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. 

The UAAP Season 78 Cheerdance Competition: Who Really Deserved To Win??

03 October 2015.

The yearly Cheerdance competition of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was held in the Mall of Asia Arena. Total attendance to the event was over 25,000 students, parents, faculty and fans.

College sports is a big thing in the Philippines. The UAAP has eight teams, each representing the eight major universities. Another college sports league is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) where other colleges and small universities participate. 

Going back to the UAAP, the highest number of fan turn-outs are Men's Basketball, Women's Volleyball and the Cheerdance competition. This year, for the 78th season, the Cheerdance competition has left a lot of fans in disbelief.

My Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas bagged a slot in the Top Three. Here is the reason I am writing this post. I would want to request you to watch these three videos.  Please comment below who you think won the 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place.

I am not going to receive any revenue for clicks on the videos. I just want to get honest feedback from others who are in no way associated with any of the universities that competed in this year's Cheerdance competition.

Thank you.

Here are the videos of the three universities who made it to the Top Three. Who do you think deserved to be crowned the champs?

University of the Philippines

National University

University of Santo Tomas

Talon: World's First Smart Ring Gaming Controller

Do your kids enjoy playing online games? Do you have a apps on your smartphone that you usually use and wish you can use those apps hands-free?

Look no further!

Introducing Talon. It is the world's first smart ring gaming controller. Yes, you read it right. It IS wearable smart ring that lets you play games and control apps with simple gestures and waves.

Talon is currently being developed by Titanium Falcon, Inc. in San Jose, California. They are a start up company that aims to bridge the gap between wearable technology and online gaming. Their team is composed of experts in various fields, responsible for bringing an advanced hardware project like this to reality in a few months.

I am sure you are excited to own a Talon. I am too! If you want to learn more about the product and how you can help to propel this wonderful device in the market the soonest time, please click HERE.

This Is For You, My Future Daughter-In-Law

Dear Future Daughter-In-Law,

Let me introduce myself. I am your future Monster-In-Law. 

I am the person who carried your boyfriend in my womb for nine months. I was the one who nurtured him, fed him, potty trained him. I was the one who took him to school and back, stayed up late watching over him when he was sick. I was the one he called when he was happy or sad. It was my pinky finger he held on to at night until he was fast asleep. When he was little, he would always come home from school with a surprise for me - a piece of candy, some left over soda or half a cupcake. He sat with me on the couch while I watched my favorite soap opera. He was my baby boy.

Until he met you. 

And everything changed. Rarely do we talk anymore. He comes home late at night. You say he is your night in shining armor. I think otherwise. You treat him like a slave, waiting on the wings to serve your every whim. He commutes several miles to bring you a jacket to cover your butt because you had a strike-through during one of your monthly periods. Let me ask you this - how often do you change pads? Once a day?!! My goodness! Any girl would know how often you should do that. And why did you have to wear white jeans? Arrrggghhh!!! My son went out in a thunderstorm because you had to call him for "help." 

He loves you, but do you love him?

He stays with you every weekend. He cleans your dorm, scrubs your toilet, and cooks a meal for you. Lucky you! He never does that for me anymore. His room at home is a mess, he uses the toilet like he does not care if he leaves the floor wet, and he only comes downstairs when it is time to eat. He dumps a hamperful of dirty clothes, expecting me to wash them for him. He tells me he has no time to do his laundry because he has to run out to meet you. If ever he is at home, he spends most of his free time on the computer, chatting with you. Why can't he chat with me too? There are many things I want to share, stories I want to tell, but it is all about you! You want this, you need this, you want to go there, you demand him to be near. Have you ever thought that I need some time with my son too?

What kind of spell did you cast upon my boy? Witch.

Are you ready for a life with my son? You'll have to remember, you will not only marry my son, but you will marry the entire family - and that includes ME. 

My boy chose you, and for me to "like" or even "love" you as a daughter, you'd have to seriously consider these:

1. Learn more about Me. I am not a whiner. I don't complain about petty things and I do not rely on anyone to help me out of the rut. I climb, crawl and pull myself out. I am independent. I am handy. I am tougher than you think I am.

2. You should know how to cook. I don't want my boy to come running home to me because you burned the pot roast. You should know how to work your way in the kitchen.

3. You should be patient with his mess.

4. You should give my boy some alone time with his buddies.

5. Do not, I said DO NOT be poking around in his wallet. That is the only thing private in a marriage.

6. Do not nag. You may argue, but no nagging. Respect begets respect.

7. Do not hurt my boy. If you hurt him, I may, or I will hurt you too. Remember, I did not raise him to be a helpless victim of your bullying.

8. You must do everything within your means be a good mother to your future children. Remember, they are my grandchildren. There are times that you will lose your patience with them, but then again, do not hurt them. Because if you do, I may, or I will hurt you too.

