How blessed people can be if they know how to invest wisely and that is what my Uncle did when he retired from government service. Such a clever and wise old man he who wasted no time finding a good avenue on where and how to double his money upon retirement.   His quest led him to invest in gold IRA which was highly recommended by a friend who benefited from it and is happily enjoying the returns of his capital.

I was also intrigued by this acronym IRA and  found out that it is means Individual Retirement Account... which appropriately caters to the likes of my Uncle Ed.  This awakened his entrepreneurial skills and he dabbled on business on the sideline and his latest venture in 401k gold investment made him one famous personality because of his good deeds. He generously shares his blessing and a great encouragement to most of his co-retirees which he unceasingly influenced to invest  in IRA gold,  explaining to them it would be a sure financial back up after their retirement.

Such a well loved old man with a heart that goes for those who needhim and his assistance is done to the maximum. With the emergence of  gold IRA transfer, he keep on pushing all of his friends for surefire sound investment. That is what my uncle’s perspective in life – help them invest wisely and all those  good deeds that he is doing are coming back to him a hundredfold in the form of blessings like good health, happy family and good fortune!

It took me quite a time to finally give in to hubby’s desire to buy a DSLR camera.   Out of the blue, he became interested on photography and would like to buy high end camera while before he was very much contented with my point and shoot cam… Change of heart?  Or I guess he was inspired with pictures taken by a friend that amazingly came out so well  and hubby would also like  to discover the wonders of photography.

I was adamant to let him buy one for practical reasons… explaining to him that buying one is unnecessary and I even told him that for the longest time I did not see any trace of photography skills in him… lol….  Ouch!  Hubby was slighted but still very persistent (the discouraging words did not work out). Months passed and I thought the desire was long forgotten but 2 weeks ago he came home joyously announcing that he received his Performance bonus – 30% of his monthly salary.   He hinted that he can already buy the cam with his bonus, recounting further that he really worked hard and performed his best and the boss obviously noticed and gave him evaluation that deserved a compensation!   Good job!

papa and cam

It would be too selfish of me not to be touched by hubby’s seemingly over  melodramatic story….so when he mentioned about the cam again… I consented.. he deserved one… like a child that he keeps nagging me about it… so my mother’s heart gave in to his desires.

hands off?

Well, the new D90 DSLR camera is posted here….. Hands off?  No way… I have to use it too!

Our riches is not gauge by material wealth but we rest with the fact that our children are going to good school and are receiving  the best education ever.  Soon we are going to see the fruit of all our sacrifices as our daughter will  graduate from her Bachelor of Science in Multi Media Arts and Sciences course. It is really no mean feat to study the said course which is an interdisciplinary program that tackles the art, designs, multimedia development and production.  Amazing!  With quality technological education and software provided them to further their studies in the many discipline of their courses.

Citing the contemporary film they  painstakingly produced and presented for their mid term examination.  I bear witness on how much time, effort, skills and love (coupled with pressures) they put into that project during their shoots. They spent sleepless night doing post production and it is no secret that modern downloadable software and use of state of the art facilities made them pull through their difficult tasks.  It also helps that Ares file sharing is available for them to download as they where able to share some of their files and videos.

The clear and crisp recorded and edited sound of their music videos enhanced their production and generated a flat 1.0 grade for the group! I believe that audacity software also helps them go through it.

On her third year proper, she had her eyes set on graphics design and imaging.  She can’t contained her excitement when they started doing 2D and 3D animation and her artistic ability was definitely challenged.  She initially requested for a MAC computer loaded with advanced functionalities but retracted when she learned that a lot of  open source 3D graphics software are available online.  In no time at all, she discovered that doing their multi-media projects are no longer that taxing as what she once thought. Playing music and videos are easier for them as BS Player is there handily.

Currently, she is on her last term and would be graduating soon  and she is contemplating on what career path she is going to pursue.  There  are a lot of career opportunities that awaits her.  Her main focus is to be a competent 3D animator and a graphic designer.  She too considers being an Art/Creative director and she has the least of worries because working on projects such as audio and video productions are no longer that difficult.   With online help, downloading and uploading files are now accessible, and peer to peer file sharing are done with ease and with readily available advanced and clear interface programs.

