Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lists. Show all posts

July 2, 2014

My 5 Blog Turn-Ons

I just learned from Rea's blog that yesterday was Social Media day. Oh wow, they have a day for everything now, don't they? I wonder when they'll make a Mom Bloggers' Day? Or is there?

I'm a regular user of social media. 6 years on Facebook, 4 years on Twitter, and a year and a half on Instagram. Often, I only open the websites to share links, chat, and look for something to read.

So I guess you can say that I'm not the ideal like-magnet user. I'm more of a blogger (didn't you notice?) and I broadcast my life here and interact people through it, making it my social media. With that in mind, let's talk about bloggers, er, blogging!

You see, I'm the kind of person who needs to read for hours before sleeping. I know it's a tasteless comparison, but I'm very Kris Aquino in that aspect.

I used to be able to read entire books in one sitting, but with my attention span now, I prefer to read blog posts. That is why it has become my habit to pocket maybe 5-15 blog posts per night.

When the usual blogs that I follow don't have updates, I turn to the TopBlogs site to look for new blogs. Despite my sched, I make time for it for fear of running out of reading material!

Once in a while, I discover blog gems that I end up subscribing to. These are the ones which I think should gain huge readership (and my loyalty hihi) simply because they have the following:

1. Correct Grammar

I admit that I am a Grammar Nazi but only in the right context. I won't hold it against you if you commit mistakes on social media, on spoken and/or casual conversations, or if aminado ka na hindi ka magaling sa English and prefer not to use it. After all, it's just a language.
Photo: imgfave.com

But I think blogs should be held to the same standards as publications because they are also widely read. Sadly, it is very rare to find bloggers who really know how to use the language.

December 11, 2013

Top 5 Christmas Gifts for Toddlers (At Least For Me!)

I have written a new list of gift ideas for the older toddler/young preschooler in mind. Here's a list of top gifts for older toddlers!

My golly banana! There are only 2 weeks remaining before Christmas! Have you done your Christmas shopping already? I should have begun my shopping months back, but I've always delayed it, thinking I'll see better deals come December. Now, I still have to buy a lot of gifts!

Of course, my toddler is number 1 on my list, so I breathed a sigh of relief when I had finished ordering stuff for him last week. Ssshhh, don't tell anybody, but he's going to have full bookshelves after Christmas. I still have to wrap his gifts, which led me to think, what could other parents be giving their toddlers this year?

Top 5 Christmas Gifts for Toddlers

This, in turn, led me to create a list of the best gifts to give for toddlers. Thus, if you have a toddler child or a toddler niece or nephew or a toddler inaanak, this list is for you!

5. Clothes and/or Shoes
Clothes and shoes are always fun to buy (at least for me!), the fun multiplies by 10 when you're shopping for little ladies and gentlemen. Any parent would welcome an additional outfit to her child's closet! Also, a toddler's foot size grows so fast (I should know) that new shoes are always a necessity. Make sure that you know the child's size, though! To be safe, go for the bigger size.

Photo: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com

Bonus tip: Ask the toddler's parents if they're going somewhere for the summer vacation. You might want to give the child a rash guard if they're going to the beach or a cardigan if they're headed to Baguio!

4. Diapers
Some people may think of giving diapers as un-thoughtful or un-creative, but I beg to disagree. Puh-lease, I would welcome a free pack of diapers in my home any day! My toddler still uses 2-4 diapers per day, so that's still a pretty significant amount. In my opinion, no parent would refuse diapers!

Photo: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/






Bonus tip: Try giving the parents cloth diapers to save the environment. You get plus points by helping them save money, too!

3. Art Materials
Ah, the joy of a homeschooling mom. This sentiment also goes for future homeschooling moms, feeling homeschooling moms (like me), and even those who simply want their children to enjoy art at an early age. After all, who doesn't want to raise a future Picasso?

Photo: http://artfulparent.typepad.com
Bonus tip: You do need to look for toddler-specific and toxic-free art materials. Also, make sure they are easy to use. Great examples are jumbo crayons, non-toxic play-dough, and failproof Megasketcher!

2. Wooden Toys

October 11, 2013

Finance Fridays: Why I'm Deadset on Being Rich

Wait, what? 6 posts in 5 days? I'm on a roll! Rowll!
Actually, I composed this post last night (midnight) because I couldn't sleep yet. I can't publish this on Saturday because it has something to do with finance, at napapabayaan ko na ang aking Finance Fridays. Anyway, here it goes.

