Supplier Ratings: Loot Bags and Game Prizes

Supplier Ratings: Loot Bags and Game Prizes
168, Divisoria

Getting party giveaways and prizes for a princess themed party was no sweat. I just did a single trip to 168 and I was able to buy dozens and dozens of princess themed items from notepads, to white boards, pens, bags, coin purse, mugs, lunch kits, etc. Name it and Divisoria has it. I even bought everything in three stores only as I have limitless options to get for the souvenirs and game prizes.

I got the loot bags from Divisoria also. I only got it for P50 a piece. The original price is 100 but my husband was so good in haggling that we were able to get it at half the price. Then I just filled it with princess themed notepads, pens, fan, stickers, etc.

For the boys, I got Ben 10 backpacks and we got it for P25 only.

I really love Divisoria. I was able to buy all that I need for the loots bags and game prizes and there is even extras and I was able to stick within my budget.

Supplier Ratings: Party Gown

Supplier Ratings: Party Gown
Prim of Baby Fashionistas

I always count on Prim for Bela’s gown for all her birthday party. That is why when Bela told me that she wants a Princess themed party for her 5th birthday, I knew right away that I will ask Prim to make Bela’s gown again.

Bela was the one who selected this design from Prim’s gallery. I was insisting the pink flowing gown but Bela has a mind of her own already and she did not let me have a say on the design of the gown that she likes (now I am sure I will not have a say on her prom dress when she is already in high school. LOL)

They took Bela’s measurements when we picked up Cobi’s baptism attire and then we just had a fitting after. But the gown fits Bela perfectly so we were able to bring home the gown after the fitting. The gown also comes with a bag and a crown.

Bela was so in love with her gown and she loves it to pieces. She really feels like she is a princess.

Supplier Ratings: Balloon Artist

It’s been several months already after Bela’s birthday but still I am not finish doing the supplier ratings for her party. LOL. So he is another round of my supplier ratings.

Balloon Artist
Eric booked through Jelly Bellies

I have seen how good Eric is when we attended the first birthday party of my inaanak, Dom. Bela was so hooked with his creations that I promised Bela that I will also get him for her birthday (even if I have to get payday advances to afford him. LOL).

So when I started planning for Bela’s 5th birthday, I immediately contacted Angelette to book him and Angelette was so nice as she did not even require a down payment and I can just pay a week after the party.

And he was a sure hit to the kids. Imagine he can make a bike,Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Sponge Bob, Little Mermaid, dinosaurs (Bela's favorite), etc. According to Eric there are just two of them here in the Philippines who can make those balloon creations.

We are very happy with his service that I booked him again for Cobi’s 1st birthday party.

Her Christmas Gift and Her Future

My husband and I had a very hard time looking for a gift for our dear Princess. She just celebrated her birthday and so she got lots of toys already so we were really having a hard time looking for the perfect gift for her.

And so we thought, why not buy gold bullion? This will be a good investment for her future. We have been reading the website of United States Gold Bureau where we have learned a lot about gold investment. We learned that gold is a very stable and strong investment as its value is not easily affected by the status of the economy so it is one good way to preserve one’s wealth.

But you know kids. For sure she will still prefer to get a toy for Christmas so we might still get her something from her favorite toy store. But we know that she may not understand it for now, but she will be forever thankful in the future as she will soon discover that we have made a very great investment for her.

Supplier Ratings: Kiddie Salon & Glitter Tattoo

Kiddie Salon and Glitter Tattoo
Arts N’ Faces

I learned of Arts N’ Faces from my good friend Peachy. I got their face painting services during Bela’s 4th birthday party last year and I am happy with their service that is why I availed of their service again for Bela’s 5th birthday party.

They have an ongoing promo when I booked. The package that I got is Premium Salon at P2,500 with free glitter tattoo. I only have to pay additional P500 if I want an extra artist for the glitter tattoo plus P150 transportation allowance for each artist for a total of P3,300.

Ms. Liby, the owner of Arts N’ Faces, is so easy to talk to. I just inquired through text and deposited by down payment and my booking was already confirmed. The two artists were also early at the venue so the kids were able to enjoy the Kiddie Salon and Glitter Tattoo while waiting for the party to start. They also work fast but their finished product was really great.

I will definitely book them again for my future parties.

For Her Favorite Grand Dad

My dad is Bela’s designated driver/nanny during weekdays as my dad volunteered to take Bela to school everyday. No wonder they are so close as they are together everyday and that makes her a certified lolo’s girl.

