Tuyo (dry) / Nakakakilabot (Frightening) - Litratong Pinoy

Isang araw noong tagsibol napansin ko ang mga bunga ng aking itinanim na ubas sa balkon. Buong taglamig ang halamang ito ay tulog, nalagas ang mga dahon at tuyong tuyo ang mga sanga na akala mo'y namatay na. Isang araw ng Abril ay nakakabiglang gigising na  lamang muli ang halamang ito, tutubo ang mga bagong dahon at mamumunga pa nga...

Pero wag ka...dahil maulan at namamasa ang lupa ay magugulat ka na lamang sa mga matang nakatambad sa iyo na parang nanunubok...hihi.

Nakakakilabot ba ang kanyang mga titig? :D (Snail or bukyo sa tagalog.)

Happy LP!

Rain Water Barrels

Nowadays, saving as much as one can is but a practical thing. For one, mother nature has provided us with lots of free water, we only need to contain it when it falls and use it later on for watering plants or washing the car than wasting precious metered water from the hose, right? When it comes to storing rain water, rain barrels are the best option...There are rain barrels that can be used from recycled containers as opted by those who find its cost a little high. Old wine barrels, food storage or so will do the job. There are many available information on how to make a rain barrel at home and how to collect rain water from rooftops and rainwater.

But if you like a functional and yet decorative ones, there are rain barrels for sale like this one in photo. The covering for this particular barrel acts as a plant pot too and is really a cute addition. I also find the installed faucet in these rain water barrels convenient. Simply connect the hose and spinkle your garden to life!

A game in the grocery

Don't you just love discount/grocery coupons and promotional codes ? I do! I think most of us do---during our recent trip back home I was given 10 discount coupons by the ticketing agency for buying 5 plane tickets from them. It was a 5euro each discount coupons for the 1st district branch of  TGI Friday's. Now, I just need to tag along 2 other friends to use the coupons.

Be it food places, shoe stores or techie gadget coupons, I think we are more driven to buy when we have those. It's the same force that pulls us inside shopping malls when we see the big 4-letter-word: SALE! Using coupons to save money is  simply being smart, you save money and you can use that  money for something else. Thank Teri and Co. at theGroceryGame.com! They have compiled a list of weekly specials offered by manufacturer's along with matching coupons! All you need to do is register to benefit from the site...save lots from your budget of the month.

The website provides a comprehensive 'answers' section to the more frequently asked questions by customers. The testimonial page would be proof that the GroceryGame is no scam but pure helpful online endeavor to help us cutback on expenses.

Cute glasses

I have been seeing a lot written about Zenni Optical Eyeglasses, there were so much buzz about it...that I had to check what's different with these eyeglasses.

Zenni Optical offers 8$ complete prescription glasses, a steal from the usual fare of 50$ and up. Each frame comes in stylish designs and colors.

My personal favorite would be this one blue half-rim frames with acetate templates. Fortunately, my eyes are perfectly ok and so are my kids', so if there are just designer frames for a cooler look, I'd definitely take one. This one too in photos would look nice when worn by my daughter...(imo).

Though priced lower, these eyeglasses boast of anti-scratch coating feature and full UV protection. Each also comes with quality hard eyeglass case and microfiber lens cleaning cloth. Take a look at their wide selection and order yours now!

Farm - Unique Exposures

I've been trying to guess what those are, a sunflower field? A mustard field? You're guess is as good as mine. I took this photo on my way to St.Pölten, Austria, it's a 40 minute-travel from Vienna, I had much time clicking the camera while inside the train...just taking photos of farms and greeneries. =)

A post for Unique Exposures.

Kino Spaß - Weekend snapshot

While my 2 kids were away having fun at the beach, the little boy was at home waiting for them to come back. We originally planned for this vacation in Hungary with mom in law but since we went home last month, hubby and I decided we stay behind and let the 2 kids go for the whole week. Little boy was with me since I told the kindergarten he won't be coming for the supposed vacation. We didn't have so much to do as I opted to write stuff (paid) to make up for the spontaneous vacation we had.

