A Week Filled With Freebies, Prizes and More

Last week, I received all these freebies, prizes, award and bonus.

Disney UNO cards for my daughter and a Spelling Bee T-shirt for my younger sister from Disney Princess Magazine. They both won in the Fairy Godmother Corner for the months of May and June respectively. Thank you Summit Media for delivering these prizes.


SM gift certificate worth Php 500 from MomCentre Philippines. It was Skylah's prize for her winning picture in the children's category. I didn't know that they'll be sending me a gift certificate.


A Free magazine from Northern Living, a lifestyle guide magazine of metro north. This is a free magazine given by Hinge Inquirer Publications for a limited time. Those who wants to receive a free subscription can send their name, address and mobile number at free.nliving@gmail.com


A winning announcement from from Kainpinoy, that I've won in the Krispy Kreme contest. I've won a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme just by sharing a Father's day greetings and thoughts. The prize will also be delivered.

Aside from this, I also received a bonus from my provider for the project I had submitted and 2 awards for my blog given by a fellow blogger.

It had been such a wonderful week. Indeed, the best things in life are free.

Hope that my luck continues as Yahoo! Philippines Purple Hunt continues. I've answered all the locations of the 6 cameras but I know the chances are very slim since there are hundreds or maybe thousand purple hunters who are taking part in this contest.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Disney Channel's Princess Movie

A week won't pass without the kids watching a show at the Disney Channel. My daughter and my little sis are fond of the Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, the High School Musical movies and a lot more Disney Channel shows. Of course, my daughter is fanatic of Disney Princesses too. Well, who wouldn't love to be a Princess?

A while ago, I've read about a Princess Protection Program... just the word "princess" builds my interest. I didn't initially thought that it is a Disney movie. Well, it is! I am sure that the kids would love to watch this movie too!

Princess Protection Program is the new Disney Channel original movie that premieres last June 26, 2009. This movie stars Demi Lovato of Camp Rock and Selena Gomez from Wizards of Waverly Place.

This new Disney film is an adventure-comedy about a princess who goes into hiding after her country is invaded and taken over by a dictator. Princess Rosalinda is placed in the Princess Protection Program (PPP), a secret organization that rescues princesses, and lives with the family of tomboy Carter Mason whose life is turned upside-down after helping the Princess.

Checking on the Official Disney Website.

It is interesting that the Disney Channel website features a "Princess Password Program". It is where viewers would count the number of times the word "princess" is uttered in the movie and enter this in the website DisneyChannel.com. A correct answer will then unlock the new episodes of “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Sonny With A Chance.”

Awards for A Woman Remembers

I am grateful for these 2 blog awards that I received from Mary of Mother NO's Best. Now, I am sharing these awards to 15 fellow bloggers. Visit their sites and see out how lovely their blogs are.

Proud Mommy
Blog Appetite
I Love-Hate America
Conversations with Moms
Czech Off the Beaten Path
Where the Moon Shines
Ask Ms Recipe
Mom From Manila
In Love With Daisies
Chicken Heart
A Little Boy's Blog
Golden
Me, Myself and a Star
All about Babies and Kids
Realm of a Dreamer

The rules for these awards are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Updates:

Another blogger friend, Joy-Anne of From This Side have awarded me also with this twin awards. Thank you so much!

The Governor's Affair and Michael Jackson's Death

When the U.S. entertainment world was still paying tribute to actress Farrah Fawcett's death; remembering the recent death of Ed McMachon; pitching on the scandal that surrounds South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford affair with an Argentinian woman Maria Belen Shapur (who makes the world scramble for her picture); the shocking news about Michael Jackson's death was announced.

Pop Star Michael Jackson was rushed to the hospital, and was pronounced death due cardiac arrest. He was 50.

He is a gifted entertainer, the world's top musical performer best known for his trademark moonwalk dance. He was one of the world's most-famous entertainer and even the most-ridiculed one. People loved his music and his albums; yet, criticizes him for the plagued controversies on child allegations. The artist dies, leaving behind his legacy. Just like anyone else, he deserves respect and prayers.