That is why for Christmas, Bela wanted to get her grand dad something as her special gift. I was able to buy nice polos for my dad already but Bela insisted that she should have her own gift for her favorite grand father.

Thankfully I can order Swisher Sweets cigars online. It is just a few days before Christmas and I still have work (in fact I am working until the 24th of December) so I am sure I will not have time to go to the mall to do more shopping. But thanks to online shopping, I was able to finish my Christmas shopping list. I am just waiting for my items to be delivered and Bela and I will do the wrapping of the gifts tomorrow night.

Enough with Bags. It is Time for Gold

Bela, upon seeing my new bag:

Bela: “Is your bag new mom?”
Me: “Yes.”
Bela: “Why do you need lots of bags?”

I did not know how to answer her and I just laugh upon hearing her question. But at least she is aware that too much is not good and that we should learn how to save up for our future. That is why after hearing Bela question me about my bag addiction, it really made me think and so I started checking the site of United States Gold Bureau as I am now considering to buy gold bullion as an investment.

They say that designer bags are an investment too as I can sell it in the future if I want to but I know that its value is depreciated already. Unlike gold whose value will not depreciate over time and so it is really a good way to preserve one’s wealth.

I had enough bags already for 2010 and so it is time for me to start saving up and make some real investments for the future of our kids.

My Little Performer

Last Friday was the Christmas Party in Howell’s office where spouses and their kids are invited to join.

The kids were asked to come in costume and since I got really busy, I was not able to prepare a costume for Bela for this party. Thankfully I can rely on SM for last minute shopping and I found nice tutus and so I thought that Bela will be a Snow fairy. So I bought her an all white costume: white tutu, white top, white wings and white headpiece. Unfortunately, I did not find a costume for Cobi (bad mommy) and so I just bought a reindeer headpiece that he can wear during the party.

Of course the stage daddy can’t wait to show off the talent of her little girl and so they have a part in the program where they rendered a song number again. I was one proud mommy as I was taking this video and I was a bit sentimental that I was on the verge of tears as I watch Bela. It made me realize that it is time for me to read about skin care product reviews as I am not getting any younger as Bela grows up so fast.

But I am happy though whit how Bela turned up as she is really confident in front of a crowd just like her dad which goes to show that she is one smart little girl (of course, you should love your own. LOL).

Supplier Ratings: Magician

Magician: Amazing Arnold
Booked through Jelly Bellies

I booked the magician through Jelly Bellies four months before Bela’s party. Luckily, Angelette of Jelly Bellies was able to give me a number of options for the magician and I was choosing between Alex Lagula and Amazing Arnold.

I actually wanted to book Alex Lagula first as I heard a lot of good feedbacks about him and his package offers a complete show: magic show, hosting, and balloon twisting. But Bela requested to have ventriloquism and Amazing Arnold is the one who has that trick and so he was the one that I booked.

I actually saw him perform already as he was the magician during the first birthday party of my sister in law’s son and he is actually good. His magic tricks are not the usual magic tricks and he even has illusions. I was not able to watch him though during Bela’s party but my guests said that they really enjoyed his show and judging from the pictures, the kids and even the adults had fun watching him.

Excited

As I posted on my other blog, we are considering buying the house and lot of hubby’s officemate. We actually made our decision already and we can’t wait to move in to our new house by mid 2011.

Bela and hubby went there last week to give the seller the earnest money and Bela was just so ecstatic upon seeing the house. Hubby was even laughing as Bela was already making plans already on where she will put her shoes, her toys, her pet museum and she kept on talking to the house owner that she wants to stay in a big room that is color pink.

But just like Bela, hubby was already picturing what he can do with the house. In fact he already knows what type of Quoizel lighting he will use to liven up the mood of the house. He also designated already which rooms goes to who and on where he will put his toy collection.

As for me, I am just happy that the master’s bedroom has a walk in closet as what I always dreamed of having.

We will get the result of our housing loan application this week so please pray for us that hopefully we can have our wish come true.

My Flower Girl

I was looking for bridesmaid dresses to look for inspiration for the cocktail dress that I need for the wedding that we will be attending this January and I suddenly remembered that Bela will be one of the flower girls for that wedding.

I got really excited as Bela was just three years old, I think, when she last became a flower girl. Now she is more aware of what’s happening around her and she loves to dress up in gowns so I am sure she will be really excited to be a flower girl again. We are still waiting though for the schedule of her gown fitting and we can’t wait to see the final design of the gowns for the flower girls.

