2008 is a good year!

Sez who?  Sez many who see the last number 8 as a perfect number.  The two circles on top and bottom to form the number are symbolic of wealth and proportion.  Since 8 is also an even number, this also increases its positive connotation.

With this interpretation, then we should all make use of it and make this year a real blessing not only to us but to everybody.

Happy New Year!

birthstone for January

Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January.

lots of garbage this Christmas

The kid in the house received lots of gifts this Christmas, most of which cause more clutter in the house.  Well, she enjoyed playing with these toys for a day or two but after that there is no chance of finding the other parts or pieces to keep these toys intact.

1. toy clay----she received this at school----she was jubilant about it for each colored clay was beautifully packaged in colorful jars with cute animal molders and all placed inside a see-through bag---well, I was happy about it for a while for it kept her busy molding and shaping all sorts of stuff for a couple of days.  Then the clay, containers, etc. started to disappear and much of the clay is plastered on the marble floor!  I found out that  clay plastered on the floor is not easy to remove.  You need to really scrape the whole thing off with something sharp.  Oh boy.

2.  toy money---the bills and coins are too numerous to count---on day two, they're everywhere on the floor----day 3, I started throwing them into the garbage bin

3.  make-up set----small tiny pieces of make-up pieces complete with tiny hair brushes, toy lipstick, mirror, cologne bottle, hair clips, etc.---all in the garbage bin

4. tiny ones made in China dolls----the extremities of these dolls are so frail they get detached the moment you touch them----all mangled and meant to be thrown into the trash can.

5. small jigsaw puzzles---my, they're everywhere! Grrrr...

And a lot more.  In giving toy gifts to a kid, I suggest choosing something that is large and easy to locate and keep.

toys that end up in the garbage

With a five-year-old around the house, garbage has a weird way of piling every second of the day.  Most toys, especially the tiny ones, usually end up as garbage.  They look so attractive in their display packages in the store but when your kid starts to unwrap and play with those teeny weeny parts, you can be sure that they will comprise the day's garbage in a matter of minutes.  Of course, you try to keep them for a while before realizing that the kid is no longer interested in the toy or toys and they just add up to your mountain of toy garbage.  Cheap dolls especially always end up mangled, their body parts nowhere to be found.  Toy kitchen sets, bowling sets, tea sets, beach sets, doctor's or nurses' set, make-up set, and a lot more most likely end up as garbage.  Toys that are especially Made in China are frail and break very easily so they get thrown away very quickly.  Big and durable toys are ideal because they get to last and get to be seen very easily.

New Year's beliefs in this side of the world

There are a number of beliefs that most people in our country follow and observe on New Year's eve in order to get a good start.

A.  wearing dotted dress or clothes with big circles could bring in more moolah the whole new year because the round figures symbolize money; the bigger the circles, the bigger the money

B. have 13 round fruits of different types on the table before New Year's eve; the round fruits also symbolize wealth

C.  make noise in order to drive away evil spirits

D.  you have to be with the person you would like to spend your life with at the strike of midnight if you want to be with him/her the whole year round

E.  Jump as high as you can if you wanna grow :)

Merry X'mas!

Merry, merry X'mas and a prosperous New Year!  Greet your friends now!  Go to http://www.cute-spot.com  and get your glitters and cool graphics to greet your friends and loved ones.

peppermints for a dad

What to give her dad this Christmas is the problem of one forum member.  She is asking for suggestions on the best gift to make her father happy this Christmas.  She gave everyone a background of her dad, that her dad is a very simple man who probably is content of having 10 shirts and ten pairs of pants of the same kind, who only loves to stay home and face his pc which is by the way complete with accessories, etc.  One thing stands out though among all her descriptions.  Her dad does not go out without peppermints.  He always has peppermints in the house and she noticed lately that his supply of peppermints runs out very fast because grandkids in the house would often sneak them away.  So everybody in the forum suggested that it is best to give her dad bags of peppermints this Christmas since this seems to be the only item that will make the old guy happy.


Hmmmm....peppermints this Christmas?  Why not?

ice cream & cotton candy after a ride

This is one of the coolest gifts to its people as the Bais City government once more treats its constituents and visitors with free rides, ice cream, and cotton candy.  We are talking about the province's famous Christmas city where the biggest rotating and colorful Christmas tree is situated.  Running around this huge X'mas tree is a train in which people, especially kids, can have a ride around the X'mas tree.  What is amazing is the ice cream treat handed to each rider after a round-trip.  Another attraction this year is the rotating dolphins which also take kids and even parents to an almost real dolphin ride complete with sea water.  After each ride, the riders are given cotton candies.

