Cars On The Go

Buying a car is quite stressful. You have to go around finding the best deals and the right car that you want. My aunt in Georgia is planning to buy a new car that she can use going to work, grocery store and mall. She has been shopping cars with different auto dealers and she told me that she want the New Ford model. It is spacious and it is suitable for her three kids when they want to go on a road trip. Ford has an excellent, well-presented range of cars. It suits all budgets, individuals and families.

Trip to Fort Ransom

When we have some special place to go, I am always up bright and early. My husband usually wakes up first. He always let me sleep a little longer then I will wake up. It snowed the whole morning yesterday. I thought we're going to postponed our trip to Fort Ransom. However, after 11AM yesterday, it stopped snowing. The husband asked me if I still want to go out. Are you kidding me? Of course I want to go out and enjoy ourselves! So I got up, put on 3 layers of clothes, leggings and jeans, 2 pairs of socks and my boots.

I am so happy that the snow stopped. The temperature was in the 20's. Driving to Fort Ransom took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We drove around town, we saw more than 20 deer and more than 50 pheasants. I wanted to try a winter activity but the Bear's Den Ski Resort is close on Thursday. They are only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would really love to try skiing, so next week I might get my wish!

Better Late Than Never

I got a Christmas card from my sister! It took a long time to get here from the Philippines because the greeting card passed through Singapore and stayed a while. I told her to send the card directly from the main post office in Makati City, Philippines but she didn't have the time. I don't know where she sent it but I am happy for the thought that she sent me a Christmas greeting card.

Amazing Cars

Back home, I have no problem commuting on a bus or any type of public transportation. Then when I came here in the US, there's not much public transportation in the country. You must have a car to get around. My husband decided to buy me my own car. We went to several auto dealers before we made a decision on which automobile to buy. Before we bought the car, we got Car Reviews from the people who create and love cars. The car salesperson was good enough to show us New Car Pictures so I can compare which type, model, brand, color and interior I want. If you are planning to buy a car and you don't have any idea which car to buy, find time to visit the website that will give you information by reading Cars Blog online. It will lead you to specific information you want to know about cars. You can also watch videos of different cars that you like.

Icy Darkness

As usual, I woke up late again today. I can hear the wind whistling. My husband was watching the news when I came to the living room. It is snowing outside. I can feel the chill in the air and the wind whistle. A winter storm dumped about 5 inches of snow in our area. We are lucky that we didn't lose power. I just don't know what to do when there's no power, meaning to say that I don't have internet, no TV and all. It is just scary to think.

I heard in the news that with temperatures plunging, utility officials warned that it could be mid-February before electricity is restored to some of the hardest-hit places. The worst of the power failures were in Arkansas, Kentucky and Ohio. My husband called his son in Kentucky and he said that the storm wasn't really bad where he lives. I hope it stops snowing tonight so we can go somewhere tomorrow.

Russian Stock Market

What is a stock market? It is also called equity market. A private or public market for the trading of company stock and derivatives of company stock at an agreed price which is called securities that are listed on a stock exchange as well as those only traded privately. Russian Stock Market were very volatile on the back of low level of interactions. If you want to invest in a stock market, you better check out the website for more information, review or even just to get to know the market.

It Is Back!

I am exaggeratedly screaming at the top of my lungs right now! Why? I have the right to jump with all my joy and happiness. My page rank is back! I visited PayPerPost today and I have 12 opportunities, including the 4 opportunities, which I am not allowed to take. I clicked on one opportunity and one of the opportunity requirements says that the minimum Google page rank should be 1. I thought I am not qualified but when I checked my blogs, the page rank of this blog - A Place of Reflection is back!

What a lucky day! Now I have no reason to be frowned or sad. I am happy today despite the cold weather today and no sunshine again. A special thanks to all my friends who uplift my spirit and gave comments. I am very happy today!

Safe Videos For Kids

Parents are the one who mold us to become a better person. Our parents know what is best for us especially with the younger generation. I have seen violent and outrageous video games that are not suitable for kids. Parents should know what would be the cause and effect of violent video games for kids before they buy such thing for their children. The Awesome Web Show is a website where videos is rated, best for kids and picked by kids. You will find wii reviews that are great and suitable for your kids to play. They will surely enjoy every game they will play because it is safe and full of fun.

