17 August 2009

The Dreamer Will Stop Dreaming In Her Dreams

This may be something negative on first impression...please read on.

"I am free of the past and the future. The moment I live in is now, with no history affecting my choices in the present".

If there is something greatly attaching me to this world... that would be my dreams. Its nothing negative on my part. I have been telling myself that for every dream, it will come in the right time, and live what is in the present.
I guess, I had a hard time stopping from dreaming... and I ended grasping for some breathing air, running after what I wanted (plans & goals). Whether it is for my family, myself or for others.

Over the weekend, I was awakened to stick with what is happening at the moment. And I will start to go through the week taking it step by step living each day fully. Once in a while we need to have a little enlightenment of what we used to have as a perspective in life. Well, I thank God for the life he has given me, and I'm able to take dreams as inspirations not as an aiming point. If it's really meant for me or for my family, why not, we will glady accept it with open arms.

Work and stress combined, makes us think beyond the life we have right now. And we exceed with the use of so much time, we drain our brains, and physically, we get exhausted. When in fact, if we were only thinking of the task to be finished that day, we should be excelling and preserving our strength for another successful day. Which will definitely, still contribute for a brighter future. We don't lose anything and we will still gain a lot.

Have a great week ahead!

15 August 2009

Mommy Journey's 1st Blogversary!

A good friend's blog is turning 1 on September 10! The Mommy Journey!

Congrats in advance Chris! You did a lot for the past year. You brought inspiration to us moms and smiles to our hearts. You're one blogger that I surely would like to meet in person...

the mommy journey

It is very easy to join:

Just write about this blogiversary celebration at your site.

1. Please make sure your post has a link to this contest page and that you copy the prizes with the sponsor's links.
2. Please leave a comment with the URL of your post.

1st winner
blogspot makeover by Momgen Designs
4000 EC credits from Nishas world and baby Alisha
1000 EC credits from Blog Fusion
1000 EC credits from Worth's Road
1000 EC credits from Mouth's Delight
125 x125 ad space for 1 month from There is Happiness
125 x125 ad space for 1 month from Twins Happiness

2nd winner
blogspot customized template by Web Blog Designs
5000 EC credits from Simple Happy Life
2000 EC credits from Bitz n Pieces of My Life
125 x125 ad space for 1 month from Also Mommy
125 x125 ad space for 1 month from TH Corner

3rd winner
5000 EC credits and 125x125 ad space for 1 month from The Mommy Journey
$5.00 from Inspirational Insights 125x125 ad space for 1 month from iluvcontest
125x125 ad space for 1 month from another contest

4th winner
3000 EC credits from Chuchie's Hideaway
2000 EC credits from WhereAbouts
$5.00, 1000 EC credits and 125x125 ad space for 1 month from Just About Anything
125x125 ad space for 1 month from Sherry Contest
125x125 ad space for 1 month from Sherry Rambling

5th winner
$5.00 from Our Family Story
125x125 ad space for 1 month from That Blog 4 Me
125x125 ad space for 1 month from Travel Blog

Creating A Photo Blog

Its been almost a year for Sweet Nothings, more than half a year for my Food blog (From My Kitchen and Beyond). Now, I am thinking of creating a new site for my photos. I have been thinking about this for a very long time. Its not easy to maintain 2 sites alone. Adding another might just make things a bit complicated.

Just in case I come up with this Photo blog, a webhosting solution should be the first thing to consider. As for me, I like a webhost that offer free domain names. Its one of the things I greatly like my sites to have. My own domain name.I want to make this 3rd blog of mine, to be a bit personal.

I checked several webhosting sites and I found some that might cater to my ideas. And it ain't easy. Finding the best webhosting service for my website is very confusing. There are endless options from the top hosts or the least expensive service.

Since I'm at the verge of taking my time, a detailed review of these webhosting sites should be done. from their rates, reliability and speed, especially on the technical support aspect. I sure do hope that by the time I'm able to make up my mind, a good webhost is also ready to cater to my every need.

12 August 2009

My Hair Got Axed!

