Last Thursday, I had my annual medical checkup as part of the requirement of our company for continuous employment. I know I haven’t been monitoring my diet lately and so I was not surprised to find out that I gained 5 lbs. LOL. I am still not considered as obese though but my, if only you can see my bulges on my waist and how big my tummy is. I can’t even fit in my old pants.

But I still find the courage to wear my swimsuit when we went to the beach last weekend. LOL. But I have to hide my tummy every time I have to stand up so they won’t see my big tummy. Oh well, I’m in the beach anyways so a swimsuit is the proper attire to wear there, right? But I guess I will not find the guts to wear anything sexy like sexy lingerie, apart from the beach.

And as I am writing this, me and Bela are munching on a bar of chocolate so I don’t think I will be loosing those excess pounds really soon.

We will be selling our SUV. We are the second owner of this SUV. We bought it a couple of years ago and I think it already served its purpose for us. Howell is already complaining on the maintenance cost that we have to a lot for this car as it always has a problem that we have to bring it to the shop constantly.

We already have a buyer. We just have to prepare all the documents needed to finalize the transaction. (Hubby is still looking for the deed of sale when we bought it from the last owner.)

Now we have to decide if we will get a second hand car again or a brand new one. Hubby is very reluctant to spend a million just for a car as we can already buy another two door apartment with that amount. I am not into buying brand new cars also but I am scared of the maintenance cost again if we are to get a second hand car.

We still haven’t made up our mind yet. Good thing it will be Bela’s graduation next week so we don’t have to rush to buy our new car and my brother promised that he will lend us his car so Bela has something to use to go to school while we still have no car.
Let's see what we will end up buying.

Can you feel the effects of the US recession? Almost everyday, I can hear from the news that hundreds of employees are being laid off because the companies has to reduce their employees because the demands for their products has greatly reduce due to the effects of recession.

But economist say that the best time to invest is during times like this because the prices let’s say for real estate has gown down as an effect of the recession. So hubby and I have been thinking of a good investment so we can save up for the future. We have started already with real estate and we were already able to buy a two-door apartment which we were able buy at a very affordable price.

So now we are looking for other means of investment and that is when I saw the site of Monex. I really don’t know anything about rare coins or other precious metal investments but I know that it is a good investment since it does not depreciate and might even appreciate in time. But I know that with the help of the experienced and professional staffs of Monex, we will be able to get the best investment program.

Hubby said that it is really good to start saving and start investing and there is no better time to start doing this than now.

The introduction of the power of the internet wings I consider was one of the best contributions and product of the human mind adroitness among its extensive range of inventions that gratifies not just me but of course the rest of us. It system works that looks every inch an ingenious worked engineered to deliver and take the idea or reliability to the highest echelon.

Since then the phenomenon created by the internet gained universal appeal, expanding and widely embraced is its online shopping guides which is more than equipped to make a winking reference for my shopping needs not just for our most important household wares but nonetheless also when it comes to looking for a reputable online car insurance company that gives cheap good pricing for our car insurance coverage.

The old and filibuster method in search of a good car insurance provider is now a thing of the past as it is averted by the lightning fast internet service. The online auto Insurance, and the well loved rebel of luxury become the way of life of every internet user’s not only because of the comfort and ease it gives, but more so on its dependable capability to provides, allows to drag the sea of data with ample information and well informed pabulum regarding the status, reputation and financial background of the car insurance companies comprising their lists. In addition to that, the auto Insurance online web site’s also provides inspiring rejoinder in framing pages extracted from insurance company’s catalogues arranged in a non stuttering sequences that carries a charge free insurance quotes giving more awesome chances for me to compare, pick and decide which one best suit my need.

I can not think of any better way that accomplished the goal of finding a good auto insurance provider rather than thru the online internet service where a ready made conceptualism of insurance business is always make available in just a sleigh of hand and never looked smarter than it does it here.

I am an avid CSI Vegas fan. I used to watch every single episode of all the seasons and I even watch all the re-runs. CSI Vegas’s latest season is now being shown at AXN, I think, every Wednesday at 10 PM but I always fail to watch it. It is either Bela is so glued to the TV that she won’t let us switch channels or Bela is already sleepy and we have to go to our room. Hubby moved our second TV to our 2nd room so Bela won’t be tempted to watch TV when it is already bedtime so I always miss the latest season of CSI.

