| Your Word is "Fearless" |
 You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it! |
January 28, 2009
what's your word?
Sometimes it's not all about you. Life is simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Sometimes it is good to forget yourself and immerse in life as you see it - people, things, literature, arts, music - and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.
January 27, 2009
the science of mortgage leads
The U.S. economy as we all know has been suffering a major crisis and real estate is one facet of business that is suffering a hard blow, but for those searching for mortgage, the time is relatively perfect to buy a home or a house because of the low interest rates now being offered. There are also a demand for Loan Modification Leads.
For a mortgage broker, striking while the iron is hot is crucial. Although there are potential buyers, it is imperative that the mortgage broker speak to a client who presents a high probability of closing a deal.
A lead mortgage generation system, such as Live Mortgage Leads, can help to locate and contact thousands of consumers searching mortgages everyday. Their system can create the initial interaction and provide live agent interaction that not only verifies information but also acts as a sales assistant. Because they do voice broadcasting, they can give excellent results and can save a mortgage broker thousands of dollars on marketing and advertising costs. Now at a time of crisis, that is empowerment in building and growing your business much faster and easier than with traditonal methods.
For a mortgage broker, striking while the iron is hot is crucial. Although there are potential buyers, it is imperative that the mortgage broker speak to a client who presents a high probability of closing a deal.
A lead mortgage generation system, such as Live Mortgage Leads, can help to locate and contact thousands of consumers searching mortgages everyday. Their system can create the initial interaction and provide live agent interaction that not only verifies information but also acts as a sales assistant. Because they do voice broadcasting, they can give excellent results and can save a mortgage broker thousands of dollars on marketing and advertising costs. Now at a time of crisis, that is empowerment in building and growing your business much faster and easier than with traditonal methods.
January 26, 2009
the big Binondo food wok - Chinese New Year Edition
Finally, Jeff and I were able to join the Chinese New Year Edition of the Big Binondo Food WOK by Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks last Sunday. We missed it last year and so I was determined not to miss it the second time around. It was an enlightening and enjoyable tour, and a great experience to discover the culinary secrets of Binondo with the Chinese New Year celebration as a backdrop. Ivan Man Dy is the perfect guide!
I will not go into detail on what happened during the tour, so as not to dampen the excitement of those who plan to go on one. I will just leave you with these that made us go oooohh and aaahhh...
I will not go into detail on what happened during the tour, so as not to dampen the excitement of those who plan to go on one. I will just leave you with these that made us go oooohh and aaahhh...
It's really more than just the food. We went home not only with our stomachs full, but also our mind and soul as well. It is definitely worth taking if you are adventurous enough to know what great culinary gems Binondo has to offer. It's a worthwhile afternoon spent walking, eating and learning. ; )
January 24, 2009
e-commerce services
As someone who shops online, I have seen many "mom-and-pop" stores that have become prominent vendors, taking their online business to the next level. These online businesses have utilized a full service e-commerce system that includes smart inventory management, eBay store design, sales strategy analysis, professional copywriting and branding services, website hosting, customer service team and implementation services.
To be on top of the internet business, these online merchants should be taking more prominent position in eBay with the new eBay best match. There are strategies to take advantage of eBay's best match relevancy and a better way to boost your online store is getting an international company that provides global e-commerce services for local markets.
Getting your online business to the next level is not an easy step, but if you are dedicated and serious in your pursuance, now is the time to be known globally and developing your own kind of brand with multichannel e-commerce.
To be on top of the internet business, these online merchants should be taking more prominent position in eBay with the new eBay best match. There are strategies to take advantage of eBay's best match relevancy and a better way to boost your online store is getting an international company that provides global e-commerce services for local markets.
Getting your online business to the next level is not an easy step, but if you are dedicated and serious in your pursuance, now is the time to be known globally and developing your own kind of brand with multichannel e-commerce.
random thoughts
No matter how many women are now successful in both their career and family life as well, a lot of people still has this mentality that women, especially moms, are better off at home taking care of their children. I just had this thought when recently someone saw how Joaqui would answer his questions, made the different animal sounds, sang and danced she commented that children are more bright and "bibo" when the mother herself takes care of her child.
I find this a little unfair for working women who have to leave their children under the care of a nanny or a relative. Although I'm a work-at-home mom, I still have a nanny to look after Joaqui while I'm working. The only difference I think is that I'm always there to supervise and we're not too dependent on our nanny.
It's not the amount of time that we have with our children that is important, but the quality of time we spend with them. So a working mom or not, how we communicate and guide our children is invaluable.
I find this a little unfair for working women who have to leave their children under the care of a nanny or a relative. Although I'm a work-at-home mom, I still have a nanny to look after Joaqui while I'm working. The only difference I think is that I'm always there to supervise and we're not too dependent on our nanny.
