes happy with it. I am now accepting contract work, anyone?

Happy with my work, my sister remunerated me with hand me downs: boots and winter jackets which I have difficulty finding my size here in the US. Along with that, she gave me my belated wedding gift: a set of porcelain starter plates, some jewelry making tools and painting tools (acrylic paints, canvass and brushes)-- I just love them!

That was the mystery that hides in the heavy luggage. When Pinky saw what had caused our separation she was in hysteria.

It took so much hysteria to appreciate the wisdom in traveling light.

Lost in NYC Subway

I will never forget that day when I took up the invitation of my very good friend Pinky to visit New York City to watch the musical "Les Miserables" on Broadway exactly a year ago today. I am no stranger to New York, I've been there twice before but all the time, I was with my husband. This time, I'm on my own and was very excited. It was the very first time I am traveling alone and I feel proud of myself.

While my husband Greg took me to the Greyhound station in Portland he was also briefing me endlessly about the dos and donts in the city like a broken record. He even called Pinky to tell her to take care of me and not to loose me as if I am a kid. I never imagined the probability of his fears was too colossal.

I didn't wait long to see my friend at the bus station so we proceeded to the subway station to her apartment in Queens. Sensing how heavy my over-sized luggage was, she grabbed my backpack so I can concentrate on dragging my luggage and move faster to the waiting train. She hopped in the train not realizing I was too far behind painfully carrying the weight of my luggage almost running and jumping off the stairs. But I was too late, the doors have closed and Pinky was inside. Left with nothing except a bagful of junk, I was a picture of a lost kitten not knowing what to do. My backpack is with Pinky and it contained all my valuables: money, credit cards, passport and cellphone. I wanted to cry. I didn't even know Pinky's address in Queens and I had no money. There was a payphone, but my memory must be too short to remember any number to call for help except my husband's and I don't want to stir panic if I call to say I am lost. And again, I have no money. What will I do? Will I beg? My mind went back to Greg in Maine. His worst nightmare has come to a reality.

I saw Pinky's face turned red in fear. She just talked to Greg and promised him I will be safe in the city. The train started to move and a big question mark was plastered all over my face. Lost. She shouted from behind the glass door: "take the next train and I will meet you on Grand Central -- the NEXT station" her voice echo in the whole coach, all the passengers are sympathetically staring at me this time. But the next station was Time Square. I'm lost again for the second time. Will I stop here or continue going to Grand Central? I decided I will get off at Grand Central.

Many trains had passed, there was no Pinky in sight. How could 2 people find each other when they are in 2 different places? She was in Time Square, I was in Grand Central. After 2 hours and 5 mysteries of the Holy Rosary, I finally saw a very frantic Pinky running about the station scanning for a small woman with big luggage short of shouting my name to make sure I was there. At last, we've been reunited. It was the longest 2 hours of my life.

The rest of my trip was very enjoyable. We booked on a city tour, visited the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Time Square, attended mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and watched "Les Miserables" on Broadway and sampled the many Filipino restaurants in Queens. Overall, my pleasure outweighed my earlier misadventures.

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The wrath of Fay

I spent the whole day inside the house watching TV and monitoring the news since 3.30am this morning. Greg has to fly to San Francisco early this morning for a very important meeting he can not afford to miss, but Tropical storm Fay was pounding the whole State of Florida from east to west, north to south and actually praying the flights were cancelled so Greg will stay at home. Classes and work was suspended but the plane took off on time. Greg is now in San Francisco having dinner at a restaurant called "the girl and the fig" (hmmmm!) missing the lashes Mother Nature had just unleashed to the Floridians. Fortunately, it did not develop into a hurricane as forecasted earlier or it would have brought more damage than it already delivered. Right now, were experiencing some flooding in many areas, reports of tornadoes in Wellington, Ft Pierce, Port St. Lucie and Stuart. Whew, those are close. But I'm ok, there are no damage to our building. I actually went out to Carlin Park and found surfers chasing the furious surf on shore. Some people just know how to have fun even amidst the wrath of Fay.

