My Chocolate Cravings

I'm so happy today because I got what I've been craving for. Hubby surprised me with my favorite Godiva chocolates. Hmmm, they are so yummy. Believe it or not, I can eat the entire box of chocolates box in one sitting. I just can't give them up. I would probably go crazy if I can't have them in a month. It's one of my best “comfort” foods. I need not worry because results from recent research suggests that eating a small piece or two of chocolate on a daily basis is good for your health. Regular chocolate consumption may, surprisingly, lower a person’s blood pressure. It should be noted that the study’s outcome is based on dark chocolate containing a minimum of 30 calories. Should I feel guilty eating too much? Hehehe.

A Glimpse of Me

I got this tag from Janet. Thank you girl for this. I really appreciate it.

1. At what age do you wish to marry? I wish to marry at 28 but I got married at 26.
2.What color do you like most? I love pink.
3. If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one? I'm so happy our paths crossed.
4. Where is the place that you want to go the most? Beach. I'm a certified beach bum.
5. Which part of you that you hate the most? I'm so impatient. I am too ambitious and always wanting more.
6. When you encounter a sad moment, what would you do? Analyze things and realize I'm not the saddest person in the world.
7. What are you afraid to lose the most? My family in the Philippines. They are the most important persons in this world and my hubby too.
8. If you win $1 million, what would you do? Travel around the world, buy properties, invest and start collecting diamonds. Hehehe.
9. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you. Nice, Warm and Friendly
10. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half? Faithful and loving.
11. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most? I should have taken nursing course in college.
12. Which type of person do you hate the most? User, self-centered people
13. What is your ambition? To be a nurse. Guess have to go back to school to reach that ambition but it's achievable.
14. If you had one wish what would you wish for? Long life, good health and happiness for me, my hubby and my family.
15. How would you celebrate new year? Go somewhere romantic and just have fun.
16. What is the best gift you can give to someone this year? My love.
17. Are you afraid of death? Of course, I still have a long "to do list."
18. What did you learned in life? Life is short so make the most out of it.
19. What is the best thing to do if you had just a break up? Keep myself busy and move on.
20. Would you give your life to save someone very special? Yes

Celebrating Birthdays In Different Countries

It's my birthday today! Hmmm, I'm wondering how people from other countries celebrate their special day. I found this very interesting birthday traditions from different parts of the world.

Africa - Initiation Ceremonies. In various African nations they hold initiation ceremonies for groups of children instead of birthdays. When children reach a certain designated age, they learn the laws, beliefs, customs, songs and dances of their tribes.

Argentina - Dance the waltz at 15. When girls turn 15 they have a huge party and dance the waltz with their father and other boys.

Aruba - Children take a treat to school for their classmates and all teachers. Each teacher receives a treat and gives the birthday child a small gift like a pencil, an eraser or a postcard. The birthday child is also allowed to wear special clothes instead of the school uniform.

Bolivia - Dance the waltz and wear white. At the age of 16 the birthday girl wears a white dress and dances the waltz with her father and other boys.

Brazil - Pulls on the earlobe. The birthday child receives a pull on the earlobe for each year they have been alive. The birthday person also gives the first slice of cake to his/her most special friend or relative, usually mom or dad. At the age of 15, the girl dances a waltz with staring with her father and grandfather. She dances with a total of 15 partners each symbolizing a year of her life.

Canada - Greasing the nose with butter or margarine. In Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland) the birthday child is ambushed and their nose is greased for good luck. The greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch them. This tradition is reputed to be of Scottish decent. Birthday punches. In Quebec the birthday person receives a punch for each year they are alive and then one for good luck.

China - Noodles for Lunch. The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

Cuba - Food, music, pinatas and lots of people. The celebrations are very similar to the United States; food, decorations, gifts, pinatas, cake, candles, "happy birthday" song and games. But a lot of people are invited including neighbors, friends, co-workers and family even if they don't have kids around the birthday child's age.

Denmark - Flying Flags. A flag is flown outside a window to designate that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while they are sleeping so they will see them immediately upon awakening.

