Merry Christmas!

Back when I was a child, I used to sing "i'm dreaming of a white christmas" without really understanding what it means.  We don't have snow in the Philippines so what do you expect. It was only when i got here in the US that i fully understood, lol! So, this is white christmas huh?  It is pretty, really pretty! Everything is white.  I love looking at it but only when I am inside the house.  I hate going out.  I live in Buffalo, a place known for its freezing winter.  It is Christmas Day today and you know what we got here in Buffalo right now? 

Right! We got two feet of snow, lol!  Merry Christmas everyone!  Cheers!

I miss ballroom dancing!

I miss ballroom dancing  especially when i see videos on ballroom dancing.  I'm not sure if i can still dance 'cuz it has been years.  I guess even this dog can dance better than me now, lol!  this dog can absolutely dance the merengue a lot beter than most aspiring ballroom dancers around.  Watch this video and see for yourself.

Charice at Rockefeller Center, NY

Here is another song that Charice sang at Rockefeller Center in New York City which was also greatly applauded.  I love how she sang this song and everyone can tell how proud David Foster is about Charice, like a true godparent to his godchild.  I hope Charice will continue to shine and stay humble because the Philippines is just so proud to have a true talent in her. She makes us all Filipinos proud. 

Charice singing live in New York City

Christmas is really in the air.  I hear christmas carols more often now and i now see christmas ornaments and lights hang around the neighborhood.  I did put up my little christmas tree right after thanksgiving but i am not done yet.  Speaking of Christmas, the lighting of the giant christmas tree in New York City was always a sight that people look forward to every year.  That was a show to behold.  My fellow filipina Charice sang in Rockefeller Center with her mentor David Foster and as expected, she nailed every song that she sang on that occasion.  Here is one and you will also see how professional Charice has become.  I love this girl!

How was your thanksgiving?

How did everyone spend their thanksgiving day?  As usual, hubby and I spent it with our friends, feasting on Chinese food!  Yes, chinese food; not turkey or anything an ordinary American family would have on their tables.  My husband told me, it has been their tradition for many years already, maybe for a change, lol!  It is not really my husband's family tradition, it's only his and his friends' tradition and since I married him, i became a part of it, which I truly enjoyed because I love chinese food, no doubt about it!  Every year, we order our chinese food in a chinese restaurant in Canada and we have to cross the border just for that.  I hate going through  the bridge everytime but i guess the chinese food is worth the experience.  And if we want to have turkey, we could always stop by my sister-in-law's house and have some. So, that was it!  How about you?

My birthday is coming up!

In 3 days, I will be turning 50! I can't believe I am this old, lol! Honestly, it's only the age or the number that will change because I don't really feel any older, believe me. Sometimes, i forget that I am no longer in my 30s and I still see old people even those at my age, as old people, and forgot I am supposed to be old too. My husband would always remind me that "you're old!", when i refer to those people as "old". But anyway, this is a reality of life that no one can control. It is happening all of us will go through this stage. I guess, we better just stay happy and age gracefully.

Asian kid singing "Hey Jude"

He got melody!  He got the right tune! He is singing one of Beatle's famous songs, "Hey, Jude" and he nailed it!  And oh, by the way, he is still in his diapers, lol!  This asian kid can definitely sing.  And he is even playing his guitar that is a lot bigger than him.  Watch this!

Huge Sale On 26 Inch TV

I have been thinking of getting a new TV to replace the old one which we have been using in our bedroom for more than 10 years already. It's about time to have a flat TV like my 42 Inch TV in our family room but not as big though. I just want a 26 inch TV and my hubby promised to get me one on Christmas. I think hubby just found a place that offers huge discounts on top models of 26" TV.

Cebu dancing inmates

Filipinos are said to be the happiest people in the world and I believe so.  We live a hard life and yet we manage to laugh about it.  We can laugh at our problems.  We sure have a sense of humour because we see comedy in life.  Where in the world can you see inmates who entertainment people with their dancing?  If everyone inside the prisons could do this, I'm sure there won't be much violence, depression, anger and hate among us.  It's only in the Philippines where you can also see dancing flight attendants, singing cooks and waiters, etc. Watch the famous Cebu inmates dance in this excellent choreography.  I wonder how they get to learn this considering there are some 1500 of them?  It seems hard but very much possible.  Enjoy the video!

My Daughter Got Her Greatest Birthday Gift

My daughter just  turned 18 last Saturday and all she wanted was a siberian husky which I was too glad to give her.  She did not want any party at all. She loves dogs and this siberian husky was top in her wish list.  For those who are thinking of smart gift ideas for the holidays, how about a siberian husky?  I'm sure whoever receives it as a gift would be so happy to get it.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight soon!

I can't wait to watch Manny Pacquiao and Margarito fight next week in Dallas.  I hope the Pacman will win again.  If not, then it's Margarito's chance to gain his name back after the controversies he has been into.  There was an issue accusing him of cheating by wrapping his fist with a plaster that won him the game.  I hope I can find a good site online where i could watch the game live.  Anybody has an idea?

Picking up a winter hobby

Guest post written by Eric Parks

We have a in ground pool in our backyard and I love swimming in it whenever it's warm out, but that's unfortunately only during just part of the year. So I'm on the lookout for a hobby that I can do specifically in winter that doesn't necessarily depend on what type of weather we have.

I always wondered how hockey players could move across the ice with all that equipment on and have all that speed too without falling down. Well, they don't look all that graceful but I still admire them for it. I got to thinking about that when I was online with my wimax 4g a few weeks ago and decided that I want to learn how to play hockey.

I don't even own an ice skate, much less know how to skate so I think it will be tough, but I'm going to try and get me and some of my buddies together and start a hockey team if I get enough interest going on among them.

