the best of time

If somebody would ask me what gift I would want to receive, I would say a watch because I like to collect watches, especially the classic time pieces. It may seem like an ordinary piece of accessory, but what kind of watch a person wears actually says something already about that person. I am not time conscious but time is important to me. When I do not have my watch, I feel like I am naked, stripped of something important to me.

I know of some people who collect luxury watches and I would want to own a really expensive luxury watch someday, like a Rolex watch. Most of them buy their Rolex watch from www.bestoftime.com because Best of Time offers genuine Rolex watches at substantial discounts to the manufacturer's suggested retail price. All of their Rolex watches are 100% genuine and authentic with serial numbers. They sell like-new and pre-owned Rolex watches with brand new genuine Rolex boxes and GIA member appraisal papers, which is really important if you are a watch collector.

Time is what we make out of it, and being on time in style and elegance is what other people make of it. As time is valuable to each and everyone of us, so is owning a luxury watch where you can wear it time and time again. The best way to wear time is with Best of Time because it brings with it over a decade’s worth of proven retail success, service and satisfaction, and only the top of the line Rolex watches are available to their customers in their commitment to excellence and satisfaction.

searching efficiently and rapidly

I have noticed that medical transcription has become more popular than when I started working. When somebody used to ask me what kind of work I do and answered I'm a medical transcriptionist, the usual answer would be "what's that?" and then I have to explain to them how medical transcription works. Now when I tell somebody that I'm a medical transcriptionist, the answer would be, "oh, how did you become one?" Apparently there is an increased interest in how to get into the MT world.

Sometimes I would also get response that what I do is just type or they thought that it's like a call center job. Although we don't listen to live calls, but dictations, our work entails a lot of studying and research. Even the most experienced ones need to study new terms, new drugs and new developments in the medical field. That is why I'm thankful for search engines such as Rapidshare Search Engine because of its regularly updated links base, functionality and good work capacity.

I think this is what I like most about my job, researching and studying the latest developments in the medical field, and making sure that I produce an accurate report on a patient's medical condition. By ensuring the doctors that all his dictated reports are timely and accurately delivered, they are assured that their medical records are in capable hands.

a taste of fine art

I must admit that I don't have talent in drawing or painting, but I like to look at paintings in art galleries and just as I can spend hours and hours in a book store, I can spend time appreciating works of arts in a Fine Art Gallery. Maybe because I don't have the talent in painting that I really admire painters and artists. I only have a few good pieces of art works by unknown artists and someday I would like to own a painting by great Filipino artists like Mauro Malang Santos and Botong Francisco.

I don't know many full service art galleries here, but the ones I know of does not only specialize in traditional arts, but also contemporary and commercial art. Even in today's digital age, many painters still stay true to traditional art and although modern and commercial art is quite interesting, I find beauty in subjects that reflect the people's colorful everyday lives and recording history as they unfold.

Not only the art itself is getting more and more modern, but online galleries of paintings and art works are getting more popular. In fact, there are fine art galleries on Ebay, where you can choose a painting you like through their website and purchase it at their Ebay store. It sure is convenient, but one has to be more careful of the quality and condition of the painting they are buying online.

Schumacher will race again

After the injury that happened to Felipe Massa on July 25 in Hungary, Michael Schumacher is preparing for the upcoming European Grand Prix as he emerges from his nearly three-year retirement to replace Massa for the rest of the season. Me and my husband are both excited to watch Schumacher race again for the Ferrari, but we do hope that Massa will recover well.

I don't watch F1 but since hubby likes to watch F1, I became a fan. Sometimes I wish I could drive a car as fast as an F1 race car driver like having a supercharger in my car. I don't have to own a Ferarri, but a car with a pontiac supercharger will at least quench my thirst for speed.

It would really be an exciting F1 race for Schumi and although he is not allowed to use Ferrari's F60 car before the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23, he is in top condition to get back on the race track and this is one race I will make sure not to miss.

Farewell Corazon Aquino

Today the Filipino people bid farewell to former president Corazon Aquino, as hundreds of thousands converged on the streets to wait for the passing of her flag-draped casket, waving yellow ribbons and showering confetti and yellow flowers. Former president Cory Aquino rose to prominence after the 1983 assassination of her husband from his return from U.S. exile to challenge Marcos. She has led the Philippines towards truth, justice and democracy after many years of martial law under the Marcos regime.

