I can see clearly now.

I mentioned earlier about my birthday coming up in the weekend. And yes, I am well into my 30's. I realised though that a whole lot of things about me have changed, especially the physical aspect. Time sure has its effects on us. While some may still look as young as they were ten years ago, others are not as lucky.

I think one obvious change in us humans is the use of prescription glasses due to deteriorating eyesight. My mom who's never worn glasses before has been prescribed reading glasses because her vision is not as good as it was before. I was appalled when I found out how much she spent on the pair. She got one of those designer frames, which explained the exorbitant cost.

But had she known of $ 8 Zenni Optical Rx Eyeglasses, then I am sure she would have availed of this instead. Let's face it. Times are hard these days and you would want to get more value for your money. Why buy those costly designer glasses when you can get the same quality for a more reasonable price at Zenni Optical, right? At a time like this, I reckon it is just being sensible, not to mention practical.

Rooting for Demi

So You Think You Can Dance Australia is currently one of our favorite TV shows, especially since there are 2 contestants (maybe 3 as I'm not sure about Rhiannon Villareal) in the top 20 who are of Filipino descent! :D

I am a fan of Demi Sorono, who is originally a B-Girl, or one who's dance specialty is breakdancing. She also teaches break-dancing for a living. So imagine my delight when she danced the samba last Sunday night quite impressively, considering that she has never done it before. Plus, everyone is used to seeing her dress up in jeans and a cap. But whoa, last night she was shimmying to the tune of Daddy Yankee's Gasolina in heels and miniskirt! Check out the clip below.

I really am impressed with this lady and I am hoping she will make it to the finals! *fingers crossed*

Playing Online

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Big Weekend

Oh, I can't wait until the weekend! First of all, it's my birthday on Sunday, and to make it even more special, we have a VIP coming over. It's such wonderful timing really so I better whip out something yummy for the guests on Sunday.

I found this wonderful and easy recipe for coconut custard at PinoyCook.net. I just might cook it for the weekend and maybe a noodle or pasta dish as well (for long life). I am quite excited!

I feel so blessed to have been given another birthday to celebrate. Carpe diem! :)

On Allergies

We are a family of allergies. Well, to state it correctly, all three of us have allergies in one form or the other. J has asthma and probably rhinitis. I have rhinitis. The little girl has eczema, especially during the cold months. You just have to thank whoever invented vacuum cleaners because without them, we'd be probably sneezing day in and out. Minimizing the amount of dust allergens is one of our priorities here at home so these things are truly a godsend.

Global Compact: Helping Improve Lives through a Fusion of Art and Innovation

Brother-in-law F will be having another exhibit. This time, it's going to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) in Malaysia. Details of this event are as follows:

Theme: Global Compact: Helping Improve Lives through a Fusion of Art and Innovation

Presenter: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
Date: 10 – 17 March (Gala Opening on 10 March at 7pm)
Time: 10.00am to 6.30pm (non show days) or 10.00am to 8.30pm (show days)
Venue: Pentas 2 Foyer, KLPac

To quote the KLPAC website on BIL's exhibit:

This year, Epistola aims to involve civil society in yet another community activity through this fund-raising art exhibition - GLOBAL COMPACT: Helping Improve Lives through a Fusion of Art and Innovation. The exhibit will showcase twenty (20) original collages by Epistola on the given theme. Proceeds from the sale of the exhibit will benefit the Puppet for Peace program of UNESCO Club of Metro Manila and the chosen charity project of Daimler Chrysler Malaysia.

This campaign is parallel to the aim of the project which is to emphasise the social use of art particularly in conveying to the public the relevance of responsible action in order to make the world a better place to live in.

For more information, visit the KLPAC website.

On Travelling

Oh, I can't wait to get away on our holidays in May. The excitement is definitely building up not only for me but for J as well.

I actually love travelling but it has to be one that is done on a leisurely pace so that I can go around more and explore new things. J and I also love to stay at hotels like hotels Las Vegas, because we feel so pampered whenever we stay at one.

*sigh* If only we had lots of money, we would definitely travel the world to our hearts' delight!

Another Shameless Plug

I am just reposting this from my other blog. Gotta spread the word! :)

I must be on a roll here because I've been coming up with websites every now and then. Yesterday, I have finally decided to end my posts in one of my WP blogs and migrate all of my previous ones to a hosted WP blog. I haven't been posting in it since I've been so caught up with motherhood. I think now that the little girl is so much easier to care for, it's best that I keep it updated once again.

The site is entitled Endometriosis and Fertility Resource Page and it aims and offers to provide and collate all information on the disease that is endometriosis and on fertility as well.

My Next Project

After the laptop, I have my eyes set on a brand new digital camera. I am planning to get a DSLR this time because I feel like our not-so-old point-and-shoot digicam is limiting the way I want my photos to turn out to be. I am currently saving up for it and scouting for ones that I can buy at a reasonably low price. Probably some coupon codes could also help me get a great deal on it.