I want to be like her!

I want to grow old gracefully like this 92 year-old lady who can still dance the salsa so well - a lot better that most 20 year-old women.  I guess dancing or any exercise for that matter can really make us look and feel young, isn't it?  So, let's dance, dance and dance! Be like this woman i am talking about!  She is amazing!

Talladega Nights

I appreciate the guest post, Graig Brooks

One of my favorite things come Fall are heading out to Talladega, Alabama and checking out Nascar's Amp Energy 500 at the majestic Talladega Superspeedway. One of the critical races in the Nextel Cup, its also known as the biggest and fastest track on the Nextel circuit. I usually sit in the Turm 2 or Turn 3 grandstand. Before we head out, I make sure to set my home security alarm I found online at Home-alarm-systems.com/ and head off to Talladega with my old college buddies. We usually stop by the local foodmart to grab some drinks and grub for the hour long drive. Once we get there we like to mingle with the other fans and talk about cars. Talking about cars never gets old for me. Sometimes I can go on for hours about a part or parts. I also love the smell of gas fumes and exhaust that cover the speedway as it reminds me of working on cars and grease at my dad's old auto shop. I'm a big fan of watching the Nascar superstars do their thing as they race for points on the motor speedway. Some of my favorite racers are Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch andhttp://www.blogtoplist.com/rss/jimmie-johnson.html. I'm always excited when I spot their cars speeding past me and feel the g's crashing on my face. I'm anxious for this years event on October 31st!

Season Premier of House Intriguing

Post contributed by Heath Key

Well, this fall's new season of House, M.D. Has finally started up again. Handsome hubby and I curled up on the couch in the den to watch the premier on our satellite TV from www.tvbydirect.com/business-commercial-satellite-tv-deals/. It seems this season, House and Cuddy are in romantically involved, Thirteen is mysteriously missing, and Wilson is playing the usual doubting Thomas.

I popped us a huge bowl of popcorn and we sat there munching. In one scene, to prove to Wilson that they really are dating, Cuddy grabs House in an inappropriate manner. Poor hubby, he laughed so hard he nearly choked on an errant kernel! I had to run to fetch him a glass of water and missed some dialog, but we just skipped backwards so I could catch up.

Anyway, it seems like this season of House is going to be just as sharp and bizarre as all the ones previous. Who knows where the writers will go with this? In any case, I'm definitely along for the ride. I'm predicting that Cuddy and House's relationship will sour with spectacular consequences, but I have no idea what is going on with Thirteen. I don't think they plan to write her out, as the actress' name was added to the opening credits just this season as a permanent fixture. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Let's Dance the Samba!

I love Samba and i wish i can dance the samba like this baby in the video below.  There have been doubts as to the authenticity of this video whether this is real or computer-enhanced (fake).  I think it is real but you got to watch it to see for yourself.  What do you think? Whatever it is, i had fun watching this baby dancing the samba like a pro!

An Adventurous Day at the Zoo

Contributed by Johnny Graves

A group of friends and I planned a weekend trip to the zoo. It was suppose to be a fun change of pace for our weekly play dates. I was especially interested in seeing the big cat exhibits and the primates. Watching the big lions and tigers is always a treat for me and the family. I remembered to bring my camera so the kids and I could make a picture book later. Needless to say we had a great time especially watching each of the children make faces at the apes and lions. It was extremely comical having ducks walk directly up to us looking for food. Everything went smoothly up until I began to panic about locking my front door. I calmed down when I remembered setting my home security alarm from www.SecurityChoice.com/ on my way out. Being a mom can be pretty hectic sometimes. When I looked at how much fun my children were having on their swan ride I know that it is all worth it. My friends and I took so many pictures of the kids reactions to the animals and we even made a wish at the water fountain. We all promised to come again soon but after all of the walking around my legs will need to recuperate before I can say when.

Grocery cart?

If you have a dog like this, you no longer need a grocery cart when you go shopping.  You don't have to leave your dog at home or in your car because you two can still continue to bond with each other even when you are grocery shopping.  I wonder where can I find one? 

Getting ready for bad weather

Guest post written by Sharon Grisham

We get a lot of snow where we live and no matter how much we try to prepare for it I never seem to have enough milk in the fridge or bread in the cabinets. But we're trying to get a little more prepared for the weather this year.

Last year the weather was pretty awful as usual and it left our old roof looking worse than ever. We almost had to replace it right then and there because of a bunch of snow that had fallen on the roof. But we were told that we could put it off.

So me and my husband thought that we shouldn't put it off any longer and we got a new SEARS roof install done. I feel a lot better abotu facing the cold winter that we're sure to have this year and it also looks a whole lot better too.

Now I just have to buy us some new snow boots because ours are have taken a beating over the years and make sure the house is well insulated.

Trip to Myrtle Beach

Guest post written by Michael Smith

It had been some time since my wife and I went down to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. Well, we decided to change that—this morning we made it down to South Carolina in about three and a half hours. We got unpacked at our hotel and went out the door right after.

We decided to visit a local hotspot for our first adventure: Broadway at the Beach. We quickly found fun things to do, like play miniature golf and spoil our appetites at the Fudgery. When it was time for dinner, we decided on Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. The place was crowded, but after waiting for about twenty minutes or so, we got the opportunity to sit at one of the cool boat-shaped booths!

They had live music that night, so I’m glad that I had my hearing aids in. I was able to distinguish the lyrics in the noisy restaurant I was also able to carry on a regular conversation with my wife.

In all, our first day in Myrtle Beach was quite enjoyable, and I think we’ll play it spontaneous tomorrow. With retirement comes a great deal of freedom, and we plan to enjoy every minute.