But thanks to hubby (and to Bit torrent), I now have a copy the latest season of CSI Vegas. I always bring it with me every time I have to go to work and I am looking forward to a CSI marathon when we go out of town this weekend. I am already watching Episode 4 and I watched the first episode (the episode where Warrick died) again and again as I can’t get tired of watching the last episode of Gary Dourdan in CSI (though the way he was taken out of the show was so tragic).

Next TV series to download: American Idol and Amazing Race.

I was supposed to look for New York Yankees tickets online for my dad but since I arrived from work, I have been busy fixing the laptop of my friend.

She bought a laptop that is preloaded with Windows Vista but she is really not comfortable in using that operating system. She asked me to downgrade it to Windows XP. I agreed to help her since I know that it will just be a really easy process. But I was wrong.

I got an error as soon as I tried to install Windows XP but good thing I encountered that error before when I was rebuilding another laptop so I know how to solve the problem. I installed Windows XP and when I checked the site of Compaq for the drivers, nothing is listed for Windows XP. I even called Compaq to verify this and they said that they don’t recommend downgrading from Vista to XP. I even tried the forums, searched Google but to no avail.

Right now hubby is checking the laptop and he is now trying his luck to look for drivers for XP. If only I knew it will be this hard, I wouldn’t have agreed to do this. LOL. But it is too late now. I already reformatted her laptop so it is either I spend the whole night searching for the missing drivers or I can just install Windows Vista back.

Not for Bela though. Two of my colleagues (one is my best friend) have asked me to help them prepare for their daughter’s first birthday party. Of course I got really excited as party planning is really something that gets my adrenalin going (Over acting. LOL.)

I emailed them right away for ideas that I can think of for their parties and I reminded them that they should book their venue ASAP as I know that three of my friends are having a hard time booking a venue already for their kids’ party in November.

I am not sure if Bela will have a party this year (it really depends on my mood. LOL). But at least I can still get to plan a party this year for my friends. I am already thinking of a nice souvenir and a theme for their parties. I also offered to accompany them in Divisoria where we can get wholesale prices for toys that they can use as prizes for their games.

I still have a lot of ideas at the top of my head but I don’t want to get ahead of the parents. LOL. I will wait for them to finalize their party venue before I bombard them with more party ideas.

Instructions: delete my answers and fill up with yours.

I was tagged by Jacqui.

Instructions: delete my answers and fill up with yours.

Then tag 10 of your W@Wie friends to pass. Pls tag John & Benz all the time if possible. Just send an add friend request.

1. your W@W tenure (indicate the year and/or month) : December 2003 (I am not sure though)
2. best W@Wie idea you picked up & used for your wedding :
* Our Rose Ceremony
* Cecilio Abad, one of my favorite suppliers was recommended to me by a wawie
* Batis Asul, our very affordable yet reliable caterer during our wedding
3. most active W@Wie Groom in your batch : There was one groom in our batch who is really active as his b2b is out of the country, but just like Jacqui, I am bad with names too.
4. funniest/most memorable W@W eGroup moment : Waw Christmas party and the first waw Eb that I went to
5. Most active/helpful W@Wie in your batch : I remember Abbie ni Rey and Clarice ni Bernard was very active during our time and they are always ready to help other wawies
6. Favorite W@W event (event year)- Same as item number 4
7. Favorite W@Wie wedding (aside from yours) : I can’t remember the names also but my favorites are wawie weddings held in Caleruega
8. W@W souvenir/keepsake you still have in possession (i.e books, calendars, shirt, buttons) : Waw tag
9. Your W@W BFF(s) : Kitts, Yvelle, Millette, Ems
10. your W@Wie signature :
abie ni howell
Mc/baluarte de san diego
1.29.2005

Tagging Kitts, Ems, Yvelle.

I am really affected by the death of Francis Magalona. In fact I made a post about it on my other blog. I am so affected maybe because a couple of years ago, someone close to my heart died of cancer. So talking about cancer is really a very sensitive and emotional topic for me.

Hubby noticed that I am so deeply obsessed with reading about Francis M’s illness and he noticed that I am really affected to the point that I feel upset already after reading his blog. I wanted to research more about Cancer and get more information about Mesothelioma and leukemia, but I figured I should stop this obsession as I hate having this feeling of sadness. So instead, I searched for my interest, Lomo Cameras.

I initially want a Holga Multicolored Camera but after doing some more readings, I got confused as I learned that Holga Cameras have different types and each one uses either a 120 mm or 35 mm film and I still have to research which one of this films is cheaper. Also, after checking out this blog, I even got more confuse as I saw more Lomo camera types and each one of them has a unique feature.

