Almost Done :)

Friends, I am happy to inform you that my new site is already up. Your links and badges are already there too. Please visit the site to verify if I oversee any link. The site still needs more finishing touches but I think it is good to go for now.

Kindly update Online Mommy's Corner link to http://www.mylenerabago.com. I will still visit your sites later this day to give you my updated link one by one. Just like Mommy Pehpot did :)

I sincerely hope that you will still join me on my journey on my new site...

God Bless!

Migrating to Word Press

I am in the process of migrating my site to Word Press. Since the rank of my current site returned to zero, I decided that this is the perfect time to migrate. I consider this event a blessing in disguise.

I bought a domain and hosting few months ago but haven't done anything on these yet., until now. I am planning to enter into hosting business. And since I will be selling hosting, it is only appropriate that my site is also hosted on my own hosting.

My main concern before was how to migrate my post and comments. I will really regret if I will not be able to transfer my posts since I've invested so much time writing them but it will be very tedious for me if I copy-paste them one by one. And how about the precious comments I received, should I just leave them behind?

But my concern is immediately answered. Word Press has a tool to migrate all the my posts including the comments . The biggest problem is solved in no time at all.

I am still constructing the page elements of my new site but as soon as I've put everything in there from my current site, I will visit all of the sites in my blog roll to provide each one of them new link.

I hope to see you there soon!

Late Night Peace

Obviously, it is already late, but believe it or not, I am still fully-awake. Since it is already late, all of the people living in the four corner of our house are now fast asleep, all except me. The silence of the night is deafening so I logged on to imeem.com using my husband's account to listen to some songs. Unfortunately, imeem.com now is way different from the imeem.com that I knew and used before. I couldn't find the collection of songs I bookmarked before and whenever I tried to search there was an ad window kept on popping up. And when I finally found an interesting song, I couldn't play the entire song, unlike before. The song can only be played for thirty second. This made me feel sad.

So I jumped out of imeem.com and ask Mr. Google what other sites offer free music streaming. To my dismay, the top sites on the search result do not offer free streaming to our country . Should I get mad to this music streaming companies who offer services to other countries except my country? Nah. They own their company and they can do whatever they want with their company. They can serve whoever they want to serve and offer their products to whom they want to offer them. And if they don't see Philippines as a market, it is their right and choice. Getting mad on them wouldn't do me any good but simply ruin my mood. The best thing I could do is close the browser and go back to Mr. Google.

While trying to hit the search button again, I remembered the e-radio station which my husband added to our favorite list long time ago. I tried to access the site and I was so happy to know that it is still working.

I found peace on the songs played and blessed with the message delivered over the e-radio. I find it peaceful to hear familiar hymns, they comfort my soul. Once again, God showered me with spiritual blessings through His message.

If you have time and want to find some peace and blessings, visit Heaven 88.7 FM.

This is not a paid post.

Back To Zero But Still Thankful

Just this morning, I discovered that my previous google page rank of 1 was reverted to 0.

Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. I don't know why it happened. I get ranked after 3 months of blogging and was able to maintain it for the past few months. I was even hoping and praying that onlinemommy gets a higher rank so I can qualify for more paid post opportunities.

But on the brighter side, I am still thankful that I was ranked and had the chance to earn some extra cents. And most importantly, I had the chance to learn many things in reading other moms' entries through blog hopping and I earned some virtual friends. I may not have the chance to see them personally but I am blessed to know them through their insights and posts.

My blogging life didn't start in a rank and it will never end with a rank either. With or without rank, I will continue to share my thoughts, stands, experience to others. If I will have the chance to earn extra money through blogging, it is just a bonus.

So, happy and enjoyable blogging to all!

An Unusual Monday

When I woke up this morning, (I woke up a little bit late) I heard the voices of the kids in the neighborhood. They were already playing. Hmmm, very unusual because today is Monday and supposedly, they already off to school by that time.

I started preparing for office because Monday and Thursday are the usual days I report to office. After saying goodbye to my hubby and getting so many kisses from my little darling, I headed to the bus stop where I usually wait for the bus going to MRT Station, North Edsa. By that I time, the buses are usually fully loaded with passengers and the passengers can even exchange faces because their nearness to each other. But today, I was still able to get a seat and no one is standing on the aisle of the the bus. There were even some few vacant seats.

I rode off the bus at MRT North Avenue Station to transfer to an FX going to Ortigas. When I got to the FX terminal the usual long line of commuters was no where to found. Instead of commuters, few FXs were lined up waiting for passengers. Big deal for me because I don't need to line up and get all the smell of the food being sold in the terminal before I get my turn to ride on the FX.