Ecuador - Pink Dress. When a girl turns 15 there is a great celebration and the girl wears a pink dress. The father puts on the birthday girls first pair of high heels and dances the waltz with her while 14 maids and 14 boys also dance the waltz.

England - Fortune Telling Cakes and Bumps. Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, then you will be rich. Also, when its your birthday your friends give you the "bumps" they lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor, one for each year then one for luck, two for luck and three for the old man's coconut!

Germany - Candles left burning for the day. A member of the birthday person’s family wakes up at sunrise and lights the candles on the birthday cake. There are as many candles as the years of age of the birthday person plus one for good luck. The candles are left burning all day long. After dinner that night then everyone sings the birthday song and the birthday person blows out the candles. If all of the candles are blown out in one try then the wish of the birthday person will come true. Presents are then opened and the party starts.

Sweeping the stairs of city hall. When men reach the age of 30 and they still don't have a girlfriend that they have to sweep the stairs of the city hall. All there friends will throw rubble on the stairs and when you're finished they'll throw some more rubble there. This way every girl can see that this man reached the age of 30 and still doesn't have a girlfriend (and that he can clean a house very well!).

Ghana - Special foods. The foods eaten are watche (brown rice and beans), sheto (black pepper), mecko (red pepper), red rice with corn beef and fufu (pounded yam and cassava).

Guyana - Special dishes. Chicken, duck or lamb curry with rice are the main dishes at the birthday celebration. A family member usually bakes a fruit, black or sponge for the birthday boy/girl to cut. The person celebrating their birthday will wear something fancy.

Holland - Crown Years. Special year birthdays such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 21 are called "crown" years. The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday. The family also decorates the birthday child's chair at the dining room table with seasonal flowers or paper streamers, paper flowers and balloons. At school the birthday child can give their classmates something to eat and the teacher makes the child a birthday hat, often made of paper streamers or paper flowers.

Hungary - Candy to school. The birthday child brings candy to school to give to their classmates.

India - Colored dress and chocolates. At school the birthday child wears a colored dress and passes out chocolates to the entire class, with the help of a trusted friend.

Ireland - Birthday Bumps. The birthday child is lifted upside down and "bumped" on the floor for good luck. The number of bumps given is the age of the child plus one for extra good luck.

Israel - Chair Raising. A small child sits in a chair while grown-ups raise and lower it a number of times corresponding to the child's age, plus one for good luck.

Italy - Pulling ears. The child's ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning.

Japan - New Clothes. The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the local shrine.

Latvia - Lifting the chair. The birthday person sits in a chair and friends and familiy lift the chair one time for each year. The traditional birthday cake is a yellow cake called "klingeris".

Lithuania - Garlands and lifting the chair.A garland is hung around the entire door of the home of the birthday person. The birthday person sits in a decorated chair and family members lift them up to three times.

Mexico - Piñatas. The piñata, usually made out of paper mache and in the form of an animal, is filled with goodies and hung from the ceiling. The birthday child is blindfolded and hits the piñata until it is cracked open. All the children share the goodies. The song Las Mananitas is sung. Also, when a daugher is 15, the birthday is celebrated with a special mass in her honor. A party is then given to introduce her to everyone as a young woman. The father dances a waltz with her.

Nepal -Mark on the forehead. A certain mixture of rice yogurt and color is placed on the birthday child's forehead for good luck.

New Zealand - Birthday claps. After the birthday cake is lit, the happy birthday song is sung loudly and often out of tune and then the person birthday person receives a clap for each year they have been alive and then one for good luck.
Norway - Birthday day. The birthday child stands out in front of their class and chooses a friend to share a little dance while the rest of the class sings a happy birthday song.

Panama - Piñatas and large parties. The piñata is the most important item. They are usually made to resemble a character to correspond with a theme. It is filled with candy and confetti and is either hit with a stick or there are ribbons on it to pull. When the cake is served, the happy birthday song is often performed in two languages, Spanish and English. The cake is served with ice cream. The extended family is invited and sometimes up to 100 children are invited.