Rich woman
Photo: oprah.com

We have different opinions on the rich. I might consider someone rich; you might not. Me? I don't need a BMW or a sprawling estate to call myself rich. When the time comes that I become financially-free, that would be the time I would consider myself a rich woman.

What is being financially-free? It means not having to worry about the next paycheck. It means not having to worry when someone in the family gets sick. It means being able to give without needing to take back. It means making money work for you.

It might be pretty easy to assume that we all want to be rich. However, the truth is that we're afraid to be rich. Somehow, it is taboo among us, Filipinos, to have that kind of ambition. Why? Because we equate money to evil. We view poverty as a virtue.

That's a myth. Money is not the root of evil: the love of it is (1 Timothy 6:10).

Still not convinced? You knew this was coming. I want to be truly rich, and here are my reasons:

1. I don't want to live from paycheck to paycheck.
paycheck to paycheck

When I started working (and honestly, sometimes now), my biggest problem was this: there's too much month at the end of the money. My paycheck has already dried up, and there are still 10 days before the next payday. It's a really terrifying feeling. If it was terrifying for me, how would it feel for someone who has mouths to feed?

I want to be financially-free because there should be more money at the end of the month. I shouldn't have to worry if the next paycheck is late; I shouldn't have to wait until dark for my salary.

2. I don't have to worry a storm in times of emergency.
emergency fund

The first step on the road to being rich is setting up an emergency fund. I believe this fund is the foundation of your success. It will keep me from withdrawing that stock investment or encashing that government bond.

More importantly, it will keep me from worrying when Yuri's food supply has run out. It will take care of surprise vaccine appointments. Personally, I set aside almost 10% of my income; Job sets aside 20% of his.

3. I want the confidence of knowing I can afford the better things in life.
luxury

But choose not to buy them anyway.

September 26, 2013

Lessons from an 18-month Old

While waiting for his order...

We just achieved another milestone - Yuri turns 18 months today! Now, I can say that he's a legit toddler and he can already hang out with the older toddlers without fear of them toppling Yuri over.

Just kidding. I can't even let go of his hand when running for fear of him running into something or stepping on himself. Silly fears. I'll never let Yuri play with other kids. Just kidding again.

Yesterday, I broadcasted how Yuri can be such a brat sometimes. Now, I'm off to make bawi by praising his good deeds as an 18-month old.

1. Always say the magic words.

The magic words being "thank you" and "sorry." I have yet to intentionally teach Yuri about using "please," although I use it often to get through his conscious. Anyway, back to the magic words. I am mighty proud because Yuri already uses these phrases in the proper context. For example, if he forcibly takes my share of the cake , he says thank you. If he throws his (hard) toy car at my face, he says sorry.

Haha, I'm sorry you can't see my hand!

While laughing like a maniac.

2. Be loyal.

At 18 months, Yuri is very fond of cars. Actually, it started when he was 16 months old. Last month, we bought him a lot of cars; one of them was this tiny car that looked as if it's gonna break down any minute. Yuri had his eye on it on the very first day, ignoring the bigger cars and the battery-operated ones. He played with it everyday until it did break into smaller pieces.

The toy looks so kawawa. Gulong na lang sya oh.
But he still plays with it.

3. Pick up your mess.

Last Sunday, we were at the Off-Price Show. While waiting for my dad to finish fitting his Crocs (which he did not buy), Yuri and I explored the area. Suddenly, someone knocked a hanger off the rack and did not return it. Yuri ran toward it and I knew he was going to pick it. I thought he would play with the hanger. I didn't expect him to reach up to the rack to try to return it.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Somebody nominate Yuri for Bayaning Pilipino Awards please.

4. Survival skills: Building a fort

Yuri has successfully built his first fort last night. We were peacefully playing after dinner, just quiet play, while waiting for bed time when he had this brilliant idea to grab the pillows from our heads one by one. He promptly placed one pillow on top of the other until he was able to build a wall. He climbed up on it, of course.

Keep still, Yuri, we're being Kodaked!
Vantage point
Later, he must have thought he was a battering ram and demolished his wall with his head. Survival skills, I tell ya.

5. Fake it until you make it.

I'm trying to incorporate reading books into his routine now. Most of the time, though, he points at the photos for a few minutes and gets distracted and plays with something else.