It's not the amount of time that we have with our children that is important, but the quality of time we spend with them. So a working mom or not, how we communicate and guide our children is invaluable.
January 23, 2009
cyber relationships
I used to be surprised if I found out a love story that bloomed out of just being pen pals, but now there are a lot of couples who have met through just being text mates, or through internet chat and while not all of them end up being together, it is interesting to know how people develop feelings for each other by reading text messages or chatting.
It is a reality that a lot of people meet other people, wherever they are on the planet, through the internet. I for one have met good friends through an online group and thankful that I have formed a bonding with other moms like me. Chat rooms are very popular ways of sharing personal information with a group of other users, and now chat rooms have been more specific with regard to gender and race, such as an Asian Chat Room, which is a forum geared for Asians to meet and chat. You can sign up here for free and start on seeing and talking to other people on the site.
There are many benefits of visiting chat rooms such as social interaction, support system, sharing resources and experiences, but of course, one should always take precautions in using the internet to give out pesonal information, as there are people who use chat rooms as a means of identifying potential victims. While chat rooms build confidence and manages loneliness, it is better to be well informed on chat room safety.
It is a reality that a lot of people meet other people, wherever they are on the planet, through the internet. I for one have met good friends through an online group and thankful that I have formed a bonding with other moms like me. Chat rooms are very popular ways of sharing personal information with a group of other users, and now chat rooms have been more specific with regard to gender and race, such as an Asian Chat Room, which is a forum geared for Asians to meet and chat. You can sign up here for free and start on seeing and talking to other people on the site.
There are many benefits of visiting chat rooms such as social interaction, support system, sharing resources and experiences, but of course, one should always take precautions in using the internet to give out pesonal information, as there are people who use chat rooms as a means of identifying potential victims. While chat rooms build confidence and manages loneliness, it is better to be well informed on chat room safety.
on a lighter note
The inauguration of President Barack Obama is very promising to the people of the United States of America, but I hope to us here in the Philippines as well. In the year 2008, our country has been bombarded with many trials of a grueling economy and we all hope and pray that the year 2009 will be a better one. On a lighter note, I received a funny email on how company logos will look like when the crisis is finally over. Here it goes:
January 22, 2009
anywhere hot tub
When I've been working too much and my muscles are sore, I always think of soaking in a hot tub and just relax. Hydrotherapy, or warm water massage in a hot tub has many health benefits and it reduces stress and increases blood circulation. Hot tub hydrotherapy on a regular basis provides physical health benefits and whether you are experiencing joint or muscle pain, having trouble sleeping, or stressed out, spending time in hot tub spas can provide therapeutic benefits.
But going to the spa to have hydrotherapy is not at all that convenient plus it is a little expensive too. It's true that you can avail of spa services while in the comforts of your home, but it is usually just massage, a foot spa or a body scrub. Now with lazyspa one can enjoy a hot tub not only at home but anywhere. It is a highly portable hot tub that has features found only on expensive hot tubs such as circulation pump, heater, 600w turbo massage blower and digital control panel. The lazyspa hot tub can comfortably seat four adults, yet it can fit through a standard door because it is inflatable. And as an added feature, this has multi-coloured underwater lights for a party mood!
Keep your investment in your luxurious hot tub. If you're renting or if you ever decide to move from your current home, you can easily take your lazyspa with you. It is designed for convenience and easy transportation, so you can just enjoy all the benefits of warm water therapy...anytime, anywhere.
But going to the spa to have hydrotherapy is not at all that convenient plus it is a little expensive too. It's true that you can avail of spa services while in the comforts of your home, but it is usually just massage, a foot spa or a body scrub. Now with lazyspa one can enjoy a hot tub not only at home but anywhere. It is a highly portable hot tub that has features found only on expensive hot tubs such as circulation pump, heater, 600w turbo massage blower and digital control panel. The lazyspa hot tub can comfortably seat four adults, yet it can fit through a standard door because it is inflatable. And as an added feature, this has multi-coloured underwater lights for a party mood!
Keep your investment in your luxurious hot tub. If you're renting or if you ever decide to move from your current home, you can easily take your lazyspa with you. It is designed for convenience and easy transportation, so you can just enjoy all the benefits of warm water therapy...anytime, anywhere.
the Agustins in Blue
I was inspired by Concon to wear color-coordinated clothes, so when we attended Alysson's 7th birthday party last Sunday, the family all came in blue. A little girl at the party commented, "Oh the family is wearing the same color of shirt...that's nice." Hehehe...On a side note, when we entered the clubhouse where the party is being held, Joaqui ran away and wanted to take a walk outside instead. I think he spent half of the time at the playground. Hay. It was when the party ended that he danced up on the stage! That is why I wanted Joaqui to attend as many birthday parties and social gatherings as possible, so that he will get used to the attention and the noise during parties.