The groom was a good friend from college and he is the last single guy in our group so everybody is really excited for this wedding.

Supplier Ratings: Cake

The cake supplier was my last supplier to book as it took me a while to find a supplier who:

• is affordable
• can deliver the cake to the venue or has a pick up point that is near our place or the venue
• I think can execute the design that I like well

If not for the recommendation of my sister-in-law, I would not have discovered Sugar Dots (Maybe if she only has a website and she uses one way link then she would have a good positioning in search engines like Google, then I would have found this supplier easily).

I saw her Facebook page and saw this Candyland cake creation of hers:

And I fell in love with it. I told her that I want something like this but instead, the theme will revolve around princess and tea cup party as that is the theme of the party. I was thinking that there will be a princess topper, just like the cake above, and then the details will include tea cup.

And this is her creation for Bela’s cake:

What I like:
• the cake is actually unique, as what my host was saying
• Me-anne, my cake supplier, really took time to put details on the cake. The tea cups even looks like it has a tea inside and I think me-anne used jellies to make it
• The cake is all edible so we were able to give out everything to our relatives and friends after the party

What I would have wanted:

• I would have like it more if she created a cake just like the Candyland cake that I like and just use the tea cups and the tea pot as the details of the cake and not as the central theme or highlight of the cake design as I wanted to emphasize the theme “Princess” rather than “Tea Party”
• Me-anne did not send me drawings of the cake designs before she actually does it and you will just see the design upon pick up. If only I have seen the layout then maybe, I could have emphasized to her the layout or design that I like.

Supplier Ratings: The Creamery

My sister was the one who recommended The Creamery to me when I was looking for a venue for Bela’s birthday after she saw it in Facebook. Hubby and I visited the place and hubby liked it. I actually find it too small for the number of guests that I am having but hubby really like the venue and so I can’t say no to my Manager. LOL.

What I actually like about them:

• They have different party themes and each theme comes with free decoration according to the theme. We selected their Princess Theme and they decorated the venue with pink and purple balloon decors, Princess theme backdrop for the stage, horse drawn carriage, princess and castle standee and the crew are all dress up as Prince and princesses.
• Their party package is a little affordable (Shakey’s party package is still cheaper) and it comes with food for kids: spaghetti, mini burger, chicken, juice and ice cream; loot bags, name tags and party invites.
• They have a designated party coordinator who contacted me weeks before the party to coordinate the party details with me. The party coordinator was also present during the party and she was my point person whenever I have concerns during the party.
• I was so busy entertaining the guests that I was not able to pay attention to the program but according to my guests, their host was really good. He has good diction, good command of the English language and he knows how to catch the attention of the kids.
• I was not able to eat also but my relatives said that the food was good. And they gave us all our left overs including the ice cream from the ice cream buffet that was left after the party.
• They are flexible with the party program and I can bring my own magician without any corkage.
• The crew are attentive and there was one or two crew who is always assisting the host during the entire program to make it more organize.

What I did not like about them:

• I think they booked parties with only one hour interval per party so my guests already started to arrive starting at 2:30 PM and the party before us just finished by that time. We could have started the party at exactly 3:00 PM as almost all my guests are present already but they are still not finish with the setup by 3 PM and so we started the party 30 minutes later which gave us little time to finish the program. I still have the awarding for the best in costume but we did not have any time left for that. I wanted to get an extension but they won’t allow me as they have another party (our party was from 3-6 PM and there was a 7-10 PM party after us) after us.
• When I inquired for the price of the food, they did not mention nor was it indicated in the price sheet that there is an additional 12% VAT so I was not able to include that in my budget and this is no joke as it involves thousands if pesos.
• Also, when I inquired, they did not mention that there was a minimum number of dishes to order to book a party with them. So even if I just wanted to serve light snack as my party time is merienda time, I have no choice but to serve heavy meals as they require minimum of 5 dishes to book a party. It was only when I paid the reservation fee that I was informed about this.
• They have corkage for any other food that you will bring in.
• I have around 40+ kids who attended the party and the venue was really too small for my number of kids. Also, the place does not allow for the guests to interact as the venue is divided into three – one near the Cosmic kidz side, one inside the restaurant and another one in the open area which are all divided by a glass wall. And since the inside of the restaurant has a big bus décor in the middle, it makes the place even smaller and it is difficult for me to move from one area to another as there is not enough room so I was not able to entertain majority of my guests.