The whole plaza of Bais City really looks fantastic especially in the evening and people from all walks of life gather here to simply have fun.

no. 3 choice: tulips

the stephanotis

No. 2 wedding bouquet

the rose

No. 1 choice flower

top ten wedding bouquets

Rose is still number one as the choicest flower for a bridal bouquet. It is followed by Stephanotis, then tulip, Lily of the Valley, hydrangea, daisy, peonies, hyacinth, orchid, Lily.

Brides have their own favorites but some flowers may not be available in your area. It is best to choose one that is easily accessible so your problem is lessened.

Graveyard of Fireflies

Hey guys, if you haven't watched this touching Japanese anime yet, I suggest that you find a copy of it and watch it. The story will really wring your hearts.

fairies, butterflies, angels

It was an evening of color, dance, costumes, and lots of wings of all shapes, colors, and sizes. The participants in the show we watched depicted creatures with wings in the most glittering and colorful interpretations, with appropriate music and choreography thrown in.

The first number was given by a group that did bats. Another group interpreted the stages of life of butterflies. There were fairies, bees, angels, winged vampires, birds and a lot more.

It was surely an evening of enchantment which kids should not fail to watch.

Sharing of love and joy

The true essence of Christmas should be seen and felt through simple ways of sharing love and joy to everyone. It is not in the material gifts that you give that makes Christmas meaningful. It is the love and the happiness you cause on people, the simple smile that happens when you share something to a needy stranger.

Nowadays people seem to be moving away from the real spirit of the occasion. There seems to be more focus on the giving of material things, neglecting the most important item which is bonding with the people around us through simple togetherness and being with each other in fun and laughter.

Christmas with much focus on the material aspects will be a sad Christmas when the celebration is over for you will be left with nothing but probably debts or an empty pocket.

Happiness and joy can happen even when you are penniless. The pure joy of being simply together with your family sharing the simplest of meals can be beyond compare.

Have a very merry X'mas and a prosperous New Year!

Christmas tree and gifts

Do you deck your Christmas tree with real gifts? Years ago, I used to wrap artificial gifts to be used only to decorate our Christmas tree. I'd really spend time wrapping boxes to make them look real.

This year I want the gifts to be real. So far as of today, I already got two gifts under our Christmas tree. There's one gift for my granddaughter and another one for myself. We intend to open all the gifts in the evening of Dec. 24.

Gift-giving early can have its purpose, like what I said, your gift can deck an otherwise dull-looking X'mas tree.

Parade

One of the most awaited events in our small city is the parade by Cosca students and personnel. Their floats this year will be inspired by Disneyland, costumes will be likewise Disneyland in motif and since it is Christmas time, the blend of Disney and Christmas will make the parade really a sight to watch.

cutest holiday greetings

Get your cutest holiday greetings from http://www.cute-spot.com all for free! In the same site you also get to play games for various ages. It is a super cute site to go with loads and loads of fun, colors, and glitters. Check it our for yourself and you will be amazed.

COSCA turns 48

One of the pioneering Catholic schools in our city, Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria will be celebrating its 48th anniversary starting on the 6th of this month. A series of fun-filled activities are lined up for everyone to see and enjoy. One of the most awaited events of the said school is the most expensive and glamorous parade in which costumes and elaborate floats will wow the entire city with its Disneyland theme. It is going to be one grand foundation anniversary this year with Fr. Enrique Balongag as school President.

have you put up your kid's sock yet?

It is Dec. 2 and one tradition some parents follow is the putting up of huge socks for each of their children who excitedly wake up every morning to check if Santa left something for them in there.

Our five-year-old kid had been asking for her sock which we hadn't mounted yet because the moment it is there, we would have to see to it that there is something in there every morning. This can be really a source of headache for sometimes we forget to buy something for her and so when morning comes we'd have to scamper and look for any thing to surprise her. If you got five kids, that can be like a lot.

But the good thing is, it ends after Christmas and you can at least make your kids behave this season or else Santa won't have something for them.

Ho-ho-ho-ho...

what a blast!

Andrea's 2nd birthday party today was purely enchanting. Held at the Palms and Pines, the place was so beautiful, everywhere you looked was a sight to behold. First off, the venue has a playground where the party kids can unwind and have fun with other kids. Then there's a vast green yard where kids can freely run without being hurt. The landscape was a beauty. Cotton candy carts, ice cream, Mister Donuts, waffles, etc. truly satisfied the kids as well as adults. The two sea fairies kept the kids busy by engaging them in games. The food? It was superb!

birthday

Happy birthday to ANDREA, a cute baby girl who is turning two on December 1, 2007. The birthday bash is scheduled at 3:30 at Pines and Palms, Claytown area, Daro.