The many wonders of Tuba Tree (Jetropha Curcas)

I have never imagined that the tuba tree ( Jatropha Curcas)my mother planted in our backyard years ago to prevent our neighbors' chicken from eating her camote plant actually is an important tree until I saw it on TV.

When we were growing up, we had this big tuba tree in front of our house that served as a pharmacy for the whole barangay. One can not discount the importance of tuba as an ever dependable life saver. When we had stomach ache, Mama will just get few leaves from the tree, heat them in the stove and neatly arrange them in our abdomen like you would arrange lasagna in a dish. For canker sores, grab a leaf and drop the sap coming from the stem directly to cover the sore. Just ignore the bitter taste and you may feel a little discomfort as well but the sore will start to dry after a day. It is said to have anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory and purgative properties that's why it is very popular in the countryside where herbal medicine is the norm.

My knowledge of the tuba stops there. Little did I know that tuba has many useful products and by-products, especially the seed, from which oil can be extracted; this oil has similar properties to palm-oil. Because it can be used in place of kerosene and diesel and as a substitute for fuel, the potential of this plant is seen as our answer for foreign dependence of oil. Airline companies are now considering fueling airplanes with biodiesel extracted from this tree. Aimed at the reality of the sinking economy and soaring gas prices, could Tuba tree be our saving grace and the means to end global oil crisis?

The Med-Spa Treatment

Over the years, Medicine have found its way to revolutionize the industry elevating its standard from the traditional way of treatment to a more personalized, pampering, feel good atmosphere. We've heard about the popularity of the Medi-Tourism where patients are being treated in a resort like facility giving patients the luxury of well being and total relaxation in a holistic approach. I've seen it is becoming popular in Thailand. But why go somewhere else where you can avail of such services in our own backyard where your safety is at the hands of qualified and experienced medical practitioners.

All over the US, the increasing popularity of Medi-Spas have succeeded the mainstream medicine whether for treatment or for aesthetic purposes.

M Medical Spa offers a state-of-the-art facilities and modern technology to give you the results you've always wanted: the beautiful, radiant, youthful YOU! Visit M med-spa in Alpharetta GA, USA. Their facility offers a spa like ambience so simple, elegant and tranquil. They offer the best services and products that are safe, effective and scientifically proven delivered by reputable and well trained medical professionals. You can choose from the complete menu of wellness options including Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, Laser treatments for skin rejuvenation, Laser Hair Removal and Cellulite Reduction.

Scattergories

SCATTERGORIES. ..it's harder than it looks! Erase my answers, enter yours, send it on to your friends. *Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... *They have to be real places, names, things. Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question:

Thank you Avee for this tag

• WHAT IS YOUR NAME -- Elba
• 4 LETTER WORD – echo
• VEHICLE – erplane...eroplano na lang kaya
• TV Show – Eat Bulaga
• CITY – Eloelo (Yong bang malapit sa Baculud?)
• BOY NAME – Edu GIRL NAME – Eda
• OCCUPATION – Engineer
• SOMETHING YOU WEAR – epron ( mahilig akong mag luto eh)
• SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM – escuba ( yong pang kuskos sa libag?)
• REASON FOR BEING LATE – esleeping late
• SOMETHING YOU SHOUT – elp!!!!

Susku ano ba to?

O kayo naman Cleo, Lira, Lermz, Sheryll…. Have Fun.

Remembring the Opening Night of the 2008 Beijing Olympics

 

Did you watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics at NBC?

It was China's own time to WOW the whole world with its cinematic blockbuster using amazing engineering and showmanship using its own biggest resources -- the people. With more than 100M dollars budget for the opening and closing ceremonies alone, it showcase 5000 years of China's history for the whole world to see. Exactly 2800 drummers performed the beat to what seems to be unison of lights every beat of the faux drum. And the lighting of the torch was so very impressive, it steals your breath away!

I was hoping I could finish the parade of the nations but I only lasted until after the Philippines. It was very long and I was getting sleepy. Good to see that the government sent delegates and Manny Pacquiao, the proud flag bearer.

The US delegation was wearing a Navy blue sports suit with white beret designed by Ralph Lauren, so very stylish.

Now, there is something we both would enjoy watching.Go USA, Go Philippines! Talking about loyalty, Im loyal to both.