I'm done with reading!

Last afternoon, though, he was so behaved. He just lied next to me while I read a book. I stopped when I reached page 12 or 13 because I could not believe Yuri stayed still throughout the whole ordeal. I looked at him. He looked at me and promptly turned his back on me and turned the television on. I didn't even know how he did that (the TV thing), but clearly, me pausing to look at him marked the end of our reading session. Well played, Yuri. Well played.

6. Go for a woman with humor.

If you are not jeje like me, go ahead and skip this hehe. Okay. Yuri absolutely adores Ryzza Mae. He knows her songs, Chacha (one of his first words) and Look Up. He jumps with glee when her commercials get on. Why not? Ryzza Mae's interesting! And he doesn't care for Annaliza because she's boring.

Photo: ph.omg.yahoo.com

He might have taken after his father because I'm also funny. On second thought, maybe not. Job likes me for my looks, not my personality. I kid, I kid.

How about you? What funny (but meaningful) lessons have you learned from the aleng and mamang maliits?

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August 2, 2013

Liebster Award - OMG!

Photo: www.bloglovin.com
After 10 months of blogging (OMG has it been 10 months na?), I finally receive my first blogger award! Hahaha ang OA ko lang. Back in high school, I was not only bullied for being fat but also for being OA. I used to be in denial pero ngayon tanggap ko na: OA talaga ako! 

I digress.

Okay, so Ate Rea (who is my schoolmate in UP!) of REAlity Bites left a comment on one of my posts, saying that she nominated me for a Liebster Blog Award. Finally! Hahaha I told you I'm OA. I checked the mechanics and it says I should answer the 10 questions in her blog post. Here they are:

1. Describe your ideal day.

It doesn't have to be happening right now, does it? If I can draw up an ideal day, that would be the day when my own family would finally be complete in our own home.

2. What's your happy song?


To be honest, I'm not big on "adult" songs right now. That's because I'm almost always tuned into either Disney Junior or one of Yuri's music CDs. If I were to choose one song, it would be this:




Sue me. :D

3. Are you more worried with doing things right or doing the right things?


Oooh, tricky. As a person with mild OCD, I must say that there are more times that I'm worried about doing things right. This is especially true with how I do things in the house. Am I cleaning Yuri's toys the right way? Is he sleeping the right way? Am I disciplining him the right way?

In the ultimate scheme, though, I believe that these little things are my way of doing the right things.

4. Do you think it's better to get married when you're young or better to wait a while?


This question hits close to home. Haha! Personally, our choice is to wait a while. I know that sounds too pa-virgin knowing that I already have a 16-month old son. However, Job and I believe that just because we have a child does not mean we have to get married already (no offense to others).

Don't get me wrong: we would love to get married. But not now. We need to establish ourselves first. We need to be capable of our individual selves first before we settle down.

5. When was the last time you did exactly what you wanted to do?


This is a no-brainer; I do exactly what I want to do. Haha! Seriously, though, that might be when we had a mini-pool day at home. I've been wanting to do that since last year pa, and last Sunday, we were finally able to do it! Hurrah!

6. What's the first thing you notice about people?


On a shallow, physical-appearance-based impression? Teeth. I tend to gravitate toward people with great teeth. That's not my only "criterion," though; I'm not that shallow. But when I'm in a room full of strangers, I probably might walk up to a person with a great smile.

That's actually the first thing I saw in Job (cheesy). If you see him in person, you'll be amazed at his straight set of teeth. I always am! Come to think of it, all of my crushes have great teeth!

PS: I also find sungki adorbs!

7. If you could learn one random skill, what would you learn?


Swimming! I'd love Yuri to be a swimmer when he grows up. Of course, he doesn't have to be a professional swimmer. Just a good (great) swimmer. I have this impression that great swimmers are also gentlemen. I don't know why haha!

8. Would you ever skydive or bungee jump?


No! Call me boring but I never "get" these extreme sports. Why oh why? I get my dose of adrenaline rush when shopping at sales!

9. If you can get a tattoo, what would it be and why?


I will never get a tattoo on this lifetime, but if I "need" to, I think I'll have a sun on my nape. Wala lang!

10. What is the greatest impact of blogging to you?


This reminds me to work on that draft about the hidden perks of blogging! Now, to answer this question, this might be growth of network. As a 20-something, I still don't have a broad professional network. Blame it on my working from home. However, blogging opened my doors to people I didn't think I will ever meet if not for blogging. I'm referring not only to bloggers but also PR people and companies! Great! 