I wanted to buy one this week so I can try it out when we go to the beach this weekend but I still have to do more readings and read reviews and tips from lomo users. And I am not sure if I still have time to do all of that this week…We’ll see.

My hubby has been doing photography for years now. He has a Canon 350D SLR camera and when he upgraded to the new Canon 40D, he offered to give me his old SLR but I told him that I will not really use it as I would rather pose for the camera than be the photographer (or it is my nice way of saying, “Sorry daddy, but I have no interest in photography.”). LOL.

But my friend who is into Lomo photography showed me the pictures that she took using her Lomo Camera and I fell in love with it. All of a sudden, I developed an interest in photography and for weeks now, I have been checking the internet on where I can find good deals for Lomo cameras.

For weeks now, I have been deeply obsessed with this camera, the new apple of my eye:

.: Photo snagged from Google :.

I remember I have the same feeling of obsession when I wanted to buy an LV Speedy so I know that I will not stop until I have in my hands my Holga Multicolored Lomo Camera.

Yesterday, I was at Urban Bazaar at Rockwell and I saw a booth that sells Lomo Cameras. I inquired right away and I noticed that their price is cheaper compared to the other sites that I found but since they doesn’t accept credit card payments and I don’t have a cash on hand, I went home still without my lomo camera that night.

I wanted to contact the seller the next day but I realized that I forgot to get their contact number. I tried looking for their sites on the Internet and I found hundreds of sites that sells Lomo Camera but unfortunately, none of them was the supplier that I met at the bazaar.

So I realized that getting a Branding Agency is really a must for businesses if they want to have a strong presence in the cyberspace. Having your own website does not guarantee a good existence in the world wide web. Companies must have a search engine optimization strategy so they will always appear at the top of the results of search engines such as Google.

Oh well, maybe I am still not meant to buy a Lomo camera. I will ask around and maybe, my friend knows a supplier where I can get a good buy for Lomo cameras (and hopefully I can get one soon as I want to bring it to our out of town vacation this weekend.)

My Hi-Lo for this week

Hi – I have a lot overtime again scheduled for this month which means a lot of extra moolah.
Lo – This means that there are times that I have to spend a day away from my family because I have to work extra hours in the office.

Hi – Less stress for me because I don’t have to deal with a yaya
Lo – Even if we are so dead tired after a long day at work, we still have to find the energy to do our obligations for Bela like we have to give her a sponge bath before bed time, we have to prepare her milk, clean up the house when she is done playing etc.

Hi – Since we have no one to help us with Bela (specially in the evening), this means that we are spending more time with Bela now not like before that we let the yaya prep Bela for bedtime instead of us doing it.
Lo – We just feel a little tired after doing all of this especially if we had one long day at work

Hi – More emails about shopping discounts and sale
Lo – I have no budget for shopping now

Hi – Summer is here. I am excited to hit the beach
Lo – Summer is here and it is starting to be really Hot.

My dad loves to write and ever since he discovered the world of blogging, he got inspired to write more and document his life. My father has lived a good life. He also has a lot of adventures when he was still working abroad as he was able to travel to different places, experience new cultures and he never fails to have a very funny and memorable story every time he visits a foreign land. He worked abroad for more than 15 years and I think he was able to visit at least one country per continent so you can just imagine how much stories he has to share.

This made me think to create a new blog for him where he can document and share stories about his previous and future travel. I told him about my idea and he is really excited for this project. Unfortunately, it’s been months already since I promised my dad that I will help him create a new blog but up to now, I haven’t started on anything yet.

That is why I am so glad when I discovered BlueVoda, a site where anyone can create website even if they have no web programming experience. This is really the perfect site for my dad since the site offers drag and drop features so my dad can easily setup his blog even without my help. He can even use the hundreds of pictures on the site for his website and he can easily publish all of this because the site has a “One click publishing” feature.

I showed the site to my dad and I just gave him a brief tutorial on how he can create his own site and a miracle as it may seem for my dad, he was able to build his own home page right away. I am sure in just a few days; his site will be flooded with his posts about his Travel Chronicles.

It has been three years since I had my lasik surgery. I was hesitant to do it at first since I am scared that there might be risks involve that is irreversible. You see, I have a 1000/950 grade and without my contact lens, I am literally blind. That is why I hate going to the beach or doing any water activities because it is very uncomfortable to wear contact lens when doing any water activities but I have no choice but to wear my contact lens, since I am blind without them.

