On A Wonderful Day Like Today

Being in the banking industry, we have always been warned against identity theft that can happen in daily banking and credit card transactions, especially those involving online activities. So the bank tries its very best to offer security especially for online transactions and also offer the clients very important information about security and phishing. Lately, a number of cases have been reported in our company warning us of certain people who are posing as an employee or as someone affiliated with our bank. In the online world, there are also some of these ill-intentioned people who try to hack other people's bank and credit information by sending clients hoax emails which request for very confidential information such their account information, personal I.D. numbers and passwords. In cases like these, we need to be wary of the security of our identities and our own accounts and properties. We should not reveal just to anyone our personal information, codes and passwords to avo...

As always, my hubby and I went out on our weekly date last Friday after work. All roads led to Greenbelt 3. We went straight to Bubba Gump to have a no-meat dinner. Ah! Finally a nice place to relax after a very stressful week at work. Food's really good too! Lookie here: I really enjoy these dates with my husband. Ever since we became friends, we really enjoy each other's company and love to go into long conversations about anything under the sun. We also love eating out and going on dinner dates. We've been together for 10 years already and still there are more things to learn and discover! Love you hunny.

Last week, I was talking to my officemate and we were discussing my chocolate cake craving. Then I remembered that we used to order cakes from Claudette's in Makati. So in one of those nights when hubby picked me up, I asked him to go around the Valero area so I can pick up a Cloud 9 from Claudette's. It costs 375 pesos only. It was so yummy! It definitely filled my chocolate cake craving!

What are your travel plans for this year 2008? Last year was definitely a year of travel for my family. My Dad decided to go last June to Frankfurt, Germany to visit our relatives there and then headed to Rome, Italy to attend the canonization of St. Maria Eugenie, Foundress of the Assumption sisters. He also made a quick trip to Florence to see the famous architectural sights there and also stayed in Assisi, the hometown of his favorite saint, St. Francis. Around that time too, my husband and I also went abroad together to visit Singapore for their Annual Great Singapore Sale. We had such a blast scouring through all the sales! And then during the latter part of the year, it was my sister's turn to travel. She stayed in nice hotels in Tokyo and Osaka in Japan for three whole weeks and enjoyed every bit of her time there. This year, my Dad also has been making plans to go to Hong Kong in May. My sister, on the other hand, is almost done finalizing her travel plans and hotel reserv...

In 1976 (the year you were born) Gerald Ford is president of the US The US celebrates its bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversary of its independence The Viking II sets down on Mars' Utopia Plains Promising, "I will never lie to you," Jimmy Carter is elected president of the United States Israeli commandos rescue hostages from Entebbe, Uganda The Concorde begins flights from New York to Europe George W. Bush is arrested and fined for driving under the influence of alcohol Cray-1, the first commercially developed supercomputer, is invented by Seymour Cray Freddie Prinze Jr., Reese Witherspoon, Colin Farrell, 50 Cent, Fred Savage, and Shannon Elizabeth are born Cincinnati Reds win the World Series Pittsburgh Steelers win Superbowl X Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Rocky is the top grossing film Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins is published The Eagles Their Greatest Hits compilation becomes the first album in histor...

I've been enjoying a great deal this new-found hobby of mine which is blogging. As much as I love writing about my own experiences and thoughts, I also love reading about the lives and adventures of other people. Plus did you know that there is also a chance to earn extra money by doing paid blogging? For someone who is beginning to become addicted to writing blogs, Bloggerwave gives me an opportunity to hone my writing skills and at the same time get extra money from what I love doing. So for those interested in joining the club, just click in bloggerwave and immediately open yourself to a brighter future ahead.

Thanks to Apols (almost didn't see it), Toni and Maybelle for this domino tag! Rule: Copy the entire list and add your name at the bottom. And tag at least 5 friends. (But you can tag as many as you like) Thea is {bloggerhappy.com} Childstar Mike My Scrappy Side Abie Aggie Alpha Apple Jacqui Jane Jody Jody: Scribbles of My Life Joy Kelly Mich Peachy Toni Maybelle Apols Vina You may want to allow pings on your entry to enjoy the full domino effect. Have fun! Now, I’m tagging Cebu-based (tama ba?) Vannie , Pampanga-based (tama ba?) Jean , US-based gals Trinity , Rafela , and Em.