Philippines - Mixture of East and West. Birthday cakes are baked in various sizes and shapes. The celebration includes noodles representing long life, balloon decorations and pinatas. Earlier in the day the family goes to hear Mass and to thank God.

Puerto Rico - Taps on the arm. The child gets tapped on the arm for each birth year. A big party which includes a formal dinner is held.

Russia - Birthday Pies. Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian child receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust.

Scotland - A pound note and a soft smack. A pound note is given for every year old the child is plus an additional pound for good luck. A soft smack on the bottom is also given for each year.

South Africa - Presentation of a key at age twenty-one. On the twenty-first birthday a key made of anything from paper to aluminum foil to silver to gold is presented by the parents as a sign that the child is ready to unlock the door to their future.

United States - Cake, candles and song. A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is. Then everyone sings the "happy birthday" song, and at the end of the song, the birthday child blows out the candles. If they blow them all out with one blow, their birthday wishes will come true.

Uruguay - A waltz at age 15 for a girl. The principal ritual of a birthday is the cake with candles and lights out, with the eternal song "Happy Birthday to you..." At the end of the song, the birthday person blows out the candles and all guests applaud or cheer, some make jokes, whistle loudly, and touch the birthday person's shoulder or head. When a girl reaches the age of 15, she puts on a formal dress and dances a waltz with possible suitors.

Vietnam - Everyones birthday is celebrated on new years day. Not only is Tet the beginning of a New Year, it is also everyone's birthday. The Vietnamese do not know or acknowledge the exact day they were born. A baby turns one on Tet no matter when he/she was born that year. Children say they were born in the year of the symbol of the lunar calendar for that year. On the first morning of Tet, adults congratulate children on becoming a year older by presenting them with red envelopes that contain "Lucky Money," or li xi. These envelopes are given to the children by parents, siblings, relatives and close friends.

My Simple Birthday Celebration

Just one more day and I will be a year older. We decided to celebrate my birthday in advance so we headed to Lone Star for dinner. We had salad, soup, onion rings, steak and lobster. I really love their Cajun steak. What I love about our location is the fact that it's close to restaurants and shopping centers. Mostly less than 15 minutes drive. There are times when I get tired of cooking for dinner or just ran out of trial and error recipes, we eat outside. Sometimes ordering pizza online and wait for delivery is the most convenient. This must be the reason why both of us are gaining weight and I think it's hopeless. Hehehe. Anyway, this is my very first birthday celebration in the US. Though I received a lot of greetings from family and friends I still miss them. Wish they were here to celebrate it with me.

Name's Hidden Names

I'm very curious what my name means. And here's what I got.

What Vanezah Carbaugh Means

You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you.You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy to party all night.Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are incredibly wise and perceptive. You have a lot of life experience.You are a natural peacemaker, and you are especially good at helping others get along.But keeping the peace in your own life is not easy. You see things very differently, and it's hard to get you to budge. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way.And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life.You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life.You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone.Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

How Happy Are You?

Wow! I can't believe I'm 96% happy. Hehehe. This is cool.

You Are 96% Happy

It's unlikely that you know anyone happier than you.You know how to be happy, no matter what life throws at you. howhappyareyou?

27 Dresses

I watched the movie with a friend today. It's a good movie but I hate the part where she had to reveal her sister's secrets which upsets the fiance and decided not to push through the wedding. I can't do something like this to a friend how much more to a dear sister.

Jane (Katherine Heigl) is a 29 year old New Yorker who has been a bridesmaid 27 times. She believes it's her calling to make people happy on the happiest day in their life. She has a serious problem with saying "No." Jane works as a magazine assistant and is "secretly" in love with her friendly boss, George (Edward Burns). Unfortunately for Jane, George falls for Jane's self-centered sister, Tess (Malin Akerman). When the happy couple gets engaged, Jane becomes the maid of honor and is expected to plan her sister's wedding. To make the story short, she ended up with a wedding reporter from a New York Journal. After 27 times of being a bridesmaid, she becomes a bride finally.