And finally, the most unusual thing this morning was that EDSA was not congested with vehicles and my travel from North Avenue to Ortigas was very fast, so fast that I was not able to get a nap during my trip,LOL!

Very unusual but a blessed Monday! I seldom experience this kind of Monday. Thanks to SONA and heavy rain yesterday because some classes were suspended today. This was the reason why my Monday was not a panic and rushing Monday.

Dinner with High School Friends

I had a wonderful Sunday night. Aside from the wonderful worship service message I heard about possessing God's promises, I had a dinner with my high school friends at Conti's Trinoma. I was not able to take some pictures because it was an unplanned event and I was not able to bring my camera.

Okay, first thing first. Saturday evening, around 11 pm, an unregistered number is calling my phone. When I answered it, I heard an unexpected but familiar voice. I was really surprised and happy. It was my high school classmate and friend who is now based in US. She just came back last Friday and was asking if we could the next day with our other friend. I don't usually go out on a Sunday because of church activities so I told her that I will just follow. They can meet earlier and will join them after our evening service. I realized that I missed her for the years that she was not here and I was excited to meet her again.

Last night, around 7:30 pm, after our evening worship service, I headed to Trinoma. I can't convinced my husband to go with me so I have no choice but to leave my daughter with him and meet my friends alone. According to him, he was shy to meet my friends. Although, I want my friends to see him and our daughter, I didn't obliged him to go with me. I respect his decision.

Because of traffic, the supposedly ten-minute travel became an hour. Hay... I was already excited that I kept on moving on my seat, lol! The cab driver might be thinking that I was having a diarrhea.

Finally, I met my long-time-no-see friends. Actually, it was not only my balikbayan friend that I seldom see, but also my other friends because I really seldom go out. We were only four last night. There was one who could not make because she brought home some work and need to finish them. But nonetheless, the dinner turned-out great. We get updated on each other's lives and it is wonderful to know that all of them are doing good. Although, my balikbayan friend experienced some family-related problems on her first few years in US, it is good to know that she is now OK The other two is also doing great on their own field. It is good to know that now, I have a friend who is a doctor, a bank officer, and a nurse. Our alma mater, Quezon City Scienc e High School, played a big part on our careers now. I wonder about our other classmates and batchmates. How are they after fourteen years?

Aside from the great chit-chat, we also had a great dinner. The food served in Conti's were great. It was my first time there. I order the Chicken Roulade and I was very satisfied with it. We also order Mango Salad and Cheese Pop for appetizer and Mango Bravo for dessert. I was really full when we decided say goodbye. We planned to meet again before our balikbayan friend return to US.

Mango Bravo

Chicken Roulade

Clarification From Malacañang

Malacañang retracted their first statement that July 27 is a non-working holiday in celebration of INC day. You can check the link shared by Mommy Chris for more details. July 27 is a working holiday according to Malacañang. Was it an honest mistake?

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against INC members personally. What I am really after at is the reason behind. We have so many holidays actually and I will be a hypocrite if I will tell you that I do not enjoy them. Of course, holiday is another whole day for me to bond with my daughter and be with my husband mentally and physically. Aside from that, I will still be paid though I don't need to work. For others who are required to report to work during holidays, they will have additional pay. But how about those who are belongs to the no-work-no-pay group? Will they be also happy on this kind of adhoc holidays? I don't think so.

Holiday (non-working) is good and I surely love it for personal reasons but I don't think it is acceptable to use it as bribe for more votes. Let us be wise like a serpent but harmless as a dove. Let us not be deceived by delectable gourmet that will poison our bodies and mind.

July 27 Declared as Non-Working Holiday

Just this morning, my former office mate pinged me in YM the link of the article in inquirer.net stating that July 27 was declared as "INC Day" a non-working holiday. I am wondering why? Is it only because our president is fond of holidays or is there any deeper reason for this? She cannot claim that this is because majority of the Filipinos are members of INC because definitely, it's not. She's not even an INC. Is there another political agenda for this considering that this group claims that all their members unanimously vote for the candidates chosen by their leaders? If the government gave INC a national holiday, all other sect should also be given the same privilege. Don't you think so? There should also be a Catholic Day, JIL Day, Baptist Day, Pentecostal Day and other religious group Day!

Our constitution is clear about the separation of state and church but in the last elections , I observed that many politicians were using religious groups just to win a post. Just like my daughter's expression for dirt, "EWE". Politicians are getting desparate and more desparate for power, wealth and popularity that they don't mind to use whomever they can use just to win. I just hope that religious groups will not be deceived by their flowery words.

Let us pray for an upright, god-fearing and courageous men and women who will serve our country.

