Madonna Didn't Make It to the Finals

We watched again the last instalment of the show,"Britain's Got Talent" lastnight. It was the last semi-final round and oh, what an emotional, full of tension night. When all the 8 semi-finalists finished the performance, i knew already in my head and in my heart who will gonna make it to the finals. All my bet the last semi-final rounds had been true, but just lastnight was special. It was because...

There was this Filipina contestant named Madonna Decena. Clad in a classy outfit and dangling,glittering earrings, her rendition of Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" was not that super phenomenal as compared to the other performances of the night. Simon Cowell didn't like it and even said that "this is a show of Britain's got talent and not a show of whoever got the saddest story". Madonna had been dubbed as appealing to sympathy whenever she appeared on television crying that she participated in the show to give a good future to her family in the Philippines who are impoverished and can hardly survive.

As for me, she got good voice but she still needs lots of practice, practice and mastery. The performance level, for me, was not that excellent. You can see on the stage that she was nervous. But really, i am so proud of her for getting through to the semi-final rounds. She can again participate next year and be more prepared. It will give her lots of time to master her craft. Hopefully, the show gave her a chance to be spotted by any company who might be interested of her and provide her a great career. Twelve million people had been watching the show and wow, it makes me proud to be a Flipino by having people like Madonna Decena who got talent, courage
and "star quality".

It still amazes me that in many major, major variety contests,especially with regards to singing that there is always filipino/filipina participants. That goes on to show that if you, guys out there want to have a popular kid in the future, might as well get some Filipino blood because there will always be a chance to achieve that dream !hehehehe. Oh well, you never knew!

As for Madonna, you had been very honest of showcasing the situation in our country. That was very brave thing to do. I really like you for that. I like people who are not pretentious and Madonna just captured my heart and the hearts of many,many millions of British populace. Like most Filipinos who are here in UK, Madonna is searching for greener pastures by working hard here leaving two daughters back home in the Philippines. She said she had been missing her daughters a lot but she is here to provide good future for them. I think she is taking the right step to a very good future to her self and to her family.

Don't lose hope,Madonna! There is always another chance. By the way, here is the link to her performance lastnight. Check this video.

As for tonight, we'll gonna watch the final round. Let us see if my bet will win!

A Bit About Myself : A Friendship Tag

Got this friendship tag from Bruce. Thanks a lot, Daddy Bruce. You're the first daddy who tagged me. Kudos to you and let me be the first to greet you a HAPPY FATHER's DAY!

1. What do you want for your birthday?
- A full goodnight sleep (since i hadn't had one since i arrived here in Scotland!).

2. Who will be your next kiss?
- My husband and my kids.

3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
- Yesterday.

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
- I am wearing stockings right now.

5. How did you spend your summer?
- I will spend my summer in Canada. I am soo looking forward to it!

6. Have you been to the cinema in the last 5 days?
- Nope and hadn't been since the last 5 months... Ah, it's okay, i am happy to be just at home.

7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
- Water. But if you mean aside from water, i had Nesvita cereal drink this morning.

8. What are you wearing right now?
- I am wearing a new white dress. I just bought it yesterday. It's nothing special, just a very simple dress. And what else? My gray stockings which insulated me and the "others" of course.

9. What was your last purchase?
- My white dress and my eldest son's Indiana Jones' toy.

10. What was the last food you ate?
- Roast chicken(with the skin!), rice, and a dark chocolate!

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep?
- My husband. And if he is offshore? My family back home.

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
- Yes.

13. Do you have a pet?
- Nope.(Can't afford to have one. And if i can afford, i will never get one!)

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
- Many things made me laugh! The latest one is my conversation with my son.
Me: Honey, will you please eat now?
My son: I am not honey, honey is for Winnie the Pooh!!! hehehehe. That made me laugh and giggle!

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
- It doesn't matter wherever as long as my husband and kids are with me. I had been to many worst places you cannot imagine!

16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
- I hadn't shopped online.

17. One thing you hate about yourself?
- Ah, what do i hate about myself? Physically? How i wish i am taller! Others: I don't like it when i am angry( it gives me wrinkles!)! But i am just human and i have to accept my imperfections!

18. Do you miss anyone?
- I miss my family in Philippines and Canada. Most especially, i miss my husband whenever he's not at my side and my sight!

19. What are your plans for the day?
- Ah, it's 5pm now but i still have things to do till i sleep like : tidying up(this is endless!!!!), watch my kids and feed them, cook for my hubby, watch the show - British Got Talent, hopefully bloghopping if i still got time!

20. Last person you msg’d?
- My husband.

21. Ever went to a camp?
- Yes and that was when i was in Grade 6 --- the Girl Scout Camping.(oh well, that was like ages ago? Guess i am really getting old!).

22. Are you a good student in school?
- Wow I feel old now also! Uhmm, i think i am average, but i am a teachers' pet so they keep on giving me good grades! hehehehe.

23. What do you know about the (your) future?
- This is a scary question. Honestly, who knows? Only God knows.

24. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
- Sometimes only. Some people are allergic to smell and i don't want to intimidate them. Even my husband is allergic to smell, so if ever i put perfume it should be the mildest as possible. But i do love wearing sometimes.

