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What do you do when you're online? I usually blog, check my email, browse Facebook or Twitter and play games. Have you ever thought that lazy weekends can be turned into something profitable? Spending time online can earn you some extra cash too without necessarily investing some amount of money.

How to do it? Simple! There are online games that we can play that can make you win real money. Of course your next question would be, "How much would it cost me to join?" Believe it or not, you can start playing with NOTHING. At casinobonus.com, you can avail of a no deposit bonus and start playing immediately. You can have fun and a chance to cash out real money. The site also has an activity tab where over 40,000 members/players worldwide share tips about no deposit bonus codes to help the newbies decide which to get and where to play it. 

There are thousands of fun games to choose from like virtual slot machines, roulettes, bingo, microgaming online casinos, etc. Casinobonus.com also offers no deposit casino bonus codes for those who would want to have the feel of playing in a real casino, and yet do not have the need to be at the actual venue. Stay in the comfort of you own home and have a good time. Don't forget though that having fun also means being responsible. 

Give the site a try and who knows, you might win some extra cash for the holidays! There is, after all, a truth to the saying "Beginners luck!" 

15 Things About My SuperMom

Today is my mom's 76th birthday. As a tribute to this strong woman, I am writing about why my mom deserves all the accolade. Here are 15 things about my mom that makes her stand out from other equally great mothers:

1. At 76 years old, my mom is stronger than a 40 year old office employee. Mama attends aerobics sessions every morning at 8 am. During Thursdays, she attends a Zumba class.

2. She was widowed at the age of 54.

3. At 42 years old, my mom finished first in a 10 kilometer race for the Womens 40-60 age group.

4. She earned a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Santo Tomas, where she met my father who was then enrolled in the College of Medicine.

5. She's the third child in a brood of 5 girls, namely Norma, Remedios, Amparo Teresa, Caridad and Gloria.

6. Her father was killed by the Japanese soldiers during World War II. Mama was only 6 years old then. Her youngest sister was still in their mother's womb when this tragedy happened.

7. During the Liberation period, her most convincing line to the American soldiers was "Hey Joe! Give me soap! Give me towels! Give me corned beef!" 

8. She is a strict disciplinarian.

9. My mom is a great cook! The aroma coming from her kitchen is so inviting. It is because of this talent that made her and dad venture into the catering business.

10. She is also diabetic and has some hearing impairment but that would not keep her from watching her favorite soaps, especially if Piolo Pascual is in the lead role.

11. She's a true-blue Batangueño. 

12. She now has 6 grandchildren. Three girls and three boys.

13. Her favorite color is red - Open her closet and you'll notice that her sweat pants, exercise shirts, sneakers, slippers, blouses, skirts, handbags and purses have to have some red color in them, if not totally red.

14. Mom has a very good singing voice. She said she may have gotten it from her father who was a "cantor" (lead singer in the church choir) before he was killed.

15. She can be a monster-in-law, if she feels that her child is on the losing end. However, once you really get to know her, she can also be the sweetest mom.

I could go on and on writing about my mom and how I look up to her as a role model of what "motherhood" is all about. However, right this minute, all I can say is.... 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mama! 

May you be blessed with many many more birthdays! 

I may not say it as often as I should, but just to let you know... I love you, Mama. 

Have a great birthday!

36 Days of Free Books and Magazines ~ Only at Buqo!

Christmas is just a few days away and the excitement is all over. Grown-ups sometimes become too busy preparing gifts for their children, nieces, nephews and god-children that they sometimes forget to get something for ourselves. Not to worry! Now is the time to get ourselves something that we all love - BOOKS!  Who wouldn't love a good book, a comfy couch and some quiet time? We will be in for some long weekends and what else could be as exciting as receiving #freebooks and #freemagazines?

Buqo Bookstore will be marking their first Christmas this 2014 and they will be celebrating it with the true meaning of giving. Their promotion is called "36 days of Buqo Christmas." For 36 days, starting November 26 until the last day of 2014, they will be giving away one free item EVERY SINGLE DAY. A book or a magazine, totally free for download! Each new item will be available to download from 11:00am to 10:00am the following day. When 11:00am comes around, another new freebie will be up for grabs. I am giggly with excitement over this #buqopromo!

Look for this banner in the app store to claim your free gift.

Simply download the Buqo app in the iOS App Store or on Google Play (for Android devices). Check for the special banner in the store for the featured freebie. If you don’t have the buqo app yet, now’s the best time to get it. Download it on your iOS or Android device, or both! Visit their website too at www.buqo.ph.

Follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/buqoapp), Twitter (www.twitter.com/buqo) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/buqoapp) so you don't get left out on the featured freebie of the day.

Watch out for these announcements on social media

Good hearts, great books, awesome giveaways! #36DaysofBuqoChristmas - because 12 days just isn't enough!