I am just an amateur photographer, but it is a hobby that I am very much interested in pursuing. Right now, probably this Canon EOS 400D is what I have in mind because a lot of people I know have it. However, I am open to other models and brands, which reminds me to do some research on it later. I can't wait to get my hands on this baby! :)

Garden Upkeep

Today, J was out in the garden trying to find ways of making it more pleasant to the eyes. You see, there's a really big rose bush growing along our fence and probably the previous tenants could not be bothered to trim them regularly as it had grown to quite a huge size and all its branches were in a tangle. J's brother-in-law initially helped us in thinning out the bush, but what was left bothered us a lot since all the branches had drooped down onto the ground. We decided to cut some more of the branches, and finally ended up with a balder look. Ha! We can now actually see our neighbor's backyard, but it is definitely looking neater. With the occasional rains these days, I'm sure the branches will grow back, but this time in a much organized fashion.

Repair Madness

I can't believe how costly it is here to just have the washers in your taps replaced. Our Danze faucets were leaking last year but since we did not have the required tools to remedy the problem, we had to call in a plumber to do it for us. For two washers, we had to pay the guy $99 for a 30-minute job! No wonder some tradies here own sports cars and big houses!

Visa Granted!

Yes, after all that hardwork of having to present all these evidences to support our application, I am now officially a permanent resident of Australia. The letter got in today and we were so happy about it, except for one hitch. The case officer wrote that my new visa will expire on 11 February 2008, when it should be at around 2013. I think it is such a silly mistake to make, especially with something as important as that. It's a good thing we do not have to travel overseas anytime soon. Otherwise, I would have been held off at the airport for travelling on an 'expired' visa, if you were to base it on the letter sent to us. These people should be more careful about these matters because they are serious.

My Great Investment

There are only a few but good investments I have made since I have become an adult. A good life insurance plan, some jewelry, a digital camera, and recently, my new laptop. The latter has been quite convenient because I can use it just about anywhere I go. Since it is wireless, I have no need for any cables to be able to connect to the internet and my battery can go for up to two hours of surfing nonstop. Not bad eh? I just love it! :D

My Second QOTW

It's QOTW-time once again! :D

1. Where were you born? Manila, Philippines
2. What are your favorite indulgences? Chocolates, yummy desserts, good ol' Coke! Yes, I love my sweets! :)
3. What do you love to buy right now? Maybe a few more blouses and a pair of capri pants.
4. Favorite room/place in your house? The computer room! LOL.
5. Do you consider yourself shy? Pretty much.
6. Favorite place to go for a walk? All we do lately is go to the mall so that's where we take our long walks. Sometimes, it's too hot outside to talk a walk.
7. Last time you laughed so hard you cried? A couple of nights ago. J showed me a picture of someone he knew. Bad noh!? :P
8. Do you like to go camping? Not really.
9. Do you believe there is life on other planets? Maybe. What I believe in though is the afterlife.
10. Look to your left, what do you see? Our vertical blinds.

Join the QOTW bandwagon here! :)

Missed Opportunity

Our friend R has finally arrived from the Philippines earlier this week. He and his boss was sent here for training by the cable company that they are working for. It is too bad though that R has such a busy schedule for this trip (I guess learning all about Cat5e and the like) that he won't be able to fly out to Canberra even for just a short visit. Oh well, maybe next time it will be easier for him to get away. He hasn't been to our part of Oz, so it's something for both of us to look forward to.

Appreciated Awards

Blogger friend, Kaye, presented me with these two awards. :)

This 5-Star Blog Award is given to a blogger whose blog is of highest classification. A blog of excellence in the following criteria:- content, design and style, informative and accomodating.

Friendship Day is a special day… It is a special time when you can tell your friends how much you appreciate them and show them how happy and thankful you are to have them… Well, it is the best to let them know how you feel everyday… A Friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway!!!

Thanks so much Kaye! If you are a regular visitor to this site, then you deserve these awards too. :)

On Boudoir

Boudoir pictorials sure seem to be the "in" thing for a lot of brides-to-be these days. Lately, I've been seeing a number of photos posted online by some of the Philippines' top wedding photographers and oh my, my jaw just dropped. One bride-to-be was wearing very sexy lingerie, while another wore nothing at all! I am sure it took a lot of guts to take off their sexy corsets and just pose in the nude.

Honestly, I thought some of the shots were not classy at all, and in my opinion, appeared to be like one that can be used in one of those men's magazines. I just think you can be sexy without having to bare it all. Oh well, to each his own I guess. It's just my conservative side speaking, no less.

PinayBloggers.com Launched!

Yes, this here is another shameless plug of a new website I've put up. It is a forum for Filipina bloggers. So if you’re a Filipina who loves to blog, please join this forum. It is mainly a support group for all Pinay bloggers, but it also covers other topics of interest. The forum is a bit bare right now as it is fairly new so please, please, please help me fill it up with your presence. I am hoping to see all of you there!

Birthing Pains

Our friend C has finally found the perfect commercial real estate property for her bakeshop. Well, it's not only a bakeshop but a coffee shop as well. She makes designer cakes for a living and it's been quite a huge success so far. They are praying though that their business will take off soon so that it will have been worth all the investments that they had put in. I say, give it a little more time and invest more on advertising her work whichever way they can so that they can get more customers. I just wish them all the luck in the world, as it is not easy putting up and running a business.

Time Flies

Can you believe it's February already? And in a month's time, we will be celebrating our birthdays already. Yes, all three of us as we were all born in the month of March. The good thing about it is we can celebrate all our natal days in just a single occasion, but we will make sure that it is going to be grand and special. This year especially is one that calls for a big celebration as the little girl is turning one. :)