25. Where is/are your best friend/s right now?
- My husband and my kids are my bestfriends. They had seen the worst and the best in me. I have many great, loving friends back home in the Philippines that i am missing a lot though!

I am passing this tag to my wonderful friend online Wendy. I want to congratulate you and your hubby for your pregnancy! Take good care!

The Priest of Notre Dame

What made Notre Dame Basilica so famous? Mainly because of its unique architectural design. It is dubbed as the "Jewel of the Gothic architecture." But i don't want to talk about this very grand tourist attraction of Paris, nor its history, nor its relevance with Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of NotreDame" story.

I want to share my own reflective emotions while i went there(with my husband and Prisco and my two sisters Phoebe and Babylonia) between October to November 2006. At this moment of my life, i was so down. I had seen many, many beautiful things, yet deep inside, i felt so low. But i looked around and found out that the world is still turning around... it never froze even just a second because of my sadness. I just lose a wonderful, beautiful baby and my husband had thought that i might need a time for a break ... a time to reflect... a novel place...and he thought of PARIS.

Okay we climbed the Eiffel Tower, dined at the highest building of Paris called Montparnasse Tower, spent enjoyable time at EuroDisneyland, went for a River Seine Cruise and other many, many things, yet the most unforgettable for me is my conversation with the Parish Priest. I forgot his name and he don't know my name, but i remembered our conversations about life and about death, about rewards and about punishment.

I asked him if i am being punished by God and gave me this pain? He said no and he said i should not think about those things. All the things that happen has its reason. I know that, but isn't it that sometimes life is unfair?....

The best thing that happened was that the Parish Priest gave me great blessings and great prayers(Now, that really made my trip to Paris sooo memorable).
But he also made my eyes so red because i cried and cried and cried... Ah, you can see in my photos how tearful i am(but still i was happy because i had been filled with spiritual happiness and there's just this surge of energy emanating from a powerful source).

And the art of crying which i think i had mastered? Tell me, who hadn't cried? But really, sometimes we just need to cry and cry and cry ... or shout if we must! You will never know what is real happiness without feeling sadness. Life should always be a balance. In Taoism, they call this "Yin" and "Yang".

As for myself, i should say: there is no life in fear. If you are in fear right now, like fear to try again because you got a miscarriage or any other mishaps... don't ever lose hope...

After my trip to Paris, the following month, i was pregnant and each day, i would pray, "oh, please, God, give me a healthy baby...help me with this pregnancy..." God answered my prayers.

To the Parish Priest of Notre Dame Basilica de Paris, i want to thank you for your blessings to my family and for your ardent prayers. I believe that God chooses instruments on Earth whom people can rely and be filled with the Holy Spirit. God chose you as his faithful follower so you can bless the life of other people, especially those people who needs healing, physically and most of all, spiritually and emotionally.

Above all, i thank the Lord for healing my pain and for giving me a wonderful baby and a wonderful family and wonderful friends. God bless us, everyone! Enjoy your weekend!

Be Religiously Inspired...

I would admit that i am not a very religious person, but i am raised with Christian faith and devotion. I value that. But living now in a different country, in a fast-paced lifestyle, i admit i could not go to church every sunday, not even once a month. I am here for 7 weeks now and oh dear, i hadn't been to the church!

Good thing i found this website called PreacherTV.com.. This site was created to unite ministers and preachers with the online community to spread God's word and God's love. In this site you can upload sermons and of course, can watch sermons online, anytime you want. Check this out, my friends!

Me and My Kids

There are no other most precious resources in the world than our children. They will be the future parents, the future leaders, the future bearers of the world, the links to the future. Hence, no matter how naughty they are sometimes, they are ours and they deserve all of our love and our attention.

I had delivered three children, but only two thrive. The loss of our precious girl, Priyala showed me how fragile the world is. It showed me how bad luck can happen to good people. It showed me how precious life is and even the simplest of all the simplest things needs to be appreciated. But things happen for a reason ,i know. We have two wonderful boys --- Prisco Samuel who is now 4 years old and Cameron John who is 10 months old.

Anyway,so much of the drama, hehehehe , here goes my photos(and the corresponding story of each) of me and my two adorable boys....

I. Chilling at Strathburn Park, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

We were having a chill-out time in the grass. Ah, it is not all the time that grasses become dry, so we grab the chance to enjoy its smoothness and dryness on a sunny day. We did enjoy it! I have just to be very careful with Baby Cam because he will eat just anything --- and he would even like to eat the grass!


II. Bedroom Silliness, Manila

We had been so tired from the trip and when we arrived in our hotel room right after getting little bit comfy, we went to the bed and dad took a pic of us still with our shoes! hehehehe! It is one of our silly photos(but we never slept with our shoes!hehehehe)!


III. Buying Baby Cam's High-Chair , Aberdeen

It is me and Baby Cam shopping at Mothercare World, Aberdeen. In this section of the store we bought his high-chair. I am sure he's happy with our choice!


