Balance of Work and Earnings

It’s been a year since I left my 16-year old job to take care of my family and concentrate on earning money through online writing. Even though I resigned from the company my employer in his good heart gave me some retirement money for my savings or to start a small business. He actually didn’t want to let me go but emergency situation in my family forced him to finally let me go. He finally signed my resignation after more than a year of filing it. He’s so dear to me and gave my heartfelt thanks for the years we’ve worked together. 

After being free from corporate world I was unsure first if I’m going to start my dream bakeshop or invest my money on anything that will earn me profit like buying stocks, gold bullion or any other kind that promises good returns. Well I didn’t venture on any business that I had in my mind because I became too busy with adding up sites that it consumed all my working hours. Suddenly I became busier than when I’m working regularly in my previous work. I didn’t foresee that handling many sites is a lot busier and tasking than spending an 8-hour job in corporate world. But I realized also that I can’t earn that much if I stayed in my previous work so it’s just a great balance of work and compensation. If I work hard I’ll earn money and If I’ll work harder I’ll earn more. Makes sense huh!

Life in the Province

I missed my Mom’s hometown province and we’re planning to go there after the first semester ends. We’re not sure as of this time if we’re going to spend a whole week or just a weekend vacation there. Mom and DH were talking about the vacation plan last week and my cousin in that hometown will prepare our house there if ever the plan will pursue. There are lots of things I miss there since the day we moved from there to where we’re living now. We’ve moved to my father’s hometown near the city because my father’s job was in the municipal hall and Mom was a teacher so she was able to transfer here and easily got an item in one of the elementary schools in town.

I miss the scenic view of the mountains when you wake up in the morning, the breathtaking beauty of the lake seen when you’re up in the mountains, the farm animals, the trees that never seems to run out of fruits, the old folks taking coffee slowly in the morning as if time stand still and everything about life in the province. I remember my Uncle taking me and my brother on his way to the mountains to take care of the crops. He would wear his breeches and ride on his horse where we were seated comfortably on each side of him. Well he died last year because of old age and I still miss him now together with my beautiful childhood memories of the past. I want my kids to experience the fun of playing in the trees, river and farm so if ever we’ll have time we’ll take them there for a vacation. I’m getting sentimental again.

:Today's Flowers/Ruby Tuesday: Dahlia

Click the image to enlarge

My SIL is very fond of gardening and she has lots of flower plants in her garden in Trent. G.B.  I've seen how pretty her garden is and I told her that I would post in my blogs her collection.  She shared her precious pics to me and I'm sharing this lovely Red and White Dahlia.  Such a striking combination for a flower.  I just love the pattern of shades.

Happy Monday! To see more lovely flower entries for today's flowers and red  themed photos at Ruby Tuesday click the badges!

Securing the Kids’ Future

I was talking with my school friends last week and we’ve updated ourselves with our lives, families and what’s keeping us busy. We couldn’t get enough of ourselves because we’ve never seen each other for more than a decade. Some are living abroad so it’s impossible to have the complete presence of our group. But we promised ourselves to keep in touch and have our FB active so we can always communicate with each other. It’s really nice to see old friends that you’ve loved over the years. We’re also talking of how we’re coping up with our kids’ education and how we’re investing our money for the kids’ future. We each have our own way of securing our kids’ future and talking about security I learned that some people find it good to buy gold bullion and keep them safely deposited in bank or stored it as their precious collections. Whatever and however way you have it this gold bullion will appreciate values over the years and can give you a higher return of your capital.

Strike While the Iron is Hot

Got so many online tasks that I need to concentrate on it rather than rest and sleep early. Opportunities are outpouring these days and I should take advantage of them. Glad I was given plenty of tasks by companies I've worked for and was able to grab more :-) Anyway in this kind of job you really have to strike while the iron is hot and now the iron is really hot. I and my online friends are quite busy with our own respective tasks. Glad there’s twitter where we can communicate so fast even if we’re so busy with work.

The Jewelry Test

You Are Sentimental

You hold your friends and family close to your heart. You treasure every memory you have.
You take care of what you value most - whether it's an object or a person.

Of all the types, you are the most likely to pass down a family heirloom.
Whether you're a woman or a man, you are probably very in touch with your feminine side.