Then I even had an eye infection and was advised by my doctor to not wear contact lens for a month because it is the cause of my eye infection. Since I have a very high eye grade, I can only wear hard lenses which kept my eyes so strained and tired after wearing it for the whole day especially I am in front of the computer most of the day.

A lot of my officemates already had a laser eye surgery and I have asked each one of them if it is worth it and if there are really no risks involved. And after talking to each one of them, I got really convince that I am a perfect candidate for a lasik surgery.

So I immediately scheduled a screening and I was lucky since my eyes are perfect for the surgery. The lasik surgery is just a very fast procedure. I think it only took 15 minutes (or less per eye) and I was even able to go home right after the procedure. I just needed to take a pain reliever since I can feel some pain when the anesthesia wear off but the very next day, I was able to open my eyes and I can really see clearly.

And it is the most liberating feeling. Imagine, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning, everything is so clear not like before when I have to wear my contact lenses as soon as I wake up just to see my surroundings. And since I had my surgery, I started to enjoy the beach now as I can swim and enjoy the beach without the fear that the waves might wash away the contact lenses from my eye.

I just had my annual checkup and my vision is now 20/20. Thanks to the technology of lasik surgery, I am enjoying life more with clear visions.

It’s been almost a week since I asked my yaya to leave (you can read the story here) and up to now we are still yayaless and I am not even looking for a replacement. Maybe I just got tired of trying one yaya after the other only to realize that it is really not working out.

Our set up now is we just have a stay out yaya who helps my mom with Bela while Howell and I are in the office then in the evening, hubby and I take care of Bela. For now, we are both enjoying it. Less stress for me since I don’t have to deal with an unreliable yaya and more bonding time with Bela. And we have survived a week with that setup and so far I still like it. (I just don’t know with my mom because she is the one who is with Bela the whole day. LOL).

Just like today, we went to her class and we attended a party then we event went to SM and we survived the day without a nanny. I told my mom that I am already tired of looking for the right nanny for us. I told her that the right nanny will come even if I don’t look for one. I am hoping that God will took pity on us and will just send an angel to help us (specially my mom) in taking care of Bela.

For now, I am still hoping for that miracle to happen and I think I will still go with this setup. (I just don’t know though up to when we can last this way. LOL).

How much is the largest capacity of a USB Flash Drive now? Last time I checked, computer shops are already offering an 8 GB Flash drive and they also have a 320 GB external My Passport Drive and they are so affordable that is why more and more people are using it to save their files and carry it with them anywhere they go.

But the problem with USB Drive is, since it is portable, you can just plug it on any machine (say in a computer shop) and you can easily catch a virus and spread that virus once you plugged it to a computer that is connected to a network.

That is how the virus spread in my friend’s company which disabled their operations for a day. My friend’s company is just on its start up stage so they don’t have a secure system in place to protect their network. But since the virus incident, my friend learned the importace of having a secure IT infrastructure.

So they decided to hire an it consulting firm and in just a matter of days, they were able to setup a secure IT network for my friend’s business. And what’s good is that, my friend doesn’t have to hire in house IT personnel to manage the network since the IT consulting firm will also manage and maintain the company’s network.

IT is really an important and integral part of a business. Too bad my friend learned this the hard way but he is happy now since his company is now safe because it is backed up by a very reliable IT firm that will help keep the company’s network safe and stable.

Paris Hilton
Lindsay Lohan
Gary Dourdan
Nicole Richie

They are just a few of the Hollywood stars who have been charged with DUI (Driving under the Influence of alcohol or OUI (Operating under the Influence of alcohol). DUI or OUI is a serious offense. If you have been charged with DUI / OUI, you will be asked to pay a fine, or you can loose your license or worse you will be put to jail.

A classic example is Paris Hilton. She is a well known personality in the Hollywood industry plus their family is a prominent figure in the hotel industry. But even though she has the money, she was sentenced for 3 years probation, a mandatory attendance at an alcohol education program and she was even asked to pay a $1500 fine. And then when she was charged with DUI again, she was sentenced for a 45 days in jail because she violated her probation.

This only shows that DUI is really a serious charge and if you loose your case, you will have a permanent criminal record. That is why it is important to get a good Massachusetts OUI Lawyer if you are charge with one. The counsel Ed Sharkansky, is a former prosecutor so he knows how to fight against DIU charges. They will really help those people charged with DIU to clean their name and prevent having a criminal record.

