Save Now with Zenni Optical

My little girl started wearing prescription glasses when she was 5 years old. Ever since she wore her first pair, I knew I had to start allotting a part of our yearly budget for 3 pairs the most, every year. Why? Because she needs: one for school, one in the bedroom for reading and a multicoated one for using the computer or watching TV. Sounds a lot, but there should always be extra pairs in case one gets misplaced.

We all know the gift of sight does not come cheap nowadays, so when I first heard of $ 8 Rx eyeglasses, I felt excited yet doubtful at the same time. But there’s Zenni Optical on TV!!! And I have also read the High Five to Zenni Optical that got me convinced they were indeed selling quality glasses to get these very good reviews.

Shopping for glasses at Zenni lets me save even more than half of what I would normally spend for my daughter’s glasses, and even fashionably, at that. They have stylish choices that would fit her well especially this back to school season. I know she would love this one in her favorite color!

Chestene's Monalisa

'Chestene's Monalisa'

Meet my Little Picasso's first painting on canvas! I know, it's not very much like the famous Mona Lisa, but I'm really happy she came up with this masterpiece. She painted this lady (sorry I forgot the title she gave this!) sometime in January of this year. And knowing me, who is perennially busy with all sort of things (important or otherwise), I forgot to post it earlier as usual.

Since I don't want to influence her painting style, I just let her choose the subject, colors and off she painted away. This is her concept of a beautiful lady at her age-- still untainted and unprejudiced.

It's amazing how children remind us some of the the best lessons in life we tend to forget-- be what you are and think outside the box and society standards.

Once again, I'm thankful I have my Little Lady to teach me that.


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Framed
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“You’re the 1, Goldilocks”

They say that when you’re all grown and busy with adult life and all its entanglements, it’s easy to get jaded. True. And whenever that happens, I try to pull myself from the present and do a little reminiscing of happy memories from way back, when things were simpler.

The journey usually brings me back to my childhood and one of the most exciting days I looked forward to every year – my birthday. And in that almost blurry memory of home-cooked food, balloons, gifts, giggles and games, one thing always stood out – Dad, carrying my birthday cake in pink and white icing, embellished with colorful sugar flowers in one corner, where the beautiful princess donning a pretty pink gown gracefully rests.

So much has changed through the years that even Dad, the strongest man in the universe for me then, is now in his golden years surviving Congenital Heart Disease. Still, it’s amazing how the memory of a birthday cake makes me glow with so much love until now. I have my parents to thank for that.

I promised myself that when I become a mother, I will give my little one the same, if not, the best childhood memories I can create. But as fate would have it, unlike fairytale endings, the princess did not end up with a prince and lived happily ever after (well at least, not yet). I became a single parent with a beautiful, smart and talented daughter who is the love of my life. I thought it would be hard to build the same happy memories with my little girl without her Dad, carrying a birthday cake in pink and white icing, embellished with colorful sugar flowers in one corner, where the beautiful princess donning a pretty pink gown gracefully rests.

I'm glad, I was wrong.

Thank God for my wonderful supportive family, relatives and great friends, I am able to muster all the strength needed to brave the challenges of single parenthood. Good thing there is also Goldilocks, to make parenting life sweeter and my little girl’s birthdays even more magical than mine:

Background graphics and logo used courtesy of Goldilocks

From a true blue Goldilocks baby, you might want to try Chestene's Goldilocks Buttered Puto in Parmesan Cheese. She made this simple recipe last March, and it's been a family favorite eversince. Just roll the Puto in a generous bed of Parmesan Cheese and it's good to go!


I hope that someday when Chestene is all grown, and she looks back to recall happy memories of her childhood, she will remember me preparing her lunchbox favorites Fluffy Mamon, Egg Pie and Puto in Parmesan Cheese for her baon, our frequent trip to the neighborhood Goldilocks bakeshop after attending Sunday Mass to buy her favorite Hopia Monggo, the Cathedral Windows and Leche Flan “surprise” in small covered containers when I come home from the office, the Brazo de Mercedes she never gets enough of, as a prize for getting good grades in school, or Mommy holding the prettiest birthday cake with the brightest candles for her to blow.

But above all these, I hope she feels enveloped with the same glow of love that tells her how special and treasured she will always be, and how Mommy tried so hard to give her only the very best.

You’re the 1, Goldilocks because just like a true friend, you help me weave the sweetest memories of love and the real essence of being a family. Thank you for the gift of special memories that my daughter and I will cherish for a lifetime.

The Flu Fairytale

"Once there was a beautiful young princess who lived in a big castle. She had everything she wanted; her parents gave her the most precious toys in the land.

