Wave Bacteria Good-bye with IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield

We all know that staying healthy is a primary concern in every family. We eat a balanced diet, get enough rest, exercise, take vitamins supplements and have regular wellness check ups with doctors and dentists. We keep our homes clean and teach our kids proper hygiene.

When I was a kid, I often heard my mom say, "Don't put that in your mouth! Its dirty!" Now, as an adult, I realized that I have overlooked one "dirty" thing that I stick in my mouth everyday.

My toothbrush.

That thing that is supposed to keep my teeth and gums clean may actually even be the reason for me to get sick.

Did you know that toothbrushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses? Yes they do, and we must seriously consider keeping them clean.

My sister and her husband are both dentists, so I know a thing or two about oral and dental health. They recommend that we (1) replace our toothbrushes every two to three months or when the bristles start to get frayed; (2) rinse them out thoroughly in tap water after every use; (3) shake out excess water and store in upright toothbrush holders; (4) clean toothbrushes by soaking them in antibacterial mouthwash.

I have also read that we should, (1) replace our toothbrush when we get sick to avoid a repeat infection; (2) rinse our mouth with antibacterial mouthwash BEFORE we brush our teeth; and (3) we should keep our toothbrushes as far away from the toilet as possible. (We would not want to have that "mist" get into our toothbrush!)

I follow all these and yet, I still feel vulnerable and fearful of those unseen creatures that may be thriving in my toothbrush.

Fortunately, I was offered to do a review for IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield. It is an amazing product that ensures a 99.9% barrier protection against surface and airborne bacteria!

The package contains 10 disposable shields, each individually wrapped in cold seal wrapper. Each breathable, quick drying shield can be used up to 7 days, acting like a surgical mask to protect your toothbrush.

This toothbrush shield is so easy to use. Simply peel open a pack, slide the shield over your toothbrush and you're done! Your toothbrush is now safely covered and protected from bacteria and viruses!

This is the second day I have used it and I would say I am very impressed! Because it is made of breathable material, it allows my toothbrush to dry completely after every use thereby preventing bacterial growth. I can rest assured that I won't get any toilet "mist" in my toothbrush too!

I gave my sister and her husband one shield each for them to try and recommend to their patients. I strongly suggest you try them out too! Remember, as cliche as it may sound, "Health is Wealth."

I can now do away with plastic toothbrush caps and holders that trap moisture! My toothbrush is no longer a breeding ground for bacteria. I now keep it protected whether I am home or out traveling! My children can also keep their toothbrushes bacteria free when they travel to places doing thesis research. The other great feature I love is that each sleeve provides protection for up to 7 days!

IntelliDent®'s Toothbrush Shields are 100% made in the USA and available in Walmart stores around the country. You can also purchase them online through Drugstore.com, Walmart.com, Walgreens.com, Riteaid.com.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post IntelliDent® Toothbrush Shield. I have been compensated and received the samples for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Caterpillar and Me: An Inspiration to Dream and Move Forward

I was walking our dog Bitey Bear one morning when I saw a rather large caterpillar on the sidewalk. I run back to the house, grabbed my camera, focused and pressed on the shutter. What a beautiful creature it was! 

I took several shots while trying to keep our dog from gobbling up the caterpillar. Thankfully, one of the photos turned out fine. 

All of a sudden, it dawned upon me. I was not looking at a caterpillar. I was looking at a representation of ME! 

As I write this post, I am the lowly caterpillar. Crawling... feeling in all directions... tentative... vulnerable... moving in slow, coordinated movements. One step at a time. A continuous effort to move forward. To reach for something. TO FULFILL A DESTINY.

The time will come when I have to shut myself from the world... to build myself a safe haven... to allow change and to embrace that change. I will do this not because I am incapable of loving. I will do this BECAUSE I LOVE.

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It may take some time. I may be missed, or I may be forgotten. I will be patient and those who truly love me will likewise be patient enough to wait for me to come out of my cocoon. They will be there when I bask in the glorious brightness of the morning. They will welcome me and see a new ME.

I may not become the most beautiful butterfly. 

I may just turn out to be a moth. 

The important thing is I will grow my own wings and be strong enough to fly and reach greater heights. 

I will look back to my humble beginnings as a lowly caterpillar. My heart will be full of love and gratitude for those who are willing to wait for me. I will give them the honor of being the very first ones to witness the change. 

I will be blessed with the gift of flight. I will be a symbol of hope. 

I will reach my dreams.

I WILL SUCCEED.

Note: The caterpillar I photographed above is the larvae of the Daphnis nerii, or the Oleander Hawk Moth. 