While watching the necrological service given to former president Cory at the Manila Cathedral, I was in awe of how many people were there to pay their respect. Even though hundreds of thousand of people were waiting outside the Manila Cathedral, it was still solemn and well organized. Crowd control was definitely secured with barricades for public safety as well as the security of the well-known politicians and celebrities who came to pay respect to the former president.

As there were so many people that thronged the streets and waited for hours just to see the Cory Aquino's coffin, the Aquino family were overwhelmed with gratitude for all of those people. The number of people lining up were so vast in number that a velvet rope or stanchions would not be enough to prevent some people from following the whole entourage of the funeral procession going to Manila Memorial Park. It was very touching and I felt how Cory Aquino has touched the lives of the Filipinos with her goodness and bravery.

Whenever there is a political crisis, Cory Aquino always rose above the bureaucratic procrastination to remind us Filipinos that we had once astonished the world with our bravery. She was divinely inspired and her legacy will forever live in the hearts of her people.

when it rains it pours

It happened to me again. When it rains, it pours and not only does it happen with blessings. Sometimes it happens with trials and challenges also. As our phone line had no dial tone last week and no repair man was in sight, we had to go to the house of my in laws so that I can work. They had good internet connection and all I had to bring was my laptop computer. It was quite a long drive going there and as we were on our way, our car air conditioning failed. It was really hot that day, so we had to travel all the way to Valenzuela City from our place without cool air. Even if we opened the windows, it was still hot. But I guess good things still happen to good people because a neighbor of my in laws who was a mechanic was there when we arrived. He also has a small auto mechanic shop and he has the parts that our car needed. In fact, he also now has diesel parts, air conditioning compressor and more. Our car's air conditioning was repaired before we went home two days after. And as the challenges came one after another, the solutions to these challenges came with the help of some really good people. Apparently after six days of waiting, our phone line was repaired and it was such a relief. It was quite difficult for us without the internet connection and I can work from home again.

Sometimes my first reaction when something goes wrong is to be irritated or annoyed, but thinking about the past week, it made me think that sometimes I just really have to wait and be patient to be able to think clearly on what I can do about the problem, rather than being a problem myself. ; )

an addition to the family

Joaqui will soon have a cousin! My sister-in-law is currently pregnant and everyone in hubby's family is really happy. We don't know yet if the baby is going to be a boy or a girl, but my sister-in-law and I are already excited to buy baby stuff. She asked me for advice on the essential baby gear that she needs to purchase and I told her that she will have to buy onesies, tops and socks because the baby will need them right away. I also adivsed her to look for a good crib, preferably with a changing table to put in the nursery. And since I am really excited for the new baby, I have been searching online for body suits and bibs to give to her. While browsing online, I also saw some really cute stuff for Joaqui like Sponge Bob underwear and a pink robe for one of my god children. It will be perfect as a Chistmas gift!

I also told my sister-in-law that as early as now, she can already shop for activity sets like a walker and a playpen. Joaqui used to have a playpen and he used that a lot. My hubby plans to give the future baby children's books like Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown because we both believe that you can instill a love of reading to children as early as they are born. A lot of people usually give educational toys as gifts to babies or children and those are great presents, but I also prefer creative toys to encourage the artistic mind.

Right now, I just told her to take care of her health because the baby will depend on her for nutrition. Fortunately she has not had a difficult first trimester and her pregnancy is progressing wonderfully. We are just happy for them and we are praying and hoping for a bouncing healthy baby in a few months' time.

the importance of rewarding employees

I am so proud of hubby for having been recognized by their company for a job well done. This shows that the employer reinforces the actions and behaviors they want to see people repeat. This way, employees respond well to incentives and to recognition for doing especially good work, and it is a sign that the employer appreciated the effort the employee made. Rewards do not have to be expensive like a large formal party or bonuses, although a financial reward would truly be encouraging, it does have some disadvantages.