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(Below)

Last week's theme for Unique Exposures was sleep. Scroll below and you'll see my entry which seems to have been recognized by the admin...hihi. On Saturday, as the little boy was waiting for his siblings, hubby and I found him sleeping like this on our bed...well, I am always amazed how he could sleep in such a position lol!

In the afternoon we then decided to watch a film, Ice Age 3...I thought we'd be watching at the nearest Kino so I took time dressing up which really upset hubby :D. It was the one farther our place so we had to wait for the bus which added to hubby's irk. We anyway arrived just in time to be able to buy an extra large popcorn and some drinks...

Upon entry, the inspector noticed we were missing one person since we have 6 tickets instead of five lol. So we brought the other one back before finally sitting down to watch. Upon seeing Scrat's sniffing nose on screen, the little boy shouted "little buddy!" in reference to how Sid called him in Ice Age, Meltdown when he rescued  and initiated CPR on Scrat. We had a good laugh even though the film has been translated to German hihi.

I found this old photo too...our little girl carrying a Scrat stuffed toy that hubby won from the fair. She call this Big buddy obviously coz its bigger than her brother!

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Auf Wiedersehen - Litratong Pinoy

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Ganito ang hitsura ng aking bunso kapag nalulungkot, namamasang  mata at may patak ng  mga luha sa pisngi. Bakit nga ba tayo umiiyak? Scientifically, lacrimation daw ang tawag doon. Sa mga hayop ito ay upang manatiling basa ang kanilang mga mata, para sa mga tao naman ay dala ng emosyon...tao lang ang may kakaibang katangian na umiyak kung nalulungkot o nasaktan. Ang ating luha ay may taglay na Prolactin isang uri ng hormone na nakakapagparelax sa taong umiiyak, Adrenocorticotropic na tumutulong na mabawasan ang stress at Leucine enkephalin, ito naman ay natural na pain killer.

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Nitong mga nakaraang linggo, madaming luha ang literal na binuhos ko. Ayaw ko man pero alam kong darating din ang araw na kailangan kong sulatin ang ganito, hindi para sa iba kundi para sa aking sarili. Sabi ng bestfriend ko, "You'll never know the importance of someone until you lose him." Totoo naman, parang yung kasabihan na laging nasa huli ang pagsisi. Ayoko sanang umuwi ng Pinas ng may malungkot na dahilan. Lalo na dahil malayo ang biyahe, alam kong maraming bagay akong maalala tungkol sa Daddy ko.

Ganun yata talaga pag namatay ang isang tao, puro magagandang alaala niya ang matititira at halos lahat ng bagay na makikita mo parang nagpapaalala sa kanya. Nag-aayos pa lamang kami ng gamit ganito na ang pakiramdam ko, hinahanap ko noon ang kandado ng maleta, napaluha lang ako ng makita ko iyon kasama ang mga susi na ito sa litrato. Bakit kamo? ang mga susi kasi na ito ay sa maleta ni Daddy, ibinigay nya sakin iyon noong una akong nagpunta sa Vienna, iyon din ang mga maleta na ginagamit nya noong siya ay bumabyahe bilang seaman. Dahil sa Daddy ko kaya ako nagkahilig na makapunta din sa iba ibang lugar.....gustong gusto ko din kasi marating ang mga lugar na nakikita ko sa mga litratong ipinapadala nya sa akin noon.

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Mahirap pa din para sa akin na tanggapin hindi ko na uli makikita si Daddy. Tao lang naman akong nalulungkot kahit na alam kong pagdating ng panahon ay makikita ko uli siya (Job 14:12-15 and  John 5:28-29).  Sa dalawampung walong taon kasi ng buhay ko, madalang yung nakasama ko siyang naglalakad na akay akay niya ako dahil nga madalas naman siyang nasa ibang bansa, tapos nangibang bansa pa ako 7 taon na ang nakakaraan. Pero sabi nga ni H (si hubby), tanggapin ko daw ang naging desisyon ni Daddy sa buhay niya dahil siguradong naging masaya siya sa buhay na yon, kasi natapos naman niya ang misyon at obligasyon niya sa amin. Iyon ay nang inakay niya kami na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, na umayos ang buhay at magkapamilya.

