Lately, I am into this porcelain obsession.  Haha, I mean porcelain jars, vases, tablewares, etc. etc.  I have this Chinese friend who brought these stuffs here to Cotabato City.  She has a display in a mall of these beautiful artifacts from China, particularly from Jindenzhen City.

We met on her first exhibit here about two years ago.  Thinking that it was expensive, I bought only the small ones, the cups, little teapots, canisters, and flower vases, etc.  With those small items, she still gave me discount or gave a free item so I would keep coming.  Hahaha, very nice strategy.  I got hooked.  But I do not regret spending on these things because I came to like them already especially the blue and white items.  They look elegant and beautiful.  Now that she has came back, I started to get loco with the bigger ones.

It is very tempting because they are cheaper than before.  I remember my mother-in-law bought plenty of these, not just the small items but the the big ones for around P30,000-P40,000 a jar.  Now, you can buy them at 50%-90% cheaper!  Who would not go and buy?  But still, I should keep my balance.  I have to spend according to priority.  Should I buy or not?  Well, I’d rather save so as not to destroy my budget.  Good luck to me!

I have been drinking hot tea every night before I go to bed for about 5 years now. It has become my habit to take at least a cup daily except only when I am pregnant. My ob-gyne advised me not to have it when I am expectant because, though it does not have adverse effects, it could somehow affect calcium build up for me and my baby. So, I have to wait until I give birth. Few months after I started drinking tea, my friends and officemates noticed that my complexion became fairer. I also noticed a slight change. I move regularly, my hair and nails grow faster and stronger, and, I do not get common infections like colds easily. I just do not know if my drinking of hot tea has something to do with these changes.

Aside from its being an anti-oxidant, latest medical researchers say that tea consumption helps prevent a wide range of ailments. Among these are arthritis, cancer, flu, heart disease, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease and oral health. Black and green tea extracts help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Black tea further boosts our immune system against influenza. According to the study, tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietary intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. Tea consumption may be protective against developing debilitating neurological disorder. And lastly, rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease.

So, what are you waiting for? Start the habit now and stay away from the doctor!

When I was just a kid, whenever I am asked of what would I be when I grow up, my answer was to be a manager of a bank. I always dreamt of working in a bank because I find it very decent, with elegant clothes (uniforms), beautiful employees, lots of money and an air-conditioned workplace. I would make play money out of my writing pad and play a banker with my friends. My uncle’s wife used to work in a bank and I was amazed watching them count the money so fast and quick.

Years passed, finished my elementary and high school, went to college, got married, found a job and gosh! I am now a banker! I now wear those elegant clothes, put on some make-up, I count a lot of money everyday and our office is so cold with several 1-tonner air-conditioners. The only thing lacking is that I am not a manager! Hahaha..Anyway, I get to sit on his nice chair and a big table whenever he’s not around, and imagine to be the manager. Solved!

But wait, I still have one career in mind. If I am not a banker right now, I would like to be a teacher. A teacher not only in academic courses talking about language, formulas, or history, but also a teacher molding the minds of every student to be ready to face the world. To be aware and sensitive with the needs of others. Most of all, to be responsible citizens…

I value my family the most over anything else for the simple reason that it is my life, my home.  It is where I draw strength in my daily struggle, an inspiration to keep on striving and it is my responsibility to provide for a better, if not the best, living.  I share every little thing of happiness, fulfillment and merit with my family because it is in them that I find comfort when I needed.  They are the sole witness of all my joys and to every teardrop that fell. Every moment that I spend with my family is so precious and never a waste of time.  It bonds us together even closer.

It is important that we show how much we care for our loved ones while we still have the opportunity to do so.  There is no greater achievement in this life than a truly happy family.  We can choose our friends, or find a good job anywhere at anytime, but we can neither find nor replace a family once it is lost.  Even the lost and the orphaned longs to find his family until the last moment of his life.  Because no matter how long and far our journey is, it is our home that we return to in the end.  Good or bad that we may be bringing, our family patiently waits and never ceases to care.  I am more than grateful I have one...

Each one of us has someone special among numerous friends whom we consider to be our best friend.  For some, their best friends are their pets be it a dog, a kitten, or a fish.