But a room full of toys still failed to make her happy. She was never allowed to go out. The king and queen were worried about the terrible disease brought by a wicked witch that made a lot of people sick in town. So they waited for the good fairies to come and help them.

Until one day, the fairies came with a magic potion that will protect everyone from the dreadful disease that cursed the town. The king and queen were overjoyed when the helpful fairies gave them and the princess, a dose of the magic potion.

The young princess was very happy because she’s free to explore, once again! Since then, the town and its people became peaceful for a very long time.

And they all lived healthily ever after."

Okay, so I had to make up a flu fairytale when I was running out of ideas to convince my little girl to get vaccinated. She loves to read stories, and I thought this was a subtle way to convince her not to fear being injected. I even let her draw the princess and the ‘magic potion’ to complete the story. But we all know that life is no fairytale, and we have to face the harsh realities that we encounter on a daily basis, while searching for the happily (or healthily) ever after.

Currently, one of the harsh realities we have to deal with is the Influenza A(H1N1) virus that is continuously raising panic among countries due to the increasing number of cases and death reportedly caused by it. In times like this, we rely on both science and divine intervention to help us get through.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), efforts are underway to develop a vaccine covering the new flu virus strain. The best that we could do at the moment is to observe utmost vigilance, do preventive health practices, strengthen our immune system and get the currently available seasonal vaccine, for protection over other severe illnesses that kill 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.

I am relieved that my daughter and I were already Bakunado with the Vaxigrip Flu vaccine through Sanofi Pasteur Philippines’ Flu Awareness and Prevention Seminar, held at Max’s Tiendesitas last March 7, 2009. I am also glad to say that to date, we haven’t experienced any side effect - no fever or flu, unlike the common misconception that most people contract them, after undergoing vaccination.

I admit it gave me a certain degree of confidence knowing that both of us are shielded from several Influenza virus strains that can attack anyone anytime, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Who should be vaccinated?

* Any person who desires to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza
* Children 6-59 months
* Adults and children with risk factors:
- Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, hypertensive
cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, stroke)
- Chronic lung disease (e.g. COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, malignancies, chronic PTB)
- Chronic metabolic disease (diabetes)
- Chronic renal dysfunction
- Hemoglobinopathies
* Children and adolescents who are receiving long term aspirin therapy
* Immunosuppressed or those with weakened immune system
* Residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities
* Pregnant women on their 2nd and 3rd trimester who have not received their flu
vaccine within the last 12 months
* Persons who can transmit influenza to those at risk: health care workers and other
personnel of out patient care settings, hospitals, nursing homes, and chronic care
facilities; Household contacts and caregivers of person at risk
* Persons who provide essential and emergency community services, students and
other persons in institutional settings

Source: http://www.bakuna.ph

An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. And like any responsible individual, we need to act now than regret when it’s already too late.

What preventive measures have you taken to ensure your health safety and that of your family? Are you ready to respond to the challenge of being immunized from flu? Then arm yourself with more flu facts by visiting http://www.bakuna.ph to learn why this is one of the important life-saving shots you should get today.

Related Posts:

Officially Bakunado sa FLU!
Be Protected, Get Vaccinated!

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want to...

Two things today:

1. Happy Mother's Day!

From my number 1, taken at 12 midnight. :)

2. My Day!

And this started the heavy downpour...

FOR YOU, OUR DAUGHTER KAREN CLAIRE,
HAPPINESS IS WHAT WE WISH FOR MOST!

WE wish for you the self confidence to say no when it is necessary and the strength to stand alone.

When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not break them but bend them with gentleness with time.

Whatever you decide, whoever you become, OUR love for you is unconditional: OUR arms and hearts are always open to you. When the world closes in and lies so heavily upon you… remember that WE care.

When the ones with whom you share your life seem like strangers… remember that WE care.

Carry These Thoughts in Your Heart Forever…

If we could stand beside you always, WE would.
If we could carry over all obstacles, WE would.

If we could turn all your tears to laughter, WE would.

That is how we want you to know that being your parent has been one of our greatest joy!

Happy Birthday KC

Loving MOM (at 61) & DAD (at 72)

I told you it rains on my birthday, every single year.


Related Posts:

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Who am I?: Just a Little Piece of Me
Celebrating Life!
An Officer and a Gentleman
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Back From My Unannounced Blog Leave - Part 1
Back From My Unannounced Blog Leave - Part 2
Back From My Unannounced Blog Leave - Part 3
Before You Call Me a Tease… (BFMUBL Part 4)

Mark Wahlberg Wears Pacquiao

I'm not a huge boxing fan like my Dad and almost every single one of the male populace, but I always watch Manny Pacquiao's fights on TV. I'm a true blue Filipino, after all.