Rewarding employees can be done in many other ways like taking the staff out to dinner, distributing a bag of groceries or fruit basket, or purchasing a gift card. This looks like a simple thing to do, but somehow it does keep an employee motivated. It is important to note that employees who contribute to meeting organizational goals or who improve the the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of the company can be rewarded. Awards should be used as a tool to recognize past performance as well as motivate employees to continue high peformance.

Non-monetary rewards are more varied and unique than cash awards and offer two major advantages over cash rewards; they help meet employees' needs for recognition, growth and responsibility. While telling employees they are appreciated should be obvious, an employer should be specific about what they really liked, so that they not only feel appreciated but can do it again.

PC retirement

Our desktop computer is getting slow, sometimes real slow. Its memory sometimes fail because of the used space as we store pictures and other pertinent data regarding my work in our desktop. Although we have added an external drive for the pictures, still sometimes while I am working and I open a lot of files, I get bored waiting to upload and download files.

If budget is not a question, we would have opted to buy a MacBook Pro as the Mac laptops are slim and sleek and the 13-inch MacBook boasts of two different processor configurations. The MacBook Pro is really hard to resist with its aluminum unibody enclosure, advanced longer-lasting battery and enhanced LED-backlit display. A lot of hubby's friends also say that it is easier to edit photos using the MacBook. And as a medical transcriptionist, the keys are curved to perfectly fit fingers and the keyboard is illuminated helping you type even in low-light settings.

Of course as with all gadgets, it does not come without disadvantages like, for example, Macintosh computers cannot be personalized as easily as personal computers, but I think this would only affect the sincere gaming enthusiasts. For its simplicity and attractiveness, the high-end features definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

blow the candles!

In a few more hours, I will be celebrating my 33rd birthday and I really have no plans of a big celebration, maybe just dinner with my family. I am still worried about Joaqui's tonsillitis as he has not been eating or drinking well at all, but I am hopeful that he will get better really soon. Hubby was asking me what would I want for my birthday and I said it's up to him. I would appreciate any gift he would give me.

Every year, I also give myself a gift - a reward for myself and I was thinking about Indian jewelry, but I want something that is authentic. I got interested in ethnic items after I made an online salwar suits shopping from www.utsavsarees.com where they really emphasize on quality and latest fashion. They also have jewelry and accessories which are beautifully crafted and made to last.

So with gifts or without gifts, I am thankful for another year and another candle to blow on my birthday cake.

what's in a name and a lawyer

Jennifer is such a common name that actually there was a time that it was the most popular girl's name in the USA. It was supposed to be spelled that way, with a single letter F, but my mom wanted to be creative (or I guess it was the effect of anesthesia) that she specified my name with a double letter N and double letter F. Ever since I was a child, my teachers had trouble spelling it correctly and so now I have a multitude of school records and other records with my name spelled both with a single F and double F.

Although my birth certificate has the correct spelling, still on legal matters I had to present records which are consistent. We are in a middle of some family-related situation on estate settlements and I have to produce certain legal papers, so this issue with my name came up. We are just lucky that a family friend referred us to a very good family lawyer who can provide skilled, prompt and diligent representation regarding these matters. He represents cases and clients in a wide variety of family law areas and has worked with San Antonio Family-Law-Attorneys.

So far he has provided professional legal advice and has addressed all of our legal needs and we will just wait and see how it turns out. I do hope that we can navigate through these minor legal waters easily with the help of a family law attorney.

the best deal on used cars

The blogosphere has really added me new friends and I just received an email from a blogger friend who just moved to UK from Malaysia. She was having a difficult time adjusting as it was really a new world for her. Her previous email was about how she wanted to have a car to use to and from work in the hospital, but she still cannot afford a new one. She was not so sure about buying used cars, but I told her not to worry and I will try to search a UK site for her where she can get superb deals on used cars and new cars.