Service and food wise, I will give The Creamery an A+ rating. But unless they remove the big bus in the middle of the restaurant, then I won’t be booking anymore parties with them.

How to Become a Smart Shopper

In today’s tough economy, every penny counts. It’s becoming harder to come in under budget each month, but there are steps you can take to alleviate your financial situation. One such way is to become a smart shopper. Don’t just buy something the moment you see it; take the time to do research and use the Internet to score amazing deals so you can have extra change in your pocket.

Shop with gift cards. One way you can save a few dollars every time you spend is to shop with gift cards when you can get them for less than their face value. PlasticJungle.com is a great place to purchase gift cards at a discount. Savings include everything from 11% off Macy’s gift cards to up to 9% off Starbucks gift cards. Be on the lookout for discounted gift cards from sites like Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com.

Additionally, see if your local grocery store offers money off of gas for every dollar you spend there. If your grocery store sells gift cards, you can simply buy enough gift cards for a purchase you’re planning on making, thus upping your discounts on gas.

Search for coupon codes. Before you buy anything online, search for coupon codes. Sites like RetailMeNot.com compile hundreds of coupon codes, and you can easily search for the ones you need. If you prefer to shop at the brick-and-mortar stores, you can also find hundreds of coupons online. Manufacturers will often post coupons online, and stores like Target offer many printable coupons on its site.

Before you buy your car, do your research. Buying a car is a big purchases. Read Consumer Reports, and research the average price of cars in your area with sites like TrueCar.com. Also check for deals on cars that aren’t in your area; sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a discounted car and have it shipped to you.

Distracted Driving Laws Are Getting Tougher

You have probably heard about the dangers of texting while driving. Many cities and states have even issued bans on texting behind the wheel, promising that drivers caught with a “phone in one hand” will lead to a “ticket in the other,” as New York’s anti-distracted driving campaign states.

It is great news to learn that more and more states are putting a stop to this dangerous practice. It seems that many teenage and adult drivers think that they can somehow send a text, flip through mp3s, and drive all at the same time. Local government needs to take a stand to protect everyone else on the road.

The really good news, though, is that distracted driving laws have also attracted the attention of federal regulators. The Obama Administration banned all federal workers from texting behind the wheel. That means 4 million government employees now face consequences at work as well as in court. The federal government isn’t the only employer that has stepped up and demanded its employees start driving intelligently without distractions. Many companies have issued similar policies.

Companies working in the transportation and shipping industries, however, might not have much of a choice. The Department of Transportation has already managed to pass a few laws that prevent bus drivers and train operators from using mobile devices behind the wheel. As more and more evidence proves how dangers texting while driving really is, momentum grows in favor of new legislation that would protect everyone on the street.

To some extent, the problem with texting and driving is probably a failure of education. Parents who grew up without cell phones don’t teach their kids not to use their phones behind the wheel. Starting a national advertising campaign that teaches people about these dangers could potentially do more for safety that writing laws.

Taking Your Music with You In an iPod

The first iPod was created by Apple Inc. in 2001 and has been a huge success. The retail success of iPods has especially been obvious within the last few years, as the number of sales of these little music players increased. However, it does not seem that the sales of them will ever lose its momentum. iPods can be purchased with varying amounts of storage, and one of the latest versions is the iPod Touch. There are also a number of accessories available for the iPod, such as an iPod case, headphones, and digital camera accessories. These accessories not only help improve the general use of the iPod, but increase its ‘fun factor’ as well. The player is even small enough to be slipped into the pocket of your Tapout jeans.

The iPod is revolutionary in its design and function. Many people only think of it as an MP3 player, but depending on what generation of iPod you have purchased, it can play a large amount of music files, as well as video files, and store small amounts of text. With the ability to record, store, and play voice media, the Apple iPod player has become the popular “must have” device for the twenty-first century.

Access to a computer is necessary, as you will need to transfer music files from the computer’s hard drive to the storage area of the iPod. This is easy for anyone.

After the software has been properly installed on your computer, you are now able to transfer your music files over to the iPod, and are all set to start listening to your favorite music, right at your fingertips. Plus, with accessories such as an iPod case, you are now free to take your music with you, instead of only listening to it on the computer.