My Simple Rants

I woke up around 11AM today. The sun shines so bright this morning. We are lucky to see the sun again. But the weather is still cold. As usual, we stayed home and bore ourselves watching TV and facing the computer and internet. I guess this is my everyday routine. I wish that the weather will get better on Thursday and this weekend. I can't wait to go to Fort Ransom when the weather warms up for a little bit. I just can't wait to see what activities they have there. The husband and I are dying to try one of the winter sports. Let's see about that!

I Cannot Take It

I have been constantly visiting PayPerPost everyday about 3-5 times a day. I am happy to announce that I have 4 opportunities in 3P but I can't take them. It says that:

• Please do not take this opp if you have submitted a post for our URLS - www.pntball.com in the last 6 months.

Unfortunately, I took an opportunity about paintball in the last 6 months dated July 15, 2008. I guess I just have to share it with everybody. I wish to get more opportunities before I get back to work by spring time.

Pink Heart Tag

The Pink Heart - Listen to what my heart says. I got this tag from Madz - The Pride of Hingotanan Bohol. She's just one sweet and adorable woman I just met in the blogosphere. Thank you for this tag Madz! I really appreciate that you remember me.

Please spend time to scroll down and take time to read every line, and ask GOD what does He want to tell you.

The 10 Commandments are not a multiple choice.
Your mind is like a parachute. It functions only when open.

One thing you can give and still keep is your word.
You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself,
you lack the courage to start you have already finished.
One thing that you can't recycle is wasted time.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

If you want your dreams to come true, you must not oversleep.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends is B1.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!
It is never too late to become what you might have been.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the one's who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons, once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems, that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right or wrong. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. I don't want to let that happen, so I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Do you eat, sleep and breathe in front of the computer and internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Here's an interesting contest I would like to share to all computer savvy, geeks and people who are genius for a chance to win awesome and cool prizes! I would like to check the website myself. Who knows, I can be one of the lucky winners. This is a big call for all IDUG contest participants - developers, webmasters or even students who want to increase their awareness and familiarity with XQuery, XML and DB2. There are five separate different challenges of varying skill levels and you can participate to all of five tracks. How cool is that?

The tracks include:

• Video Contest: Upload a video, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

• Gadget Contest: Create a small widget or gadget, judged by the community, prizes awarded monthly

• XQuery Challenge: Answer a series of questions by developing queries in XQuery. All correct answers (answer and query structure) entered to win larger prizes

• Port an Application: Port an existing application to use XML, XQuery or DB2. Judged by a panel of judges

• Develop an application: Develop a brand new application using XML and/or XQuery. Judged by a panel of judges

If you have what it takes and you are interested, visit the website and you can register right away in any of the following tracks above. This is a contest full of fun, imagination and it will enhance your knowledge. Join now! I wish everyone a good luck.

Noblesse Oblige Award

Wow! Got another award! What a great feeling! I felt honored to receive this award from Mary Anne's Musings. She's just one sweet girl who always give colors to my site. Thank you Anne! This blog is a manifestation of thoughts, feelings, passions, contemplation, argumentation, imagination that will stir my mortal frame. I write everything here! Dhemcy of My Life's Perception and Inspiration gave me this award too. Thank you Dhemz!

This Award is presented to bloggers who display consistency in any one or a combination of these conditions:

1. The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
2. The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
4. The Blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1. Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.
2. The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.
3. Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older Post to support.
4. The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.
5. The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

I am presenting this award to all my special friends here. Grab this award because you deserve it! Happy blogging!

What's Your Word?

Your Word is "Think"

You see life as an amazing mix of
possibilities, ideas, and fascinations.

And sometimes you feel like
you don't have enough time to take it all in.

You love learning.
Whether you're in school or not,
you're probably immersed in several subjects right now.

When you're not learning, you're busy reflecting.
You think a lot about the people you know
and the things you've experienced.

What's Your Word?

Where is My Page Rank?

Ouch! The word came out from my mouth when I discovered yesterday that I lost my page rank in this blog. I keep on wishing that I won't be affected when Google updated their system. I really don't know how things work out about page rank but I wish I can gain it back. I guess, I have to work hard to earn a page rank again. Any comments and suggestions?

Easy Self Storage

When you want to store your unused things, who do you call? For your guide on a self storage rental, you can get tips and advice for storage rentals brought to you by Simply Self Storage.

Tomorrow Can Be Too Late

I got this from my e-mail. This was forwarded to me a long time ago. I want to share it with you. This message is really nice.