Hmmmmm.....what to give the girl? I think a book with large colorful photos? A colorful pictionary? I am sure the two-year-old will enjoy the huge colorful pictures.

went to the carnival

Last night after feasting at a friend's house, my grandkid and I proceeded to the carnival where everybody usually stops to complete the festive feeling. We first rode the roller coaster which I did not really enjoy for I was more like worried about the sturdiness of the ride, afraid that it might just break or crumble in the middle of the roller coaster commotion. It was noisy and rickety and I had to give a signal to abort the crazy round and round motion because it was making me dizzy and fearful of my life. Our next stop was at the horror ride which was supposed to scare us some more as the small shaky vehicle went in and out of a dark cave where moo-moos and some people in halloween costumes were to meet the riders and boo-boo them. Well, it was the same old trick we had last year and I wonder why our five-year-old kid still wants to ride that. We got into a duck ride, still sounding and moving like it's going to snap anytime but which the kid enjoyed, then paid another ten pesos for another shooting game in which the kid was happy to shoot or hit two toy pigs out of 12 shots.

We went home very tired.

December birthstone---tanzanite, zircon or turquoise

birthstone for November---topaz or citrine

Jewels above show citrine or topaz, birthstone for November.

the carnival

November is fiesta month in our city and today I could hear the noise at the carnival or circus as the city welcomes the fiesta which is happening the day after tomorrow. From the outside when I passed by the carnival I could see the various moving attractions and the beckoning invitations of circus people.

No wonder our five-year-old kid in the house would not let me sleep unless I promise to her that we go there first thing tomorrow, to which of course I nodded.

The traditional ferris wheel, merry-go-round, kiddie boat ride, roller coaster, octopus ride, horror ride and a lot more rides fill every kid's heart with joy. Adults are forced to go to carnivals because of kids in the house. Otherwise, without any child in the house, no one bothers nor cares to even look at carnivals.

what to give a five-year-old this X'mas

We have a five-year-old kid in the house who loves to paint. Whenever we go to a department store she'd always look for stuff she could use for painting and would always ask us to buy one for her. The bad thing is, it makes our house messy. She uses a lot of paper and water that she mixes with the colors and this activity creates dirty colors everywhere----in her hands, face, legs, sofa, floor, etc. So definitely we are not giving her anymore of those stuff. Which leaves us with a problem. What do we give her this X'mas that she will appreciate?

Dolls seem to be temporary favorites of hers and they never last as their torsos and extremities seem to be bound to be broken or detached. Clothes do make her happy but after that she'd still look for toys, like clothes are not supposed to be gifts. She used to have a dollhouse complete with all the furniture which got lost after a while.

A toy computer? Hmmmm.....could cost much, but we'll see.

Christmas is for children

We always hear people say that we celebrate Christmas because of our children or because of the child in each of us.

Why? Don't adults deserve to have some Christmas celebration too? Truth is, no child's Christmas will ever be that fantastic without the adults who make everything fun for the little boy or girl.

So let us make this Christmas a happy one not only for the children around the world but also for those with wrinkled faces who too were kids once.

Starting today, I am going to write a little something about Christmas, like maybe some gift ideas to give to our loved ones.

ABC Learning Center reaches 20

How swift indeed time flies. It seems like only yesterday when my kids went to ABC Learning Center to get their first taste of school at 4 and 3 years old. Now, 20 years after, ABC Learning Center has branched out and has grown from its first batch of 22 pupils to thousands.

The school's 20th foundation anniversary starts on November 15 to 18. Parades, dances, shows, and exhibits will create an atmosphere of fun for everyone. The annual search for Prince and Princess as well the search for the school idol will highlight the celebration.

ABC Learning Center turns a year older

One of the pioneering kiddie centers in our city is celebrating its anniversary middle of November and for the kids in this school it would mean loads of fun and surprises. A colorful parade will wow the city after which a fun-filled program follows at the gym.

Details of the said event will be given in my next blog.

In the meantime, let me greet the school a "happy, happy birthday!"

an invitation

Here's an invitation for you to earn money. You will do so as soon as you sign up when you click to this link http://www.clixsense.com/?2144411

Happy halloween!

It's a few days to go before Halloween! What are you wearing for your halloween party? Are you wearing a ghost's outfit? Or are you Spongebob? Or maybe Merlin the Magician? Whatever you are or whoever you are, always remember that what is important is that you will have loads of fun with friends and family.