This friend is very special to me and we care so much for each other.  We maybe miles away, both seeking for the luck and fortune that life has to offer, but that has not been a barrier.  We really find time to communicate with each other amidst our busy days with at least a question of how we are doing.  Oftentimes we share views and ideas together on how we should live our lives and what we can do to make it better.  This friend inspires me a lot to always be on the right track, to do what I am supposed to.  Since the first time we met, I have never been alone..He has never left my side.

He is more than just a friend, but a gift from up above and a reason for my existence.  My husband, my best friend…

This is the question once asked by our MBA professor in our Agri-Business class.  Obviously, my answer would be a very big YES!  According to its definition, agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants, animals and other life forms. To elaborate further, it is a system consisting of several processes of producing goods from plants, animals and other forms of life to provide for our basic human needs: food, shelter and clothing.  These processes include planting of seeds, pruning, harvesting, processing and marketing of finished goods, in terms of plants.  On the other hand, growing animals also include selecting of breed, feeding, proper care and sheltering, breeding, processing and marketing of produce.  Plants and animals provide us our food and clothing. Plants are sources of our shelter.

We are very much blessed with vast lands. The resources are all in there. If many will cultivate their lands, plant crops and raise animals, then plenty of mouths will be fed. No empty stomachs, no more starvations, no one is homeless and no more poverty.

Agriculture, indeed, can cure poverty.

Whew! What’s going to happen next? Prices of basic commodities are rising so fast almost in a regular daily basis. The last time I bought a sack of rice, it was only Php24/kg or Php1,200/sack, about a month or two ago. Now, it’s Php53/kg or Php2,650/sack. Imagine how rapid the price increases? Approximately, 120% increase in just 2 months? How about in the next 3, 4, 5 months?
Good for me that I work at a government bank where I receive 1 sack of rice every month (thanks to my employer).  Though it isn’t enough to feed my big family, I only get to buy a few more kilos until the next rice allowance. But what about those who do not have stable jobs? Those who do not earn enough to meet their daily needs? This would only mean that their chances of survival is getting smaller. Life then would be impossible and chaos will soon reign!  Frightening isn’t it?
Could this be a start of another civil war?
Consider that as a wild imagination but it is reality. It is not impossible to happen in this alarming situation because many people are greatly suffering while only a few are benefitting. The rich are becoming richer while the poor, much much poorer. Inspite of this crisis, let us not lose hope for a brighter tomorrow. Let’s keep our faith in our Creator, after all, His will be done…

The present administration endorses constitutional amendment and considers that to be an answer to what has been a long time issue on the Moro people and lasting peace in Mindanao.  The administration believes that doing so will finally address the MILF’s claim on  the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE), a power for them to collect taxes and income from their own state and benefit from the same.  The said amendment is through federalism, which means ” a state within a state”.  This for them is an answer to poverty in conflicted areas in the Mindanao Region.

However, oppositions of the administration and other militant groups strongly object and protest the proposed act saying that the Arroyo administration is just using the Bangsamoro People’s ultimate cause to lengthen her political power in the country.  As the CBCP head, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, states that it is “devious” of the plan to prolong Ms. Arroyo’s power and fears that this believed to be a solution might be a wrong solution and could even worsen the problem.  As a layman and as a concerned citizen of this sovereign country, I say that whatever it is that our leaders be planning and be deciding on, there should be proper information and consultation with the people in order to avoid complications and that our right to know on national issues and matters will not be violated.  Furthermore, leaders and lawmakers of this country should deal with utmost transparency and delicadeza.

Hello friends! Here are some photos of the beautiful porcelain jars and furnitures from China which I have made a post earlier. These are just samples of the several displays at my friend’s shop. Other items include stuffs for home decorations, fengshui, home furnitures and a lot more! Plus big, big discounts on all items. Guaranteed genuine porcelain at the lowest price. Perfect for gifts, souvenirs and collections. Don’t miss this chance to have one! For information and more details, please feel free to write a comment on this post with your email address or contact numbers. Thank you.