"The strikingly colourful oleander hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii) is one of the most widely distributed Sphingidae species in the world. Adults of this large, attractive moth have intricately decorated forewings, displaying a mixture of olive greens, covered with small blotches of pink and white. They also have a pale streak on the tip of each forewing."(Source:http://www.arkive.org/oleander-hawk-moth/daphnis-nerii/)

Creating Music with High Technology Devices

There are a lot of talented youth trying to make their mark in the music industry. They form small bands, accept some gigs, and make every effort count to earn recognition and hopefully, get that much needed break.

Thankfully, technology has made revolutionary devices that help enhance original compositions. With the right software, you can make your own musical composition, and who knows, it might just be the song producers are looking for. 

The novation launchpad mini is a keyboardless MIDI controller, used in conjunction with the Ableton Live software. It contains a grid of 8x8 buttons, illuminated, to trigger sounds, effects and loops and other marvelous things. 

Its compact size enables you to carry it anywhere. Simply plug into your laptop or even your iPad (via the Camera Connection Kit) and create your music! No need for power cables or device drivers! This device is practically plug and play.

A shout out to parents supporting their child's dream to make it into the music industry, this is something that would help propel your child's dreams into reality! 

Lasting Friendships: 31 Years and Counting

Last week, I got a text message from an unknown number. I initially thought it would be one of those spam messages. To my surprise, it was a message from one of my college besties!

Oh.My.God. How did she find me? I have been wanting to find out how my best college buddies have been doing all these years, but for some reason, I lost contact with them.

Thirty-one long years! It was 1985 since we were last together. It was the day when we were given confirmation for graduation. 

Our class picture
(University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Zoology 4-C)

Initially, I was scared to meet up with them. I told my husband, "They might all be successful. They were filthy rich when we were in college. They might be even richer now. Look at me. What is there to be proud of in me? I'm nothing." Tears started to fall. I felt so insignificant. So small, so unsuccessful.

My husband said, "Stop thinking that way. You are successful. You raised your children. You sent them through college. That alone is a success. Go ahead and tell them you will meet up with them. Trust me, you will have a good time."

And so I went. We were to meet up for dinner at the Seven Corners Restaurant of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. On my way there, all sorts of thoughts were racing through my mind. I was both excited and shy. Excited to be with my friends whom I lost contact with for many many years, and shy because I felt I have not achieved much. 

And then it happened. We were all together once again and it just seemed like old times. There was a lot of catching up to do! The usual questions "How many kids do you have? How old are they now? Do you have pictures of them on your phone?" flooded our conversation.  

My fears flew out the window. This was nothing about achievements! This was not about how rich we became, or how many cars and houses we have amassed. It was about how we raised a family and what keeps us busy nowadays. We talked about how much fun we had in college, about trying to remember who our professors were and what we did after classes. We reminisced about our favorite hang outs and adventures. It was a fun, memorable evening. We all wished we could do this regularly, if our schedules would permit.

We talked about how each of us fell in love, got married, fell out of love, pulled through and stood tall. We found out about how two of us got seriously sick with cancer, courageously fought the disease and won the battle.

We exchanged email addresses, added each other on Facebook and Viber, and took pictures to remember this day. Lots and lots of pictures! Several pounds, grey hair and crow's feet after, here's what we look like now.

We used to be able to eat anything and everything, but now each one of us has a special dietary restriction.

Pose for posterity before we parted ways again.

Just like old times!

I got home at 11:00 pm that night. My husband asked how it went and I told him I had a good time and it was nice seeing my friends again.

However, the most important lesson I learned from this experience is this:

Success is only a perception of how people see the life you live. 

Having money and being rich is not success.

Holding an important position is not an effective measure of success.

It is how you stay strong despite the adversities 

It is how you manage to smile through the pain

It is how you have come out from your battles with your head held high.

Today, I achieved success.

I have reunited with long lost friends and kept that bond of friendship alive.

"Learning" ~ My Word For The Year 2016

Learning is a continuous process. There are new things to discover everyday! From simple tasks to trivia, learning is so much fun.

I have been working in the corporate world for as long as I can remember, and mind you, doing a full time job, raising kids and running a household is no easy task. However, as tight as my schedule is, I always make time to improve a skill through online training.

There are numerous websites offering free courses, however, based on my experience, they do not offer much information and are sometimes not user friendly.