• If you're mad with someone, and nobody's there to fix the situation... You fix it! Maybe today, that person still wants to be your friend. And if you don't, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you're in-love with somebody, but that person doesn't know, tell him or her. Maybe today, that person is also in-love with you. And if you don't say it, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you really want to kiss somebody, kiss him or her. Maybe that person wants a kiss from you too. And if you don't kiss him or her today, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you still love a person that you think has forgotten you... tell him or her. Maybe that person have always loved you. And if you don't tell him or her today, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you need a hug of a friend, ask him or her for it. Maybe they need it more than you do. And if you don't ask for it today, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you really have friends who you appreciate, tell them. Maybe they appreciate you as well. That if you don't and they leave or go far away today, tomorrow can be too late.

• If you love your parents, and never had the chance to show them, do it! Maybe you have them there to show them how you feel. That if you don't and they leave today, then tomorrow can be too late.

President Obama's Inauguration

It's all over the news! I know that some of you have watched it. We took a moment to watch President Obama's inauguration. He is the 44th and the 1st African-American President of United States of America. It was a wonderful moment for him. He's being serenaded by the "Queen of the Soul," Aretha Franklin. The singer bedazzled with her voice and did you notice her hat? I listened carefully on his speech. I watched the parade too which is very interesting, colorful and full of fun.

We have a new and fresh President. He will start office on Wednesday, that will be tomorrow after capping inaugural festivities at a national prayer service in the morning. The 44th President said, "We gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

Congratulations President Obama!

New Year, New Look!

Before shaving!

I just want to share the new look of my husband for the New Year. It is not yet springtime but the husband decided to shave his head. I told him to wait when springtime comes then he can shave his head, but he said, I couldn't wait anymore. I guess he will have to wear a bonnet to protect his head from the cold weather for the remaining wintertime.

After shaving!

High Quality Leather Holsters

My friend is an Army officer who trained in Australia. He wanted to serve our native land. He carries his gun anywhere he goes but for sure, he does not want to leave it anywhere unsafe. Few years later, our friend joined the Navy. Therefore, I am thinking to send them high quality handgun leather holsters on their birthdays as my special birthday gifts to them. Bianchi International is recognized by shooting enthusiasts and professionals as the designer and manufacturer of innovative handgun accessories.

They are committed to innovative product design and handcrafting with the utmost care from the finest materials, and to set new standards in the industry. Visit their website and find great deals for quality leather handgun accessories for you or for your friends.

Puffy Oven Apple Pancakes

I found this recipe from the magazine we receive every month. When I saw the picture, I thought it really looks good plus the ingredients are easy to find in our own pantry. After cooking it, it really taste good and it was like a pudding. My husband likes it (of course)!

Ingredients: PANCAKE

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 6 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

Ingredients: APPLE FILLING

• 2 large golden delicious or granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• whipped cream for serving

Procedure: PANCAKE

• In a bowl, whisk together flour, milk, eggs, sugar and salt until no lumps remain.
• Let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  
• While oven preheats, place a large slope-sided baking pan or ovenproof skillet (iron skillet) into oven and add butter.
  
• When butter is melted, remove from the oven. Pour pancake mixture into heated pan and return to oven.
• Bake pancake for 15-20 minutes, until edges are puffed and golden.

Procedure: APPLE FILLING

• In medium skillet, saute apples in butter until tender - 5 to 10 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Transfer to serving bowl.
• Cut pancake according to your serving. Top pancake with caramelized apples. You can garnish it with whipped cream if desired.

This is the Moment!

The time has come. A change for everyone. Let us help one another for a better and progressive nation. Reinventing America should focus on quality health insurance, green and clean environment, the substantial salary that would be enough to live on. Greed is what the people of United States got into now. Let us take time to share to the needy ones. It will not hurt helping other people. This is the time to act now!

Chicken Livers With Onions

How many of you eat chicken livers? Some people said it is good to eat but for me, it's not really my cup of tea. I don't eat chicken, pork or beef livers. I just can't swallow it. My mother said, I am fussy. My sister loves to eat it too. My husband cooked chicken livers with onions yesterday and I didn't eat anything he cooked. He ended up cooking the chicken gizzards with onions for me instead. How about you? Do you have any special recipe when cooking chicken livers or chicken gizzards?