Good news to all beach lovers! Spending your vacation at the beach is never as magnificent as spending it at the country’s most beautiful beach spot. It is the perfect place for families, friends and loved ones to spend precious moments together on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, honeymoons for the newly-weds or just to divert our busy minds from pressures at work, business operations and relax in a grandeur beach vacation. The expansion of the Oregon Beach Vacations to the South Oregon includes opening of company office in Florence with addition of North Bay Condominiums in Portland, Oregon. And if you are looking for an excellent accommodation, Oregon Beach Vacation Rentals has it all for you at very reasonable rates, 24 hours a day available. Oregon Beach Vacations has been the leader in beach vacation rentals in this part of the country having plenty of units available for you and your loved ones. Elegant, and beautifully-made rooms, fully furnished to suit your taste and satisfy guests’ needs and wants. Below is the Oregon Beach Vacation Rentals Press Release dated August 2008 for more information and details on the latest expansion and offerings to interested guests like you. Come on and treat your loved ones to this marvelous vacation!

Oregon Beach Vacations Expands Offerings To Include South Oregon Coast The Oregon Coasts Leading Vacation Rental Company Opens Office In Florence With Addition of North Bay Condominiums Portland, OR – August 2008 / Oregon Beach Vacations / Press Release – Oregon Beach Vacations, the leader in vacation rentals along Oregon’s magnificent coastline, has announced that it will begin offering vacation rentals in Florence, Oregon’s North Bay Condominium Complex beginning August 8th. This expansion into the South Oregon Coast will be enhanced by the opening of their new Florence, Oregon office later in August 2008. The office will not only serve the North Bay Condominium Complex but will service the region encompassing Florence to Bandon, Oregon.
Oregon Beach Vacations is a Portland, Oregon based company and is owned by River City Travel which is Oregon’s second largest travel agency handling the corporate travel needs of Oregon companies. Both River City Travel and Oregon Beach Vacations are owned by David McElveen and Joe Murray. Oregon Beach Vacations currently offers more than 200 professionally managed vacation rental homes and condominiums and is poised to expand to offer more properties in the near future.
“Our goal is to have vacation rental properties located along the entire coastline of Oregon. Since the founding of Oregon Beach Vacations in 2004, we have been approached by many homeowners along the Southern Oregon Coast to manage their properties. With the opening of our new Florence office this August, we will be able to give property owners and those interested in vacationing from Florence to Bandon and all areas in-between, the service they deserve and expect from our organization” stated David McElveen of Oregon Beach Vacations.
David continued, “We have kept a list of homeowners that have expressed interest in joining our rental program and we are just getting to the point where we can reconnect with these homeowners and offer our services to them. Within twelve months, we are looking to have upwards of 40 properties on the South Oregon Coast from organic growth and we will be looking into acquisitions in this area.”
The office located in Florence will be Oregon Beach Vacations fourth office and will be completely networked with offices in Portland (Corporate), Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. All offices can be reached via telephone at 800-723-2383 or 503-528-7480.
· The Lincoln City office employs twenty full-time team members, a number which expands greatly during the height of the vacation rental season. That office has homes for coastal vacationers in Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport and Yachats.
· The Cannon Beach office offers vacation homes from Manzanita to Astoria - including Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach and Rockaway Beach. Oregon Beach Vacation Rentals is actively pursuing more vacation rentals along the North Oregon Coast – interested homeowners should view or download the Oregon Beach Vacations Homeowner Brochure.
· The Florence office currently manages thirty condominiums in the North Bay Condominium Complex and will be the focal point of the South Oregon Coast Expansion.
More information about the vacation rental offerings of Oregon Beach Vacations and their rental management program can be found on their website: www.OregonBeachVacations.com which includes real-time online booking; Lincoln City webcam; their innovative GuestAdVantage™ Program; pictures and descriptions of their rental properties; (luxury properties, featured properties, large group properties, pet friendly properties and condos) ; specials; area information and much more.
About Oregon Beach Vacations
Oregon Beach Vacations was founded in 2004. The owners, David McElveen and Joe Murray, envisioned building a premier vacation rental company on the Oregon coast. Today, Oregon Beach Vacations operates four offices and manages over 200 vacation rental properties. The company is owned and operated by River City Travel, Oregon’s second largest travel agency which includes a staff of over 85 team members in Oregon and Washington State whose combined sales is over 40 million dollars per year. Benefits for homeowners include an aggressive marketing campaign that reaches over two million potential guests weekly; marketing agreements with over 4,000 travel agents worldwide and 24/7 availability. For more information, please visit www.OregonBeachVacations.com or call 800-723-2383.