These are the commotions I've read just before sleeping and after waking up. It was around 2 a.m. when I got to sleep after doing my work, finishing and submitting my online project. Before sleeping, I was intrigued on the affair of Gov. Mark Sanford, and now the buzz on Michael Jackson's death. This news has set the web on fire and generated volumes of traffic at Twitter and websites. Google describes the traffic on Michael Jackson’s death as "volcanic".

Extra-marital affairs and deaths could really be saddening.

Moving On. Purple Hunting. Checking Emails. Working.

The Start of Another School Year

More schools have suspended their classes in the Philippines because of the A(H1N1) flu affected students . It's also the second day that classes in Metro Manila are suspended because of typhoon Feria.

It was just last week that my kid's started going to school, and now they already have 2 days off. Good thing, it is just because of the typhoon.

As a mom, I always make sure that I share in every milestone and moments of my kids; and enjoy every day while they are still young. I accompanied them on their first day and my hubby was also with me on their second day. Simply being there on their first days brings them so much joy. My daughter Skylah, who's already in Kinder 2 is already enjoying her class. My son Brent who's attending Nursery class keeps on urging me to be with him at school. He keeps on saying, "I have new classmates!" It is because almost every student in the preschool is new. I think I have only seen less than 10 students from the previous school year. I guess some have transferred in big schools, in other nearby preschools, in public schools and one of Skylah's classmate had already migrated in the U.S. with his family.


These are just 5 simple first week moments worth remembering:

1. Brent only cried because he was alone in the room, whereas some of the kids have their mommies and yaya's beside them.
2. Skylah has 2 new school subjects - Sibika and Language.
3. The kids showing me the stars that they receive and book activities with a stamped word, "Very Good!"
4. Friday school party. A classmate celebrating her birthday.
5. Brent has grown up; unlike before where he is the smallest in class.

Kids Crooked Houses

I love kid's playhouses. Looking at these crooked houses keeps me young at heart. How fun it would be to enjoy playtime and create wonderful childhood memories at these little houses.

Photo Source: http://www.kidscrookedhouse.com

These crooked playhouses are creative wooden playhouses for kids. It can be customized to fit the interest of a child.

Price check. A single playhouse starts from $1,249.00 and a double deluxe costs $4,449.00. Quite pricey!

These kids crooked houses are becoming more popular for it had been recently part of the show, John and Kate plus 8. It is showcased as a part of the episode where they created four "crooked houses" for the 8 adorable kids; the episode where John and Kate announced their divorce. It's like showing the parodies that lies within the Gosselin family! I am not a fan of this popular reality show. But, it is just sad to hear about a marriage that leads into a downfall and would affect their whole family.

Learnings. Life is more than living in a beautiful house or creating impressive ones for people to see. It is more important to create a happy and peaceful home worth living for the whole family.

Prizes from Blog Sponsored Contests

At last, I have claimed yesterday the prizes I’ve won from blog sponsored contests.

First stop was at Geisler Maclang’s office at Makati City where I picked up my lifesize Havaianas flipfloats. The prize is from a blog contest of Byahilo’s where you would answer the question “What can you do with the Havaianas Flipfloats, or a creative way on how you can use this cutesy inflatable raft”. Luckily my answer was chosen as the best amongst the 46 responses. Here's my simple, winning answer -


Next stop was at Red Ribbon Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong Branch. It’s where I’ve claimed the Red Ribbon gift certificate worth Php 1000 from a contest sponsored by LetsGoSago. It’s a contest where my blog post won second place.

It’s my first win at both blog sponsored contests and I am happy with these prizes I've got. Thank you so much. The Havaianas flipfloats is not inflated yet (see how it looks like at Byahilo's blog); and we are really excited to use this in the pool. I just don’t know when.

It's Father's Day and It's a Long Day!

Happy Father's Day to my husband, my papa, my brother, my brother-in-law, my uncles, my friends and to all the daddy's out there!

My daughter Skylah bought a card for her daddy. She just wrote the word "Daddy, love Skylah and Brent" on the card. I know that in the years to come, they'll be creating their own cards and crafts. Definitely, they would start searching the Internet for e cards, printable cards, quotes and poems; just like what my little sister is fond of doing.