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

I have finally watched this movie, Hachi: A Dog's Tale that my daughter has been talking about.  This is a movie that is based on a true story about the strong relationship of a dog named Hachi and his master played by Richard Gere.  Hachi's loyalty to his master until he died is incomparable.  The dog would walk his master to the train station every morning and wait for him get off the train at night.  It went on as a daily routine until one day, the master didn't show up because he had a cardiac arrest while at work and died.  The dog continued to wait for his master right at the same spot for 10 years until his last breath.  It is a moving story for the whole family to see. 

A Beautiful Day For Golf

I appreciate the guest post, Jewel Rodgers

For me, playing golf isn't a serious activity. I have no dreams of being a PGA championship player, or even a good amateur that takes the craft seriously. Forget that. I love playing golf because it's a great way to relax on warm weather days that beg for me to come outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Playing golf is just an innocent advantage to the whole experience of being outdoors and as content as I've ever been. Riding the golf cart around the links is just one additional perk.

When away from my house for a long day of golf, I always set up my home security alarm ordered from Home-Alarm-Systems.com to ensure that I have no worries that might detract from the kind of fun and happiness I want to experience during every hole of golf I play. When I do this, I can be 100% sure that my children and home are completely safe against any form of break- in while I'm away. It's just something that gives me peace and the ability to enjoy my game without having to call home and bother someone every 10 minutes.

I love heading out for a morning, afternoon, and evening of golf. It's one of the most relaxing, enjoying experiences in my life. The happiness that I gain from it will never go away as long as I know my family is safe while I'm away.

Charice's Debut in Glee Season 2

Following Charice's successful debut in the second season of Glee that was aired Tuesday this week, Charice became a sensation not only in the Philippines but all over the world. As expected, Filipinos produced videos about the show and here is one of them. This is hilarious!

Getting Payday Loans Online Is The Best Way To Go!

Sometimes I think life is so unfair. I notice that when problems pop up in my family, they come in twos or even threes. Just recently, my two daughters got sick at the same time. Both needed immediate medication which means they both needed cash ASAP. It came at a time I did not have cash on hand because my last pay check all went to the bills. I don’t have family in this country that I could ask for help financially because they all live in different countries. The good thing is: at least I still have a job; I just need to wait for my next pay check in two weeks.

This is the time that pay day loans come in handy. I have always relied on these payday loans online whenever I needed fast cash. I hate having credit but I am just so thankful I can easily get a payday loan anytime I need cash in emergency situations.  Getting payday loans at suddenpayday.com is like getting instant payday loans. A payday loan is a short-term loan that lets you borrow or get a loan against your next pay check. You can borrow money ranging from $100 to $1500 depending on your paying capability. You can qualify for payday loans as long as you have a job or a regular income of at least $800 a month; and a checking account.

Getting a payday loan is very easy and you can get it done in few minutes. You just need to fill up a short form and then wait for the money to be wired to your bank account within an hour, if you are approved. Approval is instant so you don’t need to wait long to get approved. These are payday loans no credit check so no documents are required of you. Of course, expect some extra ordinary costs that come with it but where else could you get emergency money that quick and easy, in times you badly need it? So, if you need fast cash, getting payday loans is the best way to go!

Watch Glee Season Two Soon!

I am so excited to see the opening of the second season of Glee because of Charice, the young singing sensation from the Philippines.  Catch her at Glee on Monday, September 20.  I have watched few episodes of Glee before and i loved the show, the songs and the cast.  They all can sing, no doubt!  In fact, i have donwloaded most of their songs in my pc.  I am just curious how the viewers would think about Charice being in the show.  Would she be able to blend in well with the rest in the cast?  I know she can sing and i hope she can also act. Let's see!

End Your Poor Wireless Connection With A Wireless N Router

My daughter has been complaining about very poor wireless connection whenever she uses her laptop in her bedroom at the second floor of the house. Good thing we found this wireless n router which works four times better than her old router. With just a few bucks more, your problem with poor wireless connection is totally solved with a wireless n router.

This makes my day!

It's gloomy outside and it's the last day before we go back to work tomorrow.  I just decided to just play around in my computer and found this video posted in Facebook.  It's hilarious, lol! It really made my day.  If you wanna have some fun too, then you got to watch this!  Life is too short not to have some time for a laugh!


 

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree Online At USC

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Gone are the days when moms just stay in the house to take care of the household and the family. Let’s face it, life is different now. We cannot afford to waste our time and just let husbands earn for a living to provide for their families’ needs. Moms can do a lot to help but it would be easier for moms to find good paying jobs if they have a degree, specially a masteral degree. You know what I found? Teaching is one of the most in demand jobs all over the world. I guess it’s high time to take up a Master of Arts in Teaching degree through the most convenient way - USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC which is offered online.

Completing your degree online is convenient and flexible that suits every mom like me. Just because it is online does not mean it is of lower quality. First of all, USC has been known worldwide as a top education and research institution that has produced excellent educators throughout the years. In fact, it has been ranked by US News and World Report as #22 in the United States, and #9 among all private universities. Why MAT@USC? Well, there is no doubt the numerous benefits that MAT@USC graduates enjoy here are unbeatable. As graduates, they had the chance to be part of this prestigious intuition and learn from topnotch educators. To be part of this school is already an achievement. The tuition reimbursement program they enjoyed here is something you cannot easily find else where. There are certainly more benefits that you will learn from the program information that are worth checking. Seriously, getting this degree will surely pave your way towards a better future!

Watch Ikabod, the musical play!

I would like to invite my friends in Manila to please watch the show Ikabod, the musical play on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 4PM at the University of Makati Main Theater.  My daughters are very much part of the show but not in the cast but those working in the production side.  The show is intended to provide entertainment to everyone - young and old alike.  Contemporary music and the music in the play "Cats" will  be used.  I hope you get the chance to watch this show.  Bring your whole family and don't forget to bring umbrellas too!  I heard it has been raining the past days so just be prepared for the rains.  Enjoy the show. I wish I was there! 