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Hindi man sinabi ni Daddy, alam kong pareho ng pangarap niya ang pangarap ko. Ang makitang buo, masaya ang aking pamilya at ang aking mga anak ay mapalaki sa tamang panuntunan. Imposible ba ito? Hindi. Isipin man natin na iba na talaga ang panahon ngayon, nasa tamang paggabay pa din ng mga magulang kung paano hahasain ang kagandahang asal. Gusto ko ding magampanan ang misyon ko bilang ina sa aking mga anak.

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Pasensiya na at humaba ang kwento, kilala mo ba ang lugar na ito (sa baba)? Dito lang, masaya akong nagpupunta kasama ni Daddy at Mama at mga kapatid ko, sa Duty Free shops (pero yung luma). Kapag nasa Ninoy Aquino International airport,  dalawang emosyon ang nararamdaman ko lagi. Una yung lungkot kapag aalis na si Daddy dahil alam kong ilang taon na naman ang bibilangin ko para makita siya uli.....tapos excitement kasi pauwi na siya ulit, magkikita na kami at siguradong may pasalubong siya sa akin, kung hindi naman pupunta uli kami sa duty free shops...

Ganoon naman lagi, lungkot kapag maghahatid at aalis, saya kapag sumusundo at babalik. Napaisip ako pagdating sa NAIA...dito ko lang kasi huling nakita si Daddy nung hinatid niya kami (taong 2005) ng pabalik kami ng Vienna. Nakakalungkot, wala siya para salubungin kami nung umuwi, nakakalungkot din hindi nya kami naihatid ngayon kahit sa airport at lalong masakit isipin, hindi na din siya sasalubong sa susunod na pag-uwi namin. Sa isang banda, parang ganun din ang paglisan niya, parang umalis lamang at nagpunta sa ibang bansa...maghihintay ako na muli siyang gumising pagtawag ng Diyos, doon sa panahong sinasabi sa Revelation 21:4 "And HE will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Hindi ko napigilan...basa ang aking mga mata at pisnging sumakay ng eroplano...

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My dad's favorite song, I like old songs because of him...Auf wiedersehen...maghihintay lang ako.

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Satellite TV

Digital TV is the preference nowadays. Reason why hubby switched already. Well, We once had a satellite dish that we tuned to the UK and Europe so that we get both English and German programs. Then, hubby decided that we don't need the dish anymore, so we had that removed and we just watch tv programs, particularly basketball and American comedy shows through video streaming. With the Direct TV system you get direct broadcast satellite which transmits digital satellite television. in the highest HDTV format, meaning clearer picture of course! Direct TV costs less than Cable. They also offer over 150 channels including the more popular ones for only 35$ a month. I think though the international sports channel would be hubby's favorite. And with this, the action in sports telecast are really clear.

DirectTV offers HDTV (high definition television) and interactive services You are sure to get sharp delivery and accurate colors. There's a lot more discount that Direct TV service offers...not to mention that you can record programs, skip commercials, pause and rewatch live TV, or you can record one show while you watch another, record two different shows at the same time...you won't miss on your favorite shows! If you have Direct TV Questions Kaptain Satellite is ready to help answer you. They provide answers to most frequently asked questions about DirectTV and Dish networks...they also provide the best Satellite Television provider in your state or city.

Quality Lamps

I found a really good online shop for lighting fixtures. Farreys.com offers a wide variety of lights that homeowners can choose from. The lamps they need from the extensive collection of the site are arranged in various categories.

The search tool displays products depending on style, brand, or application, whether a simple light bulb or those intricately designed lamp shades, you can certainly compare design, usage and prices from the results.

The wide selection includes table lamps, floor lamps, torchieres and more from top manufacturers Hinkley, Minka lavery, Murray feiss and a lot more. Most of these manufacturers have been established long ago and knows their trade very well.

You can make your room attractive with a beautiful piece of lighting. If you are looking for top quality lamps that are also affordable and valued for beautiful design, visit Farreys.com, you won't be left looking in the dark.