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Great news is I have a found a great website, Career Academy. They offer a unique Online Learning Membership for a low annual fee of only $29! Once you become a member, you will be getting unlimited access to over 1,100+ online courses for Information Technology, Project Management, Cyber Security and Business Skills. I have browsed the website and there are a lot of courses that I would be taking advantage of. I'd start with courses for Business Skills and follow through with Project Management!

This would also be a big help for my son who is in college majoring in Information Technology. There is a ton of knowledge he can get from Career Academy's expert trainers! More importantly, he may be able to earn 257 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and 30 college units that he can use to earn his Bachelor's degree! For $29! Awesome! Great savings right there!

One more thing that makes Career Academy better than the rest is that they offer a Member Referral Program. For every friend you refer and successfully completes the sign up process, you get to earn $10! There is no limit to the opportunities to earn through their referral program! You can even earn an additional $50 if you get 10 successful referrals in a month. That's an easy $150 in your pocket! 

What could be more amazing than having unlimited access to online courses and earning at the same time? Make 2016 the year to improve ourselves through learning! Remember, learning knows no age, no race, and no limits! 

Let Career Academy fuel your efforts to achieve success. Make that small investment towards a better, brighter future for you and your family! Make "Learning" your word for the year too!

Note: This is a sponsored post for Career Academy powered by Sponsored Reviews. I have been compensated for my time. All opinions contained in this article are 100% my own. 

My Grandson's First Month Slideshow Made Easy With Kizoa

I am a proud grandmother to Alfonso Miguel. He was born on the 6th of December 2015. I have never felt so complete!

Holding my baby's baby in my arms gives me that overwhelming feeling of joy that is just so surreal.

He recently turned one month old and my daughter and her husband had a big clock digitally printed on a huge tarp. They laid the baby down on the tarp exactly on the part where it says "1."

We took lots and lots of pictures and I used this free online slideshow maker called Kizoa to put together a mini slideshow. It did not take long at all. I had a professional looking slideshow finished in 20 minutes or less!

Here's the finished product: 

I am so loving this grand-parenting thing! I know I will be taking will be tons and tons of pictures to document his every milestone, and I will definitely be making more slideshows!

If you have lots of pictures from a memorable trip, or just family pictures you would like to view over and over again, I would suggest you make a movie clip or slideshow out of them. At Kizoa, everything is fast and easy! Just drag and drop your photos, add animations or transitions and your choice of background music!

Hope you all enjoyed the slideshow. Isn't he a cutie? 

Read about my journey as a grandmother in my other blog entitled, "From Parent To Grandparent."

7 Ways to Help Your Child Get Over A Break-Up

Going through a break up is an unpleasant experience. I am sure most, if not all. experienced it at least once in the past.  My first marriage was not successful and I was more than relieved when the father of my children left. I was alone in my task of raising three kids. I stood firm and moved on. I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this article if I did not pull myself out of the rut I was in.

Strong momma. That’s what my friends have always known me to be.

I am a mother of three, a daughter and two sons. My daughter is married and has a son. I would say that she found herself a good husband. However, it is a different story with my two sons. They have been in and out of failed relationships. I’ve seen how they’ve had their hearts broken. I’ve seen their tears, their frustration, and the loss of self-esteem.

I’ve seen them through their pain, and it hurts me so much to see them suffer.

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If your child is going through a break up, how would you handle it? Here are some tips a strong momma should do:

1.       Stop the blame.

Do not find fault in either your child or his/her girlfriend/boyfriend. Remember that before the break-up, they were so much in love with each other. Bad-mouthing the other party will only bring more pain.

2.  Let the feelings flow.

Crying does not make your son less of a man. The same goes with your daughter. Crying will allow them to let go of the pain.

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3.  Empathize

Be the person willing to listen to what they have to say, no matter how senseless it may seem. Teens and young adults going through a break up tend to talk about the issue incessantly and they need someone to listen. Be there when they need to talk. Hold their hand and hug them. Be understanding when they don’t feel like talking yet. Always reassure them of your love.

4. Exercise and Endorphins

If you child enjoyed sports before the break up, encourage them to get back on track. Better yet, plan a family activity – hiking, a trip to the beach, even riding the bike a few times around the block. Exercise can stimulate the brain to release endorphins, also known as the “feel-good” hormone. An increased level of endorphins in the blood can lessen the physical manifestations of pain and therefore, your child will be able to manage stress better.

5. Prepare his/hers favorite healthy meals

Exposure to stress can give rise to poor eating habits, which in turn may give rise to disturbances in the body’s function.  Make sure he/she follows a regular eating schedule. Treat him/her to their “comfort food” - a bowl of chicken soup, a cup of hot cocoa, their favorite casserole or pasta dish.