IV. Mom and Prisco at Louvre Pyramid, France

It is me and Prisco with one of the celebrated architectural structures in artistic world --- the very famous Louvre Pyramid of the Louvre Museum, Paris. Baby Cam obviously was not been conceived yet and i am still on the stage of getting over my fears whether i'll be getting pregnant again or not after the loss of our baby girl. Prisco had been the one who always cheer me up. I cannot imagine how would i cope up this loss time without Prisco. Thanks,my son for the joy and comfort you gave to mommy!



I wanna thank my friend Jona for tagging me. Just wanted to let you know i appreciated your efforts of remembering me. And for those other tags of my blogging buddies that still hadn't been done, please excuse me. hehehehe. I can only do little tags everytime. I hope you understand! Cheers,my friends!

~Begin Copy~

Rules :

1. Start Copy from "Begin Copy" until "End Copy".
2. Choose the photo(s) of you and your child(ren) that you would like to share in your blog, with a small story/explanation about when and where the photo(s) was/were taken.
3. Add your blog name and url blog, then leave your url post in here. And I'll add you to the Master List.
4. Please help spread this tag by tagging your friends as much as you can.
5. Please come back again to copy the update of the master list, often. This process will help new participants to get the same gains as the first participants.

Masterlist:

1.) Juliana's Site 2.) Moms.....Check Nyo 3.) Pinay WAHM 4.) Residual Matters 5.) So Cute 6. Pinay Mama's Diary 7.) Beauty of Life 8.) Portia Speaks 9.) Capturing the Moments 10.) Your Spot

Now, i am tagging my blogging pals Lynn-Chic , Aidisan and Mylou. I really want to see your bonding moments with your child/ren captured in photos.

Baby Cam at 10 Months Old

Baby Cam is 10 months old today and he weighs probably 10 kilos. At 10 months, he is an official crawler, an official grabber of things, an official eater of solid foods, and he can stand with the use of support. He can mumble little bit, but that's just it. He can giggle really loud and will give you the smile that you really need at the end of a tiring day.

Babies are different with each other. I will not rush my little baby to grow up that fast! I will not rush him to read or write! I heard some gifted babies who can read or write at a very early age,but oh, dear, aren't they babies???? Good for them! Do we have to let them grow up soooo fast? As for myself, i want my kids to have really normal childhood. I cannot imagine my kids singing and having a concert at 9 or 10 years old like Michael Jackson, or acting job at 2 or 3 years old. I love my kids to be kids --- to make mess, to play around, to throw things, etc... etc...

Here is my 10 month old baby... He is just doing some hopping around, standing around, and flexing around! Better took picture of his baby-gro... It will be the last day today he will wear it. He's really grown up most of his baby clothes! It is amazing how they grow up sooo fast! Before i know it, they'll be taller than me... But before that happens, i'll gonna spoil them to bits first and give them all my loving, hugs and kisses!

HAPPY 10 MONTHS OLD, BABY CAMERON JOHN!

STD Testing Made Easy

All professsions in the world need STD testing. I know it sounded so abrupt but honestly, before me and my husband saw each other we made a deal to undergo sexually transmitted diseases testing. Of course, we believe in a monogamous relationship and there is really nothing to be afraid of, but i am always a woman who "just wanna make sure!" But how about those people who are afraid to take the test? But we know already that even though everybody knows the risks posed by STDs, it is not unusual for people to engage new sex partners without getting tested. Why? Because STD testing has been embarrassing, time-consuming, and unreliable. Check this
STD testing website that offers a private and confidential service.

MY DISCLOSURE POLICY

Hotel's Weirdest Lost Item

Okay first of all, i am a forgetful person. I would accept that wholeheartedly. Many, many times, i forgot something in the hotel room. I will only realized after sometime when i reached my destination or when we left the hotel after sometime, and yup, there's just no turning back. My husband will always tell me every now and then whenever we'll be checking out, "had you checked and rechecked if you left something?" I said, yes... hehehe... But i will share to you how i remembered leaving many things...

1. When we were in Brunei i left all of my Neutrogena products in one package --- lotion, shampoo, conditioner. I never bothered. What will i do? Although they were new and with full content, but it is just impractical and time-consuming to get them back. Lucky those who kept it!

2. When we were in Kuala Lumpur, i left my Victoria Secret perfume and lotion, still new i bought from KLCC. We called the hotel, they said they don't have it. Am sure i left it! (Location, Crowne Plaza -Mutiara Hotel-KL)

3. I left dress, swimming attire (Sheraton Hotel - Labuan)... but they gave it back to me!

4. The weirdest thing that i left that i really wanted to get back???? My underwear! We were in Cape Breton Island and we booked on the Keltic Lodge. We checked out, and an hour after we left the hotel, i remembered i left my Triumph new under wear!!!! I told Scott who was driving as we were heading back to Nova Scotia. He said, "what we can do? Call the hotel and tell them to mail the underwear?"hehehehehe. Of course, we did not do anything. There was no turning back. But i just miss those underwear. They were pretty!