Book Week @ St. Scho

The day before Bela’s party was the Book Week celebration at school where each section will perform by singing one of the expanded version of Nursery Rhymes by Isa Tsapani. The St. Benedict’s class will sing the nursery rhyme “I am a Little Tea Pot” and so we were asked to prepare a tea pot head dress for Bela. Thanks to Bela’s Lolo June who made the cute and very unique and creative tea pot head dress for Bela.

Days before the program, Bela was so excited already and she kept on singing the “I’m a Little Tea Pot” song complete with action while at home. And so she really gave her all again (as always, as Bela just loves to perform on stage) during the program.

The stage mom and dad took lots of pictures and videos and of course we won’t home happy and proud with our daughter.

How to Run a Business as a Single Parent

If you are a single parent and a business owner, you may be feeling the stress of having so many daily duties that require your attention. While owning a business can be extremely rewarding because you no longer answer to the demands of an employer, it can also be draining as you try to ensure the venture remains successful.

Additionally, being a single parent simply adds another layer of complications to the situation because you have twice as many duties to deal with every day. As such, here are a few ways you can reduce the stress you are likely feeling to improve your happiness and make your business more successful.

Ask for Help When Necessary

Everyone has a breaking point. When you feel you’re reaching yours, then it’s time to ask for help. Whether you need additional assistance caring for your children or simply need someone to watch them for an evening while you finish up work duties or take some time for yourself, it’s important to do what you need to do.

If business operations are expanding so rapidly that you are no longer able to stay on top of your tasks, then hire more employees or outsource some work duties. For example, if you own rental properties, then searching for Mesa property management companies to take over the day-to-day operations of your buildings may be the best option.

Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

On those days when your stress level reaches its highest point, take time out to think about your life and reward yourself for the things you have accomplished. Being a single parent and a business owner deserves immense recognition and isn’t something most people are able to do. By recognizing how much you have achieved, you will find the energy to keep going during those difficult days.

Clothing, Electronics, and More for Black Friday

There is so much hype over getting the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on your list. All the stores are gearing up for their Black Friday sales, and other, smaller sales leading up to Christmas. Even clothing stores are getting ready for the holiday rush. One thing to think about when heading out to the stores is whether or not you are really getting that great of a deal.

So many people rush to the biggest and best stores for Black Friday to get a great deal on items that they want to get for Christmas presents. Unfortunately, in the last few years, the deals have not been all that great. Sure, you can still get fantastic prices on things, but it's not like it used to be. Saving a few bucks here or there isn't really worth some of the risks of Black Friday. In fact, people have died because of the "great deals."

Today, many people are deciding to go online to find their deals. Sometimes you can get the same Black Friday deals online that you would in the store. Unfortunately, this also means that these stores will inevitably go out of stock quickly. Recently, the trend of Cyber Monday has also started. The Monday after Black Friday, many online stores will offer great deals. Again, you have to be quick, because these deals will go fast. However, the great thing about Cyber Monday is that you don't have to worry about pushing through crowds.

Whether you are buying clothing, electronics, toys, or other items, you can still find some good deals. Deciding whether the crowds are worth it is completely up to each person and their own sense of a good deal. No matter what you choose, happy deal hunting this year, and good luck getting the perfect present.

How to Profit from Technology

I have been contemplating starting my own small business for years. One day, as I was online getting information on Tacori engagement rings for my sister, I thought I’d also do some research on how the use of technology would help a business run. It is no secret that the right technology can make a business more profitable and help eliminate some costs from a business. It can also allow business owners the ability to service more customers without the need of additional staff.
The following are tips supplied by various small business owners on how to save money on technology purchases:

1. Use Twitter - Many companies are using Twitter in order to broadcast and advertise their special offers, coupons and deals.
2. Google Alerts Use - Before purchasing a piece of technology, some business owner’s look to review websites on items they are interested in and set a Google Alert for the items. For several days they watch the price of the items and purchase when the prices are right for them.
3. The Use of Web-Based Software - Using this type of software helps save on maintenance costs and often eliminates the need for small business to buy expensive boxed software and then continuously needing the various upgrades that go with it. There are web-based applications that also have a great support team who are available at no additional cost, 24/7.
4. Office Productivity Software Use - Google offers versions of free spreadsheet applications, presentations, word processing, and e-mail. Sun offers free tools for productivity that includes presentation applications, spreadsheets, and a word processor. With Mozilla, business owners can get an email client and other applications.
5. Small Business Bartering - Businesses can help one another out. For example, one can offer help in web-design in exchange for phone set-up.