I gave her the site BuyYourCar and she immediately checked it. She cannot believe on the thousands of cars on their list which are below the typical list price. She was so happy because she found a bargain on used Audi cars that she will definitely buy. All the while she was getting frustrated on finding the right car for her, and she is just delighted that there is a site like BuyYourCar. It definitely made life easier for her, at least in her search of a car. She says their selection is the best she have come across and will definitely recommend it to her friends who are not only looking for used cars but also car lease as well. I am happy for her and I bet her next email would be about the places she had been to with her new wheels.

digital cameras for sale

I have checked my paypal account today and I am really happy because I think I will be able to buy this Nikon D90 12.3 megapixel SLR digital camera body for hubby as a Christmas gift. It is never too early for me to shop for Christmas gifts. There are so many digital cameras for sale, but this one is really something because it has one-button live view and DMovie mode, which hubby would really like. He can now record 720p HD movie clips from this camera that will also allow him to interchange SLR lens. This is so cool!

While looking at this, I also found other digital cameras for sale that are actually selling at a lower price, like the Panasonic Lumix DMCLZ8K, Nikon Coolpix S52C digital camera, and Canon PowerShot SXIOIS. Digital cameras have changed from a luxurious item to a common gadget that most people will need over the past few years. The price has dropped and the quality of the point-and-shoot camera has increased markedly.

Although the device has become a commonly used gadget, it is not uncommon to see that a lot of people are getting confused about what to look for when buying a digital camera. Of course, one should look at the published information before buying and choose the one that fits your location and budget. As with any thing that you will buy, beware of false information that can be misleading and can end you up buying a product that falls short of the manufacturer's standard.

shifting gear

It's really interesting how people shift careers, sometimes really far out from what they have studied. I had a chance to chat with some of my batch mates in college and a lot of us are non-practicing physical therapists. I for one is in medical transcription, others in pharmaceuticals, education and insurance companies. The one career shift my former classmate made was being a Miami general contractor. I wasn't quite expecting it from him since he was really a good student before. I thought that when he went to the States, he will pursue a doctorate in physical therapy.

I asked him why he had chosen this field and he said that when he came to the U.S., he got interested in custom home remodeling and from there, it had awakened a passion in architectural drawings and carpentry. He says that being a general contractor puts him in charge of architectural, engineering and construction services. Of course, he made further studies to be able to deliver the best service his company has to offer. He looked really happy telling me stories of how he started, the sacrifices he had to make and now fulfilling his dreams.

I wish I could be more like him in being brave enough to pursue my passion. I wanted someday to have my own catering business. I love to cook and I believe this is one of my passions. I have yet to enrol in a culinary school one day and study the ins and outs of a catering business, but I do hope that someday I will be able to tell my own story of how I started and be able to fulfill my dreams.

the light of HS code

Have you sometimes ever wondered how multinational businesses coordinate their offices or how certain products are delivered across the world? I do and for someone like me who has no background knowledge on business, I think there should be a book on "Business for Dummies" like me. But looking it up on the internet, one thing about this big businesses come up and that is the harmonized codes.

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System or HS of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers for classifying traded products developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization. Individual countries may extend a Harmonized System number to eight or ten digits for customs purposes, and eight or ten digits for export purposes.

For importers and exporters, a commodity code classification engine is of utmost value in hs tariff classifications to manage risks and costs associated with customs compliance. If you are an exporter or an importer and you need an instant accurate classification tool for hts code lookup, the technology is available that intelligently interprets products descriptions and drives the HS classification process to completion, while other technology available lets you perform large-scale post-entry audits of commodity classifications.

Knowing about this HS codes makes me look at my favorite chocolate bar in a different perspective, and sheds light to the business aspect of a simple everyday commodity.

road mishap

It was unfortunate that my brother had a motor vehicle accident the other day wherein a motorcycle hit him on the driver's side. It happened when my brother was turning left when suddenly this motorcycle came from nowhere and apparently was trying to cut in. The impact was quite hard because it had left a deep dent on the door that he was not able to open it. If there is any consolation though, no one was seriously hurt.

The damage was unsightly and it will be unsafe for him to drive the car at all. His insurance company had suggested a specific repair shop, which according to them is one of the best in the area and is affiliated with a Los Angeles Auto Body repair shop. The necessary repairs are currently being completed and much to our relief, the door does not need to be replaced. We have yet to see the new paint job though, but at this point my brother is quite satisfied with their technical expertise.