January 21, 2009
golf as a sport
If there is one sport that I would like to try, it would probably be golf. It looks interesting and I love to play amongst nature and enjoy the greeneries. It is also not a contact sport, so there is a very little chance of getting hurt or having myself injured. It would also be fun to see the world by playing golf and visit the many golf resorts and having golf holidays. I don't know of any basketball resorts, but I do know golf holiday destinations such as Chiemsee, which is the most popular golf holiday destination in Germany.
The popularity of golf has increased through the years. In 2005 Golf Digest calculated that there were nearly 32,000 golf courses in the world, approximately half of them in the United States. The countries with most golf courses in relation to population, starting with the best endowed were: Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales, United States, Sweden, and England.
With golf, one needs the necessary equipment to play - from golf clubs to golf shoes to golf gear. There are numerous golf shops where one can shop by brand and also enjoy discounts for a specific equipment.
There are children who study to play golf and golf schools offer a course for the young ones who would like to learn the golf sport. If one day Joaqui would show interest in playing this sport, we would definitely support him and I might even learn the sport myself.
The popularity of golf has increased through the years. In 2005 Golf Digest calculated that there were nearly 32,000 golf courses in the world, approximately half of them in the United States. The countries with most golf courses in relation to population, starting with the best endowed were: Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales, United States, Sweden, and England.
With golf, one needs the necessary equipment to play - from golf clubs to golf shoes to golf gear. There are numerous golf shops where one can shop by brand and also enjoy discounts for a specific equipment.
There are children who study to play golf and golf schools offer a course for the young ones who would like to learn the golf sport. If one day Joaqui would show interest in playing this sport, we would definitely support him and I might even learn the sport myself.
what gemstone are you?
Your Gemstone is Ruby |
 Daring, enthusiastic, and spontaneous. You are energetic and passionate, with an appetite for life. |
It's interesting that with this gemstone quiz, my gemstone is Ruby because that is really my birthstone. It is said that the ruby is considered to be the most powerful gem in the universe, and is associated with many astral signs. To own a ruby is said to have contentment and peace. The ruby is also the symbol of vitality and royalty.
January 20, 2009
BYD E6 Electric Dreams
With the prices of fuel going up and our ozone layer continually thinning, I think it's about time to look into the green car market. An electric car is a type of alternative fuel car that utilizes electric motors and motor controllers instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The electric power is usually derived from battery packs in the vehicle. In general terms, an electric car is a rechargeable battery electric vehicle.
BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is a Chinese manufacturer that produces many of the world’s cellphone batteries and is planning to begin selling in the United States an electric crossover vehicle with a 250-mile range and a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It started selling a smaller version of the plug-in hybrid in China last month, almost two years before the Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to go on sale, and a year before Toyota says it will introduce a plug-in vehicle.
BYD has introduced the BYD E6 electric car at the Beijing International Auto Show. It takes the shape of a crossover, or MPV, and will be built on on the F6's platform. E6 will be a 5 seater with an acceleration of 0 to 100 kph of around 10 seconds. Top speed should be top speed of 160 kph (100 mph), and the battery pack, which is located under the rear passenger seats, will be based on BYD's own lithium-ion iron phosphate technology. Range per charge is expected to be 300 km (186 miles). BYD projected the battery had a life of 2,000 cycles, for a lifetime range of about 600,000 km (373,000 miles).
I hope that this does not remain as a concept and that we would definitely see production of this type of car. As with any new technology that requires mass uptake by the public to succeed, there is a great incentive to convince people that electric cars are a good thing.
BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is a Chinese manufacturer that produces many of the world’s cellphone batteries and is planning to begin selling in the United States an electric crossover vehicle with a 250-mile range and a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It started selling a smaller version of the plug-in hybrid in China last month, almost two years before the Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to go on sale, and a year before Toyota says it will introduce a plug-in vehicle.
BYD has introduced the BYD E6 electric car at the Beijing International Auto Show. It takes the shape of a crossover, or MPV, and will be built on on the F6's platform. E6 will be a 5 seater with an acceleration of 0 to 100 kph of around 10 seconds. Top speed should be top speed of 160 kph (100 mph), and the battery pack, which is located under the rear passenger seats, will be based on BYD's own lithium-ion iron phosphate technology. Range per charge is expected to be 300 km (186 miles). BYD projected the battery had a life of 2,000 cycles, for a lifetime range of about 600,000 km (373,000 miles).
I hope that this does not remain as a concept and that we would definitely see production of this type of car. As with any new technology that requires mass uptake by the public to succeed, there is a great incentive to convince people that electric cars are a good thing.