This is interesting. Aside from June 21 being Father's day, I've learned that today is also the longest day of the year 2009. It's summer solstice where the day is longer while the night is the shortest. It’s interesting to know that people even celebrate summer solstice too. Pagans and partygoers have gathered to greet summer solstice at Britain's ancient Stonehenge monument in England. In other countries, this marks their first day of summer.

Well, it’s a long day and it means that I have more time to accomplish things today.

Embracing Life and Living in Serenity

“Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm”

I am a woman of serenity and quietude...

I am at peace when life flows smoothly, where there's nothing to worry about, no stresses and no tensions. But everyday life is not always like this. More often, it is surrounded by all these. The environment is always filled with noise, turmoils, daily blahs and squabbles, and a lot more. Sometimes even my mind is full of chatters and clutters from the moment I wake up up to the moment I fall asleep. Still, there are times when I can manage to keep calm and be peaceful... times when the most I can do is take a deep breathe, sigh, and pray.

“I believe that catching a vision for simplicity is the vital prerequisite for dealing with the storms of life, for exiting the fast lane and for changing our lives for the better.” ~ Thomas Kinkade

Sometimes I wish to walk in solitude, read a book or write in silence. For it is in silence that I can think clearly, hear and feel more; and I can listen to the quiet conversations with myself. Though when I want to, I can always close my eyes and hear these music, as it fills me mind and feed my soul...

If there’s one more gift
I’d ask of You, Lord
It would be peace here on earth;
As gentle as Your children’s laughter
All around, all around

Your people have grown weary
Of living in confusion
When will we realize
That neither heaven is at peace
When we live not in peace

Grant me serenity within
For the confusions around
Are mere reflections
Of what’s within
What’s within me.

Indeed, God gives me inner peace in times of all the chaos and every life circumstances. I am living a life trusting Him, enjoying each moment everyday with my family. I welcome each challenge and life trials because I know all these makes me strong. How wonderful it is to sleep at night when all the worries in my mind shuts down, knowing that I would wake up to another great and wonderful day.


I will continuously accept that noise will always be a part of my life... it is through this that I come to appreciate my silence and embrace my serenity.

Facebook Username Gold Rush

Facebook team allowed the public to create their usernames or vanity URL last June 13. It's like land and gold rush since millions joined in the rush and some even had slight competition against the URLs they desire. Even some journalists have pre-reserved their usernames. I can't believe that there's also username squatting!

Well, I haven't experienced any trouble claiming my desired username. I didn't even rush and register my username on the day of the launch. I think there's still no one in this world with a name exactly the same as mine. Unless, my "so-called Impostor" had claimed it before I do.

This would be the Facebook username and vanity URL forever since facebook says that it can never be changed - http://www.facebook.com/czaroma

This is easier to remember and share with others that the previous Facebook URL consisting of a bunch of random numbers. A move similar to Twitter's. This is a huge success for Facebook. Their representatives reported that more than 200,000 usernames were registered in the first 3 minutes and 3 million after 12 hours! It was the busiest day for Facebook; even generating record high traffic!

For those who haven't claimed their Facebook URL, you can claim it here: http://www.facebook.com/username. But for those who joined after June 9, you would be eligible to claim your username on June 28.

Even if I have claimed my URL, I still need to have time and spend a few minutes on my facebook. For now, the most I can do is accept friend request; hopefully soon I can keep my account updated. Still, all my blog friends and visitors can add me on Facebook :)

Explore Philippines For A Day With These Great Food

Today is World Blog Surf Day!

Discover the Philippines and the Filipinos heart in these mouthwatering dishes. I would love to blog about a hundred dishes, but I am limiting this post to 10 specialties that is distinctly Filipino. Timing is just perfect because yesterday, the country celebrated Independence Day!

Lechon

This popular specialty means roasting a suckling pig. It is where the whole pig is placed on a large stick, coked in flamed charcoal and roasted for several hours. The meat's own fat is used which makes the skin crunchy. It is usually served with liver-based sauce.This cuisine is usually cooked and popular during fiestas, holidays and special occassions.

Adobo

A typical and well-loved Filipino food which is a staple in every household. This is a dish made from pork or chicken or combination of both; cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and black pepper. A perfect and juicy Adobo is a balance of all these ingredients. "Adobo" is a word for seasoning and marinade.