Do we need a pat in the back or a firm handshake?  Either way… all we knew is that soon we  will have a Multi Media Arts and Sciences graduate in the family.

It’s Holy Week and as part of my penitence as a true Christian, I will stay away from Facebook for the whole week…  last night I had this urge to open my FB account to check but I was able to overcome the temptation.   I hope my FB friends will not miss me or maybe they too are doing their own penance.

Good for the soul and the spirit to veer away from wordly activities…. Good girl!  (and this makes hubby more than happy!)

I have never  tasted lamb and I had this misconception about this food…..not that I opposed to ever trying it but somehow I thought it does not taste good and disgusting to eat so I hesitated for a while when friends invited us to eat at Cabrito restaurant – famous for serving roasted lamb.  However, due to much prodding and their convincing powers, I joined them in a cubicle where we gathered round and sit comfortably on the carpet like the Arabs do.  Whoa!!! the serving was enormous.. a whole lamb leg good for 4-5 person served in a big platter with assorted types of rice to go with it.   The lamb meat is tender and juicy and flavored with spices so our group really enjoyed it.  By the way, the lamb served before us was eaten using  a grabbing apparatus (the hand), just pick up a chop and put it straight into your mouth….

A few lectures about lamb… accordingly, lamb is a good source of “good fat” so it is good for health conscious people because it has less saturated fat than any meat products.

Tender..succulent meat

Honestly, it’s just the thought of eating lamb that was grossing me out but actually, it was not bad as I thought.  I managed to have few servings and I was done….  I would like to believe that another lamb attack will make me at ease eating it just like them.  The aftertaste (or I was just getting paranoid) was watered down with hot tea and I was full…..

Before….

The after effect…..

Well, what a lamb experience!

A friend is trying to convince me to buy the slimming coffee she swore that will make me slim.  I was adamant thinking it is again one of those networking schemes that are a lot here.  She was insistent (to get a sale????) and showed us our common friend who had tried the coffee.  OMG… if this slimming coffee is what she used to make Gina that sleek and slim then I will initially order a dozen boxes!!!!  Now, I am beginning to change my perspective that all fad diets won’t really help.   But now that I have seen the proof and based on her testimonies… I think I am about to believe… Gullible huh!

Alright, we were given leaflets to read and I gasped when I read that the magic effect of the slimming coffee is that you will be slender in only 18 days…. My mind wandered fast because in few weeks time it will be my silver wedding anniversary.  In case, we decided to renew our vows… I will be wearing a white gown again and looked good in it…. Just wishful thinking… But how?    Well.. accordingly, it will lock fats and prevents absorption.. it will also increase fat reduction and increase metabolism…

Well… to good to be true huh! Anyway, I won’t believe it till I experience it first hand.   Does this mean that my friend has a sure deal now?

PS… I won’t mention the brand yet till I have tried it and if it’s effective, surely it will be for endorsement.. Just hang on!.

The handsome compensations and benefits we are receiving as overseas workers are undoubtedly good enough to tide us with our family expenditures and to top it all, we have the luxury to go for well planned vacation trips to our hearts desire.  We’ve been on our company’s payroll for more than 2 decades and we believe that we deserved to be rewarded for all our efforts and sacrifices. And the latest family bonding time that we had was an exciting and unforgettable Walt Disney tours!. We make it a point that whatever blessings that we are enjoying are to be shared to our extended families as well, so everytime we planned for private tours almost everybody are considered while we our doing our budget  for the trip. Last year, the “chosen ones” received free tickets and hotel accommodation sponsorship from us but with stern instructions that they need to provide their own pocket and shopping monies.