Noblesse Oblige Award
This was awarded to me by Leah and I am truly honored.
This Award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:
- The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
- The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
- There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
- The Blog is refreshing and creative.
- The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.
The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:
- Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older Post to support.
- The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
- The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.
At first I really had no idea what I am going to put in my blog ever since I created it and since being a wife and a mom has brought new meaning to my life, I have taken the path of writing and sharing my experiences as a mommy. I have met many moms like me who are into blogging and I have also learned from their experiences.
No matter how many blogs there are about parenting and family life, each of us still has unique and interesting stories to tell and I just hope that with jengspeaks, I am able to inspire and spread kindness with our family stories.
I am passing this award to Jacque, Concon and Janis.
halloween costume for Valentine
The homeowner's association here in our subdivision is going to have a costume party for Valentine's Day and we are so excited! I think it would be fun, especially for the adults to come in their funniest or scariest costumes. It's like Halloween in February. Hubby and I are going to be dressed as clowns and we have found the perfect costumes and clown make up as well. My mom asked me to find her a costume and while browsing the Costume Cauldron website, I saw this really funny costumes like Shark Man Eating, Super Silicone, and Toilet costume.
This could really be fun and different too. Instead of the usual romantic dinner-dance party, a Valentine costume party is a great idea where not only couples can participate. I checked out the Costume Cauldron store and they have a huge selection of costumes from adults to kids and toddlers. They even have sexy costumes, couples costumes and plus size costumes. It's a haven of Halloween Costume! I also discovered a secret Haunted House backdoor on the website for a great discount. Just go to the homepage halfway down on the right and click on the brown comma in the line that reads “Our Store now has over 10,000 masquerade items for you to choose from!” Isn't that great? I'd better tell our friends and neighbors about Costume Cauldron so that they can pick the best costume for them. ; )
This could really be fun and different too. Instead of the usual romantic dinner-dance party, a Valentine costume party is a great idea where not only couples can participate. I checked out the Costume Cauldron store and they have a huge selection of costumes from adults to kids and toddlers. They even have sexy costumes, couples costumes and plus size costumes. It's a haven of Halloween Costume! I also discovered a secret Haunted House backdoor on the website for a great discount. Just go to the homepage halfway down on the right and click on the brown comma in the line that reads “Our Store now has over 10,000 masquerade items for you to choose from!” Isn't that great? I'd better tell our friends and neighbors about Costume Cauldron so that they can pick the best costume for them. ; )
i'm back...
and I'm so relieved that my internet connection is able to access blogspot again! For the past few days, our DSL connection has been selectively unable to access blogspot, yahoo and other yahoo-related sites like flickr. It's really weird because my browser is perfectly working with other sites. We thought it was due to the bandwidth of our DSL connection, but hubby tried resetting the wireless router and voila, back to normal. : )
January 12, 2009
eat along and pictorial
Our eat along group striked again ; ) Our eating spree (that's what Concon calls it) had its recent activity last January 10 at Daddy Nap and Mommy Rhea's place in Quezon City. We were the first to arrive, having come from Valenzuela at my mother-in-law's place and Joaqui was left in Valenzuela. When we saw their spacious lawn, I felt a little bad that Joaqui wasn't there to play with the other kids. Mommy Ayn, Daddy Loy and Ibim wasn't able to come and they are missed. As always, we had a delicious dinner and the cold January air was warmed with laughters and stories about our children, family life and everything else in between.Mommy Concon, Daddy Nel and Baby Joaquin all came in coordinated outfits and before we said our goodbyes, there was a mini pictorial of sorts. Each family had their pictures taken and since Joaqui was not with us, we posed ala prenup pictorial. We mommies thought we were prepared for every shoot, but then the daddies beat us this time.
Left to right: Nel, Jeff, Simon and Nap
Daddies in their holding hands pose.
January 11, 2009
surprise!
Hubby and I were out earlier this morning and met with my bestfriend Claire who will be going back to Canada. While waiting for her to arrive, we looked around at the department store because he wanted to buy a pair of new rubber shoes. I pretended that I have nothing particular that I like, but what he doesn't know was that I have already bought him a new pair of Merrell Mens Barcelona Shoes which I got at such an affordable price from a store in ShopWiki.
I like doing online shopping at ShopWiki because they have over 30,000 stores to choose from, which means finding the products you want at the best prices. Also you can learn about a product by simply watching video reviews that were created to detail the bad and good features of a product, which is essential in your selection. Another feature I like about is the many options for shopping search, like price, brand and retailer. For hubby's shoes, I knew he was particularly looking for the brand Merrell and so searching for the type of shoes I wanted to buy was a breeze.