Ed's AJ and Vannie's Ozzy tagged my Zoe: 1. Zoe is the first apo on my side but the 15th apo on Hubby' side. Here's our first time to see Zoe: 2. Zoe's real name (Zxxx Vxxxxxx) was taken from my mom's name, Violxxx while Zxxx was just name that I fancied (the famous Zara brand). Zoe with my mother-in-law: Zoe with my dad: 3. Zoe was baptized at the same church where we were married. :-) 4. Whenever we attend bday parties, we always try to have Zoe's picture taken with the mascot. :-) Addict! Zoe (& mommy) with Barney: Zoe (& mommy) with Tweety Bird: Zoe (& mommy) with Hamburglar: We also have a pic with Chuckee (of KFC) but I couldn't find the file. 5. Zoe loves Jollibee! She even recognizes the smallest tarpaulin of Jollibee's delivery service, pointing to it, saying "adububaubaa" (whatever that means!). 6. Zoe's first studio experience was for a Christmas souvenir at Great Image. Reall...

Hi there! It's been a very busy day. Got lots and lots of stuff to do at work. I'm so tired already. My shoulder's been aching but still there's still a long long list of things to do. These are the days when I long to be a house wife. Though I won't be earning, I'll be able to oversee my baby and the whole household. But then again... And oh, hubby's leaving again for an out-of-town trip tomorrow. So this means no ride going to work for me for the next couple of days (read: more stress). Argh!

Back in my high school days, my friends and I always enjoyed playing billiards. I may not be into it anymore but I certainly would like to play a game or two once again. So I told my husband recently about online billiard . Aside from it's attractive design, this website has a good range of online pool games which anyone in the world can play. I'm sure my husband and I can soon play my favorite game in online billards which is the 8-ball.

My blog turned 3 months old last Feb. 7 and since then, I've been into blogging with benefits . Ok na ok pala noh? I'm really looking forward to more stuff to write about (not to mention more da-tung !). Thanks to my online friends for getting me interested to be in the loop!

I started wearing eyeglasses when I turned 10 and up to now, I am still wear one. My present pair is already more than 3 years and it looks old and rusty. Since I have been planning on replacing it, I looked in the internet and at last: Best Thing Found: Zenni Optical . Their glasses are fashionable and stylish! Here are some of my picks! Zenni Optical $8 Rx Glasses is a great find! For as low as $8, you can already own a new pair! Just click on the link and you will see a Great Discovery: Zenni Optical .

The statue of Our Lady of Fatima, the one being routed to the different houses in our village (Block Rosary) visited our home for a week. With the statue comes a basket of prayers and several rosaries. Obviously Zoe has a knack for rosaries. Here, she's trying out all the rosaries, looking a like a Sto. Nino. In this other picture, she looks like the Madre Superiora: Hahaha! And have I told you that she joins the weekly Way of the Cross around our village every Friday of Lent? Hmmm...manang-mana kay Lola.

A few years back, celebrities and rich people were the more common groups known to avail of cosmetic surgeries. But now, even ordinary people are getting more conscious of the way they look and are actually seeking medical intervention to improve their bodies and overall appearance. Particularly abroad, a lot of women have been undergoing cosmetic surgery even if it would mean experiencing pain and spending a lot of money. The more popular procedure that women are now getting is breast enhancement. In this site about Breast Enhancement UK , it seems that many are becoming more open to fact that there are good benefits that can be derived from having a more curvaceous and voluptuous body. Many times, having a breast lift or enlargement or a tummy tuck can actually be a major confidence boost for women.

As I had posted here before, I was invited to talk about love, courtship and marriage to a group of young professionals here in Makati. Overall, I think it went quite well. I told them that I don't speak as authority on the topic but was just sharing my thoughts and past experiences about the topic. The central focus of the talk is living purity in your state. This means that whether single or married, we need to see the importance of living the virtue of chastity -- a trait which is getting rarer and rarer these days during the effect of media and other societal influences. Here are bits and pieces of the things I said. I hope you'll also get to learn a little from my simple sharing: 1. For the single man or woman, we need to first and foremost look into our family lifestyle, state in life and vocation. This will determine whether our calling is to be married and to live chastity as a single person (different from being single by circumstance). 2. If you are contemplating matr...

I got interested on this article which talks about parents helping their children purchase their houses. It's quite relevant since this is what we are somewhat praying that my Dad would do for us. We have been living with my Dad since my husband and I got married. We're actually not complaining since the house is newly-built and is big enough for our needs. However, part of our family vision and mission is also for my husband and I to be able to buy our very own house and lot. We plan to get a Homeowner Loan soon. One option is to apply for a housing loan in a bank. I can also avail of a housing assistance loan in my company as part of my benefit as an regular employee. Our in-house terms and rates are still lower than that of any commercial bank around. The only catch here is that I would be tied up with the company and won't be able to resign as long as I have a big outstanding loan with them. At any rate, whatever our decision will be, there are still a few things we n...

You Are Flip Flops You are laid back and very friendly. Cheery and sunny in disposition, you usually have something to smile about. Style is important to you, as long as you can stay casual. It takes a lot to get you to dress up! You are a loyal and true person, though you can be a bit of a flake. You tend to "play hooky" and blow off responsibilities a lot more than most people. You should live: By the beach You should work: At a casual up and coming company What Kind of Shoe Are You?