My Worst Bowling Scores

I know this is embarrassing. LoL. Last night my hubby and I went bowling. My scores were terrible. Every time my bowling ball goes gutter my hubby laughs. I remember the last time I had bowling was three years ago. We had this league with my fellow bankers. And that was it.

The bowling center is really nice. I love the lighting effects and the music. I heard some cheers from other lanes. It was kind of distracting. That's why I didn't get more strikes. LoL. Can't blame them, they were having so much fun. I did a couple of strikes though. Not that bad huh? Even though I did bowling a bad game that night, I still had fun. We really had a great time.

My New Pinay Friend

It all started in friendster. I got her message saying "hello" and "how are you". When I checked her profile, I got excited because we have the same address here in Maryland. She must be from Cebu since she has some uploaded pictures of Mactan International Airport. Hmmm, I like the idea that she speaks Cebuano. I know some friends who speak the same but they are in other states. I can only talk to them on the phone. Well, I have a close friend here and she's Tagalog. I'm not very fluent of the language. Sometimes I get conscious of how I speak to her and there are some things that I can't fully express myself. Hehehe. Anyway, I replied back with my phone number so she could call if she needs someone to talk to. She's new here, originally from Seattle Washington. The nature of her husband's work in the military led them here.

Today, I got a call from her. She seems very nice. She invited me to lunch and so we went to Panda Express (Chinese restaurant). Her daughter is adorable and now I want to have one. LoL. Then we headed to Loehmann's and bought some shoes. I got myself new boots. It's a Kenneth Cole and I paid $16.00. It's a clearance item which originally cost $89.00. Looks like this girl will be my new shopping buddy.

I really had a great afternoon. I'm glad I found a new pinay friend in the area.

What Age Do You Act?

I was tagged by a new blogger friend today. Thanks Pinaysmile for sharing this tag with me. I appreciate it girl.

You Act Like You Are 23 Years Old

You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel like an adult, and you're optimistic about life. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. You're still figuring out your place in the world and how you want your life to shape up. The world is full of possibilities, and you can't wait to explore many of them.

Good Old Movies

I borrowed five DVD movies last week. Since I don't have to pay a single cent for borrowing from the public library, I always take advantage of getting as many stuffs as I want. They don't really care how many as long as you'll return them on time.

• The Secret Garden, I loved this movie when I was still a kid. It's a timeless tale of a special place where magic, hope and love grow. It's a special garden where friendships blossom, illnesses fade away and sorrows flee.
• The Scarlet Letter, An epic version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's enduring novel of Puritan America in search of its soul. A woman condememned for a sin of passion must wear forever the scarlet letter "A" on her chest.
• Three Sovereigns for Sarah, A true story of of ninetten people hanged and one old man pressed to death, while hundereds of others suffered in jail cells during the "witch hysteria" of 1962. It is a powerful and moving story of three loving sisters who are accused of withcraft.
• The Turn of the Screw, A good old fashioned ghost story where a naive, young governess is hired by a charming bachelor to look after his two young children in a grand mansion in rural England. She feels she alone can save them from a horrifying fate.
• Terms of Endearment, I like this movie. It's an insightful story of two captivating mother and daughter 30-year relationship. There were some scenes which made me cry because it reminded me of my mother back home in the Philippines. We are super close and we both enjoy shopping and spa. I miss her even more.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

The city is only fifteen minutes drive from our house. It is the largest city in Maryland. I've been there three times and I just love it.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is one of the most photographed and visited features of the city. It has been one of the major seaports in the United States since the 1700's and started blossoming into the cultural center of Baltimore that it has become today since the 1970's. Distinct in function and form, Baltimoreans and visitors alike enjoy Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the surrounding neighborhoods that offer a variety of fine dining, cultural experiences and exciting nightlife.

From breath-taking panoramic views of the skyline from the Observation Level of the World Trade Center to the up-close and personal experiences of street performances happening spontaneously at the waterfront, Baltimore Inner Harbor offers more to see and do than you might imagine.
You'll find a variety of things to see and do at Inner Harbor -- all within walking distance!