part of the group…. family bonding time

It was the biggest family group trip we had so far… 15 in all  (Mom, 2 sisters, 1 brod, 1 brother in law, 3 nieces, 2 nephews and my family of 5).  You could just imagine how hard to assemble them in one place and head counting should be done first so nobody will be “home alone”.  Our  main itinerary last Christmas holidays was the Disneyland park adventure and the children adored the place, untiringly going from one ride to another while we adults patiently kept guard.   We practically became their “baggers and hangers because everytime they sighted an interesting ride, they excitedly tossed their bags and hanged their heavy coats on us. Oh well, we don’t mind really as long as they are enjoying, besides I had to accompany my 76 years old mom on the bench too tired to walk any further but we too enjoyed seeing them from afar really having a real good time!

leap of joy

not to be outdone… jump shot adult style

The grand parade of Disney characters was a sight and the experience is to treasure forever!    Towards the end of the day, though Mom was kinda tired , it was surprising that she somewhat got energized when Goofy, Mickey and Minnie plus Winnie the Pooh emerged and we adults were among those who excitedly lined up for photo opportunity with them.  You bet.. Mom was obviously happy! (see her pic with Goofy below!)

feeling young again!

The grand fireworks displayed which we waited patiently wrapped up our Disney adventure.  Everything about Disney is magical! And we don’t have any second thoughts whatsoever of  coming back for another awesome  Walt Disney World Resort tour (with another set of family members, I guess).   It is really true that the moment may be temporary but the memories are forever!

awesome… magnificent.. magical fireworks display!

It inspires us more to work and earn and share our blessings.  This early, another Disney tour is on the planning board…

Exciting!!!

A friend brought us hope and good news when she came back sleek and slim and looking young.  Of course, we were intrigued on how she did it.  Knowing that she also had this love and hate relationship with her stored fats…lol…. and yo-yo dieting is nothing new.  It is an endless battle of the bulge.   She will lose weight and gain it again in just few weeks.   She had tried all diets.. fad diet pills, yoga, tae-bo .. countless means to fight her ballooning weight…

However, this time, it was a success!  There is no surgical intervention because she hates surgery like liposuction that is why she is trying all possible means to lose weight.   We cornered and let her spill the beans… apparently, she has been drinking a new brand of  Slimming coffee and she hit the bulls eye… it is effective on her.  Actually, the effect is different for all types of people…she did not experience any side effects at all unlike others who swore that it is not good for them.

This time my friend Annie is bent to continue drinking the coffee and will do her work out to hasten her weight loss.  She is focussed to reach her goal because 6 months from now, her beau is going to arrive for their church wedding.   Any lady would want to look her best on her special day!  I am now tempted to try the coffee because I am one of the principal sponsors and of course, jut like the bride to be.. I also wanted to show off my new curves (if the coffee will work for me).

Let me see if I can ask for Annie’s before and after photo to post here… Just hang on…

Our mom taught us and drilled into our minds that it is not good to envy people.  If they have something that we don’t have, then we should just be contented and be thankful for whatever blessings that we are enjoying.   To this day, I had carried on with me that wisdom of being happy and contented and of not getting  jealous of others especially if it is about material things.  My children had received lectures on this aspect and they too understand.

In my circle of friends, I think I am the only one who doesn’t have any branded or signature bag to brag about.   I would see them proudly displaying an LV bag, Coach, DKNY, et al, either they bought or given as gift.   Well, I know that those signature bags are to drool for … good quality bags but very expensive.  But I am not jealous!  Maybe because, I have other priorities… that’s already a luxury for a mom like me who still have 3 children in college.  I will buy one if my budget permits and if maybe 1 or 2 of my children had finished their schooling.  Signature bags of those kind are usually seen in glossy magazines used by the rich and famous who could afford hundreds and thousands of dollars just for a bag.

dream signature bags….

For the meantime, I just will just expand my collection of signature bags…. Yes, my collection below are something that I can also brag about. Reusable, recyclable and cheap…  It comes with small purchases I made.   You may call it cheap collection but that’s how I am.   I am just being practical.    If I have spare money to splurge on branded bags.. certainly and without any hesitation I will buy one for myself.

lol… it’s not what you think… these are my signature paper bag collection

Good for my girlfriends…. they can afford to splurge on signature bags….how I wish they will use their credit cards wisely… heard that there’s a lot of card swiping going on these days…..

Anyway, I know that their bags are no match to my signature bags… (just kidding!)