I Love Wood Furniture

My husband and I have slowly replaced the old furniture in the house. We settled on rustic furniture, since most of our furniture in the living room, kichen, bedroom and even in the bathrooms are already made of wood. We just need to update some of them though. One of the furniture we really need to invest on is a rustic coffee table with rustic end tables. They would perfectly match with our rustic ceiling lights in the living room. It's good hubby and I both like anything made of wood so no arguments on that. We just argue on which to buy first. 

I love the ambience that is created with wood furniture; it’s so cool yet elegant. They also last longer, based on my experience. That’s why I don’t mind investing on it rather than buying cheaper non-wood furniture that only last for a short time. I started to get interested on rustic furniture when hubby and I saw them in one of the rooms where we stayed during one of our travels together. We thought they were gorgeous. We started on investing on it and never had any regrets with our choices so far. Most of our wood furniture is really dependable; they will last for a life-time.

Custom Business Cards

One way to promote your business is having your own business card. It certainly adds to the integrity and image of the company. It is also a lot better if you have a customized business card because it can describe what the business is all about. I have designed my own business card couple of years ago but I need to re-design and order a new set since most of the personal details in my previous card need to be updated.

If you need help in designing your business card, there are ways you can easily get help from and BusinessCards24.com is just one of them. You can either pick from their design gallery and have it customized to suit your needs or upload your own design and get them printed. They are very flexible and could cater to your needs. The best thing is you don’t have to wait for long to have your own business card designed and printed. You can have them delivered fast and still get the highest quality custom printing business cards service at an affordable cost. I tell you, you can create an image, bad or good, by your business card so you have to make sure it is professionally designed. I may be exaggerating but a business card can help to either make or break your business.

We Love You Miss Venus Raj!

The recent Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada created a lot of fuss over the answer of Miss Philippines to the Q&A portion.  Filipinos are very crazy about beauty contests and it was expected that almost all Filipinos were glued to their TV sets during the contest.  Here is a very hilarious video of a group of young pinoys while watching the show.  I die laughing while watching these kids.

The Good Wife

Written by Sonny Quinn


One of my favorite things to do after a hectic day is sit down in the evening and watch one of my favorite shows, The Good Wife, on my my tv after we looked at this cable comparison. I highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys drama, romance and comedy added to their courtroom shows. Alicia is the lead character. When her husband is stripped of his state attorney position and sent to jail for sex and corruption scandals, she must return to work to provide for her two children. She was formerly a lawyer and quickly finds a position at a firm run by a former college friend.

Each episode deals with several story lines. Peter, her husband, is attempting to be released from jail and is interested in a government position again. Alicia deals with the anger she has at her husband along with the growing attraction she has to her new boss. In the first season, she also had to prove herself valuable to the firm, as she was in competition with one other litigator for the sole junior associate position. As if that was not enough, she must also fight a court case each week.

Though it seems like it may be too cluttered to fit everything into a one hour show each week, it is done in such a way that all the stories are told without the viewer getting confused or lost. Actually, it is quite the opposite. When I am done watching it, I am already wishing I could watch the next episode!

My favorite thing to watch on HD TV

Authored by Greg Fletcher

Six months ago we called our directv deals in Ohio provider and told them that we wanted to be upgraded to High Definition TV. We have two huge LCD TVs, so we figured they needed to be put to better use. I was so excited to see what HD TV had to offer, especially sports wise.

Over the weekend X Games 16 was on ESPN. There are two sports I absolutely love watching, motocross and football. I first watched X Games on regular cable, then I switched over to High Definition, and let me tell you, the change was amazing. Everything was so much clearer on HD than on regular cable. There was no fuzziness like you usually see on regular cable and I loved that. I haven't had a chance to use HD to watch football yet, but the time is coming and I'm very excited. I have watched football on HD TV in restaurants and at friend's houses, and it is truly worth the money if you are big on sports. Most satellite TV providers offer special deals on HD channels, so I definitely recommend calling about it.

Friends at Facebook

I bet you have a Facebook account, it seems everybody has.  Everything is in Facebook  - games, businesses, and all kinds of applications.  When i was new at FB, i wanted to have as many friends as i could even if they were not really my friends, lol!  Later, i realized i really don't need a long list of friends but just few but real friends.  I cleaned up my list and started removing those i dont really know.  And speaking of FB, watch this video; it's hilarious, i promise, lol!

Thanks God it's Friday!

I'm glad the week is over and i hope the weather will cooperate even just for the weekend so I could fully relax.  If it's gonna rain, i might just stay in the house and still relax although there are lots to do but that can wait, lol.  Hubby and me will have a movie marathon as we are already behind with our movies.  We couldn't cope up, they just keep on coming in the mail, thanks to Netflix (free promo, lol!).  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

How twins are made....

 Have you ever wonder how twins are made?  Well, here it is! They're so cute, aren't they?

AIM a little higher

Guest post written by Dana Kelso

Most nights I’m working on lesson plans for the next few days or trying to keep my kids in line. So when I want to talk to my friends under the guise of doing lesson plans, I just log onto AIM and chat away.

It’s so much better than calling other people and on AIM if you don’t have a lot to say to the person, it’s not as awkward. Besides, as a teacher I have to talk to my students all day so it’s a nice break to just have to type for a while instead. When I noticed a few weeks ago that my dial-up was making my messages take forever to load, I searched for satellite internet Michigan to see if there was a better internet option in my area. I found some wildblue internet pricing and liked what I saw so I ended up getting wildblue satellite internet.

