Kung Hei Fat Choi

Today , my daughter Keisha will have their Chinese new Year Celebration in school. Every pre-school students is required to wear a Chinese costume only if available at home or just any red dress or attire to be able to celebrate Chinese New year. They were also required to bring Chinese foods to share with their classmates. I just bought 6 chicken siopao at Kuilans because it is also Keisha's favorite food. Here are some photos taken while Teacher Mel and other students were busy preparing for accessories like paper dragon and excited to watch the movie Kung Fu Panda.

Close friends in school--Regine, Tisha and Keisha

Regine and Keisha-friends forever!

Teacher Mel and students cutting out paper dragon.

Bitter Vegetables

During my younger years I was not fond of eating vegetables. I always eat pork, fried fish and fried chicken. But for now as I become older, one of my favorite vegetables nowadays is Bitter gourd. I always cooked it with egg and serve it for my family. My husband Noel love the dishes too. Eating bitter gourd gives a healthful benefits. Bitter gourd also known as bitter apple or bitter cucumber or bitter melons have been used as contraceptive and as a psoriasis treatment. Bitter Melons may also lower blood sugar. It may boost insulin secretion, improve the ability of cells to absorb glucose and hinder the release of glucose from the liver. This is good for people with diabetes. Bitter gourd could also be made into a juice ,just ignore the bitter taste or maybe consider the capsule instead. So, people out there who really hate this kind of food, try now! It will make you glow and healthy .

Olive Oil

Last Christmas, my sister-in-law gave us grocery items needed in our home. Every family has their own share equally. Noel and I were very happy that for the first time we can use olive oil for our fried foods. We agree to each other that we will only use it on important occasion or delicious meals that were going to cook. The reason for this is that we can't afford to buy it in the supermarket because in the Philippines, olive oil is very expensive compared to the local brands. But when my mother in law heard about this news she was furious for the reason that why will our gallon of olive oil be kept only in the cabinet instead of consuming the local oil. What the heck!?? She too, has her own supply of gallons of olive oil! So, what's the big deal with it?"Problema ba yon?!" We are just treasuring and savoring the taste of olive oil in our dishes. In-laws strikes again!!! Anyway, Olive oil can help fight against cancer by having a four teaspoons of olive oil a day. Diet rich in olive oil reduced levels of chemicals in the blood that can trigger cancer. There are lots of uses and advantages in using olive oil. So, better use it wisely.

Massive lay off from work

Filipino workers is now experiencing massive lay off from their jobs. Mostly electronics company shut down its business due to their low sales and affected by global financial crisis. What happen then to a worker who supports their family? Where could they get food, pays the rent, tuition for their children, and payment for credit cards that are sending their financial statement monthly? It makes a Filipino more poorer having a difficult time looking for another work since our country could not offer more jobs. As I watch news from the television, other countries too, like Europe, United States, London have to slashed down their workers because of the crisis. I do hope we could surpass the economic crisis in our country and be back again in our normal situation to a progressive and stabilize country.

Qoute about marriage

Read this quote in a magazine and I want it to share to every individual who is married, getting to be married or even to the single person who wants to marry someone. This quote was quoted by Clint Eastwood and it goes like this:

"They say marriages are made in heaven, but so thunder and lightning."

A successful marriage needs support, common values shared, love and mutual understanding, and communication. Remain lovers and grow together . These things could keep your love alive and makes you closer till your last breathe here on earth.

Amazing Facts

• The world's average temperature has risen approximately 0.7 degrees since the start of the 20th century. The year 2006 is estimated to be the sixth warmest year on record. ..(so hot!)

• About two billion people- around one in three people on the planet

own a mobile phone.(Philippines is the #1?!!huh!)

• The average woman will shop for 25,184 hours and 53 minutes over a period of 63 years. Women make an average of 301 shopping trips for year, lasting a total of 399 hours and 46 minutes.(whew!!!how about men?!!)

Second Time Mom

My sister would soon have her 2nd baby girl. She was then busy searching for the right name and preparing things needed for the new born baby. Taking care of a newborn baby is a disaster. Extra careful is needed for the newborns. Moms should know everything the needs and the every moves that she makes. I do hope in this country we can have a Baby Planner. Like having a wedding planners, personal trainers and life coaches. That can help us coordinate all the work needed after giving birth with the baby. Maybe this will be the ultimate solution for harried-and cashed-up moms to be. Every mom should have a dedicated coordinator to do all the work for them. Unfortunately, the biggest and difficult job could not be handled by the Baby Planner is by giving birth.

