Reality Check: Then and Now

Funny, sad, but true!
I got this from an email and was just so amused by these illustrations about how we evolved... look, read, and maybe laugh.
Here's the reality that is the 21st century.

Peace!

Sorry, I don't know who made these illustrations, or where they originated from. If any of you know the source, drop me a note so I can properly give credit.

Thanks for sharing Chris! (",)

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Mom-Finds: Multi-way HeadWare

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-finds / Raves, Accessory


Our home is still brimming with new and wonderful things we received over the holidays, with several more items being sent over until after the new year.  Among the gifts were these cool, multi-purpose accessories that the kids and I have enjoyed using.

When the package arrived with three distinct designs, the boy and the girl quickly grabbed and "owned" one for themselves --  not knowing what it actually is, hahaha!  The colors just caught their eye and so they couldn't wait for me to open it.

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Down in Chinatown on Chinese New Year 2012

Gong Xi Fa Cai, hong bao na lai!
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! 
Kong Hei Fat Choi! 
Happy Chinese New Year!

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Fun Friday: Photography Tips for Better Pictures

Third Friday of the month:  Recreation / Hobby

What I'm going to share here is not from a formal workshop, nor is it a photography class.  It was a very casual tutorial session among friends -- a group of moms who simply enjoy taking photos (lots!), either for business, for blogs and websites, or for personal files.

Practicing on food shots

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Pura Stainless Steel Bottles for Babies and Toddlers

I still remember when I was a kid, I used to have my own insulated drinking bottle lined in stainless steel with a plastic body.  And I had it for a very long time. When my children were babies, and until they were able to drink from a glass, I only had plastic bottles and tumblers for their milk and drinks.  I really didn't think much about it until just a few years ago, with the BPA scare. And then I introduced them to stainless-lined bottles and bowls.

11oz. Sippy in Pink - SRP @ PhP 970.00, also available in 5oz. (@ PhP 860)

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Advocating Anti-Bullying in Schools

Second Friday of the month:  Schooling / Parenting


"Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power.  It typically involves subtle methods of coercion such as intimidation. " - Wikipedia

(Taken from Reedley International School website; photo by Gerald Diocades)

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What's New With You this New Year?

I just had an hour or so of pampering (a.k.a. "me time") days ago and I felt recharged and inspired...it's my first treat for myself this year!

That said, it made me do a random post about what's new -- with me, with the family, at home, to usher in the new year.

I got a haircut before the end of the previous year... and gave my girl a trim too (she only wants mommy to cut her hair).

Normal prime camera lens -- ready for close-ups.

For my 2-year-old Canon 500D (Rebel T1i)

Fresh new set of natural soaps and towels as gifts... the best!

Coffee table and chairs for our small patio --  the closest we could get to the iconic (Harry) Bertoia steel chairs.

Freshly scrubbed feet and polished toe nails in a sparkly shade of old rose.

(Orly photo from their website; spa-pedi from Cozy Nail Lounge)

New favorite birthday cake (and cupcakes too) -- a slice of rainbow!

How about you, what's new with you this new year?

:)

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Foodie Friday: Rainbow (Birthday) Cupcakes

First Friday of the month:  Food Find / Dessert

First Foodie post for 2012 -- let's make it bright, sweet and colorful to usher is a bountiful year ahead!

My girl will turn 5 on Sunday and has been anticipating her school "party" with her classmates. She can't decide what theme or character she wants to use for her simple celebration since she wants too many things. But for the past couple of months, she's into anything rainbow -- rainbow dresses, rainbow-colored toys, playing with my rainbow scarf, picking rainbow candies, etc. etc.

It was supposed to be the villains from Super Mario Brothers cartoon since big brother had this theme for his own birthday last November. Well, I'm glad her moods changed in time for her own celebration so for her class treat today, we decided to go with "rainbow".

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Out with the Old, In with the New Firefly

Brushing the teeth is a non-negotiable part of my kids' daily routine.  Though there's still the occasional resistance from the boy and the girl, our kids' oral care challenges have been more manageable for the past year or so.

