See, what I am talking about?

When it comes to the area of cooking, I truly admire my Mom. From my favorite dishes down to my sweet tooth cravings for desserts, she almost knew everything. I could only wish passing down such skills could be as easy as learning the ABC's. Now that I am a Mom of three, I am actually trying to be that skillful Mom in the kitchen as I could be. I often watch cooking demo in YouTube channels, I also asked those colleagues of mine who are equally gifted about some recipes. However, during my attempts to become one good cook, I always encountered failures- though I have always been told that it is part of the process of acquiring knowledge, it really saddened me. Wish I could have my Mom's ability.

My own version of macaroons

Nevertheless, no matter how much of a failure I could be, that feeling of being appreciated for my efforts by my children is already an achievement for me. When I hear my daughter says "hmm yummy" it somehow inspire me to learn more and to strive harder to really make it perfect next time. I know it's still a long way ahead. I just have to savor my motherhood adventure one at a time. 

Oh, by the way, what I have featured here is my own version of macaroons. When I asked my husband about the taste, he said it's okay. Good thing he didn't witness all those burned part of my macaroons LOL

Are you a music enthusiast who has always wanted to learn the piano? You are not alone in this thought. Playing the piano is a rewarding experience that can help in you in different areas of life. Honestly, not everyone is born with the ability to play the piano professionally, but that doesn't mean you can't get some enjoyment out of it. In fact, some might say that hobbyists enjoy playing an instrument more because there is less pressure on them to be able to perform well. They simply play for the pure enjoyment. 

It is much easier to learn a musical instrument as s child. Because of this, many people shy from making the effort to learn as adults. It's not impossible for an adult to learn too, so why not at least give it a shot. You can even teach yourself if you are too embarrassed to go in front of a teacher or other students during the learning process. Here are a few tips to help you teach yourself music. 

1. Learn By Ear - Some people have a natural gift for learning music by ear. If this is you, the piano could be the best instrument for you because it is laid out so logically compared to how the ear works. If you don't have a great ear, don't be worried. It can be honed and developed like the muscles in the body when you work out. 

2. Just Sit and Poke Around - When you're getting started, sit at the piano and poke around. This will help you get more familiar with it so, when you are finally getting more serious about learning, you will have somewhat of a foundation to start with. Plus, it's just a fun thing to do. 

3. Stay Motivated - The reason most people fail is because they give up. Use any method you can to help you stay motivated to practice and stay involved with your quest to become a proficient pianist. Each person has a different way to motivate themselves musically and you should find yours as soon as possible.  

Ideally, you won't teach yourself. While it is a valid option, there are more effective ways to learn, namely taking private lessons. If you do decide to teach yourself, contact a company like C.R. Carole music. They have a wide variety of different music books designed to help you teach yourself piano. 

The basement of the home is an area that usually doesn't see much attention unless you have designed it so that it's functional for the family. It's best to find a general contractor who can complete the remodeling of the basement so that you don't deal with the electrical work, the flooring and any plumbing that you want to add. Before any basement project begins, you need to walk around the space to make sure the area is dry. If there is any mold or mildew, you need to find the source so that it can be repaired before adding any kind of flooring or doing anything with the walls. 

Look over the codes for your area to see if there is any paperwork that needs to be filed before any remodeling begins. This is usually seen more if you are doing anything with the plumbing or the electrical components. Examine the foundation of the home to see if there are any cracks. You also want to look at the grading that is near the base of the home. If there are grading issues, then you need to get them fixed so that moisture and even animals don't get into the basement area. 

Most basements are made with concrete or another sturdy material as the base. The proper fasteners need to be used when working with the flooring and other components that are added to the basement because a simple nail won't go through concrete or brick. This is where the contractor will come into play as he will know the best way to fasten everything together. The basement also needs some kind of moisture barrier. This will help keep mold and mildew from forming. Even if you use the room as a game room or a den, it can still develop moisture easier than the rest of the home because it's underground. Insulation needs to be added to keep the temperature regulated so that the basement will stay comfortable as most basements tend to be a bit cooler. Spray foam insulation is often the easiest material to work with. 

The pace of the international business market does not allow industry leaders to conduct business at home.  You must be on the go and ready to meet with or serve your partners or clients at a moment's notice.  