Got A Good Deal Today

I love shopping! I really do. It's one of my favorite things to do. After a busy week at work and doing overtime, I decided to treat myself. I spent my whole afternoon malling, hopping from one boutique to another. I like the idea of killing my time window shopping and at the same time having fun. Liz Claiborne outlet is a favorite store to visit. They usually have a great deal and huge discounts. Last year, I bought wallets as Christmaas gifts to family and friends in the Philippines. Today, I got more. Looks like I'm addicted to buying their sale item wallets. The original cost for each is $40.00 and they were on sale for just $9.99. So, I grabbed four. I'm glad I got a good deal.

Chocolate Bar For Dinner

I only had a bar of Cadbury chocolate for dinner. That's it! No wonder I am gaining weight. Before I left the Philippines, my mother reminded my hubby about my chocolate consumption. Hehehe. But hubby cannot do something about it. I really have a sweet tooth. I just love it so much. It was funny because while my hubby was eating a big meal for dinner, I was sitting in the couch watching TV and eating a whole bar of Cadbury. He is the one worrying about diabetes! Hahaha!

Funny Filipino American Idol

Check this out. It's very entertaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuH0v7GIIwI&feature=related

I was surprised when one of the American contestants is a Filipino. He was extemely hilarious when it was his turn to show his talent for singing. My husband immedietely recognized him as a Filipino. I never thought him as one. I thought he's from Thailand or Vietnam. Days later I saw his video in youtube and he made a lot of attention to video viewers. There I discovered he is Renaldo Lapuz, a Filipino. He really did stole the show Wednesday night on American Idol. He sang his self-composed song, “I Am Your Brother, Your Best Friend Forever”, which was a massive hit with the judges.
He worshiped Simon Cowell as if he were a god and had Paula Abdul grinding up on him.

It's Snow Time Once Again

Hubby dropped me off in the office today because he didn't want me to drive in snow. Well, I haven't really tried driving in ice. The thought of it totally scares me.

After taking our free lunch, my officemates started to get panic and nervous. We saw how heavy the snow flakes were on the glass window and the road was already thickly covered with ice. I'm quiet surprised how frightened they were of snow driving. I thought they're used to it but I was wrong. They decided to leave right after lunch and I have no choice but to depart also. I don't want to be left in the office all by myself and work alone. Thank God, an officemate offered me a ride back home. I got startled even if I was just the passenger but I got home safe.

This was the second snow since the winter season started. I'm sure there will be more.

Quality Over Quantity

I got the bed in a bag delivery today. I was so thrilled about this very cheap product ($39.00) and so I did order online two weeks ago. Sad to say, I was not impressed when I opened the huge box containing the package. The product's photo, color and design in the internet is totally different. I did not like the hemming and the quality of the cloth (very thin and kind of rough). The color is darker as it appears in the picture. I should not have ordered in the first place. Now I realized that sometimes it's better to buy something of quality than waste a penny on those cheap products which are for sure will not last that long. It's very disappointing but its a lesson learned.

Washington DC Sightseeing Tour

Washington D.C. is the capital of United States. The abbreviated D.C. stands for District of Columbia. The city and the district are located on the banks of the Potomac River and bordered by the states of Virginia (to the west) and Maryland (to the north, east and south).

The tour guide's knowledge of the city gave me a lot of informations about the historical washington. The city was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The district's name, "Columbia," is an early poetic name for the United States and a reference to Christopher Columbus, an early explorer of the Americas. The city is commonly referred to as Washington, The District, or simply D.C. In the 19th century, it was called the Federal City or Washington City.

A center of American history and culture, Washington is a popular destination for tourists, the site of numerous national landmarks and monuments, the world's largest museum complex (the Smithsonian Institution), galleries, universities, cathedrals, performing arts centers and institutions, and native music scenes.

It took us a day to complete the tour, visiting everything the city has to offer (museums, historical landmarks and monuments). A must tour for visitors!