While browsing through the site, I also found some really good boys dress shoes for Joaqui. I think he would really look cute on these. Meanwhile I am excited to give hubby my surprise gift for him. I think he will be elated to find out that I bought him the perfect rubber shoes he was looking for. ; )
I like doing online shopping at ShopWiki because they have over 30,000 stores to choose from, which means finding the products you want at the best prices. Also you can learn about a product by simply watching video reviews that were created to detail the bad and good features of a product, which is essential in your selection. Another feature I like about is the many options for shopping search, like price, brand and retailer. For hubby's shoes, I knew he was particularly looking for the brand Merrell and so searching for the type of shoes I wanted to buy was a breeze.
While browsing through the site, I also found some really good boys dress shoes for Joaqui. I think he would really look cute on these. Meanwhile I am excited to give hubby my surprise gift for him. I think he will be elated to find out that I bought him the perfect rubber shoes he was looking for. ; )
January 9, 2009
Supplier Ratings - Joaqui's 2nd Birthday Party
It has been customary for us n@wies (members of Newlyweds@Work) to post supplier ratings for events that we have had - baptisms or dedications and birthday parties. Supplier ratings from other n@wies have really helped me a lot in planning and choosing the right suppliers. I have also learned budget tips and DIY projects from the other members who have shared their experiences with regard to party planning. This is not to make biased opinions regarding any particular supplier, but just an honest review of their products and services during the event. Rates are 0 to 5, 5 being the highest score.
Venue, Invites, Food, Host, Entertainment: Jollibee Ever Ortigas
Rating: 5
We got their two function rooms as each could only accommodate 100 persons and with our expected number of guests, we decided to get both. They allow it only on weekdays and for a certain amount of food cost. Their function rooms were spacious and it already has cloth swags and some paper banderitas. The hosts during Joaqui's party were good and they had unique games for both children and adults. They also adhered to our specifications with regard to games and program flow. All 5 mascots were "well behaved" because I have attended some Jollibee parties where the mascots make inappropriate behaviors infront of the kids. The only negative point I think is that they should have added one or two more Smart crews for the number of guests we had. They were also supposed to give us gift checks from Toys R' Us worth P1,000 but up to now we have not received them.
Balloon Decorations: Jacque of Party Boosters
Rating: 5+
What can I say? Jacque is simply marvelous. I just specified our budget and we got more than what we expected. The place looked livelier and in a more "party" mood. She even added octopus balloons and these were a hit to our guests that some were taking out the balloons even before the party ended. At the end of the party, no balloons were left except for the two big balloon pillars. I even said to Jacque that it only shows that her balloon arrangements were pretty because everybody wanted to take them out.
Face Painter: c/o Party Boosters
Rate: 5+
We love the face painting! It was not just an ordinary face painting because she had glitter tattoos and body jewels added. The children loved their face painting especially the girls because of the intricate designs of the flowers. They worked nonstop during the duration of the party and there were some guests (including me) who had face painting even after the party (as in the crew were already cleaning up the area). They were also so nice and patient with the kids. Too bad Joaqui wasn't able to have his face painted.
Cake: Layers and Layers in Tiendesitas, Pasig City
Rating: 5+
I have never really tried their cakes, but a good friend of mine got her twins' baptismal cake and birthday cake from them so we've decided to order from them also. They were very easy to talk to and followed our specifications for the cake. It arrived on time and it tastes yummy too. The price is very reasonable. Cake was not allowed to be served at Jollibee and when we got home to cut it, the two-layered cake was really big.
Photographer: Guj Tungpalan of RedSheep Photography
Rating: 5
I heard of RedSheep from n@w and when I visited his web site, I really liked the pictures from the gallery and so I e-mailed him for inquiry, made the down payment and met him during the party. He was already at Jollibee when we arrived. The pictures came out really wonderful. He was able to capture important moments and although Joaqui does not readily smile in front of the camera, he was able to take a lot of shots of Joaqui smiling. His rates are affordable and the package for birthday parties comes with three 8R prints, a DVD copy of unlimited shots and an AVP.
Tarpaulin: IMSI in Cainta Greenland
Rate: 5
This was a last minute decision from us, so we were not able to make a layout of the tarpaulin. I only brought a copy of Joaqui's picture and chose from the available Sponge Bob layouts they have. All in all we were satisfied with the tarpaulin they made.