This hectic schedule leaves you little time as well to pick up your mail or forward packages to client awaiting word or products from you.  Rather than risk offending clients or losing money, you may find it better to rent a mailbox service that can fulfill these important mail and delivery tasks for you.  By securing services for mail correspondence and package apostille New York  City business leaders like you can travel with fewer worries and still maintain important contact with clients and partners around the globe.  

Rental Convenience

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to rent the mailbox for longer than an ordinary PO Box lease term.  You might need the services for months or even years before you can finally slow down and base your correspondence out of a single physical address.

The service is set up to accommodate professionals like you who are on the go and yet in need of long term and discreet mail and package delivery and forwarding assistance.  You can have access to the mailbox for as long as needed without the fear that the facility will stop receiving and sending out your letters and packages.  

You also do not have to worry that you will need to use the address of a relative or friend to receive packages and mail.  All of your correspondence can come and go from this facility.  It can then be sent directly to you as needed regardless of where you are in the world.

Notary and Privacy

The facility also offers notary public services that you can use at your disposal to validate documents for legal or business purposes.  Many mediators, trustees, and other third-party entities will not accept paperwork that has not been notarized.  Instead of looking around the city in which you are temporarily based for a notary, you can use the one at the mailbox rental.  The service is included with your rental fee.

Finally, you may want the highest level of discretion when conducting business.  You do not want people to know where you are or what kinds of letters and packages are being sent to you.  The facility ensures your privacy at all times.

Global business leaders do not get the luxury of staying home for long.  You can get letters and send out packages by renting a mailbox from a package and mail fulfillment service center.

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Thank God it's Friday!

It's been a long day, yes it is! I am thankful to God for a very successful Moving Up Ceremony. Congratulations to all my students who made it this far. And now, I can finally have my beauty rest (but not that much because we still have to report at school by next week and the week thereafter).


Since it is Friday, I am taking this post to Mommy Ruby's Pink Fridays! It's been awhile already and I am glad that memes like this still exists (Thanks to the Author!). So for this week, I will be featuring my water bottle! Why? Because it is Pink!

That line sounds familiar- a random thought actually. While writing on this, my daughter is at my back trying to fit herself on the chair I am using. She's my buddy for today here in school. Last week was a truly busy week because our school hosted the MTAP Regional Finals sponsored by Metrobank. And this week is another busy week because it is going to be our Moving Up Ceremony on Friday and a handful of things/tasks were delegated to me such as TArps, Certificates and Programmes. That also explains why I missed the two Fridays for Pink Friday of Mommy Ruby. Anyway, just wanna share to you the tarp I have made last week for the said event. Your comment and suggestion for improvement are absolutely welcome.

I am glad Mommy Ruby hosted back the Pink Friday memes. I truly miss this meme and hopefully other daily memes will also return to give another life to our blogs (especially mine who is quite in a hiatus for awhile.)
So, my entry for this week will be this one:

Til' next Friday!

"walay mabitay kung walay magpabitay" 

Yes indeed! No one will be hanged or will be sentenced to death if one will only behave according to the law of men and law of God.

The debatable issue about the implementation of Death Penalty was a hot seat topic in our society right now and giving an eerie feeling to those so-called "Pro-life" individuals.

I am happy to the fact that Death Penalty was discussed again by our legislative bodies. However, I was saddened by the fact that they limit the criteria to drug-related cases only.

Well, well, well so be it. But how about those other heinous cases? Rapist who raped a 2-year old baby? Kidnappers who beheaded a German national because a ransom was not given? How about that cold-blooded animal who brutally killed a man because of a nonsense traffic fight?

What's the reason for delimiting it by the way? Fear of objection from the Human Rights advocates? The fact that those heinous crimes were committed, the human rights of the victims were already jeopardized thus the perpetrators should face the consequence that they rightfully deserve- face DEATH SENTENCE BY HANGING!

Giving a chance to change for these merciless beings only mean giving the greatest insult to the victims. After all, they won't face DEATH PENALTY if and only if, in the first place, they give premium to the life they jeopardized.

So for me, YES to DEATH PENALTY- NOT ONLY TO DRUG-RELATED CASES BUT TO ALL HEINOUS CRIMES.

Do I need to enumerate them all?

#justSaying

More people in California are figuring out that now is the time to make money selling real estate. The popularity of many television shows may have helped to push some people into the so-called "flipping" business. People are buying homes, putting in a little bit of work and selling those homes for a profit. It's easier to do today given that the real estate market has made a recovery over the last few years. What is really driving this growth in investment, though, is the availability of more convenient credit. When it comes to hard money lenders California has plenty to go around.