I'm a very sentimental person and my collection hobby attests to my kind of personality.  When I was younger I collect stamps from the letters I received from dear friend and relatives.  I also make a hobby of collecting stationeries, old coins and different remembrances from school friends.  I have plenty of pictures which I treasure the most because they remind me of good times I had with my family, relatives, school friends and colleagues.  I treasure every thing that reminds me of someone even a small piece of pretty stone found on the beach fond by a friend and given to me.  I also had dried roses given by hubby when we're still single.  Oh how I love memories and I treasure them!.  

Additional Lightings

I noticed in our recent pictures that the background wall in our house seems to get darker and I wonder if the paint is old or the house lighting needs to be added. Anyway some of those lightings are over a year and really needs some replacement so I’m checking out some nice styles for the living room area. I don’t have time to go to stores now because I have plenty of online tasks to do. Even DH has his hands full of activities so there will be no one to canvass on the stores. I’ll do some window online shopping now!

Sis Bday!

Last Thursday was my only sister's birthday and she celebrated it in the church bible study together with DD Ruth. It was fun even if we extended our midweek service time. They always celebrate their birthdays together because they were born one day apart only. I remembered my sister telling me when I was pregnant with my eldest that she wants me to deliver my baby on her exact birthday. Well I was a few hours earlier, 6 hours to be exact before the 19th day of August which is her birth date. In the house we feasted for two days, the 18th with a cake from RR and on the 19th with our favorite ice cream of course both with spaghetti because we're a pasta family lol!

They had a separate date on the weekend after that where little sister accompanied Ruth and Gen on the arcade and had some shopping spree for their personal things. Kids were happy, always when they're with their Tita Mama. Still pondering on my gift for her.

Life’s Security

Life has its own way of making people happy or sad, succeed or fail and making them ready for whatever happens in their lives. For whatever it takes many people will work hard to attain their ambitions in life, be happy and secured in every way they can. Most often they would seek security and protection for life, homes and other valuable properties they have. Well if you’re one of the people who seek for security in life better get an insurance quote for the things you want to be secured of.

Whether it’s your life or the things that you have worked for it’s better to have your quotations before getting one to ensure the best coverage and benefits. Just don’t forget to keep in mind that there other things that you also need to secure aside from the things I’ve mentioned. Remember to do good things in life and be closer to God for your spiritual security also.

Ruth is a Teen Now!

My Ruthie as I fondly call her turned 13 today and we’re celebrating it in our midweek bible study later this evening to give a thanksgiving prayer for keeping our dear daughter healthy since the day she was born. We didn’t invite anyone because we’re all going to our church later in the afternoon. It’s her periodical exams today and she came home early. We waited for the whole family to arrive then started a small prayer and celebration in the house. We gave out food to our neighbours and went to bible study.

DH and I are giving our thankful praise to God for protecting and guiding our dear daughter in her daily living in school and in every place she goes to. Even if she’s a lot taller now she’s still our baby Ruth, the first blessing of God to us. Hope she’ll grow up to be a fine lady with trust and faith to God. We want the best for her and we know that God will continue on guiding and protecting her.

Gadget Cravings

I love browsing the net for modern gadgets and accessories. It somehow satisfies my cravings for such wonderful gadgets even if I can’t afford it now like the latest craze in town, the iPad. Just looking at the sleek elegant look, features and specs makes me wish I could buy it now. I know that many people like me are putting this gadget in their wish list too. I just learned that you can get an ipad insurance to protect it from theft, vandalism, fire, accidental damage and many other disasters.

So if ever I can have this one I will not worry about all these disasters because it’s a worldwide protection and the insurance will take care for its replacement cost. Now I must get on my work and start saving, who knows I might get it one day.

:Friday Fill-Ins #189

And...here we go!

1. Music is an amazing thing, it can make you happy and sad, make you feel high and low, it can bridge a gap between friends, makes your little baby sleep soundly, makes your little ones move with delight, makes the whole country stand singing in one rhythm, makes you exercise and many other things but best of all when it's a christian music or inspirational song it makes you praise God and feel His wonderful love on us.

2. Prayer is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: Thank you Lord!

4. Champorado and dried fish; it's what's for dinner tonight.

5. It's all been planned and discussed about, the vacation in Baguio or Tagaytay City.

6. Having a cup of coffee is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying up late to finish my tasks, tomorrow my plans include going to the mall to shop for clothes for Ruth and Sunday, I want to leave everything behind and just concentrate on our Sunday fellowship!