Dinuguan

"Pork blood stew" is a Filipino savory stew of pork, pig innards; where it is simmered and thickened with fresh pig's blood, with garlic and vinegar. Dinuguan come from the word dugo which means “blood”.

Pinakbet

Pinakbet (Meat Vegetable Stew with Shrimp Paste) is an authentic filipino dish. This vegetable stew is composed of tomatoes, bittermelon, eggplant and okra; and is seasoned with Bagoong (fermented fish paste).

Kare Kare

This dish is one of our country’s top native food. Kare-kare is a rich peanut-accented stew made with ox tails wherein vegetables are frequently added. This dish is consists of ox tails, tripe and small intestines of beef, eggplants, pechay leaves, and string beans. This is usually served in a native bowl, called "palayok". Shrimp paste or bagoong comes with this native main dish.

Tapsilog - Sinangag

Sinangag is Garlic Fried Rice filipino version. This is usually leftover steamed rice fried in garlic which is served during breakfast. It is cooked by stir-frying rice with a small amount of oil, garlic, and salt. This is best if eaten with tapa (dried or cured beef) and fried egg. When combined in one meal, the term would be "tapsilog".

Halo Halo

A popular Filipino dessert that which is a mixture of ingredients usually served in a tall glass or bowl. It's a combination of boiled saba (banana), red munggo, sweetened jackfruit, cooked sago (tapioca pearls), ube (purple yam jam) and pinipig (toasted young rice), all over crushed ice and milk. It is best when served with leche flan or an ice cream on top. This is a favorite summer refreshement.

Sapin-Sapin

Finally, if you love desserts at the end of the meal, we recommend sapin-sapin. A colorful combination that is made up of what we call locally as “malagkit” or sweet rice grinded in to flour like powder and prepared specially with a sweet taste for that unforgettable dessert.

Suman

Suman is a Philippine Rice cake. This dish of sticky rice is cooked in coconut milk wrapped in banana or coconut leaves. There are varieties of suman and almost every province has their speciality.

Kapeng Barako

"Barako" is a tagalog word which means strong man. Barako coffee or Batangas brew is usually grown in the country's provinces of Batangas and Cavite. Its brew is full-bodied, strong and sturdy-flavored. It is best prepared dip-brewed or using a coffee maker machine. Coffee is served black; but others prefer to drink this with brown sugar or cream.

World Blog Surf Day Credits:

Thank you Sher, for running this years' WBSD and making all these possible.

Thank you Anastasia Ashman, "Thandelike," for your work on Twittering about World Blog Surf Day.

Anastasia Ashman (Thandelike) is an American cultural producer based in Instanbul, and is a creator of Expat Harem, the anthology by foreign women about modern Turkey. Her Tweetstream focuses on women, travel and history, and she shares resources for writers/travelers, expats, Turkophiles and culturati of all stripes.

Continue the World Blog Surf Day and read more about great food with Global Gal.

Yahoo Philippines Purple Hunt

The Yahoo! Purple Hunt Tour is now at Glorietta 3. My husband and I dropped by to claim our limited edition purple t-shirt and the purplized Krispy Kreme doughnut. We also decided to took part in the on-ground activities - the Purple Graffiti Wall, the Purplize Yourself photo booth, and the find Purple Game Wall.


These are the prizes and free items we received from the mall tour: Yahoo tote bags, Rubik cube key chains, yahoo stickers and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We also got 7 limited edition Purple Hunt T-shirts (coupons are from Chalk Magazine).
Yahoo! Philippines Purple Hunt

It is an ongoing promo of Yahoo! Philippines. It is a scavenger hunt with a purple twist. Participants will be asked to solve online clues and find items around Metro Manila. But all you need is find them in Yahoo! Philippines.

This project purple is designed to make Filipinos aware of the fun and creative things that can do online using Yahoo! tools.


Phases of the Purple Hunt

Right now, Yahoo! Philippines Purple Hunt is in Phase 1 where purple hunters are to look for the purple tickets; all purple goodies can be redeemed at the Ayala Malls.