6. Let them get enough sleep

Make your child realize that staying up will not change the situation there are in. A good night’s sleep will help repair the body, and make their thought process function better. When my child suffered his first break up and had trouble sleeping, I made him do this simple trick to fall asleep. I told him to lay on his back, arms on his side and legs straight. I told him to imagine that he is a sandbag and that the tips of his fingers and toes have little holes in them and the sand slowly escapes through those holes. I told him to concentrate and imagine that the sand slowly escaping represents all the hurt and pain he is feeling. It worked wonders for him. 

7. Be Positive

Be the "C" mom he/she expects you to be - cool, calm, collected. Remind him/her that everything happens for a reason, and that is what they need to find out. Encourage them to meet new people. Help them regain their confidence in themselves. Let them know that jumping into another relationship, just to spite their ex is not a good move. Let them heal their wounds first, pick up the broken pieces and be whole once more. The best advice I got from my parents was "Love yourself first. When you learn to do this, you will be able to love others." I use the same advice for my children, and I usually tweak it with, "Someone on this earth was born for you to love and love you back. Find that person. Be happy."

I know raising kids is not an easy task. Just take a step or two back and look at the issue from a wider perspective. Count to 10. Breathe. Relax.

Trust God. Everything will be fine.

After the Engagement and Wedding Rings, I’m Getting a Mother’s Ring!

My husband is a unique gifter. Whenever a special occasion comes along, He asks me what I want, or what I need. Sometimes, he suggests something and asks for my opinion. I guess the phrase, “I want to surprise my wife” is not in his vocabulary.

This Christmas, he asked me if I would be interested in jewelry. Honestly, I would rather go for practical things I can use every day. However, I think this time, I would love to receive a beautiful piece of jewelry for a change. I asked him what he had in mind and he said, “A mother’s ring.”

I know there are college rings, class rings, engagement and wedding rings, but I have not heard of mother’s rings! My husband’s face lit up, and I know he was excited about this “mother’s rings.” He explained to me that Mothers rings are special because they include gemstones for each member of the family.

My husband showed me where he got this gift idea. He told me to go online and search for Joy Jewelers mothers rings.  I have never been so excited over jewelry until now! The pieces were lovely! I could even design my own ring! I was interested in the stackable design, which means I could get little rings, each engraved with the name of my husband and my three children. If the budget would allow, I could even have their birthstones added. My husband’s birthstone is Opal (October), my daughter’s birthstone is Aquamarine, my two sons’ birthstones are Peridot and Emerald.

My husband pointed to his choice. He said he planned to order two rings for me. The Love’s Course Ring, which will have our birthstones, Opal and Topaz; and the Candeza Ring which will have the birthstones of our children, Aquamarine, Peridot and Emerald.

What else could I say? I said, “Yes, yes, yes, I’d love that!” I gave him a big bear hug! After a gazillion “thank you’s,” my husband said, “Anything for the best wife and mom!” Awwww. Isn’t he sweet?

Here’s my tip to you ladies. Leave a hint to your husbands by keeping your computers turned on with the homepage set to Joy Jewelers mothers rings, or keep singing any song with the word “ring” in it. Sometimes, men just need some clues. J

Betaderm for treatment of infant’s eczema

            Skin changes, which we call children eczema, are characteristic for individual who have atopic constitution characterized by extremely dry, sensitive skin and respiratory mucous membrane. We can easily treat this condition when we buy Betaderm online. Condition usually appears between sixth week and second year of life, it makes parents restless and baby agitated because of its long, persistent symptoms. Even if it fades away at one point, it will probably appear once again in future. Like many other medical conditions, genetics plays the most important role. People who have predisposition for allergies are most likely to have allergic baby.

                Data provided by You! Drugstore claim that there is about 2 to 4 % of European population suffering from this issue while in USA, 10 % of people have this kind of allergy. Besides genetics, our environment and lifestyle are also very important. Air pollution, chemicals, spores, different cosmetic products and fibers can all lead to development of the illness.

                Child, who has atopic constitution, feels itch all day long due to dryness of his skin. But, given that brain cannot constantly work and send this feeling of itchiness, child will in time stop feeling the irritation and continue living normally. Because of the dry skin, infant will lose a lot of liquid during the day making the problem even worse. It is very important to continue drinking a lot of liquid and use products for hydration of skin. At the same time, it is important to reduce sweating because it can only increase itch and with it scratching of the skin. Ultimately, this scratching will lead to irritation. Important advice for parents is not to dress child in too much clothes. Instead, it should be half naked allowing his skin to “breathe”. When days are cold, dress him in multiple layers so that you can take some of them off if it’s too hot in the room.