Helping People Recover

Alcohol and drugs will not do well to us. It will just ruin our life and future. Let us help our love ones to recover from their addictions. Three Hills Ranch Recovery is the center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment that provides mutual support, healing and recovery.

Opportunities Strike!

I know that all of you are aware of what's going on with PayPerPost right now. I have read some bloggers who complain about the offer amount. You think it's crazy when you see an opportunity with an offer amount of $0.50! But in my part, I don't want to complain. It is still a blessing for me. Before, I don't get that much opportunities from them. I get lucky when I have 1 or 2 opportunities in a month. I think I am still a struggling blogger. I welcome every opportunity awaits me.

I just wish it will go back to its regular offer amount which is from $5.00 to higher amount. What do you think?

Find it Here!

I was in my high school years when I learned about computers. It was an edge for me when I will land a job someday. I was lucky enough to have the computer subject because I know that I will learn so many things. Our teacher taught us the basics, the programs and the internet. The internet is widely used in schools, business establishments and institutions that needs internet. We can search everything using the power of internet. I guess it is everybody's life, without it, life is boring. Find.com Search Engine is a new social search engine that we can use to find the answers we do not know and will give you a quick response. How cool is that?

The good thing about this new search engine is, they have a growing directory of articles. I can also use this new search engine to Find Jobs that suits my interest. Right now, they currently have 500 articles and will be thousands by the end of the year. They are all unique and written by experts, meaning, only the best of the best! Moreover, how can you forget the word FIND.COM? It is just easy to memorize and unforgettable. I can also use this site to Find People that I know or simply use it to Find Friend online. I tried using the website by finding my favorite actor and it gave me a quite interesting to read. On the other hand, I don't think it will ever replace the Google as I am using it for so many years. Let me save it to my favorites!

They Got It!

I can imagine all the happiness of my mom, my sisters and cousin when they got the balikbayan box I sent them November 18 of last year. They received the box late afternoon of January 14, Philippine time. It is my first ever balikbayan gifts for them. My mom sent me a message immediately as soon as they got the box. She was very happy to tell me the good news. For now, I don't have to worry for anything to send them. But for sure, before this year ends, they will receive something from me again. I just love to make them happy and see their smiles on their faces.

Passport to Health Insurance

They say when life hands you lemons, make a lemonade. However, what happens when life hands you a tree? Climb it and get the best insurance that you can have. We cannot predict life. Many things in our life cost a lot, but our health insurance should not be one of them and many things that we need to know when acquiring about health insurance. In the state of California, the cost of living is very expensive. That is why; California Business Health Insurance has an insurance website where you can find great deals on what type of plans that is perfect for you or your family in California.

As you will go over, you will also know which carriers sell these plans. You can also change your plans depending on your health status. By visiting their website, you can select the coverage you need by getting a California Health Insurance Online Quote, which will suit your own budget, or your family budget so there is no paying very expensive health insurance. The best part is you can get a Short Term Health insurance that will provide temporary medical insurance coverage to support the cost of unexpected medical bills or you might want to check the HSA Plans California if you want lower premiums. They offer a few plans with different benefit levels. They also offer life insurance, Medicare supplements and even kids insurance plans. Start this New Year right by getting your affordable and quality health insurance. It will mean a lot to you and your family.

The 10 Commandments of Marriage

Good marriages don't just happen. It is not just because you married the right person and got lucky. Good marriages are built on more than passion. They are built on principle. In the scriptures, we find the best guidelines and principles for a healthy marriage. God's words and God's principles are never ever outdated. Never! I want to point us to principles that God has given us in a place you might not think was intended for marriage. That place is in the 10 Commandments found in Exodus 20.

• The 1st Commandment of Marriage: Exclusivity

• The 2nd Commandment of Marriage: Don't Love a Substitute

• The 3rd Commandment of Marriage: Speak Well of Your Mate

• The 4th Commandment of Marriage: Spend Exclusive Time Together

• The 5th Commandment of Marriage: Honor Your Spouse by Showing How Grateful You Are

• The 6th Commandment of Marriage: Don't Destroy Your Spouse But Learn to be Gentle

• The 7th Commandment of Marriage: Do Not Commit Adultery

• The 8th Commandment of Marriage: Be a Person of Integrity

• The 9th Commandment of Marriage: Be Truthful

• The 10th Commandment of Marriage:Be Content With What You Have

Find this article at: Crosswalk by Bayless Conley

Be Active in Interactive

What are your sports like? As for me, I enjoy watching basketball and volleyball games. I want to be involved with the sport of volleyball but I need more training. I also like to watch the Olympic Games. In Canada, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation joined together to assist in the design and execution of SOGO Active that will inspire many Canadian youth and mold them into better individuals. SOGO Active puts the active youth people in interactive together with Coca-Cola Canada has retained participACTION that will provide support for youth groups that participate in SOGO Active within their communities, including assisting with access to facilities, equipments and resources that youth require for their activities.