Bela's 5th Birthday Party @ The Creamery MOA

Last November 20 was Bela’s party with her classmates and some close friends and relatives at The Creamery in Mall of Asia. She had a Princess Tea Party as the theme for her birthday. Bela was the one who chose this theme and she specifically said that she has to wear a gown.

On the day of Bela’s party, we have to wake up early as we still have to drop by at St Scholastica for the measurement taking for Bela’s costume for her ballet recital this December. After St. Scho, we just dropped Bela home as her lola still has to set her hair. We left Bela and we have to leave right away as we still have to pick up the cake in Caloocan before heading to the venue to start setting up before the guests arrives.

When we arrived at the venue, the party before us just finished and so they are still fixing up the place. It was already 2:30 PM and our guests are starting to arrive already and they still have no place to stay. The staff of the Creamery finished with the setup by 3:00 PM and the party officially started by 3:30 PM. The host from the Creamery started with the games for the kids where everybody joined and had fun including the mommies. After the games was eating time. (I was not able to taste the food but my relatives said that the food was good.)
After eating time was the magic show by Amazing Arnold. I already watched him perform before though I did not get to watch his whole presentation this time. But from the looks in our guests’ faces, it looks like they had fun with Arnold. After the magic show was the Candle Blowing ceremony and the giving of the loot bags to the kids.

Looking at Bela’s face, it looks like she really had fun. This is the stage where she can really appreciate parties as she was even the one who plan for everything about the party. Plus her wish that her classmates will be there on her party came true as a lot of her classmates attended the party which really, really made Bela very happy and excited. She has been talking about this party for days which goes to show how happy she is with her Princess Tea Party.

So every handwork and penny that we dedicated for this party was all worth it.

Restaurants Should Offer Healthier Meal Options

Lately, there has been a push in the United States for restaurants to offer healthy entrées rather than the fat-filled and greasy options that have been popular up to this date. Many restaurants now feature these healthy items on their menu and promote them as a means of getting more customers in the door. It creates a win-win situation because the customer gets to eat healthy and feel good about choosing healthy food, and the restaurant gets more customers and backing. It’s a wonder why this business model hasn’t been captured by more companies.

More and more people are being health conscious these days. With the rise of obesity in the United States and children who are developing ever-worsening eating habits, it really is a good idea that restaurants are starting to offer more nutritious and healthy options. If more restaurants were to start offering weight-conscious items, there would be a trend of healthier habits throughout the entire country. Even most fast food companies are picking up on the trend. Salads are now a major choice at many fast food restaurants and children's items have been added such as apples and carrots instead of French fries.

Restaurants these days have a lot to worry about besides their menu, though. They also have to consider the cost of food. If it costs more money to serve healthier options, the menu items will cost more which might be a problem for the consumer. Businesses might also have to spend more money on commercial refrigeration since healthy items tend to need to be refrigerated more than the alternatives. These are all things that restaurants need to consider before making the switch to healthier meals, but if they do make the choice, hopefully it will draw more customers in and make up for the difference.

Patience as a Caregiver

Patience may have been eulogized in various contexts, but there's nothing like patience when it comes to senior/elder care. In fact, patience is probably more important than most medicines when it comes to caring for the elderly. Many old people do really have any particular disease as such, except that they are old. They may like to talk about their memories, they may find it difficult to do simple things like hygiene, and yet they may be fussy, attitudinal and angry. The most important care that you can give to them is to listen to them, pay attention, be kind and sympathetic when helping them with their daily tasks, and not respond in kind when they misbehave. Try to understand that their anger is not really directed at you, but by their own impotence and helplessness. It is not easy to be not able to do the simplest tasks; things that they may have done for decades. That makes them angry, and as a caregiver, you are required not to reflect that anger back at them.

Another way to be patient with the elderly is by listening to their ramblings. A seventy year old person has a thousand memories, and almost no one they can share them with, because it is possible that most of their peer group is dead. So, they have no one to talk to, no way to vent or just talk to someone, and a great part of caregiving for the elderly is to just listen and let them talk. That kind of patient attention is very difficult to have, sure, but it is also the primary quality that a caregiver for an elderly should have.

If you find it difficult to be patient, tell yourself how you would feel if your own children did not give you any attention when you become older. Just that thought will make you patient.

Gadget Review: Amazon Kindle

If you are looking for a great birthday or Christmas gift, all of the top affiliate programs agree that the Amazon Kindle is a great present to give to someone. The Amazon Kindle is an eReader that holds thousands of books at a time.