First Day At Work

My first day at work went well. I was excited and nervous at the same time when I was about to enter the reception area. An approachable American employee gave me the direction where to go for my workstation. A charming lady asked me if I was the new temp for their requested job assignment. She then led me to the room where I will be assigned for days. She introduced me to two black ladies and a gentleman who came there an hour ago. They are friendly. I started doing the filing and the job is very easy, a no brainer kind of thing. Hours later the supervisor arrived. I thought I was the only new hiree but there were many. He invited us to his office and we filled out our timesheet and he gave us instructions and the company's standard procedures and policies.

Around 11, my stomach was complaining already. Thank God, I brought a cheese croissant. Though lunch was served at 1:00pm, it was still a good one. I was very surprised when the team leader in our group said lunch is free. Wow! I don't have to spend a penny working in this company. Plus, it's only a three hour drive from our house. No need for extra gas expenses. Instead, I will spend my salary on shopping spree. Hehehe.

Some of my expectations were met some were not. But it's ok. I'm glad I have a job to keep me busy. I need to cross out the "find a job" on my "to do list" tonight.

Sleeping Beauty No More

I will surely miss the times when I get to sleep as much hours as I want everyday. For some people who have a very hectic schedule, sleeping can be a luxury. I'm enjoying it since I arrived here. My husband labeled me as sleeping beauty because he knows my typical waking hours. I don't need to take breakfast since it will be lunchtime when my alarm clock beeps. My day starts at 11:00 and sometimes 12:00, arranged the bed, brush my teeth, take shower, grab something to eat, internet and when I check the clock, wow it's almost cooking time for dinner. If I have the energy, I exercise (Taeboo & Core Rhythms). Surfing the net, chatting with friends, and blogging really helps me divert myself with homesickness. Sometimes I get phone calls from friends and we talk for hours on the phone.

Tomorrow will be totally different. It will be something new and I will no longer be the sleeping beauty.

Wish I Can Afford A Maid

It's funny when I think of how the average Filipino people with an average monthly income could afford a maid. Not the kind of maid here in the US which is paid per hour and can be quiet expensive. In the Philippines, some household even have two or three and are always on call because they stay with the family 24/7. They are paid 2,000-3,000 pesos per month which equates to only $50-$75. Pretty cheap huh? When I got here in the US, I realize how hard it is doing almost everything all by myself. It would be like this from now on, doing the laundry, ironing the clothes, cooking and cleaning the house. I can't rely on other people anymore for help nor asks someone to do the chores for me. Sometimes my hubby helps especially on weekends but I feel guilty because I know he deserves a rest from a stressful week's work. I guess I have to get used to this. Maybe I should include my new skills in my resume. :) What do you think? ;]

Yehey! I Got A Job Offer

Finally, I got a job from the agency that I applied a month ago. I remember the exams that I went through, tests measuring my skills. I recalled how nervous I was when I was interviewed by three staffing managers. Through it all, I made it.

I was supposed to have another interview today at 2:00 p.m. (part time job) but I decided not to go instead because three hours prior to the scheduled interview, my phone rang. It was good news from the staffing manager, informing me of a job assignment. I can't believe it and I'm so happy I'm back to being a career woman. The workplace is very close to our house, only a three-minute drive. Well, that saves a lot of gas for commute. No reason to be late! Hehehe! I'm so excited on my first day next week and nervous at the same time. I hope my colleagues are nice and helpful. We'll see!

Winning Bingo Card

I had the lucky bingo numbers! Yeheyy! I won $50.00 today. How I wish it would be a bigger amount but I am happy with this. It's a good winning amount considering the card costs only $3 each. That's a profit of $43! Hmmm, maybe we should buy more bingo cards.

I Bet and Won

Charlestown Horse Racing in West Virginia is an hour drive from our city. I remember the very first time I came here I got lucky. I bet on the eight race and my first and second choice of horses won. I never looked at their past races on the the book. Instead I just made a wild guess simply. Hubby was very much impressed with my $189.00 winning. The odds was great! Horse racing is fun and exciting. It gives you a lot of thrills especially if you have a favorite horse to bet.