Okay i may had left these things and any other minor, minor things, but not this one: a 4 year old boy! Can you believe that? No matter how tired i am or how stressed i am in traveling, my kids will always be my greatest and most precious cargoes.

Here is a story in Edinburgh, Scotland last January 3, 2008--- The boy was left at the Travelodge in Edinburgh in the midst of chaos caused by his parents' rush to attend a family party, the (Glasgow) Daily Record reported. They did collect him quickly but he is still counted as the strangest item of lost property in the hotel. Other Travelodge locations also reported their most bizarre lost items . One Scottish location reported a suitcase full of wigs and glasses was left behind by a guest while other European locations reported an urn of ashes and a living Persian cat, the Daily Record reported.

Oh well, i don't know what will i do if i will leave my kids. I will gonna be soooo panicky! I don't mind leaving a suitcase full of underwears!!!

What We Should Know About SugarCRM

I heard about Corratech before. It delivers integrated, scalable, enterprise-class open source software to organizations of all sizes. But what about SugarCRM? It is a product that is installed,maintained and managed by Corratech, which is an open-source software consultant. It offers offers different features sets in each of their three editions, Sugar Community Edition, Sugar Professional and Sugar Enterprise. These editions differ in features and functionality, as well as in license and cost. For more information, visit the website now!

Daddy's Corner

Today i wanna brag and blog about my husband. I know he is a very busy guy but at home he is a very simple, very cool daddy. I chose four photos of him and our kids which definitely brings out the affectionate daddy on him. He's a great disciplinarian to his kids. He's a very calm person who can definitely made me "shut-up" when all the others cannot. A great provider and a person who has lots of love to give. I thank God for giving me a lifetime partner who definitely complements me. He completes me. And our adorable kids complete us as a family. To my soulmate, you're my SUPERHERO! Thank you so much, my Sweetie Pie! You're definitely amazing!






I wanna thank my constant blogging buddies Juliana and Sheng for this tag.

{Start Copy Here}
Started by Michteryosa

Rules:

1) Copy from {Start Copy Here} to {End Copy Here}.
2) Blog 'Brag' about your husband - yes, the father of your child/ren. As I’ve said singles may also join by bragging about their own fathers, or even grandfathers. It doesn’t matter! Of course, Daddy bloggers themselves may also join, but you have to blog about your fathers and not about yourselves, deal? Okay. Good.
3) Add your blog in the master list below linking to the post that you just made. Or if you wish, do it as how I’ve done it in my other blog by adding a new page.
4.)Leave your comment here and don't forget to leave your link so you can be added on the masterlist. Yup. Here.Thanks.
5.) Let's not forget Peppermint Creative
for the corner border I used for the badge.

Masterlist
1. When Silence Speaks
2. Everything About Deye
3. Etc Atbp
4. Pinay Mommy Online
5. Coffee Cup Princess
6. Everything That Has Breathe Praise The Lord
7. A Mother of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
8. PinayMama's Diary
9. Kate Ashley
10. Top Form Secrets
11. Marilyn
12. Anything and Everything in Between
13. Can of Thoughts
14. No Place Like Home
15. Pinay WAHM
16. Sheng's Simple Thoughts
17. Portia Speaks
18. Capturing The Moments
19. Your Site

{End Copy Here}

Now, i am passing this tag to my blogging pals Amor, Lynn, and Tricia.

Manic Monday

Woke up at 6 am today, had a shower.Just right after my shower, my baby boy cried and he's wanting a feed. So, i gave him his milk. Prisco was still sleeping. He slept past 10 lastnight. I got dressed up and before i knew it, Baby Cam was already in my knees. Got to pick him up, brought him downstairs and prepared his breakfast. 7:30 am already and Prisco was going down. He wanted his breakfast. So, while Baby Cam was having a little bite, i went to the freezer and took Prisco's fishfingers out. Yup,fishfingers for breakfast. Preheat the oven and while doing it feeding Baby Cam. Later, time was right to put the fishfingers and waiting for 14minutes until it will be done. So, around that time, got to feed Baby Cam while cuddling Prisco. Timer stroke, fishfingers were now done and i got to serve to Prisco. After Baby Cam was done his breakfast and Prisco taking his, i had my breaky as well. Mine was a Cabdury dark light chocolate drink with croissants--- 4 pieces. (I know it was not very healthy but those were available this morning and i love it!). Before we knew it, the time was already 8:20 and got to prepare my son to school. Not only that, i also got to prepare Baby Cam also because he will meet his playgroup today at public hall also. Around 9am, we're rushing to leave the house and just got ontime for Prisco's school. So, i dropped him and oh, well, took a deep breath upon my way to the public hall which is 5 minutes from Prisco's school. And yup, spent 2 hours in the playgroup. Baby Cam played while i had chitchat with other moms and dads that were there. 11:15 strikes and got to rush again putting Baby Cam on his buggie and fetch Prisco from the Nursery. Picked him just ontime and at 11:45 we were already home. Upon arrival, i fed Baby Cam, Prisco ate his left-over fishfingers while i am cooking my lunch(mung beans with spinach). Hubby called around 12:30, just the right timing for lunch.hehehe. So, anyway, talked to him and told him everything this morning.
Now,it is 2 in the afternon, and i am still thinking --- there are some dishes in the sink, dirty clothes to be loaded in the washing machine, clean clothes to be ironed and arranged, dirty floors to be vacuumed, bed to be made, toilets to be cleaned, trash to be segregated and thrown on the bin, appointments to be made for Baby Cam for his health visitor and Prisco for his dentist, Enrollment/Registration for Prisco for Primary 1 this August, arranging some things, etc.. etc...