Based from the information given by the Yahoo! purple crew, Phase 2 and 3 will start on June 16,2009. It is where clues will be given out, hunted and submitted online. Phase 4 is where people all over the Philipipnes can hunt clues and submit it online and must attend the Purple Hunt Finale on to participate in the race to win the Honda Jazz car.

All these prizes are customized by Filipino artist: Canon digital cameras, Blackberry Storm, iPod Touch, Macbook Air and Sony PlayStation 3. The grand prize is a Honda Jazz car with custom paint created by WeWillDoodle.


The Purple Hunt Tour

The Purple Hunt Tour had already taken place at Market! Market! (June 5-7), at Greenbelt 3 (June 8-10), currently at Glorietta 3 (June 11-15), and at Trinoma on June 16-18.

This ground activities sponsored by Ayala Malls are packed with games and activities and the doodled Honda Jazz car is also on display.

Activities includes - a Purple Graffiti Wall, a giant purple wall where you can share and write anything; a Purplize Yourself photo booth and a photo to remember your Purple self day!; a Find Purple Game Wall where the participant will be asked to look for something; a Krispy Kreme Doughnut counter where purplized Krispy Kremes are given away; Yahoo! Mobile Surf & Lounge Booths; a Globe broadband station and a lot more!

Everyone in the Philippines can still join. Visit Yahoo! Philippines Purple Hunt to start hunting for prizes!

The Color Purple

Aside from it being Yahoo’s corporate color, the project proponents believe that the color purple signifies innovativeness, uniqueness, creativity and passion.

It's easy to find when it's Purple!

Dota 6.60 For Gamers: Released for Download

Dota 6.60 maps and changelogs is finally released and is now available for download. Dota game enthusiasts have awaited the release of this Dota 6.60 map! It comes with a lot new features; changes to the heroes, items, modes and commands, gameplay and performance, and other miscellaneous add-ons.

I am not a DotA Allstars fan, but my family including my little kids are game players! A day won’t pass without seeing them play this game. I got fascinated whenever I look at my kids enjoying this game and hear them as they use their favorite heroes; and they even enjoy watching their daddy play a game! They are really addicted to this!

Over the weekend or maybe today, I’m sure that my husband will be downloading his latest Dota version. It has a huge Changelog list, and I am sure that my husband would be fascinated with this!

Dota 6.60 can be downloaded here:
Download DotA 6.60 - DotA Allstars v6.60.w3x Map (mirror 1)
Download DotA 6.60 - DotA Allstars v6.60.w3x Map (mirror 2)
DotA Map Free download

Defense of the Ancients (DotA) is a custom scenario for Warcraft III, based on the "Aeon of Strife" map for StarCraft. The objective of the scenario is for each team to destroy the opponents' Ancients, heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission. – Source: Wikipedia

It’s a game where you’ll get to pick to be part of the Sentinel or the Scrouge. The main goal is to destroy the Main Tower and defend your base from the enemies at the same time.

For those who are interested to learn and play Dota, check out these sites to help you get started:
Official Defense of the Ancients website
DotA Allstars website
GetDoTa.com, the official download site for DotA Allstars

Kids' Homemade Pastillas!

My daughter and my little sister made their own no-cook pastillas balls. My sister stirred the mixture and they both roll it into balls of uneven sizes! This is the simplest and the easiest treat that they could do. We decided to make this because even if I have shared a lot of milk boxes, we still have lots of Nido powdered milk (which we won from the previous Nido contests); and of course they want to learn how to make pastillas.

This is our yummiest treat for this is made with love and they really enjoyed making and of course eating this treat!

Ingredients:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 150g Nido powdered milk
white sugar

Procedure:
Place the powdered milk in a mixing bow. Pour the condensed milk. Mix and blend the ingredients until smooth. Place the white sugar in a plate. Pour a small amount, roll it gently onto the white sugar and shape it into balls with your hands.

I haven't counted how many balls they've made because while they are making their pastillas everyone else keeps on tasting their pastillas balls!

MomCenter's Weekly Winner For Children's Category!