Loot bags: Divisoria Mall
Rating: 5++
Obviously this was a labor of love from us and Divisoria is still the best place to scout for loot bags and loot bag items. We only have a budget of P50 per loot bag and with that budget, we were able to buy a Sponge Bob lunch bag, Sponge Bob wallet, Sponge Bob sticker books, small Sponge Bob towel and a Sponge Bob blink pen. We bought 60 pieces of each, but just days before the party I had to add more. I had no strength to go back to Divisoria again, so we just went to St. Francis Square instead. We found similar items, but the price was 3 to 5 times higher. : ( The kids liked the loot bags and even some adults wanted to take it home as well. My sister-in-law who works for a Jollibee franchise just ordered Jollibee bag tags from their supplier. We had them put Joaqui's name and the date and place of the party at the back of the tag and we placed this on each bag.
Pabitin: Vente Store
Rating: 5
Again this is another spur of the moment for me. We were not supposed to have pabitin, but when I saw a Vente booth at Robinson's Cainta, I decided to have one anyway. There were lots of toys and craft items to choose from and we just bought 20 pieces for the pabitin. We also have some extra toys and game prizes from Joaqui's first birthday party and used them as well.
We could say that it was a successful 2nd birthday party after all. For us, what makes it successful is that we saw how everyone had fun during the party and even after the party, some of our neighborhood kids were still saying how they enjoyed celebrating Joaqui's birthday. I told my husband Jeff that I have decided that there would be no birthday party next year (sigh) for Joaqui, and we would just celebrate it as a family out of town or somewhere nice. The next birthday party would be when he is 7 years old. But then, that was what I said to him last year.; )
You can view pictures here and here.
Venue, Invites, Food, Host, Entertainment: Jollibee Ever Ortigas
Rating: 5
We got their two function rooms as each could only accommodate 100 persons and with our expected number of guests, we decided to get both. They allow it only on weekdays and for a certain amount of food cost. Their function rooms were spacious and it already has cloth swags and some paper banderitas. The hosts during Joaqui's party were good and they had unique games for both children and adults. They also adhered to our specifications with regard to games and program flow. All 5 mascots were "well behaved" because I have attended some Jollibee parties where the mascots make inappropriate behaviors infront of the kids. The only negative point I think is that they should have added one or two more Smart crews for the number of guests we had. They were also supposed to give us gift checks from Toys R' Us worth P1,000 but up to now we have not received them.
Balloon Decorations: Jacque of Party Boosters
Rating: 5+
What can I say? Jacque is simply marvelous. I just specified our budget and we got more than what we expected. The place looked livelier and in a more "party" mood. She even added octopus balloons and these were a hit to our guests that some were taking out the balloons even before the party ended. At the end of the party, no balloons were left except for the two big balloon pillars. I even said to Jacque that it only shows that her balloon arrangements were pretty because everybody wanted to take them out.
Face Painter: c/o Party Boosters
Rate: 5+
We love the face painting! It was not just an ordinary face painting because she had glitter tattoos and body jewels added. The children loved their face painting especially the girls because of the intricate designs of the flowers. They worked nonstop during the duration of the party and there were some guests (including me) who had face painting even after the party (as in the crew were already cleaning up the area). They were also so nice and patient with the kids. Too bad Joaqui wasn't able to have his face painted.
Cake: Layers and Layers in Tiendesitas, Pasig City
Rating: 5+
I have never really tried their cakes, but a good friend of mine got her twins' baptismal cake and birthday cake from them so we've decided to order from them also. They were very easy to talk to and followed our specifications for the cake. It arrived on time and it tastes yummy too. The price is very reasonable. Cake was not allowed to be served at Jollibee and when we got home to cut it, the two-layered cake was really big.
Photographer: Guj Tungpalan of RedSheep Photography
Rating: 5
I heard of RedSheep from n@w and when I visited his web site, I really liked the pictures from the gallery and so I e-mailed him for inquiry, made the down payment and met him during the party. He was already at Jollibee when we arrived. The pictures came out really wonderful. He was able to capture important moments and although Joaqui does not readily smile in front of the camera, he was able to take a lot of shots of Joaqui smiling. His rates are affordable and the package for birthday parties comes with three 8R prints, a DVD copy of unlimited shots and an AVP.
Tarpaulin: IMSI in Cainta Greenland
Rate: 5
This was a last minute decision from us, so we were not able to make a layout of the tarpaulin. I only brought a copy of Joaqui's picture and chose from the available Sponge Bob layouts they have. All in all we were satisfied with the tarpaulin they made.
Loot bags: Divisoria Mall
Rating: 5++
Obviously this was a labor of love from us and Divisoria is still the best place to scout for loot bags and loot bag items. We only have a budget of P50 per loot bag and with that budget, we were able to buy a Sponge Bob lunch bag, Sponge Bob wallet, Sponge Bob sticker books, small Sponge Bob towel and a Sponge Bob blink pen. We bought 60 pieces of each, but just days before the party I had to add more. I had no strength to go back to Divisoria again, so we just went to St. Francis Square instead. We found similar items, but the price was 3 to 5 times higher. : ( The kids liked the loot bags and even some adults wanted to take it home as well. My sister-in-law who works for a Jollibee franchise just ordered Jollibee bag tags from their supplier. We had them put Joaqui's name and the date and place of the party at the back of the tag and we placed this on each bag.