 

New and effective way to lose weight

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Journey Lite offers a complete program that helps you get back to health from self evaluation, to finding the right surgeon, to insurance approval, and even assist in the follow up and post surgery to provide the best care possible to assure absolute journey to a better health. At Journey Lite, everything is designed with the patient's utmost comfort in mind. At Journey Lite, you've found the perfect lap band doctor to care for you.

Trip to Key Largo and Islamorada

It's been a month now since we went to these beautiful islands to celebrate our 1^st year wedding anniversary. Yeah folks, we managed it for a year and hoping for centuries more! Sorry for a belated post but I promised Sheryll that I will share this wonderful and exciting experience with everybody.

It wasn't a picture perfect day to begin with as it was raining during the day. The drive was entertaining and got me acquainted with the rest of Florida specially the lower end of the strip. As usual we entertained ourselves by singing along to whatever music is on the radio and stopping along side of the road for sight-seeing-rest. We were not in a hurry.

A short stop at Captain Shon's for lunch where we treated ourselves to a sumptuous fish and chips platter, and a shopping spree in a big shell store called "Shell World". We're beginning to feel touristy at this point. Greggy splurged on shells. Shells? I have a great affinity to shells. Unknown to many of my friends in the blogosphere including my husband, I used to travel around the Philippines to collect shells to either sell the shells as is or incorporate them as a component for my bags, picture frames, fashion accessories. I have an exclusive market in Hawaii. That was where I make my living before I met my husband. But that is another story. Talk about coincidence, huh!

Let's go on our trip. A quick rest at the Ramada hotel then we continued our tour to Islamorada expecting to have a glimpse of the sunset unfortunately, the sun was hiding in the clouds and soon the rain fell down. Luckily we were seated in the covered area of Lorelei restaurant. I will definitely recommend this restaurant if you ever make it to Islamorada. It was Saturday so expectedly packed with people who mostly come from different islands by boat. They have a dock exclusively for customers only. Even if it was showering, the band continue playing for the entertainment of the clients some were dancing some including us were content to sing along with the familiar songs. We had a humongous Alaskan king crab, tacos and of course our gastronomic trip won't be complete without the famous key lime pie – everything was awesome.

Sunday, we booked on a snorkeling tour. Again, the weather wasn't friendly but the captain decided to go confident the thunder will go away. True enough, when we get to the point, it was already beginning to be a beautiful day, but we're already drenched in rain in the catamaran. The snorkel was extraordinary. There were assortments of colorful fishes that I am not familiar with. Overall , even if it started out raining, it was still a beautiful day.

Did I tell you it rained? I was walking from the Captain's seat to join Greg in front of the catamaran when I slip in a puddle of water shooting directly in a bucket full of anti-fog solution as if placed there specially to catch me. When I looked up, I saw everybody's shocked face asking me "are you OK?" Except for the big black and blue on my left leg, I was OK. Another souvenir I guess of my clumsiness, it was so very me. Speaking of souvenirs, I have collected loads of it, nothing new anymore.

A gift of life?

 

Why Not? Many of us have pampered ourselves and have splurged enormously on spas, cosmetics and lavish vacations. Not that there is wrong with that and probably we all deserve it at one point in our lives. When it comes to treating oneself, we subscribe to nothing but the best! Introducing the best ever gift you can give yourself, your mother, your daughter, sister or best friend – the gift of health and longevity.

With C'elle's latest revolutionary stem cell research technology, you can now avail of C'elle's introductory service for a limited time only. This exclusive offering includes a media kit to help collect your menstrual fluid in the privacy of your own home. The kit has an easy step by step instruction from collection to the transport of the specimen to C'elle's state-of-the-art facility for processing where the stem cell will be cryo-preserved for an indefinite period of time for your future use.

This amazing new discovery allows those harvested blood stem cells to regenerate and self-renew to provide therapies to women suffering from diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other possibilities of a debilitating diseases. Having the menstrual fluid preserved I think is the best insurance we can give ourselves. It is like investing money in the bank, only this time you are putting your health in the bank, literally. Stem cell is definitely the future of health.

