Today I am... Thankful and Hopeful

Thank God it's Friday! I missed posting about how my week went. I have been very busy lately. Busy with my work, with the household chores, with teaching Matthew and with my blogs. Yes busy with my blogs, but it's ironic for I have fewer posts now, haha!

Let me just share that two weeks ago, I received an offer for a work at home job.  The pay is not that much but I can do it side by side with my current job. But for me, salary is just one thing, it's more of the experience that makes me really want to accept this job offer. It should have been the job I am waiting for a long time but, I turned it down for some personal seasons.

I believe God has a better plan and if this job is meant for me, it will be mine sa tamang panahon just like Lola Nidora always say :) There's so much to be thankful about.

I am thankful that he spare us and our family in Nueva Ecija when typhoon Lando hit the province. 

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The devastation after the typhoon Lando left the province is really heartbreaking. Many houses were wrecked, even buildings and hospitals are not spared. Uprooted trees and toppled posts, and floods are everywhere. And worst, rice fields are like sea of water. The typhoon left almost nothing of the rice which are about to harvest. Most parts of the province have no electricity until now. But still, I am hopeful and so are the Novo Ecijanos as well as the people of other provinces hit by typhoon Lando, that they can stand up again and God will guide them to start anew.

I am also thankful that despite a busy mommy, I have a little boy who never fail to amaze me with his creativity.

He can draw well for his age. He loves to draw, who else, but Spidey or Iron Man. He likes to paint too.

When typhoon Lando was hitting Luzon, he drew a rainbow so the rain will stop daw.

I am thankful that even at his young age, he knows how to study hard. He can write and read well too.

This little boy has tons of questions and never run out of it. He can be annoying, loving and cute all at the same time. Nauubusan man kami nag pasensya ng Daddy nya  madalas, still he is the source of our strength and happiness.

I am thankful also for my Nanay. Although, it's really painful knowing I can not change the fact that she has this incurable disease. I am still trying and learning to accept things. I always pray to God to let her live with us for more years even if she can not remember who I am. Because having her beside me keeps me hopeful that God can do miracle and one day, he will call me anak  again.

I am thankful to Daddy A. He's always there to love, understand and protect us. And he never fail to keep our tummy full with his yummy recipe.

Above all, I thank God for all the blessings and learning that He's giving us. I accept everything He will give us, good or bad. Because being happy and experiencing pain, makes me a stronger person.

Let me end this post with this quote. Happy weekend!

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National Book Store Color Pop Fair

Hey everyone! For those who loves to color (my son loves it so much), here's a perfect event for you!

From the Press Release Kit:

National Book Store, in partnership with Lifestyle Channel and SM Mall of Asia, will hold its first ever “Color Pop Fair” on October 24, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Main Mall Atrium, SM Mall of Asia. Admission is free for all events and workshops. Registration starts at 10 a.m.

Enjoy a Saturday of free, fun-filled coloring activities especially designed for adults who are artists-at-heart.  Learn basic adult coloring, shade selection, blending techniques, choosing the right coloring materials and other great coloring tips. Participate in the day-long art workshops. Choose from Zig Kuretake adult coloring demo by Iris Babao Uy, The Secret Techniques in Making your Coloring Look Professional by Alex M. Roxas, Mapedize your Bookmark – DIY Adult Coloring Bookmark, Creating Gradients with Chameleon Pens by June Digan, Sharpiefied Coloring with Carlo Arezza, Stabilo Adult Coloring Demo by Mark Dean Lim, The Art of Doodling and Stuff – A Create and Collaboration Workshop by Nelz Yumul, Coloring Tips from the Googly Gooeys by Tippy Go, Tips on Doodling and Adult Coloring by Kerby Rosanes, Marvy Uchida Basic Coloring Demonstration by Tepai Pascual, and many more.

All coloring sheets and materials will be provided. Plus! Get 20% off on all imported adult coloring books at the event only. Color your world and join the fun at National Book Store’s Color Pop Fair.

