What Simply Works!

I somehow regret having to choose a bulky TV stand. Looking back, I remember being drawn to its antique finish and I liked that it has a matching side and centre tables. Now, without the luxury of space in our living room, I wished we just got a TV lift cabinet.

It still looks pretty elegant and sturdy. The caramel finish looks pretty much like antique and the compartments for the DVD players are spacious enough. Sigh, I wish I can trade what we have now for this.

Today is a special Friday. In fact, I’m feeling giddy as I’m typing this and it’s all because, I’m expecting my new baby to arrive today! After researching, analyzing and praying about it, I’ve decided to invest on a Canon 40D.

My order was placed two days ago and my very supportive husband will pick it up for me today. This is one step closer to my dream, that is, to be a good photographer. I am so inspired with my hobby. I feel my fingers itching to play with the settings and start snapping new photos. I will still keep my old 300D and probably hand it down to my husband, if (hopefully) he wants to pick-up this hobby.

I am so excited and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Woot! Woot!

With more and more people searching for suitable jobs overseas, many manpower agencies have sprung in order to meet the demand. I have met a lot of people who have worked with at least one recruitment agency and found Engineering jobs in as far as Europe.

Choosing the right agency to trust is not an easy process. Therefore, job seekers must ensure that the company has proper government’s accreditation and permits before closing a deal.

Before, working abroad is only for a few selected industries like Information Technology or Medical field. These days, there is a big demand for construction or manufacturing industry workers. This means that looking for region jobs in Birmingham or Glasgow is not as difficult as it used to be.

Ng matataas na lugar. Ako po ay isang “duwag” pagdating sa matataas na lugar. Mabuti na lang na ang monorail na ito ay maikli lamang at madali rin kaming nakababa sa patag. Ito ay kuha sa Tagaytay Highlands nung 2005.

~oOo~

Heights. I am a coward when it comes to heights. It was good that the monorail ride is short thus we were back on the grounds in no time. This was taken in Tagaytay Highlands, Philippines in 2005.

Maraming Litratong Pinoy dito, dito at dito!

It is the time of year when companies start preparing for Christmas. Too early you think? Well, not really. Preparing a recipients’ list, scouting for good corporate gifts, finding a good supplier and distributing them are major activities for big companies.

No wonder trading promotional items is a huge business. Before, pens, mugs and calendars are the usual promotional products given away. Now, people have become more innovative that even computer accessories like flash drives or screen sweeps make great company gifts.

I used to look forward to the year-end, when I get to bring home gifts from my clients. No matter how little or non-essential they are, it’s the thought of unwrapping the gifts that I love.

Flash drives as perfect give-aways

In the absence of cable, my husband and I enjoy the old movies shown on TV during weeknights. Last weekend, the movie Firewall was on and no matter how predictable the storyline is, we still finished its entirety.

As expected, the plot revolved around Harrison Ford, a security specialist, who was forced to rob a bank to pay off his family’s ransom. But what did save the family at the end of the film? It’s GPS tracking. Ford’s family dog has a tracking device attached to its collar, which enabled him to trace his family’s location.

Nowadays, GPS tracking device is installed in mobile phones, cars, pets and even humans. However, I feel that the use of that intelligent tool should be limited to life-threatening or high-security requirements only. I guess that dog in the movie must be really expensive that it requires a GPS tracking device.

I’m so happy that my favorite show, The Chopping Block, is back on TV. Many new local shows, which I’ve come to love, are aired after a two-week break to give way to the Beijing Olympics.

I would like to someday visit Matt Moran’s popular restaurant, Aria, in the city of Sydney. For sure, if we will frequent that plus his other equally famous eating places, I will need a good supply of diet pills.

I have another wordless here.  More from the other participants!

When we heard news that my uncle had a massive heart attack a few years ago, we feared for the worst. All his siblings flew to Las Vegas to see him go through that life-threatening ordeal. My uncle underwent an operation as soon as he was admitted to the hospital.

It so happen that a mitral valve replacement was required as the valve in his heart is no longer functioning well. The mitral valve and the tricuspid valve are known collectively as the atrioventricular valves because they lie between the atria and the ventricles of the heart and control flow. [source: Wikepedia.org]

Everyone in the family prayed and hoped for a miracle. Thankfully, the mitral valve surgery went well. Fast forward to 2008, he is now back playing his favorite sport, golf.

News has it that many kids are obese these days. No thanks to fast food, sweets and sugary drinks. That is why we, my husband and I, try as much to delay introducing junk foods to our daughter. I know that time will come, she will be exposed to unhealthy foods and we would not have control over it. No parent dreams for their children to take diet pills someday.