Thinking about these things made me sooo manic and panicky....What will i do first? Oh well, Prisco now is watching television, i am typing this entry and Baby Cam is on my toes...I think he needs to be changed now and probably i will put him to sleep...Hopefully, when he'll have a nap,i can do some blog hopping....

For the meantime, i am just humming this Bangles' / Madonna's Manic Monday song. I can't let it out in my head because i am having a manic monday today.....

Six o' clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made

It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my fun day, *I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday

Have to catch an early train, got to be to work by nine
And if I had an aeroplane, I still couldn't make it on time
Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train, but the boss is already there

It's just another manic Monday, wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my fun day, *I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday

Out of my nights
Why did my lover have to pick last night to get down
Doesn't it matter
That I have to feed the both of us employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
Time it goes so fast when you're having fun

It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my fun day, *I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday, I wish it was Sunday

One Million Pounds Wedding

I was astounded when i heared about this lavish wedding of a Scottish millionaire golfer Colin Montgomerie and furniture heiress Gaynor Knowles. The wedding venue was held last April 19 at the captivating Loch Lomond Golf Club here in Scotland. That wedding was a smashing 83 Million pesos or 2,075,000 US dollars! Both are millionaires on the making. Montgomerie's fortune is worth 25 million pounds while Gaynor, who is really extremely wealthy on her own right owns a £2 million Perthshire home, a villa in Majorca, a £1 million collection of classic cars and a £20 million fortune.

Montgomerie admitted that he wrecked his 14 year-marriage to childhood sweetheart, Eimiar due to his obssession to golf. Monty was captivated when he first met Gaynor in 2006 and his brief dalliances with a string of beauties, including Spanish model Ines Sastre and ex-Miss England Dr Helen Westlake, came to an abrupt halt. Indeed his golfing ambitions seem to have also waned as his ardour for Gaynor has grown.

Let us wish goodluck to this marriage considering the idea that Gaynor has not that slightest interest in the golf game. She wants Montgomerie to spend more time with family and with her. Let us see what will happen....

I was laughing when i learned that On the very morning of his wedding to Gaynor Knowles, the widow of a furniture tycoon, Montgomerie played a round with many of his 340 guests at the prestigious Loch Lomond golf course in Scotland. hehehehe. Funny! For more of the story, click here.

Month of May Awards

I wanna thank my blogging friends Shiela for the World's Greatest Mom Award and new blogging pals Vannie and Jenn for the Arte y Pico Award. You had made my month of May a motherly exciting month!




The month of May this year had been another memorable month for me. I am now blogging for three months and meet exciting, new people. I am now in my 6th week here in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and i had been making fantastic progress, socially. Yes, i recently joined in Moms' and Kids' Group in our Kintore Public Hall where we meet every Monday and Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. So, i am meeting new people in the real world as well. I met a Nigerian lady named Tamy who lived in the next road from us. I met a Scottish lady also whom i first befriended in the moms' and kids' session and she lived in same village as well. Her name is Caroline. Finally, i met our neighbor next door in the public hall today and her name is Kerry. So, here i am finally really settled in our friendly neighborhood. One thing that i am really looking forward this month is for our stuffs from the Philippines to arrive. How i wish it will arrive soon as it is already 9 weeks since it was being packed by the movers. I don't understand why it took so long. Supposedly at this time, it should be here already. Oh, well, i just wish it will arrive soon this month of May.

One more thing, before i will close this post, i want to greet Happy Birthday to my husband's Step Dad, Popsy Robbie last May 21. We wish you all the best. We love you very much.

To all my blogging friends, especially, the mommies out there, i will share to you the above awards as well. May the coming June will bring us lovely, lovely sunshine. They always say, the moon in June is a big balloon...hehehehe... we will see that in June. Have a great time, everyone!

Friendship Tag : Blood Type

Got this interesting tag from my constant "taggers" Mylou and cousin Lynn. Thank you, girls!

According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types.

TYPE O
You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealousy and a tendency to be too competitive.

TYPE A

You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.

TYPE B

You're a rugged individualist, who's straightforward and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.

TYPE AB

Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

How do i rate mine?

My blood type is "O" and some of the traits associated with my blood type are actually true. I am smiling at my weaknesses. hehehe. Vanity? Jealousy? Let me think about them. And the tendency to be competitive? I would agree more on Vanity! hehehehehe!!!!!

I wanna tag my blogging pals Shiela, Virgie , and Vannie.