It is not only about sports. You can use physical activity to work on teamwork and leadership skills. The determination of a wonderful outcome (winning or losing) will develop camaraderie and good sportsmanship especially for the youth. It makes you stronger and healthier, improves your mood and you feel better about yourself because you know you are making a progress. Just push yourself more, try different ideas and discover new things. With SOGO Active, you will make a difference; you can change the world to create a happy-living community, the drive and passion within oneself. What I like about the program is, it will assist me and provide the facilities and tools I need to support the activity I want and for my friends. Get involved and be inspired!

Ribs W/ Consomme Soup & Mushroom

Pork ribs is one of my favorite meat. When Rowena posted a recipe on her site about ribs, I gathered the necessary ingredients and cooked it. I just love the taste of it. In fact, this will be my third time to cook this recipe. It is really good. Try to cook this recipe and tell me what you think.

Ingredients:

• beef or pork ribs
  
• 3 tablespoons of Flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• sprinkle of Cajun seasoning
• 1 medium yellow onion
• vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cans of Campbelles Consomme soup
• 1 small can of mushroom
  

Procedure:

• Firstly, boil the pork ribs until they are tender
• Mix the flour, salt, ground pepper, ground pepper and Cajun seasoning
• Coat the beef or pork ribs with your seasoned flour
• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  
• Heat the frying pan with oil. Fry each side of the ribs until light brown
• In a Pyrex or whatever you have (as long as it is oven safe), arrange the ribs. Pour the consomme soup, put the can of mushroom and sliced onions on top of it.
• Bake the ribs for 1 hour. Check the ribs once in a while.
  

Note: You can serve it with hot rice with sliced tomatoes or pickled papaya.

Quality LCD TV

I love to watch TV. I think it is one of my hobbies. I can learn a lot just by watching TV. I can stay home all day as long as I have my TV with me to entertain me. The television is a widely used telecommunication medium in transmitting and receiving moving or visual images that usually accompanied by sound. It has become a common communication to entertain people within their homes, business establishments and institutions. When I was a kid, our TV is small and it is black and white. I could barely see the color. Then we got a colored TV, which is a much better TV.

As the generation of many TVs, change from analog to digital, from a regular monitor to a flat screen, it approaches the digital switch very fast. Many people would prefer to have a better and ideal digital TV. The latest plasma screen and LCD TVs are suitable for the digital TV switch over and are HD ready to get the best quality images. Tell me, who would want a small, black and white TV nowadays? Nobody wants it, right? The new technology for TVs continues to advance and bring amazing picture quality and sounds for us to enjoy. I love watching movies in a flat and big screen high definition TV. Get your own now!

The 4th Edition Tag

It's tag time once again! I got this tag from Dhemcy - My Life's Perception and Inspiration and Donabel - Memoirs of a Pinay in America. I am one lucky girl because I found nice friends around. Thank you girls for remembering me!

Here's what you need to do:

• Answer the following questions through Google pictures and you may add some text if needed.

1. Four (4) favorite things to munch on:

2. Four (4) favorite places I would like to go and why?

I want to see the colorful lights and experience the life in Las Vegas.

I want to see the Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen.

My husband always wanted to go and see the beauty of Australia.

No doubt, it is the most romantic place and I want to see the Eiffel tower.

3. Four (4) things that pop-out when you Google my name:

The color of my husband's eyes.

Unfortunately, the tree was named Witch Hazel. But I am not a witch. It is use for beauty products.

A small town in Kentucky, U.S.A.


A 1961-1966 fictional TV series who's a live-in maid.

Are You Covered?

Are you one of the million people who doesn't have health insurance? Since I got here in the United States, I have learned so many things. I did know that it is very important for you to have insurance. Be it automobile, house, life, dental and even health insurance. You should have it because everybody needs it. Everything here is very expensive! For some insurance companies, they are more expensive than others are. It pays to shop around. Some people cannot afford a health insurance.