                Children suffering from this issue should wear cotton clothes. On the other hand, wool is known as one of the most irritating fabrics for skin. Avoid it all cost. Therapy also includes good hydration. Baby will need to be washed with gentle stream of water (around 35 degrees Celsius), by using special soap, never bubble bath. Infant should never get in touch with volatile chemical matters. Nowadays, products for cosmetics can cause various issues. Try natural solutions whenever you can.

                One of the best ways to treat your baby is to use medication. Corticosteroids such as Betaderm are great for skin because they reduce inflammation and with it, all the other symptoms. Besides eczema, this medicine can be used for dermatitis and rash. Make sure to apply it 1 to 3 times per day. Nevertheless, if you condition persists after 2 weeks, contact your doctor. Common side effects that may appear after using Betaderm are: stinging, itching, irritation, redness, dryness, burning. In some cases, child may get stretch marks, acne, extreme hair growth, hair bumps and skin thinning. If any of these issues occur, contact your doctor immediately.

The Legacy Lives On: Bass Guitar for Beginners

My friend's husband was a bass guitar player in a small time local band. He was gifted with the talent and the audience always showed appreciation whenever he plays. I had the chance to watch him once and he was really good!

Sadly, he passed away at such a young age. My friend Annabelle was devastated to be widowed and left with two sons to care for. After a time, she was able to pull through and managed to live comfortably. 

Her youngest son, Kurt, recently showed interest in his father's guitars and asked if they could afford guitar lessons. Annabelle, of course, was more than happy to oblige. Her husband's talent is once again coming alive in her son.

Annabelle opted to get a new bass guitar for Kurt and was ecstatic to find a great selection of beginner bass guitar at thehub. She showed Kurt what a great find these guitars were and she made him choose which one he would be interested in. With some credible advice from her husband's former band mates, I know Annabelle and Kurt will be able to come up with the best decision.

This is going to be a great Christmas for them. I am happy for my friend! Pretty soon, Kurt is also going to be up on that stage, strumming his guitar just like his father did. 

A Birthday Poem by Yours Truly

Its my birthday today. It's Friday the 13th and I don't care. I was born on a Friday the 13th too. Does it make me unlucky? Not at all. I have been blessed more than I deserve.

This morning, I sat here, in front of my desktop, typing "Thank You's" to all who greeted me on my special day. I guess when you feel all the love, an overwhelming sense of creativeness manifests itself.

Here is a special poem I wrote, as a way of expressing my thanks to God and to the wonderful parents He gave me. I know my Dad is celebrating with me too. I have celebrated 23 birthdays without him. Oh how I miss him so much.

So, here you go. Sharing with you a heartfelt, spur of the moment, literary creation by yours truly.

Today's my birthday
I'm now older by a year.
I woke up and prayed,
"Thank You, my Savior Dear."

My life, I'd say, is truly blessed
Despite the trials and lack of rest.
Three wonderful children, a grand-baby on the way
And hubby so caring, they are enough to make my day.

And so I reflect back on the years that passed
I've been a daughter, a student, and both mom and dad.
I battled with diabetes, and I'm battling it still,
I take it all in stride with needles and insulin.

Today I am grateful to my Lord and my God
He gave me my life, and all that is good.
He gave me the greatest Mom and Dad
Who loved me and gave me all that they could.

Mama and Daddy, I know that you know
How much I love you and to you my life I owe
There are times I failed you, times I made you cry
And in my trials, you said, "You can do it, go ahead and try."

To all my family and friends
I love all the well wishes and greetings you send.
My heart is happy,
My soul content.

It would also mean much to me if you could also say
"Thank You" to my mom and dad
They are the reason a birthday
Is celebrated today.

"A Birthday Poem"

Written by Eileen Layno

on her birthday

13 November 2015

Relax, Unwind, and Unleash Your Creativity with Art Therapy

Can you still recall the excitement you felt when you were a kid and had a new box of crayons? Wasn't it an exciting time? Didn't you grab your coloring books and immediately immersed yourself in your own little world of creativity?

I miss that time in my life. Growing up, earning a college degree, raising kids and making a living has taken so much of the child in me. I can still vividly remember that time that my 5th grade teacher entered my drawing in a school contest. It was a drawing of a little girl on the beach making a sand castle. That little girl was me, living my dream. Bragging aside, that drawing won 2nd place in our school's art contest. 