Boys' Group Hug

I really love this photo of my three very precious boys hugging each other. Aren't they so sweet??? Guess what is baby Cam's most favorite toy? It is obvious: his dad's eyeglasses. He always take a hold of that one whenever he is near his dad. My two boys are missing their dad for so many days now. But we got to talk to him on the phone everyday and Prisco is always reporting to him what we are doing each day. Also, i am reporting to his dad his naughtiness. Yup, he can be very naughty and sometimes it is driving me nuts. But no matter how naughty he is, he is always my precious, precious, sweet prince. These three boys always determine my mood. i love them so much!

Leading Advocate of Open Solutions Alliance

Ladies and gentlemen, let us know this man who is a leading executive in the open source software industry. He is none other than Ronald Bongo . He is very famous guy in his own field. Presently, he is the CEO of Corra Technology, known in the industry as CorraTech. Ron Bongo brings two decades of diverse experience, to his position at CorraTech, during that time, he honed his expertise in technology, management consulting and finance. He manages CorraTech's corporate strategy, directs its management team and builds key business and strategic relationships for the company.

My 100th Post!

Wow, this is my 100th entry! I am thinking of writing a special post but really i cannot think of anything. What i can randomly think now is the number 100. I am just thinking if me and my husband would reach that age? What will happen to the world 100 years from now? What will happen 100 months from now? What will happen 100 hours from now? What will happen 100 minutes from now? What will happen 100 seconds from now?... No one would ever know.

The many calamities that happened --- the one in China, in Myanmar, or any other strange and horrible events that happened in different areas of the world --- are these events been forecasted? No one would ever know.

This is the essence of my blog - Capturing the Moments. I took photos whenever i got the chance. Tomorrow, all of us will gonna grow old and what would remain will be image of the past. Today is what really matters.

Today, as i am making this 100th post, me and my two boys are away from our families and we are missing them. My husband is away working hard to support us. Our one family is in the Philippines and our other family is in Canada. We both miss them so much. I feel nostalgic now making this post. How i wish they are here? How i wish we are there? But this is the expatriate life and this is the disadvantage --- being away from our dearest relatives.

For my 100th post, i wanna put this popular saying that me and my husband really love. This is really our favorite. Whether we will reach a 100 year old or not, it really doesn't matter as long as we are Capturing The Moments knowing that the memories of these moments will gonna last forever.

Dirty Rice, Anyone?

The best thing about buffet meal is you can find many assortment of dishes. For an adventurous eater, this is a real advantage. The disadvantage will be when you could not find anything that you like. In buffet, whatever is there, that's it. For a picky eater, it might be difficult!

Like for this dish called Dirty Rice Salad. I asked the chef, "are you sure i can eat this? This is dirty!" Of course, i am just joking! For a picky eater like my husband, this "dirty rice" is a big no no. He is not an adventurous eater. For me, i tried the other dishes first and might try this one if there is still some room on my belly.



I really needed to know why it is called dirty rice. Good thing Wikipedia is very helpful. It is said that Dirty rice is a traditional Cajun dish made from white rice cooked with small pieces of chicken liver or giblets, which give it a dark ("dirty") color. The cooked livers tend to be dry, but carry a very mild flavor. Similar to a pilaf, it also includes green bell pepper, celery and onion (the "holy trinity"). Parsley and/or chopped green onions are common garnishes. Dirty rice is most common in the Cajun regions of southern Louisiana and Mississippi; however, it can also be found in other areas of the American south. Of course, it is here is Scotland also.

According to WiseGeek"from its inception, dirty rice was a good way to make the most out of killing a chicken — or buying livers and gizzards cheap — feeding a family and doing it for pennies, all in the bargain. Rice was inexpensive and the chicken liver and gizzard, along with the “Holy Trinity” of Cajun cooking — onion, bell pepper and celery — extended the meal. Dirty rice, then, was often eaten as a main dish. Dirty rice gets its name from the color the liver and broth imparted to the white rice.In these more health-conscious days, liver and gizzards are not used as often. Instead, small amounts of ground pork or beef are used, but the trinity and spices remain the same. Some cooks also throw in a little bacon grease for extra flavoring. The meat is first browned, and then the vegetables, including fresh garlic and green onions are browned together until the onions are clear. All is drained and then the rice and spices such as salt, pepper, cayenne, pepper sauce and paprika go into the pot. The cook adds water, brings it to a boil, adds the vegetables and meat back into the saucepan, covers it, turns the heat to low and waits for the rice to cook. Beef broth or any other available broth may be substituted in place of part, or all, of the water. When the rice has cooked, it stands, covered, away from the heat for five to 10 minutes before serving. Dirty rice can be served with a salad as a main dish, depending on the amount of meat, or to accompany jambalaya or gumbo. Dirty rice is easy to make and a cook can alter the recipe to suit his or her tastes, and the family’s tastes. That, after all, is a Cajun tradition."

Another interesting rice recipe i found is called Jambalaya rice. Just like dirty rice, Jambalaya is a traditional delicious Louisiana Cajun or Creole dish. The main ingredients of Jambalaya includes meats, vegetables, seafoods and rice. These ingredients are prepared together in one pot adding one after another. Here's what it looks like...