First of all, I'm not really afraid to try any hairstyle. As a matter of fact I think I already tried almost everything. Not to the point of shaving my head.
From super short hair...
To having some bangs...
Over-all, my hair is happy if its long. It's easier to manage in a sense that you can do anything with it. Tie it back, tuck it behind your ears, it also looks good with some bangs, and most of all, women always look best with long hair flowing around their shoulders.



In 2007, I decided to cut my hair short. But my husband didn't really like it. He's used to seeing me with long hair. As requested, I grew my hair back since 2008 up to the present. My last visit to the salon (before today) was last December. I am determined to grow my hair right below the armpit area. I had plans of having it permed by the time it reaches that length.


Today, I went to David's Salon to have an inch taken off and to get my bangs back. To my disappointment, the hairstylist wasn't paying attention to what I am instructing him. He trimmed my hair shorter. Worst of all, he gave me layers. I hate layers for my hair. Its hard to manage. I thought he knew what I was telling him, he kept on answering yes, ok, yes. By the way, he is not my real stylist, that's why... My mom's stylist is also mine. But I can't find time to go all the way to my hometown just to have my hair trimmed.

The result was ok. Its something different, something new. Its way better than having a shorter hair (as seen above). But I had goals and plans. I have been growing my hair for 1 1/2 years now. Half of it got axed even before reaching the desired length. That's the disappointing part. I had to email this picture right away to my husband just to know his opinion. As long as he is happy with how I look. Everything is fine with me.

Planning To Use EON?---Updated

I chose to use EON for my paypal transactions solely because I don't want to put any of our savings account or credit card no. at risk. For security purposes on my part. My EON will only contain my Paypal transactions- nothing else. I was a victim of hacking sometime last month. Though, it was only my Facebook that got hacked, it is still hacking. Anytime, someone or a group might just tap your usernames and passwords. We'll never know... Besides EON doesn't require a maintaining balance.

The good news for Philippine Bloggers: Yesterday, I shared a list of Philippine Banks with Mommy Tetcha of Pensive Thoughts in case you still want to use your personal savings account to get your paypal money. Or you may ask your bank if they cater to Paypal transactions.

Bank of the Philippine Islands
BDO
Unionbank
Bank of Commerce
China Banking Corp
East West Bank
DBP
Phil National Bank
RCBC
Security Bank & Trust Co
Landbank of the Phils.

With regards to the verification of your Paypal, a debit or credit card is required. With what I read on some websites and info from fellow bloggers, if Paypal is not verified, widrawal of money is impossible.

If you're interested with Unionbank's EON Debit Card, for new users like me, you can go to any Unionbank, fill up their form, bring 2 valid IDs, your T.I.N and SSS. Make sure that your banking name matches your paypal info from the account name to billing address. I had the very same dilemma as to what Mommy Tetcha encountered.

Let me clear this, you will be needing 4 identification nos.

from 2 valid IDs
T.I.N no. (no. will do even without ID, but make sure it is yours and it is valid)
SSS no. (no. will do even without ID, but make sure it is yours and it is valid)
There will be a 7- working day waiting period until you get your card. Upon receiving your card, you will be asked to pay 350 Php annual fee. Deposit at least 200Php. You will be able to activate your account the following day at any Unionbank ATM (as what they instructed me). And through the net, got to: EON Cyber Account to acivate your online banking services. Activation will take another 2-3 days.
A set of number code from your bank is also required to widraw your paypal.
Then, you're all green to transfer and use your hard earned moolah. Yipee!
Smiley Face
note: Inactive EON will have a monthly penalty . Keep it active.

I hope this entry will help you , my fellow bloggers. I was once filled with questions too as I was figuring out how to get my online earnings, without sharing any of my personal accounts.

10 August 2009

Keeping An Open Mind

My batteries are low today...I don't know when I'll charge back. I enjoyed a cool weekend with my family. We went shopping for my new jacket, enjoyed a pan of pizza and a wonderful movie. But it seems like my brain isn't cooperating well. I think I enjoyed our weekend too much (hehehe!). I want to describe how our weekend went (like the usual), but no words are popping out at least to start it.