A few years back, they used to avoid any form of oral care.  I know we've passed that difficult stage of forcing and dragging them to brush, and even to dentist visits... hallelujah!  But even with these cute brushes, they still don't bother scrubbing properly.  Well, at least they brush.
These are their old blinking toothbrushes.

First Firefly : bought this pink one for the girl; Spiderman Firefly from the US sent to my boy 

Anyway, the bristles have been worn out already so it's the perfect time to toss out the old and bring out fresh ones, just in time for the new year!  Good thing I have a stock of FIREFLY toothbrushes from a loot I received many months back.

Look at these cute toothbrushes! :)

Why we love FIREFLY Toothbrush:

• Cute, attractive designs
• Unique “blinking technology” thru the LED light from the handle
• Soft bristles with rounded heads
• Accurately flashes in 1-minute cycles with every press of the button or base

They know they had to keep brushing until the blinking stops : 1 minute for upper teeth and 1 minute for lower teeth, as recommended by dentists.  To be honest, these toothbrushes made our oral care routine less stressful for everyone.


There's my favorite Hello Kitty Firefly on stand-by for the girl. :)  The boy chose the Spiderman brush again. When I was younger, there were only soft and hard bristled brushes to choose from... they are just so lucky, these kids!

Do you have children? What's your oral care challenge?

Firefly Toothbrush is available at Watsons and Beauty by SM Department Stores, and Pediatric dental clinics.

Check out Firefly on Facebook.

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2012 Official Philippine Holidays

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


First post of the year and I'm already thinking of the next holiday. To all Philippine residents, I'm excited to share and remind you of the regular and special holidays for this year -- all 16 of them!

As declared by the office of the president, there will be six long weekends for this year 2012 -- the longest of which is 5 days straight during Holy Week until Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Bravery).
One down, 15 more to look forward to:

• January 1 (Sunday) :  New Year's Day
• January 23 (Monday) :  Chinese New Year
• February 25 (Saturday) :  EDSA Revolution Anniversary (Special holiday for all schools)
• April 5 (Thursday) :  Maundy Thursday
• April 6 (Friday) :  Good Friday
• April 9 (Monday) :  Araw ng Kagitingan
• May 1 (Tuesday) :  Labor Day
• June 12 (Tuesday) :  Independence Day
• August 20 (Monday) : Eid Al Fitr *
• August 21 (Tuesday) :  Ninoy Aquino Day
• August 27 (Monday) :  National Heroes Day
• November 1 (Thursday) :  All Saints Day
• November 2 (Friday) :  Additional special (non-working) day
• November 30 (Friday) :  Bonifacio Day
• December 25 (Tuesday) :  Christmas Day
• December 30 (Sunday) :  Rizal Day
• December 31 (Monday) :  Last Day of the Year

Next up is Chinese New Year!!!
As a Filipino-Chinese, I am happy that the government has finally recognized the auspicious celebration of Chinese New Year.  This has been long overdue, in my opinion, considering a big part of the Philippine population is of Chinese decent, and the country has deep-rooted Chinese cultural influence. The first day of the Chinese lunar year of the water Dragon falls on 23rd of January -- now declared special non-working holiday. (Date will change every year depending on the lunar calendar). We plan to bring the kids to Chinatown for the first time this year, so that is something we're really excited about.

Mark your calendars!

Free printable calendar from www.dreamstime.com

Time to plan the next vacation folks! =)

Reference:
Proclamation No. 295

p.s.
Thanks to reader Kat, I was reminded of the Muslim special holidays which were not included in the 2012 official list.
I believe dates also vary every year for those special days which are based on the Islamic calendar.  It was declared in previous years that the end of Ramadan (Eid ul-Fitr) and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) are regular holidays as well.
2012 : Ramadan falls sometime in August;  Festival of Sacrifice falls sometime in October.

* Update
Holiday for end of Ramadan - August 20, 2012
4-Day Weekend (Aug. 18 - 21)!!!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  
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