After the race, we played the hot peppers slot machines. I was surprisesd by the number of old folks playing there. They also had the live band performing. We did have a good time. I look forward to our next visit.

Long Lost Best Friend

I am so happy my bestfriend in high school is back in the picture. Nine years ago, we bid goodbyes and I cried for weeks when she finally left the Philippines. She had to move to Sri Lanka due to family business matters. Though we were keeping in touch through snail mail months after that, its hard when a very special friend is just not around. Years passes by and I never heard of her again. Until I got a friend's request in friendster year 2005. I am glad we were able to update each other's live after all these years. And now we are both here in the US and constantly calling. Though we are not in the same state but I am looking forward to seeing her again. Maybe plan a vacation together and spend some fun times like we used to. What a small world after all! God is really good. He brought back someone who is so important and special.

The Best Antioxidant

I've been taking Glutathione for two years now. I continuously believe in the saying, "Health is wealth". As I get older I devote more importance to my health and well-being. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one secret of mine is a daily dosage of glutathione. According to my research, biochemists have been excited by its role as an antioxidant, detoxifier, and the possible reversal of malignant cells to healthy cells. I can see the results in my glowing skin. This product just works for me. I love it. It's for keeps.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

This famous city is known as the mini version of Las Vegas. We had a wonderful time here. We enjoyed the long stroll on the Boardwalk where you can have a nice view of the expansive Atlantic Ocean, splendid hotels, food shops & stores everywhere. You can watch Ripley's Believe It Or Not. They also have the amusement park which offers different rides. We stayed in Bally's hotel and love it there especially the casinos and slot machines (my favorite).

Home Alone

Not a typical Saturday for me today because I was home alone. My hubby left the house very early for the football game in Pittsburgh. I should have joined him but I was not sure if I can manage the very cold weather (0 degrees Celsius). I remember when we watched a baseball game last spring, I was freezing. It was funny because I was kind of ok the first half of the game but as the wind started to blow directly on my face, there I started chilling. Plus, we were situated on the higher seats in the stadium. You see I came from a tropical country with usual temperature of 30 degrees C. Anyway, even if I'm not a big fan of football, I did watch the game live on TV. It was a playoff and my hubby's team didn't make it. Too bad, it was not worth the five and a half hours drive.

City of Pittsuburgh

These photos were taken during one of our out of town trips. Pittsburgh is a big city in Pennsylvania (hubby's hometown). We sometimes go there to watch football game which hubby is a huge fan of or just visit my mother-in-law. The first time we visited the place, I was so amazed of the great view especially those buildings built on top of the mountains. Plus the very elevated train road ( 2nd photo). Amazing huh?

A New Member In The Family

I got a message from my sister today informing me about cousin's safe and normal delivery. I am so happy for her. I cannot wait to see her baby girl's pictures. Speaking of baby, when can I have mine? Every time my period gets delayed, hubby is always excited. But now, we really want to enjoy each other first and plan the baby making later. Besides, we still have a long vacation to look forward to next year. Probably a year or two from now, there will be another baby in the family. No hurry really!

Summer Capital of the Philippines

Baguio City, known as the summer capital of the Philippines, has been welcoming more and more tourists from around the world. With its cool weather, friendly people, clean environment, and scenic mountain views, Baguio is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines. The third photo above represents the Baguio's ancestors known as the "Igorots". They dress in their traditional costumes and your visit will never be complete without a picture with them.

The cold winter season makes me nostalgic of the great city which I once visited together with my parents. It's exactly the same month last year after I resigned from work. It was a splendid vacation before I came here in the US. I'm not sure if there's the same city as Baguio here. It is a city that is unique and one of its kind. I love this wonderful "City of Pines".

Happy New Year!

glitter-graphics.com

How time flies! Another year has ended and here comes another new year! And that only means one thing, we will be a year older. Hehehe. Happy new year everone! May we all have a fruitful year this 2008. More blessings, happiness, and achievements for all of us.