My daughter Skylah is this week's winner for Children's Category at MomCenter Philippines. I've learned about this website since February and it was only two weeks ago that I've tried to submit pictures at 3 different categories (we didn't win in the family and Fisher Price Pic of the Week categories). Yes, I never expected that much but it made me really happy and more than thankful that Skylah won! This is a contest that runs weekly and for his week, a new set of pictures will be voted on by everyone!

I haven't explored MomCenter's website that much but it is good that there's another website that provides information, useful tools and resources for every moms in whatever stage they are. It also covers issues that women are interested in.

Winning Picture

Influenza A(H1N1) Awareness

Update on Philippines Swine Flu: 46 confirmed cases (as of June 8, 2009)

My husband and I got our flu shots last Saturday. Even if it’s not really a vaccine for the H1N1 (as a vaccine is still being developed), we are taking extra precautions against this illness. This gives our body a chance to build up immunity to, or protection from, the virus.

"Current flu vaccines may not be proved effective over the swine virus but it is believed that people who have taken these vaccines on time are likely to show fewer symptoms of the diseases" , said a vaccine specialist. – Source: News and Reviews

Health Secretary Francisco Duque says that the swine flu case in the country have climbed to 46; wherein the 13 new cases includes 8 Filipinos and 5 foreigners. It was also last Saturday when classes in the universities have been postponed and moved to June 15-17 because of the rising number of swine flu cases. This will give foreign students with flu cases time for self-quarantine.

Because of this, I have spent hours researching and reading more information about the A(H1N1) virus. These are just a few Swine Flu Facts and FAQs. All information below are drawn from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Department of Health (DOH) Philippines, WebMD, MedicineNet.com and Reuters.

SWINE FLU FACTS AND FAQs

What Is Influenza A (H1N1)?
Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus causing illness in people. This virus is spreading from person-to –person, probably in much the same way that the regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. The CDC is calling the virus "novel influenza A (H1N1) virus" to distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years.

How do people catch swine flu?
Flu is generally transmitted through the respiratory tract. Droplets of infected body fluids may carry flu when people cough or sneeze. Studies indicate that masks called N95 respirators, when properly used, filter germs from the breath and hamper the spread of flu. Neither contact with pigs nor eating pork has been linked to the spread of the flu, interim Assistant Director General Keiji Fukuda said.

What is the incubation period?
7 to 10 days from the time of exposure to the first onset of signs and symptoms.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu.

Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?
To this writing, No. But the CDC and the World Health Organization are already taking the first steps toward making such a vaccine. WHO said that the pharmaceutical industry would be ready to produce an anti-swine flu vaccine by the end of June or early July."We're hopeful that by the end of June by the beginning July this will be the time that commercial companies will be in a position of being able to make a vaccine," said Keiji Fukuda.

What other treatment is there?
The swine flu virus detected in Mexico and the United States appears to respond to treatment with Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). The drugs should be administered within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, according to the CDC.

How else can I protect myself from swine flu?
The CDC says that a good way to prevent any flu disease is to avoid exposure to the virus; this is done by frequent hand washing, not touching your hands to your face (especially the nose and mouth), and avoiding any close proximity to or touching any person that may have flu symptoms.

Can one contract swine flu from eating or preparing pork?
No. Pork and other pig-derived products, if properly handled and cooked, do not transmit swine flu. The flu virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F (70°C).

Is there a pandemic risk on Influenza A(H1N1)?
Yes. If the Influenza A(H1N1) establishes efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission then it can cause an influenza pandemic.

Who is at the highest risk from H1N1
• Pregnant women
• Young children, especially those under 12 months of age
• Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease, but relatively few swine flu cases have been seen in people over age 65
• People with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease
• People with HIV infection
• People with chronic diseases
• People taking immune-suppressing drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants

Sources, Updates and More Information about A(H1N1):
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
http://www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1/
http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/swineflu
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/20061101/swine-flu-faq
http://www.medicinenet.com/swine_flu/article.htm

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Winning at LetsGoSago and Red Ribbons' Contest!

Wow, another winning moment!

It’s the first contest I’ve joined at LetsGoSago – a food and travel blog. Luckily, I placed 2nd in his Red Ribbon sponsored contest and I’ll get to receive a Red Ribbon gift certificate worth Php 1000. It was through a fellow friend from a mommy network, Rowena that I initially learned that I’m one of the winners… and she won in the contest too!