It doesn’t just help me procrastinate and socialize through AIM. I’m able to find a lot of helpful instructional videos that I watch and pass onto a student teacher who’s currently working in my classroom.

Mental block?

I don't know why it seems that my brain is not functioning well today no matter how I try.  It's like my mind is wandering off somewhere, my focus is so poor today.  Do you experience this sometimes?  I do, but not often.  That's why when i am in the mood to write, i write, write and write until my brain stops working.  Do you ever wonder how mysteriously our body work; how each part of the body - from the tiniest part - contributes to how the whole body works.  Each time one part doesn't work well, everything is being affected.  I learned this in  the "Body" exhibit hubby and I saw when we went to Las Vegas last June.  Our body is like a machine that works faster than any computer in the world.  That's why we should take care of our body because this is the only one we got.  I guess while i start this post with a mental block, it seems to be working fine now, lol!  Guess, i just need a little push!

Amazing kid

This kid is amazing! Her talent in dancing is extra ordinary! You think her parents or anybody else taught her to dance like that?  I guess not! I believe this is her natural talent.  I wonder what comes out of her when she's older, if she can do this amazing act at her age now.  She dances like she doesn't have a bone, lol!

Don't touch my bone!

When i was in high school, i was watching a suspense type of a movie in a theater with friends.  I remember we were standing because there were no more seats available.  In that part which was supposed to be the peak of the story where everyone held their breath, like no one is breathing, and my heart was beating so fast; then suddenly i screamed so loud.  I thought something hit me at my back!  Goodness! I found out it was the handle of my shoulder bag that fell off my shoulder, lol!  Well, this video i want to share with you is related to what i just told you.  Watch it, it is hilarious!

Boys' falling pants

What do you think of boys wearing their pants so low, showing their underwear or their ass off?  If this is a fashion, then i rather be out of fashion because I hate it! Boys who do this are definitely  in need of attention.  They think it's cool?  No way! It is ugly! It is like telling the people behind them "hey guys, wanna look at my ass?"  How can you run or walk fast when all you do is keep on pulling your pants up so it wont fall.  I would never encourage my son to wear his pants like this, never!  I told him that and i hope he understands!

World Cup on TV

Guest Post by Martin Mocker

Every four years a great sporting event happens that I long for. The great World Cup is aired over the direct tv channels once every four years, and it is a time that I look forward to. I especially love watching the World Cup when my favorite team is in it. Luckily, my team is one of the best out there and always qualifies. The Brazilian soccer team is surely one of the best. Watching them play soccer is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I actually schedule my time around the games since this event only happens once every four years.

If I am not able to watch the games live, I have them recorded and keep away from the television and internet all day. I actually get upset if someone tells me the score before I see the game. Luckily where I work no one is into soccer, so I rarely have to deal with that scenario. I would love to actually go and see the games live, but for now the large screen TV does just fine.

My daughter's blog

My daughter has just started her own blog. She has created it in January 2009 but it was only in April of this year when she started writing. I hope she doesnt't get tired of blogging because i am like that, i write and write when i feel like writing but when i'm not, it would take months, sometimes almost a year before i go back to it and write again. If you get a chance, please feel free to visit her blog and leave a comment so she knows you were there. Thanks!

Watching an old Johnny Depp movie

We ran out of movies to watch so we just picked an old movie through Netflix and watched it on my hubby's pc. We watched the movie " What's Eating Gilbert Grape', a movie in 1993 starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo di Caprio and other big-named stars. I was surprised to see Leonardo de Caprio because he was so young in this movie and played the role excellently as a "special child". The movie was pretty decent. It is about family supporting each other to care for a member who is a retard and a mother who is overweight. Oh my God, Johnny Depp was a cutie in this movie. You should watch it when you get the chance.

Toddler Research Online

Guest post written by Jamie Winston

My son was first introduced to the internet when he was just two years old. I work from home, so the computer is a large part of our lives. I know that there were things he would enjoy online as well, so we started out in a search for those.

We started with flickr and YouTube, mostly. If he had a question about an animal we read about in a book, I would do a search on flickr for a few appropriate pictures to show him. If he was still interested, I would try to find some YouTube clips of the animals in the wild. He found that he could have access to instant information through our hughesnet deals.

The key to me was keeping it connected to what we were doing in real life. Connecting it to books, for instance, grounded our online activities in the real world. Although he wasn't old enough to type in a search for himself, I was weary of the danger of being sucked into the world of endless information and entertainment.

Now that he is four, he plays games occasionally online, but always with a set time limit. We still spend most of the time online looking up things he is interested in. Doing it together makes it fun for both of us. I love how much he can learn so quickly.

Happy 4th of July!

What are your plans for today? How do you celebrate the 4th of July which is a very memorable day for every American citizen? I know most are already outside of their homes, perhaps carrying their own chairs and get the best position along the streets to have the best view of these long and colorful parades. Some arfe getting ready, having cook out with friends and family. Hubby and me have no plans for today, I don't want to be out having hard time looking for a parking spot as we had experienced before, trying to watch the fireworks at the Niagara Falls. I am no biggie on fireworks anyway, i feel i have seen them all but they are so nice to watch tho. Anyway, whatever you are doing today, happy 4th of July everyone!

Charice in Glee!

It is confirmed! Philippines' pride Charice will be in the next season of Glee! I am excited to see her and looking forward to the next season. I didn't really watch Glee regularly but 'am sure it will be different for the next season since Charice will be there. I just saw Charice on the recent inauguration of the new President of the Philippines where she sang the Philippine National Anthem and she was really superb! She sang it well! I'm so proud of her! Guys, watch this young girl in Glee Season 2 this coming September!

Charice

Daddy, how was I born?