Hard money lending is ideal for people who need to move homes in a hurry. There are two different ways to buy a house, it seems. One might go through the traditional process, checking out homes, surveying lending options, and closing on a home after a few months of hard work. The red tape is everywhere, and that is by design. The average first-time home buyer needs to jump through some hoops so everyone involved can be sure the person is ready to make that purchase. What about professional buyers, though? What happens to them when they need to get a home off the market in a hurry? 

Those buyers have been looking for solutions to make the process easier. Hard money lending is the answer for most. With these loans, the process is quick and simplified. People are able to purchase homes quickly so they can get to work and sell while the market is still hot. More than that, this type of lending works well because professional home buyers don't have the time to sit around cutting through the red tape. They need to be in and out with the process, using their time to add value to the home. Hard money lenders understand that. They provide funding in California and elsewhere for people who know they are going to make a profit on a home purchase and sale. 

It's well documented that when credit is more open in an economy, that economy has a tendency to flourish. This is true whether one is talking about banking  or real estate. Hard money lenders have seen a rise in popularity as traditional lenders have been less willing to hand out money to average people. It is this ability to fill in the gaps that has driven some of the growth in the real estate market. 

Time flies so fast, indeed, and in one month, Summer will officially start. I am quite excited for the coming days- am not sure why but I just can feel some positive vibes within me. Well, what excites me so far is the fact that I'll be spending most of my time with my babies! I am hoping against hope that there will be less school time and more of family time because as DepEd teacher, it cannot be avoided that there are some school summer activities that our presence is highly requested. I am planning to enroll my son in summer clinic for a music lesson, probably a ukelele lesson so he will be able to learn just like his dad. He has actually a ukelele at home but he never used it because he didn't how to play with it. I am wondering if there is a guitar center near me.  I know his dad can somehow help him the basic but given the time limitations because of work, enrolling him to a music school is the best option.

Oh summer, I am so excited to welcome you this year!

Disclaimer: We are all entitled in our opinion. This is my opinion- I deserve some respect.

The truth will set us free... a common adage yet still holds true up to this moment.

that face though...

Let's take the case of Senator Leila Delima. Indeed, she experienced a great dilemma in her life when she was allegedly connected in the drug trade business during her term as DOJ Secretary. I tried not to believe everything yet the evidences were there. Her former alliance turn their back on her. But of course she vehemently denied every accusation thrown at her stating that all of those accusations are part of the demolition job of the government against her. Then here comes the church meddling with the issue and getting her side ONLY. I find all her media/press conferences so scripted-trying to earn the citizen's sympathy. I wonder if she went through an audition in acting during her younger years or perhaps have joined in an acting workshop. Then here comes Trillanes who is divulging "controversies" against the President. Then lastly, the police officer that was testifying the truth about EJK existence in Davao when President Duterte was still the City Mayor.

Whoever tells the truth I could only hope that it shall prevail. And for those cases that has very reliable evidences, justice should be readily served. And if I am to be asked about Delima's case- I found her GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt. In fact, I can't wait to see her behind bars. She owe the Filipino people BIG TIME.

It's easy to hold on to feelings of anger and resentment toward someone who has treated us unfairly and hurtfully.  Most of us believe that the anger and resentment act as little inner bodyguards making sure that the same thing doesn't happen again, which forces us to replay hurtful incidents in our heads over and over again.  Surprisingly, however, nothing could be further from the truth.  Hurt, affectanger, and resentment are signs of weakness, not strength.

Forgiveness is Freeing

Believe it or not, when you release your animosity towards the person or people who hurt you, you're a lot more light hearted and relaxed.  Negative emotions have a way of tying you to a negative person, place, or thing.  When you forgive, you essentially let go of many thoughts and feelings that once had you shackled to a negative person, place, or thing.

It positively Benefits the Body

Another amazing benefit derived from forgiveness is the effect that it has on a person's overall health.  People who practice this invaluable virtue have a lower heart rate and blood pressure, as well as a more relaxed and stress-free approach to life.  This results in fewer aches and pains and a better quality of sleep.  Even if we are someone who suffers from a serious disorder that requires integrative medicine in LA, we can still heal quicker and have an overall more hopeful attitude in the face of sickness.