In my case, I don't think I can rely more in my health insurance. Some private hospitals doesn't recognize my health insurance and I couldn't even get a discount when I buy my medicines. With Kaiser Health Insurance, you are in good hands! They offer a variety of health coverage for individuals and families. The good news is you can choose your own plan design from traditional co-payment, deductible, or HSA-qualified deductible plans that will work best for your lifestyle and financial needs. At Kaiser Permanente, you will have a primary physician who will take care of you, works with you and get to know you and your family to attain your health goals. They will be your guide to give you preventative care and make wiser health choices.

This time a year, don't let yourself suffer. It is good to get an affordable health insurance. And to all my friends who reside in California, I will recommend Kaiser Permanente California. That way, they will not look for a more expensive health insurance they can't afford. This is the health insurance company they need. It is fast and easy. They will provide an immediate assessment of the cost of an individual or family's health plan needs.

Bored and Restless

The boredom strikes again! For some people like me who lives in Northern Midwest, life here in the winter time is very depressing. It's a long winter days and nights, the snow never melts. The sun rarely shines. And we are preparing for our third blizzard tonight. You can't get out of the house and you can't see across the street.

Earlier today, my husband plowed the driveway because tonight and tomorrow we will get an additional 10 inches of snow. So you think it is cool living in the snow? You have to give it a try. My friends back home are telling me how cool I am experiencing the snow. But they really don't understand how miserable it really is. Tell me what you think!

Express Yourself in Gardening

I have no luck for growing plants but my husband is very good at it. He's been doing it since he was a kid. He's been telling me a story how he put his heart and all the hard work making a vegetable garden. He just loves gardening. In fact, just last year, he made a vegetable garden. We had all beautiful flowers and vegetables growing together. It was his masterpiece!

He will be celebrating his birthday on March 25, just after springtime opens. This will be a good start. Together with our couple of friends, my plan is, we will apply for the Project Orange Thumb grant. We want to be part of it. Fiskars Project Orange Thumb is a community gardening grant program. The project is open to any group of individuals concerned with greening, sustainable agriculture, horticulture education or neighborhood beautification. This will be a good chance to enhance and stimulate our own skills in gardening. We can also build and meet good friendship with our gardeners.

The good news is, Fiskars Project Orange Thumb grant is a great resource to provide the gardening tools to begin a garden or enhance a garden that already existed. How cool can that be? I am sure that the tools we are going to use are new and some of the best up-to-date tools available. What's your plan this coming springtime? Join us to make the world green and beautiful by signing and applying HERE. The application deadline will be on February 17, 2009. Who knows, you might be one of the lucky grant recipients of up to $1,000 in green goods and $1,500 in Fiskars gardening tools.

Cajun Shrimp With Vegetables

I was feeling hungry earlier and decided to cook the fresh asparagus we bought last Monday. The recipe I had in mind was to use scallops together with the asparagus. I didn't know that we ran out of scallops so I used the shrimp instead. I am thinking what would be the best recipe I can cook with shrimp and asparagus that is easy and I wouldn't wait long cooking them. I took the red and yellow bell peppers out from the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of raw extra large shrimp
• 1 bundle of fresh asparagus
• 1/2 red bell pepper, slice into strips
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, slice into strips
• 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
  
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• sesame seeds

Procedure:

• First, boil the fresh asparagus for 3-5 minutes, enough for the asparagus to be tender. Heat the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add and saute the shrimp. Sprinkle the granulated garlic and ground ginger. Stir-fry until the shrimp turns red.
• Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the shrimp. Add salt and pepper.
  
• Put the asparagus, stir-fry and lastly, add the red and yellow bell peppers. Stir-fry until vegetables are cook.
• Serve hot and sprinkle sesame seeds on top of it.

Note: You can squeeze lemon on top of it if you like. In my case, my husband doesn't like lemon because he said it's sour. So I ended up eating the lemon and it feels like I am drinking tequila.

Feel Sexy and Confident!

They always say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." However, some people contradict to that statement, as they know how they really feel, left alone in the dark and lost their confidence. I myself was a witness for losing my own confidence. I do not feel sexy and confident enough to show off my body because I have big and bloated tummy. I am shy to wear sexy bikinis because I do not want anyone to see me with a big belly. That is not sexy! I felt troubled with that big problem.