The Australian Olympians had a warm welcome this morning from their safe journey from Beijing. There was a ceremony held at the hangar where the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson were among the officials who welcomed the athletes.

And as expected, the star of this year’s Olympics is no other than Stephanie Rice. She bagged three gold medals and broke world records in swimming. She is indeed a glamour girl turned golden girl. Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

[photo credit: olympics.com.au]

One of our parental obligations is to send our kids to school. However, with many other financial responsibilities like home or car mortgage to take care of, it becomes a challenge to prioritize setting aside money for our children’s education, particularly, college education.

This is where options for student loans are available for students not having enough financial backing to reach their dreams to complete tertiary education. These college loans, offered by many schools, let the students study and pay later. If I’m not wrong, the loans extend to providing stipends or allowance other than the tuition.

There are so many people I know who have taken up private student loans. Most of them did for graduate school. At least, my kid will always have this as an option for a worse case scenario.

Too much time spent browsing photography gadgets made me want to upgrade my camera body. I had budget set for a flash, two Canon lens hood and a memory card. But seeing the Canon 40D at a low price (I heard a new model will be released in two months), I am so tempted to buy.

I’m giving myself until tomorrow to decide. The store needs a few days to prepare the orders and then my husband will pick them up for me later this week. Inny Minny Miny Moe, should I buy or let it go?

A good conversation we had with friends two weeks ago made us re-think of our plans to move to a landed property. We were told that depending on our budget, we could end up getting a house, which may not be properly maintained thus leaving us to do a lot of work. Or worse, having us bear a life with pests or insects that will be just too much of a burden.

Based on their experience, there was a lot of work-around done just to make their apartment livable. The neighborhood although quiet and safe is pretty old and that requires more maintenance efforts on the tenants’ part. The spaces in between the kitchen cabinets had to be taped to discourage roaches to get inside. They have an ample stock of sprays and what not to prevent ants from roaming in the kitchen corners.

Good thing though, that the interior basement waterproofing seems to be working well that they never had problems with it for almost two years now. Given that, it will be a challenge for us to look for a house to rent. We remain positive though that we will end up renting a place that’s meant for us.

I’m getting tired of my blog template now. I liked it for its simplicity and functionality. However, I feel like making a change. I’m still eyeing a three-column theme, hopefully with a splash of color.

This theme has become rather dull-looking especially so that I’m blogging about a variety of topic and would be best presented if I have a more cheery and colorful looking template. For sure, the coming nights will be spent on searching for the right one again.

A friend of mine has a nice fashion blog. The clothes she models are both branded and bargain finds. Either way, they look good on her and I wish she’s around to help me with my clothes dilemma.

I was never good in choosing clothes. Almost always, I end up getting the same styles and colors. How boring! I would love to get a new pair of jeans. There are so many popular brands nowadays and I can’t seem to find which one would fit me with budget consideration of course.

I heard baby phat jeans are “in” these days. Maybe I should contact my friend soon and ask what she thinks. I really need help.

Instead of bringing our daughter to Luna Park on her birthday weekend, we’ve decided to bring her to a Hi-5 concert. We finally made our bookings and we have received the e-tickets.

We hope she will have fun at the show. I will definitely have my camera ready to capture her reactions!

Do chocolates qualify as comfort food? Well, if they do, then they are my ultimate comfort food. Whether in the form of ice cream, biscuits, cakes or just plain chocolates, I love them all. In fact, we always have a stock of chocolate bars at home, which we have as desserts when we don’t have anything else prepared.

I love it when my husband gives me chocolate gifts. He buys different kinds each time and it’s nice to try all those popular brands. My favorites are dark and with nuts. No fruit chocolates for me though.

But of course, we try to control our intake to a certain amount each day. Specially so that diabetes run in my husband’s family.

Appetizer

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

A “2″.

Soup

Do you prefer baths or showers?

I wish I have the luxury to take long, relaxing baths. But right now, showers would do.

Salad

What was the last bad movie you watched?

It’s been so long since we last saw a movie. I honestly can’t remember the last bad movie we watched.

Main Course

Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

The Internet! I feel like I will get sick if I don’t surf the net or blog in a day. Hi hi.

Dessert

Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

The piano.

I have been using two cell phones since we got here in Sydney. One has a sim card for use here locally, while the other has a sim card for use with my family back in the Philippines.

It can be bothersome in a way, since I have to be mindful to charge two phones and bring them both everywhere I go. Aside from that, the cell phone accessories like different chargers and adaptors that I need to bring along for trips.

Well, the cost savings of having both still far outweighs the inconvenience I mentioned. How about you, how many cellphones do you use?