Pabitin: Vente Store
Rating: 5
Again this is another spur of the moment for me. We were not supposed to have pabitin, but when I saw a Vente booth at Robinson's Cainta, I decided to have one anyway. There were lots of toys and craft items to choose from and we just bought 20 pieces for the pabitin. We also have some extra toys and game prizes from Joaqui's first birthday party and used them as well.
We could say that it was a successful 2nd birthday party after all. For us, what makes it successful is that we saw how everyone had fun during the party and even after the party, some of our neighborhood kids were still saying how they enjoyed celebrating Joaqui's birthday. I told my husband Jeff that I have decided that there would be no birthday party next year (sigh) for Joaqui, and we would just celebrate it as a family out of town or somewhere nice. The next birthday party would be when he is 7 years old. But then, that was what I said to him last year.; )
You can view pictures here and here.
January 8, 2009
enhancing the way you look
Ugly Betty wanted to be beautiful inside and out - but then who wouldn't want to be beautiful? There are many surgical and non-surgical options available now for those who want to improve their physical appearance and with the advancements in medicine, cosmetic surgery is being done even on an outpatient basis.
For women, breast enhancement is one of the most common forms of cosmetic surgery because this is one of the simplest cosmetic surgery procedures with a high success rate. Breast enhancement surgery gives women a lot of individualized options for changing the size and shape of the breasts. Surgical methods and breast-implant technology have improved dramatically in recent years: breast augmentation is less invasive, with more options and better post-surgical results.
Breast enhancement surgery can improve the figure and has the potential to increase a woman's confidence. Additionally, clothing may fit better after breast enlargement, allowing women to wear a wider variety of fashionable clothes and further boosting confidence and overall enjoyment of life. Breast enlargement can improve the aesthetics of the figure by adding definition and curves to the body's profile for a more attractive appearance. Larger breasts also bring balance to womanly hips and help eliminate a pear-shaped look. Also, women who have undergone surgery due to breast cancer or another cause often are able to maintain confidence in their appearance through reconstructive breast enhancement surgery.
Although it is considered to be a relatively simple procedure, it is still best to contact a cosmetic surgeon to learn more about the benefits of breast enhancement surgery and to look for experienced surgeons who have carried out successful procedures, such as Mya Cosmetic Surgery. It stands out from others because this highly competitive group of breast enhancement specialists not only provide you with a great choice of options to achieve the body confidence you deserve, but also can offer a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. Of course, beauty comes with a price but with Mya Cosmetic Surgery, you can avail of the many affordable and flexible finance packages to assist you in making yourself amazing.
For women, breast enhancement is one of the most common forms of cosmetic surgery because this is one of the simplest cosmetic surgery procedures with a high success rate. Breast enhancement surgery gives women a lot of individualized options for changing the size and shape of the breasts. Surgical methods and breast-implant technology have improved dramatically in recent years: breast augmentation is less invasive, with more options and better post-surgical results.
Breast enhancement surgery can improve the figure and has the potential to increase a woman's confidence. Additionally, clothing may fit better after breast enlargement, allowing women to wear a wider variety of fashionable clothes and further boosting confidence and overall enjoyment of life. Breast enlargement can improve the aesthetics of the figure by adding definition and curves to the body's profile for a more attractive appearance. Larger breasts also bring balance to womanly hips and help eliminate a pear-shaped look. Also, women who have undergone surgery due to breast cancer or another cause often are able to maintain confidence in their appearance through reconstructive breast enhancement surgery.
Although it is considered to be a relatively simple procedure, it is still best to contact a cosmetic surgeon to learn more about the benefits of breast enhancement surgery and to look for experienced surgeons who have carried out successful procedures, such as Mya Cosmetic Surgery. It stands out from others because this highly competitive group of breast enhancement specialists not only provide you with a great choice of options to achieve the body confidence you deserve, but also can offer a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. Of course, beauty comes with a price but with Mya Cosmetic Surgery, you can avail of the many affordable and flexible finance packages to assist you in making yourself amazing.
The Amazing Meganame Generator
I'm feeling like a teenager with this amazing meganame generator I found on the net. While I was answering the questions, I can't help but smile because it took me to my school days. Remember those silly slum books with questions like your greatest dream, greatest crush...well this is something sort of that. Take this quiz and feel silly like me.