The event is made possible in partnership with Artline Stix, Colleen, Dong-A, Faber Castell, Marvy Uchida, Stabilo, Sharpie, and Zig Kuretake.

See posters or follow National Book Store on Facebook for more details. Shop online and buy eBooks at nationalbookstore.com. For reservations, call 8888-NBS (627) for calls within Metro Manila, 1-800-10-8888-NBS for calls outside Metro Manila, or text 0998-8888-NBS and 0917-8747-269. The National Book Store hotlines are open Mondays to Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Follow National Book Store on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@nbsalert). Tag #NBSColorPopFair to join the discussion. 

See you all there!

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5 Smart Tips to Save on Christmas Shopping

OMG! Malls are having their early Christmas sales already. Aside from that, bazaars and tiangges are everywhere. And haveyou already feel the Christmas breeze? Although PAGASA said, we will have a hot Christmas because of El Niño, that cannot stop Christmas from coming.

Because Christmas is here, I know most of us are thinking of what to give to our family, relatives, friends and inaanaks. With that you are already planning to start shopping. Speaking of shopping, let me share some smart tips to save on Christmas shopping.

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Make a shopping list.

If you are doing a grocery list, having a shopping list is also very helpful. If you are shopping for gifts then list down all the people you are thinking of giving gift. It will be better if you already know what gift to give to each person so must need to know what the things they like or interest them. For example, your father or husband likes storing beer at home, then why not give him a custom growlers at print globe. It's better to give gifts that will be useful to the receiver, but it's still the thought that counts.

Having a shopping list will prevent you from forgetting what you need to buy and save tome. Also sticking to the list will save you from buying things you don't need. 

Know your budget.

Setting a budget for Christmas gifts and needs is very important. Especially if you are in a tight budget but you still want to give gifts to your family and friends, then set a certain amount or price of gift to give. Sticking to to your set budget will save you from overspending.

Look for best deals.

Always look for best deals like going to mall sale or bazaar. You can also search online at trusted shopping sites to save time. 

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Be resourceful and creative.

If you are on a tight budget, then use your creativity and resourcefulness. You can do handmade crafts like crochet accessories, or make Christmas cards for giveaways. If you love to cook and know how to bake, you can make cookies or fruit cakes as giveaways.

Start the Christmas shopping early.

If you really want to save this Christmas and you already have a budget, start shopping early. You can do shopping by batch to avoid the Christmas rush because that's when we tend to overspend and buy unnecessary things. Planning ahead of time can save you time and money, and can also save you from being stressed.

So these are my 5 smart tips to save on Christmas shopping. If you have any smart tips to add, please do.

Have a great day everyone!

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My Christmas Wishlist #1: Home Stuff @ #loveSnR

It's 74 days  to go before Christmas. Yay! I remember I just wrote 83 more days left before Christmas here. Time flies so fast. Before we knew it, it's Christmas already. With that, I need to make an early Christmas wish list.

Every year, Daddy and I plan the things we buy especially with our Christmas bonus. After saving enough, we then proceed things we need at home then the things we want. We set a certain budget but sometimes, we tend to exceed that budget. It’s okay as long as we will not get the excess from our savings. Anyway, we deserve some reward after a year of hard work.

Now, going back to my Christmas wish list #1. We are planning to make a little home make over before the year ends. That will include re-painting and changing some our old home stuff. So my Christmas wish list # includes home stuff and essentials. If last year, we bought a newTV, TV stand and a dining table, this year, I am thinking of buying a new sofa set. But wait, that is after the home make over so Daddy please relax, haha!

Speaking of home stuff and essentials, you can always find good quality and affordable one at S&R. You know, there are so much inside S&R that when I am there I was like hilong trumpo sa kakaikot. Promise, at S&R, it’s like you want to buy everything.

If last month, S&R had their Healthy Deals on Wellness Equipment and Workout Gear, this October the deals will be centered on Home Essentials. That includes furniture, bed and bath basics, kitchen basics and their Halloween treats like chocolates, wine and pasta too.