9. Do not try to please me with fancy gifts. It is not my nature to want those things. Practicality is my game. I would rather have long walks and worthwhile talks with you to get to know you better.

10. Every now and then, you will receive unsolicited advice from me. It is not that I am meddling in your life, but I am after your welfare. I will not be speaking of things I read from a book or from an online article. I will be speaking to you out of experience.

You have to know Me. I am very transparent. My facial expression and body language is all you need to understand how I feel.

WYSIWYG. (What You See Is What You Get)

So, future daughter-in-law, did I scare you enough? I hope not. These are things I want you to understand and accept. You will spend the rest of your life with my boy and I am the first-hand authority on everything you need to know about him. I am his very first "Wonder Woman" - until he met you. But for now, be content with the title "Wonder Girl." 

I hope you remember all these as you walk down the aisle in a white dress, ready to exchange vows with my boy. 

I will be witnessing your solemn marriage and try my best not to smirk. Haha.

Don't forget to thank me for raising the Man of Your Dreams. I will be out of the picture soon. He will leave the life with me and start a new one with you. My son chose you to love, so I guess I love you too. 

Best regards,

Your future Monster-in-Law

Lose Weight 3x Faster With SLIMQUICK® Pure Extra Strength Mixed Berries Drink Mix

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5 Amazing Bodies of Water ~ My Beautiful Planet Earth!

Our planet is amazingly full of natural wonders. Hills, valleys, mountain ranges and bodies of water so beautiful you'd think you are in paradise.

Today, I am writing about some amazing bodies of water. Looking at their pictures alone leaves me awe-struck! So without much ado, here is my list of my planet earth's amazing bodies of water.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a large sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It is located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km (43 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300 meters (984 feet) wide across and 124 meters (407 feet) deep. It is a popular dive spot where scuba divers can marvel at the crystal clear waters, stalactites in submerged caves and rare species of fish.

Lake Hillier, Australia

Lake Hillier, also known as the "Pink Lake," is a salt water lake located in Middle Island, which is part of the Recherche Archipelago off the south coast of Western Australia. Its vibrant pink color is believed to be caused by the reaction of the salt with the organism Dunaliella salina, The pink hue is permanent, unaffected by temperature or weather changes. 

Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

Mosquito Bay is located in Vieques, Puerto Rico and is known to be the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. In the waters of Mosquito Bay, the organism Pyrodinium bahamense, which is classified as dinoflagellates, are abundantly thrive. The magical blue luminescence is produced when these organisms come into contact with another larger organism, or when they are agitated. 

  

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Jellyfish Lake is a marine or saltwater lake located in Eil Malk Island, Palau. History states that the lake was once connected to the ocean, however, geological changes occurred that caused salt water to be trapped in the lake basin, isolating it and the organisms that thrived in it. The jellyfish that are found in abundance in this lake is the Golden Jellyfish. Through years of evolution and little to no predators to disrupt them, these jellyfish lost their stingers. Humans can safely swim in the lake without fear of being stung. It is now a popular destination for swimmers, snorklers and divers from around the world. 

Taal Lake, Philippines

Taal Lake is one of a kind in the world. Located in the southern part of the main island of Luzon, this freshwater lake fills the Taal Caldera, which is a large caldera caused by a series of volcanic eruptions some 500.000 to 100,000 years ago. What makes this unique is that Taal Lake, according to folklore, is known to be a crater lake, and that the surrounding towns are part of a giant volcano. Why is this so? You would notice (as the photo shows), there is a landmass in the middle of Taal Lake. That is the "Volcano Island" In the middle of the volcano island is another lake, the main crater lake, and in it is another tiny island, called Vulcan Point. Therefore, this unique body of water and land formation is aptly described as "An island (Vulcan Point) within a lake (Main Crater Lake), within an island (Volcano Island), within a lake (Taal Lake), within an island (Luzon)." 

I hope you enjoyed reading through this post. What other bodies of water have amazed you? Feel free to share them in your comments. 

Violet's Smile: Defying the odds of Lissencephaly

Today I write about something you may have never heard of before. But for me and my husband's family, it is a word we have associated with other words like "hope," "love," "miracles," and "Violet."

This word is Lissencephaly.

What is Lissencephaly? It is a rare gene-linked brain malformation characterized by the absence of normal convolutions (folds) in the cerebral cortex. In layman's terms, it is called "smooth brain." Children with lissencephaly generally have significant developmental delays, but these vary greatly from child to child depending on the degree of brain malformation and seizure control. Life expectancy can be shortened, generally due to respiratory problems.

This is an MRI image comparing a normal brain with that of Lissencephaly.

Violet is my husband's great-niece. She was born on August 14, 2012. She was diagnosed with Lissencephaly shortly after birth. Her parents were devastated, but they did everything they can to help their daughter. The little fighter that she is, Violet proved to be a strong little girl, showing signs of improvement, defying all those senseless statistics.  