Top Droppers for July 2010

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Fledgling Blogger	31
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Denford Magora's Zimbabwe Blog	24
Wirez and Circuitz	24
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Guitarbench.com	24
Confessions of a Fitness Diva	23
Seek No More	22
My Simple World	21
Beyond Left Field	21

Life After Corporate Work

I still can’t believe that life after corporate world can be oh so busy. When I resigned from my 16-year old employment I imagined a life devoid of stress, quality time, not so busy schedule and daily napping sessions. Well my sites were fewer then and tasks are not so plenty. Now I can say that my life is not so stressful except when I have deadlines, I have quality time with my kids, I can nap whenever I want but still I have a very busy schedule. When I compare my schedule now with my previous one I can say that it’s a lot busier but I’m more productive. It’s one of the good things in my online writing works you’ll get compensated for what you’ve worked work.

Unlike in my previous job that no matter how well you work or how long you’ve been working I just can’t get compensated for my multiple tasks. With the salary I’m getting previously I can’t possibly earn enough to at least save for something or buy gold coins for investment. It’s just work, pressure, complaints from clients and no merits. I know I will not have advancement in career or increase in pay anymore so I left. God has been our guide and helping hand after I left my stable job and He’s been giving me enough income to live comfortably. My kids will soon go to college and as early as now DH and I are preparing for that. Now we’re thinking of good investment like gold coins to see us through the coming years.

:Friday Fill-Ins #188

Graphic courtesy of Crystal

And...here we go!

1. Life is like a river, it keeps flowing to one direction but sometimes it suddenly turns to another direction that may give you better or worse situation.

2. No matter what happens we must see to it that keep going on to what we believe is right and just.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these three words: try my best

4. Grilled pork liempo is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August we started talking about our plans for our December camp meeting fellowship in Tagaytay.

6.Grade school kids on their Nutrition Day programs were all lively and energetic.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on sleep (again ;-), tomorrow my plans include some house chores such as house keeping and cleaning and Sunday, I want to continue with arranging the songs for projector copies!

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:Today's Flowers#104/Ruby Tuesday : Zinnia

Click the images to enlarge

This is one flower specie that I love to look at always because they stand at the crowd. Their vivid color and their petals are a sight to love. They're perfect for photo shoot also as they can be easily captured with one shot only unlike the pale colored flowers where you have to concentrate on the lights and angle to have a clear shot. These shots are all taken on one snap each only in the same village in Montalban where hubby's family lives. Very colorful and pretty don't you think?

Here's some info from Mr. Wikipedia:

Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of family Asteraceae, originally from scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the American Southwest to South America, but primarily Mexico, and notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors.

Zinnia leaves are opposite and usually stalkless (sessile), with a shape ranging from linear to ovate, and pale to middle green in color. The flowers have a range of appearances, from a single row of petals, to a dome shape, with the colors white, chartreuse, yellow, orange, red, purple, and lilac.

Zinnias are popular garden flowers, usually grown from seed, and preferably in fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, in an area with full sun. They will reseed themselves each year. Over 100 cultivars have been produced since selective breeding started in the 19th century.

Happy Sunday! To see more entries for today's flowers and ruby tuesday click the badges!

Stylish Accessories for Your Car

When you have a car of your own you’ll be relieved from the stressful hiring of cab. For the past couple of weeks we’re not using my brother’s car and we’re always hiring a cab to go to church every Sunday. Actually it’s really convenient riding in a taxi but sometimes the meter is tampered and even if you complained you’ll still pay the driver. When we’re going home from our church service we find it hard to hire a cab when we say the destination, it seems that our place is too far then the motive of the driver is to request an additional fare aside from the automatic flag down rate plus the meter reading. Well that’s too much and illegal but where will you complain, as they say if you can’t bear it don’t hire.

Anyway I miss our Nissan car which was heavily damaged last year by the big flood that hit the country. Even if it’s not the latest model we love and cares for it just like another member of our family. When we’re at the mall we look for accessories that would make it look nice. You know accessories can give your car a unique distinctive look and style so choosing the right nissan accessories for your Nissan car is necessary. Well if you really want the right accessories for your type of car you can visit CARiD.com and search for your needed automotive accessories. They offer both interior and exterior so have your choice now!