Disappointed with my 1st ArtsCow Project

My first order with ArtsCow.com has arrived. Actually, only a notification from Central Post Office was delivered to our place. I had to pick up the parcel from the Post Office.

It's an 8x8 hard cover photo book. I ordered it last June 80. I used the photos taken during my wedding two-years ago. Unfortunately, my expectation was not really met. Maybe I was expecting too much. I am not satisfied with the actual print out. The print out didn't get the actual colors and the images were liked polarized. If it is because of the resolution of the pictures, I really don't know. The preview of the photo book is great but the actual product is unsatisfactory. The materials used for the pages is nice and the way it was shipped is commendable because the ArtsCow ensures that the item cannot be folded.

For me to find out if this is a picture resolution problem, I will wait for another photo book promo (hope they still have one), and will try another set of photos. This time, I will prepare and use my daughter's pictures with high-resolution just to make sure if the output is still not good, it is not an image resolution problem.

Dressing Up Filipino 101, Missed Mommy Momments

Wondering why I am not so visible nowadays? Hmm, I am busy dressing-up my other blog, the e-filipino101. I neglected that site too much. Since the school year started, I noticed that the site is getting more visitors everyday. As a matter of fact, e-filipino101 has more daily visitors than this blog although I seldom have the time to update that blog. Maybe because many students were looking for resource materials for Filipino.

I think I owe that blog a more decent dress... (forgive me if you disagree hehehe). The template need more finishing touches but almost done.

Mommy Chris, please forgive dear, co'z I won't still be able to join the Mommy Momments :( as much as I want to. I have no picture of myself, my husband, nor my daughter that is appropriate with the theme. I will try my best to join the next week's theme.

For those who already grabbed my badge, my sincere thanks. I also hope that you will not remove my badge. I am planning to setup an exclusive page for the badges alone. I promise to grab your badges too once I setup this badge page. Just hold on please...

Overweight

During my lunch break, I went out to buy my daughter medicine for her colds and cough. Yes, my daughter has a colds and cough again. A month has not passed yet when she had her last colds and cough. And it is no fun when our child is sick, right?

Anyways, after paying the med, I noticed that nobody was using the machine installed in Mercury outlets for measuring the weight and height(I forgot the name of the machine). I also have a five-peso coin so I decided to get my measurement.

After measuring all the factors need to be measure, the result was printed-out. The result indicated that the ideal weight for my height is only 55.3 Kg but I am 61.6 kg to my dismay. I am overweight by 6.3 kg. I am not loosing weight, instead, I am still gaining more pounds...( and not just pounds, but kilos)

This is quite alarming and badly needs attention on my end. If the continue gaining weight, I will end up obese and being obese, I will be facing more health complications. Although, very seldom we include pork in our meals, my rice intake is the culprit. I eat too much rice....

But before it is too late, I need to gain the determination to limit my rice intake. Otherwise, instead of taking care of my daughter, I might be the one she'll be taking care of.

More Touch of Adsense

Ever since I implemented a new template for this blog site, I haven't returned my AdSense unit yet, only this day.

I am not supposed to go online today because tomorrow is Sunday and I need to prepare for the Lord's day. But since we had an early dinner and hubby is in the mood to read some stories for our dear princess before she sleeps, I have a little time to return my AdSense. Although, my earnings from AdSenseis not that significant yet, it is still an additional income if accumulated :)

I am really sorry I cannot blog hop at the momment, my time is so limited. I will be online on Monday for sure and I will have time to visit your posts.

I have to go now. Have a great weekend to all. God speed!

Much Awaited Meme - Mommy Momments

Friday is my most awaited day for blogging. Because I am excited to see other moms' entries for Mommy Momments. Through this meme, I get to know other moms all over the Philippines, and even outside the Philippines. I may not be able see them face to face. But through their blogs, I get to know their opinions, views in life, style of living, beliefs, and many other things that I can create an image of them in my mind. Also, through this meme, I get to know other Christian moms in other places and learn some insights from their posts. And for me, this kind of opportunity is God's blessing to me.

For moms who visit my site and share their comments with me, accept my deepest thanks. I really appreciated your effort and time to visit my link. And thank you for being a channel of blessing to me.

My First Ever Approved Paid Post

This is great morning indeed! As stated on the title of this post, my entry for a paid post has been approved. This is the second time I tried to submit an entry. The first one was rejected. The reason given to me was I have no site wide disclosure policy. I really feel disappointed because the price of the post was only $0.5 and yet it was still rejected. I didn't do anything to correct the reason. And I didn't logged on to the site for a while. I was already hesitant to continue this kind of sideline. I was already thinking that my english skill is not really acceptable and this kind of work is not for me.