The Amazon Kindle is a lightweight gadget that is portable and able to be taken anywhere on the go. The best reason to have one of these devices is for use on vacations. You can load up your Kindle with as many books as you want and away you go. Instant reading for your whole vacation.

The Kindle comes with Wifi access and is great for downloading books even when you are not at home. However, some books on Amazon can get pretty pricey, so if you like to read all the new releases that come out, be prepared for some books on the Kindle being more expensive than the paperback version.

That being said, the best thing about the Kindle is the instant access you get to books. With one click of your mouse, you can start reading your new book on the Kindle in less than a minute. When not in use, you can either shut down the Kindle or it automatically goes into screensaver mode, where it displays impressive screensavers of classic authors.

For older people that have trouble seeing small print, the Kindle text adjusts to about five different sizes. While there is no backlight for reading in the dark, you can buy a Kindle case that comes with a booklight.

The Kindle is perfect for reading out in the sunlight while relaxing on the beach. There is no glare on the screen and the text doesn't fade from sitting out in the sun. It is definitely the popular gift to give this season.

Birthday Dinner with Family

After our half day tour at Manila Ocean Park and Bela’s party at Hospicio de San Jose, all I wanted to do is just lie down in bed and call it a day. But hubby is still up for partying and so he invited our guests for dinner after the party at Hospicio. The party was already finished by 4 PM and so we went home first as it is still too early for dinner. I was able to take a short nap while passing time and so I was able to recharge for a bit.

We went to Don Henrico’s in West Avenue as it is closer to our place than Greenhills which is where hubby initially wanted to go. I just let my cousins and my sister order for us as I really have no energy left.

After dinner, we requested that the crew sing Happy birthday for Bela and Bela was so surprised when all the crew went out and sang for her. They even asked Bela to join them as they sing and dance and Bela was just so excited to join them. They even have a small birthday cake for her and they even asked Bela to blow the candle.

Ocean Park, Hospicio de San Jose and dinner with family….I am sure this is the best way that Bela can ever celebrate her birthday.

Taking Advantage of Holiday Sales

With the economy the way that it is everyone loves to save money whenever they can. No matter how much people avoid shopping there will always be a need for it. Whether it is shopping for a holiday, essential clothing items or just picking up items for a friend or family member, shopping will always be a part of a person's daily life. So how can a person shop and be able to save at the same time?

The secret to shopping and saving lies in the all important holiday sales. Holiday sales happen roughly every two to three weeks. It seems any little holiday calls for a sale. There are President's Day Sales, Valentine's Day Sales, Christmas Sales and Columbus Day Sales. In fact, if there is a holiday there is probably a sale going on.

These sales and all the ads that come along with them might annoy the average person but these sales can really come in handy for these people. Holiday sales are a chance for stores to get ride of old inventory and drive up their sales figures for the month. That is why these holiday sales happen so often. Even with the frequency of all the sales, a person can still save a ton of money if they are shopping in the right stores and at the right time.

Many of these stores have started new trends known as preview sales. These sales allow people to preview a sale and be able to see what is on sale and if the shopper needs it. The stores believe this will kick start a lot of sales and get those people buying.

Holiday sales are a great time to get essential items that you need, just be careful that you don't go so wild at these sales that you need to take out emergency cash loans to afford your regular bills.

Dice Are Nice and the Table Is Able

One idea that's really found a presence in the marketplace (and an eager market) is custom-made gear for entertainment. This sort of thing can run the gamut from customized pool tables (art, mostly – there's only so much you can do to a pool table) to much more elaborate gear like custom poker tables, with a head-spinning number of designs on a basic concept.

The reasons to pursue this are many. People always like to put their custom stamp on something, for the sake of individuality, which is why people have been spreading graffiti, painting murals, and decking out their cars for a very long time. Artistic statement is a fundamental part of being human. But it gets more complicated then that with games. Games are a way for people to express themselves and imagine in a way and style they cannot otherwise. Customization offers a degree of creation and power otherwise unavailable to them.

You see this especially in the tabletop games, which involve complicated rules, statistical management and role-playing, but also a tremendous amount of customized gear for playing. People spend a lot of time painting their miniature characters with which, like chess pieces, they will act out their games. Some go so far as to build environments and the like to give the role-playing added tangibility.