I will definitely recommend C'elle to women out there specially those who are genetically at risk of any kind of life threatening diseases. It is very easy to use and can absolutely save a life. The more I read about stem cell preservation and C'elle's amazing discovery using our own monthly menstrual fluid, the more I am convinced that life is absolutely worth the best shot. Listen to a satisfied C'elle client testimonial and be convinced of C'elle's remarkable future in women's health.

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Feel young, look young

I was watching Oprah the other day where they were airing the 2nd part of the episode "You staying young". I am not a regular viewer of this show as I have an irregular work schedule but was lucky enough to catch the 1st part about a week ago or so. Dr Memet Oz discussed the factors that contribute to premature aging and what we can do to reverse it. There are so many factors to consider like: diet, lifestyle, the environment, the chemicals you use to clean your house. It will take me 2 episodes of Oprah to share so I will just share you one thing that I think will be very interesting to you, the special blend that will make you healthy and look younger. I believe strongly in the saying "what you eat is what you are".

Here is an anti-aging drink recommended by Dr Oz which Oprah describes as "tastes everything fresh".

1 cucumber
1 cup spinach
1 apple
1 lime
1 lemon
celery
half ginger

blend together and you have a refreshing drink that will counter the clock of your life.

Enjoy!

A Beautiful Sunday Morning

Coffee, pancakes, yogurt, strawberries, kiwi, blueberries and banana – all arranged as it should be in the little table by the porch overlooking the lake. The sun is just rising on the horizon reflecting in the water -- a perfect time to be outside knowing that it will be extremely scorching as the day pass by. The little pet louizard playfully hopping between the drying mint and oregano leaping ecstatically in his own element. All things are coming to life. He is enjoying his morning coffee and perusing the news while she surreptitiously wipes the sleep on her face dragging her lazy body to where the aroma of coffee is coming from "Oh, hey, good morning Babe, here is your coffee and can you see I made you your favorite pancakes! Would you like juice?"

That's why she loves Sundays. It is one of those rare moments the maid is being served. It is her chance to reign the house. The rest of the week, she is the maid and she makes him feel the king of the house. It is a role she plays so efficiently with all her heart. She hopes though that everyday is Sunday.

Have a glorious Sunday everyone.

Online Complete Loan Source

After Judy's citizenship party last week, I realized I really enjoyed video games. The bowling was so virtual, I thought I was in the bowling alley. And the boxing really got me up on my feet and throwing jabs and uppercuts! Now I simply had to have a video game of my own to use and enjoy at home with Greggy. But, payday was 10 days away and I needed my game now!

Good thing there is a complete online loan source that is quick, easy and only a pay period away. Not only that, your information is guaranteed safe and confidential. I found Payday loans and quickly had a video game of my own. Now I can enjoy quality time playing video games as a family.

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Is crab mentality distinctively Pinoy?

I have never really given much attention to the term "crab mentality" until of late when I have been a victim of this negative idiosyncrasy myself. It is very disappointing and nauseating to know that there are people who invent situations to make other people look bad. It seems that it is very prevalent among Filipinos and reveals the short-sighted thinking of people who pull other people down, denigrating them rather than helping them achieve their goals.

Have you ever seen a bucket full of crabs? They all know that they will all end up dying in a cauldron of boiling water and eventually at the dinner table, and if a crab attempts to escape at the point of just jumping out the bucket, the other crabs will pull its leg back to the bucket. This metaphor symbolizes the Filipino mindset "if we can't have it, neither can you".

I find it so pathetic when someone tries to inflict unnecessary damage to someone's being, the devastation is not only limited to the target person more so reflects how stumpy the attacker's personality actually is and how badly they drag down the image of the Filipino culture. I am a Filipino who still believes that there are still many who embody a positive attitude and are actually concerned about other people rather than dragging down the whole culture to shame. Sadly, negative images stay in mind.

Why is it so hard for Filipinos to mind their own business? Why is it so hard to accept that someone is better than others? For lack of better things to do, is it becoming a favorite past time? We always claim that we are proud to be Pinoy. Are we proud of the nauseating odor emanating from the Filipino crab mentality syndrome?

Are you still proud to be Pinoy?