After I got a Google page rank of 1, out of idleness, I visited the site again. And I am glad I did. During my visit few days ago, I was already qualified to several opportunities. Unlike before that I only had one or two. I decided to give it a try again and chose the one that I can describe well. The adage "Try and try until you succeed" holds true this time. After a second try, my entry was approved and I am so happy. Thanks and all glory belongs to my God.

Monday Sickness

Ever since I joined the Philippine work force (that was 1999), I am always hoping that weekend will never end and Monday will never come because Monday, as we all know, is the start of the working-days. Every Monday is a struggle day, a struggle to come to office and start the week working. Some workers, use the VL to escape going to office on Monday, that is why the term Monday sickness is coined. Many workers find working a burden not a blessing. I have the same mentally until I heard a lesson about being thankful on a Monday.

I realized that this is true. I should be thankful to the Lord that every Monday, I have a job to report to. That I am not included to the million Filipinos who do not need to wake up early because they don't have a work that require them to be do so. I should be a hundred times more thankful because God gave me a family-oriented company which allows me to work from home. I should be thankful because God gave me the strength and the complete body to work. So many things to be thankful on a Monday, isn't?

So whenever I feel a little bit lazy to get up on a Monday, I would just think that God gave me a blessing that needs to be taken care of.

3rd Wedding Anniversary Gift

On the 12th of May, my husband and I will be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary. I am planning to give him a token since last year I was not able to do so because I am about to give birth to our first child and we need to save every single cent for my delivery and for the months that we won't have any income.

Now, though we are not really that financially okay, but I believe he deserve a token for his graduation and our anniversary. I am planning to buy him a perfume from Scent. I want to give him another bottle of Cool Water By Davidoff. This was the first cologne I gave him. I like the smell of it because it is masculine yet not too strong. The cologne has a long-lasting effect that when he puts on it in the morning, I can still the smell the scent until the evening but the smell is not irritating. The price of the cologne from Scent is also within my budget :)

I can't wait to smell my hubby with the same scent again :)

Death

I deeply grieved for my friend whose father died last Tuesday morning, April 28, 2009. The remains of his father is currently lying in St. Peter(along Quezon Avenue). We visited him last night and spent sometime to chat with him. He mentioned to us that his father is using the life plan purchased by his aunt. The plan was transferred to his father and it was really a blessing to them because instead of paying the whole amount of 55,000 bucks, they would only need to pay the unpaid balance of the plan amounting to less 30,000 bucks. They almost saved a 50% of the whole amount. This is a big deal for them since they also spent money for the hospital bills and will still need to spend some more for the burial land.
While we were talking, I was contemplating to get my own life plan in preparation for the future. We all know that all of us will soon be facing the inevitable death, we just don't know when.For me, death is something that we should be prepared of especially if you are living in a third-world country where everything is expensive. This will free up our love ones from some expenses that our death may incur.
How about you? How do you see death? Is it something to prepare for or something to be afraid of?

System Admin Tasks for Senior Developer Role

My call with our client has just finished. We discussed the problem I encountered while I was trying to setup their client's storage array... Believe me, I have no experience on this and I am really surprised when my contact told me that we will be the one to setup the storage array...

Well, as a Senior Developer, I am expected to handle the tasks graciously though I have no previous experience on this area. Yes, I am a Senior Developer in C# and ASP.NET but I have no experience doing System Administration tasks. But I take it as a challenge. I love to learn new things. And whenever I gain new skills, for me it is already a success...

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I am also happy that my contact in US is really kind and not so demanding. He understands my position and I am happy to co-work with him. I am also blessed that he is also a Christian, an active one. He is a minister in their church and he is also the one assigned to lead their choir practices. I am blessed to work with other Christian in the other side of the world.

Getting Behind

Before I reported to work this morning, I entertained an interview invitation of a company not so far from our office. I am not actively looking for a new job because I know that transferring to a new company these days is really risky. But I entertained the initial technical interview for two reasons. First, the location is not far from our office and I won't lose anything if I drop by. Secondly, I entertain job interviews just to assess if my skill is still marketable. Sad to say, after staying in my current company for two years, my market value freeze :( and my skill becomes stagnant.

Before I join this company, I am confident that I am well marketable because of the trainings and experiences I gained from my previous company. But now, in just two years, I am way behind the technology. I was asked of many questions which I am not familiar with huhuhu... I am pretty sure that the my application with that company will end there.

Though disappointed, I still look on the brighter side. God allowed me to accept that interview to let me know that I am already behind in terms of technology information and skills and I have to do something to improve that. At least, I get some idea what to study during my free time and be prepared for the next interview that may come in the future. I don't also have to depend on the trainings and projects given to me by my company. I have to exert some effort to continuously improve and update my skills.