FRIENDSHIP BRACELET – Nature Series

There is a time for everything and a time for every event under heaven. In terms of financial standing, there is a time to pay debts, a time to save, and a time to invest. Not to mention, the time to harvest. Think about this: "What you will harvest in the future does not only depend on how much you sow but the way you sow it."

Few years ago, I applied for loan to finance my first ever acquired asset. After that, I’ve gone through paying debts year after year until I able to gain my financial stability again. Just last year, I began saving a small amount of money faithfully for my emergency funds and additional retirement funds. This year,  I thought it is time for me to invest. I learned and still learning how to invest in stocks and bonds. And, just recently, I take courage to invest in stocks and started to establish my own business as well. Little did I know, there is another way to invest. That is, to invest in gold or silver.

As I study the different types of investment, I learned that it is necessary to diversify one’s portfolio in order to reduce the overall volatility and risk. That is, finding investments that are not correlated to one another. Facts show that gold has a negative correlation to stocks and other financial instruments. Hmmmnnn... interesting! I began to google gold price, price of gold, gold spot, and spot of gold to find anything about this type of investment. Thanks to google, I able to dig enough information about current gold prices and gold charts online. Who knows? This might be the start of my way towards my diversified portfolio! A wise way to harvest more in the future.

Today is my birthday! And, I am amazed with the birthday greetings that I received via SMS, telephone calls, fB wall posting, and YM Chat! Indeed, our new technologies today bridge the distance to keep us closer to our family, friends, and loved ones. To chronicle those greetings, I listed it here eventhough if no one is interested to read it one-by-one, surely, I'm going to get back into this to reminish the feeling of being remembered, loved, and treasured.

Via SMS: Eleonor H, Noli A, Kris Kathreen S, Melonia, Aisa DC, Jorge Z, Joyce Anne L, Marlyn S., Yula G, Ate Mila L, Grace B, Neneth M, Badet B, Mitch M, Perla D, Nell P, Luisa DC, Racquel R, Alex R, Marlon, Corbi, Alvin & Lorie K, Cathy M, Nini M, Lenie V, Mhelisse,  Rhenna, Mhean L, Emz C, Ditse, Lanie A, Laida, SMART, Cess-Intercessory, Arvin L, Corney B, Beth S, Cecille S-C, Claire F-I, Rommel P, Lei C, Aneth

Via fB Wall Posts: Roy P, Janice C, Imelda Aliwalas Garcia, Roselle C, Knubs D, Ma Joyce D, Cyril B, Boyet M, Cherry C, Eloi N, Elaine F, Maricel C, Cristina P, Analiza P, Leo M, Alex R, Yolanda P, Abel T, Phil P, Liezel A, Margie S, Jem E, Faith M, Donna C-L, Angela L, Janette D, Rollie A, Jeng I, Tina C-N, Carlo A, Armi T, Emz C, Sheila P, Jaycille Ann C, Anna M, Elma M, Sheng N, Ken C, Mary Ann P, Marlon L, Myrna M, Janet C, Mercedita M, Pol L, Jenesis L, Johnel Ian A, Ruby T, Len G, Ems S, Ana Marie P, Johann T, Joyce Anne L, Lala L, Annaliza A, Noel L, Arvin L, Allan C, Lani P, Edwin M, Elisa C-A, Marilyn A-S, Venus L-R, Nonette L, Julius S, Nympha L, Cecille S-C, Kelvin Y, Noli A, Alfredo V, Jhong J, Juanita L-M, Arlene C, Reymark L, Leah C, Reagan S, Chanel B, Yolly T, Vivian DG-A, Timmy R

Via Phone Calls: Ate Vi, Ditse, Claire

Via YM : Lani P, Abel G

Via Outlook Email: Melinda A, Herbert A, Chris C, Nor C, Manny D, Jem E, Yula G, Russell I, Zen J, Noel L, Leo M, Jali M, Ems M, Jannet M, Juju P

So far, I got 45 SMS greetings, 3 phone calls, 79 fB greetings, 15 email message, and 2 YM greetings with a total of  144 birthday greetings (not to mention the greetings in person) and still counting. And, here's what I did not expect, a greeting from my virtual community - The Kerygma Family, embedded in my daily supplements of Soulfood (Gospel Reading for today, inspirational sharing from Didache, and Insightful Reading from Sabbath) sent in my inbox. Thanks Bo.