My husband and I met online and i am not ashamed of that. I wasn't really looking for a relationship online because i did not believe something real would actually happen online. There may be a possiblity but very rare, at least for me. But it happened... and here i am now, happily married to my husband whom i just met online.

I thought about sharing this story to you because it seems related to what i just told you.

A little boy goes to his father and asks ........

'Daddy, how was I born?' The father answers, 'Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!

Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo.

Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe.

We sneaked into a secluded room, and googled each other.

There your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive..

As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:

You got Male!

Join The Popstation Contest And Become A Big Star!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Popstation. All opinions are 100% mine.

Calling singing enthusiasts out there! Would you like to do something exciting to launch your own singing career? Yes, you read it right! I know it is a dream for people who love to sing to record their own songs and eventually have their own album. Well, nothing is impossible. Believe in yourself and you can do it!

Why not start it off with Popstation? PopStation is, no doubt, the best online singing and entertainment site that I have seen because it provides its users the total experience of being a real artist. It is running a contest that gives people like you the chance to become real song artists. How? Just sign up with Popstation and don’t worry, signing up is totally free! You only need a microphone (handheld or built-in) to be able to participate and enjoy being a Popstation artist. Every week, Popstation releases original songs in various genre and these songs stay in the practice rooms for two weeks. Pick your song, practice singing it in your own style, in short, make it your own song, with the help of tools like video demo, lyrics and the like, provided to help you produce your best recording. When you’re ready, download the instrumental and save it. Then record your song and once you feel you done you’re best shot, submit it for the competition. Your winning in the contest depends on the audience, so do your best to produce the best recording, and watch yourself move up the chart. The top position wins an amazing prize that will definitely change your life – the BIG Deal.

PopStation awards every 3 months, to the top artist and a guest, the Big Deal with all-expenses paid 3 nights stay in NYC and enjoy the VIP treatment only afforded to real celebrities. The best thing about it is the VIP album recording experience, which gives the winner that chance to fulfill an ultimate dream to record and produce his or her own record. Now, how is that for a deal? Check it out and start building your singing career now!

Good Thursday everyone!

It is almost 11AM and i just got up and of course missed an opps that i was supposed to submit at10AM today. Well, if it's not for me, then it's not for me, right? Better luck next time. How is everyone doing on a Thursday morning? Here in Western New York, it's hot and a very sunny day today. I hope it stays this way all day. Still not used to not working, i hope i can find something worth my time today. Enjoy your weekend ahead!

Movie night.....

It's been raining all day and i'm glad i don't have to go to work tomorrow. I could stay online all day, catching up and hopefully chatting with my kids. Or, i wish i could chat with my sister too who is vacationing right now with her hubby in Serbia. It has been a long time since the last time we chatted. Ops, got to go, hubby has been calling me so we could start watching movie for the our movie night. Pssst..... I will be right back later!

Master's Degree in Teaching at USC: Highly Recommended!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

To survive in this harsh world where we live in, one has to be competitive in the business. Education and skills are great weapons to be in the race. A college degree is no longer a guarantee to a good job, as the standard is getting higher and higher. A master’s degree is definitely a better option. I have seen wide array of offerings for education but I have not really paid much attention to it before. I thought I didn’t really need it. Guess I was wrong.

With these online degrees offered all over, getting a master’s degree has never been so easy, but choosing the best is a tough decision to make. Personally, I would pick a degree that is in demand like a teaching degree, for instance. I would pick a method that will get me the degree in the quickest time possible and that would have to be an online degree. Then, I would pick one that is offered by a respected institution. These are just few of the things that I take into consideration, which led me to the best choice - the USC Rossier School of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching @USC.

Why Master of Arts in Teaching @USC? First, it is very convenient. Access to the internet makes this as the most convenient way of getting a degree. I can say it is also a lot quicker than studying in campus because it is an accelerated program which can be completed in 12 months, while maintaining high quality education that students get from highly qualified faculty who have been known for their great contributions to modern education. It combines highly interactive online learning and field-based experiences.

It also offers full student status and a package of benefits such as tuition reimbursement program, scholarships, a chance to be a part of the Trojan Family, participation in commencement ceremonies and free lifetime Alumni Association memberships, among others. For over 100 years in the business, USC has been known internationally in research and innovative technology in teacher education No wonder, it has been ranked #22 in the United States and #9 among all private universities by US News and World Report.

If you are seriously thinking about improving your life, check it out by learning more about the program information and through the MAT@USC Student Blog. It is never too late to get a degree. The MAT at USC would definitely change your life.

Netflix: is it the best choice?

Hubby and I have been watching movies, at least 3-4 a week. We used to be with Blockbuster and loved it up until they continuously raised their rates like every month. We got fed up so we quit. We signed up with Family video which was way too cheap but we needed to drive there to pick up movies and return them on time. Now, we are with Netflix and so far, i have no complains. We can watch movies from our computers and i heard we can even hook it up to our TV so we can watch it on the bigger screen. which we haven't tried yet. We missed watching tonight, though but it was OK as i need to do some tasks anyway. It is getting late and needed to do one more task before heading off to bed. Good night everyone! By the way, if you have a movie to recommend, feel free to share.

Send Your Love Through Giftcards From Friendgiftr

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of FriendGiftr. All opinions are 100% mine.

Father’s Day is fast approaching and I bet most of us are now thinking of what presents to give to our dear fathers out there. I personally hate shopping for presents but don’t get me wrong. I love shopping but only for myself. When I do have to give presents, I always buy giftcards, because I thought it is less hassle on my part and whoever gets it can use it for whatever he or she wants. But I fail to realize that giving a giftcard for that particular store limits the giftcard recipient’s option to get something outside of that store.