Motorcycle accidents are becoming apparent in the roads nowadays wherein 2,092 accidents were reported, of which 51 had fatalities, in the first five months of the year alone. It is a fact that they have the right to use the road, but they have to be careful too. Swerving, driving on the curb and sidewalks, and basically ignoring lane partitions are what causes a rise in the incidence of road mishaps involving two-wheeled transport. If these motorists will follow traffic rules and regulations, then the number of accidents will not reach such a worrisome level.

the zen of decluttering

Decluttering the home and organizing is a big project especially if you have too much stuff and clutter. Decluttering is getting rid of all the things you don't need, don't like, don't use and don't want, and keeping those you love, and use, and need. There are a lot of good reasons for decluttering, like creating space, making the home seem bigger, and reducing maintenance cost and time.

If decluttering seems too stressful, declutter just a few items every day, and things will start to change. And if you want to clear the clutter from your home without giving away your treasured belongings, then Self Storage might be just the one that you need. There are a lot of self storage facilities out there, but finding the one that emphasizes on friendly professional managers and commitment to clean, secure and convenient self storage facilities distinguishes one from the others.

Locating a self storage facility is not too difficult. In fact, there are self storage solutions across the United States, such as Self Storage Facilities Phoenix AZ or Storage Rentals Phoenix AZ. So if you find yourself in a middle of chaos on your things at home, begin a process of positive change, lift your spirits and declutter. After starting to declutter, you will find that your home is more peaceful and welcoming, it is easier to maintain, and you feel calmer, less stressed and most probably more energetic.

home inspection service - the inner workings

A very good friend of mine working as a nurse in the U.S. asked for my help in finding her a house here in Manila. Although her whole family is now in California, she still comes here about twice a year and most often stays with a friend, so she thought of buying a house of her own. As much as I would like to help her, it's very time consuming to look for a house that she likes. She asked me if there is a home inspection service available here. I have never heard of one, but she told me to check Denver Home Inspection to give me an idea.

A home inspection service can provice an invaluable information on a prospective home. They can check many details in a potential home such as concealed wiring and plumbing, shingles on the roof and built-in appliances in the kitchen. They will then provide a detailed report with a brief description once the inspector is done with the house. This will give the home buyer a chance to renegotiate with the current homeowner if prolematic areas are identified, and eventually can save the home buyer from hidden expenses.

This is a service that is necessary for any home purchase, but I don't think we have it here. But I guess reading and learning what a home inspection service is all about, I am more aware of what we should be on a look out for when checking on a potential house that my friend may want to buy. I know that purchasing a home is a major investment and as a friend, I will be there to help her make the right choices.

emerging winner

On the recently concluded Inaugural Women's World 10 Ball Championships, an unexpected winner emerged, Rubilen Amit from the Philippines. She did beat Jeanette "Black Widow" Lee after a heart-pounding race. This is a truly proud moment for the Philippines as the whole country was behind her, and the hometown favorite won.

I wonder how a woman like her got into billiards. I know how to play the sport, but I only get to practice the skills I have through the multiplayer games,8c1.net.http://www.8c1.net, which is a free online billiard game. What is actually cool about this is that I can create my own group and play with my friends worldwide in my own room.

Where ever there is a billiard table, this win by Rubilen Amit will inspire many new talents and hopefully a Filipino will once again emerge as a winner in these international billiards events.

moving out

I only moved twice but I still think that moving is one of the most stressful events of all and one advice is essential - be prepared. Moving your family and your household is never an easy undertaking and failing to prepare a few key items in advance can make it even worse. So is there an answer to a stress-free move?

Yes, by hiring a professonal moving company who will be able to help you with the details and actual mechanics of transporting your belongings. Why take the toll of all the tasks yourself when you can leave the packing, loading, transportation and unloading to the experienced experts such as a reliable local mover? And the best thing about hiring a moving company is that they are in charge of the packing and transportation process, and the movers will ensure that your belongings are unloaded at your new home in the same condition they left your old home in.

So after you have decided on a moving date, call in the professionals. Just take note that some moving companies are better than others, like Houston Movers, so choose the one that is a completely trustworthy company with a solid reputation for quality service.

Moving entails you to deal with a lot of things. Let the the professionals handle the challenges of relocation, and start moving on.