I can’t remember the last time I did Jan’s Coffee Break and I really miss it. I am really glad Coffee Break is back! So for this week’s Coffee Break:

How does one have a vavavoom body
this beach season?

I don’t think I am the right person to ask when it comes to achieving a sexy body as I eat what I want to eat without even thinking how many calories I will gain from eating it.

But I guess some suggestions that I can give includes:

1. Exercise – This is really important as it helps us tone our body and stay fit and healthy as well.
2. Diet – but not starvation. I noticed that some of my friends who starved themselves just to loose weight are never really successful in achieving their goal. I think, loosing weight should be gradual.
3. Avoid eating fatty foods but instead start living healthy like eating salad or avoiding sodas.

That is all I can think of for now. Just like what I said, this is a topic that is very alien to me. LOL.

Remember my experience about Standard Chartered Bank? I made a post about this on my other blog but to summarize I made a payment to Standard Chartered Bank amounting to around P13,000 (I can’t remember the exact amount) through their payment machines. But then after a month, I got a call from them claiming that they did not receive any payment from me for my balance from the past month.

I was really shocked since that is my last payment for my personal loan. I filed a complain and they promised to make an investigation on how my payment envelope got lost but of course the result of the investigation is still favorable for their company.

I don’t want to pay the remaining balance because I know that I really made the payment and I don’t want to pay them twice for something that I know I already paid for. But since then, I have been receiving calls from their collections department who have been harassing me and has been very rude to me.

I know I don’t deserve to be treated this way specially since I am the type of person who really sees to it that I pay my dues on time. I am not used to people disrespecting and treating me like what Standard Chartered is doing to me because I have a very good credit standing. So my decision: I paid for my balance again and have asked them to cut my card and stay out of my life.

I don’t know why collections agents of Standard Chartered talk to their clients that way. If only they just got a Collection Agency who knows how to deal with their clients diplomatically, maybe they will have a greater success rate in recovering debt. An agency like American profit who works in industries like the banks, might even help Standard Chartered develop a debt recovery solutions.

But I guess Standard Chartered is still using traditional collection agencies. No wonder they are not one of the most popular banks here.

I love weddings. If only we are rich, I might get married again and again. LOL.

Weddings are also one of my husband's favorite events to cover. He does photography as his sideline and hobby and he says that he enjoys to cover weddings more than any other events.

His last wedding coverage was last January, when he covered the wedding of his colleague, Relly and Leiza. They had a prenuptial pictorial at La Mesa Eco Park and my hubby and the couple really had fun during the shoot. Here are some shots from the pictorial:


The church ceremony was held at St. Rita De Cascia Parish and the reception was held at Sulu Hotel. I was looking at the pictures after the event and one of my favorite are the wedding flowers. And I was even more surprised when the bride spilled to me the cost for their flowers. It was really affordable but the flowers were just so fantastic. They got the flowers at a wholesale price and the flowers are ship overnight fresh from the flower farms so the flowers look fresh and gorgeous during the wedding ceremony.

Hubby has been really busy with work lately that he does not have enough time for his hobby but I hope he gets a wedding coverage soon as I know how much he enjoys covering weddings.

1. On March 6, 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev presented the first Periodic Table of the Elements to the Russian Chemical Society. What memories do you have of your high-school chemistry course? It was difficult since I have to memorize every single item in the Periodic Table and I can’t see the reason why we have to do it.
2. On March 6, 1899, the Bayer company registered aspirin as a trademark. When did you last take medication for pain? Last week I think, when I had a headache.
3. On March 6, 1853, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera La Traviata premiered in Venice. How do you feel about opera? I am not a fan of opera.
4. On March 6, 1947, American film director Rob Reiner (Meathead!) was born. Which of these Reiner-directed films have you seen, and what do you think of them?
o The Bucket List (2007)
o Rumor Has It… (2005)
o Alex & Emma (2003)
o The Story of Us (1999) I barely can’t remember the story line but I know that I love this movie
o Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
o The American President (1995)
o North (1994)
o A Few Good Men (1992)
o Misery (1990)
o When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
o The Princess Bride (1987)
o Stand by Me (1986)
o The Sure Thing (1985)
o This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
5. On March 6, 1972, American basketball-player Shaquille O’Neal was born. How do you feel about basketball? It is a very thrilling game.

1. What is the last "white" lie that you told? I have to make up a reason for not being able to attend an important event.