What reminds me of Jambalaya Rice is the 1952 country song called Jambalaya(On the Bayou) by Hank Williams. On 1973, Carpenters made another cover version of the song. It is a very popular song and i can even memorize it! Of course, the song is named after this Creole and Cajun dish.

Good-bye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou.
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

(Chorus)
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

Thibodaux, Fontaineaux, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style and go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

(Chorus)
Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

Settle down far from town, get me a pirogue
And I'll catch all the fish in the bayou
Swap my mon to buy Yvonne what she need-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

(Chorus)Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou.

I think i had tried the little of this Jambalaya Rice(probably because i love that country song!). As for the Dirty Rice salad, i got no more room for it! As for my picky husband, nope, he didn't even look at them!

I Signed Up for Social Spark!

I can't believe i have goodluck today! My blog in SocialSpark,a social Marketing Network that connects advertisers and bloggers through an online advertising marketplace was approved! I was delighted! Now, i would not keep on chasing and fishing some opportunities in many other sites. It was so time-consuming and not practical at all! But since i am approved in SocialSpark, this means more opportunities for me to grab, and means, more bucks would go to my savings!

But what is this new social marketing network? How does it work? This is how it works fundamentally, Advertisers are able to target blogs based on conversational topics and make cash sponsorship offers to the bloggers who publish them. Bloggers can make money by either placing display advertisements on their blog or by writing sponsored content. The sponsorships offered through the SocialSpark marketplace allow advertisers to build buzz, generate traffic and maximize social media exposure.

This would mean advertisers and bloggers are on the equal playing field. For the bloggers like me, the advantages would be : 1.) Standing out in the crowd - we create profiles and tag ourselves so advertisers can find and engage us. 2.)Shake Your Money Maker - we get paid to write sponsored blog content on a per post basis, or have advertisers pay per day to sponsor your blog. 3.) Engage the masses - promote ourselves, our blogs and the individual pieces of contents we create. And 4.) Create a Universe - make new friends, discover new blogs and interact with other users. If you are an advertisers, you can : 1.) Handpick Your Bloggers - create a profile and tag yourself so bloggers can find and engage you. 2.) Establish your Army - Create Street Teams of online advocates that can be activated at any time. 3.)
Sponsor Blogs - Have bloggers create sponsored blog posts or run display advertising about your company. and 4.) Assess Your Success - Track your social media spend unlike ever before.

This is really great news for both bloggers and advertisers. So, signed up now. I f you are a blogger, keep on trying to be approved and don't lose hope if you'll not be approved right away. I had been submitting and resubmitting my blog, until they got tired and finally approved my blog! hehehehe! So, guys, try SocialSpark. I am so sure we will gonna like it and be hooked to it!

The Red Rose

A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa. It’s the classic expression of love because a rose flower pours forth your innermost feelings to your beloved in the most beautiful way. So give a rose to your loved ones and friends and make anyone’s heart bloom with joy!

My lovely cousin Lynn gave me this lovely red rose. I am flattered and it made my day!!! Thanks, my sweet cuz and super supportive blogging buddy.

I am giving this rose to my newly-found blogging buddies namely:
Jenn, Mikaella, Kiscy. Nice meeting you online, girls and may we have good blogging friendship all through the years! Cheers!

Impact of Marrying Foreigners:A Personal Experience

Whenever i am blog hopping,80% of the blogs i will be spotting will be by a Filipina married to a foreigner. WOW!!! I have this great feeling of excitement that ,"hey there are sooo many of us!" There will be more and more since the impact of internet on interracial marriages is sooo dramatic, widespread and powerful.

When i was a little girl whenever i heared a Filipina married to a foreigner(Australian,European,North American,etc...) i got sooo excited. My mom originally is from Negros Oriental and my dad from the Cebu Province. Whenever we went to these places --- Cebu, Dumaguete, Tanjay, Bais, etc... etc... usually the bigger houses on the community are owned by Filipinas married to foreigners. For example, The La Hacienda Hotel in Tanjay, Negros Oriental is owned by a Filipina married to a British --- a Filipina who once was a very poor girl whose parents can't even afford a small lot now owns a huge hacienda. Whether we accept it or not, that was possible because of her marriage to a British.

Now, let us be honest here : why do we marry foreigners? Okay, of course, LOVE,LOVE,LOVE. What a sweetest thing in the world! But is it just it? I mean, come on, look at our country! Look at that old man in the airport who can hardly even walk who got a 20 year old wife and he's more than 80! Come on, let us be honest!

Of course, there are really lucky ones who married because of true love, but honestly, there are others who married because they saw it as the only way out in a country where extreme poverty is prevalent. Take for example: I'd known a native woman(a B'laan tribe) who can't even speak a word of English and married to an English. Now, okay, you tell me action speaks louder than words, but oh, dear, can you live in a country very much different from yours with a person whom you can't even understand the word he speaks???? Okay, of course, she had survived. Little by little she learnt. And isn't that amazing how strong our coping mechanism is? We need to because there is no real hope for our country! For her, better to marry a foreigner than being a domestic helper (sometimes the working agency will trick you and only get your placement fee!) or being a wife to a Filipino who loves cockfighting and treats his roosters as more valuable than his wife! (Ah, i know, i know, i am just being real here, i knew lots of Filipino husbands who love cockfighting! Asked Manny Paquiao if he loves his fighting cocks more than Jinky? Probably? Ah, Sorry i am out of the topic now!!!!).