It Restores Happiness, Peace, and Joy

Somehow, when the mind is not shackled by the replay of old emotions, traumas, and hurts, it's free enough to experience more joy in the moment.  In other words, it awakens a sense of mindfulness, allowing us to enjoy the present without the intrusive thoughts of the past bullying their way in.  Forgiveness is truly the salve that smooths unpleasant scars and renews our zest for life.

Forgiveness has many mental, spiritual, and physical benefits.  It frees us to go on with the rest of our lives with our heart still in tact and our mind free and clear.  It improves our health by helping us to relax.  In turn, we experience a lower heart rate and blood pressure and fewer physical aches and pains.  Perhaps, however, the most striking benefit of forgiveness is its ability to restore peace, joy, happiness, and mindfulness.  It is truly the magical prescription for navigating our lives.

While it's true that Christmas is over but giving yourself a treat should not end there. See, Valentine's Day is coming too! so having a new acoustic guitar won't hurt you at all. C'mon, indulge and pamper the musicality in you. Invest into a new guitar that would set your Valentine mood to really romantic. The acoustic guitar by Martin Standard is indeed the real standard. It is very saleable and has positive reviews. 

I just want to share my experience last Monday when my beloved city was devastated by the flood.

When the heavy downpour started, all I wanna do is to go home with my babies but home isn't that accessible without taking a ride. Good thing a colleague of mine allowed us to hitch to his car. During that time no more motorcycle is willing to wage the strong current of water to our usual route so he need to detour to the longer but safer road. We've been stranded at the super traffic highway of Aluba for an hour or two and we can do nothing about it because some cars who were ahead of us got their cars dead due to the flood. Finally, when we get out of the car at Macasandig (near Precinct 9), we need to walk from the drop point to Ororama Cogon passing through the dark alley of Nazareth. We were freezing cold and hungry but we need to go on. After almost an hour of walking, we finally reached outside of Ororama where we have to wait again for few minutes for a jeepney. Indeed, that experience taught me how to be patient and it made me realize that our living planet needs help from us people. We need to pay much attention to the environment because it is slowly giving us a hard time because of the abuses it gets from us. I do not know how the government would be able to solve the waste problem in our country but one thing is for sure, we need to be a part of the solution this time by doing the things that needs to be done.

Basically, this is one of the reasons why flood becomes inevitable.

If you own a commercial property, you have it heavily insured. A natural disaster or a fire could cause you to lose everything you have worked for. No one wants that to happen. Commercial property damage is bad because it results in loss of income for both you and your employees. All businesses should strive to be insured adequately. Some even choose to over insure their property. It is the best way to protect the building and the future employment of the people who work there. 

The first thing to do after a disaster is file an insurance claim. This claim lets your insurer know you would like to settle for the damages. The process is more complex with a commercial claim than a residential claim. Commercial properties range from the size of a house to a huge shopping complex. You want someone on your side when determining the settlement amount. It is a good decision to hire a public commercial claims adjuster. 

You Need a Teammate 

The insurance company will send their own representative to investigate the damage. They will then offer a settlement amount. You should be able to trust them since they work for the company you pay to insure you. Insurance companies work with their clients to make them happy regarding their settlement. It is still a business, though. They would prefer to provide you with the lowest amount possible that will keep you happy. 

A public adjuster is an adjuster hired to represent you in the claims process. They don't replace the insurance company's adjuster. They work with, or even against them, to get a better claim than was originally offered. Sometimes, they even force your claim to go into arbitration. They are even more valuable when they represent you in that manner. 

Public adjusters often have experience working for an insurance company. They know more about the industry than almost anyone. In most cases, they are more experienced than the insurance company's adjuster. Public adjusters must be licensed in each state where they work. This is not true of company adjuster. You never know what you are going to get with them. 

Commercial public claims adjusters work for you during a trying time. Companies like United States Adjusters that can help you find the right fit for your needs. The claims process will be simpler and more fruitful when you employ a commercial public claims adjuster. 

I am what I am

You are who you are

We are what we are

Sounds a little bit confusing but have you really known yourself that much? Are you aware of your limitations? Are you even aware how far can you go? Of course, such questions like these is quite difficult to answer. Sometimes we are caught in a middle of a situation where all we want to do is to run as far as we can yet we cannot do it. We have the ability, we just lack the capacity to do so. And the mere reason was that- you just cannot afford to run.

Oh life.