A Cleft lip (a gap or split in the upper lip) and cleft palate (a gap in the roof of the mouth) are birth defects in which the tissues of the mouth or lip don't form properly during fetal development. But, did you know that it might not be a genetic defect as people usually presume? It can be an injury resulted in taking a medication. That is, when a pregnant woman takes drugs during pregnancy to cure a certain illness like migraine not knowing that the same drug also cures other illness which may have side-effects to the baby in her womb. So, it is crucial to check the label before taking drugs or pills even if it was prescribed by a doctor. But, what if a certain drug does not list all the purposes of drugs in their packaging? It is called "off label". And, that drug purpose may cause a certain side-effect like cleft lip or cleft palate whenever a pregnant woman take it in? This particular scenario happened in 2009 in the case of Topamax, an anti-convulsant drug used to treat epileptic seizures or to help prevent migrained headaches. However, Topamax has been applied for many off-label uses, such as bulimia, post traumatic stress disorder, obesity, and smoking cessation. As a result, the manufacturers of Topamax plead guilty and paid million of dollars for violating the False Claims Act.

If you know someone whose child got these type of injuries, a cleft lip or cleft palate, due to taking Topamax, they may want to know that they can file a possible Topamax class action lawsuit with the help of O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath - Topamax Injury Lawyers. They can help to obtain the compensation to properly treat the defect of the child which may require expensive surgery or speech therapy.

If jersies are for basketball and football players, school uniforms for teachers and students, office suit and uniforms are for office staffs and managers; then “scrubs” are for medical and wellness practitioners. Yes, scrubs are not just for surgeons anymore. Veterinarians wear it to work. Medical and health care students wear it in class. Midwives and nurses wear it in hospital. Medical billers and medical staffs wear it in the back-office. Care givers wear it in nursing home. Massage therapists wear it in wellness center or spa salon. With these, we can say that scrubs are just for everyone. It's maybe because blood, stains, and dirt can be removed easily from scrubs than any other suit shirt. But, scrubs does not need to be boring and old-fashioned. It can be stylish or professional in look yet comfortable, high-quality, and practical.

A huge variety of scrubs in different colors and patterns are available in the market nowadays. It can be surgical scrubs, scrub tops, medical scrub pants, scrub uniforms, etc. It is all out there, available according to one’s preference and need, you just have to know where to look at. And, you’ve got to believe that several discount medical scrubs are available in the net. To see is to believe. And, to believe is to follow this link: http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/

Once again, my summertime this year includes a lot of outings – with family, office-colleagues, community-leaders, ministry-friends, and friendly-friends. I enjoyed the heat of summer at the beach, swimming pool, and even inside a university campus (yup, you read it right!) We have our family outing at Kabayan Resort in Laiya Batangas; our company outing at Puerto Del Sol in Bolinao, Pangasinan; our community team building at De La Salle University in Dasmariñas Cavite; our upcoming Feast Intercessory Ministry outing at Grotto Vista in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; and our upcoming trip to Batanes this coming July. Up-to-date, I enjoyed the most our family outing at Laiya. Maybe, I am biased to say that, it is the best venue and enjoyable event so far since I am with my family. Let me share with you some of our captured moments. Here it is...

The Intercessory Core Group of  PICC Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family will be having a team building this coming weekend (April 2-3, 2011) at De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite. I am one of the overall coordinators of the event. Unfortunately, I can extend help only a little. Thank God, Mhelisse is around to do most of the job. In wanting to be of help, I created an e-invitation for the group. I remembered that a friend of mine, Alice, sent a wedding invitation online thru SmileBox. I searched for the site and was glad I easily locate it in the net. Alas! I created "something" that looks fabulous and great (see below) in just a short time. I actually like a lot of templates for different themes that may suit our needs but opted to choose a simple one. But, for sure, I will go back to the site and create more for other occassions or just for digital scrapbooking. Thanks to smilebox!

Customize your own free collage

As the first quarter of the year 2011 nearly ends, there are several reported accidents that happened in the country:

• 7 killed, 4 injured in fatal crash in Batangas Tollway last Jan 2
• 2 killed, 17 wounded in bus-bomb explosion in Buendia-Edsa Makati last Jan 25
• 10 killed in Makati construction accident last Jan 27
• 4 minors killed and 19 others hurt after a mini-bus they were riding overturned in Escalante City, Negros Occidental last Feb 16, Wednesday.
• 1 dead, 7 hurt in bus accident in Quezon last Feb 17, Thursday

And, as I learned about information of Austin Personal Injury Lawyer in Texas USA, I thought there must be the same or similar firm in the Philippines to help the victims of above accidents. They provide their clients with superior client service and legal representation in the areas of: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Construction Accidents, Sexual Assault / Abuse among others. The victims or the family of the victims may not be aware that they can actually seek professional help to advocate for their recovery. These professionals who are experts in personal injury and auto accident law will vigorously fight for their case.