Now that I am middle age, and all my three kids are young adults, I have rekindled my love for the finer things in life - Art.  I used to search the web for free downloadable sheets that I can use. I am thankful that Art Therapy Collection coloring books are now available. No more downloading. No more printing! I went out to buy my coloring supplies - colored pencils, markers, crayons. And I am happy!

Adult coloring books are not only a past time activity, but it is a form of therapy that offers a lot of health benefits.

Did you know that it can help us maintain fine motor skills? Yes it does! The intricate patterns keep our hands and eyes focused on the task to color within the lines. 

Another benefit is that it relieves us of stress. Spending quiet time concentrating on our "art masterpiece" allows us to focus more and relax our minds, therefore getting rid of the stress factors surrounding us, even if it is only temporary. We all know that when we are free from stress, our bodies can heal itself, so we sleep better, and eat better. Relaxation can help reduce incidence of migraine headaches and lower blood pressure.

All that benefits from a simple activity we enjoyed as a child! 

I am enjoying this new type of therapy to relieve myself of stress. I love Art therapy and you should try it too. I know you'd like to take up this hobby too, and to help you start your creative journey, here's a tip - you can now subscribe and receive Art Therapy Collection coloring books monthly!

Happy coloring!

A Real Life Halloween Scare

31 October 2015.

My son Aton, left home to fetch his girlfriend Marga from their school dorm. They had a few days off from school because of the holidays, so Marga decided to spend it at her parents' house in Marikina City. Marga had her cellphone, laptop, books and other personal stuff in her bag. Aton had his laundry, cellphone and external hard drive in his.

They were trying to get a cab from Cubao to Marikina but the line was so long and it was getting late. So they decided to take public transporation. They hailed a jeepney going to Marikina instead.

In the vicinity of the TIP campus in Aurora Blvd, traffic turned really bad. Marga took this opportunity to send a text message to her father to let him know where she is. 

If you are a Filipino and live in Metro Manila, you would probably guess what happened. Here is Marga's Facebook post narrating the incident:

Today I kind of realized that Aton Layno is my life hero.

Yes he has saved me from a lot of things, but it was on this day, on this specific event that he actually risked his life for something important to me. So, we rode a jeepney in Cubao going to my home because: (1) there were no UV Express van in sight (2) the taxi line was kinda long and we already wanted to go home because it was already late. We approached a stop light around Anonas area, just past T.I.P. Traffic was bad in the area and the jeepney was barely moving. It was at this time that I took the opportunity to take my phone out of my bag and text my Dad to let him know where I was....

My phone was out of my bag, in my hands for a good 2 minutes BEFORE SOME KID OUTSIDE THE JEEP SNATCHED IT AWAY FROM MY HANDS. LIKE WTF! I couldn't do anything because I was so shocked at what just happened. Aton, on the other hand, didn't think for a second, and leaped out of the jeepney and ran after the kid!!!!! He would always tell me he'd do such things but I never actually realized he could actually do it. I was so scared for Aton because I know kids like those usually have buddies with them, I feared Aton would be hurt or soemthing, so I ran after him too . I did not even remember me losing my shoes, because there I was, running, BAREFOOT, ON THE STREETS. I was shouting at the top of my lungs, calling our for Aton not to chase the snatcher anymore. In my confusion, I left our bags (with my laptop in it) in the jeepney. I don't know why I actually did that, but all I could think about was if Aton was going to be okay. I stopped running when I could no longer find them and found my way back to the jeepney. Thank God the traffic was so bad that the jeep hardly moved, and that the lady inside the jeepney kept our bags safe. In the jeepney, all I could do was cry and think of was Aton, where he is, what's happening. I wasn't thinking about my phone or my laptop or whatever, I was just thinking about Aton. After a minute later (which felt like an eternity), he came back.... WITH MY PHONE IN HIS HANDS. 

This isn't the first time he retrieved a lost phone of mine, and I am so grateful for his actions. I have learned my lesson, I promise. Thank you so much, and I'm sorry you got so dirty from chasing the snatcher. And I'm sorry you lost your brother's cap because of this.  I'm super going to pay for it, I promise. 

THANK YOU LORD ATON IS SAFE, That's the most important thing.

When my son came home and told us about what happened, I had mixed feelings. I was proud of him because he was courageous and was ready to defend his lady-love from evil doers, but I was also angry because he should not have put his life on the line for a phone.

My hubby said the same thing. "I am proud of you. Your mother and I made sure we did not raise pussies. But when you get to situations like this, don't piss me off by running after a robber who snatched a dang phone. It is a phone! It can be replaced. You life won't. Remember that."

Aton and Marga

Why do I write about this?