For instance, on Mother’s Day, I gave a friend a giftcard from Wal-Mart, thinking she could use it there, knowing it is one of her favorite stores. It was too late when she mentioned about a nice bracelet that she saw on sale at Overstock.com. I know at that very moment, that it would have made her happier had I given her a giftcard from FriendGiftr. Even if the giftcard was not for Overstock, she could have easily swapped it to Overstock and bought herself that beautiful bracelet. Overstock.com is one of my favorite sites online, which is also one of the many merchants - restaurants, retailers and online stores where FriendGiftr giftcards could be used for.

What is really nice about FriendGiftr, is the flexibility or options that it offers to its users – both the giftcard senders and receivers as well. With it, you can send your loved ones customized giftcards from the website itself, through Facebook, Iphone, Blackberry and Android. Access to their service is actually just within your reach. Now, receivers or giftcard owners, on the other hand, have the option to swap their giftcards to any of the more than 120 merchants available, without any additional cost. A single giftcard can be used to multiple merchants. Amazing, isn’t it?

So, if you are still hunting for the best gift you can give on Father’s Day, I’m sure FriendGiftr is the best way to go.

Las Vegas pics...

Here are some of the pics i would love to share with you on my recent Vegas trip with hubby.

The snowy mountains .... an amazing view from the plane on our way to Las Vegas

Here is another one! I'm not sure if those are rivers?

The Excalibur Hotel, where we stayed.

The strip at night


The Fremont Street experience ... the old Vegas

There are a lot more photos but these pretty much show Las Vegas is a different experience one should not miss, if given the chance.

Photos...photos and more photos!

I took more than 600 photos while in Vegas for 6 days and i want to post some of them but I just have to organize these pics. Vegas is really worth a visit! I love the city, the lights, the shows and believe me, even the hot weather. My only complain was: we needed to do a lot of walking. You woudl not appreciate the sights if you don't walk. I tried the casino, played few bucks but that was it. I never won, though, But, i learned to play video poker and enjoyed it. I don't find the slot machine exciting, my $20 would not last for 10 minutes on it, lol! If given the chance, i would love to visit Vegas again, as i know there are still places that i haven't seen while there.

Off to Vegas...

Hubby and I are off to Las Vegas today and we will be back on Friday. I am so excited because this is my first time to visit Las Vegas. I know it's gonna be a lot of fun. I am not into gambling but hubby assured me that there are lots that we can do there other than gambling. I hope I could have access to the internet while there. See you around friends, i will post some pics when i get back!

Changes at work.....

Due to some reasons most companies use, my work days have been reduced to 3 days a week starting this week. I would be working Mondays to Wednesdays only which means that i would have a long weekend which starts today. Honestly, i thought i felt happy that i can now have plenty of time to relax, lol! But deep inside, i am also worried knowing that, whether i like it or not, changes in my lifestyle have to be made. I believe this is not a permanent thing and that something better would come out from this. I know everything happens for a reason and i would like to think, that thought consoles me. As the saying goes, "when a window closes, another one opens", something like that. Who knows, i would find better opportunities even online, just like before, now that i have more time to do some business online.

Charice's CD is available at QVC!

I just happened to changed channel to QVC while browsing on a good show on TV when i saw Charice promoting her CD at QVC. She was with her discoverer/manager/mentor David Foster. She belted out few notes of the songs included in her album and of course, she got me into buying her album. No regrets, though! What's good about getting it from QVC is, you get bonus (i think 4 more songs), than buying it from the stores.

I am just so proud of her, she has definitely gone a long way. I hope she stays humble.

I wish... i wish...

There are so many things that i wanna do - like starting on a diet to lose weight, updating my blogs, do some gardening and a lot more. I have plenty of time to do it, but i am just lazy! What a shame! I don't know what would motivate me to start doing what i really want to do. But, once i start working on something, i give myself totally into it. I am hardworking (at least, former bosses can attest to that!). And in everything that i do, i put my heart to it, no matter how big or small it may seem!

iLASIK Video Contest Winners Picked

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sometime in December 2009, I blogged about the “You Gotta See This” Video Contest , also called iLASIK Video Contest that gave people the chance to share their stories in video on how an improved vision made a great impact on their lives. Sponsored by the Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), a global leader in laser vision correction, the contest has drawn a number of participants to the contest – all aiming to win cash and other prizes, including the $5,000 Grand Prize that were at stake.

After months of waiting, the verdict has finally been made and winners of said iLASIK Video Contest have been announced. There are two winners in each of the three categories. The First Prize winners in all three categories will each get an HDTV package worth $2,500. The Second Prize winners will each get a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder worth $199.99 The Grand Prize of $5,000 will be given to one lucky winner. That lucky Grand Prize winning entry is a video on “You Gotta See This Music Video” by Alex.

The winning entries for the 3 categories are the following:

Category 1: My Contacts Are Getting In The Way Of My Good Time

First Prize winner - “You Gotta Be Kidding Me! A True Story” by Robbo
Second Prize winner - “Contacts Stink” by windysail

Category 2: My Favorite Sport or Activity Would Be So Much Cooler With Better
Vision First

Prize winner - “iLASIK Would Make Surfing More Enjoyable” by jhbmw007
Second Prize winner - “Foggy Riding” by Snowman

Category 3: You Should See Life After The iLASIK® Procedure

First Prize winner: “Orbs of Perfection” by Danny V
Second Prize: “Army LASIK” by ahowalton

For the complete list of winners and all other entries, visit http://www.gottaseethisnow.com/ where you can also register and receive best quality eye care products. Again, congratulations to the winners!

I love my iphone!

I am past due for another iphone 'cuz mine was the first generation. The camera has quit working but i don't really mind as long as i can use it to call or accept calls, text, check my emails and of course FaceBook! I seldom use my camera even before. I love my iphone and i'm sure everyone who got one would agree how amazing it works. I was surprised to see a video showing what you can do with it. Watch this!