The Fifth Papal Visit Experience: Pope Francis in 2015

In about fifty-two days from now, the Philippines will be blessed with the arrival of Pope Francis. His Holiness will be in the country from January 15 to January 19, 2015.

Papal visits to the Philippines do not come as often compared with that of other countries. I am fortunate enough that I have had known of four Papal visits -  Pope Paul VI in 1970; Pope John Paul II in 1986 and 1995; Pope Benedict in 2008, and the upcoming visit of Pope Francis in January will be my fifth.

The Philippines is one of the two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, (the other being East Timor). Catholicism was introduced in the islands by the Spanish missionaries in the early 1600s. To date, more than 80% of the population are Catholics.

The arrival of the Holy See will be a once in a lifetime event for most, so I created an infographic of His itinerary. I am hoping that I would be able to go to my Alma Mater on the 18th, where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass. 

Our country will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis. We ask God to grant him a safe journey. We pray that Pope Francis, being the head of the Roman Catholic Church be an inspiration to those who have gone astray to find their way back to God's Grace.

Peace. Hope. Love. Have a blessed Monday everyone.

One More Pat on the Back

Last week, during our Monthly Team Update meeting at work, I was awarded a certificate for receiving the Highest KPI Direct Results for the third quarter of this year. Another feather in my cap? Uhhh... I hate to look at it that way. I just happened to do what I needed to do. My peers are equally as talented, however, I could have just bested them out by a few points.

I am not an under-achiever, I don't mean it that way. However, at this point in time, I think I have already proven my worth in the industry. There are a whole bunch of people a lot younger than me. These people have their whole future ahead of them and I would be happy to see them succeed. 

The Certificate

The Perks - A Starbucks Gift Card

Anyway, just sharing with you a piece of my life, just one day that made me feel good inside, one more recognition, one more pat on the back, another job well done.

The Quality Assurance Team  (can you find me? haha.)

Blessed Sunday, everyone!

Where To Watch? Watch it Right Here!

Once in a while we get to watch a movie that sticks with us for the rest of our lives. I have had a few movies that I would never grow tired of watching over and over again. One on One, Chances Are, Death Be Not Proud, Titanic, Love Story, Legends of the Fall, Ben, The Patriot, Gran Torino, Notting Hill, Nights in Rondathe, The Wedding Singer, The Bridges of Madison County, etc. Oh, I could go on and on about my favorite movies about love and about underdogs winning.

I have DVD copies of some of my favorite films, however, there are some films that are really too old and too hard to find that I just hope that I could at least catch a re-run on the movie channels. Working at night does not do me any good, since I would be at work when my favorite film is shown on TV.

Thanks to #wheretowatch, I can get easy online access to theater schedules and locations. It points me to stores and kiosks where I can buy digital copies of my favorite movies, as well as digital downloading and streaming sites just by using the search tool! This is not an app, which is really great! I can watch movies I love on any device! One more great thing is that the site is ad-free!

Want to know more about Where To Watch? Watch the video below and you'll agree with me that this is such a wonderful site. Never again will you miss a chance to watch THAT movie that will create an impact on your lives.

Disclosure statement: This is a sponsored post by Sverve for wheretowatch.com.

Fiber Drinks, Apple Cider Vinegar, Exercise and Insulin ~ My New BFFs

I have lost two pounds since I last saw my endocrinologist. That was a little over a week ago. I have shunned rice and replaced it with a slice of bread or flax seed crackers. My alternate carbohydrate source is boiled plantains. I am eating more vegetables now than I ever did. It sometimes makes me feel like I am turning into a goat, eating all those green leafy vegetables! I take a fiber drink twice a day. I read that Apple Cider Vinegar has a lot of health benefits, like lowering cholesterol, helping in weight loss and reduces blood sugar levels. I mix a drink made of 8 ounces of water and two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar which I take after breakfast.  

As part of my exercise plan, I now walk a lot. I got myself a hula hoop. I haven't used it in a few days though because my sides still hurt from the first time I used it. (I think I overdid it). I had high hopes on lowering my blood glucose levels with the increased dosage of pills. However, I think I really need another appointment with my doctor. My blood sugar levels were still very much elevated, despite having an empty belly. I was falling into the vicious cycle of diabetes management. Stress again set in, brought about  by my daily blood glucose readings and the cost of the medication. I was spending Php 655.00 for five days worth of pills. 

I emailed my doctor, provided her updates regarding my weight and sugar levels. I told her honestly, I am getting so frustrated with myself. The only good thing is that I did lose some weight. I do not want to get to the point that I would have kidney or liver damage, or a bad heart, or lose a leg! I needed to be healthy.