There is big impact on marrying a foreigner. Personally, it is a great impact. Okay, i had finished my education and probably would land a good job and probably had married any of my former Filipino boyfriends. But i might not got the chance to go to Paris or any first class travel destinations. Okay, we might got the chance to go but not when we are 27 or 28 0r 30 years old? probably when we will be 50 or 60? or probably not at all? I don't know, i am just only guessing. And i am only speaking in general.

But anyway, I think God had answered my mother's prayer that i will marry a foreigner !(I knew she always looked happy whenever i broke up with my former Flipino boyfriends!). It was a long-time dream of my mom for me to marry a White Guy. I really understand why. The rate of unemployment in the Philippines is too high. With one available job there might be 2000 applicants, and don't apply if you got no back-up!!! And with a population that is surging so high every day, resources are not enough! My mom also knew that by me marrying a foreigner the chances of having a good, comfortable life is higher than being married to a fellow Filipino.(Now, Filipino guys don't get mad at me!!!! I am only telling the truth!). I always believe that MOTHERS KNOW BEST! So, as a good daughter, i heeded my mom's advice. But really, it was the best choice i made in my life!

I still believe this is FATE. I still believe that God has plans to each one of us. My personal experience had been truly amazing and the impact is quite impressive. For more of my personal experience, you can read my Cinderella Story.

Probably the greatest impact i can give in marrying my wonderful, white husband? The mixed kids that we have. The "mestizo" children are the greatest impacts of all! And if you ask me if i married my husband because of LOVE? Big YES. And did i marry him for me to have a good, secured future? BIG, BIG YES! But most of all, because of love!

Pair's Paintball

This is definitely our first paintball experience. We both love it. I don't think we'll gonna be into it since we have kids with us. I am not really good at it but i tried though. My husband is really very good. I would love to see a challenging paintball. I am very sure it is a delight to watch. For the meantime, just watch these photos that we had ...




I know that this is pretty elementary to play paintball, but we enjoyed it!

Friendship Tag:To Do Things

My blogging friend Mylou tagged me about my To-Do-List. Honestly, my friends, i got many things to do, some of these are kinda routine and if i have to put it here one by one the list would be endless. So, i will concentrate on the most important ones:

1. Organize...organize...organize...
2. Gather the many receipts and sort them out.(We need this to be submitted to my hubby's company).
3. Blog hop...think of good entries... make reviews/ comments.
4. Chase some opportunities.
5. Answer/read mails
6. Call my old friends here in the UK.
7. Wanting to be prompt with the tagging!(sometimes i am real slow!).
8. Household chores --- endless(laundry,ironing,washing the dishes,vacuuming,recycling/throwing garbage,cooking,etc....etc...)
9. Parenting (feeding,bathing,playing, changing,etc...etc...
10. Time for myself!Time for my husband!
11. Time for others.

Sometimes number 9 comes first or number 10 or number 8. It just depends.
I am passing this tag to my pals Wendy, and Lynn, Portia and Lindsay.

Hiking on Land of the Viking

First of all, i wanna thank my son Prisco for suggesting to me that title. I originally want the title simply as "Land of the Vikings" but then he told me, Hiking and Viking goes well together!". So, i agreed!

I remembered when we went to Canada last December 2006, when my father-in-law fetched us at the Halifax International Airport with long whiskers. I told him, "Hi Dad, you look like a Viking!" And he said, " I am indeed!". And so he told us about this Viking movie in which he is one of the casts. It is James Caviezel that is the main character. I am very proud of my father-in-law to be a part of the movie and the main thing that i am most proud of, this movie is even filmed on his own land. No matter if this movie will be a blockbuster or not, it does not matter that much. What matter to us is the pride that wow, Nova Scotia will be famous again. And we are more proud for the fact that it is filmed in our own backyard. The feeling is just fantastic.

I will show you the photos on the morning hike that we had . My father-in-law was very keen in showing us around. There was no shoot on that day and of course, hiking will not be allowed during shooting. So we went on the right time...



When i am showing Prisco the photos as i am uploading, he thought that the rocks we were carrying are really very heavy. You'll be surprised how light they are as light as plastic cups! Hehehehe! Surely when we will see the real movie, with too much editing and with the addition of lots of cinematic effects, the real beauty of my dad's place will not be the same anymore. So, i am posting these photos exposing the natural, unexploited land of Our Father...



Goodluck to the movie OUTLANDER! Thanks a lot for choosing the village of Nine Mile River as the main shooting spot. The people there are really looking forward and very anxious waiting for this movie including me to come out this year... We will surely buy a DVD of this one as well. You would do the same if you are in our shoes!