Jenniffer Gutierrez Agustin's Aliases |
 Your movie star name: Chips Marcelino Your fashion designer name is Jenniffer Venice Your socialite name is Jing Jing Paris Your fly girl / guy name is J Agu Your detective name is Dog Cainta Catholic School Your barfly name is Cookies Margarita Your soap opera name is Gutierrez St. John Your rock star name is Viva Car Your Star Wars name is Jentro Agujef Your punk rock band name is The Happy Antenna |
January 7, 2009
make blog advertising work for you
I was watching the show Boy and Kris earlier this morning and their topic was about internet marketing and different business opportunities that thrived through the online community. There was even one former ABS-CBN employee who now is a millionaire by starting an online business and venturing into internet advertising.
Now advertise on blogs makes it possible for businesses to promote their web site, products, services or company through an automated system of a network of bloggers such as PayingPost. This is a new wave of commerce for anyone who wants to spread the word about their products, service or organization. Blog advertising is becoming the choice for online advertising because of its many advantages such as link building and generating more visits to your site and, therefore, higher chances of your products and/or services being known.
Not only advertisers benefit from blog advertising. This also gives a chance for bloggers to earn while writing opinions and reviews on products and services. I know a lot of working moms and stay-at-home moms who benefit from blogging, earning them an extra income and also building a social network wherein they can relate and communicate with other bloggers with the same interests as theirs.
With the vast number of blog advertising agencies, an advertiser has many options but it is important to note that advertisers should choose the one which gives them the maximum benefits for their paid advertisement ang generate more traffic. Taking the time to specify the requirements, the targeted audience and type of review, bloggers can create a big difference in your marketing strategy and reaching a larger number of consumers who would potentially be using your products and/or services.
Anyway you look at it, both advertisers and bloggers greatly benefit from blog advertising and it is apparent in how people nowadays search the internet for almost anything and the increasing number of websites for online shopping. After all, these online ad companies acquire excellent online advertising network, as these online companies assist in creating connection between the websites and advertisers.
Now advertise on blogs makes it possible for businesses to promote their web site, products, services or company through an automated system of a network of bloggers such as PayingPost. This is a new wave of commerce for anyone who wants to spread the word about their products, service or organization. Blog advertising is becoming the choice for online advertising because of its many advantages such as link building and generating more visits to your site and, therefore, higher chances of your products and/or services being known.
Not only advertisers benefit from blog advertising. This also gives a chance for bloggers to earn while writing opinions and reviews on products and services. I know a lot of working moms and stay-at-home moms who benefit from blogging, earning them an extra income and also building a social network wherein they can relate and communicate with other bloggers with the same interests as theirs.
With the vast number of blog advertising agencies, an advertiser has many options but it is important to note that advertisers should choose the one which gives them the maximum benefits for their paid advertisement ang generate more traffic. Taking the time to specify the requirements, the targeted audience and type of review, bloggers can create a big difference in your marketing strategy and reaching a larger number of consumers who would potentially be using your products and/or services.
Anyway you look at it, both advertisers and bloggers greatly benefit from blog advertising and it is apparent in how people nowadays search the internet for almost anything and the increasing number of websites for online shopping. After all, these online ad companies acquire excellent online advertising network, as these online companies assist in creating connection between the websites and advertisers.
Joaqui's Joaqui-ness
We find it a little weird that Joaqui likes to watch The Living Asia Channel, which is an Asian travel and lifestyle channel that showcases the best of Asian destinations, finds, culture, cuisine, fashion, people, etc. in the Philippines and Asia. It all started when he was about a year and a half and I was watching something from this channel and since then, when we turn on the T.V., he says "Living Asia! Living Asia!" and when we tune in to Living Asia Channel, he can watch and sit still for more than an hour. He really watches intently as if he understands what tha narrator is talking about. Even if we try to trick him to saying that another channel was the Living Asia Channel, he knows that it isn't. He doesn't care much about anime or cartoons except for the ones from Nick Jr., but when I think about it, it is a good thing that at such a young age, he is interested in travel and culture.
Joaqui has a fascination with cross and church. He likes to go to church and watch the priest say mass (at least the first half of it because he now also wants to run and play inside the church!) and also listen to the choir's singing. Sometimes when he is playing by himself, he would sing Alleluia, Alleluia. He can imitate the priest holding up the Bible and blessing with Holy Water. It will really all make us laugh when he does this. Joaqui likes to look at anything with a cross in it - even some electric posts and TV antennas!
He cries when we go inside other people's houses except for my mother in law's, but every time we go into someone else's house he really cries and it takes time to sort of warm him up. There is that "period of adjustment" when he feels comfortable in going in a particular house, but when he has warmed up, he is in his usual happy self again. We've also noticed that he doesn't like too much attention from someone he doesn't know. He has to observe first and make the first move.
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