Here's the official winning announcement:


It's a contest that had started last May 10 and it was only last May 29, after buying 2 slices of Red Ribbon’s Cookies and Cream that I’ve thought of joining the contest. I even had second thoughts of joining the contest since I haven’t written an entry yet and I haven’t taken a good picture of the cake! We we’re out the whole Sunday, and with determination, I rushed writing my entry and submitted it at exactly 11:45 pm… that was 15 minutes before the May 31st deadline! Whew! I can’t imagine that I still made it and that I’ve won the contest as well.

My kids thought that we didn’t win. My daughter Skylah told me, “mommy, sayang hindi tayo nanalo ng Red Ribbon”. They would be really surprised once they knew we’ve won!

Amidst all the adversities, life has still been good (praying that it will always be); and I am happier knowing that at my kids' early years, they are sharing every single life moments with me.

A Woman Remembers her winning entry.

Angelina Jolie Tops Forbes' Celebrity 100; Pacquiao at 57th Spot

Actress Angelina Jolie is the world's most powerful celebrity in this year's Forbes Celebrity 100.

(Photo Source: Forbes.com © Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)

Her movies which includes the “Kung Fu Panda,” “Wanted” and the soon-to-be-released spy thriller “Salt”, her humanitarian works and the publicity she got from the birth of her twins and her husband actor Brad Pitt (who ranks No.9) gives her the edge.

She grabbed the No.1 spot from talk show queen Oprah Winfrey who hold the top spot for the last 2 years. Winfrey is still the highest earner with $275M.

Completing the top 10 are Madonna ($110 million), Beyoncé Knowles ($87 million) Tiger Woods ($110 million), Bruce Springsteen ($70), Steven Spielberg ($ 150), Jennifer Aniston ($25), Brad Pitt ($28) and Kobe Bryant ($45).

U.S.A. President Barack Obama, the first head of state to land on the Celebrity 100 list, is at No.49. He ranked 1st in web, press and TV exposure.

Our very own Manny Paquiao, the only Filipino and boxer in the list makes it at No. 57 with $40M earnings, because of his blockbuster fights, endorsements and political plans.

According to Forbes, Celebrity 100's ranking of the rich and famous is based on income and media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio and online) for the past 12 months.

View the complete list here.

Posylane: Your Personalized Gift Store

I am fond of giving gifts and as much as possible I make sure that these gifts are practical yet exceptional. With so many online stores and shops available online, Posy Lane stands out. Posy Lane offers a variety of products and gift items at an affordable price and the best thing is that you can have it personalized!

These are just 3 items at Posy Lane that interests me most - personalized towel wraps, kids nap mats, personalized plates and placemats.

1. Personalized Towel Wraps

These bath towel wraps are really soft and colorful. Bath time would really be fun for the whole family as there are 3 sizes (adults, teens, kids) and 9 different colors to choose from.

2. Kids Nap Mats

My kids would really love to have one of these nap mats. It won’t take much space as it can be rolled when the kids are not using it and we can also carry this with us anywhere.

3. Personalized Plates and Placemats

This is another item that would be perfect for the kids! It comes in colorful and adorable designs perfect that would surely make meal time a very enjoyable one. Parents need not worry since these plates are made of strong BPA-free plastic and are dishwasher safe as well.

Posy Lane is definitely the best store for everything personalized. . It’s an online shop where you’ll get value for you paid for.

Top Entrecard Droppers for May 2009

This is the first time that I'll be posting my Top 10 Entrecard Droppers and I am expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the following who've been the top EC droppers of my blog for May 2009:

Jean sQuared
Wirez and Circuitz
Femmepower
And Life Goes ON for a Filipino MOM
C'est La Vie
It's a woman's world!
Brick For Jade
Basic Bloganomics
My Written xPressions
Moments of My Life

I want to thank every EC droppers on my blog and my blog followers as well. Of course, I truly appreciate everyone who spent time reading my posts, to friends who shed some comments on my blog and those who dropped a line at my message board. Let me mention also my blog visitors and my blog lurkers even if they haven't left any mark on my blog.

I just so thankful today and I wish goodwill for everyone!