Comments - Supervits

My Mom always tells me that health is wealth and no amount of money can replace a healthy body. I see to it that I and my family take vitamins everyday to strengthen our resistance and to avoid being sick. This is a very informative post and will be of great help to those who need sources of good vitamins and supplements. Thanks for sharing.

Comments - CVS

The busiest season of the year is only few months away and people are thinking of gifts for their loved ones and decorating their homes also for the festive season. Having those beautiful country quilts, candles and baskets are great gift ideas and good for your own homes too. It makes shopping fun and easy.

Securing Our Family’s Future

How can we secure our family’s future? People have different views in life and that includes how they earn and invest their money to ensure that their family will have the best of everything in the future. Some seek greener pasture abroad and work there until they have enough savings to start a business. My brother being an Engineer by profession built apartments for his kids’ education. It will be their source for educational expenses and some other miscellaneous. He wants the best education for them and still working hard to make their dreams come true. Of course all parents wants the best for their kids but don’t have enough finances to achieve it.

Most people I know invest on houses, lots, stocks and even jewelleries. Well if you’re really keen on these things why not? Investing doesn’t only require money but knowledge as well because you have to know the ins and outs of the business before entering any kind of investment. We’re talking about your hard-earned money and you should be careful in using them. One investment I saw which garnered some positive feedbacks is on the precious metals. You only need to buy gold eagle coins and store in safety deposit and wait for the appreciation of its value. It’s one of the most secured investment since the old generation where the old folks store gold and silver for future emergency needs for finances.

Well not bad for me as it could really be a tangible investment for everyone and I’m sure it has a high return of capital.

His First Regular Flag Ceremony

He likes being photographed here :-) Funny kid!

It's kinda late but I just want to share Josh excitement over his first flag ceremony on the second day of his schooling. He had flag ceremonies when he was in preparatory school but on programs and occasions only. Prep students don't have daily flag ceremony and they study only for 2-3 hours a day so this new activity for Josh every morning gave him additional exciting things to do. Lately he told me that he got tired after the little exercises in their flag ceremony but he smiled when he demonstrated their exercises. Really this little kid is so funny and I noticed that he's gaining lots of friends already.

I was lucky to get a small nook behind one steel post because I got shy doing the snapshots, glad they didn't noticed my cam :-) camera flash was off!

Renewed My Contract

I'm finishing my work on my other blogs just in case we'll have showers of tasks again.  Sometimes I'm in a lazy mode that I wait until the due date is near before I do my task.  Well the internet is intermittent again and I should take advantage of the connection to prevent failure in submission.  I just renewed my contract with my internet provider and they've given me a free HP 4280, an all-in-one scanner, printer, copier.  Now I'm thinking if I've made the right decision.

She’s Two Months Now

I’m really hooked with my new laptop and time flies so fast she’s already two months old. With the two months service I got from her I was happy that she’s given me superb performance and quality outputs. Before I made the purchase I was really thinking hard if I should get the other brands, many brands offer a lot also like Acer Aspire which is quite a handful of help also if I had bought it but I remain loyal to my choice because I really gave my heart on it. Anyway I’m now thinking of having a smaller one, maybe a notebook which is more convenient to bring during travel or when I’m with my family on the mall. It will be a great help having smaller gadgets when you’re on the go always.

Feel at Home with my New Home & Health Blog

I'm very busy with new blog which I started before the summer ended.  I have not blogged about it because I want to post valuable content first before I mention it on this main blog of mine. My new blog FEEL AT HOME is my new site for home and health where I've posted home and kitchen ideas, kitchen guides, food tips and basic knowledge about health and nutrition.  Well I'm so excited about my new blog and decided to launch it here :-) Feel free to visit my new blog and hope you'll Feel at Home!

Enough Sleep for Stamina

Start of the work week again and as early as now I’m finishing some tasks to submit before lunchtime though I’m still very sleepy. I’m just taking advantage of the time zone being ahead for about 12 hours from my clients. We stayed in the church a little late last night and I’ve worked until midnight to arrange some posts so I felt like taking a nap this afternoon or I’ll be writing nonsense. I really can’t work if my eyes felt like closing up and no amount of coffee can cure it. Just a few hours of sleep maybe two or three hours will be enough to bring back my stamina for writing.