I'm making this blog instead.

You know what made my weekend exciting? I found a store that sells the DSLR Protector that I intend to buy on Ebay. So yehey! Because I hate making transactions online. I didn't buy it yet because I didn't bring my camera. And I already bought so much in one day.
The jacket alone, ate all of my cash (but it was a worthy buy). Its the only clothing my closet lack.
And to keep the blues away the whole week, I plan to go on some "Me Time" this week. Get a haircut, buy that cam protector, buy another jacket and some new clothes for my son. If not, ah well, I'll just save.
Hopefully by Friday, I'll be able to get my hands on some blogging money too.
More yehey! yehey!yehey!
And keeping an open mind will still make me a contented person, in case none of my plans will push through. Spending quality time with my family is good. Like really good.
So there, I ended up posting my affirmation for the week .

03 August 2009

Self-Awareness

I am officially going to start posting affirmations every Monday. Defeating that Monday blues, let my weekly affirmation help brighten you up as you begin a new journey every week. Posting affirmations helped me cope greatly throughout my week. Battling- off stress and unnecessary emotions that tends to keep a person down. Last week, I was down with colds and flu. I can't barely talk. With this, I was still doing everything by myself from taking my son to and from school, chores, trying my very best to prepare good food, and keeping a light disposition. I've become aware on new things as a mother. Even if you're sick, you just can't sit and watch, or lay down and let the day pass without doing anything for the family. It makes us "as the light of the family" feel incomplete. On the other hand, resting and taking care of oneself is also essential in order to provide a healthy day. Being fully aware of our needs as an individual, helps maintain a good relationship with the family and it makes you glow.

Aside from family life, there are more things that inspire me everyday. 3 other reasons that makes me whole as a person.
Being a food lover. Kitchen has always been part of the family tree. Coming from a clan of Kapampangans, I learned to love the kitchen through my Mother and Grandmother. Cooking is an easy thing to do, almost everyone can cook. We become unique, with the flavors we make and the recipes we concoct.

The only passion I keep for myself right now is creating notes online. It makes my mind stay active and for the past 2 years, it slowly brought out a new person. I never knew that I'll be able to create stories and various articles. I was never a writer at heart, I never even liked reading books. I was just an ordinary girl next door.
I keep blogging as a form of outlet. As of the moment, I take time and on a slower pace, making room for one more hobby.

Photography. I am now loving it. As a contributing factor on being self-aware, I am opening myself fully to this new interest. I still don't have the time though. For now, all I can do is to equip myself with readings and join forums online to be more knowlegeable. I am very particular with Potraiture. As I was going through some readings in National Bookstore, I was happy to find out that I am moving on the right path.
Portrait photography is just so fascinating. I get to study the face of the subject, develop a close relationship with the person, and become more creative that will help enhance my skills. This book gave justice why I needed a DSLR.

SLRs gives more professional results and because of its cost, size, and speed of use, it is the choice of many. You can change lenses for different effects. Ultimately, you have greater creative control. I don't have the skills yet (how I wish I do) and the proper knowledge. I only own a basic camera kit. And I'm not saying I am good at it. But that doesn't also mean its not possible to be able to take great shots.

my sister ella (taken at the La Mesa Ecopark)
This is an opportunity for me to grow and develop more as a person. Thinking on justifying the right gadget or not, it brought me second thoughts on committing on this field. Scared to fit in the world of Photography. Another realization though, if it is really your heart's desire, just go for it! Regardless of what people might think. Take criticism as a healthy option. By the way, constructive criticism and unsolicited advices are truly different from each other. Don't listen to those who gives discouraging words. People tend to act as if "they know it all" just because they were there first, they had it first or because they studied about it. We become experts through constant learning. And learning is gained 'til forever.

Later, I plan to enroll and study Photography. I think that's the best time to invest on a new cam.
0o0o
When you look back at your life, will you remember the journey?Conscious living is about taking the time for yourself to think about and choose the life you want. It is about understanding and changing any negative thoughts, patterns and behaviours we may have.-source-

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