2. Can you forgive a liar? It depends on the gravity of his / her lies.

3. Do you tend to exaggerate or underestimate? Exaggerate.

4. Do you hold a grudge? Yes – I forgive but I never forget. LOL. (Scary)

5. What's the biggest lie you've ever told? I can’t remember really if I ever told one big lie.

6. Are there times that you feel that it is okay to lie? Specially if I have to protect the feeling of another person.

7. Did you ever end a relationship because of lies? Yes. I can’t take lies when it comes to relationships. Once you made played a major lying game with me, then it is all over.

8. Do you think you can tell when someone is lying to you? Sometimes. But some people are really good when they are lying.

9. Have you been caught lying? A dozen times I think by my parents.

I am a Garnet, my birthstone that is. My friend gave me the site of Holsted Jewelers and I got really hooked. I was checking their collection of jewelries and I got really confused as to what I will buy for myself. All the jewelries in their collection are so fashionable and since they are exclusively designed, I am sure that whatever designer costume jewelry I select, it is definitely something unique and not one that I will just find in any retail store.

Look at my choices for rings, earrings and necklace:


Would you believe that these jewelries are made of genuine garnet stone but they don’t cost a fortune. So I was really surprised when I check out the price because the jewelries are really of high quality so I am expecting that it will cost a leg and an arm for me to purchase the jewelries.

Do check out their site. I am sure you will go crazy too like me selecting from hundreds of their exclusively deigned jewelries.

1. Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity? – The Internet. LOL. I don’t think I have any creative juice in me so before I work on something I have to get inspirations on the net.

2. What would be one thing that would embarrass you a great deal? – If I slip or fall down a chair in front of many people (I have experienced both already. LOL).

3. What values did your parents instill in you? – Love for God and that we can get what we want my working hard and without on stepping on other’s toes.

4. What’s a fad of your teen years that you remember well? – Skechers and Kickers shoes. I had a few collections of those before.

5. What is your favorite breakfast? – ham sandwich with lots of mayo and tomato.

6. What is the best birthday gift that you have received? – an out of town vacation, a nice bag

7. What gadget could you not live without? - my laptop.

8. Do you collect anything? I am not really a collector but I have a few bags and shoes in my rack

9. What website (non-blog) do you regularly visit? - Yahoo and Google

Here are the rules...

1. Make a list of what you want on your birthday...
2. The list should be 10 numbers
3. Post the image of this award in your posting
4. Give it to 10 friends of yours.

Here are my wishes:
1. good health for the whole family
2. US travel with Bela
3. Visit Australia
4. LV Neverfull
5. New Watch
6. The box set of the Twilight series
7. DVD of the Sex and the City movie
8. DVD of the Twilight movie
9. A diamond earrings and necklace
10. A new car for us

Thanks to Jacqui and MM for the tag.

Tagging all the MBAPs.

I hate watching the news lately. Every day I hear news about how bad our economy is getting brought about by the economic recession. They say that prices for real estate have dropped by almost 50% because of the decrease in demands and everyday they feature someone who has to give up their house or their condominium unit because they can no longer afford the monthly amortization. Everyday also, I see from the news the hundreds and thousands of employees getting laid off because of the downsizing of the different companies.

I have a friend who is currently affected by the economic recession. Since they live in the city where unemployment rate is higher, she now fears that anytime she can loose her job. But I am glad that instead of dwelling on that fearful fact, she instead tried to think positively. She started looking for cosmetology schools where she can take training on cosmetology so she will have a fall back if ever she got laid off. In fact, she already has a short list of the schools that she is eyeing. She was able to get information right away since she found a site where she can easily search of cosmetology schools by state or zip code.

I hope that the economy will get better soon as there are really a lot of people being affected by the US economic meltdown.

Before I go look for home theater chairs online, let me make a post first about our next beach escapade.

My dad will be celebrating his birthday and so my siblings have planned to make a reservation for an overnight stay at Blue Coral Beach Resort in Laiya, San Juan Batangas. The last time we went to San Juan, Batangas was during my father’s birthday also. We stayed at La Luz beach resort that time but since I planned it a little late this year, La Luz is already fully booked when I inquired last week. Good thing that Blue Coral’s rate is just a little expensive than La Luz and Blue Coral offers a much better facility since they have a pool inside the resort.

I deposited the 30% down payment last week and our booking is already finalized. Anne (the Blue Coral staff who facilitated my booking ) said that we just have to pay for the 70% remaining balance one week before our scheduled arrival and we are all set.

I am so excited. I really wanted to have another beach escapade this summer as I find our Davao vacation a bit short and so I want another out of town vacation with my whole family. I can’t wait.....