Well, who wouldn't be proud of the first boxer in history to achieve a 4th Lineal World Title, and the second boxer in history to win a 6th Division World Title? Definitely, not me.

Anyways, after his remarkable knockout victory over Hatton last Sunday, I saw this:

Yes, it's Mark Wahlberg wearing this red Pac gear:

Apparently, the guy is a big fan of Manny:

"I've come to see the man," Wahlberg said on HBO's De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7. "Freddie's been a friend of mine for a long time, and I'm a big fan of Pacquiao. It's nice to see him in person. I've seen him fight a couple times, but to see him this up close and personal is worth the trip. I'm going to bring my son down. I have a ring in my house because I've been training to do the Irish Micky Ward story for a couple of years. My son's always beating me up, and he calls himself Pacquiao."

Source: Boxing.fanhouse.com

Need I say more?

April Top Entrecard Droppers

It's gratitude time once again!

First, I would like to thank this group who deserves some link lovin' for being my consistent Entrecard droppers for the month of April. Bloggers who, despite my utter delinquency in dropping back, took time to visit me several times last month. As a way of showing my gratitude, I have advertised on these sites, regardless if they carry EC paid ads on them or not:

verITableLIFE

ik.my
Programming Made Easy
Mr Soleh’s Outburst
Warcraft Blog
On The Bricks
First Time
Freelunch Comics
Jean sQuared
Beethoven Midi

On the other hand, a new group of lovely people was added to my list of Followers:

Please click on the icons/avatars to visit their cool sites!

And to everyone else who continuously support, read and subscribe to this blog along with my Entrecard friends and Followers, my sincere thanks and wishes of peace and blessings!

***~ DOMO ARIGATO ~***

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I Dream of Kissimmee

A friend was raving about her recent vacation, and I could only sigh over the detailed account of her seemingly marvelous trip. While a break for me right now is in order, not to mention long overdue and truly deserved, I have to think of priorities that need immediate attention. Well, they never go away, do they?

In times like this, I couldn’t help but wish for a generous sponsor who can send me off somewhere out of town or to be lucky enough to win a trip through a free drawing or sweepstakes. Why not? Although I’m aware that finding a sponsor maybe hard these belt-tightening days, one can always find generous companies or groups holding fantastic giveaways.

As you all know, I’m a freebie fanatic and luckily, I always stumble upon opportunities that can be had absolutely free. So here’s a hot tip, Kissimmee is holding a sweepstakes for three (3) getaways and two (2) weeklong vacations!

I've only read about Kissimmee, but my imagination had already wandered off to sunny Florida. Their fabulous theme parks like Walt Disney World® Resorts' Magic Kingdom® Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios™ among others, are perfect not only for my 7-year old, but for me as well, who never really stopped being young-at-heart. Moreover, I’m excited to check out the antique shops for great bargains and discover some new cuisine at the local restaurants. I’m sure that the moment I set foot there, there will be a lot more exciting things to do.

There are three (3) draw dates for the Kissimmee Freedom Sweepstakes scheduled April 1, May 1, and June 1, 2009; so if you missed the chance to win earlier, don’t hold back and take a shot at winning a FREE vacation now!

I’m a Pirate and I’ve Joined the Mafia

My Mafia stats

Yes! Are you either, or both?

I’ve been giving my Facebook account some lovin’ lately, and along with it inadvertently came the opportunity to become a pirate and join the mafia. Who doesn’t need a breather, eh? I’m turning a year older in less than 2 weeks, and in between personal and career stress, there are a thousand things running through my mind that I’d rather not disclose. I’m sure you know the pressure of growing a bit older each year, so I think you get the idea.

While I'm counting the days until the day, if you’re already on Facebook and you feel like plundering and doing some hitlist jobs in your free time, then why not join my Pirate Crew and Mafia Family? Just drop me a line here or click on my Facebook badge to add me up.

This should be fun. :)

Always a Bridesmaid

I've never been married, and I really wouldn't mind being called the perpetual bridesmaid or maid of honor. But my least favorite part of being on someone else's wedding is being forced to wear a dress, just because it matches the bride's favorite color or the wedding theme.

To end this dilemma, I promised myself that the next time I'd be given a chance to be part of the bridal entourage, I would recommend a store that doesn’t only have the best bridal prices in the market, but a wide range of beautiful designs as well that no bride could resist.

Now, that would make me a happy and helpful bridesmaid, for a change.