Alright, now it's my turn to tag 10 other bloggers!


1. George of georgeenchanted.blogspot.com
2. Van of www.joysofawifeandmom.com/
3. Donna of cheekeegirl.blogspot.com/
4. Farida of www.inlovewithsunflower.com/
5. Rose of www.esoradiam.com/
6. Glenda of http://glendelicious.blogspot.com/
7. Kat of theunstressed.com/
8. Vera of verabear.net/
9. Janz of www.deliciouslyspicy.com/
10. Kristine of www.ruralmomkristine.com/
11. Tet of cuteanddainty.blogspot.com/

And here are my ten questions:


1. Why do you blog?
2. What one food can you eat for the rest of your life?
3. What defines your life right now?
4. What are the three main contents of your bag?
5. What do you do first thing in the morning?
6. What's the first thing you do when you go online?
7. Where do you want to be in 10 years?
8. When was the last time you did something for the first time? *profound*
9. If you can do anything, what will you do?
10. If you win the lottery (P50 million) today, what will you do with the money? 

I can only tag 10 bloggers here, so I wrote down 10 people that came to my mind first. However, if you're reading this post and are not in the list, do leave a comment and consider yourself tagged! I will include you in my list. I'll be looking forward to your answers. Gora!

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June 20, 2013

5 Things I Learned from Rediscovering my College Blog

Today is Thursday, so let's do a meaningful and reflective throwback.

I kept blogs from the moment I gained unlimited access to internet. Read: DSL. I just had no chance of creating one during the days when I still bought dial-up cards.

Cue in: Dial-up background noise

Isn't it amazing how much has changed over the years? Then, I had to clench my fist anticipating a "Successfully Connected" dialogue box. Now, I can surf the internet on the comfort of my bed.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Like what I said earlier, I used to keep a lot of blogs before. They contained the thoughts of a single college girl, some reflective, some funny, many embarrassing.

I thought I deleted the blogs, but apparently, I did not. So it should not have come as a surprise when three weeks ago, George sent me the link of my last college blog.

Witticisms of a Naive Girl: My last post, apparently, was after graduation.

It was fun leafing through the entries, but believe it or not, I learned a few things from rediscovering my college self:

1. Singleness is not a curse; one should take advantage of it.


Ansaveh?
I didn't have a boyfriend in college. Not even one. I remained single while some of my friends went through boyfriends like they were tissue or something. I had my share of unrequited love, but looking back, I realize a lot of things would not have happened if I entered a relationship.

For example, I might not have been a Dean's Lister. Perhaps I might not have been able to enter a sorority. I might not have been able to have all those crazy drinking sprees. I would have missed out on a lot. On the contrary, I did not miss out on having a good relationship after all.

2. Dreams and goals do change.


Reading through my college blog, I encountered a post or two listing the things I wanted to have and achieve. Predictably, almost half of the list were Apple products, one would be a luxury car, and the last one would be a lucrative career in the corporate world.

Aiming for these things is not bad. However, for now, I find most of those things unappealing. If I were to create a list now, building relationships might top the list, followed by personal betterment, financial freedom, and acquisition of new and useful skills. I also want to create a Pinterest-worthy home (and maybe I haven't given up on that Macbook yet).

I'm not saying my current list is better, or that now, I'm wiser. Like what I said, dreams change, so we better be flexible.

3. Study hard, party harder - after graduation.


I admit that back in college, I was a heavy drinker and smoker. Had I been wiser, I would have spent my freetime studying rather than partying. The partying could wait for later. After all, it's more fun when you're earning.

On the other hand, I stopped all my vices cold turkey a few months after graduation. So maybe there's a reason for all that partying? Haha

4. Take as many photos as you can.


I love taking and looking at photos. This explains the photo-overload in my posts. Well, that's because photos tell stories more than words can ever do.

When I look at the photos I took in senior year, everything came back. My friends and classmates, my frat brods and soro sisters. Our class projects. Extra-curricular work. Sleepless nights. THESIS. So many feels. And I was feeling all those just because of a single photo with me holding a bottle of Sting in a post where I talked about pulling another all-nighter for thesis.

The face of a 19-year old single girl

And I want to experience the same rush of memories 5 years from now, when I re-read the entries of Davao Mommy blog.