Presently, the whole country is bugged by the major issue on Ancestral Domain which a Memorandum Of Agreement was supposed to be signed by the representatives of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last August 5, 2008 in Malaysia.  Signing of the MOA was blocked by a Temporary Restraining Order of the Supreme Court a day before the date through the protest of some local government units in North Cotabato, where around 21 barangays of the said province are included in the MILF’s claim on Ancestral Domain.

This is just the beginning of their victory for the people of North Cotabato who do not agree and pledged to continue thier protest against the peace agreement.  They insisted for their right to know and be consulted  with the  MOA  before it has to be  signed.  On the other hand, the suspension has earned numerous reactions from both parties and several other freedom fighters from different groups and organizations.  One leader of the Mindanao Caucus commented in an interview over the radio earlier today that the suspension was inappropriate and unjust for  the Moro people and  the Lumads for which they have been fighting for the cause for sevaral decades now.  She likened the situation to a wedding where everything is already set and prepared, the foods are ready, the witnesses and guests are all present and the bride beautifully dressed in a long white gown waited faithfully at the church but the groom did not appear.  The same scenario happened in Malaysia on that day of August 5, 2008.

Hello world!

China has been the most popular makers of high quality porcelain wares like dinnerwares, teapots, canisters, flower vases and several home decorations like four seasons wall decors made of jade stones, hand-painted picture frames, elegant embroidered frames, classic chinese designs and beautiful jars in different designs, shapes and sizes. They also have items on the famous chinese fengshui for homes, businesses as well as for personal purposes. But there’s more to that! Perfectly-made furnitures like sala sets, 6-seater and 8-seater marble-top dining tables, king-sized beds made of the famous rosewood and a pure leather and rosewood combination are all available in my friend’s shop.

For interested buyers, please leave a comment on this post or write down your inquiries with your email address, or your contact number. I would be glad to help you find one. Buy now at very low prices!

I turned 32 today! I had a very good time spending my special day with my family. What made it special is that my husband found time to get the chance off from his Bar reviews to be with me on my special day, plus, his special present for me, a very nice cellular phone! Oh, I am so touched. I did not expect that from him especially during this time when the Bar exams is just a month away. I tried to cook one of his favorite dishes, locally, we call it “sinina”. It is a spicy goat meat dish with coconut milk, potato, curry powder and chili. I was really happy that I made it successfully. He liked it and even my kids asked me to cook that dish again. I never knew I had this talent in culinary arts, not until I am 32. Hahaha!

Even though I am already out of the calendar, I am yet an infant in the next stage of life. I am more optimistic with my life ahead, and I would like to discover what is for me in the years to come. I had few realizations in life today and I just feel this is the most special among the birthdays I ever had.

Hello world! I am selling my Sony Ericsson P990i, a secondhand cellular phone but is still in excellent condition. I just got my new Nokia E71 phone which my husband gave to me as his gift on my birthday. I bought the SE P990i last December 2007, just eight months now. It is a PDA phone, 3G capable, 2 Megapixels, touchscreen and internet-ready with memory stick at a reasonable price. If you are interested, you can email me at haif_76@yahoo.com.ph or simply post a comment below.

I have used several mobile phones already from different brands like Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, XDA, Philips and Siemens but I like Sony Ericsson better. It is not because I am selling my phone but because I am satisfied with its features, quality and performance. I have always been a lover of touchscreen phones for the reason that it is easier and convenient for me to use, scroll along and explore. My new Nokia E71 is not a touchscreen one but I would like to try this one and explore…

It has been the hottest issue over the past few weeks on whether to pursue or postpone the August 11 polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  The president has recommended and supported the appeal of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to postpone the ARMM elections to give way to the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and MILF in Malaysia.  The MILF believed that the ARMM will be affected in whatever agreement that both parties could come up with after the talks in Malaysia and suggests a status quo with the present administration until 2010.  The same appeal is also supported by the Moro National Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro People, the Islamic religious organizations and other peace advocates.

On the other hand, all is set for the elections said the COMELEC.  It will be the first automated election in the country.  They have trained their people who will be serving and has informed the masses regarding automated voting and they are now ready to pilot the computerized elections.

However, the senate yet has to pass a bill to make the move legal and constitutional.  There is only a week to go before the election and postponement seemed short of time.