Because I want to share it so you may be more aware of the evil lurking around us. It is always better to be street smart. There are so many different modi operadi that these people use to take advantage of the old, the helpless and the naive. 

This is also to make us aware of the "fight or flight" reaction that we feel when we come face to face with adversity. There is no more "think before you act," because once we start pumping adrenalin, all we do is act on impulse. 

Moral of the post: Stay safe and be smart.

Oh, BTW, Marga almost lost her Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+.

Taking Gifting to the Next Level

I look forward to Christmas every year. 

Christmas brings back so many memories, especially that time when life was good and Daddy was still with us. The shopping, the gazillion gifts, the sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner. It was such a happy time! However, Daddy succumbed to cancer in 1992 and we found it difficult to celebrate Christmas without him.

It has been 23 Christmases. Twenty three long years without a father to celebrate it with. He may not be with us physically, but in our hearts, he is with us. 

We have been lucky to have a support group that showed us how to accept our loss. My aunts and cousins were always there to put a smile on our faces, especially during the first five years after Daddy passed. They were such a blessing! We have promised to spend all our Christmases together and that has been our family tradition ever since.

Me, my siblings, and my cousins last Christmas

It is so fun to spend Christmas with my cousins and to see how big our kids have grown. We may only see each other once or twice a year, but we constantly keep in touch through phone calls, texts and updates on social media! Almost everyday, me and my best friend-cousin would message each other and talk about anything or everything, from politics to showbiz gossip.

My children, nephew and nieces. It is so nice to see them all together!

This Christmas will be extra special because we will be welcoming a new addition to the family. My daughter is due to give birth to her first born child. She's having boy and she and her husband will name their child Alfonso Miguel. I am so excited to see my very first grandchild! 

As of this date, there is only 54 days left till Christmas and I have kept myself busy by preparing a list of gifts to get for these people I hold near and dear to my heart. It is a difficult task to tackle because I want to find that perfect, special gift for each member of the family. Something they love, something they'd treasure, something that would remind them of me.

I am not ashamed to say that among my siblings and my cousins, I am the only one who lives from paycheck to paycheck. This is the reason why I start saving early in the year, so that I may have enough spending cash for Christmas. I have had my heart and mind set for a major purchase for myself this year and I hope I get to have my wish granted.

This is where my Christmas wish for myself comes in. I want to have my very own electric table top oven. I have found two different models at SM Department Store in Cubao and I found that they are quite affordable! And if I'd do some serious baking, I would also wish for a mixer, a blender, pans, and other baking utensils. I have collected quite a number of recipes to try, however, I do have to have an oven first. That is at the top of my Christmas wish list for myself.

I don't have to go to different places to complete my Christmas shopping list. I know I will find what I need at SM Supermalls, and enjoy discounts too. It is going to be a Merry SM Christmas!

My Christmas wish list for my family is as follows: For my mom, I'd like to give her a new outfit she can wear when she goes to her Senior Citizen Aerobics class, and a durable water bottle that she can take with her. For my husband, I'd like to give him a pair of shoes that is comfortable to wear when he goes in for his physical therapy sessions. For my sisters, I'd like to gift them with some kitchen gadgets. For my brother, I'd like to gift him with a new toolbox. For my daughter, I'd like to give her lots of baby essentials to help her and her husband prepare for the baby's arrival. For my sons, I'd love to give them computer peripherals like an external hard drive or new software for their desktop and laptop. Lastly, for my cousins, nieces and nephew, I'd give them my homemade sweets in large mason jars that they can re-purpose later on.

Now that I have everyone covered, I must not forget to share my blessings with the less fortunate. 

My sons have a neighborhood friend whom they consider their "younger brother." This boy's name is Nemeth. His father passed away recently, and he does not know where his mother is. He stopped attending school and is now trying to earn his keep by being a parking boy near Savemore Supermarket P. Tuazon Blvd. He stays with his grandmother who is too old to work to pay for his education. My heart bleeds for Nemeth. I see him standing outside the supermarket waiting for some kind soul to dole out a few coins. If I only earn more than I need, I would help him finish his high school education. A high school diploma would at least guarantee him some kind of job later on in life. For now, all I can help him with is to buy him lunch whenever I see him. I'd also love to give him a new shirt, a pair of jeans and some decent shoes he can wear to Mass on Christmas Day.

Then there are kids who do not know how it feels to have a family. The kids who, for most of their young lives, have spent their Christmases in the orphanage. These children are too young to understand why their lives turned out to be the way it is now. In our own little way, we can let them feel that there are people who care.