For furniture, if only I have this budget I will buy this Sunbrella 4-pc Woven Sofa Set, which on sale at P144.999.95. 

Lovely set right? So if you have the budget grab it na guys. If I can't afford to buy the sofa set then I'll just include the Safdie Stids Throw Pillows at P549.95 and the Artiva Antique Table Lamp at P3,799.95 each, in my wish list.

Also, there are great deals on buffet servers, which are included in my Christmas wish list #1 too.

I am sure, Daddy will agree with me. We need these buffer servers, especially that we love to cook and throw parties at home. I particularly like the 5-Section Round Buffet Server and the 4-Section Buffet Server, at  discounted prices of  P899.95 only P499.95, respectively.

You can find good deals on bed and bath basics as well. Pillow cases are also on my Christmas wish list #1. Deluxe Hotel 400t Pillow Case is only P99.95 for two pieces already. Also, I will include the Trinity Briganity Bath Rugs each at P359.95 only, and the Gracious Paxton Bath Rug at P399.95 for two pieces na.

There you go. That's my My Christmas Wishlist #1: Home Stuff @ #loveSnR. Can't wait to buy these all. I bet there are more home stuff on great deals at S&R like chocolates for trick or treat. Truly, there are so many many many reasons not to #loveSnR. Because every visit at S&R is always a happy and great one.

I would love to hear your happy visit at S&R too. What’s your favorite home stuff by the way?

Follow S&R Membership (Official) on Facebook for more great deals. 

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AjiPanda™: Your Best Friend in the Kitchen

We all love to eat, much more to eat yummy food. Home-cooked food is always the best. I always see to it that I cook for my family despite being a working mom. Also, I always make sure I cook healthy and delicious food so we enjoy our meal time. Thank God Ajinomoto is always here to make the flavor of food rich and umami. And now, Ajinomoto introduces our new bestfriend, AjiPanda™.

AjiPanda™ is a cute panda icon that conveys someone shy, caring, happy and loyal. It personifies how a humble pack or bottle of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning fills the role of “Your Best Friend in the Kitchen” by offering an ever-reliable way of bringing out the natural goodness of food.

Ajinomoto’s new campaign, which also features teen queen Kathryn Bernardo, presents the benefits of its dependable brand of seasoning to a new generation of cooks and food lovers.

AJI-NO-MOTO® comes from sugar cane, corn or cassava and is manufactured through the natural process of fermentation. This product is safe, convenient and effective in making food taste delicious. 

This is because it is simply free glutamate, the most common among amino acids (the building blocks of protein). It provides the taste of umami to food in the same way that sugar adds sweet taste or salt adds salty taste to food.

But what is umami? Umami, is the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. It is the savory, rich and full taste we often experience in meat, seafood, cheese, tomatoes and mushrooms. 

Consider the delightful composition of chicken, green papaya and malunggay in tinola or the medley of cheese, ham, pepperoni, tomatoes, green and red bell peppers on top of a pizza. The combinations and layers of these glutamate-rich ingredients make dishes very delicious and enjoyable.

Remember that AjiPanda™, your best friend in the kitchen, will help work wonders in your cooking so that you can share many happy meals with your family. Visit http://www.ajinomoto.com.ph/AjiPanda for healthy and delicious recipes.

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Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Established in 1958, APC lives by its promise to provide consumers products that will always give the delicious taste to healthy and nutritious meals as embodied in APC’s slogan Ajinomoto® “Eat Well, Live Well.®” APC’s complete line of quality food and seasoning products are produced by international affiliates and local toll manufacturers using Ajinomoto’s license, quality standards and technological expertise. APC’s products include AJINO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, Ajinomoto® Brand Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix, Ajinomoto® Brand Chicken Powder, PORKSAVOR® All-in-One Seasoning Mix, CRISPY FRY® Breading Mix, CRISPY FRY® Seasoned Crumbs, TASTY BOY® All Purpose Breading Mix, AJI-SHIO® Seasoning Mix, Ajinomoto® Brand Sinigang and “amino Fres-C” Instant Drink Mix.

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