Remodeling vs buying

Nowadays, remodeling one's home is a better option than buying a new one especially when budget is considered and when thinking of the convenience of staying where you have lived for a long time. Transporting furnitures and stuff or buying new ones doesn't cost only much, its tiring too. Remodeling also increases the value of your home just in case in the near future you have no choice but to actually sell your property. It is but for many the best option and in actuality opted by homeowners. In Kansas alone, remodeling projects are counted more than having to build a new one.

Choosing to remodel one's home means trusting someone how you want it done, rather than doing the thinking yourself or having your finger hammered, leave it to the pros. City remodeling contractors is the one for the job... professionalism and keeping customers in all the happening, you are guaranteed of getting the best. The company specializes in residential remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, roof, window and siding replacement and even addition of new rooms. These rooms when remodeled, as a general rule, increases the value of your home come selling time.

Proper planning is a major key in remodeling and this is where Jacanda remodelers can help you with. Their website provides tips also on financing and budgeting. Financing your remodeling project means to opt for remodeling loans with the lowest interest rates.

Fashion for moms to be

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful moment in a woman's life. The "bulge" is something that looks so natural in a woman that wearing pinafore, overalls and dresses during this period makes one look really cute! I remember having one of those maternity jeans (right photo), comfortable pants with an elastic waist that I used from my 4th month until the birth of my son. I also had an overall that could be adjusted from when the bulge was a month and I wore it still on the way to the hospital.

Nowadays, fashion maternity dresses are sold like regular clothes. Designers do not only have comfort in mind, they also think of a stylish look for the preggy mom.

Online shops are a popular stop shop for preggy moms too! There are maternity clothes that can be bought as a set (see left photo) and are available in different cool colors! I think pregnancy becomes more enjoyable when a mom-to-be sees herself as still stylish and fabulous even with a little weight added on. Go and show off that belly with style, pregnancy is not something that should stop you from being fabulous...

Singapore - Weekend Snapshot

The Singapore Flyer, drive by shot.

Dr. Jose Rizal once said  "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinaggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan." (He who does not look back at where he came from will not reach his destination.) Reason why I thought it important that my kids learn about their paternal grandfather's (and aunts) as well as their dad's second home, Singapore. It was also to somehow help me and my mom feel better about the loss of my dad. We did enjoy our trip then though I forgot to take a photo of sis in law. :D

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Outside Vivo City, biggest (or one of) shopping malls in Singapore.

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By Images of Singapore near the Sky Tower, Sentosa.

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Butterfly Park....actually where the birds are.

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Looking at cable cars.

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Merlion at Night.

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Sleep - Unique Exposures

You have perhaps seen this photo a few times now, I just can't help but show this everytime I have the chance. My little boy sleeping while eating...

A post for Unique Exposures.

PC Repair Service

There have been many times that my book gave up on me, the batteries stopped charging up, the OS failed and there was one time that the little boy put some coins in the dvd player and some more. The most recent was when we were in the Philippines, it just stop booting. I believe the logic board was the problem. It was a good thing that we still have the repair guarantee then. But after the guarantee expired, it was different. At one time, we had to buy the keyboard from Mac and it costs 300 euros so we didn't. Hubby opted the repairs himself. He would look for parts online and do the repairs soon.

Well, nowadays computer repair service are much easier that it was years ago...I remember I had to bring the pc at a repair shop and picking it up afterwards. With PowerbookMedic, repairs and upgrades are easily done, yur book can be shipped and returned to you just like new!

Fashionista at work

Going home to the Philippines isn't complete without a day spent on a shopping spree....of course with my bestest friend.  But because she works and I don't our choices for clothing were pretty much different. However, there were also stuff that we agreed on, thank goodness office clothing/suits need not be as how it used to. Nowadays, fashionistas at work are not talked about behind the back but are more accepted if not asked upon by co-workers as to where they can buy rare if not  modest clothing for women. My friend and I had big bags of loot that day but it does seem not enough. Glad there are online shops that sells gorgeous dresses and skirt or office wear (just in case I would need some in the future). Tabeez.com is one of the recommended stops for those who love to dress up, ocassionally, casually or just at the office. Visit and see their great gallery of women's clothing at the best prices offered.