Despite her constant battle with seizures, and the long travel from their home to the hospital for medical appointments and therapies, Violet is a happy, pretty little girl. Her curly hair, expressive eyes, and radiant smile will surely melt your heart. She can sit up unassisted and is able to communicate through sign and body movement. Violet will be turning three on the 14th of this month. Another milestone achieved. Thanking the Goodness of the Lord for this blessing! 

 This is Violet. She'll be turning three on the 14th.

If you live in or around the area of Pittston, PA, we would like to invite you to attend a fundraising event for Violet, to help the family with the medical expenses. It will be on August 22, 2015. Tickets are $15/seat. 20% per ticket sold will go towards the therapy, travel and medical expenses of Violet. Below is the event banner where you can contact the organizers for tickets. 

If you would be unable to attend, or live too far away, and still want to help and show your love, please feel free to visit Violet's GoFundMe page. Any donation would be highly appreciated. You may also follow her on Facebook for updates and you may send her your birthday wishes too.

GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/teamultraviolet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004961055057&fref=ts 

Have a happy Sunday and may your kind heart be continuously blessed.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

It is the first Monday of August.

I sit here thinking about going back to work tonight. Lately, I seem to have fallen out of love with the work I have been doing for the past decade. Blame it on the lack of sleep, on the dwindling salary I receive, on the changes that have put so much pressure at work. For the past few weeks, I have been seriously considering quitting.

My dad once told me, "Before you make a major decision in life, get a piece of paper. Fold the paper in half. On the left side, label the heading with the word 'Pros' and on the right side, label it with 'Cons.' Write down all the positive things about your proposed decision on the left side, and all the possible negative things on the right side. When you are done, read through it and weigh out each and every entry before you finally decide what you want to do."

It was good advice back then. It still is today. And so I put it to a test today. Here is what I have written down:

So, as you can see, there are more positive things that can happen if I quit my current employment and concentrate on work-at-home jobs. But I still have to think long and hard about this.

Regular Income Jobs vs. Contract Based Jobs:

Employees get paid a daily rate for completing 40 work hours per week, regardless if you do your job or not. If you don't, then you still get paid. If you excel in your work, then you get paid extra bonuses. In contract based/work at home jobs, you get paid a flat rate for the entire workload which you are required to complete in a few days or weeks. They usually pay very well, however, the drawback would be stability. You cannot depend on being awarded contacts every time. There will be lulls and it may be a long one.

HMO Plans vs. Government Health Insurance:

One of the perks of being a regular employee is you are provided with health insurance by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) provider. The monthly dues are paid for by the company you work for. Some companies even provide HMO benefits for their employee plus three dependents. If I opt for being self-employed, I will have to pay out of pocket for my monthly fees and make do with the Government Health Insurance that can only be availed of if I will be confined in a hospital. I could buy up my own private health insurance, but that would be very expensive.

Social Security and Retirement Benefits

Regular employees have mandatory deductions in their paycheck which goes into their Social Security Fund. The company also contributes two to three times the amount the employee pays per month. So that's me and my employer saving for my retirement benefits. If I chose to be self employed, I will have to pay a lot per month to maintain my current rate for Social Security.

Family Time, Less Stress, Healthier Meals vs. Graveyard Shift and Fast Food

I have been wanting to stay home and be with my family more. It is so nice to be able to earn my keep while minding the needs of my family at the same time. I get to prepare healthier meals for myself and my family. I will get more rest, therefore less stress and less sick days. As an employee doing the graveyard shift for a decade and living on fast food has given me uncontrolled blood sugar levels, gastritis, and elevated blood cholesterol. I come home physically drained and irritable. This is not the mom I want my children to have.

Be my own Boss vs. Having a Boss

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do everything at your own pace without somebody breathing fire down your neck everyday? That would feel so much like heaven on earth. However, I would miss out on creating "code names" for people higher up the corporate ladder who do nothing but make others' lives miserable. Me and my friends have become so creative at this. We have "the Tele-tubbies," "the Whale Shark," "Shrek," "Princess Fiona," "King Albino," to name a few. LOL. That I would surely miss if I opt to stay at home to work.

So, have I decided to quit or to stay put? I still have two sons in college and losing a regular income might mean disaster. My hubby told me to wait until one of my children can take me in as their dependent for health insurance coverage. Little old pessimistic me was worried that I might be too old to qualify when that time comes. Haha.

And so, I will be patient and wait for the opportune time when I can go for my dreams and work at home. When that moment comes, I will then sit down and do what I love to do best - to write.

Pizza Party after the Monthly Team Update Meeting

Lighter moments with the team at the Videoke room at work

Breakfast at 4am with my fellow Quality Analysts

Early morning pig out at Pizza Hut

Wishing everyone a more productive and fun-filled week ahead!