Have you heard about the "SM Christmas Bears of Joy?" It is a wonderful campaign of SM Supermalls to bring joy and hope to the children this Christmas. For a small amount of P200, we get to keep a cute teddy bear and donate another to a child in an orphanage or charitable institution through the SM Cares Program.

If you remember the saying, "Everyone deserves a birthday cake." then for this Christmas season, I'd say, "Every child deserves a teddy bear." I am sure every one of us felt how comforting it is to hug a teddy bear. For a small amount, we can let a child know that there is someone, somewhere who loves them, cares for them and believes in their capabilities. I hope I'd be able to encourage you to participate in this campaign. Let's do our part to support and spread the love.

Make a difference this Christmas. Don't forget to include SM Bears of Joy in your Christmas list. There is nothing more fulfilling than to share your blessings with those who have very little in life. Have a Merry SM Christmas everyone!

For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.

A Wish Granted: Butterfly Photography

I have always wanted to get a good photograph of a butterfly. I have attempted to do so several times in the past but they always turned out blurry. The butterflies were too swift for my shutter finger.

All I could do was to be patient and wait for that wish to come true.

Yesterday, I got my wish. I was able to photograph a beautiful Lime butterfly (Papilio demoleus). I was able to get not just one, but four photos! 

Isn't it pretty? I was surprised to get up-close pictures of such an elusive creature! I got clear details of its markings and the fine hairs on its back. Its eyes and antennae were things to marvel at.

I was just awe-struck at this beautiful butterfly that I did not care to be standing outside in the hot 36C noon-day sun, snapping away at my camera, capturing this once in a lifetime experience.

Soon as I was satisfied with my shots, I felt something strange.

Then I realized that the poor thing was dead.

Laying on the street, beautiful but lifeless. 

Its wings spread out wide, just like it would be when in flight. 

Its beauty will forever be immortalized in these photos.

Goodbye, my little butterfly. Thank you for the wish granted.

Love Plants? Get a Flowerbox Wall Garden!

The holidays are fast approaching and I know we are all starting to look around for a perfect gift for family and friends. We want that gift to last a long time, to be appreciated and to bring a smile to the recipient's face every time.

Here's one gift idea! Why not purchase a wall garden?

Yes, you read it right. Flowerbox Wall Gardens offers 5 years maintenance and water free wall gardens in a white wooden frame! Guaranteed to give a contemporary look to any home or office.

This stylish wall garden requires no watering, because the flat moss and other plants that fill the frame are totally preserved for 5 years!

Nature Frame Square

Size: 8.7 x 8.7 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Tree Fern, Cineria, Hedera, Amarante, Mini Calla and Papyrus

Nature Frame Rectangle

Size: 10.6 x 22.4 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Hedera, Mini Calla, Diosmi and Papyrus

Nature Frame Pano

Size: 7.9 x 31.5 inches

Preserved plants: Flat Moss, Moss balls, Tree Fern, Leather Fern, Hedera, Cineria and Papyrus

I am so excited to get this for my mom. She loves plants and this would make her living room even prettier. I will choose the Nature Frame Pano for her.

What about you? Which one would you choose?  

"I Love You, Baby Girl" ~ Dogs Have Feelings Too

Our two year old Shih Tzu named Bite got our neighbor friend's female Shih Tzu named Bella pregnant. They had 4 puppies, 3 males and 1 female. One of the male puppies died because he was born with deformed hind legs. Poor thing.

Bite and Bella's babies

Doing a "puppy share" deal with Bella's owner, we were given the female puppy. We named her Chloe. Since we could not keep two dogs in the apartment, we gave Chloe to my son's girlfriend who absolutely loves dogs.

Chloe's first picture. This was taken a few days after she was born. 

She was so tiny she could fit in the palm of my son's hand.

Yesterday, our Daddy Bite paid a visit to his daughter Chloe. My son and his girlfriend went nuts taking pictures of the father and daughter bonding moments. Who says animals don't have feelings? Simply look at the pictures below and you can immediately feel the love they have for each other. Bite was all over his daughter, walking alongside her, hugging her, and doing his daddy duties just like humans do.

Here are some of their pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

"Hello, baby girl! Oh my, you are so pretty!"

"You have such nice fur, sweetheart." 

"You want to go for a walk, baby?"

"Daddy, you are so big!" 

"And you are handsome too!"

"Promise you'll always come to visit me, Daddy." 

"I will, my little sweetheart. You be a good girl. I'll be back soon." 

"Give daddy a kiss. I love you, baby Chloe. I love you, my little girl."

Until they meet again.