Companies have seen this interest and catered to it. There is gear available that offers all kinds of convenience to complement and enable the creative urge in role-playing. The popular tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons, for example, has a powerful market in merchandise, whether it's fancy dice and screens for the dungeon master to hide his machinations, or elaborate tables with all kinds of accessories and design features. This kind of equipment is not cheap, but for those who can afford it, it provides additional excitement to the action.

Making Photos and Videos for Online Casino Sites

Many of the online casino sites like to make their sites feel welcoming and inviting to users to keep them coming back to visit as often as possible. To do this, they may use several creative ways to entice visitors to come back and to use their sites. Of course, online betting sites are a draw simply because of the possibility of the winnings, but betting sites want to ensure that their visitors have a pleasant experience while on their sites. They also want to make sure that they have something to share with their friends, in hopes that they, too, will visit the site and participate in the casino games.

The visual appeal of an online casino site is a very important component of the site. Making it enticing and appealing is achieved in several ways:

• By loading photos of casinos to give the visitor a general idea of the layout of the casinos. Although this is all virtual, it still gives the gamer the feeling that she is actually in the casino and a part of the action.

• Using photos to create a slideshow for the casino so that visitors get a better visual. These slideshow photos can be of different game tables, slot machines, etc. to make the visitor feel as if he were there.

• Using video clips from various areas of a casino to give the visitor a better visual of the casino. The clips can be loaded onto every site on the page for a better effect.

Being creative with the photos or the videos on the casino site can help it come alive and attract customers. A general use of colors and animation on the site is helpful, as is making any links on the site high quality ones. The end goal is to get visitors to return to the site because of its visual appeal.

Bela's 5th Birthday @ Hospicio de San Jose

Every year, we celebrate Bela’s birthday with the kids of Hospicio de San Jose as our thanksgiving and our way of showing gratitude for giving Bela good health all these years. It is already our 4th year in Hospicio (we celebrated Bela’s first birthday at Missionaries of Charity in Tayuman) and so the kids there know us already.

Since I called Hospicio two weeks before the date that I was eyeing (which is November 21 as it is also Cobi’s 5th month birthday), they already have a booked party on that date. So hubby suggested that we just do it on the 16th which is Bela’s actual birthdate. Luckily, November 16 was declared as a holiday so we were able to have the party early instead of the original plan of having it after the classes of the kids which is around 4:30 PM.

I just booked a party package again with Jollibee Mendiola as what I do every year. They arrived early and started setting up the balloons and the food as soon as they arrive. The kids started coming around 2 PM and we started the party around 2:30 PM when all the kids are present already.

They started with the games and Bela had fun joining the kids. Then it was eating time and then the presentation of Jollibee where he did a dance number. Then there was candle blowing and Bela and her dad sang a song for the kids again.

The party ended with the thank you song from the kids which never fails to touch my heart.

Thanks to my friends, colleagues and Twitter mates who donated cash and goods for the kids. They are really so thankful for the donations that we give them. Till next year…

Bela's 5th Bday Celebration @ Manila Ocean Park

Last November 16 was Bela’s 5th birthday. Hubby and I filed for a leave at work to be with Bela on her special day. It was a very long and special day for Bela:

• We started with a half day tour at Manila Ocean Park
• Then we partied with the kids at Hospicio de San Jose
• And lastly we had dinner with our family at Don Henrico’s

So let me start with our half day tour at Manila Ocean Park. I asked Bela if she wants to go to the Nido Science Centrum at SM Mall of Asia or at the Manila Ocean Park and Bela chose the latter.

We left early as we initially planned to catch the 9 AM Sea Lion Show but we arrived there past 9 AM already so we just decided to watch the afternoon show instead. We got their Marin Life Package which includes entrance to the Marine Habitat, Oceanarium, Jelly Fish Museum and Sea Lion Show all for only P500.

We started with the Marine Habitat and Bela enjoyed it right away. They have an underground section where you can see the sea lions swim and play under water and Bela did not get tired following the sea lion as they swim and play.

Our next stop is the Oceanarium. As always, it was a sure hit to Bela as she just loves animals.

Then we went to watch the Sea Lion show. The show was actually simpler than what we saw in Ocean Adventure in Subic but I am sure Bela still enjoyed the show.

It was 12 nn already when the show finished and so we decided to have lunch at Pancake House. After lunch we head straight to the Jellyfish Museum. This museum was nice and it looks like Jellyfish Museum in Ocean Park in Hong Kong.

Bela even wanted to try the pool but we have to leave already for her party at Hospicio de San Jose. But I am sure even it was a short trip, Bela had so much fun.