#Motivation Mondays: Creating Tracks

Good morning, Monday! Its going to be another grueling week. As much as we want to avoid it, we have to get up, make breakfast, get dressed and rush off to work.

I whisper a prayer and with one foot out the door, I greet this brand new week with hope and thankfulness for the blessings of family, health, and an opportunity to earn my keep.

Angel of God, my guardian dear

To whom His Love commits me here.

Ever this day, be at my side

To light and guard,

To rule and guide,

Amen.

What Was The Biggest News In The World On The Day You Were Born?

The past few days has been dark, rainy and gloomy. When you live in the tropics, you expect to wake up bright and sunny day almost everyday. The rain is a welcome treat to farmers, and a much needed break from the heat for city dwellers, but to have rain for a whole week is not much fun at all.

And so, I sit here, thinking about things to write about. I wanted to write about something that would uplift my spirits, something to make me feel good about myself, or at least write about something I just found out about.

I chose the last option. I went to one of my favorite websites, www.history.com and checked on "This Day In History." I was just curious if there was any significant event in history that happened on November 13 (that's my birthday). Well, here's what I found out:

On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC. It is a V-shaped wall made of black granite, inscribed with the names of the 57,939 Americans who died in the conflict. It is such an inspiring monument to the honor the sacrifice of these young men and women.

I found out there are a lot other things that happened on November 13, some good, some bad. It was just nice to be able to learn more about history and of the things that happened on the same date as the day you were born.

Do you want to find out what significant event happened on the same day as your birthday? Click on the link below to find out. There's definitely a surprise for you. 

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

Happy Monday, everyone!

Know Your Brass Instruments: The Euphonium

Today I write about another brass instrument that produces an extraordinary sound. It is a compensating euphonium.

What is a euphonium?

A euphonium is a valved brass musical instrument resembling a small tuba in appearance, produces a tenor pitch, and played mainly in military and brass bands. There are two kinds of  euphonium - compensating and non-compensating. There are two basic groups of euphoniums: compensating and non-compensating. A compensating euphonium includes extra tubing. This "compensates" for the tendency of the sharp low register. By depressing the fourth valve, air is redirected through an auxiliary set of slides on valves 1 through 3, when they're used. These slides lower the pitch even more, so the lower notes become closer in tune. Non-compensating euphoniums have a fourth valve that operates like any other valve. The pitch is lowered 2-1/2 steps in this case, and the player must make the necessary adjustments to bring the low range in tune.

So now we know that the compensating euphonium is a better choice, next time we are in market for one, it is best that we keep this information in mind.

Dysport for Botox

Today, we are no longer forced to live with wrinkles, folds and other facial imperfections. We are able to alter our appearance with numerous cosmetic procedures thus restoring our confidence and most importantly, our looks. Among many different treatments that are available to us, botox ranks as the most popular procedure in North America. As such, it is regarded as the core services provided by various aesthetic companies.

Given that this industry is constantly on the rise, stiff competition is expected. There are many companies which are offering drugs for botox. Standard choice for most cosmetic doctors is Botox, brand name that launched entire procedure. However, as of late, Botox is starting to fade and it gives room to a new and improved medicine called Dysport.

Like any other drug which is used for this procedure, Dysport has botulinum toxin type A as its main component. It is well known that this toxin is one of the strongest toxins in existence. It can cause various issues to our body and it is the main cause for botulism. Unfortunately, in some cases, patients reported symptoms of this disease after being administered with Dysport. This happens because the drug starts shifting within the skin and this spreading leads to vicious ailment. Before using Dysport or any other similar drug, it is necessary to test yourself and determine whether you are allergic to the drug. As it usually goes with medicines, even though they can help us in various ways, some of their components can be bad for our organism. It comes as a no shock that a drug which is based on strong toxin will possibly produce side effects.

There are some precautionary measures that you need to take before using Dysport. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not use this drug under any circumstances. It has been reported that Dysport can impact children in different, unforeseen ways. Besides this, people who are above 65 shouldn’t use it as well. Some diseases and conditions can prevent you from using the medicine such as diabetes, asthma, muscle weakness, skin issues, bleeding disorders, heart condition etc. Whatever may be the case, it is always best to consult with your doctor prior to treatment.

Drug is inserted into the skin by using thin needles. Process is painless and easy to recover from. In worst case scenario, if your skin is very sensitive, you will need to put an ice pack. However, you can expect swelling to pass after just a few days. 

Given popularity of this treatment, it is easy to understand how every pharmaceutical and cosmetic company wanted to have piece of the market. Nowadays, there are numerous online pharmacies that are offering this drug. But, have in mind that some drugstores don’t have valid certificates, so you need to be very careful when purchasing the drug online. If you decide to buy Dysport from Medica Depot or similar company, you can be certain that the product which you are receiving is of highest quality.