I heard that my dear friend Cleo will be coming home tomorrow to Manila from London. She has been working there for over a year now as a caregiver. Honestly, I miss her a lot since we were constant companions while she was living here. Anyway, I am so eager to see her again because since she left, we barely got to communicate through email or text since she doesn't have her own computer there and the cellular phone rates are expensive. In one of her last phone calls, she told me that she might move out of her current apartment whom she shares with other Filipinos. The flat where they stay has become too crowded for her and her housemates. I think one of her housemates already has his whole family with him there. Mortgage payments in London are quite high so she has been living ever since in the suburban area. So to travel to the city proper, she still needs to take the train. The rates that she needs to pay for this new place is much lower plus it is located very near a church. I ...

I have been working like a dog for the past days in the office that it's such a relief when I realized today that there won't be work for the next 3 days. Wo-hooo! But wait, on second thought, I just might be reporting for work tomorrow just to finish a deadline. Tsk. Tsk. That means no napping and no playing with Zoe. I don't like!!! Maybe there's still hope. Wait if I bring my work home and at the same time be with my dear sweethearts? Good idea!

I’ve recently been concerned about our current financial condition. Ever since I decided to enroll in graduate school as few years back, I have been grappling with credit card debts. Why? It’s because being back in school entailed paying for ultra-high tuition fees (which you can charge to your credit card), lunch and dinner case meetings with classmates, photocopying expense for dozens of books, project expenses, and many more. And just when I thought that when I graduate I’ll be able to recoup my investment, my mom got sick (and passed away) which left us with huge bills and loans to pay. After that, I got married and my husband and I started to build our family. There came in baby expenses such as vaccinations, milk, diapers, and much much more. The expenses and financial obligations don’t seem to stop. My only consolation is that our personal incomes have shot up a considerable amount in the past year. This truly helps in coping with our existing obligations. If not for that, we wo...

My husband coined a new name for my secondary blog about home management. It shall now be entitled " HOUSE EVERYTHING ". Cute huh? It's still in the formatting stage but I hope all in my blogroll with link this new blog of mine. I plan to blog about my house projects, cleaning tips, cooking adventures, hobbies, budgeting, and everything else under our roof! :-) See you all there!

As a child I have always seen from my Dad create makeshift house drawings. His dream was to have our existing house remodeled into four levels with a four-car garage. At that time, our house was only a modest bungalow with a small garage fit for our one and only car. But as the saying goes, "dream and your dreams will fall short". This dream of my Dad's did become a reality about two years ago when our family decided to venture into a full-blast renovation wherein the contractor needed to demolish our old house and construct as if from scratch. This time too, we also made a provision for a four-car garage which is perfect since we now have four cars. Our house is now erect and furnished but the garage still needs some work. It still remains somewhat unfinished with its plain cement flooring with no tiles or concrete base flooring yet. Given the money, I would like to build something like my Uncle's garage in London. Garages abroad are very modern, secure and durable....

My good online friend Pat gave a very special award today. Drumrolls please!!! So undeserved but thank you anyway! :-)

Being employed in a financial institution, I encounter a lot of stories about clients who are having trouble in the management of their credit line and loans with the company. Some of them literally have to beg the company to give them more time and adjusted rates so that they can hurdle their existing accounts. In cases such as these, the company first studies the financial condition of the client and then tries to offer a restructuring of their credit line with easier terms and rates. Some clients get through their credit ordeal with this restructuring plan. However, there are still some clients that unfortunately could no longer pay their debts altogether even with the remedial plan offered by the company. Thus, the company and their other creditors may end up going after their other accounts and properties as the client files for bankruptcy. To avoid these instances from happening, it is essential to formulate a Debt Managment Plan . Having this plan is the solution to avoid the ri...

Nol, my online friend whom I heard is on a HK holiday, tagged me this one. Thanks Nol! 1. Today I feel very--- tired, got a ton of work to finish 2. I enjoy --- being with my family 3. I am unhappy when --- I try not to be unhappy. 4. I feel good when --- I'm with my sweethearts. 5. I wish my boss --- wouldn't give me anymore extra assignments. 6. My officemates think --- I'm pretty LOL! 7. My work area is --- brand new! 8. I enjoy reading about --- God and other stories. 9. I like myself best when --- I accomplish my plans. 10. If I had a choice I would --- stay at home and work from home. 11. I wish --- that my whole family stay happy and healthy. 12. Tomorrow I would like to --- finish all my tasks in the office so that I would have to work on Saturday! Thanks again Nol. I enjoyed this!