Remember, do not overdo things. Keep everything in moderation.

happy birthday to Olive Riley!

Happy, happy birthday to Olive Riley who celebrated her 108th birthday in a nursing home in Australia. She is considered the oldest blogger in the world, and today, we give a toast for her to have more years ahead, to be happy, and to keep on blogging. I wonder what her blog link is. I'd love to be a regular reader just to know the secret of living a good life.

the next big star

Watch for the premiere of AT RANDOM, a weekly talk and variety show aired via Filproducts, every Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

One of the segments there is called "the next big star" where we will be featuring local stars. The premiere of the show will be on Oct. 21.

For the segment "next big Star" we have Abigael, Ella, and Dewey----three cute girls who will show us their talents.

talk and variety show debut

@random will have its debut on October 21. It is a weekly talk and variety show which will be aired every Sunday at 8-9:00 in the evening, Channel 6, Filproducts. Do watch for this guys!

St.Paul University -Dumaguete

One school turns 103 years old this month. It is St. Paul University, a school situated in Dumaguete City, located in Oriental Negros, Visayan part of the Philippines. To all Paulinians, happy Founders' Day!

looking for cute stuff?

Hey guyz! There's one very cool site for you to hang out. It has everything you could ever ask for! You could chat in there, join forums, play fun games, get glitters and graphics , read cool stuff and a lot more, all for free!

What site am I talking about? http://www.cute-spot.com is true to its name. It is a super cool spot for cool kids like you.

There are very hot topics for you to discuss there, don't be left out! Be heard by giving your comments there.

kids' vegan tees

Cool vegan kiddie shirts are also available. Awareness of one's health is good at a very early age. Hey kids! More details are up at http://www.theveganprince.com

tips for halloween party....

So you wanna shock the entire neighborhood with your halloween blast at home. Let us go over some tips on how you will be able to do this.

1. Have everything in the house in BLACK----everything---including the food.

2. Spider webs everywhere and have some toy spiders crawling on the food.

3. BLOODY theme---have everything in screaming red. Have blood everywhere! Serve blood drinks and bloody food!

4. BONES, SKULLS....serve your guests with nothing but bones----ribs, bone cookies, bone candies, etc. Have skulls and bones lying around the house

5. GHOST theme. Let everyone come in ghost outfit and serve them with ghost food.

In the party have lots of games and dancing. You can have a fashion show of your guests and choose one with the best halloween outfit. That's it. Don't forget your eerie music to complete the scene. Happy halloween, everyone!

gift ideas for kids

The season for giving gifts is just a couple of months away and before we know it, it will be here and making last-minute decisions relative to gift-buying might turn out exhaustive and unpleasant. So why don't you do your shopping this early so you won't have to squeeze yourself through in the midst of overcrowded places? Or fall in line and the line is like the length of the entire wall of China, this can really be exasperating. So what do you do now? Simple. Try to start shopping now, two or three gifts at a time and note down the names and the stuff you have bought so you do not have to buy again.

Gifts for kids vary according to their age. For 11 to 14, consider any of the following: cellphone, bracelet with her initials, trendy bag, cool shirt or blouse, money (always welcome gift), pair of nice rubber shoes (but get the right size), pants. For ages 8 to 10: clothes that fit them, money, comic book, cellphone. Toys for ages 4 to 7: kids this age seldom appreciate clothes. They'd always prefer toys. In buying toys, see to it that they are toys that have educational value. There are a lot of these in stores.

Happy 75th b'day, Mommy Natz!

75 years of living and loving, mommy Natz' birthday bash tonight wowed 600 guests at Palms and Pines and where beautiful songs were rendered by the grandchildren of Mommy Natz. The fireworks capped the celebration, but what made it memorable was the take-home cake that guests took home with a Chinese figurine as souvenir.

Hosted by one of the finest hosts in the city, Mommy Natz's 75th birthday party was one affair to remember. For videos and photos of it, you may log on to www.theveganprince.com

it's your birthday and you're broke!

Why does it have to be on your birthday? When of all days, this is the day you'd want to make everyone happy---your friends and family. You want them to feel happy too because it is your birthday, but how? You're broke, so what are you going to do? Should it be an unhappy birthday to you?

No way. With a little ingenuity and a few bucks, you could get yourself one ball of a time! How? Here are some ways in which you can celebrate your birthday with little or no money:

1. Plan a program. Set up a small stage from old tables and other scraps you have around, and invite your neighbors to come and participate in the show featuring everybody. In this program everybody is going to be a star. Encourage everyone to show off their talents in singing, dancing, acting, whatever. Serve sandwiches and juices while this is going on.