The Big C

Big C strikes again! Yesterday, we went to the wake of a family friend who died of Breast Cancer. Her name was Nening (real name MaryJane) a daughter of our godmother Perla. Though I was not close with them, I still accompany my mom in law in their home. As I peep in the coffin, Nening was so beautiful and resting peacefully. Her face was so tame and thin that is different from the picture displayed above the coffin. She suffered for 8 long years agonizing but still fighting to live normally for her 2 children. According to Noel, Nening was kind and easy to be with. She communicates well during their conversation as if she has no illness. We stayed there for an hour mingle to the members of the family. After that, we went home and Noel and I discussed the cause and effect of Cancer to our human body. Simply being a woman has the greater risk for breast cancer. Different risk factors could link to have the disease. Hormones seems to play a big role in many cases of breast cancer, but how just this happens is not fully understood. Maybe proper diet, exercise, avoiding alcohol and smoke could save us from the Big C. Health is Wealth as the saying goes. To Nening, farewell and Rest and Peace.

Out from a Job

I was shocked with the news that my cousin Syd was no longer connected to City hall as a job order worker. I feel pity for him. Working gives him the motivation and its his first time to work in an office. It keeps him busy and tried to wake early just to be in the office on time. I guess, it was also a bad news for him because I know that he will celebrating his birthday next week. But as I said to him, life for him must go on and maybe there are other big opportunities waiting for him. Better position and big salaries. Don't lose hope, you're still young and there's a lot of things to explore in this world for you to discover. Cheer Up!!! I am here for you!

Jackie Chan to remake The Karate Kid Movie

My husband and I loves Jackie Chan. We were very fanatic of him and watch all his movies from time to time. We were entertained by his agility and talent being an actor in all his movies. Even his old film, we still patronized it. Now that the news was out and he will be the star in the remake of The Karate Kid --Hallelujah!!! Another movie to die and watch for! Maybe Mr. Chan will play as mentor who helps a youngster stand up to bullies. A role similar to Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi in the 1984 film. Other stars will be played by Jaden Smith, Will Smith son. Looking forward to this movie and worth waiting in your theater near you. Don't fail to watch!!See you!

Fiesta in January

The Christmas season has ended. Now its the time for Fiesta's. As the new month of the year 2009 begins , celebrations for Fiesta has lined up. In January, we celebrate 3 big events in different places. First, was the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quaipo, Manila. It was held every 9th of January. It is crowded because masses of devotees push and shove as they get the chance to touch or even carry the image of Christ that was known as the Black Nazarene. Black Nazarene was believed to be the answer to all prayers and wishes to all devotees. It was dressed in Red velvet embroidered with gold threads. So, If you don't mind of the crowds, this is an event that should be experience. You must bring water, towel and don't wear anything valuable. Thieves in this occasion has their own feast too and also do not bring your children.

Second event was the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. The Dinagyang Festival is a very colorful festival that the people are shouting the thundering words of "Hala Bira" and makes the celebration so lively. The highlights of the fiesta is the parade of dancers dancing in the streets to dramatized in honor of the Senyor Santo Niño shouting "Viva Señor Santo Niño". The big event will be on January 24 and 25. The city aims for the world record on biggest batchoy bowl. They aim to promote batchoy as a soup delicacy of Iloilo. Batchoy used to be only a mixture of broth, innards of pig, pork chicharon and other spices. But today, it has a variety of flavors like beef and even seafood batchoy. This will be a merriest event of the year for all Ilonggos as they serve their food for all streetchildren of Iloilo City.
The third big fiesta to celebrate was the Sinulog Festival. Sinulog is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño. The dance is performed to seek help from the Santo Niño and to thank Him for favors and blessings received. These Fiestas in January is a must see and be attended. You will surely enjoy all the festivities that will be held in every places. Happy Fiesta!!!

Shop at Extrabux

Shopping now a days get very sophisticated. Most of the people now shop online for they find it very comfortable. All you need is a personal computer and an internet connection and you can order what you want. Online shopping is what people are use to it. They don't want anymore to travel long distance just to shop for it takes more cost than getting your items right at your doorsteps. There are a lot of sites that offers different items that you need but online shopper choose the best site wherein they can avail of big discounts and best online shopping deals. There is a site that I always visit and do shopping. Extrabux.com site is what I am referring to. It is a site that offers cash back rebates. You can save alot here because most of their items are cheaper than the other. I do comparison shopping a lot to be able to know which items are more cheaper than the other. This site is the best among the rest because aside from high qualit made items, they have all in store for you, the prices are more cheaper than the other plus the big discounts that you can avail. For you to avail the big discounts and the cash back, you need to register for free and after your registration, you can now shop online and get cash back rebates by shopping online through Extrabux - up to 30% cash back at over 800 stores. You can also use their coupons to find discounts, deals, and bargains. So register now , and get the best online shopping deals and get paid because they will send you a check or deposit your cash back earnings directly into your PayPal account.

Travel at the park

The statue beside me is a replica of the Ateneo de Manila virgin Mary. It was given by the classmates of Attorney Jesus V. Ayala of Davao City and it is now displayed up in the Eden Nature Park of Davao City. This is one of the tourist attraction of the park. aside from this, there were also a lot of beautiful spots and places inside the resort plus you can see how they grow lettuce through hydroponics. It is very interesting to travel inside the park because you will discover a lot of interesting things.