If you live in the State of Texas or surrounding area and if by chance you or a family member become a victim of accident, you may contact the attorneys at the law office of O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath for a free consultation regarding your potential case (please see their contact details below.)

O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath – Personal Injury Lawyers – 808 West Avenue, Austin, TX. 78701 – 512-494-9949

Today is Valentine’s Day. A day not only for loving couple but also for loving family, friends and, yes, also for community. Last Sunday, I receive love from my Catholic community, Light Of Jesus (LOJ) Family, as I receive this lovely heart from them. And, I got an inspiration to share this love with my blogger friends (yes, YOU!)

Happy Valentine’s Day

____________________

I see God’s love in You.
Thanks for sharing it with me.

Happy Valentines TO:

i think. i write... now i am UNSEALING MY MIND
Teacher's CORNER
i love my FAMILY
Tikya sa Tate
Pinay Heart Wanderings and Musings
Adventurous Life
Thinking Out Loud
Wonderful Thoughts Online
Kohler's Korner
Micamania's Realm
Race Corner
Glenndel's Blog

You are tagged to spread love this Valentine’s Day by tagging also your blogger friends (please see instructions below) :

Instructions:
1. Put your message at the top of your post (like mine at the top most of this post.)
2. Capture the “Heart” above,  upload in the net, and post in your blog.
3. Put your blogger friend’s link below the image to show that you care (and boost your PR as your friends do the same).
4. Leave a comment in tag board of your friends to inform about the tag.

You read the title of my post right! I was able to write an article in German. Know the secret in my story below. That is, if you know German language.

My eight year old nephew, Euro, is addicted to games and toys. He got tons and tons of different types of toys – educational toys, outdoor toys, creative toys, etc. – you name it, he got it! Since he was born, or even before he was born (I believe he’s already playing in his mother’s womb), different toys of different colors at different sizes flow freely to him (courtesy of his generous “titas”). My sister, Lolit, bought him a bicycle. My sister, Anna, bought him a big 4X4 car toy which looks real and can be driven just like the real 4x4 car. And, I bought him “coloring books” (hehe). Ditse bought him sets of dinosaur toys while Sanse gave him... can’t remember (she’s not into it. She hides his toys. Hehe.)  He got his PSP from his Mommy and video games from his Daddy. And, Ate Mila supplies the rest. When his birthday comes, he got different character of transformer robots – Bumble Bee, Optimus Prime, etc. During Christmas time, he receives lots of toys ranges from very simple toys like “yoyo” to hi-tech toys like notebook. No wonder, we can no longer think of any other toys to give in the future as he already got it. But, thanks to ShopWiki.com for toys buying guides and suggestions.

Euros addiction to toys have lots of positive effect. With his interest to transformer robots and the likes, his creativity was being developed. This is good as creativity is known as the foundation for problem solving skill specifically in abstract problem solving. This also helps the person to adapt to new surroundings, people, and social situations. Euro’s interest in PC and PSP games helps to develop his analytical skills. At a very young age, he joined a chess (or “dama”) competition in his school. Euro is also into educational toys which adds fun to his learning. And, he is very active in outdoor games which makes him healthy and physically fit. This helps to develop his motor skills and teamwork qualities as he shares his toys and play together with other kids. On the other hand, there is also some negative effect with Euro’s addiction to toys. As he is very playful, he got not-so-high grades last year which makes me think whether it is good or bad to be addicted with playing? Yes, for sure, it can be solved by teaching him how to balance his play and studies. But, guiding him to have a balance work-and-play activities is a different story. And, telling that may require another blog post.

Another year has passed... This is just the right timing for assessment of goals set last year. And, also the right time to set new goals for incoming year.

As I look back, I realize that I accomplished a lot of things last year. That was the year when I fulfill my desire to learn how to drive by enrolling in a driving school, got my driver’s license, and acquire my very first car. That was the year when I join in my very first race (though it is only a fun run.) That was the year when I able to travel to Sagada Mountain Province and Palawan. That was the year when I undergo training in Beads Jewelry Making, able to practice that new acquired skill, and later on put up a business related to it - the "Amazing Yza's Beadworks". Whew! What an accomplishment! These almost completes my seven (7) dreams set three (3) years ago.

This year, I have new set of goals for myself, for my relationships, and for my service to God and to others. As early as now, some of it were already geared up to put in reality.  These were listed below though the plans on how to achieve it were not yet divulged here (watch out for future posts as each one of these happen):

1. Make the newly set-up business successful
2. Make passive income & investments
3. Do home improvements and maintenance
4. Enhance personal relationships
5. Build & maintain a personal relationship with the Lord
6. Do personal development
7. Travel plans (Batanes / Boracay / El Nido, Palawan / Marinduque)