Two years ago, when my Uncle visited us from Germany to attend my wedding, he and his wife hurriedly decided to get a property since they thought they wanted a retirement house here when they get older. Unfortunately, their financial situation has been turning sour for the past year and retirement plans would have to wait. Honestly, I think my Uncle didn't make a sound judgment before agreeing to buy the property. He was just swayed by the agent to make that quick decision. Thus, he is now faced with a big problem with his monthly payments lest the property developer charge them with heftier interest rate due to default payment. In order to aid them, I suggested that they move out of the in-house mortgage plan they have with the developer and instead shift to the fixed rate plan with a term of 5 years being offered by a bank. Now my Uncle is ever more confused on how to manage his mortgage problems. In a related article , I read that deciding on which type of mortgage is the best h...

In line with the season of LOVE this February, I was invited by a friend to give a short talk about above subject to some her friends (both single and married alike) tomorrow in their office. Hmm... not yet sure exactly what to share with them. If only the topic is as easy as demonstrating how to make the perfect omelet... :-) Anyway, I thought this comic strip is funny (at least for a married woman like me). To the wifeys out there -- beware when you ask your husband for the hairdryer! Hahaha! I will update you guys how the talk goes tomorrow!

...I want to be a...BLOGGER! :-) Like mother like daughter. :-)

Whenever we travel abroad or locally, I have always been wary of how clean and hygienic the hotel room is, particularly the beds. This is because I’m afraid there may be cockroaches and bed bugs there! So as much as possible, we only choose to book at hotels with a good rating in terms of cleanliness (new bed sheets, newly-vacuumed carpets, clean bathroom, etc.). This more or less guarantees that they a good team that takes care of the upkeep of the rooms which lessens the possibilities of having bed bug infestations. Isn't this what the clients truly deserve?

From Ai and Vannie: Thank you for giving me this award, for always passing by my blog (I hope you enjoy reading), for giving me comments and for being a friend. Thanks thanks and take care!

Ever since my husband encountered a car accident in General Santos City last year, I have always been feeling restless and worrisome every time he leaves on business trips. Thank God that sans a bad bruise which he got on his left palm and other minor scratches on both arms, he is now fully recovered from the wounds and the trauma. I guess that particular incident got me interested in availing of disability insurance . Even though we are a double-income family and are at the peak of our careers, you can never be sure if you will be continue to be healthy or able to work on a full-time basis in the next few years or so. Since my husband is still traveling a lot as part of his job, the best way to secure his future income and his ability to earn a living is to get a disability insurance . In this regard, the first step that we’re going to do is to request for disability insurance quotes from the internet. From there, we’ll be able to decide on which insurance company can provide the bes...

As I have been discussing with my hubby, I have been tinkering with the thought of starting another blog that is focused mainly on cooking and home management. You see, I used to belong to this group of nice ladies who plan out get-togethers & talks on the different aspects of the home. Our topics ranged from household cleaning, organizing, daily household schedules, cooking (from the basics to more complicated stuff), budgeting, etc. etc. Oh boy I miss those days! Being married for the past 2 years, I feel that I need to practice all that I have learned and try to focus on improving my/our home life. I'm taking these words as an inspiration: "The home and the family will always occupy a central place in the life of a woman. For it is obvious that when she spends time on her family she is fulfilling a great human and Christian role." Don't you agree? Anyway, I'm still in the process of thinking of a name for this new baby. Will update you in the next few da...

My husband and I have always agreed that securing the future of our family through life insurance is a top priority. While I have already gotten several life insurance policies for myself ever since I was single, it is only now that my husband has been interested in getting an insurance policy. As the head of the family, he feels that the best way to secure our family’s future aside from saving up money in the bank is to have a life insurance policy. Through the help of online life insurance quotes , we were able to compare the different insurance products and the range of rates available in the market. In the end, he has finally decided to get a term life insurance since he is already not so young and to get a full life insurance would be a bit too costly for us at the moment.

February seems to be a month filled with celebrations! We have been eating out more than usual in the past weeks and enjoyed every bit of our time together as a family. Let me just share to you some of our food trips lately... First Trip - Panciteria de San Jacinto in Pasig Ever since I could remember, my family has been flocking to San Jacinto for celebrations -- birthdays, graduations and other blessings. I think the last time we went there as a family was when my mom was still alive and I graduated from my MBA course at the Ateneo Grad School of Business. Anyway, as a sort of celebration for my mom's supposedly 61st birthday, my hubby, dad and I went to San Jacinto for dinner on February 01. I noticed that they replaced some of the furniture and added some sofa / couches to make it more comfy. But as usual, the ambiance was still homey, the service good and the food yummy. In short, I love it there. Second Trip - Marina in Jupiter Street, Makati On one of those Fridays (of Lent)...