5. Look back every now and then and remember things with a positive outlook.


What amused me the most were the posts where I talked about my college "crush." Well back then, it was an unrequited love affair.

I was kinda taken aback when I read a post describing him:

So you think you're emo?
I immediately opened my Skype window and told George, "OMG! Parang si J ang tinutukoy ko dito!"

Suffice to say, I'm pretty consistent without realizing it.

What's my point? Not all of our experiences are good. Like what I said above, I loved unrequitedly for some time. But instead of dwelling on the negative, try to find the blessing in the experience.

I can truly say that after all the ugly experiences with love, nakabawi naman ako. I ended up with someone who treats me like a princess and honestly, I can't imagine being with someone else.

Now, I'm getting mushy here. But my point is, everything happens for a reason. You might not be where you are now if not for the little things that happened. So don't be afraid to take a step back and examine your past. What are the patterns? Are they good or do you need to get out of them? How did you change? For better or for worse? What progress have you made so far?

Yes, may halaga din pala ang Throwback Thursdays.

PS: I wrote this post on my phone last night. If there are spelling and grammatical errors, please just tell me. And be kind.


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June 6, 2013

Pre-birthday Post: 23 Random Things About Me

I don't usually do these kinds of post, but since birthday ko na tomorrow (ehem), I'm temporarily taking the right to be self-obsessed.

Hindi pwede? But please let me? Ngayon lang? Hahaha!

Anyway, let's cut to the chase and act interested, shall we? Because I will be 23 years young tomorrow, here are 23 random things about me:

1. I bite my nails all the time. Some people do it when they are nervous, but I do it for no reason.

2. I lost around 45 pounds in just less than a year. I'd love to give you diet and exercise tips, but really, all I did was breastfeed.

Let us all now take a moment of silent to look at this tacky, poorly edited collage to show you I'm telling the truth:

Wasn't the 9-months pregnant me sooo cute? :P


3. I had my baby when I was 21 - a couple of months before I turned 22.

4. I started following mommy blogs even before I got pregnant. Law of attraction? LOL. My favorite bloggers are Mommy Fleur and Topaz Mommy; I read the entire blogs and missed no entry seriously.

5. I started blogging when I was a college sophomore. That was around 2007. But I only began blogging seriously September of last year.

6. I don't understand haters. Do they have all the time in the world?

7. I used to be a chill person. Not even a next-day deadline can freak me out. Now, I'm more nerbyosa than a coffee drinker. I jump each time Y goes near something that resembles a potential injury factory.

8. I don't eat fish.

9. I like wearing girly dresses and frills. I also like pink.

10. I think I have no future with photography, but I am a pathological picture-taker.

11. I have a degree in Communication Arts with a major in Media Arts from UP Mindanao.

12. I have no plans of going back to school.

13. I graduated last 2010, but I have never gotten my diploma yet. Must make time for that!

14. I don't understand people who post selfies and then place song quotes in the caption.

15. I cannot cook to save my life. Don't worry, I will practice.

16. I cannot swim nor ride a bike. I don't know much of the street games either. #loser

17. I cannot do any sport. I'm relying on J to teach Y sports in the future.

18. I love Kris Aquino and Toni Gonzaga despite the haters. That's what you call unconditional love.

19. I don't understand why some people criticize Davao Tagalog. Lemme get this straight: Davao is in Mindanao, which means its people are not native Visayan nor Tagalog. If Davaoenos come up with their own version of Tagalog (Tagalog pidgin or Davao conyo), then there's nothing wrong with that.

20. I don't play Candy Crush or any other game.

21. I am 7 years younger than my brother and 11 years older than my sister. I am 3 years younger than J, my boyfriend.

22. I don't understand moms who post their babies' symptoms in online groups, such as the MomCenter group in Facebook. I especially don't understand those who have time to post threatening symptoms. There was a time when a mom "asked" other moms what it means when her baby has blood on her stools. Hello?! At nakapag-FB ka pa ha? Sugod ka na kaya kay doc!

23. I used to think I was unlucky when it comes to raffle, but apparently, this is not true because I won two (actually three) awesome items last month. :-)

    So, uhm, wala kayong natutunan no? Bwahahaha! Sorry! I'll make it up to you in the next posts.


    On the other hand, I'd love it if you tell me something totally random about yourselves! Please do so in the comments! :-) 

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