Tomorrow, I will be getting a new prescription from my doctor. She will start me on a combination of insulin and pills. She said I only have to use insulin until such time that my blood glucose levels go down to "acceptable" levels. I hope this time I will be on my way to health. My doctor will be writing me a prescription for the Lantus insulin pen. This device encourages patient compliance because of the conveniece of administering the dose. The "pen" is pre-filled with insulin and works pretty much like the lancing device of a glucometer. The needles are so fine that it would be so close to being painless. One more thing is that I only have to use it once a day. The price is only Php 858.00 for a pen containing 100 units. I would still be saving money with it and maybe this time I would lower my blood sugar levels from 9.8 to something around the normal range of 4.5-6.3.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. What a journey this is!

One Year At A Time

Today is my birthday. Way too happy to write. Way too overwhelmed with all the love I have in my heart. I will end my birthday countdown with a music video that speaks so much of my promise to my loved ones.

Today, I will set aside illness, worry, and fatigue.

TODAY, I AM THANKFUL. I was born into this world with a purpose. I am beautiful. I am unique. I am God's child.

Another year, another chance to fulfill my mission.

Faith. Hope. Love. Sending you all endless blessings of peace and contentment in your hearts.

Birthday Countdown: Day 1 ~ The Greatest Blessing

One day before the big day. There is only one thing that comes to my mind. On this day, I acknowledge and give thanks for the biggest blessings I have received.

MY CHILDREN. 

My own flesh and blood, sometimes behaving like me, some resembling me and yet totally unique and different from me.

I thank them for being in my life. They gave me pure joy when I first saw their delicate little faces. Those tiny little hands curling around my finger, their first words, first steps, their victories and their tears. I have been there through all of them. 

Words cannot describe how a mother feels to see her children grow up before her eyes. I am right now misty eyed, looking at their baby pictures and seeing them now all grown, all carving a niche in this world. 

To some, I may not have been the ideal mother, but I try my best. I may not have set a good example to my kids at some point in time, but I learned from it, and so did they. My heart bleeds when they undergo failure. As always, it is love that guides me to help them up, hold their hand and point them to the right path to take. 

Their achievements are my life's medals. In time, when they are ready to start their own families, I will be the most doting grandmother this world will ever see. Father God, I am thankful for the blessing of giving me these three beautiful, loving children.

MY DOUGLAS.

I thank You, for leading me to the path to find Doug. He stepped in and took on the responsibility of being a father to my children when their own father turned his back and walked away. With him, I no longer have to worry about growing old alone. We'll watch sunsets together, holding hands and basking in the joy of having grandchildren around us. 

My beautiful family. My biggest blessing. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU GOD.

Birthday Countdown: Day 2 ~ Blast From The Past

Oh yes. Two more days and its my birthday. Not that I am expecting something spectacular to happen, its just that having a day off from work on my special day is a big bonus for me.

Today, I share pictures I dug up from old files. My very own blast from the past. 

I was born on November 13th, a Friday, in a small hospital, then known as Delgado Clinic, in Kamuning Road, Quezon City. I was barely 5 pounds at birth. I guess being tiny at birth does not equate to being "tiny" for the rest of your life. :)

Photolink

I spent my grade school years in Maryknoll College (now Miriam College). This is our Kindergarten class picture. I am in the second row, fourth from right. :)

My parents decided that spending one more year in grade school (7th grade) was a waste of time. They made me take a high school entrance exam in another Catholic girls school. Unfortunately, I passed. (haha). So I transferred to St. Paul  College in Quezon City where I finished my secondary education.

This is my high school graduation picture. Arrgghhh! Such an unnatural pose for me. After spending 11 years in Catholic girls schools, I was excited to experience what college was all about. 

My dad disapproved of my dream to enroll in Journalism. He said there is no future in Journalism and that I would end up as a writer for comic strips. Unsure of what to enroll in, I opted for a business course at the University of Santo Tomas. Eventually, I shifted to a pre-med course in the same university. After 3 years and two summers, I graduated with a degree in Zoology.

I breezed through the National Medical Admissions Test. Enrolled in the College of Medicine immediately after. Unfortunately, I dropped out in my junior year of medical school. No regrets. I had three beautiful children and found a job with the government.

The Officers and staff of the Ordinary and Cadastral Decree Division. (Second row, middle)

The meager wage I was earning with the government was not enough to pay for my children's education. And so, I found myself boarding a plane to work for two years in Taiwan, taking care of old people. It was a big learning experience for me. A challenge to stay strong and to keep my focus on my goal. I learned a new language, a new culture, and gained new friends.

A visit to the Taipei Film Museum in Shilin

Back home, I joined the call center industry. It was tough learning to stay awake at night and sleep during the day. These crazy bunch of friends were mostly "call center virgins." The toughest of the tough, we spearheaded a pioneer telco account. From Wave 1 (that's us), to Wave 100+ currently.

That's me - second row, left

And so my life goes on, still working, still striving, never giving up. From daughter to mother; from government employee to nurse aide, to call center agent, to Quality coach, to Virtual Quality Analyst, to Lender Relations Liaison, to Quality Assurance Specialist. 

I have enjoyed each and every phase in my life. For all the lessons, the smiles, the tears, I have nothing to regret.