2. Karaoke singing. Sing your hearts out the whole night. You may invite your neighbors who are into singing too.

3. Camping. For a change because it is your birthday, have your dinner outside under the star-lit skies with the music of the crickets as background.

There are other countless ways you can have a grand time with your family when you don't have a penny on your birthday. Have fun!

gifts that are least appreciated..

Gifts are meant to be appreciated no matter what. After all, it is the thought that really matters. Unfortunately, not all gifts get to be appreciated. In fact, because the receiver finds no use for it, he will stash it away in one place so he could recyle or regift it to someone in the future. It is no use not talking about this because this is happening now.

In one forum I have posted this topic, asking members to share the gifts they do not want to receive and most of them expressed little or no interest to receive items that just collect or gather dust in one corner. In short, top of the list for least appreciated gifts are figurines of all sorts. Gone were the days when figurines were tops in the gift list.

Now that the season for gift-giving is fast approaching, it is time we review our gift list. It is always best to go practical. Find gifts that people can use. Avoid gifts that are meant only to be put aside to gather dust and molds. Go practical. I will come up with a list of practical gifts to be given on any occasion.

gift for a 69'er

We recently attended a birthday party of a friend-lawyer who turned another milestone in his life, his 69th birthday party and it was a ball!

Our problem initially was what to give this family friend since as a prominent figure in the community he seems to be having everything already. Then, a light suddenly flashed---- a set of comfy and cool pajamas would be the best gift to give to someone like this successful friend of ours.

So we finally settled for a pair of beige pajamas as our gift to this friend who turned 69 yesterday.

Everyone would welcome a nice set of pajamas anytime.:)

giving wallets as gifts

Whether it's a birthday or Christmas, one of the most practical or giftable items to consider is a wallet. However, there are certain beliefs or customs associated with wallets.

One very rich TV host never uses a wallet that is not red. Yes, she believes that wallets that are red have some "good luck" in them. According to this TV host, ever she had decided to always use a red wallet, she never experienced being penniless or money-strapped. She even encouraged her viewers to also give it a try. Who knows?

Another belief attached to wallets is this. Whenever you want to give it as a gift, never, never give an empty wallet. Have a bill or two tucked in it before wrapping it. This simply means that you only want nothing but the best for the receiver.

the Vegan Prince Marks b'day

Today, the Vegan Prince celebrates another year with his family and friends. The occasion will be held at Ang Boulevard in a private room where the night will be spent partly eating and mostly singing, singing, singing! Happy,happy birthday to you, Mark! Go, get it!

Dewey turned five

Happy to be five---this seems to be what baby Dewey is saying in this photo. Dewey turned five last month and she celebrated the big day with classmates and friends with the help of Jollibee and zoo friends.

are you into anime?

Hey, kids! Are you into anime? Here's a forum for you to join so you can discuss everything you need to know about anime http://www.animemine.com Good luck and have fun! Feel free to join the forum and discuss!

party people

The godparents , friends , and family graced the christening of baby Sofianne Antonio held Sept. 1.

my son's birthday

My 23-year-old son is turning another year on the 16th this month. Since he, like the rest of the family like singing, we plan to spend it at a karaoke bar and sing the night away.

What gift would be appropriate for a 23-year-old? I know the weaknesses of my son so it should be easy for me to get a gift for him. Of course, clothes would be top of the list---he loves shirts, new ones each time because they have a way of disappearing from his closet. Second to the list would be fragrances for men. Then it would be practical to also give celebrants this age some cash.

baptismal gifts

A gift for the new Christian should be something worth keeping and more lasting like a pearl bracelet, a pair of 14k earrnings, a couple of hankies with the baby's initials, a bath set, bib set, or a set of baby's clothes with the baby's initials, towel, etc. The choices are endless but in choosing one consider its universality as well as durability.

Christening Sofianne Antonio

Today, two-month old Sofianne Antonio Samson, becomes a Christian (Catholic) in the presence of family and friends Marie France, Kingking, Dino, Dale, Mark Xander, Maybelle, Dr. Lacdoo among others. For a full view of the entire affair, click here.

fashion tip: huge colorful bangles!!!

They're back and they're in! The bigger, the better. The more assorted, the better. The more, the merrier. I am talking about bangles. Yes, bangles. Don't you just love them? I know Indian women have been wearing this as part of their culture, but we fashion-loving people can do as the Indians.