I visited the website of Make Yourself Amazing (MYA), a cosmetic surgery that specializes in breast enhancement, but also offers a full range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. They also offer the best advice and to be able to produce an amazing result. They will provide all the details that you need to know to give you information on whatever procedure you will take. As I go over their website, I clicked on body reshaping menu and found out about tummy surgery. This procedure will trim unwanted fats from the tummy and tightens the abdominal muscles. For sure, it will give me back the confidence I lost for a long time. I will never hide my confidence ever again.

If you want to look good and be confident, visit the website - MYA UK and feel the amazing results you could ever have. Stop hiding yourself and gain back the confidence you once lost.

Picture Meme

Yikes! A picture meme. A tag from Amor - Here, There, Whatever!. I don't know what will I do when I got this tag. As all of my photos are stored in CD's so I won't have a problem deleting them when the memory of my computer will be full.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.
2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.
3. Post it on your blog and tell the story that goes with the picture.
4. Tag 5 other glorious people to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog telling them about it.

Me and Melissa - the bride

The picture above was taken last December 14, 2006 during my friend's wedding and it was her groom who took this picture. Melissa and I were classmates in college on the same course (Business Management). We are also travel buddies. We have traveled from Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao. Our travel memories were unbelievable. We have traveled by plane, bus, boat, car, and MRT or LRT (the elevated train). I guess the only thing we haven't traveled by is the train. Since we don't have much railroad tracks back home.

She's been married for 2 years now and she will be celebrating her birthday on January 14. The good news about her right now is, she will be expecting a baby by the middle of the year. I miss her company and I am pretty sure that she misses mine too.

I am passing this Picture Meme to more than 5 people: Adin, Anne Bianca, Dhemcy, Donabel, Ivy, Joy-Anne, Lira, Richelle, Roche, Rowena, Sweetie Pie and Umma

Being Voracious!

It was just an ordinary day for me today. After paying all the bills we got, I am done paying them and I mailed the last bill today. We still have this annoying cold weather that I wish it will be totally gone in an instant. We went to country market in town and bought bananas and pork chop meat. We didn't follow what's exactly on our list and ended up buying more.

When we got home, my husband requested a pork chop meal. He started to grill it but the grill would not work and passed the cooking job to me. I cooked the recipe I got from Rowena - Ribs with Consomme Soup. But, instead of using ribs, I used the pork chop meat. I wasn't able to take a picture of what it look like because the husband was very hungry and ate it.

Around 9PM this evening, we were feeling hungry and decided to eat the leftover - Pork chop with Consomme Soup. My husband jokingly said, it won't be long now that we will look like a big fat pig. Can you blame us? It's the only thing we can do in this very cold weather.

Snow it Baby!

It's the first Sunday of the year. I woke up late this morning for the 10:30AM mass. I thought I can make it by dressing up so quick but the husband said we can't go out of the house because of the snow. So, you want me to blame the snow? I can blame myself too for not being up early in the morning. We ended up staying home instead and decided to take the 6PM mass.

The husband was patient enough to plow the snow from the driveway with his old tractor. And I am telling you that it wasn't easy being out in a cold weather. Aren't you going to ask me what I did while the husband was out? I was in-front of my computer doing EC dropping and visiting my friend's blog site. What a lazy butt I got! After facing the computer, I made my part as a homemaker. I did cook for our lunch and pampered my husband with all my love and care.

Double Awards for this New Year

Awards for the New Year? Wow! What a day! I am so lucky to have this 2 awards given to me by Umma - Happy Moments, Happy Thoughts. She's the adorable woman I just met thru blogging. I love to visit her page often as it is full of information and cute pictures about her family. Who knows, maybe someday, I may know all about her and meet her in person. Umma, thank you for this beautiful tag. It really made my day.

The second picture is just adorable to see. I miss my mother and 2 sisters back home (Philippines). It has been 2 consecutive Christmas and New Year that I am away from them. This picture reminds me of how I wanted to be with them at this very moment.

Now, I am passing this two awards to all my sweet friends who have continued to support me and keep on visiting me here. I am happy that we are friends.

Adei, Adin, Anne Bianca, Chrissy, Claire, Donabel, Ivy, Janeth Vicy, Simply Jacy, Jenneth, Jerlalou, Noryfel, Roche, Rowena and Vannie