First of May

Today is the first of May and i woke up reminishing my memories of childhood with songs of Beatles and the Bee Gees always played at home. Bee Gees' song "First of May" is one of my favorite songs. And today, i thought of looking for a video of Bee Gees which ended up talking my husband to rent videos of Bee Gees' great concerts from Netflix. Here is a video i watched from You Tube.

Charice's Pyramid

Charice Pempengco has definitely gone a loooong way that she can now be at same level with the likes of, take note, Lady Gaga! Her song Pyramid with Iyaz is now raking the mark in the chart list. I heard her song will be launched at Oprah this month, so watch for it guys! Charice strated her international singing career after she was discovered through You Tube. Here is the official music video if her song "Pyramid".

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes....

I love to learn different languages. Right now, i can say i can speak 2 languages - English and Filipino and two other Filipino dialects - Visayan and Ilocano dialects. I can understand a little Spanish and some local filipino dialects but could not speak these dialects fluently. If i have a chance, i would love to learn German, French and more Spanish. But anyway, if you are interested to learn other language like Chinese, here is a good way to start it off:

Don't take this seriously, lol! This is just for fun, no offense meant to the Chinese.

The Date Night Opens April 9, 2010, Don't Miss It!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 20th Century Fox. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you looking for a refreshing treat over the weekend? Well, I do! It has been awhile since the last time hubby and I watched a movie in the theater. I don’t even remember when but I am pretty sure it has been over a year. When I need to relax, I treat myself to a light romantic- comedy kind of a movie. I don’t want to see deep, thought-provoking ones. I want to come out of the theater feeling relaxed and entertained. A movie like Date Night which opens in the theaters on April 9, 2010 is a movie to watch. With comedy actor Steve Carell and famous female comedy-writer Tina Fey as the main stars, how can you go wrong?

In the movie, Steve Carell and Tina Fey are bored suburban couple who, in one of their weekly dinner dates out in Manhattan, found themselves in the middle of a very adventurous experience. That is where the fun begins. Big-name stars like Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, James Franco, Ray Liotta and Mark Ruffalo and a lot more, are also in the movie. Watch the trailer to see more about the movie.

You can also read the full New York Times article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/movies/04date.html?ref=movies). But to have a truly enjoyable and fun weekend, join us in our date. Watch the Date Night Movie! It’s gonna be a blast!

Who is going home tonight?

Who do you think is going home tonight? I am talking about the American Idol! If i can make a wild guess, it would be Andrew Garcia. But then again, I believe he's got supporters who have been voting for him because i always thought he wouldn't reach that far in the competition. Don't get me wrong, he's got a voice, Andrew definitely can sing. It's just the wrong song choice. But let's see! I am just killing time here while waiting for the AI to come on.

Get A Copy of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband and I usually go to the video store and rent movies especially on the weekend. It is cheaper that way than buying DVDs or going to the movie theaters. But there are movies that we make sure we have in our collection, and among them are the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. My whole family loves Alvin and the Chipmunks and have never missed watching their movies. I so love and enjoy their music and never get tired watching these movies over and over again. These are movies every parent and children should see. It is a family-oriented movie that teaches good values to their children, values they can easily pass down even to their children’s children. One of the good values that Alvin and the Chipmunks movies teach is love for family.

The good news is: “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download! I am so excited about this movie that I just want to buy it now and I would be getting the Blu-ray for myself. And you know what? Here is another treat you cannot pass up. The Double DVD Pack includes "The Squeak Along" Bonus Disc, with more familiar music, mayhem and all-new singalongs! Like me, my kids love singalongs and getting this DVD is like getting double entertainment for the price of one! It offers a complete package of entertainment that makes this DVD a worthy addition to every home’s collection. Go grab a copy so you don’t miss the fun! Speaking of fun, my kids and I had a blast at http://www.munkyourself.com/ where you can 'munk' yourself! More Munk Mayhem is waiting for you at http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com/. Check it out!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! How do you guys celebrate easter? I miss the celebration of the holy week back when i was in the Philippines. I remember my grandmother (bless her soul!) would not let us kids laugh, play, swear and have some fun especially during Holy Thursday and Good Friday. She said that we can go out of the house only if we were going to the church to hear mass, or listen to the 7 last words of Christ, join the Way of the Cross, "visita iglesia" (visit churches), among others. We go fasting - no meat. And it is like a whole week holidays. Well, here in the US is a lot different. I worked on a Good Friday! It was not a holiday at work (at least at my work!). But Easter is really big here. There's food, lots of food, presents, kids having fun searching for their easter eggs and of course the presents. Hubby and me are having easter dinner at my sister-in-law's house later. I'm sure there will be lots of food and everyone in the family will be there. I wish everyone a very blessed easter!

17 years ago.....

I lost my youngest sister 17 years ago today. April 1st 1993 .... when my sister Jane left us. she would have been 40 now. My mother never got tired visiting her grave, she never stopped bringing her fresh flowers. Ahhhh ....mother's love! But anyway, wherever you are my dearest sister, you are always missed and loved. We will be together again someday, in God's time. We truly miss you!

Blind Side - Family Movie

I watched the movie The Blind Side with some friends at home and I loved it! It was a very inspiring movie based on a real-life story of a homeless 16 year-old black kid Michael Oher, who was later adopted by a rich family and fulfilled his dream to become an athlete. How he got there is what the movie is all about - the challenges and obstacles that he and his adoptive family faced. This is a feel-good movie for everyone to see. I love Sandra Bullock, I watch most of her movies and she was good in this movie too. Anyway, just watch it! I'm sure you will love it too!